“It’s really cool, isn’t it?” Rainbow Dash whispered, looking out from their cloud.  Ponyville basked in the waning sunset; Canterlot, a majestic seafoam blue far to the north, stood in stark contrast; and a storm rolled through the shadowed valley below it.  

But Fluttershy saw none of this.  Instead, she stared nervously at the cloud beneath her hooves, drawing figure eights into its fluff.

“Mhm...” she said quietly.  

“This is my favorite part of the day.”

Fluttershy dared a glance.  Rainbow Dash glowed gold in the sunset, and her eyes shone with life and adventure, with curiosity beyond the physical realm.  It was a hidden quality, one nopony would have believed, and one that made Fluttershy look back at her hooves, blushing furiously.

Why can’t you just talk to her?  Tell her how you feel... She pawed at the cloud again.  Rainbow Dash wouldn’t understand.  She’s not that kind of pony.  But still...

“You know why I sleep so much during the day?”  

Fluttershy gasped and looked at her.  

Still looking out, she wore the kindest smile Fluttershy had ever seen, tranquil yet vivacious.  She nodded toward the valley.  “So I can stay up and watch this.”  She then turned to Fluttershy with that smile, but Fluttershy looked away, hiding behind her mane.

Oh, why is this so hard?  Come on, Fluttershy.  Just say them... those three words...  “Rainbow, I-” she turned to face her.

“Hmm?”

Fluttershy stalled and looked away abashed.  “N-nothing...”

They sat in silence for a while, Fluttershy stewing.  This is your only chance, Fluttershy.  Be brave... She looked at her friend, at the gentle rainbow mane blowing in the wind.  Be brave like her.

Throwing caution to the wind, Fluttershy closed her eyes and kissed her.  

Her heart leapt.

Realizing what she had done, she recoiled and sunk into the cloud.  “I-I’m so sorry... I-”  She gasped, feeling the warmth of a kiss on her lips.

Quietly, she closed her eyes and melted in the sweet embrace.