Rainbow Dash was rummaging through the freezer, filling up a bag with ice, and sweating like she just competed in the Iron Pony. “I’m so, so, so sorry Mrs. Shy! I didn’t know you had opened the door.” She flew as fast as she could to the bathroom with the bag in her teeth. She squirmed slightly when she saw the bloody tissues in the sink.

Fluttershy’s mother did not speak as she finished wiping the blood off her nose. She took the ice bag in one hoof and placed it on her aching nose. Their eyes met, her motherly gaze still one of disapproval, which stopped any more apologies the younger pegasus was about to say. “Let’s hope it doesn’t swell or bruise Rainbow. Follow me to the living room.” She finally said after the silence, her voice sounding weird.

Rainbow Dash moved to one side and let her flutter to the sofa, so much of Sunbeam’s actions reminding her of Fluttershy. She stood in front of the sofa, not feeling welcomed enough to take a seat. She grabbed a pillow to place it under the yellow mare’s head. Rainbow couldn’t help but notice she had not seen head or tail of Fluttershy. She wasn’t sure if she should be happy or scared of that fact.

Sunbeam’s stare finally softened as the pain dulled. “Rainbow, don’t just hover above me. Take a seat.” The older mare gave a snort of a laughter when the suddenly quiet pegasus before her dropped her rump on the floor in the blink of an eye. She felt odd, having those youthful magenta eyes focusing solely on her nose. “Well, now that we are past this, odd greeting, to what do I owe the pleasure of having your visit?”

Rainbow’s ears were flat down as she hunched over slightly. “Look Mrs. Shy, ma’am, I’m really sorry about hitting you on the nose. It was an accident, I was too nervous to keep my eyes open, I didn’t realize you had already opened the door.” She tried to apologize.

Sunbeam felt a small smile form on her lips, remembering when the girls were young, and all the disasters that led to similar apologies. “I’m already past that Rainbow. Accidents happen, just be more careful next time. And you know my name, so stop calling me ma’am, I’m not that old!” she turned her nose to the air, grunting at the quick rush of pain.

Rainbow smiled nervously, a hot blush on her cheeks. “Sorry, uh, Sunbeam.” Rainbow Dash felt like a filly again, the only other pony who ever scolded her besides her father was the pegasus before her, and she took her much more seriously than him in that regard.

Sunbeam took the bag off of her face, setting it aside, sniffling a bit. She crossed her forelegs neatly, and looked straight into the worried gaze. “I’m guessing you dropped by to see Fluttershy?”

Dash looked at her hooves for a moment before glancing back up. “Y-yes. Where is she, if you don’t mind me asking?”

She is only ever this polite when she is in trouble. The older mare thought to herself. “She took the train back to Ponyville this morning. I actually just came back home from seeing her off.”

A look of sadness came over Rainbow’s face. “Oh.” Was all she managed to say.

Sunbeam continued to study the cyan mare she had helped raised. It amused and baffled her, how the two of them came out so different, yet meshed so well, except for recently. “Fluttershy told me what happened.” She let the words linger for as long as the guilty pegasus needed.

“I figured she would. I, I came by to apologize, to her, and to you and your husband. The way I acted was unacceptable, and I should have treated her better. I should have known better than to doubt her the way I did.” Rainbow felt the words flow from her mouth in a downed tone, as she forced herself to look the yellow pegasus in the eyes.

Sunbeam took a deep breath, feeling the tension leave her shoulders. She rested her head on her pillow as she closed her eyes. “You seem a lot less forgiving of yourself than my daughter is.”

Rainbow gave her a confused look as she tried to make sense of the words. “Huh?”

“I actually feel sorry for you Rainbow Dash. You have this awful thought set in your mind, that you can’t make her happy. Yet, thinking like that, living like that, that’s what will ruin you, and your relationship with my daughter.”

Rainbow opened her mouth only to close it again, not sure of what to say, or if she should say anything at all.

Sunbeam took the silence as a cue to continue. She shivered slightly at the combination of the cool air through the window and the ice she held on her face from time to time. She smiled gratefully when the rainbow flyer closed the window without being asked. She cleared her throat and sat up again. “I am quite happy you came here. After hearing what happened, I knew I needed to have a few words with you.” Rainbow looked away, already feeling dread. “So, no need to beat around the bush. I heard my daughter’s side. Why exactly did you think Fluttershy would cheat on you with everypony in your town?”

Rainbow felt short of breath, like she had once she finished her long flight to this town. She frowned, averting her eyes. She took the deepest breath she could. Don’t be a coward. Fess up and tell her mom how you messed up. She deserves at least that. She tried to cheer in her mind. She brought her gaze back to the older mare. “I-I’m not sure. She was trying to plan a surprise birthday party for me, and she seemed so secretive.”

Sunbeam didn’t look impressed by the confession. “So you don’t truly know. Is she not allowed to have a life unless every second revolves around you Rainbow Dash?” she asked, her tone neutral.

Rainbow tensed up, feeling fidgety. “No! Of course she’s allowed to do whatever she wants.” Rainbow let her gaze fall again, as she was quiet for a long moment. She started thinking hard about her relationship. Maybe the words she just said weren’t as true as she thought they were.

“You can lie to yourself if you want Dashie, but I practically raised you. I know when you aren’t 100% truthful. You and I have the same issue. We are both control freaks.”

Rainbow eased up a bit. She sighed, “I’m not sure I follow.”

Sunbeam nestled on the sofa again, to be more on the younger mare’s level. “Everything needs to be your way, just the way you like it, or it just won’t do. I know, I’ve been there. Your flying act, your job, your reputation. You even have a choke hold on your feelings to protect this cool and collected image you have created for yourself.” She saw the colorful pony smirk at the fighting example used.

“I guess you’re right.” She admitted after a moment’s thought.

Sunbeam felt her chest tighten, she didn’t want to bring up water that was under the bridge, but wanted her almost daughter to understand, not just for Fluttershy, but for herself. She felt her tone grow softer. “And when things don’t go as you want, they start to fall apart. When you were kicked out of the academy, how did you feel?” She felt pain at seeing Dash visibly recoil.

“I felt like my life was over.” She felt her eyes get watery. She looked up to the yellow mare. “And I took it out on Fluttershy, and she didn’t deserve it. She was only trying to help me. She’s always trying to help me.” She felt the guilt overwhelm her again, and her heart felt so heavy, she had to lie down.

“The feelings you get when things are out of your control are normal. Yes, sometimes, you will feel sad, disappointed, or angry. But you must let it go and hold onto the positivity that something better can come from a bad situation.” Sunbeam tried to rationalize for the distraught pegasus. “As much as it pains me to say, that rotten fight you two had has brought you both very close together, no? We can’t stop the downs in life, just be prepared and try to get more of the ups.”

“But sometimes, I feel so helpless! I hate it when I feel helpless. It makes me feel so weak, and I get so angry, I can’t even see straight sometimes.” Rainbow said a little louder than she meant.

“I know, feeling helpless is one of the worst feelings to feel. For most of my pregnancy, Sunburst was gone. I mean, he made sure the bills were paid, but he was always at work, or seeing some filly late in the night. And something inside me knew, knew he was wandering around. And I was by myself, no family, no friends in my new home in Cloudsdale. I had another life inside me, I was always stressed, I was scared, I was alone.” She felt her throat tighten, but she refused a sob. “I was a first time mother, and I couldn’t even keep my marriage together then. How was I supposed to raise a foal? How was I supposed to bring her into this world, and make a family like that? To know she would see us fight over a dying love. I had no place to go, no job to get, while keeping my baby. Believe me Dashie, I know what it is like to be helpless. And I know it’s a feeling that hurts so deeply.”

Rainbow Dash forgot about her own guilt as she listened. It was sad to hear the words. She knew this mare most of her life, but this was the first time she knew the strong and independent pegasus was once frail and scared. She reached out a hoof and gently placed it on the yellow one before her. They smiled at each other, briefly, before Rainbow placed her hoof back down.

“But if you stay in that helpless state of mind, it will kill you. Stress, hate, rage, depression, those are all strong feelings that are like a knife to the heart. I got my life together, and mended our broken relationship for my daughter, for Fluttershy. Dashie, sweetheart, I know you love her, and I know you can mend it for the both of you.”

“I’m trying, believe me. I’m trying so hard to make it up to her.” Rainbow explained. Sunbeam patted the sofa next to her, and the fast flyer took the offer.

“I know you can. If I hadn’t known you for so long, if I didn’t know what a good heart you have, I would have erased you from the equation of Shy’s love life after hearing about the fight. But I know you both love each other very much.” She frowned to see that the younger pegasus’ head was hung low, and that she wasn’t looking her in the eyes. It made her chest sting, she did love the boisterous pony as much as her own offspring. She lightly placed her wing over the blue back, making Dash flinch, but finally look up.

Rainbow couldn’t help the single tear that fell from her eye. She closed her eyes to feel a gentle and motherly hoof wipe it away. She had a quick sob, shaking slightly. She felt herself be put in a hug. How can they both forgive me so easily? she thought to herself.

“You can control a lot of things Rainbow Dash, you even know how to control the weather. But you can’t control the lives and choices of other ponies. The only thing you can do is let go of this thought that you need to be in charge of every detail, and just trust our Shy to keep on loving you like she always has.”

Rainbow listened intently, nodding her head furiously. She had already decided on that, but hearing Sunbeam explain it made things more clear. “I promise, I will start letting Fluttershy live her own life. I won’t be breathing down her neck anymore.”

Sunbeam laughed as she rubbed Dash’s side up and down, still holding her. “You just give her the freedom you would want. But don’t stop protecting her Dashie. She needs a strong pony like you sometimes.”

They let go, Dash wiping her eyes. “When have I ever stopped protecting my Shy? I have done it since we were little, and I will do it until I can’t even walk anymore. Until I die!” Rainbow declared.

Sunbeam laughed harder. “You sure get your showponyship from your father.”

Dash chuckled along side her. “Yeah, I get that a lot.” Her ears flattened against her head as she got a clear look at the yellow face. “I feel so bad Sunbeam, I think it might be swelling.”

Sunbeam scoffed as she looked away. “I believe I will make it through, somehow. I used to get into quite the scraps back in my day.” Her gaze changed from joking to serious. “But I truly expect you to protect, love, and honor my daughter, Rainbow Dash. I don’t want to hear about any more of these problems.”

Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth, feeling uncomfortable again. She then felt annoyed when a pair of motherly hooves squished and pinched her cheeks, “That cute little blue face can only get you out of so much trouble.” The older mare embarrassed the youth. “Now, I need you to tell me everything you can about Discord.”

Rainbow Dash had arrived back in Ponyville at dusk. She dropped off her things in her home, stretching her sore wings. She opened her fridge and chugged some water down. She smacked her dry lips together, the cold air was horrible for them. The water helped moisten her dry lips and throat.

She still had the scarf around her neck as she looked to her bedroom. Bed sounds so freaking good right now. But I got to do this first. I need to talk to her. A look of determination crossed her face as she rubbed her stuffy nose and left her home. She briskly glided as long and far as she could until she landed on the ground gracefully. She let her wings hang lazily on her sides as she decided to walk to the cottage.

The whole flight back home was filled with thoughts of the butter colored mare. She thought of all the ways to approach her, of what to say, how her kind marefriend would react. And two whole days of intense thought and flying were still not enough to prepare her for the task at hoof. She looked up to see the cottage on the little hill in the distance. She focused on her breathing as she walked faster, the wind making her shiver. It doesn’t matter if I have a plan or not. I just got to tell her how I feel, and that I am willing to do whatever it takes to fix this. She reassured herself as she walked quietly through the front yard.

She looked around, seeing that the animals were all put inside. She realized the amount of animals would be a lot less, considering it was almost winter. She hopped Fluttershy hadn’t fallen asleep yet. She felt better knowing that the light was on. She stared at the door for a full minute, looking at her warm breath in the cold air. She made sure to keep her eyes open as she knocked on the door, perhaps harder than she meant to.

She heard some shuffling from inside. It had taken a few moments until she heard the door unlocking. She kept her serious face on, but felt it turn into a smile of awe as she laid eyes on her beauty. She felt strength enter her whole body, feeling her cheeks heat up slightly, seeing Fluttershy’s big doe eyes look at her, slightly behind her mane. Rainbow tried to speak, but felt no words leave her lips. It surprised her when she heard that soft voice speak up.

“Dashie?” Fluttershy looked her marefriend up and down, and the cyan mare couldn’t help but shuffle on her hooves from being gawked at like that. It was as if Fluttershy didn’t believe she was there. “Oh Dashie! It’s so cold out there. Please come in.” she insisted in her motherly tone as she stepped outside just to push the athletic mare in.

Rainbow felt her smile grow just by being back in that home with her lover again, and to feel that soft mane brush up against her. She snorted slightly, trying to breath. She saw the faintest hint of a smile appear on the shy pony’s face when their eyes connected. Her heart picked up pace, she could still see a shimmer of hope and affection in those blue eyes. She brought her face closer, still at a lost for words. Her little bubble of happiness burst when Fluttershy quickly pulled her face away, and hid her face behind her mane again.

“Rainbow Dash, you don’t look so good.” She grimaced to see the once ecstatic blue mare frown. “I-I’m sorry Rainbow. I didn’t mean you don’t look good like that. I mean, you look like you haven’t slept, and all messy. I mean, d-did you just get into a fight?” She was beginning to stutter, she felt like all her words were coming out wrong. It felt like forever since she saw her marefriend.

Rainbow chuckled, the first sound she made since the door was opened. “Don’t panic Shy. I, I get it. I was just in such a hurry to come see you. I wasn’t really taking care of myself.” She paused for a moment and caught her reflection in the hallway mirror. She gasped, biting her lip. Her mane was a mess, and not in the usually cool way she liked it. Dried mucus on her snout, her eyes looked red, most of the fur on her face looked spiky. She looked ragged, much like she had just had the fight of her life. She certainly felt like it earlier. But once she spotted her special somepony, she had felt completely energized, totally revitalized. She saw her cheeks get red, she certainly could have spared a few minutes to make herself presentable. “Heh, I probably should have taken a quick shower before coming here. I’m sorry if I smell.” She averted her eyes.

Fluttershy had her head hung low, ears drooping. She was still spying on her old friend and only lover through her mane. “Oh no, not really. I’m used to the sweaty you that smells like sky and cloud, and rain.” She shook her head to show more of her face when she heard a quick laugh from the prismatic pony. “If it pleases you Rainbow, you can go and take a nice hot shower to relax and clean up. You know where the bathroom is.”

Rainbow felt her heart hurt a little at the thought of leaving Fluttershy’s presence after such a long time of not being near. But she had to agree, it was a smart idea, she needed to wash up. At the same time, she wanted to grab the sweet filly and hold her tight until she found the words she needed to say. Maybe get some of her smell on her and convince the animal lover to shower with her. But she knew the action would not be welcomed, nor deserved. And she needed to be respectful, and take it as slow as it need be. She reluctantly agreed. “You’re right Shy. I think I will do that. Thanks for offering your shower to me.” She said politely as she slowly made her way towards the stairs, still keeping her eyes on her.

Fluttershy smiled softly as she quickly made her way to the cyan mare and removed her scarf. “I’ll just hang this up and make a nice hot cocoa for you for when you are finished. Are you hungry? I have some left over spicy carrot soup I can warm up. And I can even toast up some bread, if you want it?”

The idea made the active tummy grumble and roar embarrassingly loud. Rainbow licked her lips and eagerly shook her head up and down, eyes happy again. “You always know just what I need baby.” Both of their cheeks tinted pink at the pet name. She laughed nervously. “I’ll be down soon. Thanks Fluttershy.” With that Rainbow Dash kept her eyes upward as she quickly trotted toward the bathroom.

Fluttershy let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. She placed a hoof on her forehead just to make sure she wasn’t having a fever induced hallucination of Rainbow Dash. I feel fine. I can’t believe she is here. She looked to the scarf she held on her wing. She brought it close and nuzzled it softly. She recognized it was Rarity’s, but the scent was purely Rainbow. She felt that small smile grow on her face as a million ideas came to her head.

She was gone. I hadn’t seen her. She never even wrote. I leave town, she leaves town. I don’t see head or tail of her. I thought maybe it was over. She felt her chest tighten. She nuzzled the scarf harder. But she came back. And she looks… happy, even delighted, to see me. What does that mean for us? She hurriedly fluttered to the kitchen to reheat the soup and make a batch of fresh hot cocoa. She thought some more as she did this.

Was she mad at me for being friends with Discord? Even after he repented? Or was she more hurt by the fact that I kept him here longer and kept her out? Is she still angry? She doesn’t seem angry, does she forgive me then? I’m so confused. She left the soup to simmer as she added some peppermint and marshmallows to the drinks she prepared for them. She balanced the tray with the drinks on her back and left them on the living room table.

She looked up the stairs as she slowly approached them. She could see the steam from the hot shower exit from the little opening from the door. She stopped right at the foot of the stairs, looking down to her shaking hooves. As hard as she might, she could not bring herself to climb those stairs knowing that Rainbow Dash was waiting for her. I-I don’t understand. Twilight said she went to find me, but I never saw her. What did she do over there? Why did something in her eyes seem so different? Fluttershy had a million questions she wanted answered, and they all stopped when she heard the door creak open.

Blue eyes flashed upward to see Rainbow Dash squeaky clean, mane combed back, neater than usual. The shy mare felt the butterflies in her stomach again as she partially hid behind her mane. Rainbow smiled her dashing smile at her, practically skipping down the stairs. “You look much better now Dashie.” She took a quick whiff, “And you smell lovely.” She blushed. It had been so long since they were last so close, it felt like the rocky beginning of their relationship again.

Rainbow blushed slightly too. She raised her right fore hoof into a pose as she unfurled and stretched her wings. “I feel loads better too. A hot shower was just what I needed after such a long flight.” Her magenta eyes were glued to the yellow pegasus who started walking slowly to the coffee table. “Thanks again.”

Fluttershy felt her whole body warm up at seeing Rainbow Dash as her usual happy go lucky self. She sighed a bit as she stood up. “Come now, I made us some tasty hot cocoa, just the way you like it.”

Rainbow’s ears perked up at the thought, hot cocoa sounded wonderful, but hot cocoa with her marefriend sounded heavenly. She quietly followed her lover to the sofa. She waited until Fluttershy gestured her to sit down, each on their own end. They sat there, silent, for a few moments.

Fluttershy giggled, knowing her drink was enjoyed, as clearly showed by how quick it was gone, and the foam mustache it left on blue lips. Still cute as ever. The animal lover thought to herself, feeling very content for the time being.

Rainbow licked her lips clean, enjoying the warmth the hot drink brought her. Her eyes grew soft whenever she looked at Fluttershy. Dear Celestia, I missed her laugh. It sounds so beautiful.

The moment ended as quickly as it started and they both looked for something to say. Rainbow felt like she would rather make another trip to Foalrida, no food nor sleep, if it meant bypassing this next hard step. She played with her mug, a tad clumsily, looking at the little swirl of chocolate left inside. She was breathing hard again. She screwed her eyes shut as she, a little harshly, placed the mug on the table and forced her face to stare at the shy yellow one. “I’m sorry!” it was quiet, Rainbow opened her eyes to see Fluttershy fully behind her mane.

Rainbow sighed as she inched closer. She brushed the pink locks out of her lover’s face, and her heart broke to see how close to tears the blue eyes were. “I’m sorry Fluttershy.” she repeated, her voice pained.

Fluttershy took in a sharp breath, frame shaking slightly. “I know.” She softly muttered out in a sad tone.

Rainbow hunched forward as her ears flattened against her head in guilt. Those two words were worse than a punch square to the nose. She felt her own eyes water as she sniffled a bit. Besides her better judgment and guilt, she pulled the smaller pony into a full embrace. She felt Fluttershy nuzzle into her shoulder, felt the warm tears fall so freely with each sob. She did her best to hold her own, to be strong for them both. She rubbed her back, whispering sweet words. “Fluttershy, I’m so sorry. So, so sorry. I love you baby. Please don’t cry.” Rainbow felt absolutely miserable.

Fluttershy was trying so hard to pull herself together, so she could talk with a clear head. She knew she was putting unnecessary stress on her Rainbow Dash. But her heart held so much pain. She cried, she wasn’t sure for how long. She finally felt better after such a long cry. She whimpered as she looked up. She looked deep into the magenta eyes, they held so much love for her right now. She saw the tear stains that trailed down the blue face. She gently reached her hoof up and wiped a tear away, bringing a smile to her oldest friend.

“Better?” Rainbow asked, concerned.

Fluttershy chuckled slightly, nodding weakly. “Better.” She replied, her tone a tad lighter.

Rainbow continued to hold the smaller pegasus in her embrace. “Fluttershy, I was so wrong about so many things. I’ve had a lot of time to think, since Discord reformed. And looking back, I have done a ton of things wrong.” She paused for a moment to let the words sink in for the quiet mare. “I wasn’t loving you properly, you know? Not the right way. I kept treating you like a possession, something I owned, and I was so greedy with you. I let it turn me into somepony I’m not.” She looked away, ashamed. “I’m not a bad pony, babe. I don’t want to hurt you, make you feel like you have to hide, or walk on egg shells all the time. Like you’re dating some ticking time bomb.”

Fluttershy just blinked and listened. This was a totally different Rainbow Dash then the one she last saw, or the one on her birthday. This Rainbow Dash was rational, mature, reasonable. It was similar to the horrible night she hurt herself, with Dash feeling guilty to no end. But this one may have felt responsible, but also filled with hope, like she knew she could do better. She kept quiet, wanting her marefriend to finish.

“I, I talked to my dad about it. And then I talked to your mom too.” She tried not to laugh at seeing how shocked the usually serene face looked at the words. “I, I came to the conclusion that a lot of my jealousy came from my own insecurities. I never really got over about the night you hurt yourself.” She paused another moment, the mere words leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.

“And I always felt like I wasn’t good enough for your love, good enough for your forgiveness.” She took a deep breath. “Good enough for you.” She looked away again, feeling her eyes water up. She ignored it and brought her gaze back. “But after talking to a few ponies about it, and thinking really hard, I realized that isn’t what love is. If you really love someone, you want them to be free, not trapped. You trust in them, and in the love you both share.”

Fluttershy saw Rainbow look to some random spot on the wall, searching her thoughts for the right words. She gently rubbed her foreleg, absentmindedly. This small touch brought the athlete back. “And I learned that I have to have faith in myself. Because, you didn’t fall in love with a crazy jealous, drunk mare. You fell for me. The real me. The one that loves openly, and lives fully. And, well, I learned so much, I really focused on it. It’s just so hard to say.” Rainbow looked desperate to convey her feelings into words. “I just hope you get what I’m trying to say Fluttershy. And I hope you know that I am truly sorry for treating you so poorly.” Rainbow cleared her dry throat.

Fluttershy was at a loss for words. She was so blown away by what a change she saw in her marefriend. She was sure they both needed to take steps to fix what was broken. But this new and improved Rainbow Dash seemed much more understanding of what the underlying issue was. Before she could speak, Dash had cut her off again.

The cyan mare wrapped her hoof lovingly around the dainty yellow one, and brought her forehead to rest on Fluttershy’s. “I want you to know I am sorry, and that, I want us to work this out. I know if I get another chance, I can get it right. And sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, no matter where tonight leads us, I love you Fluttershy.” Fluttershy peered into the beautiful pink orbs called eyes, and she looked deep into her soul. And she was overcome by the truth she heard in those words.

“Oh Rainbow Dash. I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of you.” She smiled when she saw how hopeful her marefriend looked at the words. “I can really tell you truly mean your apologies, and that you want to change for the better.” Her expression fell, causing the fast flyer to worry.

“But?” Dash questioned.

Fluttershy was breathing shallowly, the words were hard to set free. “But, I just want us to be on the same page. We need to set boundaries, as it were.” She looked down, feeling bad to have to bring up a hard topic after the wonderful confession Rainbow Dash made.

Rainbow Dash gulped as she let her marefriend go from her grip. She sat back, giving the yellow mare some space. She ran her hoof through her multi colored mane, giving it her usual messy look. “Well, ok then. I understand.” Her face looked troubled, but she forced a smile to try to hide her worry. “I think it’s a good idea. I’ve been doing a bunch of the talking for most of our lives.” Her smile seemed more genuine now, the corners of her mouth almost touched her eyes. “I want to hear what you think we should do. You have just as much say in this as me after all.”

Fluttershy smiled and nodded her head slightly in thanks. “Well, first, I want to discuss your feelings about my friendship with Discord.” She specifically stated her friendship with Discord, because it was as clear as a cloudless sunny day that Rainbow Dash and Discord were not friends. Fluttershy groaned under her breath when she saw the way her lover’s face changed in reaction to the name.

Rainbow snorted, still very upset about the whole trouble he caused. But she also remembered their past interactions when Discord was involved. “What about Discord do we need to discuss?” she asked hesitantly.

Fluttershy’s gaze fell at the words. The list was long in her mind. She tried to keep in mind Twilight’s words, how not everypony was as quick to forgive as her. “I want to discuss why you were so determined to keep us apart?”

Rainbow Dash looked insulted by the question. “Really Shy? Does it need saying? I don’t trust the guy. I still don’t! He has been nothing but trouble. He was playing you the entire time! He is the Spirit of Disharmony, the exact opposite of what our friendship is based off of.” The fast flyer kept her face stern, even when she could see the frustration mirrored on the yellow face.

“That’s part of the problem Dashie! I knew he was using me. I always knew! Yet, you all treated me like I was a big dummy. Poor fragile Fluttershy, we can’t leave her with that monster, she’s too nice, and meek to stand a chance against him!” she was raising her voice now, unaware of how much hurt were in the words. “I was counting on his choices, so he can see how powerful, and wonderful friendship is. True friendship! ”

Rainbow squinted her eyes, feeling guilty about how her Fluttershy had felt from lack of trust in her friends. “Well, it’s not like my reasons are unfounded! He gave me plenty good reasons to want him away from us all!” she defended.

“And after he proved his friendship, his loyalty to me, to us, why couldn’t you show your support?” the timid pony asked, boldly.

Dash was breathing heavier, feeling her heart rate pick up. She felt sick, talking about Discord. “Simple, I still don’t trust him. My loyalties go to those that deserve it Shy.”

Fluttershy looked on the verge of tears, her cheeks red. She was shaking, trying to hold them back. “And don’t I deserve your loyalty Rainbow? Your trust?” Fluttershy looked Rainbow dead in the eyes, making the bolder pony slouch back slightly. Fluttershy felt one tear drop as she wiped her nose. “I felt abandoned by you, Rainbow.”

Rainbow’s eyes were wide opened, along with her mouth. She, the Element of Loyalty, made her oldest friend, and one true love, feel abandoned. She was at a loss for words.

“I needed your support, all of you. Yet none of you had faith, even after having first hoof experience of what our friendship can do. And when my friendship with him proved strong enough to go past his basic instincts, you didn’t celebrate with me. My marefriend.” The last two words were said in sadness. More silent tears fell as Fluttershy looked down.

“And instead, you disappear, without so much as a goodbye! Not even a letter? Damn it Dashie, what was I supposed to feel? That my belief in what was right, that no one, not even Discord, should live a life alone, and that very belief would drive you away from me? Everypony in this town thought I was crazy. No one believed I could do it. I was all alone, I was hurting, frightened. I needed you the most then, and you left me!” her silent tears were now accompanied by whimpers and sobs. She shut her eyes, unable to look at her lover, feeling a huge weight off her shoulders just to tell sompony how she really felt.

Rainbow Dash was shaken to the core. She had no idea, that in her pain and insecurities, she was causing more so to her loved one, her special somepony. She almost couldn’t bear to hear the words from Fluttershy’s mouth. For the second time that night, tears streamed down her face.

She pulled Fluttershy into another embrace, holding on tight, hoping beyond hope, that she could hug the pain away. “Fluttershy, I- I never knew what I was doing to you.” She hid her face deep in the pink mane. “I was so hurt by Discord, so confused about us. So lost. I just thought it would be better if I was gone until he left. Baby, please understand, I never meant to hurt you.” The saddened Rainbow confessed to the equally sad Fluttershy.

Fluttershy sniffled and looked into the magenta eyes that reminded her of a sunset. “I think I understand. But that’s still no reason to up and leave me for days the way you did.” Fluttershy wanted to cry some more, seeing the sorrow in her marefriend’s eyes.

Rainbow couldn’t peel her eyes away. “I know. I’m sorry. Please find it in your heart to forgive me. I didn’t know what I was thinking, or doing.” She pleaded.

“I need to know I can depend on you Dashie. And even if you don’t want to be friends with Discord, you need to accept that him and I are friends.” She demanded.

So many thoughts ran through Rainbow’s head. When she should tell Fluttershy about what Discord made her see. The way he made her feel. One thing was for sure, leaving her alone with him was not the way to keep her safe, and she would not let Fluttershy feel abandoned again. “It’s true, I’m not his friend. What he has done to us, and what he did to me, it will take more than a simple claim of reform to get me to forgive him.” Fluttershy looked confused, but Dash continued.

“But I respect that you have formed a friendship with him, one made out of trust and care. I won’t make you take sides, I will not come in between you unless I see him as a threat.” Fluttershy could see the seriousness and protectiveness in her eyes. “And I won’t leave you behind again Fluttershy. I won’t leave you in danger, and I won’t have you feeling alone. That’s a promise.” She said, full of vigor. Her heart was swollen with pride in her words.

Fluttershy decided this was a good first step in fixing their relationship. It’s wasn’t broken, nor shattered, just cracked. But she could see the change in her love of her life, and was willing to work on both of their concerns and needs. She hugged her lover’s strong chest, nuzzling dreamily into the soft blue coat. “Thank you Dashie. I really appreciate this. I know how hard it is for you to get along with him”

Rainbow chuckled quietly. No truer words were spoken. “I will be as civil as possible. I sure won’t like it.” She gave a one eyed stare to the smiling pegasus cuddling up to her. She bent her head down and nuzzled the sweet smelling mane. “It sure ain’t gonna be easy neither. But you are worth all the effort.” She gulped when Fluttershy brought her face up and rubbed noses with hers.

“I know when you make a promise, it’s true. And seeing how much you have changed, for me-” she blushed. “For us, it means so much to me.”

Rainbow Dash was beaming. She felt on top of the world. “Does this mean, you accept my apology?” she asked, still a little on the worried side.

Fluttershy could read the emotions in her whole body language like a book. She giggled cutely, flipping the mane from her face. She rubbed noses again, relishing on how good it felt to make up. “All is forgiven, as long as you forgive me.”

Rainbow scoffed. “Pst, there is nothing to forgive you for Shy. You did nothing wrong.” She reassured, embarrassed about how red her face was getting on how close they were getting again. She truly longed for just the littlest and simplest of touches. They got comfortable on the sofa, Rainbow Dash saying nothing for a long time, not wanting to move from her own little corner of heaven. Her eyes grew heavy, but she forced them open as she rested her head on top of Fluttershy’s, who rested her head on blue forelegs.

Rainbow stirred from her ecstasy as she felt and heard a rather loud yawn from the quiet mare beneath her chin. She lifted her head, both ponies stretching themselves until they were alert to how late it had become. Rainbow Dash looked out the window, feeling like a filly, not wanting to get out of bed to go to school. “Wow, time flies like me when you’re bearing your soul.” She delighted in the giggles she got from the joke. Even though they had made up and put the past behind them, she still felt like she didn’t fully deserve going back to completely the way things were, affection wise, even though she wanted to. She may still feel too guilty to give a kiss, but she wanted to do something. So when she saw Fluttershy shiver from the cold, she wrapped her wing around her gently.

“It’s getting late babe. I better get going. But thanks for letting me in, and talking.” Dash said, a tone of whininess to have to leave.

Fluttershy frowned, hugging her tight, enjoying how good it felt to have the strong wing around her, keeping her safe. How bad I needed this. She thought as she felt the soft feathers tickled her back. “But it’s so late and cold out there. Wouldn’t you rather stay?” she asked, her eyes wide and begging. She was still unsure if she should ask to return to their previous engagement of sharing a bed.

Rainbow’s heart was pounding so hard she could hear it. She looks so appetizing right now. So beautiful, so perfect. Can I be reading the signals right? How far does she want to go? Heck even just cuddling in bed again would make me so happy! she thought faster than she flew. She decided to tread carefully. “You must know all I want, with every fiber, is to be by your side Shy. If you are comfortable that is?” She studied her carefully, while feigning concern for the pillows on the sofa. “Should I crash on the sofa?”

Fluttershy rolled her eyes, running her hooves across the muscular side of her lover, remembering every muscle. “Did I make you sleep in the dog house last time we fought and made up?” She smiled softly to see how pleased her athletic mare looked to be pet. “You can come upstairs and sleep with me. It isn’t the first time we shared a bed, silly.” Her sentence just rang in her ears, and she couldn’t believe how naive she thought, yet how suggestive she sounded. “Only if you are comfortable spending the night, that is?” she added meekly.

Rainbow Dash hopped off the sofa, reaching out a hoof to her fair lady. “Are you comfortable with having this much awesome back under your sheets?” she play flirted, smiling devilishly at how red Fluttershy became.

Fluttershy gladly took the hoof and gently slid off the sofa. She wasn’t ready to get back into that part of their relationship, they still had much to do, and the whole ordeal still hurt her heart, but she wasn’t completely cold hearted. “I thought I was going to be hospitalized from an awesomeness deficiency.” She winked. “Let’s get some sleep. I’m sure you’re ready for a good night’s rest.”

Rainbow finally yawned, one so big, her eyes watered. “Yeah, that flight really got to me. But I’m still pretty hungry for some soup?” she asked, hopeful.

Fluttershy gasped, bringing her hoof to her mouth. “How could I forget to feed my own marefriend? Sorry Dashie. Follow me to the kitchen, it should be nice and warm.”

Rainbow Dash quickly finished her midnight snack, and they were both back in Fluttershy’s bedroom. Rainbow felt like she was in a dream, it felt like forever since she was last allowed to sleep in the room. She noticed the butterfly comforter was now replaced with a heavy winter blanket, midnight blue, with a beautiful lion on it. She looked Fluttershy’s way, waiting for her to take the lead.

Fluttershy felt slightly odd as well since the urge was still there for both of them. But she wanted this night to be innocent, and full of love and care. She nuzzled her strong pegasus briefly, “Come on, let’s get some shut eye.” She said softly, in a caring tone. She then trotted to her side of the bed.

Rainbow Dash stood there, blinking, for a moment. She did feel like she was in a dream. And she was so thankful to be back here again. She soon followed, getting on her side, sliding halfway under the cover.

They were both a hoof’s distance apart, facing each other. Fluttershy could not understand why things seemed so awkward at the moment. So she decided to do something about it. As quick as a flash, she blew air right in the middle of Dash’s face. As the blue pegasus blinked in confusion, Fluttershy had ducked her head under the covers, giggling like a school filly.

Rainbow raised a brow, smiling. “So, my little Shy is being a naughty filly, eh?” Dash started by trying to uncover the guilty pony, but to no avail. She was fighting the urge to laugh, as Fluttershy’s giggles were becoming contagious. So she smiled and threw her entire body across the form under the cover, pinning her down. She heard the smaller pegasus squee, and took that as a sign to playfully spank her flank, causing the pretty yellow mare’s head to come up from the hiding spot, laughing loudly.

Rainbow Dash was roaring now, still on top of the slender mare. Their laughter quieted down as their eyes met in the moonlight. Rainbow Dash felt hot, even in the chilly air. Fluttershy just smiled, “Get back under the covers now missy, it’s time for bed.” The quiet pegasus ordered.

Rainbow smiled goofily, “Yes ma’am!” She rolled off of her, and went back under the covers. She sighed in happiness when she felt Fluttershy’s body press up against her front side, all four of her legs wrapping around her, trying to steal her warmth. They stared longingly into each other’s eyes. Rainbow Dash felt herself getting lost in those big beautiful eyes, and soft body she felt against her. She was trying so hard not to pull her lover into a deep kiss.

She didn’t have to though, when Fluttershy brought her face to hers, and pressed their lips together. Rainbow felt a familiar tongue push its way through and meet her own. Both moaned softly as they explored familiar territory. Even though a few moments ago Dash had felt a strong need to sleep, the loving kiss sent a spark though her frame.

After some time they pulled apart, leaving both out of breath. “Whew girl, you can still blow this weather control pegasus away!” Rainbow said gleefully.

Fluttershy giggled, but said nothing as she nuzzled her face under her protector’s chin. Both felt the fuzzy feelings within, both feeling whole again.

Again, Rainbow Dash spoke first. “I love you Fluttershy. Sweet dreams baby.” Her blue ears flicked to a sound of a squee.

“I love you too Rainbow Dash. Dream beautiful dreams dear.” Fluttershy added as she closed her eyes, for once, falling asleep peacefully and quickly.

Rainbow Dash was almost under too. “They’ll be beautiful if you’re in them” she finished as she too succumbed to sleep, for once in a very long time, feeling totally at ease.

Author's Notes:

And there is chapter 27. Sorry again for the wait, much apologies. I hope I am still entertaining. I hope this seemed redeemable and believable of a make up for both of them. I tried to get both of their points of views. Mayhaps you think Discord was the big baddie of the story, his arc being the climax? But you’d be wrong. Prepare for the real problems to show up in the oncoming chapters, the exciting conclusions, and more fluff n stuff. I hope I did well, let me know what you think, and again, thanks for reading. I wish you all a happy and safe holiday season!