Fluttershy's eyes opened as she realized what she had done. She quickly released Rarity from her hold and started stepping back hastily. "Rarity! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to!" Fluttershy said as she thought of how she had taken advantage of her friend during her mental breakdown.

"Fluttershy.. don't apologize.. I liked it. I really did but I just don't understand why you did it.." Rarity said softly.

"Oh.. Well.. That's just! because.." Fluttershy had no idea what to say in this situation. She was caught. No lie, no matter how big could save her now. "Woah Woah Woah! Back up for a bit Fluttershy.." she thought. "Uuhm what did you just say?"

"I just dont understand why you did it Fluttershy.." Rarity said with a worried look on her face.

"No no, before that." Fluttershy said.

"Don't apologize?" She said tilting her head.

"A bit later.." Fluttershy whispered, about as embarrassed as somepony could possibly be.

Rarity's face turned to a bright red as she realized what Fluttershy was saying. "I.. I really liked it.. I just never figured you for a.. you know.."

Fluttershy sighed. "Rarity.. we need to talk.."

"So that's how it is.. I'm sorry for springing this onto you so suddenly but.." Fluttershy started crying. "You are the most beautiful mare I know.. You are the single most kind and generous person I have ever met and I.. I cannot go another day without you knowing.. That I. Love. You."

Those three words had never sounded so sincere to Rarity. The pegasus cared deeply for her. Over the past few days Rarity had developed a great liking towards her friend.. but was it love? It's not like she had never thought about it. In fact, Rarity always thought Fluttershy was very attractive. It just seemed unfair to her friends to think about them that way.

Fluttershy was staring at the ground. Bracing herself for the incoming rejection but instead she felt a sudden warmth as Rarity hugged her tightly. "Fluttershy.." It was now Rarity who was at a loss for words. She had no idea how she actually felt towards her friend's love. "I like you Fluttershy.. I really do. I just don't know if I love you.. Why don't we get some sleep and talk about this tomorrow.." Rarity said in a caring voice.

"Ok Rarity.." The two ponies made their way upstairs. Sneaking past the guest room, not wanting to wake up Sweetie Belle. That night Fluttershy slept in her crush's arms smiling. Rarity however was far from asleep. She couldn't stop thinking about everything that had gone on lately. She just kept looking up at the ceiling and then down at Fluttershy. She thought about everything she had felt in the past few days. Desperately trying to give a name to her feelings. She thought about everything that Fluttershy had done for her this week. "She's so kind. So pretty.. could it actually be true?"

Her mind was swarming with images of Fluttershy. She started blushing as she looked at the pegasus in her arms. "Why do you love me.. There is nothing special about me!" She thought of the possibility of a relationship with Fluttershy and it certainly was appealing. All the feelings she had blocked out in order to maintain her friendship came crashing down on her heart.

She never thought of actually being romantically involved with Fluttershy but now that the opportunity presented itself.. She looked at her friend one more time before dozing of with one single thought in her mind "I could learn to love you.."

Fluttershy slowly awakened to the sound of birds chirping near her window. The smell of vanilla filled her nose. As she opened her eyes the most beautiful sight she had ever seen greeted her. Rarity was lying in front of her. Her eyes closed, breathing lightly. The morning light reflected from her snow white coat. "Wow.." was all Fluttershy could think. She wanted to look upon her love's face forever.

Eventually Fluttershy carefully moved out of the bed. Trying not to wake Rarity. She stretched her wings and left the room. Her eyes widened and a smile of joy appeared on her face as she looked outside the window. The first snowflakes of the winter started to fall upon the grass that surrounded Fluttershy's cabin. The morning sun was slowly rising over the hills leaving a dim glow atop of the thin white blanket of snow.

Fluttershy ran downstairs to the door. She put on her scarf and hopped outside. She laughed gingerly as she ran through the snow. She spread her wings and jumped into the air. Fluttershy hadn't flown in a while and it felt great.

Fluttershy's laughter had awakened Rarity from her sleep. She yawned softly as she stretched her limbs under the covers. The first thing she noticed was the missing pegasus. The faint sound of laughter could be heard from outside. Rarity approached the window and was graced by the same picture Fluttershy had seen a few moments ago.

Rarity could see Fluttershy jumping around in the snow playfully. ever so often she spread her wings and flew for a few seconds only to land in a big pile of snow afterwards. A big smile came to Rarity's face. She could feel her heart flutter at the sight of Fluttershy's fillylike innocence.

Rarity quickly jumped out of bed and ran to the guest room. She opened the door and trotted to the sleeping filly. "Wake up Sweetie Belle. I've got a surprise for you!" she said smiling.

"Rarity? What is it?" She asked in confusion.

Rarity put a scarf around her sister's neck. "Follow me." She said.

A bright sparkle filled the filly's eyes as she stepped outside with her sister. Before Rarity could say anything Sweetie Belle ran off into the white fields. Rarity quickly followed behind her.

Fluttershy was making a snow angel as she heard the sound of hooves coming closer. She stood up and saw a small filly running towards her. "Fluttershy! Winter's here!" she exclaimed. Fluttershy's heart warmed as she saw her love follow close behind.

"Fluttershy! It's beautiful!" Rarity said as she looked around the snowing fields. The three ponies spent the rest of the morning playing in the snow laughing. Even if just for a few hours Rarity felt like a careless little filly again.

Rarity stomped her hooves on Fluttershy's porch to remove the snow from underneath them. She walked inside to find Sweetie Belle sitting in front of the burning fireplace. Fluttershy came from the kitchen with several cups of hot chocolate milk. The drinks were topped with whipped cream and cinnamon.

Rarity sat herself down next to her little sister as Fluttershy handed her a cup of the warm drink. "Thank you shy.." Rarity said smiling. Fluttershy blushed at the nickname. She had heard Rainbow Dash call her Shy many times before but it sounded so much sweeter coming from Rarity.

The three ponies sat in front of the fire enjoying their drinks for a while until they heard a knock at the door. "Oh who could that be?" Fluttershy wondered as she walked towards the door. She opened it to see Ditzy, Ponyville's mail mare standing in the snow.

"Good morning Fluttershy! I have a letter for Rarity. I've been told she was here." The pegasus said happily as she handed the letter to Fluttershy.

"Thank you Ditzy. Good luck on your deliveries!" Fluttershy said as she waved the mare goodbye.

"Rarity, a letter came for you." Fluttershy said as she entered the living room

"Oh? from who?" She asked.

"Fleur de Lis? Who's that?" Fluttershy asked as she handed the letter to Rarity.

Rarity's eyes lit up in excitement. "Fleur de Lis!? She is the most important model in Canterlot!" She exclaimed. "What ever could she want from me?" Rarity wondered as she opened the letter.

Miss Rarity,

I am looking for a designer to create my winter collection.
Mister Fancypants informed me that you might be the perfect
pony for the job. I regard his advice highly so I expect you to
have a dress ready by next week.

Fleur de Lis.

Tears of joy formed in Rarity's eyes. "YES YES YES YES YES YES!" She yelled as she bounced around the cabin's wooden floor. Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle giggled loudly at the childish display.

"What does it say Rarity?" Fluttershy asked as she smiled.

"She has chosen me to design her winter collection! This is the opportunity I've been waiting for! This could open the door to hundreds of offers!" She yelled happily.

"That's so cool big sister!" Sweetie Belle said as she ran up to her sister to hug her.

"I'm so happy for you Rarity." Fluttershy said with a content smile.

Rarity and Fluttershy returned from dropping Sweetie Belle off at school. "Rarity do you mind helping me feed the animals?" Fluttershy asked shyly. "Of course Fluttershy, it's the least I can do." She said smiling at Fluttershy.

The pegasus walked past the animal homes. Knocking on the walls. Slowly but surely a number of mammals awoke from their sleep and left their homes. They looked in amazement at the surrounding lands. The white snow had replaced the dark grass and mud that had lain their just a few hours ago.

Fluttershy pushed a bowl of food to each of her little friends who eagerly started eating. Fluttershy smiled as she helped the animals with their morning routines. Rarity looked at Fluttershy with the biggest grin. "All she wants in life is to help others.. She's so amazing.." The unicorn thought.

When every animal had been taken care of they entered the warm cabin. Fluttershy put her scarf back in the closet and threw some logs on the fire. The two ponies sat down near the fire in the same spot they had last night. A comfortable silence filled the air as they looked into each other's eyes.

"Fluttershy.. I have thought about what you said last night.." Rarity said softly, her voice just audible over the crackling fireplace. "And.. I'm willing to give it a try." She said as a smile formed on her face.

Without so much as a warning Fluttershy jumped into her love's arms and kissed her on the lips.

Fluttershy happily skipped around the snowy trees while humming a cheery tune. She was walking back to her home from shopping for groceries in Ponyville. Suddenly her eyes fell upon a small group of white roses. Even when surrounded by the snow their sheer beauty made them stand out. "Beautiful.." Fluttershy thought to herself.

Rarity stood behind her drawing board. She was staring angrily at the paper in front of her as if she was trying to dissolve it with her mind. "Why can't I think of anything!?" She yelled. Rarity was struggling with an artistic black-out. This dress had to be the best thing she had ever designed.

No matter how hard she tried she couldn't find the inspiration she was looking for. Suddenly a knock could be heard at the door. Rarity slowly walked to the entrance. She opened her eyes and gasped at the sight in front of her.

Fluttershy stood in the snow with a bouquet of white roses. She extended her reach to hand them to Rarity. "Fluttershy.. These are beautiful thank you!" she exclaimed. "What's the occasion?" She asked curiously.

"I saw them and thought they were pretty. They reminded me of you.." She said as a strong blush formed across her face. Fluttershy gathered all of her courage as she spoke up. "Rarity, Would you like to go out sometime?" She asked.

Rarity's eyes lit up at the offer. "Oh yes!" She ran up to the pegasus and hugged her in a tight embrace..