Shining Armor laid sprawled out in the main room with Twilight on one side of him and Spike on the other. None of them were asleep, but it seemed like just barely.

After the defeat of Discord and returning of Ponyville to normal, both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna showed up, along with a retinue of guards. The statue form of Discord and The Elements of Harmony were once again taken to Canterlot, hopefully to be put in a safer place to prevent such an either the theft or the escape from happening again. In a couple days, Shining Armor and the others were supposed to go for an award ceremony, celebrating their latest victory.

Today there had been no party. Pinkie Pie had not even suggested it for some reason. Not that it was upsetting or disappointing, just surprising. None of them really felt like celebrating at the moment. It had been a long day... or had it been days? Whatever the case, as happy as they were that it was all over, they all just seemed to be really worn out. So tonight they would get some rest, tomorrow the town would have a party, and a few days after, an award ceremony in Canterlot.

A gentle knock at the door drew the groups attention. The three of them each moved enough to look toward the entrance, but none of them got up.

"One of us should probably get that," Shining Armor said.

"Well," Spike said, "technically, you are the librarian."

"And you are supposed to be my assistant," Shining Armor retorted.

"Don't worry," Twilight said. "I know what to do." Sitting up a little more, she took a deep breath and shouted as loud as she could.

"COME IN!"

The filly's bellow caused Shining Armor and Spike to both cringe as they were right next to her. Spike continued to glare as Shining Armor rubbed at his ears. Twilight grinned, looking rather proud of herself.

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash walked into the library. The pair of them headed toward the sprawled out trio, stopping to look down at them curiously.

"Are you three okay?" Fluttershy asked.

"Well I'm going to be hard of hearing for a while," Shining Armor replied, glancing at Twilight again, "but otherwise I'm fine." He then turned to look at the pair of pegasus. "What brings you two here? Did you need something?"

Fluttershy shifted. She looked down at the floor as she moved one of her hooves. The long pink mane fell in her face, hiding her from the others.

"Uhm... actually, I came to talk to you. It's... it's kind of a private matter. So... if we could... you know, talk alone, I would appreciate it."

With a sigh, Spike moved to get up and stretch.

"I guess I could go read a comic in my basket for a while."

"I need to get ready for bed anyways," Twilight said as she got up as well. She then turned to Rainbow Dash. "If you want, you could come up and read me a chapter of Daring Do." She turned and headed for the staircase.

"Daring Do?" Rainbow asked as she followed. "Who is Daring Do?"

"This really brave and tough pegasus," Twilight responded. "She'd kind of be like you if you decided to travel all over Equestria and find rare artifacts."

This got a grin and slight chuckle.

"I like the sound of her already."

Once Spike, Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle were all upstairs, Shining Armor got up and moved to sit beside Fluttershy. Not right next to her, but close enough that he could easily put a hoof around her and give her a comforting hug. The long pink mane continued to hide her face, so he was not sure if Fluttershy could actually see him or not, but Shining Armor still gave her a gentle smile.

"Well," he said in a soft voice, "we seem to be alone now. So, whenever you're ready."

Several seconds passed in silence. Shining Armor was uncertain how long. It was enough that he started to feel uncomfortable. He shifted from one hoof to the other, his ear giving a flick. The stallion chewed on his lip as he sat there.

"Would... something to drink help?" he suggested. "I could make some tea, or we still have milk and juice."

"No thank you," Fluttershy answered. "It's....just..." She sighed and turned to look at him. "This... this is kind of hard." She licked her lips. "Well... harder than usual." Closing her eyes she took a deep breath and slowly let it out. After a few more seconds, Fluttershy opened her eyes and looked at him again.

"I... I want to apologize. To you, I mean. About... about the way I acted toward you back on the train after..."

She stopped a moment, trying to figure out how to continue. A hoof touched her shoulder gently, drawing her attention back to the stallion.

"It's okay," Shining Armor told her. "You weren't yourself."

"No," Fluttershy said before her eyes went wide. "I mean, yes, but that's not it. It's just..." Her head dropped low as she let out a sigh of frustration.

"I'm sorry Shining Armor, but... I.... I don't like you in that way..."

The statement caused Shining Armor to freeze, trying to catch up with what Fluttershy had said and process it. He had been expecting her to apologize for being unusually aggressive and openly sexual.

"Don't... like... me..." he managed to get out.

"NO!" Fluttershy cried out, holding a hoof out toward him. She then continued in a calmer voice. "I... I mean that I do like you. It's just that I like you only as a friend. I really don't have an interest in you as a coltfriend. Or... uhm... I..." She shifted, her face turning a deep crimson. "I... I don't..."

"You don't want to sleep with me?" Shining Armor suggested, raising an eyebrow. His horn gave a slight glow as he called on his magic, ready to catch Fluttershy in case she fainted.

For her part, Fluttershy managed to keep conscious. A squeak escaped from her throat and her face was as red as Macintosh's coat. Her eyes did not meet Shining Armor's, but she did give a nod.

"The way I acted," she finally managed to say, "it... it wasn't because I was interested in you." She shifted, tears starting to run from her eyes. "It... I..." She took a deep breath. "I did it because it would make the others jealous and because I could see how uncomfortable it made you. It had nothing to do with my own feelings... Well, other than the joy of being mean that Discord had made me feel that is.

"I just thought you should know so that I don't lead you on or anything. I would like it if we could stay friends."

Shining Armor now looked at Fluttershy, who had let her mane fall over her face again. Admittedly, he had a slight interest in Fluttershy, but it was more because of Twilight than anything. He liked her, but had never seriously considered asking her out or pursuing her romantically. Now that Fluttershy had turned him down and said no, he found himself disappointed and more than a little curious. Why was she not interested? Was it him? Was there something wrong? Did Fluttershy have an interest in another pony? Did she like other mares?

Stop it, he scolded. It doesn't matter. Whatever the reason is, it's her business. If she doesn't want to share it, then you should respect that and leave the matter alone. She's still your friend. Say something to let her know it's okay. He considered joking about how Twilight would be disappointed, but was worried Fluttershy would misunderstand.

"Yeah," he said. "We can still be friends."

The answer got Fluttershy's attention. Turning her head slightly, she looked at Shining Armor from the corner of her eye.

"Really? You're not mad?"

"Really," Shining Armor said.

What happened next was something that Shining Armor did not expect. Before he even realized it, Fluttershy had lunged toward him and wrapped her forelegs around his neck. He could feel warm wetness on his shoulder.

"I'm so, so glad," Fluttershy sobbed out. "I don't really have a lot of pony friends, and I would really really hate to lose any of them."

"Hey," Rainbow Dash called out. "Are you two done yet? I'm getting bored up here."

The hug broke as Shining Armor and Fluttershy looked at each other. The two smiled at each other as Fluttershy reached up to wipe the tears from her face.

"Yeah," Shining Armor called back. "Yeah, we're done."

Rainbow Dash glided down along the stairway, landing at the base. She looked at the two as she stepped forward.

"Everything okay?"

"Yes," Fluttershy replied. "Shining Armor and I talked and everything is fine."

"Good." Rainbow Dash shifted, her gaze turning toward the bookshelf. "I think I'm going to stay a little longer. You can go on back home if you want."

"Are you sure?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yeah."

"Uhm... okay then." Getting up, the yellow pegasus started for the door. "Have fun." She smiled. "Stay as late as you want. You know where the key is if you decide to come back to my place tonight."

"Yeah," Rainbow Dash said with a grin. "And don't worry. I promise not to wake you up when I come in." She paused. "Or that rabbit..." As she said this last part, she rubbed at one of her flanks.

"Oh, don't worry. Angel Bunny promised not to do that again."

That seemed to be the end of the conversation for the time being. Saying nothing more, Fluttershy headed for the door, and left.