Cruising

by Rose Quill


Chapter Six - Confessions: Fluttershy

I laid in bed, trying to sleep. Rarity and Pinkie had already fallen off if their breathing was any indicator.

I couldn’t, for some reason. Every time I closed my eyes memories whirled within the blackness. Most were good, memories of my friends and I, the times we spent together, laughter and joy filling my heart.

But just as they did, black memories welled up behind them, a pair of young boys pushing me down on the playground, water balloons filled with dye ruining my favorite dress at a grade school dance, the taunting, the laughter.

Fluttershy, Fluttershy, Fluttershy will always cry.

I felt the tears rise at the memories. It had been almost seven years since anyone had chanted those words, but they were always with me. Just waiting for the chance to come out. I was stronger now, but there were still moments where I felt inadequate, especially when I thought of…

No, better not to think along those lines. It wouldn’t happen, anyway. Blinking away the tears, I closed my eyes and tried again to sleep.


I was picking at my food at breakfast, only giving half an ear to what Rarity was saying to the girls. The dreams from last night were still playing in my head. Dreams of…

“Fluttershy, darling,” Rarity said, cutting into my thoughts. “Are you all right, dear?”

“Um, yes,” I said in my usual quiet voice, brushing a lock of hair behind my ear. “Sorry, just thinking.”

“What’s on your mind?”

I started twisting a strand of hair in my hands nervously. “Nothing, just had a strange dream last night.”

That seemed to placate her, and I went back to picking at my food. It wasn’t that it wasn’t any good, but my stomach was twisting itself in knots. I started drifting back into my thoughts, a slight blush rising on my face as I remembered the dream, being held in welcoming arms, kind words being said to me, comforting me as I cried.

After we cleared our table, I went back to the wardroom I shared with Pinkie and Rarity, digging through my bag for a book. We were due to set in at the Bahaymas tomorrow and I wanted to read up on the animals that lived there.

I sat down on the couch, my feet tucked up under me and started to read. I was so excited by the prospect of new critters and birds to see that I didn’t notice when Rarity walked into the room and sat on one of the beds until she spoke up.

“Fluttershy, darling,” she said, startling me from my reading. “You were not quite yourself at breakfast. Are you sure you are fine?”

My nerves flared up again, the flush creeping up my neck as I ducked my head, letting my long hair shade my face from view. “Yes,” I said, but even as the word left my mouth I could tell that they weren’t convincing.

The fashionista moved to sit next to me, a hand on my knee. “Fluttershy, you can trust me,” she said. “If something is bothering you, I want to help.”

I whimpered, wanting to say what was on my mind and keep my private thoughts just like that at the same time.

Rarity looked into my eyes and seemed to understand my thoughts. “It’s not something on your mind, is it?” she said with some excitement. “It’s someone!”

Despite my best efforts, my face flushed red. Rarity cooed with joy.

“Oh, Fluttershy!” she said, taking my hands in hers. “Tell me about them? Do I know them? Oh, tell me, tell me!”

I looked down for a moment. “You know them,” I said. “But there’s no reason for them to want a silly girl like me.”

“That’s absurd,” she said. “You’re a wonderful young woman. Anyone would be lucky to have you.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” I said, looking away.

Fluttershy, Fluttershy….

“Fluttershy, talk to me.” Rarity had a look of concern in her eyes. “Why are you so afraid to open up?”

I pulled my hands away, twisting the strand of hair that dropped down again.

“When I was ten,” I whispered. “I told a boy I had a crush on them. He led me on up to the school dance.” The memories started flaring.

“I was standing outside the school waiting for him when he showed up with his friends,” Tears started to bubble to the surface. “They threw water balloons at me filled with paint and dye. It was my favorite dress.” I crushed my face into my hands. “And they laughed, and started chanting a taunt at me.”

“Fluttershy…” Rarity tried to find words to stem my confession but I continued.

“Fluttershy will always cry,” I whispered, tears escaping and flowing down my face.

Rarity encompassed me in a hug. “Oh, my dear,” she said. “I never knew.”

I nodded, trying to keep my tears from soaking her blouse. “Ever since then, I told myself I would never let myself be hurt like that again. I withdrew more and more until I was the girl you met in high school.”

She rubbed my back, trying to soothe me.

“The few times someone approached me, I always turned it aside from shyness because I was afraid of the memories.” I sniffled. “And, I never really had the will to approach someone myself.”

“Who is it, Fluttershy?” she asked, gently.

“Nevermind,” I whispered. “It’s not important. She wouldn’t want a silly crybaby like me.”

“Fluttershy, you stop that now!” Rarity said, holding me upright and staring me in the face. “You are kind, gentle, and a great friend. Any one would be ecstatic to have you! I would be glad to find someone like you.”

My heart stopped for a moment. Did she just say…

“Really?” I was surprised she heard me.

“Yes, truly,” she said, taking a hand and wiping my tears from my face. “I would also tell them so myself if they turn you down.”

I twisted my fingers. I could say it now, but should I?

“Rarity,” I started, then stopped, looking away.

She eyed me, and I saw the wheels turning in her head. Say what you will about Rarity, she has a sharp mind. I could see she was making connections in her mind.

“Fluttershy,” she said, “This person you like, is it one of our friends?”

“Yes,” I squeaked.

“Pinkie?”

“No,” I said. “I like Pinkie but she’s like a sister to me.”

“Dashie or Sunset?”

“You,” I said, my face burning up.

She blinked in shock. “Me?” she whispered.

“You’ve been so kind to me, and I like helping you with your designing. It makes me feel,” I hesitated, my voice dropping down to a whisper. “Beautiful.”

She took me by the shoulders, looking me in the eyes. “Fluttershy, you are beautiful. Any dress I make for you only enhances your looks. Between your beauty and your grace, you are like a breath of wind when you move.”

I had to swallow to remind my heart to keep beating.

“I’ve always wished I could have your strength.”

“Oh, Rarity,” I said. “I’m not strong.”

“You are, Fluttershy. Not like Applejack or Rainbow Dash, perhaps, but you are strong like the wind.” She smiled. “Bricks will shatter if beat upon enough, but you are strong like the wind. Willing to bend but when you need to you stand firm.”

She held me. “And why should you deny yourself happiness?”

She pulled me in, a hand cupping my face and she kissed me on the cheek.

“If you don’t mind,” she whispered. “I’d be glad to show you precisely how wonderful you are.”

I felt my heart speed up and I got a little light headed.

“But you’re always talking about your Prince Charming,” I whispered.

Rarity tsked in amusement. “Prince Charming seems to be a young lady with pink hair,” she said, resting her forehead against mine. After a moment she sat up and wiped another tear from my face.

“now then, I’m going to go browse the ships clothing store with Sunset and Twilight later.” She smiled at me. “I’d love if you came along as well, but I shan’t force you to. It’s your choice.”

She left and I couldn’t stop from smiling in happiness. I couldn’t believe what had just happened! I started hopping up and down and let out a happy cry.

“Yay!”