Chapter 2: Safe in Arms

It had grown quite late, yet all of Ponyville was either awake or just returning, uneasily, to their beds. The clouds were less dark now, the rain less fierce, the thunder less frequent. In the Golden Oaks library, a baby dragon lay curled up in silence around a very bruised and battered rabbit. Aside from their ephemeral breathing, the only sounds in the hollowed tree were the cautious taps of 8 hooves, and one gentle yet unyielding voice.

“You're so, so kind, Twilight. I ... I don’t even know what to say ...”

Twilight Sparkle looked back at Fluttershy as they followed the spiral staircase to the sleeping quarters above. Since putting Angel Bunny to bed, the normally quiet pegasus had been gushing like this non-stop, particularly outside of the sleeping rabbit's earshot. If Fluttershy wasn't being so gosh-darned adorable about it, Twilight might have found herself a little annoyed.

“Fluttershy, what else would you possibly expect? That your friends would just leave you out in the cold, with a sick critter? To die?”

“Well ... no ... but, I don’t like to expect anything. I mean, maybe I would like to, but I just can’t. And ... I just want to thank you so, so much.” Fluttershy rambled on as they reached the top of the stairs.

Twilight started across the room towards the separating wall behind her bed. “You're welcome. But please, Fluttershy, don’t worry about it. Just accept it for me, okay?”

“Okay, Twilight.” Fluttershy said distractedly. She stood quietly in the middle of the room, staring at Twilight’s starry night of a bed. Then she looked up and peered through the circuitous glass of the bedroom window. No starry night there. It was still lightly raining, still overcast, still rumbling with occasional thunder. She shivered. Usually those sounds were like a lullaby. Such nights would never be the same.

Fluttershy was brought back to reality by the sound of a loud squeak that made her fur bristle.

“Ugh! I need to oil that!” Twilight griped, as she peered into the noisy closet she'd opened. “Honestly, I’d leave the guest bed out all the time, but I don’t really use it much. It mostly just gets in the way. Spike prefers his own little bed, and I haven’t had any sleepovers since -”

“Guest bed?” Fluttershy wandered over and peered around the corner, into the closet. A pink-sheeted bed lay just behind the door. Aside from some dust, it was the only thing the closet contained. “Oh ... a guest bed.”

Twilight detected some disappointment in the other mare’s voice. “Is something wrong?”

Fluttershy shook her head. “It’s fine, Twilight.” And then she entered the closet in silence.

Twilight watched quizzically as Fluttershy mounted the bed, sliding up and under its blanket. After a pause, she sat up and swept some dust off the pillow, then lay back down. Twilight just stared speechlessly the whole time, unsure what to make of this.

“It’s nice.” Fluttershy said gently, as if Twilight’s staring was her way of begging for an opinion.

“Uh ... I’m not going to make you sleep in the closet, Fluttershy. I was just going to move it out into the bedroom.”

Fluttershy sat up again and stared at her. “I thought ... maybe you were uncomfortable having me in the same room.”

Twilight put a hoof to her face. “Even though you know I had Rarity and Applejack over that one time ...”

“But ... out there I’ll … I’ll see the sky.” Fluttershy drew her hooves up and hugged them about the blanket.

Aha, so, that was it. The trauma was still fresh. Twilight didn't want to leave her friend in a closet like this, but she couldn’t help but understand. With a sympathetic smile she nodded. “If you prefer it, then -”

“I mean, that or your bed is fine.” Fluttershy said quickly.

Twilight felt her cheeks lighting up. It was fortunate that this closet's only light was eclipsed by her silhouette, masking her face. “Well, um ... if it makes you feel better to be in the closet, I guess that’s for the best. You’d still see the sky from my bed, after all.” She chuckled nervously.

“But someone would be there with me ...”

There were a lot of undertones to this discussion, it seemed. The truth was, Twilight wanted more than anything to share a bed with this pretty pony. The thought had crossed her mind about a hundred thousand times in the past few minutes, but each time Rainbow Dash seemed to be right there to shake her head sternly. This was a time to protect, to befriend, and to help heal. Nothing more and nothing less.

“That’s ... really sweet, Fluttershy. But I think it’s best if you … get used to sleeping on your own.”

“It’s only the first night.” Fluttershy stammered. Then, before letting herself appear too needy she added, “No, it’s okay. I’ll just sleep in here. I don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind either, it’s just that …” Twilight sighed. But she didn't have any way to explain that would not make the situation any more awkward than it already was.

After a pregnant pause, Fluttershy summoned the will to press the matter one last time. “I promise I’m not trying to do anything bad. I just wanted to be close to somepony so I wouldn't have any nightmares.”

Twilight felt the pangs of a headache forming. Did Fluttershy really think that she had come across as wanting to take advantage of Twilight? There was no possible way that arrangement even made sense. For a moment, Twilight wasn't sure she would be able to articulate a response. At the same time, the possibilities that came with Fluttershy thinking that way were -

No! Bad Twilight!

"Fluttershy ... I’m not worried that - okay, you can sleep with me tonight if you want.” What else was she to do?

Fluttershy made her preference known as she leaped out of the bed and threw her arms around Twilight in yet another hug. Twilight coughed as this caused dust from the old bed to float around her. Off the pegasas went, fluttering up onto the blue bedsheets of Twilight's bed.

Twilight Sparkle took a moment to examine the dusty guest bed, and to make a mental note to clean the stupid thing. She shut the door, wincing as it squealed. There was another mental note.

*

The two ponies lay quietly in Twilight's cozy bed, each fully awake but pretending otherwise. They faced opposite directions beneath both the blanket and the circular window light that fell across them like a second sheet. The night was quiet now. The storm had completely silenced the crickets and the owls of night, and now it too was gone. Twilight peered across her shoulder at the pink hair of the other mare, and stifled a sigh. It was unbelievably satisfying to have Fluttershy so close, yet it made her unable to sleep. She wasn't sure whether this was her fault, or Rainbow Dash’s.

On the other side of the bed, Fluttershy's mind had set upon a very comfortable memory. The sky was clear, the sun was beaming, and the birds were singing for her. It was the best day she could remember: the day she met a stranger on the outskirts of Ponyville.

Twilight had come out of nowhere and frightened her, sending her airborne. Not a hard thing to do ... Fluttershy knew how she could be about first meetings (it was right there in her namesake, after all,) but, it didn't usually go like that. She hadn't even been able to speak properly. She had never seen a more beautiful mare in all her life. Strangely exotic eyes, a mysterious cutie mark, the loveliest mane. And what a soothing voice! Fluttershy’s big heart had skipped a great many beats just trying to introduce herself. She must have looked like a real fool.

It was a good thing Spike had shown up, she mused. Something to take the focus off of the stranger. A little draconic proxy as she followed them both to this very residence,

Fluttershy used to wonder what it all meant. Had it been love at first sight? Those can work out great when it comes between a mare and a stallion, she thought, but she would have to be lucky for Twilight to even be ... that way. This much was certain: if it hadn't been love then and there, it was now, after all these adventures and all the good she had discovered in the ex-stranger that had strolled into her life like that. Fluttershy couldn't remember the last time she’d fallen asleep without imagining Twilight’s hooves around her. How ironic that only now, after what had happened - the destruction of her home, the danger that befell Angel Bunny - Twilight was finally close to her. Not only was she close, but she had once again shown her good soul. And that's when it hit her.

Fluttershy had to do something. She just had to. Realizing this made her body twitch and tremble. It wasn't like her to make a move, to try something dangerous and potentially embarrassing. She had even promised that she had no ulterior motives just a few minutes ago. But if she didn't try something now, then when?

“Twilight.” She said. The word came out with force, as if breaking through a physical barrier.

A hesitant pause. Twilight decided there was no use in feigning sleep. “Yes, Fluttershy?” she whispered.

“Can...” Fluttershy swallowed audibly. “Can you hold me?”

Twilight’s eyes became so wide they strained her lids. “Huh?”

“Hold me ...?” Fluttershy repeated. “I’m scared. Please hold me, Twilight.”

Twilight looked up and saw that the storm was all gone, such that now there was nothing but an overcast night. Up there, somewhere, was Rainbow Dash. Glaring back, it seemed.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Oh ... okay.” Fluttershy closed her eyes in defeat.

“What I mean is … “ Twilght paused. Resistance was futile. “Are you sure, Fluttershy?”

“Oh, I’m very, very sure.” Fluttershy whispered, her voice like a frightened child as her eyes came open again.

It hadn't taken much. Twilight gave in. She turned in the sheets, drawing up behind the yellow pony. The bed trembled beneath her, and she couldn't isolate which body was causing it. She slowly dragged herself across and raised a hoof, sliding it up Fluttershy’s side. Fluttershy felt soft - so unbelievably soft. Her hair smelled fragrant, and felt good against Twilight’s face. It was so smooth and fine that it didn't even tickle her nostrils. She soon found herself fully curled up against the other mare, holding her tightly.

“Thank you.” Fluttershy sighed, relieved. It was a more wonderful feeling than she had ever imagined, and she was immediately glad that she had dared to ask. Even if it was kind of breaking her promise to be good.

After a happy pause of cuddling, Twilight suddenly remembered something. She turned her face to look across Fluttershy’s cheek, regarding the sparkle of one open eye. “Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash said something before she left that is really true. She said we don’t know each other well enough. Of all my friends, I think I know you the least. Well ... I don’t get Pinkie Pie at all, but that’s different.”

“Well … nopony knows me very well because I'm ... I’m me.” Fluttershy whispered. “But … I would really like to get to know you better, Twilight. I really would. If you want to know anything … just ask.”

Twilight smiled. “Lets take some time tomorrow to do that, okay?”

“Okay, Twilight.” Fluttershy forced around a sudden yawn. “And thank you for everything. Especially this.”

The next thing Twilight Sparkle knew, this beautiful pony was snoring in her arms. For the first time, she knew with complete certainty what Fluttershy was to her. 'Pretty' had been the understatement of the century.

*

It was daybreak, and Cloudsdale was as white and bright as could be after such a storm. The clear sky and distant rainbows made for a gorgeous backdrop for the small crowd, as they listened to Rainbow Dash blow her hot air upon them. They'd formed a small semi-circle around her and Derpy Hooves near the center of the city, so as to go over what had happened the night before.

Rainbow Dash made sure to give herself a good, long moment in the spotlight. She thumped her chest and tossed back her head with glee as she recounted the scene.

“I swooped through the glass -" she illustrated this with a hoof, "went right through it ... BAM! And there was smoke everywhere when I got inside. I couldn't breath, but I knew I had to find Fluttershy. I mean, sure, I was all cut up and stuff, but nothing can stop Rainbow Dash once the pressure’s on! So when I finally found Fluttershy, WHAM! Right through the side of the house with an ol' Sonic Rainboom. Hehehe, and I didn't even break a sweat.”

“How did you not break a sweat in a room full of fire?” One mare asked from near the back of the group.

Rainbow Dash decided to change the subject. “Hey, enough about me. I wanted everyone to check out our pal Derpy, here." She motioned to the pegasus beside her. "Dunno if any of you noticed, but she really came through for us last night.”

Derpy blushed hotly and smiled. “I … I just didn’t want Fluttershy to burn up or something ...”

“Well first of all, you didn't save Fluttershy, you saved Angel Bunny, remember?”

A ditsy smile appeared on the mailmare's face. “Oh, right! Yeah … well, uh, okay so she was trapped under this beam ...”

Rainbow Dash interrupted again. “I think Angel’s a he. Maybe. Actually I’m not completely sure, go on.”

“Okay so she, uh, he was trapped because this beam fell over. Uh, and so ... I pushed it and it fell, and the little bunny was asleep, so I took her out as fast as I could.” Derpy explained humbly. “It was scary ... but I didn't want anypony to die. Or is it anybunny?”

There were light whoops and congratulations as some of the other ponies stomped their hooves.

Rainbow Dash nodded to them all. “I wanna see more guts like that around here! But we shouldn't even have to get in these messes in the first place. On that note, where's Flashbang?”

The crowd parted like a small, multicolored sea, revealing the dark-furred stallion in question. He looked woefully sheepish, tired, and vulnerable. His tail was literally up between his legs.

“I'm here.” He said, cringing. “And I'm sorry. It was my fault. I wasn't focused. I’m ... sorry, everypony.”

Dash nodded coolly. "Here's the thing. Two things went your way today, Flashbang. First, you told me yourself that it was your fault, even before Skyraven there reported it. We gotta own up to the things we do around here, and you did. Second, Fluttershy herself has already forgiven you, because that’s the kind of pony she is. So all I’m going to ask is that you apologize to Fluttershy personally, and then you thank her for being so insanely nice. Are we clear?”

“Completely.” Replied Flashbang, bowing his head. Dash and Skyraven exchanged a smile across his shoulder.

Skyraven was an older brown-haired mare, and a little on the tough side. She was also a flight instructor, specifically Flashbang's. In her stern voice she added, “I’m going to be giving you extra training today. You really need to learn how to keep your mind clear.”

“Yes ma'am.”

Rainbow Dash cleared her throat. “Alright, I’m going to go see if I can get Fluttershy. She'll be staying with a friend of mine down in Ponyville for a while, but I’m sure we can all start talking to her about reparation stuff. Besides, Flashbang has some things to say to her.”

“Yes ma'am.” Flashbang said a second time.

The assortment watched the element of loyalty sail over the billowy edge of Cloudsdale in an elegant swoop. Derpy Hooves saluted, hoof across her mouth.

*

The morning light opened Twilight Sparkle’s eyes. Instead of pink hair, she found Fluttershy’s sleeping face pressed into her chest. She smiled, and drew the other mare in tighter. So this was how it felt.

Fluttershy's closed eyes pronounced the thickness of her eyelashes, and for a few minutes Twilight found herself counting the strands. She was looking forward to this day. Finally, a chance to get to know her Fluttershy better ... and to help Angel Bunny begin the healing process, of course. Twilight could envision the entire thing blow by blow. A pleasant conversation … a warm meal ... Angel would come around to the taste of hot soup and smile up at them as they searched the library for remedies and techniques. The warm sun gave Twilight nothing but the best thoughts.

But then, the sun was eclipsed. Twilight looked up at the monocle of a window to see Rainbow Dash hovering outside, her mouth agape. The two exchanged a lot in that glance, and then Dash dropped to the ground, heading towards the door.

Her heart racing, Twilight untangled herself from Fluttershy and fell to the bedside. On her way downstairs she noted Angel Bunny breathing noisily next to Spike. She reached the door just in time to open it before Rainbow Dash’s hoof could meet the wood.

“Rainbow Dash …” Twilight started. “I -”

“Move.” Dash said, breathing sharply through her nose.

Twilight moved. Rainbow Dash walked in, promptly and wordlessly gathering Angel Bunny comfortably in a saddle bag.

“Dash, wait ...” Twilight began, legitimately concerned about the rabbit. But it was also very apparent now that this was not a pleasant visit in any capacity.

“Stay there.” Dash said, as she spread her wings and flew up to the upper floor.

Twilight obeyed, silently waiting by a shelf. She closed her eyes, feeling all her happy thoughts slipping away. She heard voices ... unhappy voices. She couldn't make out words, but she knew exactly what was going on. Rainbow Dash was being firm and aggressive, giving Fluttershy no time to interject. To Dash, Twilight had betrayed a very serious promise, and was now unfit to care for the two survivors. In a way, Twilight believed it herself. It wasn't as though she’d raised a hoof to stop Fluttershy from getting close to her.

Upstairs, Fluttershy not only did not have time to interject, but she had been stunned into silence. Dash’s words had frozen her heart: "This isn't why I had Twilight take you in. I’m sorry, I didn't know about ... I mean, I kinda did, but I didn't think anything would happen." The rest of Dash’s words sounded so faraway. Had she been so obvious all this time? What had she done last night, taking advantage of Twilight’s hospitality like that after promising that she wouldn't? She had pushed the point over and over until she'd got her way. Using her predicament - Angel's predicament - to get herself secured in Twilight’s arms - it wasn't the first time she’d felt like a monster, but it was the worst.

“You don’t need to cry, Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash said, noticing a tear forming in the corner of each eye. “It isn't your fault. Nopony can control how they feel, but we’re supposed to control what we do and when we do it, y’know what I mean?”

“Yes… okay, I’ll go with you.” Fluttershy whimpered, lowering her head.

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy descended to the lower level, where each exchanged an unhappy look with Twilight Sparkle in total silence. Then they were gone.

Spike rubbed his tired eyes with the sides of his claws, and looked about in confusion. “Wha? Where are they going?” He said.

That’s when Twilight began to cry.