“Oh surely you remember the last time we had a skirmish…and the last time I really got serious…do you really want me to remind you…because I will…” I heard the Alicorn prince inside the room threaten in a violent tone…oh dear he’s going to hurt her!  I’m glad I came up her just in case something like this happened!  “Only this time…I’ll taking your source feathers against your will…and you’ll end up like your mother…bleeding to death and I’ll be forced to stand here and watch wishing you made the right decision…” He then said darkly as I moved in front of the door and raised a hoof up to open it, ready to storm in to help Rainbow.

“Fluttershy wait…” I heard a soft gentle voice call from my left which made me look to see a black mare with one wing slowly walking up to me.

“S-Signal?” I called softly upon realizing who it was that called me.

“Don’t worry…it’s going to be ok…nothing’s going to happen…” The black mare said softly as she continued walking up to me…I didn’t believe her…she’s the violent one and she’s not even in the room so how can she be so sure.  I blinked slowly and looked back at the door, deciding to wait a few seconds to hear what happens next.

“Slate stop!”  I then heard Rainbow’s father cry out in desperation, not sounding like he wanted a fight to happen involving a daughter.  I made a sigh in relief as I knew that if he didn’t want it to happen I’m sure things would calm down in there.   I think blinked a few times in surprise as I looked back up at the peculiarly looking mare.

“How did you?” I began to asked as she came up to me, looking…strangely different than before…her face seemed kinder and she was actually giving me a smile…her eyes exuded a sense of calm grace that almost made me think this was a completely different mare form the one a I remember a month ago.

‘Here…you’re going to need this…it will help and explain everything you need to know about why we need your friend’s source feathers….’ She responded as she quickly took out an old and tattered looking book for me to take.

“Ummm…thank you?”  I thanked in a confused and uncertain tone as I took the book and looked at the cover to see the faded picture of a strange looking Pegasus with huge wings.  

“But…how…and why are you giving me this anyways?”  I then asked curiously as I looked up at her.  She didn’t say anything and just smiled warmly before walking past me and towards the stairs.   I turned around and started to follow her determined to know what she meant by saying that but stopped when I heard a door open behind me.

“Oh…and Fluttershy’s more of a True Pegasus than both of you combined…she’s probably even more of a Pegasus than me and if I was ever going to give my Source Feather’s to anypony…it would be her!” I heard Rainbow say in a low growl….she…she things I’m…and she would let me…o-oh my.  I felt myself stop breathing and my legs go limp causing me to fall against the wall and slide down to the ground.  My face quickly started to boil as I knew my face was starting to envelop in a deep redness.

“Now I hope you both go to hell!  Oh and Happy Hearth’s Warming!” I heard Rainbow Dash shout angrily before the sound of a door slamming violently letting me know that she left the room.

“Fluttershy?”  I then heard Rainbow call in surprise, which made me look up at her slowly and of course heavily blushing from the statement she just made.

I exited the kitchen and entered the living room with the knowledge that all the food was being cooked right on schedule without any problems.  It still wasn’t going to be done for a while and thankfully that gave me time to work on and finish the scarf I have been working on for Rainbow Dash for Hearth’s Warming.  I smiled to myself as I trotted over to the far end of the couch where I left the scarf and sat down next to it.

I looked over at the magazine I needed in order to complete the scarf and also spotted the book that Signal Fire gave me while we we’re at the Hurricane Estate.  It was during that awful ordeal when Slate was threatening Rainbow Dash…I followed her up to the room for that specific reason…just in case anything were to go wrong I would go in and help her…and thing’s did…oh my goodness did they ever…I now knew that Rainbow as this amazing pure breed Pegasus unlike any other and that I’m…well…not…but then things took a turn for a worse and I was about to rush in until Signal appeared and stopped me.

Surprisingly…she didn’t threaten me or even sound upset.  She gently stopped me and smiled as she gave me this book saying ‘Here…you’re going to need this…it will help and explain everything you need to know about why we need your friend’s source feathers….’  Then she left without saying anything else…but that was when Rainbow’s father stepped in and stopped the whole ordeal…and then…w-well…Rainbow said some things that…w-well…made me happy and set my heart alit with joy…

I could feel myself blushing right now upon remembering her words and her loyalty to me…it’s…it’s why she’s the most amazing pony I know…and reminds me of how I’m…well…not.  I sighed slightly as I picked up the book and looked at it.  I didn’t show it to Rainbow because…well…after that ordeal I don’t think she would want to think about this topic…but…I on the other hoof…did…very much so…I mean…well…strange things have been happening that I’m finding more difficult to explain and maybe this book will help me…

As I opened however I found once specific problem that prevented me from doing so…the book was in an entirely different language….Jamarean to be exact…so I couldn’t read this book unless I learned the language…something I don’t have time or know how to do.  I would ask Rainbow to read this book for me…but as I stated before she wouldn’t be exactly…well…thrilled about the idea…but who knows…maybe later she’ll calm down and then translate this book for so I’ll finally have my answers about this ‘Dual reso-something’…

I randomly flipped through the book and stopped at a picture of a Pegasus… a strange looking one which seemed to have larger than normal wings and two toned feathers…with both source feathers seeming to glow as the entire Pegasus was encased in some kind of bubble…I don’t understand what I’m looking at without some context…does this mean when your source feathers glow you wings turn a different color and that gives off a bubbly glow?  I don’t know…and I’d really like to…

I sighed in defeat as I set the book aside and picked up the magazine with the scarf pattern…that issue would have to wait…right now I have a more important issue at hoof…getting this scarf done.  I flipped the magazine open to the right page and set it down in front of me before I picked up the scarf and began to work on it again.  I thankfully didn’t have to worry about getting up and checking dinner as I was sure I wasn’t going to mess up given that I’ve made this meal a dozen times before especially on Hearth’s Warming…oh dear…I’m not sounding too brash and confident am I?  I guess that’s Rainbow rubbing off on me…is that a good thing?

I felt my cheeks heat up slightly and I shook my head to focus on the scarf.  I was thankfully making great progress given that most of the complicated stuff was already done…I was just finishing the end…at this rate I was going to get done tonight and in time for tomorrow.  I sighed in relief until I felt a strange warm feeling approaching me at a decent pace from what felt like to my right outside my house.

“Rainbow…” I simply uttered warmly and with a smile as I recognized that feeling and knew she had to be getting close.  Is this one of the benefits of the Dual Feather Reso-thingy?  Or is it…no…don’t think about it…either way I had to put away the mostly completed scarf and hide it along with the magazine and the book that Signal gave me…it’s a shame because I’m so close to getting done with that scarf…maybe I’ll find time later or something…hopefully.

I quickly and neatly slid everything right under my couch so Rainbow Dash could never find it.  After I was sure my Hearth’s Warming present was securely hid I trotted over to my door and opened it.  When I did I saw a mostly Cyan Pegasus with a Rainbow colored mane and tail landing close to the front of my door carrying a large box…she was mostly cyan…the rest of her was white from the surprising heavy snow that was falling outside.

“Oh dear it’s snowing!” I declared almost frantically as I quickly trotted out onto the cold snow covered ground over to the struggling Pegasus before me who was breathing in heavily from most likely carrying that box all the way here by herself…oh I should’ve went with her to help her…dinner could’ve waited…

“You think?” Rainbow dryly replied a bit angrily as she looked up with me and shook her head disapprovingly which made me feel a little guilty for pointing out the obvious.

“Here let me help you…” I then said seriously, not letting what she said get to me since she only said that because of dragging that heavy box here…and right now she needs my help.  I went over in front of her and held my fore hooves out to grab the box and get some weight of her end to make things easier on her.

The box was surprisingly heavy for something that only had ornaments in it…I can’t imagine flying with this all the way from Rainbow’s house to my house…it’s almost as heavy as those heavy books Twilight made her carry over a month ago…and just like last time she needs help…though this time she’s not resisting my help whatsoever.  I smiled at that slightly as we entered my warm cottage…thankfully I left the door open when I walked out so there wasn’t any problems getting in.  

“Thanks Fluttershy…” Rainbow gratefully thanked with a sincere smile and look in her cerise eyes as we set the box down on the couch…the both of us making very relieved sighs upon freeing ourselves from the heavy load.

“Sorry that took longer than it should of…it…ummm…took a long time to find this box…” The speedster Pegasus then apologized as she sat down on the couch next to the box and close to the spot where I hid the scarf…which made me a bit nervous but I knew she wasn’t going to check under the couch for any reason.

“Oh that’s ok…I’m just glad you’re here now…” I replied happily with a smile, shrugging off her apology as I turned around and trotted over to shut the door so the warm air wouldn’t escape or let the snow in.  “Instead of being outside in the snow or at your cold house…” I then said a bit too cheerfully as I shut the door…I really shouldn’t be this happy that Rainbow Dash is finally here…but…I can’t help it…I’m just so overjoyed by her presence here…oh dear Fluttershy…stop it…you know what road this path goes down if you continue to follow it…

“It wasn’t that bad…it just started snowing a couple of minutes ago so it didn’t hinder my flying in any way…” Dash explained nonchalantly as she waved her hoof in the air slightly trying to make it seem like it wasn’t a big deal to her…which is wasn’t…

“I know…I probably shouldn’t be that concerned about you…you’re always so capable of doing everything on your own…I can barely go shopping on my own without being stressed…” I softly said back as I looked down slightly as I started to trot my way back to the couch very sluggishly.  Oh Fluttershy…you should only ever be concerned about yourself…Rainbow might get…into some problems now and then…but she always makes it out…even without my help…the only pony you should ever be concerned about is you!  As in you should mind your own business from now on and quit…bothering Rainbow…

“Heh…well one of us has to worry about me…if you didn’t I’d probably be crippled or flightless…or worse…” I heard the prismatic maned Pegasus say with a slight chuckle as I looked up to see her smiling at me with both her fore legs behind her head resting on it.  “Besides…I worry about you too much so I guess it’s mutual…we’re both worrywarts over each other…” She then pointed out as she closed her eyes and nodded her head…which made me gulp slightly as what she said was…making my heart beat faster in excitement…and that’s a bad thing…oh stop it heart!  Why won’t you ever listen to me?  

“Y-You should go upstairs to clean up…dinner will be done shortly anyways and you don’t want to eat at the table filthy do you?” I then suggested in almost a whisper as I looked away and hid behind my mane not wanting to look in her the eyes in fear that it would make my heart beat even faster in glee…besides I need a few minutes to finish the scarf for her…a-as a Hearth’s Warming gift of course…

“Hey I just got snowed on…it’s not like I wallowed in mud or anything…are you saying I stink?” She teasingly replied as I heard her get off the couch, I moved my head slightly so I could see her out of one of my eyes to see her grinning cheekily at me…then she blinked and opened one of her wings to take a quick sniff…then recoiling with a horrified face as she moved her head and wing as far away from each other as possible.  

“…ok point taken…an awesome shower does help keep up my awesome appearance…” She then almost reluctantly said as she moved her wing back to her side and turned around to head upstairs to the bathroom.

“Have a nice shower…” I cheerfully encouraged with a smile and a slight giggle as I watched her trot over to the stairs and then start to go up them.

“Yeah yeah…” She simply replied unenthused before disappearing to the second floor…oh Rainbow…she doesn’t like being told she smells…and then finding out she does…It’s rather lucky she agreed because now I can work on that scarf now.

I sighed to myself and then smiled as I trotted to the couch in front of me and sat down.  I then quickly got out the unfinished scarf along with all the materials I needed to complete it…including the magazine…I left the book where it was though…there was no sense in getting it out…maybe I can…talk to Rainbow about it later…and maybe even get her to read it and translate it for me…after all she knows the language so she can easily read it…I just hope she doesn’t get upset about it or hate me for it…oh maybe I should rethink the whole thing…later…not now though.

Right now I had to concentrate on getting this scarf done…I’m so close!  I quickly opened the magazine and turned to the page that held the scarf pattern on it and then immediately got to work.  As I started knitting and putting the finishing touches on it I heard the shower upstairs start and knew that Rainbow had just begun taking her shower.  Rainbow usually always took quick showers but thankfully I didn’t need much time.  I started to hum happily as I put the last stitch in and finished the multi-colored scarf with her Cutie mark on each end.

I sighed in content as I fully opened it up and looked it…oh I hope Rainbow will love it…I…I mean…like it.  I coughed uncomfortable as I folded it up and put it down.   I closed the magazine and put it back under the couch and then reached out to put the scarf there as well.  However before I could put the newly finished piece of clothing under the couch I briefly glanced over at the bare tree.  I…I bet Rainbow would really like it if she woke up tomorrow and saw this under the tree…wrapped no less!  Yeah…she would!  She’d be like a little filly again and gleefully scream as she rushed up to it…well…that…that’s really hopeful thinking but…the sentiment will still be there right?  Yeah…it will.

I put the scarf on the couch as I looked around the room for some wrapping paper I knew Rarity had given me…after all I just couldn’t place this under the tree unwrapped could I?  Of course not!  Thankfully I quickly found it and walked back to the couch to wrap it up…which was…actually kind of difficult seeing as it was soft cloth and not a hard box or something…but eventually I did manage to wrap it up in some snow flake themed wrapping paper…basic but it gets the job done…besides the wrapping paper shouldn’t be better than the actual gift.

I walked over to put it underneath the tree but stopped myself at the last possible second.  What am I doing?  I can’t put this under the tree now…it’s not a Hearth’s Warming Tree…it’s just a tree!  And besides…I bet Rainbow will be even more shocked and surprised if she doesn’t know this gift exists until tomorrow…oh I feel like Santa Hooves!    I giggled gleefully at my quickly formulated plan as I went back to the couch and put it back underneath it along with the wrapping paper so Rainbow wouldn’t find it when she came downstairs and instantly know what was going on.

After I was done I knew dinner was ready so I opened my wings and flew into the kitchen.  As I predicted everything was cooked and ready to be taken off the stove and served.  As I was gently placing the food on the table I heard the shower upstairs stop which meant Rainbow was done cleaning herself…and right on time as it’s now time to eat.  I put the last plate of food on the table and then flew into the living room as I heard hoof steps start to come down the stair case.

“Hey Fluttershy…” I heard Rainbow call as I looked over and…and…and…

“O-Oh…Oh my…” I simply said fumbling over my words as I widened my eyes…feeling my wings stop moving which caused me to hit the ground upon seeing Rainbow…completely drenched and soaked…seeing her coat wet with droplets slowly falling down her well-toned body and even seeing her mane sopping wet and cause it to reflect light in a breath taking way…and oh…her wings…and how each feather glistened from the shower…it was…was…driving me insane…oh you shouldn’t be acting like this Fluttershy….it…it’s not right!  Quit looking at your wet friend drying herself off!  

“Whoa…what did I do to get that reaction?” The beautiful I mean…eye-catching I mean…mare…just…mare…asked in confusion as she looked at me curiously and raised a towel up to dry her mane off and give it that ruffled look she always had…which still looked good in its natural state-no!  Bad Fluttershy…Awful Fluttershy!

“Oh….it…you…just…startled me…that’s all…” I lied in a quivering voice as I slowly got up to my hooves though…for some strange reason…my wings continued to stick up on their own beyond my control…what’s going on?  Why are they acting like this…is…is that another consequence to the source feather thing?

“Wow…and here I thought what I had to tell you would startle you…now I’m afraid it will give you a heart attack…” She replied in an somewhat remorseful tone as she moved the towel from her head and over to her wings to dry them off…I was having a hard time paying attention to her as I was too busy watching her dry herself off…oh you’re such a horrible pony Fluttershy!  Oh why couldn’t Rainbow Dash dry herself in the shower and not in front of me!  It’s making my wings twitch weirdly!

“W-What…What is it?” I feebly asked as I almost had to raise my fore hoof up to turn my head away so I wasn’t awkwardly staring at her anymore.

“Your bathtub…I….kind of broke it…” Rainbow answered seriously as she put the towel on her back and…wait…what?

“What!? How did you break it?” I almost screamed at her in shock and horror before my jaw dropped practically to the floor.

“I sort of…broke the knobs off…on accident of course…” She explained sounding rather reluctant as she looked away with her ears lowered and raised her fore hoof to rub the back of her head.

“Oh dear!” I almost screamed as I rushed past her…on hoof as my wings were still useless at the moment and then started to go upstairs.  How could she break my bathtub?  That wasn’t cheap to get or install!

“Sorry…I guess I just don’t know my own strength!” I heard Dash apologize desperately from behind me as she followed me up the stairs and into the moisture filled and damp bathroom.

“Rainbow this is awful…if the knobs are broken then I have to fix them and probably have to borrow Rarity’s shower and…”  I began to hysterically shout as I flew over to the still somewhat filled with water tub and looked at the knobs to find them completely undamaged and fine…they were soaked but they still looked absolutely normal, “W-Wait…there’s nothing wrong with the knobs?” I confusingly asked as I turned around to face Rainbow seeing her gave a serious face…that slowly started to break as she began to snicker and as a grin slowly formed her face…oh no I think I know where this is going…

“Got you!” The prankster bellowed as she pointed at me and began laughing loudly…which caused me to sigh and roll my eyes…though a smile started to form on my face as well. “You should’ve…should’ve seen the look…the look on your face…perfect!”  She then shouted in between laughs as she continued pointing at me with one hoof and held a hoof to her gut…causing her to fall on her back after quickly losing balance…which made me giggle…same old Rainbow…always wanting to make a quick prank…though I think I have a good way to get her back…

“Well…I’m just happy the bathtub is fine…although I’m sorry to say dinner is probably ruined…” I slyly said in a relived tone as I took a deep breath and put a hoof to my chest as I finally regained control of my wings and managed to fold them back up.   I saw Rainbow instantly stop laughing and then remain completely motionless as she lay on the damp bathroom floor.

“Wait…what?” She simply uttered in shock as she slowly looked at me with eyes as wide as dinner plates and irises as small as dots…oh yeah…I got her.

“Oh…well…dinner was already done and I was going to take it off the stove before I came up here…now it’s probably burnt…” I explained trying to sound convincing as possible as I looked away with a regretful look on my face…trying my best to conceal my giggles and smile…if Rainbow could conceal hers until the end then so can I…

“Oh crap…I’m so sorry!” He blurted out in regret as she got back on her hooves and quickly trotted up to me, “I didn’t want to ruin dinner!  It was my fault!  What the hell was I thinking…jeopardizing your cooking…now I’m going to have to eat burnt…whatever for dinner!  Damn it!” The hysteric mare frantically shouted, placing the blame on herself as put a hoof to her face in remorse…I couldn’t let her go on like this any longer…then I’d really start to feel bad…

“Rainbow…” I called softly which made her look at me seriously, “Got you…” I then teasingly said as I raise my left fore hoof and bumped her noise softly…preceding to giggle afterwards much to the cyan mare’s complete befuddlement as she just titled her head confusingly at me.  Then she eventually got it and grinned before looking down and shaking her head upon realizing that she’d…in her words…’been had.’

“Heh…wow…Fluttershy pulled a fast one over me…next thing you know Applejack will be designing dresses for Rarity…” She then joked in good hearted nature as she didn’t take it the wrong way thankfully while suggesting something that…honestly already happened and so she knows it will never happen again.

“I don’t think so…the last time Applejack made a dress they were…” I pointed out as I still giggled somewhat…before stopping to find a nice way to describe the dresses Applejack made when she had her cutie mark switched with Rarity’s…

“Ugly…” Rainbow bluntly put in a dry tone before snickering to herself and putting a hoof to her muzzle to hide her laughter…yeah…pretty much.

“That’s a bit mean…” I responded as I raised a hoof and playfully nudged her…although a smile was on my face because…well I had to agree with her.  “But…yes…they were hideous…” I then added in fully agreement as I nodded my head at her…which made Rainbow look back at me a bit surprised as she rapidly batted her eye lids at me.

“Oh wow…you’re being brutally honest at the expense of being polite and kind…” She then said in enjoyment as a smile appeared on her face once more and as she walked over right next to me and put a hoof around me bringing me to her damp yet warm and soft side. “I’m really starting to rub off on you aren’t I?” The cyan Pegasus then teasingly asked rhetorically as she moved her other hoof to the top of my head and started to rub my mane playfully…which…felt good as well…oh dear I can’t even have a moment like this without…feeling things…come on Fluttershy…just…get through this…you can do it!  Come on!

“D-Dinner is ready…let’s go eat…” I sheepishly said to her as I moved away from her and towards the door…which I thought would upset her to some degree from me suddenly breaking away from her but what I heard from behind me suggested otherwise.

“Hell yeah…I’m starving…let’s eat some real food instead of…whatever the hell we tried to eat at…that place…” She excitedly exclaimed in a loud tone as I heard her follow me…which made me sigh a bit in relief as I left the bathroom and started to head downstairs.

I stayed a decent distance away from her as I trotted down the stairs in fear that these…feelings inside me would continue to grow beyond my control.  Oh what a horrible situation I’m in…because now I feel horrible being away from her…but being close to her builds up emotions I can’t express or even have to begin with…I feel as though my heart and chest are tightening in a vice and I’m going to start suffocating soon…oh why couldn’t this happen with some other pony…why Rainbow Dash…why could I fall in….no…don’t finish that thought…for multiple reasons…just focus on getting through and…hopefully the feelings will subside…hopefully.

“Here let me make you plate…” I offered politely with a slight stammer as I trotted into the kitchen first…a good ten or fifth-teen hooves away from Dash and made my way to the table that had the food on it that was giving off various smells that were consuming the room…which would most likely please Dash when she entered.

“I’m not sick anymore Fluttershy…and I am not a little foal either…I can make a plate on my own thank you very much…” Rainbow responded as she entered the kitchen a bit loudly either in annoyance or just so I could hear her…but either way she got her point across and that she was not happy if I made her plate…and I guess even the smells of my food could calm her down…

“Oh yes…of course…sorry…” I apologized feeling really silly as I bit my lip to prevent myself from saying else as I picked up a plate and started to put food on it.  I saw Rainbow come up to me and pick up a plate…I quickly flew to the other side of the table away from her…which made her look at me confused but eventually she shook her head and started to pile food on her plate…one scoop after another from various plates of food quickly overfilling her plate.

“D-Dash…d-don’t you think that’s a bit much?” I asked in concern as I pointed to her…specifically her plate that was literally starting to overflow with food.  Dash blinked at me and then blankly stared at me dumbfounded until she eventually looked down at her stuffed plate.

“Oh…crap…I didn’t notice…I was just shoveling things on without a second thought…” She replied in slight shock as rubbed the back of her head…apparently not realizing the amount of food she was placing on it…she didn’t seem to mind though as she quickly sat down at one end of the table didn’t get any more either in fear of me saying something or because she now knows her plate is full beyond capacity…

“M-Maybe I should make your plate then…” I half teasingly half seriously said with a slight stutter as I sat down across from Rainbow and looked down at my somewhat filled plate…which was almost pathetic when compared to the amount on her plate.

“Funny…” She sarcastically replied with her eyes slightly narrowed at me…I grinned forcefully at her before she looked down and started to take a few bites from the food. “No I just can’t help myself…it just looks and smells so good…it would be a crime if I didn’t try and pack on as much food as could…” She the remarked with a somewhat muffled voice as there was still food in her mouth…I should probably tell her to mind her manners and not to speak with her mouth full but…I don’t want to upset her further…

“Oh…I guess I should’ve made more food then…” I said as I looked down at my meager looking down on my plate…feeling my ears flatten as I probably should’ve made a lot more food than this…especially for Dash’s appetite…that’s my fault…I should’ve known to make more before hoof. “I’m sorry…” I then weakly apologized with a disappointed sigh as I forced myself to take a bite of the food so I wouldn’t be hungry later.

“No it’s ok…it’s what you could make last minute…it’s not a feast but then again it’s much better than the false feast we had at…well…you know…”

“I’m…sorry about that Dash…” I apologized, feeling bad for making her go there to see her father…only to realize that I already apologized for this and that would probably get on her nerves…especially when she said I shouldn’t apologize to her over that. “Oh I must have apologized for that already…I’m sorry…oh and I’m sorry if I’m apologizing too much…and I’m-”

“Fluttershy…enough…” Rainbow said in a calm tone as she raised her hoof up, cutting me off from my endless stream of apologizes…which made me feel a little guilty and embarrassed.

“So-….ok…”  I simply said as I looked back down at my plate and once again began forcing myself to eat.  I still felt horrible over the whole ordeal…although…I…I really did appreciate her standing up for me…I…I never really thanked her for that…

“Thank you…” I muttered softly in such a soft tone I don’t think she heard me clearly.

“Huh?” The confused Pegasus simply said in response as I looked up to  see her looking at me bewildered…yeah…she didn’t hear me…

“Thank you Rainbow…for sticking up for me against your father…and I especially lo-” I began to thank sincerely before cutting myself off by covering my mouth with my hooves as I almost said the L word out load…but I couldn’t help it…it…it practically flowed out naturally…oh that’s not good Fluttershy…now you really have to watch what you say from now or else you might just blurt it out on accident and freak Rainbow out like when she thought Twilight had feelings for her…oh this is only making my chest feel more constrained and tight…I feel like I can barely breath properly now!

“Appreciated it…” I then finally said after slowly lowering my hooves, correcting myself after clearly my throat and head.  “When you called me your family…very much so in fact…” I then finished with a forced smile and a nod of gratitude…which made her smile back at me…

“It’s no problem…after all you are my family….closer to me than probably a sister even...”  Rainbow responded warmly and with a gentle smile as she cocked her head a bit…which made my ears stick up in shock and…hope.

“R-Really?” I simply replied in wonder to what that could mean.  Closer than probably a sister…co-could that mean that…we-we could…  No!  No!  No!  Stop it Fluttershy…you’re just getting hopeful over something that you know will never happen…you’re just so emotionally confused and distraught at the moment that you’re hinging on everything she says because you think you’re in…in…no I can’t say it!  

“Yeah…we’ve been together longer than anypony else…hell we’d probably be even closer if I didn’t run away after Grams died…” She said with a nod before taking a few more bites of the food in front of her, quickly swallowing it and going in for more food.

“R-Rainbow…” I called in a mutter as I felt my breathing get heavier and more sporadic…wh-what does she mean ‘we’d probably be even closer’?  Does…Does she mean…no…of course she doesn’t…she probably means we’re like twins or something…I don’t know…it…certainly can’t be that…but my heart and it’s constant flutters of happiness keeps sending my mind down that path…oh I curse the day my heart started feeling this way…which was…I…I don’t even know anymore…it…it feels like forever…no that’s just your heart confusing you again!  Gah!

“You’re certainly better than my flankhole of a father…going on about that…weird flank source feather crap…” The cyan Pegasus then scoffed in anger as she rolled her eyes and then angrily chewed on some more food.  I took this as an ample opportunity to not only change the subject but to ask her about that whole ordeal considering that…apparently we both have a ‘Dual Resonation’…because maybe she would want to know what it really means that our source feathers are…whatever…

“D-Do you believe any of what he said…or…think about asking him what-”

“No I don’t and I don’t ever want to talk about this again…ever…so just drop it…” Rainbow sternly said back, cutting me off from saying anything else...and preventing me from asking her about that book that Signal gave me…

“I…understand…” I replied back in defeat as I looked back down and forced myself to eat once more.  

Well now that I can’t ask Rainbow who can I turn to about that book…Twilight I guess…but…last time I checked her understanding of the language was…ummm…limited to say the least…well that was over a month ago…I’m sure she’s improved by now…and if she hasn’t I guess I could ask her if it’s not too much trouble to possible learn the language and translate that book…or listen to yourself Fluttershy…do you really think Twilight with her busy schedule would take the time out to learn an entire language just to help you with some silly book?  W-Well…maybe…I don’t know…I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.

“Ahhh I’m stuffed…that was such a good meal…” I heard Rainbow compliment in a satisfied tone as I looked up to see her laying back in her chair with a content grin on her face…geez she ate the entire plate in that short amount of time?  

“Thank you…” I gratefully thanked in a slightly concerned tone as I hope she wouldn’t get a stomach ache from eating too fast…I mean I barely ate half my plate…though then again I’m not exactly hungry at the moment.

“It was the perfect Hearth’s Warming eve meal…seriously why don’t you cook more or bring food like this around when the rest of the girls gather for like picnics and stuff…especially for something like tomorrow when Pinkie usually throws her Hearth’s Warming party at Twilight’s?” The kind mare questioned curiously as she raised her eyebrow at me slightly, wondering why I don’t do this more often…well I think the answer should be obvious…I mean who always brings the food for our usual get-togethers?

“Oh…well that’s because Applejack usually handles all the food…and she’s such a good cook that my contributions would be…well…meaningless…” I explained calmly and with a slight smile, pointing out how it’s always Applejack that does all the cooking since…well…she’s kind of a farm mare and cooking just comes with the territory.

“That’s bull Fluttershy…” Rainbow disagreed in a rather forceful tone which almost made me jump from where I was in shock, “All she makes is Apple related stuff…which is good…but variety is the spice of…food…” She then went on as she raised her hoof…before trailing off in confusion as she spun her hoof in the air slightly as she bit her lip.  W-Well…that…that might be true…to some degree…but I’m sure Applejack is a better cook than me…and ‘Variety is the spice of food?’

“Life…” I simply said softly, correcting her of her error as I held my hoof up slightly.

“What?” She stated back in confusion as she titled her head at me and raised an eyebrow.

“Varity is the spice of life…” I fully explaining, telling her the exact phrase that I think she meant to say.

“Even better!”  Rainbow happily and excitedly agreed as she raised both her fore hooves in the air, “Point is…you should really think about taking…I don’t know…a small platter of food at least…” She then went on to suggest as she lowered both her fore hooves and then looked at me with a cheeky smile…w-well…m-maybe I could make one plate…I mean if Rainbow wants me to…but…I don’t want to be rude to Applejack and upset her if I do bring food…

“I-I’ll…think about…” I replied honestly with a smile as I nodded to her as I decided to put it off until tomorrow.

“Good…now how about we decorate that plain looking tree you have in the other room?” Rainbow responded now sounding like a little an excited little filly before she quickly got up and trotted to the door to enter the living room.

“I wouldn’t miss it Dash…” I replied with a giggle as I found myself getting up from the table and following her into the living room.  When I entered I saw the daredevil immediately go over to the couch to open it up.

“Here let me get that for you.” I offered politely as I started trot over to the box to either open it up for her or move in front of tree…I didn’t want her to do it by herself since she already did the hardest part by getting it here.

“No!” Rainbow immediately shouted as she covered the box up with her body and held a hoof out  towards me like it was a ticking bomb…which shocked me to say the least as I pulled back and blinked multiple times at her in surprised.  She noticed my reaction as she slowly got off the box and rubbed the back of her head in regret, “I-I mean…No…I’ve got this…I brought the box…so I’ll open it up and give you the stuff ok?”  She then said much softer and nicer as she smiled at me to try and alleviate this now awkward and confusing situation.

“A-Alright…” I simply replied with a nod before she went to open the box up.  I…don’t really understand why she would want to open the box by herself but…ok…it’s her box and if she really wants to control it that badly who am I to say otherwise?

“Ok so let’s start with some garland!” She then happily suggested as she pulled out a long strand of silver garland to be wrapped around the tree.

“Yay!”  I excitedly cheered as loud as I could…oh but not too loud…I don’t want to cause a ruckus.  

Rainbow chuckled warmly at my outburst as she flew over and gave me one end of the garland.  I opened my wings up and we both flew to the bottom of the tree where upon I immediately put my end in the tree.  After I did Rainbow immediately started to fly rapidly around the tree with her end quickly wrapping up the tree with the long decorative fabric until she reached top whereupon she let go and flew back with her arms folded and a smirk on a face admiring the work she just did.

“Ok looking good!”  Rainbow happily declared with a nod before she flew back down to the box on the couch.  “Now let’s put some ornaments on this…tree…”  She then said as she got a few multicolored ornaments out dangling down of her fore leg.

“Here you go…” The slightly decorated mare happily offered as she moved the foreleg over to me to take.

I nodded eagerly as I flew up and took the ornaments from her foreleg and put them on mine before flying back to the tree.  I carefully put the red, blue, and green colored ornaments around the tree.  After making sure they weren’t going to fall off and hit the ground I quickly turned around and returned to Dash who was once again holding out small ornaments for me to take…these were snowflake shaped instead of the traditional ones.  A bright smile quickly appeared on my face because one of the snowflakes was slightly broken and I remember that was when Rainbow accidently crashed into the tree on Hearth’s Warming morning and sent that one tumbling to the ground where upon I dove to save it…for the most part.

“Bring back memories Fluttershy?” Dash cheekily asked upon seeing my reaction to the ornament.

“Oh yes…and then some…” I replied warmly as I took the ornaments and dangling off her fore leg and flew back to the tree to hang them up like the rest…starting with the broken one as that was the one that was bringing a big smile to my face.

“Don’t forget to get the backside of the tree Fluttershy…you don’t want any part to be bare right?” Rainbow pointed out as she reminded me that putting it all one side would make it look very completely decked out one side and barren on the other.

“Oh yes…thank you…” I happily thanked as I flew to the other side of the tree to hang up the two ornaments…while doing so I heard some shuffling on the other side and when I went around the other side to see what I was I found Rainbow scrambling off the floor and back up to the box on the couch.  “Rainbow?” I called a bit perplexed which made the mare jump up and frantically go into the box to bring out a few ornaments.  

“O-Oh it’s nothing…here…have another ornament…” She replied nervously and with a stutter as she held out a small ornament shaped like a snow pony.  

I titled my head at her before I reached out and took it…why would Rainbow be on the floor…oh my gosh…was she looking under the couch…does she know about the present I put under there…no she was on the floor for a brief couple of seconds and on the wrong side no less…so she wouldn’t have seen it…so…is she hiding something from me?  That would explain the sudden outburst and defiance to me looking in the box…but…what could she be hiding from me?

I watched her as she happily placed some ornaments on the now starting to look like a real Hearth’s Warming tree and turn around to go back to the box to get more.  I almost wanted to ask her what was going on but I knew she would never tell me either way so…I decided to just continue to hang ornaments up and hope she’ll tell me what’s going on later. We continued to hang ornaments up…Rainbow even letting go into the box this time which further added to my suspicion…until the entire box was empty and the tree was decorated…for the most part…the top was still begging for a head piece of some kind like a star or something that…sadly wasn’t in the box…oh I remember we always used to put something on top when we were younger…but sadly they’re not in the box…it was something silly anyways and the tree looks fine as it is…

“I…I think we’re done…” I announced happily as I looked at the empty box one last time and then looked at the tree.

I felt very warm inside knowing that we decorated it together just like we were younger…and…and it’s not because of current misunderstanding feelings…but…wait…wouldn’t they interfere somehow?  I mean this is a touching moment right that would send any heart into a fury of complex emotions…but instead I feel the same warm feeling I got like when I was younger…it felt really good…like I was snug under my most comfortable blanket that I never wanted to leave…but then again…I only feel like this around her and don’t get this warm feeling around the others when we do things like this…is…is it because that all this time I was…no…No no no!  Stop it Fluttershy!  You’re once again taking a normal friendly situation and twisting it into something else…see my incorrect feelings did get involved somehow…just…when I thought about it…but…oh I don’t know anymore!

“Not yet…something is missing…” I heard Rainbow Dash disagree thankfully taking me away from my thoughts as I looked over to see her reaching under the couch and pulling out a small little blue Pegasus with a rainbow mane…oh my gosh!  It’s one of the head pieces we used to put on top of the tree!  A small ornament Rainbow Dash made back when we were really young in school.

“Oh my goodness…so you still have that?  After all these years you still have that arts and crafts ornament?” I said in shock upon seeing the very disfigured and crudely made figure…the eyes not even properly aligned and the paint used to make her mane and tail was messy and blended at points…it’s was very silly looking and hardly looked like the pony it was trying to represent but then again she was a small filly when she made that…although strangely enough I think if she tried again even at the age she is now…I bet the two figures would look identical…she never was an arts and crafts pony.

“Yep…and I still have yours see…” She then cheerfully said with a cheeky grin as she held up another head piece of me…which was just as disfigured and deformed…I was so nervous making that thing…Rainbow had to help me so it’s no wonder they look very similar.  I smiled warmly and took and briefly looked down at the crudely made head piece.  So this is what she was hiding from me…what a very nice and touching surprise…it’s making my heart beat fast in ecstasy…and honestly…I didn’t even care at this point anymore…I was too happy to try and fight off these feelings anymore and just let them wash over me…just basking in them without any thought or contradiction.

“So let’s make this tree…twenty percent cooler…” Rainbow then suggested with a wink as she held up her small figure and a stand so we could place both our figures at the top without either one falling over or causing the tree to lean to one side.  Oh she said the line again…I rolled my eyes at her and her cheesiness…but honestly I like it when she says that…like…not…anything else…

“Don’t roll your eyes at me…you know you love it when I say that…” The prismatic maned Pegasus teasingly said as she flew over and nudged me…which made my eyes go wide as I looked away to hide my blush.  She…She knows I love it…uhh…l-like it when she says that?  N-No…sh-she doesn’t…she’s just playing with me…

“Oh…I…umm…n-no…” I tried to resist feebly as I slowly and barely shook my head still looking away from her.

“Pff…whatever…” I heard Rainbow scoff back as I looked over to see her flying up to the top of the tree.  I took a deep breath and forcefully opened my wings to fly up next to her as she put the stand on top of the tree.  

When I reached her we both slowly placed our small figures in their correct spots next to each other and flew back down.  I looked up at them and how they were so close to each other once again felt a wave of giddiness flow over me including a small blush…then my eyes slightly widened as I realized that it was the same blush I always had when we were younger after placing them up top together…I…I always thought the blush was from…I don’t even remember…but now I’m having the same blush and coupled with recent events is…really feeling like my heart is just digging me deeper into my own grave…

“There now it’s perfect…” Rainbow Dash declared proudly as I looked over to see her take a few steps back and look at the tree with a smirk on her face.

“It-It looks beautiful…” I commented as I continued to look at Rainbow Dash with a smile…only to realize that I should be looking at the tree and not her flowing rainbow colored…oh dear…I looked away and did my best to try and keep my face cool…but to no avail unfortunately…

“No it looks awesome…even better…” She disagreed thinking I was complimenting the tree as I looked over to see her smirking at me…which made me giggle because in a way…she’s right…about the tree I mean…

“Y-Yeah…y-you’re right…” I agreed with a slight nod as my lips slightly curved to a small smile…then I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before I opened my eyes and looked at her intently, “Thank you Dash…you’ve made this night incredible…m-more than you could possibly imagine…I couldn’t ask for anymore…” I thanked gratefully, earnestly, and truthfully…making a note in my head that Rainbow somehow managed to transform a bad Hearth’s Warming eve night to one of the most memorable ones I’ve ever had…probably the most memorable one since…w-well…the last time we spent Hearth’s Warming together.

“Heh…well you’re about to get more Fluttershy…” She corrected in a slightly teasing tone, hinting that she was going to give me more.

“I…I am?” I replied with a stutter as my eyes widened somewhat at what she was going to give me…I…I mean what else could she give me…I could feel my heart start to pound in my chest as I knew it was going to feed my mind incorrect suggestions…no…whatever it is it’s not going to be that…

“Yeah…try having your house back…” Rainbow then informed with a smirk as she held out her right fore hoof and moved it around as if presenting me with a prize of some kind.

“W-What?” I simply muttered as I stopped breathing and flattened my ears against my head…I…I’m getting my house back…b-but…I never lost my house…w-wait…do-does she mean she…she’s leaving?

“Yeah I got a message on my door that I have warm heating clouds at my home now…they couldn’t leave their manager sick and out of commission of course…but the point is…my house is warm enough for me to sleep in tonight…and you can have your home all to yourself again without me crashing here…” The mare before me explained gently as she told me about her house and how it was no inhabitable.  …No…

“O-Oh…I…I see…” I struggled to respond as I felt my chest tighten beyond all comprehension…sending me in a world of emotional pain to the point where I thought  I was going to have a heart attack…I…I don’t want her to go…I don’t want her to leave me.

“Yeah…thanks for letting me stay over…but now I have to leave…” Rainbow Dash then thanked sincerely before saying she was going and then passing me on the way to my front door.  No…don’t go!  Don’t leave me here by myself!

“B-But…R-Rainbow…” I tried to call feebly as I turned around quickly to see her reaching my front door and placing a hoof on it.

“Bye Fluttershy…” She said back, giving me her farewell as she opened the door.  No!  Please!  Don’t!  I can’t let her go!

“D-Dash…wait!”  I called once more…even weaker than before as I held a hoof out towards her…but again to no avail.  No…I…I can’t let her go!  I…I need her…I…I…

“Dashie!” I shouted at the top of my lungs as I closed my eyes and lowered my head as I felt a few tears quickly form…w-wait…w-what did I just say.  As soon as I realized what I just said my ears shot up and my eyes instantly popped wide open…the few tears in my eyes being ejected onto the ground as I quickly looked back up at a speechless Rainbow.  Oh…no…

“W-What did you call me?”  A completely stunned and baffled Rainbow asked with a soft stutter as she stood in the doorway completely motionless with her cerise eyes fixated on me.  Oh no…w-what did I do?  I…I didn’t want her to go and…and just made things worse!  “D-Did….Did you just call me ‘Dashie?’” She then asked a bit louder and more seriously which made me lower my ears once again and force my eyes shut as I felt tears quickly forming in my eyes to soon free fall down the side of my face.  

I couldn’t utter a word and merely nodded ever so slightly to confirm the very stupid mistake I made…because now I might have upset her and ruined what could’ve been one of the best nights of my life!  Oh Fluttershy what were you thinking?  You weren’t!  That’s the problem!  Your heart got in the way and made you say that!  Your stupid heart just ruins everything and hurts the pony that it beats for….stupid stupid stupid Fluttershy!

“Well…what do you want…Flutters…” She then asked teasingly as…as…w-what?

“F-Flutters?” I repeated as my eyes shot back open…wider than I think they’ve ever been as I looked up at a smirking Rainbow Dash in complete in utter shock….she…she called me…F-Flutters?

“Yeah if you’re going to call me a stupid nickname I might as well call you one as well…” The prismatic maned Pegasus explained with a slight sneer as she raised her head slightly still smirking and raised her cheek slightly to give off a  cocky looking expression…she…she didn’t care that…I called her that?

“Yo-You…You don’t mind if…if I call you…D-Dashie?” I asked in a very soft and nervous tone but…with a slight hint of hope as…as I actually would really like to call her that…those words escaping my lips felt…right…it sounds right…

“Not really…when Pinkie does it it’s usually always in her hyperactive craziness and I know she does it to annoy me…you on the other hoof…well…it sounds…how can I say it without sounding sappy or creepy…” Rainbow replied happily before stopping and looking up to think it over more seriously to find the correct words to say.

“Right…it sounds right…” She then said finding the words she wanted to use as she looked back at me with a gentle smile…which made me gasp as…I felt the exact same way about that.  “That didn’t sound creepy or sappy did it?” She then bit nervously and uncomfortable herself as she looked way slightly and rubbed the back of her head with her left fore hoof as a slight tint of red appeared on her cheeks…which looked really cute….

“N-Not at all…” I replied with a slightly louder tone as I shook my head at her, “And…it….it sounds right if you call me…F-Flutters…” I then added a bit softer as I looked away myself and felt my face heat up immensely…because…w-well…n-now we have nicknames for each other…that…that symbolizes how close we are right…oh I can only imagine what the others will think of us…especially Rarity…

“Well alright…Flutters…what did you want?”  D-Dash…ie then asked a bit teasingly as she got to heart of the matter and asked why I called her in the first place…oh yes that!

“Oh…well…umm…” I started nervously…not sure how to put this before closing my eyes and taking a huge long breath of air.  “I…I don’t want you to leave!” I then practically shouted at her as I wanted to make sure she heard me this time and more so she would know how serious I was about this.  I opened my eyes very slowly as I was breathing heavily…recovering from my outburst, and saw Rainbow looking back at me very confused as she rapidly batted her eyelids at me.

“I kind of have to…I have a house to go back to…” She pointed out in a somewhat reluctant tone as she raised an eyebrow at me and pointed a hoof behind her to the outside.

“But I want you to stay here with me!” I immediately responded, not shouting but having a loud and stern enough tone so that she could clearly hear me.

“You…you do?”  Rainbow muttered in disbelief as her eyes widened somewhat…she then stared at me for a few seconds before shutting her eyes forcefully and turning her head away.  “I…I can’t…I’ve really overstayed my welcome…I’m not sick anymore…my house isn’t a floating icebox…there isn’t a reason for me to stay here…”  She then refuted in a serious tone as if it was her duty to stay away from me…as if leaving me alone was her being loyal to me for some reason…but she doesn’t get why I’m asking her to stay here with me.

“I need you here!” I shouted at her desperately, hoping she would finally get why I wanted her to stay so much.

“F-Fluttershy?” The surprised mare murmured in complete and utter bemusement as she immediately opened her eyes and glared at me with shock in her cerise eyes and her jaw dangling down freely.

“I…I don’t want to be alone…winter is my least favorite time of the year…there…there’s no animals to play with, take care of, or even talk to…I…I’m always so alone every winter…”  “But…but with you here…there’s somepony I can see every time I wake up…there’s somepony I can talk to…there’s somepony I can take care of…there’s somepony I can…” I explained in a broken voice as tears quickly welled up in my eyes…stopping myself before I said something I shouldn’t and then lowering my head and closing my eyes.

“I…I just…I need you Rainbow…and…I know this sounds extremely selfish…and…is extremely unfair to you but…I…I don’t want you to leave me…” I then struggled to say as the tears freely flowed down the sides of my face…knowing full well that she was going to reject my request since it was selfish and unreasonable but…I…I’m sorry…

“Fluttershy…” I heard Rainbow call softly…I bit my lip in anticipation of the incoming no I knew she was going to give me,  “Heh…you know…when you’re making a face like that…and sound as sappy as that…how could I say no to your generous hospitality…” She then said a bit smugly and teasingly giving me her answer that…that I wasn’t expecting.

“Dashie…” I called back softly as I slowly opened my eyes back up and looked up at her to see her warmly smiling at me….she…she’s going to…st-stay with me?   Sh-She’s not leaving!?

“I’ll stay Flutters…for you…because you’re just like me…you hate being alone…and I can understand how you feel living in an empty house to the point where it drives you mad…so I’ll stay with you for the entire winter until your animal friends wake up.” The cyan Pegasus elaborated sweetly as her smug face slowly changed to a gentle one including her smile…which was now making me want to cry for the completely opposite reason…I think I have competition for the Element of Kindness.

“Oh Dashie!” I shouted as I lunged at her and brought her into a tight hug, taking her by surprise as I squeezed her. “Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!”  I thanked repeatedly over and over as I felt a pair of hooves hug me back in a soft embrace, encasing me in a warm feeling that was too much for my heart to take anymore.

“I love you!”  I shouted at the top of my lungs as I gently nuzzled her, feeling my heart explode in joy free of the tight apprehension that was gripping it.  

“What?” I heard Rainbow say simply in complete shock as she broke away from the hug, “W-What did you say?” She then asked as she started to shake slightly, her face exuding complete and utter fear.  My eyes then widened as well as I realized what I yelled without me realizing…I…I said it….I….I actually said…out loud…to her no less…oh my Celestia no…I…I said it…and now she’s starting to freak like when she thought Twilight was after her…no…I…I didn’t want this to happen…I can’t let this happen!

“I love you…being here with me…through my time of need…it…it makes me so happy…”  I poorly lied in a whisper as I began to shiver in fear as Rainbow just looked at me with that expression permanently stuck on her face.  “Especially since…you’re my best friend…and…like my sister…so…of course I would love having you stay with me…”  I then said biting my lip in fear as Rainbow’s expression slowly began to soften and then she lead about a big relieved sigh.

“R-Right…gotcha…” She eventually replied accepting my reasoning thankfully and nodding to me…which in turn made me make a sigh of relief because I just avoided a catastrophe, “I-I think I’m going to go to sleep now…”  Dash then said as she quickly trotted past me…either to change to subject, get out of this situation, or because she’s genuinely tired…either way I had to agree…it was getting pretty late and now would be a good time to go to sleep.

“That…That’s a good idea…” I agreed with a smile as I turned around to see her jumping and plopping on my couch, “Wait what are you doing?” I then asked curiously as I raised an eyebrow at her…I hope she doesn’t think she’s going to be sleeping on the couch because surely she knows I won’t let her do that.

“Sleeping on the couch of course…” She replied in a calm matter of fact tone of voice as she raised both her fore hooves and put them behind her head to rest against.

“W-What?  Oh no no no!  I can’t let you do that!” I refuted as I quickly trotted offer to her and grabbed one of her forelegs,  trying to pull her off the couch…if I can just get her to my bed I can sing her another lullaby to put her right to sleep…it works every time…

“Flutters…there’s no way you’re making me sleep in your bed…especially since I’m not sick…and there’s no way you’re going to trick me into your bed like last time and sing me to sleep…” Rainbow denied sternly as she pulled her leg out of my grasp and gave me a serious look basically saying ‘don’t try that again.’  

“I’ll just take the couch…believe me I’ve slept in trees and could sleep on a rock if I have to…I’ll be ok…” She insisted as she put her leg back behind her head and then crossed her hind legs trying to get more comfortable.

However I know she would be most comfortable in my bed…and the only real reason she’s refusing is because she’s afraid I’ll be sleeping on the floor or something and be uncomfortable…which is wrong because I’ll be fine…but she won’t believe me…like how I’m not believing her…so there’s no way we’re going to let each other not sleep in anything but my bed…so…so I think I have a compromise that…I-I don’t think she might go for but…it’s worth a try…and…and if she agrees…I…I think I’ll die of giddiness…

“H-How about…we…we sleep together?” I suggested in a squeak…lowered my head and hid mostly behind my mane, barely looking out of the corner of my eye to see her reaction.

“What!?” She shouted back to me as she jumped slightly from shock and moved her hooves to grab the couch and looked at me with her cerise eyes shrinking to small dots…like I asked her to help me commit a murder….honestly the reaction made me recoil a bit in fear.

“Since…you don’t want to sleep in my bed in fear of me sleeping on the couch…and I don’t want you sleeping on the couch either…how…how about we both sleep in the bed…together…it…it’s big enough…and we’ve slept together before…” I explained softly as I forced myself to look at her almost seriously…y-yeah…we used to do it when we we’re younger…so it shouldn’t be that crazy for us to sleep together.

“That was when we we’re fillies!  This is different!” Rainbow pointed out almost yelling at me as she sat up on the couch and pointed at me with one of her hooves…y-yeah I know that…but still...

“How is it different?  We’re just older…we’re still the same ponies we used to be so what’s changed that makes it bad to sleep in the same bed together?  We even slept together in Rio!”  I countered in a slightly serious tone as I titled my head a bit…our age shouldn’t really be a factor saying we can’t sleep in the same bed together…so what’s preventing her from just saying yes…is she afraid of something…is she afraid of me?

“It’s because of what happened there that we can’t be in the same bed Fluttershy…I mean…A lot’s changed Fluttershy…” Dashie responded with a slight stutter as it seemed her conviction was wavering…she wasn’t even saying what exactly changed and just saying ‘a lot’s changed’…a lot of what exactly?

“Like what?” I asked as I took a step forward almost in determination as I wanted to hear her reasoning and examples of how things have changed.

“S-Stuff…you wouldn’t understand Fluttershy…look the point is I’m not comfortable sleeping in the same bed with you…” The cyan mare answered before sounding very resolute in her conviction and just folding her hooves practically to show that her stance on the matter will not waver…

“I…I make you uncomfortable?” I asked in a soft sad tone as I backed up and lowered my head again, “I-I’m sorry…” I then apologized sincerely before closing my eyes and almost immediately feeling tears well up in my eyes again…she…she feels uncomfortable around me?  Well of course she does…she’s everything you’re not…how could she ever feel comfortable around you…especially close to you…this is exactly what you needed Fluttershy…you needed to be told this so your heart could break and move on…only problem is…it’s so painful!

“Ahh…damn it…I didn’t mean it like that…”  Rainbow responded in a regretful tone, “Look...it’s very…complicated…it’s just…” She then went on not explaining anything again and most likely not finding a nice way to say ‘I hate you Fluttershy you make me uncomfortable and I’d much rather be around better ponies!’

“Ah forget it…come on let’s do it!”  She then finally shouted in defeat as I opened my eyes and looked up in shock to see her getting off the couch.

“R-Rainbow?” I called weakly with a stammer as she trotted over to me and put a hoof on my shoulder.

“Let’s go to bed!” She then said with a seemingly very genuine smile which made me heart almost jump to my throat.

“R-Really?” I simply asked in disbelief and in a murmur as I looked up at the rainbow maned pony…she…she really wants to sleep with me…she…she doesn’t feel uncomfortable at all?

“Yeah…I was crazy for suggesting otherwise…I mean if I had to there’s no other pony I’d rather sleep with…”  “I…In the same bed I mean…” She then happily said in a somewhat joking tone as she took her hoof off my shoulder and just continued to smile at me…I smiled in return and I wiped the tears from my eyes before lunging at her bringing her into a sudden hug.

“Oh thank you Dashie…” I gleefully thanked as I rubbed my face against her and continuously nuzzled her in gratitude.

“N-No problem…but…we’re going to be on the opposite sides away from each other…so…so we can’t touch each other…”  The kind mare replied as she gently pushed me away, giving me some actually strange ground rules that I was more than happy to agree to…though I still don’t understand why she’s concerned about us touching…I mean I know I’m not going to touch her…and why would she want to touch me?  “I mean…you know…I…roll a lot and toss and turn in my sleep and I don’t want to…you know…bump you and wake you up…” She then added in slight embarrassment as she looked away with a slight tint of red on her face…oh ok she’s concerned about rolling into me and waking me up…I get it now…

“I understand Rainbow…and I’m more than happy to agree to those terms.” I agreed with a smile as I nodded my head her excitedly over and over which made my mane bounce to the point where I think I might be acting a bit too much like Pinkie…I mean I think I even might have sounded like her…it’s strange but I swear there are points where we sound exactly the same…like we have the same voice or something…

“Great…thanks Flutters…”  Rainbow thanked gratefully as used my nickname which made me squee in happiness as she turned around to head to the stairs…passing the couch which reminded me about the present I left under there.

“You go up ahead of me…I’ll be right up…” I said sweetly and convincingly as I stood where I was as Rainbow reached the stairs…thankfully when she looked back she seemed to be more concerned about something else than why I was staying back for a few minutes.

“Alright…I-I’ll meet you in bed…” She replied a bit nervously before looking back forward and slowly trotting up the stairs towards my room.

Once she was fully out of sight I quickly trotted over to the couch, bent down, reached under the couch, and grabbed the present that I had wrapped up for her.  I then turned around and walked over to the tree, gently setting it down underneath it for Rainbow find tomorrow morning when she wakes up.  I giggled in glee for my plan preceding off without a hitch and then trotted to the stairs to go up and get my Hearth’s Warming present a little earlier…in that I’m sleeping close to Dashie…just like when we were in Rio…I was so happy then and I just know I’ll be overjoyed now!  When I entered my dark room I could barely make out Rainbow shuffling underneath the blanket and then popping up with one of the pillows in her hoof.  

“Alright…nopony crosses this pillow…” The determined Pegasus declared as she placed the pillow in the center of the bed like a line that couldn’t be crossed before shifting her way all the way to the other end of the bed…almost to the point where it looked like she was going to fall off…was it really that necessary?  I mean once you scooted away from the pillow somewhat you were perfectly fine…that is a little much…but…I guess she’s just really afraid of touching me for some reason…

“Sure…whatever you want…” I agreed in a content tone and with a smile as I slowly trotted to the other side of the bed.  I slipped into the covers a good three or four hooves away from Dash and upon immediately entering I felt my heart soar…just being in the same bed is good enough for me…I don’t have to be that close to her to be happy.  “Thank you Dashie…for doing this for me…”  I then thanked gratefully as I began to get comfortable and adjust my pillow to lay my head down on.

“Yeah yeah I know…don’t tell this to anypony though…if the others were to find out I was in the same bed with you on Hearth’s Warming Eve…I’d probably never hear the end of it…” Dashie replied, shrugging it off in her usual manner as set my head down facing her, seeing her roll over to face the opposite direction of me as she slammed her head against the pillow with a loud  puffing sound as if that was enough to fluff it.

“I understand completely…” I agreed warmly with a little nod as I knew if I told this to Rarity…she wouldn’t let me hear the end of it as well…  

“Goodnight Flutters…” The sleepy sounding Pegasus said softly with a slight yawn which sounded a bit fake to be honest but either way I knew she was going to be asleep soon.

“Goodnight Dashie…” I said back warmly before making a content sigh in bliss.

“I lo…” I then almost said before stopping myself but placing a hoof over my mouth, almost saying that phrase that nearly plunged our relationship into an irreparable chaos “…see you in the morning…” I then finished, completely changing the statement as I rolled over to face the other direction, forcing my eyes shut and being very thanking that the first two syllables of ‘I love you’ sounds very similar as ‘I’ll.’

Either way though…it doesn’t really matter…I…I said those three words out load…and to her of all ponies.  I admitted what my heart was screaming at me the entire time even though my brain was denying it…I let it slip and…and…I never felt better in my entire life.  It…felt right…like my lips were always meant to say those three little words to her…even though I knew it shouldn’t.  

I knew that Rainbow is not a relationship kind of mare….never have be never will be and the mere thought of being in one terrifies her…it terrifies me as well honestly…especially knowing that it could ruin our friendship or at the very least damage it beyond repair to the point where this lingering atmosphere would always be present whenever we talked…like two former coworkers never being able to fully trust each other after one of them backstabs the other…the lingering thought and memory would always be there no matter what and that’s something I want to avoid.

I can’t help it though…just thinking about the words ‘love’ and ‘Rainbow’ in the same sentence makes my heart beat faster and inevitably puts a smile on my face.  I can’t deny it anymore...especially after I blurted it out…but….I…I’m in love with her…I don’t fully understand how or why it happened but…I love her…I’m in love with her and…it honestly feels like I’ve always been in love with her but just didn’t know it until…Rarity showed me otherwise.

How did it happen?  Was it her fierce attitude that completely opposes mine and makes me want to be a better pony?  Is it her undying loyalty to her friends and my to the point where she sacrifices even her dreams just to make me happy?  Is it how she looks, particularly her striking rainbow colored mane or firm yet gentle looking athletic body?  Is it because we’ve been best friends since we we’re fillies…and how we were both each other’s first friend and spent all those happy days together that built up these emotions?  Is it a mix or all of these reasons combined?  Or is it none of these reasons and I won’t ever grasp the reason…either way the result is…unfortunately the same.

I’m in love with my best friend Rainbow Dash. Next Chapter: Chapter 19 Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 36 Minutes