The orange mare fell into a state of...something. Something that was between depression and self-loathing. “What is wrong with me...I ask her out, then the next day I hit her because I can't control myself? Real smooth Scoots...real smooth.” The young pony's mind began to play out various scenarios as a consequence of her actions. Most involved Fluttershy backing out of their relationship, leaving Scootaloo alone and miserable to the point where she... shed her mortal skin.

Others involved Fluttershy calling upon the guards to hunt her down and lock her away for assault. Only one came up that brought her any comfort: the thought that Fluttershy would understand and wouldn't break up with her or anything like that. “Pff...fat chance THAT'LL happen...” The upset pegasus mumbled to herself. As the morning slowly gave way to the afternoon, Scootaloo fell into a fitful slumber in which she tossed and turned, rolling left and right as nightmare after nightmare assaulted her dreams. Finally, at around five-thirty, the orange pony opened her eyes and screamed.

Fear, pain, and anger. It all came out in the scream that poured forth from between Scootaloo's lips like a fountain. The orange mare leapt to her hooves and ran over to the closest tree, spun, and bucked it as hard as she could. Numbness immediately spread through her legs, but she didn't care. She continued to buck the tree with all her strength and fury until she could stand no longer. Panting, Scootaloo wiped away the tears that had begun to fall at some point during her outburst and sighed. While she did feel a little better to get all the pent up emotion out, she still felt miserable. “How could she even think about forgiving me?”

“Because she cares about you.” The sudden voice made Scoots shout in terror and attempt to run, but she didn't make it more than a few steps before the numbing sensation in her hind legs reminded her of it's presence. So, she turned to face the voice and was surprised by what she saw.

“W-Warm Breeze?”

He gave a light bow and said, “The one and only.”He took a few more steps before sitting down in front of the young pegasus. Scoots quickly straightened herself into a sitting position (which was difficult considering that she had fallen asleep on her stomach and her spine had yet to fully remember that it could bend).

“W-what brings you here?” He yawned for a moment and looked past her at what she assumed was the sunset.

“Well, I came to visit my daughter and see how she was doing.”

'Oh crap oh crap oh crap!' Ran immediately through Scootaloo's mind. “Is...is that right?” She asked nervously.

“Mhmm.” The mare was silent as her gaze drifted to the ground.

“So...I take it that you know...?”

“Mhmm.” After what felt like a lifetime had passed, Scootaloo slowly directed her gaze upward to look the stallion straight in the eyes.

In Warm Breeze's eyes was not the anger she was expecting, but rather a warmth that brought comfort to her troubled mind. Scootaloo stood up and without a moment's hesitation, threw herself at him and buried her face in his chest and with tear choked sobs cried, “I'm so sorry!” over and over while Warm Breeze just softly rubbed her back and whispered comforting words to the guilt-wracked mare. When her tears had run out, the first thing that Scootaloo said was, “I'm pathetic...”

“Oh? And what makes you say that?” The stallion asked, gently smoothing parts of Scootaloo's mane that had become disheveled.

“Here I am, crying my eyes out instead of apologizing and begging for Fluttershy's forgiveness. All because I'm too cowardly to go face the truth. Pathetic.” Warm Breeze softly chuckled, confusing the young pony.

“Fear is strange like that. However, I can guarantee that if you just explain to Fluttershy what happened like you did to me, she will understand.”

“That's not it though! I hit her! I Physically HIT her! I didn't mean to...but still!” Scootaloo said, pushing herself away from the stallion.

“I know you did. However, you are genuinely upset that you did it, and for that, I am not angry with you, nor is she. Trust me, go and talk to my daughter. It'll put both your mind and her heart at ease.” Scootaloo was silent before nodding.

“Okay...” Warm Breeze smiled and stood up, his knees popping as he did.

“Before I go...I want to give you something.”

“Huh?” The stallion lowered his head and very carefully bit the red ribbon that was tied around his right foreleg. Scootaloo wondered how she could've missed it.

“A ribbon?” The orange pony asked in mild confusion.

“Yup. This was given to me by Fluttershy's mother when we started dating...it wasn't until later when we were married and she was pregnant with Fluttershy that I promised her that when our little girl found the love of her life, I was to pass it on to that pony. And that pony... is you, Scootaloo.” Before Scoots could object to such a gift, he had already tied it around her right foreleg, in the same spot it had been on his own leg.

“You are a very special mare you know. I've seen plenty of stallions and a few other mares pine for my daughter, but they all just felt...wrong to me. I don't know what it was about them but they all just seemed like a bad match for Fluttershy. Call it a father's intuition.” Warm Breeze took a step back to admire his handiwork before smiling.“Take care of her, and love her with all your heart. Fare thee well Scootaloo, and good luck.”

With that, he stretched his wings and with one flap, Warm Breeze was airborne and with only two more, he had disappeared behind the treetops. Scootaloo was baffled about how quick he was. “Wow...” A light breeze brought her back to reality as the ribbon strands tickled her belly. “I can't believe he gave this to me...” Scoots admired the ribbon as she twisted her leg this way and that to get a better look at it. As far as she could tell, it was just a red silk ribbon. “I won't let you down, Warm Breeze...nor will I let Fluttershy down.” A determined nod later, Scootaloo was headed back for home as Luna's moon breached the horizon.

~~~~

When Scootaloo made it home, she stopped before she actually went inside. Through the kitchen window, Scoots could see Fluttershy pacing back and forth. It was obvious that the yellow pegasus was very upset and distraught about the events of earlier and were beginning to take their toll upon her. 'I'm so selfish...I put her through that pain just because I wanted to be alone and I just assumed that she'd hate me...I'm a terrible pony.' Scootaloo took a deep breath before she opened the door and called out to her lover. “Fluttershy?”

Not a second later, Scootaloo was swept up in a pair of yellow hooves and crushed in a hug. “Don't EVER do that again! I was so worried about where you had gone!” Scootaloo felt warm tears on her neck, so she comforted the pink-maned mare the best she could. When Fluttershy had calmed down, Scootaloo absently led the yellow pony to her bedroom where they took refuge in the darkness.

Fluttershy seemed to catch on to Scootaloo's intent, so she crawled onto the bed first and waited. The orange mare crawled on after her and immediately cradled herself within the yellow pony's waiting hooves. In the silent darkness, the couple laid, listening to each other's heartbeats while they searched for something to say. Finally, it was Scootaloo who spoke first. “Fluttershy? I'm really sorry about what I did...and I don't just mean about running off like I did. It wasn't right of me to just...lose my temper like that. Even worse is that I hit you...I'm so sorry...” Scootaloo pressed her face into the comfort of Fluttershy's chest and waited for an answer.

At first, she was afraid that Fluttershy was searching for the easiest way to let her down, but her fears were quickly quelled when the older pony spoke. “It's okay, sweetheart. You had every right to be angry with the stallion who was bothering you. I'll admit, you could've handled it a different way, but I don't hold what you did against you. You were just doing what you felt was right.”

“That doesn't excuse what I did. I never want to be that angry again. It scared me...to know that I was consciously doing that to him and that it felt good to do it...and then I hit you...” Fluttershy kissed the young mare's forehead before replying.

“I know. It may surprise you, but I was once in a situation exactly like the one you were in earlier.”

“Really?”

“Mhmm. It was when I was just a filly. There was this bully in my class who would relentlessly torment me for my terrible flying skills. One day, he said that I should just save myself the trouble and get the same disease my mother got and just pass away, and just like you, I attacked him.” Scootaloo couldn't believe what she was hearing. Fluttershy, the epitome of kindness, attacked another pony? If Scootaloo wasn't hearing it directly from Fluttershy's mouth, she'd most likely call the pony who told her a liar.

“I felt so afraid after that...I was afraid that I could just as easily hurt a friend or somepony I cared about like that, and it was because of that incident that I swore that I would never lift a hoof against another pony ever again...and I've upheld that vow up until I hit Rainbow after I saved you.”

“You...hit Rainbow?” Fluttershy sighed unhappily and tenderly squeezed Scootaloo against her for a moment.

“I did. I wish I could take it back, but what's done is done. Besides, I needed her full attention before I spoke. Of course, I could've easily done it another way nonviolently, but...”

“It's okay. You were upset and weren't really thinking everything through.” Scoots said, trying to keep Fluttershy out of the depression she was heading for.

“Maybe...But anyways, after I was pulled off the colt, I was transferred to another school in Cloudsdale.” Fluttershy leaned back a little and Scootaloo could see the dim reflection of herself in Fluttershy's beautiful eyes. “You are the only pony I've ever told this story to other than Octavia.”

“Thank you for trusting me with it. I promise not to tell anypony else.” Fluttershy smiled warmly and gently nuzzled the young mare. The two pegasi laid there in the darkness, a content silence hovering in the air.

Scootaloo was nearly asleep when she heard Fluttershy whisper, “Good night Scootaloo.”

“G'night Fluttershy.” The couple closed their eyes and drifted off to sleep, both more relaxed than they had been all day.

~~~~

When Scootaloo woke up the next morning, she couldn't help but blush a dark crimson. At some point during the night, either she or Fluttershy had pulled the other closer and now they were only inches a part, their lips close to touching. Scootaloo could feel the warm breath of the older pegasus on her muzzle and, while it made her smile, it also made her happily warm inside. 'I could get used to waking up like this.' The orange mare thought before carefully maneuvering out from betwixt the yellow hooves to get ready for school. Once again, as Scootaloo was eating her cereal, she felt a light kiss on her head. “Good morning Fluttershy.”

“Morning.” The yellow pegasus got herself a bowl as well and the couple ate and talked until it was time for Scoots to leave. “Would you like me to walk you to school? In case Rumble is there?” The orange pegasus hadn't thought about facing the stallion again so soon and wondered what would happen.

“Yea...that'd probably be a good idea.” Fluttershy nodded and washed her bowl, then followed Scootaloo out the door to the school. However, when they got close, an older mare shouted and quickly ran up to the pair.

“You! You're the little monster who hurt my poor little Rumble! Guard!” Scootaloo looked at Fluttershy in confusion as a guard came walking over.

“Yes Bright Sun?”

“This is the mare I was telling you about! I demand that you take her away!” The bright orange mare said smugly.

“Um...and do what? She isn't exactly old enough to be put into a prison or dungeon. How old are you Ms...?”

“My name's Scootaloo...and I'm about seventeen.”

The guard turned back to Bright Sun and said, “Yup. Too young. I mean, the most you could really do is fine her.” The guard then turned and trotted away, shouting at a stallion to keep his hooves on the ground and something about disturbing the peace, leaving behind an angry bright orange mare, a slightly confused orange mare, and a defensive yellow mare.

“You...you...ugh! This is all your fault! If you hadn't-” With every word, Bright Sun took a step closer to Scootaloo...that is, until she bumped into Fluttershy. “Move.” Bright Sun hissed.

However, Fluttershy stood strong and said, “You listen here. While I don't encourage violence and agree that this could've been handled differently, your son also could've chosen not to provoke my Scootaloo. So in all honesty, he brought it upon himself. So if you want to be angry at her, you'll have to go through me.” Fluttershy's eyes never left Bright Sun's, paralyzing the older mare in place.

“B-but... she... he...” Sensing her defeat, Bright Sun sighed and said, “Of course. I don't like the thought of my baby Rumble causing trouble like this...but I suppose I need to face that. I'm sorry for bothering you Ms. Scootaloo.” With that, the bright mare bowed in apology and slowly walked off.

“I feel kinda bad for her.” Scoots mumbled, her gaze directed towards the ground as her thoughts on yesterday sprang to mind.

Fluttershy sighed and said, “As do I...but she had no right to just pounce on you like that.” The yellow pony leaned down and kissed Scootaloo's forehead before wishing her a positive day and heading back for town. However, the kiss didn't go unnoticed by two certain ponies.

“Scootaloo!” They cried out simultaneously. The addressed mare turned and grinned at the sight of her friends running up to her.

“Sweetie Belle! Apple Bloom!” She met them half way and the trio hugged, laughing as they did. “Watch the wings!” Scoots said as she felt a pair of hooves drift dangerously close.

“Whoa! What happened? And what was with Fluttershy kissing your head? And...” A stream of questions came flying out of Apple Bloom's mouth, making it hard for Scootaloo to answer. Finally, it was Sweetie Belle's interruption that caused the earth pony to stop.

“I don't know about the wings, but the kiss means that our dear Scootaloo has gotten with Fluttershy. Right?” Scootaloo only needed to blush to confirm Sweetie Belle's question. “That's so adorable!” The unicorn said, crushing Scootaloo in yet another hug.

“T-thanks Sweetie...but I can't...breathe...”

“Oh, sorry. I'm just so happy for you.” Sweetie said, releasing the orange mare from her vice grip.

“Listen, I'll explain everything at lunch okay?” The two mares nodded reluctantly, wishing to know now. However, they knew that class came first, so they all headed into the building and waited.

~~~~

“I can't believe that!” Apple Bloom shouted, sending small bits of sandwich all over Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. “Rainbow Dash almost let you hit the ground and Fluttershy had to come save you?” The earth pony continued.

“That's what I believe happened. I don't actually know what happened after I blacked out...”Scootaloo said sadly. Silence passed between the three for awhile before both Apple Bloom and Scoots realized that during her whole story, Sweetie Belle had yet to say anything while Apple Bloom had interrupted every other third word. The two looked to Sweetie and saw that she was gazing off into the distance. Finally, after another minute or so had passed, she looked back at them and said,

“Romantragedy.”Shock stopped any attempt to speak as Apple Bloom and Scootaloo tried to figure out what Sweetie was talking about. When it became clear that the unicorn had no intention of simply explaining, Scootaloo took it upon herself to ask.

“Umm...beg pardon?”

“Romantragedy: romantic tragedy. You story is so romantic in the sense that Fluttershy had to come and save your life and that you two are a couple because of it. But it's also tragic due to you almost dying and I figured that I'd come up with a word for it.” Sweetie Belle said with a smile.

“Er...thanks but...I'm good Belle.” The unicorn just shrugged and spoke again. “So tell us...how'd it happen between you and Fluttershy?” Apple Bloom started to listen, but ended up turning her head, her attention being drawn elsewhere.

“Well...I think I've always had a thing for Fluttershy deep down in me, but I was so...infatuated with Dash that I couldn't recognize it. Plus, it turns out that Fluttershy has been watching me for quite awhile and that she's cared for me for just as long.”

Sweetie Belle smiled happily for her friend and said, “Well, I hope it goes well for you both.” Before Scoots could thank Sweetie, the unicorn slid up close and after making sure nopony was around, whispered, “So...have you two...done anything yet?” A small blush jumped onto Scootaloo's face as the implications played through her mind, but decided to play ignorant.

“W-what do you mean?”

“You know...” Sweetie Belle leaned ever closer and with her mouth next to Scootaloo's ears whispered, “Kiss?” Scoots nearly fell over in relief at the suggestion and let out a huge breath. “Or touched each other intimately?” Sweetie Belle finished bluntly.

“S-Sweetie Belle! Not out loud!” Scootaloo said, shoving her hoof into her friend's mouth to silence her.

“Bleh!” The unicorn said, spitting the hoof out.

“What're y'all doin'?” Apple Bloom asked, her attention drawn back to her friends.

“I was just asking a simple question and-”

“No, you weren't! That's a very personal question...and no I haven't.” The orange mare whispered the last bit of her sentence, making Sweetie smile and Apple Bloom regard them with confusion.

“Well...whatever. It's time to go back in anyways.” The Crusaders packed up the remnants of their lunch and headed back inside to finish their schooling for the day.

~~~~

A few hours after Scootaloo had left, Fluttershy left as well, heading for the Ponyville Spa to speak with Aloe and Lotus, as well as wait for Rarity for their usual get together. “Ahh, hello Fluttershy.”

“Good morning Fluttershy.” The twins said simultaneously, both with a smile on their face.

“Good morning ladies. Do you mind if I ask you a question?”

“Not at all dear Fluttershy. Please, by all means, ask.” Lotus said, leading Fluttershy back into what they called their “employee lounge”.

The trio took a seat on the couch and Fluttershy asked, “I don't wish to be rude or seem impatient, but how long will it be before Scootaloo can stop wearing bandages on her wings?”

The pair looked at each other and as if a message was sent telepathically between them, both Aloe and Lotus nodded and Lotus said, “Well, that depends on how much they've healed since we've mended them.”

“Well, I changed the wraps this morning and they seem to be stronger than what they were already.”

“Oh? Well that's good to hear. However, to be sure we'll need to examine them ourselves later. Does this afternoon sound good?”

“That would be wonderful.” Fluttershy said with a smile.

“What would be wonderful dear?” Another voice called out from the doorway.

“Oh! Hello Rarity.” The spa twins smiled and welcomed the fashionista as well. The unicorn gave Aloe and Lotus a hug and replying to their welcome in kind before turning back to Fluttershy.

“You still didn't answer my question darling.”

“Oh...well...can we talk about it as we go about our treatment?”

“Well of course!” Rarity said with a smile, leading the two into the back where Aloe and Lotus were preparing for them.

~~~~

“I do believe congratulations are in order! We'll have to have Pinkie throw you a party.” Rarity cried out when Fluttershy had told her about her new relationship. “I had always guessed that you had your eye on dear Scootaloo, but of course I do have an eye for this kind of thing.”The pegasus couldn't help but chuckle at her friend.

“Thank you, but being with Scootaloo is enough for me.”

“Nonsense darling! This sort of event simply MUST have at least some sort of get together with our friends. Let's see, I'll get Twilight and Applejack after I tell Pinkie, then you'll have to get Rainbow Dash and...Fluttershy dear, what's wrong?” As soon as the dress-maker spoke Rainbow's name, she could immediately see a shift in Fluttershy's emotions.

“I...I didn't tell you everything when I told you how I got with Scootaloo...”

“Oh?” Fluttershy nodded and took a few breaths before speaking again.

“You see...I saved Scootaloo from falling to her...death. Rainbow made her jump off a cloud as a test to see if she could fly from one cloud to the next, but I'm guessing Scootaloo tried too hard too early and ended up messing up her wings. I don't know why, but Rainbow didn't immediately swoop down to save her...so I'm happy I was in the area or else...” Rarity gasped aloud while Aloe and Lotus just looked at the marble floor. “I got mad and...and I lashed out at her. I think I may have broken her jaw or something, but I yelled and screamed at her and I'm afraid that...that...”

Fluttershy couldn't take it any more and she allowed the tears that had built up in her eyes to fall and she brought her hooves up to hide her face. “Oh Fluttershy...” The unicorn and two earth ponies wrapped their hooves around the teary pegasus to bring her comfort, allowing her to get the bottled pain out. When Fluttershy had finished crying, Rarity stood up, shaking off her luxurious spa robe and began to stomp towards the exit. “W-where are you going?”

“To give that bull-headed Rainbow Dash a piece of my mind!” The fashion pony said before continuing towards the door.

“N-no!” Fluttershy flew over Rarity and landed in front of her friend, holding up a hoof. “Hold on! Please Rarity, I know you want to do this, but for me, please don't. Both Scootaloo and I think she's suffered enough. I mean, she's probably still suffering. Besides, we don't want this getting out that Scootaloo nearly died. Imagine how angry the town would be if they knew?” Rarity snorted and lightly stomped her left hoof a few times, a habit that told Fluttershy that her elegant friend was quite frustrated.

“Oh very well...but the next time I see her, I'm going to give her such a look...” Rarity shook her head and angrily mumbled to herself as she walked out of the Spa.

“You think you can trust Rarity to keep that kind of gossip a secret for very long Flutters?” Lotus asked, walking up beside Fluttershy to watch the unicorn go.

“I know how much she likes to talk, but she'll definitely keep this a secret.” The yellow pegasus said confidently.

~~~~

Rarity stomped along the path back to Carousel Boutique, angrily whispering words under her breath. “Well howdy Rar. Whoa...uh, you okay sugarcube?” Rarity looked up and into the emerald green eyes of Applejack.

“No, not at all.”

“What's botherin' ya? Maybe ah can help?” The farmer asked.

“Well, you see...”

~~~~

When school had ended, Scootaloo bid her friends farewell and headed for the flower shop. As she walked in through the door, the familiar tingling sound of bells welcomed her and it wasn't a moment later that Roseluck appeared. “Welcome to...oh, heya Scoots.”

“Don't sound so enthused Rosey. All that happiness might make ya keel over.” The young pegasus replied with a grin.

“I'm gonna tell Colgate you said that, then you'll be sorry.” The rose pony chuckled.

“So anyways, what's up? How'd the training go? Can our little Scootaloo take to the skies and...” Roseluck stopped talking as she noticed the orange pony's eyes make their way to the ground. “So you can't fly yet. Nopony said you had to get it down right away. These things take time...or so I'm told.” Rose moved over to the pegasus and lightly patted her back. “Now come on. You've got quite a bit of working coming to you for skipping out for two whole weeks.”

Scootaloo smiled and mentally thanked the older pony for cheering her up. She was also glad that she had removed the wraps from her wings before coming. She didn't feel like repeating her story for a second time.

~~~~

As Scootaloo walked home, she rubbed her shoulder. “Wow...she wasn't kidding.” The pegasus suppressed a yawn and opened the door to her home, surprised at who she saw. “Fluttershy? Aloe and Lotus? What's going on?”

“I invited Lotus and Aloe here to examine your wings to see how soon you can go without wrapping your wings.” Scoots nodded and laid on the floor in front of the spa sisters.

“Ready when you are.” They both chuckled at her eagerness and began their examination. Scootaloo felt rather...uncomfortable in a sense at having two ponies touch her wings so intimately. While she knew that they probably weren't very aware at exactly HOW sensitive wings were, she still wished they would hurry. 'Don't think about it. Think about something else...um...clocks? No, uh...er...' Scootaloo bit her bottom lip as her mind raced to find something to focus on other than the hooves caressing her wings every which way.“H-how much longer?” She asked, hoping that nopony heard the small hiccup in her voice.

“Not too much.” Lotus said simply. The floored pony simply nodded and continued to bite her lip. About five or so minutes later, Scootaloo sighed in relief as Aloe and Lotus relinquished her wings and allowed her to snap them back to her sides. The spa sisters spoke to each other and Scoots just sat up and moved next to Fluttershy, earning herself a soft nuzzle, making the orange pony's face flush red. “Well, it seems that your wings are recovering remarkably fast all things considered. We guess that in about...a week you should be able to go without the bandages. You're quite lucky Fluttershy came to us so soon after it had happened or else it might've been worse than what it is.”

Scoots nodded and hugged Fluttershy tightly. “Thank you Fluttershy.” The yellow pegasus smiled warmly and wrapped a foreleg around the younger pony.

“You're quite welcome hun.” She leaned down and kissed the top of Scootaloo's head. “Would you girls like to stay for dinner? I mean...if it's okay with you Scootaloo?”

“Fine with me.” The spa sisters thanked the orange pegasus and the four of them conversed and laughed in the kitchen as Aloe and Fluttershy prepared the meal (turns out that while Aloe and Lotus were alike in numerous ways, Lotus couldn't cook to save her life). When they had all finished, Scootaloo and Fluttershy bid the spa ponies a farewell and a pleasant evening before sitting down in the living room. “Umm...Scootaloo?”

“Hmm?” Fluttershy twirled her hooves around each other for a moment before talking again.

“Where...where did you get that ribbon?”

“Hmm? Oh! Your dad actually gave it to me.” Scootaloo said, looking down at the ribbon around her foreleg. When she looked back up, she saw tears shimmering in Fluttershy's eyes.

“I see...” Without another word, the yellow pony pulled Scootaloo into an embrace so soft and warm, Scootaloo could help but hug back, lightly pressing her face into Fluttershy's chest as the older pegasus lightly hummed and rocked back and forth. “I don't know if it's too early to say this...but after seeing that ribbon around your leg, I can't help it. Scootaloo...I love you.” Scoots pulled her face away and saw a smile on Fluttershy's lips.

She couldn't help but return the smile and say, “I love you too Fluttershy.” The pair stared into each other's eyes for what seemed like an eternity before Scootaloo worked up the nerve to move forward and quickly press her lips against Fluttershy's, a large blush on her face as she did so. Fluttershy was surprised for a moment, but the smile she wore quickly returned.

“Come on...we should be getting to bed. You have school tomorrow and I need to go back home for awhile tomorrow to take care of what animals that are still with me.” Scoots nodded and followed Fluttershy up to her room and after letting the older pony get comfortable, quickly crawled into her waiting hooves, sighing happily as she felt Fluttershy against her.

“Good night Fluttershy.”

“Good night Scootaloo. Sleep well.” It didn't take long for either pony to fall into sleep's sweet embrace, with each of them dreaming blissfully of the other.

Author's Note

So guys....Team Fortress 2 is REALLY addictive >.>
Blame the editor for any and all delays

Editor's Note: ... What?