Disclaimer: Me? Own anything? You silly gooses.

When we were really little, I had a habit of watching Fluttershy sleep during our slumber parties…

Back when we became friends at school and at Junior Flight Camp, the two of us were stuck to each other like glue. I would always have to be the one to find her or start conversations; she was way too shy for something like that. But, I didn’t mind, since that meant I would get to see her.

Seeing her…Seeing her was such an awesome feeling, better than doing the Sonic Rain Boom or even watching the Wonderbolts! I just couldn’t help but smile as soon as I saw her. And when she smiled back…well, I rather not sound like some sort of sap.

I had a pretty small house, and my Pop was always working long hours at night. My Mom was constantly on business trips, so I rarely saw her. So, the times that I knew I would be alone, I would ask Fluttershy if I could stay over. Of course, she always said ‘yes’.

Her house was HUGE! My jaw almost hit the clouds the first time I saw it…there was so much fancy stuff inside, and each room was humongous! And don’t get me started on her bedroom, that was fit for someone like Princess Celestia! Was this really how rich people lived!? Fluttershy seemed embarrassed over it, but count ME in!

We would play a lot, Fluttershy would make me read her fairytale books with her…then we would watch some movie until we fell asleep.

Fluttershy was always the one who fell asleep first…and when she did, I just would stare at her.

It wasn’t like I was trying to be some sort of freak or anything like that, I just…I don’t know, I just wanted to make sure that she wasn’t having any nightmares before I went to sleep. Since, you know, I kind of sleep like a rock.

I would watch her…probably for a half hour each and every time before I would fall asleep. And….it was really nice.

I met Gilda a year or so later, this really awesome chick who was a real Griffon! She was a little older than me, but that just made her cooler. We liked all the same things, she was teaching me what was cool and what wasn’t cool…and she said I was probably twenty percent cooler than anybody else in Cloudsdale!

I was hoping that she and Fluttershy would get along too, and I figured they did. I mean, they would always go off by themselves at times and Gilda would tell me they were just going to hang out. Fluttershy always had a weird look on her face, like she was scared. But, that’s how she usually is…it wasn’t like Gilda would do anything to hurt her. If she did, well…Gilda wouldn’t be so cool any more.

I didn’t sleep over Fluttershy’s any more; Gilda would stay over at my place so I had company. But…that didn’t mean I stopped watching her while she slept.

Getting past all of those gates to her CASTLE of a house was ridiculous, but I would manage to do it. And, for at least a half hour, I would just watch Fluttershy…sometimes she would be awake and I had to be sneaky, but other times she was asleep, and I could watch her in plain view.

…I remember once, her window was open. That day, I caught her reading this book called ‘Sleeping Beauty’, and she was giggling about how a first kiss would wake up the Princess. It seemed pretty sissy and uncool to me, but if she liked it so much…

…I never really noticed how pretty she looked while she slept. I always knew she was pretty, but…

Before I knew it, I was hovering over her, being careful not to wake her up. And…I pecked the side of her mouth. I don’t know WHY I did it, and I felt SO dweebish afterward, but I just…I just wanted to do it.

I flew back home as fast as my wings could carry me, and I let out a yawn. I decided to ditch school the next morning, just to catch up on my Z’s. Besides, it was Hearts and Hoove’s Day…what exactly would I miss?

…

After a while, and I do feel bad about it, but I began to hang out with Gilda more than Fluttershy. She was still my pal, of course! I’d walk (fly, in my case) to school and back with her, to make sure she was safe. I’d eat lunch with her…but Gilda would just always be there. That was okay though, right? We were all friends…it was just, I don’t know.

I felt ‘funny’ when I was near Fluttershy, and I didn’t like it one bit. I felt just fine around Gilda, and she always had the most awesome things planned for us! It looked like she and Gilda were hanging out more…Fluttershy still looked really scared, but I considered that normal.

“Hey…” Gilda brought something up one day, a few days before Hearth’s Warming Eve. I glanced up from reading a comic book, a bored expression on my face. We were skipping the annual Flight Camp/Junior Speedsters shtick again; pretty sure we were this close to being kicked out.

“What is it, G?” I asked, and a grin went across her tanned face.

“Ever thought about travelling outside of Cloudsdale?”

….I’m sorry, Shy.

But, that was something I really did want to do…I wanted to learn more, everything I possibly could that I deemed cool and rad enough for someone like myself. I was going to receive a notice of expulsion from Camp and Speedsters anyway, and I was better than any of those chumps!

…But, I didn’t want to leave you. I really…REALLY didn’t want to leave you! If I could, if I really could, I would take you with me! But…But no, no you’re safer here, happier here.

I know I promised that I would spend Hearth’s Warming Eve with you…

But I hope you’re okay with just letting me watch you sleep the night before…

…

Things have changed, haven’t they?

I can’t even look you in the eye, let alone hang out with you without our other friends…

Hell, I probably have said more snarky and mean-spirited crap to you than I ever had before. And you would just back away and remain silent…it killed me.

Did you wonder what had happened to me? Did you even forgive me? Part of me didn’t really care, but the other part…

You were convinced that I didn’t want anything to do with you when I returned to Cloudsdale, to Ponyville…I mean, I definitely acted awkward enough and rude to boot. Don’t try and tell me otherwise, I know that look on your face far too well.

…But I did.

I just…I was too ashamed. Too ashamed to say that I was sorry, that you were always in my head. That I….

Forget it, I’m gonna shut up. It was so uncool…

Just, one more thing…

I hope you’re not scared whenever you hear something rustling outside of your bedroom window. It’s not some monster trying to get you…

I’m just trying to keep those monsters away.

Author's Note

: D Yup, I just realized that for the last two prompts, I wrote what seemed to be mini sequels to 'It only takes a Second', namely Dash's POV and Gilda's POV. So....I figured I should post them! Gilda's should be up in a few minutes, and then this story shall be complete...unless I decide to add more to it. Enjoy!