Author: Fluttershy? You in there?
Fluttershy: (Blinks eyes.) Oh, I'm sorry. I just... I just had this horrible dream! I was stuck reading some story that had me in love with Twilight! Can you believe it?
Author and Twilight: ...
Twilight: Alright, should I break it to her, or you?
(Buzzer sounds.)
Author and Twilight: We've got story sign!
Fluttershy: ...
Author: I think she passed out again.

---

Fluttershy awakes from her slumber, having fallen asleep at some indeterminable point in last night's stream of consciousness.

Fluttershy: It's a good thing I didn't drown.
Author: Ah, I see you're awake!
Fluttershy: I had to wake up. I was having nightmares about this story...

Realizing that, in her sleep, she had rolled over and now looks Twilight face-to-face, almost close enough to touch muzzles with her, the yellow pegasus blushes an extremely deep shade of scarlet,

Author: Why do I get the feeling that in ten chapters or so her face is just going to STAY scarlet from all this blushing?

only being exacerbated by her outstretched wings reaching off the edge of the bed. Twilight hasn't woken up yet, and seems to be stuck in a dream.

Twilight: Is it that one about the parchment shortage again?

Fluttershy notices her eyes moving tumultuously under her eyelids,

Twilight: I'm not sure that word applies here.

and tries to think of a way to readjust her position without waking up the lavender unicorn.

Author: Do a barrel roll!
Twilight: Alright, what is it with you and barrel rolls?
Author: Only me and the internet know...

A few minutes pass, each one containing a silly, awkward twisting of joints beneath the light sheets to try and turn away; each one is met with a nonsensical mumble from the unconscious Twilight Sparkle, or some other tell that she may be stirring awake.

Twilight: Wow. This is tense.
Fluttershy: I'm on the edge of my seat, though I suppose not on the edge of that bed.

Fluttershy simply gives up, fighting back her embarrassment and relishing the moment, figuring that, since she's still sleeping, she won't be able to judge her too harshly.

Author: It was at that moment the still sleeping Twilight held up a large white card with a 3 on it.

Twilight mumbles a little more nonsense, lazily pushing her leg forward and accidentally moving a bit closer to Fluttershy. Her hoof nestles itself just beneath her wing.

Author: Um, yeah. Sexy, I guess.

The pegasus shivers a little from the sensation of being hugged, just laying there and accepting the motion, tilting her nose down to avoid 'accidentally' kissing Twilight (not to mention avoiding her morning breath, though she'd never admit it.).

Twilight: FLUTTERSHY?! What's wrong with my breath?!
Fluttershy: Eek! I... I didn't say that! It was the other me that thought it!

Fluttershy pulls her wings back and pins them to her sides,

Author: "3... 2... 1... It's over! Fluttershy gets the heavyweight belt!" Wow, it's refreshing to make that joke in a non-gore fic.

wrapping the feathered appendage around Twilight's hoof, making her blush and smile contentedly.

Fluttershy: Wait, I blushed or Twilight blushed?
Author: Considering how often you blush, I'd say it was you.

She always loved cuddling something;

Twilight: Like fruit.
Fluttershy: Or sacks of flour.
Author: Or cacti.

she found a very special kind of loving comfort, even if it was just platonic. Thoughts race through Fluttershy's active mind which, although running on what feels to her body like a half hour of sleep at the most, still flies full-throttle through frantic images.

Author: Photos from her last visit to North Dakota.

The pegasus loves the feel of the soft breathing across the bridge of her nose and forehead, as well as the hoof under her wing, gently caressing her side. She keeps her eyes open to watch Twilight sleep, remarking at how peaceful she looks, even taking a somewhat motherly gaze at the mare.

Author: Oh, crap! This is a prequel to "Pattycakes", isn't it?!

There is no discomfort here,

Twilight: Only Discord.

maybe it's because Twilight isn't aware of Fluttershy's actions, or maybe she just came to terms with the fact that she was with her best friend ever, but the yellow pony finally relaxes for the first time in half a day.

Her mind begins to wander,

Author: That doesn't bode well...

thinking about whether or not she wants to tell Twilight about her feelings, whether or not she should tell twilight her feelings out of fear that she may ask her to leave. Fluttershy knew that Twilight wasn't that cruel, but she also didn't know about her upbringing or attitude toward filly-foolers. This term never seemed to sit well with Fluttershy,

Twilight: Me neither.

she only ever heard it as a mocking jeer directed at Rainbow Dash and Gilda in flight school, but she didn't really know how else to describe the feelings.

Fluttershy: Out of character?

Her thoughts were met with a confusion, What if I don't really feel this way? she asks herself, not knowing how to honestly respond. Do I just want Twilight because she's available? Or are these feelings real?...

Author: From how it sounds, it seems Fluttershy is a playah!

Her mind betrays her, and since the only pony she would ever tell a lie to was herself, it eats her up inside.

Author: You know what they say, the truth hurts! (Bopped over the head by Twilight.)

Twilight's still sleeping... she thinks to herself. Maybe I could sneak a kiss... just to see how it feels,

Twilight: That's a good enough reason for us!

She's even timid in her head. She mulls over the thought a little, tilting her head back up so that she's nearly nose-to-nose with twilight, looking into her closed eyes.

Fluttershy: How do you Iook in when her eyes are closed?
Author: Two words. X. Ray. Vision.
Twilight: But that was-
Author: Shut up!

They've stopped moving now, apparently she's dropped into a deeper sleep, perfect timing. Fluttershy blushes and feels the sensation of butterflies in her stomach, feeling like this was almost violating the lavender mare somehow,

Twilight: That's because it is!

but still fighting the desire. It should be quick, maybe just a peck on the lips, if that... She thinks, justifying her actions in her head as innocent and cute.

Author: "Then I'll just stroke her horn for a bit. That's adorable and innocent, right? And then I'll reach down and-"
Twilight: Stop.

She takes a few deep breaths and conjures up the courage to inch closer, now so close she can feel the heat radiating off of Twilight's muzzle.

Twilight: Either that, or I'm radioactive.

Fluttershy closes her eyes, imagining what could happen if Twilight ever found out; dark little thoughts those are. She fears that Twilight might feel violated, might run, might kick her out and never be friends with her again.

Fluttershy: Or she'll feel violated and not be friends while running and kicking me out the door.
Author: Good compromise.

Her fears are quickly dispelled however by a glimmer of hope.

Author: See? All the spells cast in any work of fantasy can be countered with a bit of hope.

What if Twilight likes it? Fluttershy asks, having a true conversation in her mind with herself about how to go about this. The shy pegasus was so used to being alone that she'd developed a dialogue between herself and... well... herself... to keep company, knowing full well that it's pathetic,

Twilight: It's not pathetic. Just creepy.

but still taking solace in the fact that she was at least willing to listen to her. IF she likes it, then maybe you could be more than friends, Fluttershy exclaims,

Fluttershy: In my mind?

part of her wants to pursue this as far as it could go. But if she doesn't like it then we won't even be that... A majority of her thought process shoots down the small inkling of courage that she really has.

Author: With an MK-47.

Every action for the pony is a battle, fighting between courageous acts and prudent advice from what can only be the residue of her mother in the front of her mind. Just go for it, I'm sure Twilight wouldn't hold it against you, besides I know what you're going to do if something goes wrong. We've been through a lot together, you know. I know you inside and out,

Twilight: I hope so. You're her... Uh... Mind.

Sometimes her 'conversations' seem to split into two entirely different entities; this is one of those times.

Fluttershy: Pardon me, but I think I need to check into a mental institution...

Well... What if she wakes up? Her timidity stems from a deep set fear of the unknown, having grown up very sheltered; her mother had a degenerative disease that caused many of her feathers to weaken and render her unable to fly. She was a stay-at-home and always took care of dear old Fluttershy, never letting her do anything without a meticulous examination.

Author: Am I reading a story or psychological profiling?

Just close your eyes and pretend that you're asleep. You were going to do that anyway, I can read your thoughts you know.... Fluttershy's face twists into a concerned confusion about herself

Twilight: Oh goodie, she's just as confused as we are.

as she realizes what she's doing, shaking her head a bit before giving one last response. You do realize how stupid it is to be talking to you right? You're me,

Author: Hey! Pointing out the flaws in the writing is our job!

She says, trying to quell this bizarre dialogue. Well you're the one doing it, I don't have any control over you... Except with things like that dragon or the cockatrice where you're so freaked out that even your consciousness curls up in a corner and hides and puts our friends in danger.

Author: Oh, I see. All that character development that Fluttershy went through, developing bravery and such? Nope, it was her unconscious doing the brave things the entire time! She never learned a thing!

Fluttershy's face only represented the pondering of the 'real' Fluttershy, never contorting in thought for the courageous voice in her mind. So why don't you just take over and make me kiss Twilight then? She genuinely asks herself, still feeling stupid for talking in her mind like this.

Fluttershy: I feel a bit stupid for reading this...

I think we both know the answer to that question... You want to do that, and you're not too timid to do it on your own, you don't need me for this one co-pilot.

Author: This is Flight Fluttershy 55 requesting permission to take off.

She gave herself a nickname... Am I insane?

All: Yes.

She thinks, not getting a response from the courageous end of her consciousness.

Well... here goes nothing I guess, She finally tells herself, realizing that her mind has begun to slow itself down. No longer buzzing with activity and paying close attention to the world around her. She takes in the golden rays of morning sunlight as they wash over Twilight's snoozing body, watches the leaves outside dance in the gentile breeze

Author: Oh really? And were the sunbeams Jewish?

and cast their shadows over the two, making them seem almost under water. That's how Fluttershy honestly felt, like she was suspended in a comfortable, quieting pool; whim to the currents as they shifted her very life.

Fluttershy: I feel like I'm drowning?! Eek!

She smiles a little bit and leans forward, starting by pressing her nose very softly against Twilight's;

Author: Are you trying to kiss her or spread snot on her?

she stirs, but doesn't seem to fall out of sleep. Finally, with one last mini pep talk in her head,

Twilight: She hired a motivational speaker and everything!

she cranes her neck and meets lips with the violet unicorn, shutting her eyes as the warmth seemingly transfers between their very hearts.

Author: She was a succubus all along! I knew it!

Fluttershy feels herself getting extremely hot in the cheeks as they darken. She opens her eyes and looks at her own nose just a little, realizing that her countenance resembles that of a fired brick,

Author: Alright, I should make a list of all the blushing metaphors the writer can come up with before repeating them.

but then to her chagrin she sees Twilight's cheeks redden a bit as well. Her stomach sinks as soon as the unicorn opens her eyes; she does so slowly and groggily, but it's all the same to Fluttershy.

Twilight: "Fluttershy... Did you slip something into my soup again?"

She pulls away from Twilight and can only stare on in shock, thinking to herself Oh no... what have I done?

Fluttershy: "I swore I'd never act out of character again, and I've broken that promise!"

"Mmngh... Fluttershy? W-what was that?" Twilight asks, it's too late for the yellow pegasus to shut her eyes and pretend to be asleep, they'd already locked gazes.

Pinkie Pie: Staring contest, GO!
Author: Wait, what? Pinkie! How did you get here?
Twilight: Who are you talking to?
Author: I was talking to Pinkie. She was right... Uh... Huh...
Fluttershy: Are you okay?
Author: Um, yeah... Fine. I think I need a little break, however...

---

Twilight: So Fluttershy... How long have you had this other voice in your head?
Fluttershy: (Lying on couch.) Well, it was ever since I was a little filly. The voice told me to do things that were out of character...
Twilight: I see... (Scribbles on notepad.) Tell me, how long have you like mares?
Fluttershy: I don't know. I could've sworn I was into stallions, but I just started having random changes in personal preference... And the voice encouraged it.
Twilight: I see... What is the name of your other self?
Fluttershy: Oh. I call her... Braveheart.
Author: Wait! Stop! I know you two are trying to pull off a comedy skit, but where did you get "Braveheart" from?
Fluttershy: I... Uh... Tried to pick a name opposite to mine. Braveheart is much more courageous than Fluttershy!
Author: ... That's it. Everything makes sense. You have Mel Gibson in your head. That's why your story incarnation has been acting weird! I should've known it all along! And here I thought this Fluttershy was really a changeling...
(Buzzer sounds)
All: We've got story sign!

---

"Uh... uh-uhm," The poor thing is at a complete loss for words, realizing that her worst fears (as rehearsed in her head of course) could be coming true at this very moment.

Fluttershy: That the planet will blow up?
Twilight: That Angel will announce he's a she?
Author: That Celestia will call for the extermination of all things cute and fuzzy?

She can feel a familiar pressure build up behind her eyes as she involuntarily readies herself to start bawling.

Twilight: Tear ducts at the ready, author! Shall we commence with the bawling?
Author: Make it so, number one!
Twilight: ... What'd you call me?

Twilight looks down at herself and realizes that she'd cuddled up to Fluttershy in her sleep, "Oh no, Fluttershy I hope I didn't do anything to make you uncomfortable! I uh, I'm so used to sleeping with plushies and things that I guess I instinctively... Oh I'm sorry,"

(Fluttershy and author look at Twilight.)
Twilight: ... What? Hey, if Fluttershy can be gay in this story, I think I'm allowed to cuddle with plushies.

"N-n-no that's... that's fine, Twilight... I uhm... I..." She can't really think of what to say, she kissed Twilight in her sleep and then Twilight apologized to her.

Author: Mission successful! Onto Rainbow Dash's house!

"I uhhh..." Fluttershy shivers a little bit, not pulling away from Twilight but trying to break the awkward silence to avoid making the unicorn too uncomfortable.

Author: "So... How about them Mets?"

Hey co-pilot... How'd it go? Courageous Fluttershy asks, stepping back into the conversation from... wherever it is that she went while absent,

Twilight: It's probably better not to know.
Author: Candy Mountain?

Ohhhh I see, Twilight thinks it's her fault huh? Well why don't you tell her what you did?

Author: "Or just rub it in and laugh at her! That's what I'd do!"

Courageous Fluttershy seems like a spy sometimes, just doing things to mess with Fluttershy's head... even though she's part of it.

Fluttershy: Am I schizophrenic?

"Fluttershy, I'll... I'll just go downstairs then... please don't hold it against me... I didn't mean anything by it..."

Twilight: "I'll just go hang myself for invading your personal privacy..."

Twilight exclaims, ending the uncomfortable silence with a heartbreaking statement. She starts to turn and try to get out of the bed, making Fluttershy feel like she's done something horribly wrong, and then let her friend take the fall.

Author: That's because you DID ya bastard!
Twilight: I think you're overreacting a bit. It was just a kiss.
Author: Fluttershy should go die in a ditch! Her head should be chopped off and used in a recipe for- (Head explodes from concentrated hatred from fandom.)

"Twilight, wait..." She says, just loud enough for the unicorn to hear her over the sound of rustling sheets,

Fluttershy: Rustling sheets are as loud as avalanches, you know.

"I uhm... I want you to stay here for a little while i-if that's o-okay..." Twilight blinks a few times

Twilight: And thinks to herself, "This is going to be one of those days, isn't it?"

and then rests back down, looking Fluttershy in the eyes, clearly embarrassed of herself and shrinking back a little.

Author: Shrinking back from FLUTTERSHY?
Fluttershy: How did you-?
Twilight: Don't bother asking. He's alive, let's move on.

"Twilight, I... I know exactly what happened..."

Fluttershy: "It was aliens! Honest!"

Twilight's attention shifts up to meet the gaze of the soft spoken pony. Fluttershy feels herself turning dark crimson again and tilts her head down,

Twilight: Did she ever stop being crimson colored throughout this entire story?

not wanting to look Twilight in the eyes as she admits her intentions, never wanting a friend to beat their self up over something that she did. "I... I saw you sleeping and... well... I kissed you...

Author: "I do that sometimes."

I think that's what woke you up," She almost flinches a little bit, expecting only the worst response of horror to come from Twilight's face. 'Attagirl. Now we can watch the fireworks.

Twilight: I think Fluttershy's subconscious wants my head to explode.

"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have done that... I know it's wrong but... I..." C'mon co-pilot, just two more little words, "... like you,"

Twilight's eyes widen and she turns so red that it's visible through her purple coat.

Fluttershy: It was a pretty mink one. Made out of artificial minks, of course.

She looks around a little bit, almost like she's worried somebody heard them talking. "You... l-like me?" She asks, prompting an ashamed nod from Fluttershy in response. "You... You like like me?"

Twilight: The italics make all the difference.

She says, sounding a bit in disbelief but not without a kind of curious energy about her voice.

Author: Curious about why some other pony seems to be wearing Fluttershy's skin?

"Yes, I like like you, Twilight... You... well, you believe in me when nobody else does...

Author: ... I feel as though I could fetch some video evidence to contradict this. Too lazy though.

You're the only one who thinks I'm... useful..." with this last word she looks away, focusing her attention on a star embroidered in Twilight's blanket, remembering all the colorful uses of the word "useless" that were pointed at her in the past.

Twilight: Colorful? Like what? Useless-tastic?

Twilight's voice shifts from surprise (with a hidden undertone of glee)

Author: Who knew she had such a singing voice?

to a concerned observation of her friend's plight. "Fluttershy, of course you're useful, if it weren't for you our town would be devoid of happy animal life...

Twilight: That's a pretty pathetic town then.

you add a wonderful joy just to ponyville,

Twilight: Which, notably, isn't a town.

and enrich the lives of anyone that meets you," The unicorn doesn't hold anything back; seeing how deep the thought must have run into Fluttershy's past cued her to pull out all the stops for reassurance.

Fluttershy: She isn't pulling any punches.
Author: "Stop it, Twilight! The reassurance... It's just... Too... Much...

Fluttershy doesn't say anything, only looking back up into her friend's comforting eyes. The pegasus is so used to other people taking help from Fluttershy but rarely ever offering it; just the simple gesture of offering comfort as opposed to insult means an unknowable amount to her.

Fluttershy: It does?
Twilight: You will take this characterization and like it!

She then, seemingly against her own will, leans in and hugs Twilight, resting her head on the unicorn's shoulder.

"Fluttershy, I'm sorry I reacted like that... I honestly don't know how to react to something this... surprising. I've never been like liked before,"

Author: You kidding me? Have you seen all the stuff written and drawn about you?

Twilight says, stroking the soft pink hair of the pegasus hugging her. Almost as if Twilight had thrown a switch, Fluttershy's wings slowly flap open.

Twilight: There's an on-off button right on her back.

Twilight giggles and tells her to relax, pulling away to find (thank goodness) that she hadn't been crying.

Fluttershy: Who? Me or Twilight?
Author: Damn you, dangling participles! DAMN YOU!

"To be honest... from uhm... personal experience... you're not missing much. At least not with the stallions that... like liked me," Fluttershy says, knowing it was influenced partly by courageous Fluttershy, and silently thanking her for it.

Author: (singing) "I kissed a girl and I liked it." ... Alright, that just sounded weird.
Twilight and Fluttershy: ...
Author: It was a reference! Honest!
Twilight: (Whispering to Fluttershy.) Just smile and nod...

"Well... you're not a stallion, now are you?"

Fluttershy: Was that a trick question?

Twilight says with a blush and a short chuckle, looking for ways to poke fun at the pegasus.

Author: Because tormenting emotionally sensitive ponies is fun!

Deep down Twilight was happy that Fluttershy had a crush on her,

Twilight: Whoa! When did the perspective shift?

not really knowing why and (though possibly due to negligence) not quite feeling the same, she figured that if anypony was worth being open minded with, that pony was Fluttershy.

Fluttershy: What about Rarity?
Twilight: Um... Not such a good idea.
Fluttershy: Rainbow Dash?
Author: Well, taking into account what a good portion of the internet says about her, I think upon telling her you're gay she'd give you a hoof-pound and say, "Welcome to the herd."

The yellow mare laughs at the joke but still tries to get her buzzing mind under wraps...

Twilight: Months later, when Fluttershy received an MRI, the doctors determined that a bees nest had somehow formed in Fluttershy's brain.

at least things didn't turn out for the worst like she expected. Everything's fine co-pilot... what'd I tell ya?

Author: Then they crashed into a mountain. The end.

Every time she manages to quiet down, courageous Fluttershy breaks the silence. I suppose I do owe you one now...

Author: "How about a meal on me at Arby's?"

She says, quietly thanking herself while hollowly staring into Twilight's smile outside of her head.

Twilight: ... Alright, what does that last sentence actually mean?
Fluttershy: That... Um... While I was thanking myself quietly, there was a smile outside of Twilight's head, and I was hollowly staring at it...?

Well, my work here is done... you and Twi have some talking to do so I'll leave you alone... if you need me I'll be back in those dreams you were having about big mac a few nights ago...

Author: She was having dreams about a burger? The subconscious must be starving.

thank goodness you still remember them, they're fun! Fluttershy's countenance drops into a worried look, right eye twitching a little and entire face turning dark red. She hadn't told anypony about that dream, but she still gets grief for it... how do you keep a secret from yourself?

Author: Watch Men in Black. You will know.

"You okay Fluttershy?" Twilight asked, giggling a little but still a touch concerned.

Fluttershy: "Well, I'm constantly turning red, me eye has an incessant twitch, and there's a voice in my head telling me what to do. I suppose I'm okay.

"Oh... yeah, yeah I'm fine... I'm just thinking that's all,"

Twilight: Well stop it! It's creeping the readers out!

She says, shifting back into reality, trying to see the actual gravity of the situation. Now what?

"Well... you and I obviously have some... talking to do, so why don't we get up and go have breakfast?"

Author: "Afterwards we'll do some stretching... But first we need BREAKFAST!"

Fluttershy smiles and nods at the unicorn, looking back into her soft eyes, now feeling more comfortable and relieved than she ever had her whole life. "That sounds lovely, Twilight,"

Twilight: Well, that last sentence had a comma at the end, indicating that Fluttershy was going to say more, but I suppose the writer died before they were able to finish. Maybe they were attacked by a pack of rabid wombats, or something.
Author: We wouldn't be that lucky. After all there's still another... Actually the writer hasn't finished the story yet. For all we know, it could go on. FOREVER.
Fluttershy: Another... Infinite... Chap...?
Twilight: Oh no... I think we broke Fluttershy again. Pinkie? We need some time to revive her.
(Buzzer sounds.)
Author: We've got break sign!

Next Chapter: Ten pounds of fetus and mouthwash Estimated time remaining: 39 Hours, 8 Minutes