//------------------------------// // Heartbreak // Story: Perfect On Paper // by NintendoGal55 //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash could not believe what an amazing day, now an amazing evening. She had a great day, great fun with Blazing Comet, then an amazing dinner with Fluttershy, now the fireworks show, and then even better. Having been able to confess her growing feelings for her. Anypony would have thought it was moving too fast. But who was to say that relationships all worked the same way? Weren't relationships part of getting to know one another more and more? She felt ready, she felt certain about her feelings. If Comet did as well, who's business was it to tell them otherwise? It was hard to say when she had inklings of the desire to be in a romantic relationship with her, to be sure. But it didn't matter, did it? The point was that she knew how she felt now, and that was all she needed to make the move. When they parted from their first kiss, the smile Rainbow Dash had on her face was threatening to crack it in half. Even Blazing Comet looked about ready to have mouth burst with how happy her smile was. If this was what feeling in love felt like, Rainbow swore she could have done five Sonic Rainbooms in one flight! Right then! The moment was only accentuated by the fact that the fireworks had started during their kiss. “Hey, wow! Guess you took a chance there, huh?” Rainbow Dash managed, smirking a little. “You weren't exactly subtle about who you were talking about, Dash,” Comet chuckled. “In fact, if not for the fact I know you don't fall for Wonderbolts, I could've thought it was Spitfire. So, left only me!” “Guilty!” The cyan Pegasus grinned, and gave her a little nuzzle. “So, yeah...you want to go out?” “We're out right now,” chuckled the smoky-maned mare. “But sure, Dash! Hey, you beat me! I was going to ask YOU out!” “Ha! Then that means I win!” Rainbow Dash stuck her tongue out at her playfully. “We'll see about that! Now c'mon, let's watch the fireworks!” Comet brought her foreleg around Rainbow, holding her close. “Definitely!” Rainbow Dash agreed, turning her attention back to the sky. What a perfect moment. Watching the fireworks with someone you were romantically involved with really did have something of a beautiful charm. Fireworks in the beautiful night sky, exploding with colour and patterns, while in themselves a sight to behold, was even better with a loved one. Rainbow Dash could not have imagined a far better moment than this. However, there was a nagging feeling eating at her gut. She looked to the spot on her left, where Fluttershy originally had been. How long was she gone? Turning her head to look over her shoulder, she didn't see her coming, but spotted something on the ground a few feet down the hill. Frowning a bit, Rainbow Dash detached herself from her new marefriend, trotting down the hill toward the object. Upon closer inspection, she was surprised to find brown saddlebags, one bag filled with three soda bottles, and the other with a wrapped box. Frowning, she inspected them closer, and the light from the fireworks revealed the buckle on them. A pink butterfly. These were Fluttershy's saddlebags. A worried frowned marred her features as she wondered why Fluttershy ran off and left her saddlebags. “Dash! What the hay are you doing?” Comet trotted over, sounding impatient. “Fluttershy's saddlebags,” Rainbow Dash pointed to it with her hoof. “She obviously came back, the sodas are in there! But she must've run off. But...why?” Comet looked from the bags to Rainbow, sighing a little. “Well Dash, I have to say that it's a mystery. But you know her better than I do, can you think of a reason?” Unfortunately, Rainbow Dash had nothing. This was pretty much evident by her silence. “...Look, just go,” the orange Pegasus said a bit crossly. “Just...go, okay? Go find her. I'll just head home.” “Comet, now wait a second! What the hay?” Rainbow Dash stopped in front of her, looking confused. “Dash, you're the Element of Loyalty. I know you're not gonna be right in the head tonight now that Fluttershy's run off,” Comet said bluntly, but calmly. “You won't be at ease unless you know she's okay. And frankly, I don't blame you. But just go, okay? I'm not dealing with this right now.” Rainbow's ears drooped, sensing the impatience in her voice. “Comet...” “We'll hang out tomorrow, okay? I have to go,” Comet gave a little smile, and then walked off away from her. For a few moments, the cyan Pegasus just hovered there, watching her...marefriend leave her sight. Right in the middle of the fireworks. Right when they were just getting together? Was she angry at her? That impatient? Then again, Rainbow Dash could see her reasoning for this. If this had happened to her, when she just confessed her feelings to somepony, and then all they wanted to do was find a friend who walked off and barely paid them any attention...it was no wonder. She would feel that way too. Heart sinking, mind amuck, Rainbow went back to collect Fluttershy's saddlebags, and her picnic blanket to return them to her. She wondered now, why Fluttershy had run off like that without a word. Shy and quiet as she was, she always took everypony's feelings into consideration and would at least say something if she had to go for whatever reason. What was so impacting to her that she had to leave her bag behind, and then leave? She sighed, and then flew off away from the park, the explosions of the fireworks and the cheers of the crowds filling her ears. A day gone wonderfully, an evening gone even better, and then it all went downhill. Just downhill. In her room, Fluttershy was crying brokenheartedly into her pillow. Hopes gone, dreams shattered, heart broken, she was completely miserable. Angel sat on her, gently stroking her mane with a comb and comforting her. Nothing tore him up more than to see his beloved mistress, his “mama” as he and the other animals called her so distressed. An occurrence he wished never to witness, but had no choice but to endure. “It's over...it's over...she's with her...Blazing Comet...no wonder...she's perfect for her...” Fluttershy sobbed. “And me? I'm not good enough for her...I was never good enough for her! Of course she belongs with somepony who can keep up with her! I can't...I never could...I'm not like her.” Angel frowned slightly, feeling his irritation rise, but not at his mistress. “Oh, Angel... It was terrible... This night was going to be perfect... I was going to confess my feelings for her, I was doing all of this to win her heart, to warm her up to the idea of us dating... But as I was going back up the hill...I saw them kissing! I know they have to be together now! ...I didn't even get a chance. I never had a chance. I was too late...” Fluttershy whimpered, lifting her head a bit. “I'll never stop loving her! I'll never forget this or her! ...But if she's happy...what can I do? I can't ruin her happiness...” Fluttershy continued sobbing brokenheartedly, feeling lost and so alone. Her entire body ached from all of her crying, her head was throbbing, and it felt as if her heart was no longer working. It wasn't even just the loss, she took a huge blow to her insecurity, given that who she lost her beloved to was all the more better than she ever could be. When she began to cry harder, Angel couldn't take it any longer and decided to rally up the other animals present in the house and talk to them about it. 'What's wrong with Mama?' A chipmunk asked Angel as he came downstairs. 'Broken heart,' Angel grouched, frowning. 'The rainbow one she loves...she went and kissed another pony.' 'What a shame...' Hummingway said softly with sadness. 'Mother really loved her very much.' 'You're telling me. Won't stop talking about her day and night!' Angel griped. 'Then she goes and breaks her heart!' 'What happened?” Croaked Mr. Toady. 'At the fireworks thing, she caught the rainbow and some other mare kissing. Now she's upset because she believes she lost her forever,' Angel explained, crossing his forelegs. 'The rainbow one sure has a lot of nerve breaking Mama's heart like that!' 'Well, to be fair, we don't know the entirety of the situation,' Hummingway reasoned. 'The last I saw, isn't Rainbow Dash unaware of Mother's feelings?' 'How can she be so clueless?! Mama practically spells it out for her!' Angel griped, kicking over a carrot with frustration. 'How does she NOT know?!' 'Hummingway is correct, Rainbow seemed to be unaware,' Mr. Tooday said, croaking again. Angel sighed, hopping over to sit on his bed. 'She was even going to tell her tonight. Then she lost her chance.' Theodore, the Chipmunk, sighed softly. 'Poor Mama...I'd never seen her so upset before. What are we going to do?' 'There isn't much we CAN do,' Simon, the other chipmunk lamented. 'Mama has a broken heart and she needs to move on.' 'Easier said than done, genius,' Angel snarked. 'Don't you know Mama has a harder time with these things?' 'Of course I do!' Simon protested. 'I just think that's all she can do. If Rainbow's happier with that other pony, she just has to accept it and move on. Wouldn't she want the pony she loves to be happy?' 'Duh! Of course she would, Ponystein,' Angel rolled his eyes. 'Mama's just like that. But darn it, she shouldn't go down without a fight!' 'I don't disagree...but what can she do?' Simon queried. The animals were cut off in their conversation and thoughts when there was loud, insistent knocking on the door. Upstairs, Fluttershy squeaked and then was stifling her sobs. 'Great, now what?' Angel hopped to the door. Hummingway flittered to the window, peering out. 'It's Rainbow Dash.' “Fluttershy! Fluttershy, open up! Are you in there? If you're in there, please come out! You ran off and I want to know why!” Rainbow Dash called from outside, sounding impatient and worried. “Open up, Fluttershy!” 'I'll deal with her. You guys make sure Mama's okay,' Angel told the animals who were present in the room. He threw open the door, and glared with contempt at the Pegasus standing there. “Angel, is Fluttershy home?” Rainbow Dash wanted to know. 'You are not allowed near her, you heart breaker!' Angel would've said, but knew that the pony wouldn't understand him. He just glared, refusing to let her pass. Instead, he pointed behind her, as a way to tell her to go. “Now just a minute, you little rodent!” Rainbow Dash growled, lowering her face to his level. “I've got to see Fluttershy and you are in my way! Move it!” 'No,' Angel refused to budge. He reached up and smacked her across the face. “H-Hey! Try and stop me, fuzzball! You're not the boss of me!” To solve the problem, she flew over him and into the house, and the upstairs. “Fluttershy, I know you're in here! Come out, I want to talk to you!” “N-No!! I'm not home!” Fluttershy whimpered from beneath the covers she was obviously hiding under. Rainbow stared at the covers, and gave a frown. “Then how are you answering me if you're not there?” She deadpanned. Fluttershy sniffled, and then peeked out from under the blankets at her friend, her eyes wide, filled with tears, and her lips quivering. Immediately, Rainbow Dash lost all sense of impatience and annoyance, now replaced with concern and guilt. “Fluttershy...Fluttershy, what's wrong? Why are you crying?” The cyan Pegasus approached the bed, gently drawing back the covers from her. “Why did you leave the park? What happened? Come on...talk to me. What's going on?” When Fluttershy looked into her friend's concerned, slightly sad eyes, her heart broke and she felt like crying all the more. It made her want her love more than ever, but just painfully reminded her of the fact that she just wasn't good enough for her love. Touched and moved as she was that she came after her to make sure she was okay, it only succeeded in paining her. She wanted to tell her the truth, there was just no way she could get around explaining why she was crying and just left the park without a word. Sitting up, wiping her eyes with her hoof, Fluttershy tried all she could to muster her strength and gather the right words. She could clearly see the cyan Pegasus looking at her expectantly, but with concern. Her own saddlebags and the picnic blanket were draped over her back, to which she realized also that she was returning them to her. Inwardly groaning, she felt foolish for leaving all of that back there. “I'm sorry...but I just...I had to go. I couldn't...take it anymore,” Fluttershy managed, sniffling. “Take what anymore?” Rainbow Dash queried, confused. “The fireworks? Fluttershy, I know they're loud and all big and colourful in the sky, but you've seen them and meteor showers before! Come on, you can do better than that. They wouldn't make you run off and lead me to find you crying.” She had her there. “Now come on,” Rainbow sat beside her on her bed, bringing a foreleg around her shoulders. “What's the matter? Are you okay?” Fluttershy felt her heart stop. 'Are you okay?' That did it. It all came pouring out of her. Her mind was racing, her mouth was activating before her brain could catch up, and her heart was splitting into two. Fluttershy looked at her best friend tearfully as her voice broke with emotion. “I saw you two! I saw you and Blazing Comet sharing a kiss! I saw it happening! I know you wouldn't just kiss anypony for no reason, Rainbow Dash, I know you had to have been kissing her because you felt romantic feelings for her! You both do! I was so shocked I just ran off and couldn't bear to face it! I-I'm sorry...I'm so sorry, I just couldn't take it then! I needed to think, to be alone, and to just...Why didn't you just TELL me you were planning to ask her out? To want to be with her? That you wanted to be here ALONE with her?! I felt like a third wheel! If you wanted to come alone with her, I-I don't mind! You could have told me! But why didn't you?! Why?! And now I find you two kissing each other as though I was never there in the first place!” Needless to say, Rainbow Dash was taken aback. Her eyes went wide as she listened intently to Fluttershy's saddened, passionate rant about the situation. She wasn't even sure what to say, or what to think. She felt a mix of confused and guilty. Had her kiss with Blazing Comet upset her that much? But why would it? She could see why she felt like a third wheel, then shocked, but why did it bother to tears? To the point of making her run away, without a word, to go home, be alone, and cry? It didn't make sense. Before Rainbow could question her, she was cut off by Fluttershy, apparently not finished. “And now look!” Fluttershy whimpered, turning away from her. “You two are perfect for each other! Why are you even here? You should be with her...This is your night with her. You two are together...you should be celebrating the start of your courtship with her! Look, just...go...okay? I-I need...to think, please.” “Fluttershy,” Rainbow came off the bed, and placed her hooves on the creamy yellow pony's shoulders. “Fluttershy...why is this bothering you? I mean, I'm sorry about making you feel like a third wheel, I totally didn't mean for that to happen! And as for Comet and me....never mind that, I want to know why you're so upset with this. There's something you're not telling me and I'd like to know what it is!” Staring down at her with wide, teary eyes, Fluttershy looked down with shame before she mumbled under her breath. “What? I didn't catch that,” Rainbow Dash leaned closer to her. “Mmfyou...” “Speak up, Fluttershy, I can't hear you.” “-you...” “Will you talk to me?!” Then it happened. “Because I love you!” “There we go! Now how hard was that? So you-” Rainbow Dash's smile then faded as she registered exactly what Fluttershy had just said. Her heart jumped to her throat, her eyes widened, her stomach churned, and her muscles tightened. Immense shock rose within her, combined with complete and utter guilty realization of the situation. She pulled back from her, staring at her with wide eyes. Fluttershy was crying again, burying her face in her hooves in broken, uncontrollable sobs. Rainbow Dash felt as if she were the biggest, stupidest, most horrible pony ever to exist. She had made Fluttershy cry. Again. And this time, over something worse than having gotten frustrated with her lack of assertion and flying efforts. Her legs weakened, practically turning to jelly as she sank to the floor on her hind legs, tears of her own pooling in her eyes. How could she do this to her? How could she not have noticed? How could she make her feel this way? “Fluttershy...oh....Celestia...Fluttershy...” Rainbow Dash's voice broke as well, her walls shattering. “Fluttershy...I'm so sorry! I-I didn't know! ...I...oh, Fluttershy, I'm sorry! You...You....you love me?” Only a meek little nod and a whimper came from the sobbing mare, which only served to drive a stake of guilt into Rainbow's heart. How could she have the love of the most wonderful, sweetest, caring pony in town, and then crush it? Clearly, she wasn't taking the rejection well at all. She felt horrible. She wanted to find a cave to hide in for the rest of her life, long enough until they only found dust and bones, with a tombstone. “...Now you know,” Fluttershy finally said, her eyes watering still. “...I was going to even tell you tonight. But I can see what won't do any good.” “Oh...man...I'm so sorry, Fluttershy!” Tears ran down her cheeks, but she didn't even bother to fight them back. “Just go,” Fluttershy whimpered, not looking at her. “Please. I don't want to hear it. I know you don't love me, I understand that...just go. I need to be alone for a while... Please...just leave. I need some time.” Rainbow Dash looked at her tearfully, about to protest. She couldn't leave her now. She felt worse than ever, and couldn't bear to leave her dearest friend all alone at this point. Not after that. Not when all she wanted to do was hold her and stop her crying, to see her smile again. But she knew there would be no changing her mind, and that she was right. She did need some time alone, and she was only going to make it worse by being here. And the last thing she wanted to do was make this even harder for the rejected pony. “...Okay. I'll go,” Rainbow Dash lay the blanket and saddlebags onto the floor, then looked at her tearfully. “...I'm sorry, Fluttershy... I'm sorry I ruined your evening, and your hopes. It wasn't my intention.” Not holding back, she went to her and hugged her, tightly. It wasn't going to help, and she knew it would make it harder, but she had to. Just this one moment. “You deserve better than an idiot like me... I don't deserve you.” Without waiting for an answer, she flew off out the window, crying herself. For them both, in regards to the situation at hoof, this had been the worst night ever. Into the sky she soared, free as a bird. No destination, no goal, no setup, nothing. Just her and the open sky all around her. Absolutely beautiful. Just the kind of freedom she could have ever hoped for. The air around her smelled like clouds and flowers, the ground below was as pristine in its earthen and water colours as ever, A flash, a blur of something lightly-coloured to a point flew right past her at blinding speed. It was a wonder she hadn't missed it, but she caught it. Curious, Rainbow Dash immediately flew after the source. She had to find out what this was all about, who had flown past her at such a speed. Blazing Comet? It had to be. Aside from the rest of the Wonderbolts, only Blazing Comet had something of a chance to fly past her. Rainbow went faster, chasing after the blurred streak in the air she had seen. Was she gaining on him/her/it? She couldn't tell, but wasn't about to let up, either. She just had to find out! If it was indeed Blazing Comet, she wanted to see her all the more! She was her girlfriend, after all. So why not? But further out...she stopped, coming to see the very source touch down to the ground. A creamy yellow Pegasus with a long pink mane and tail, and the ever familiar cutie mark of three butterflies. “...Fluttershy?” Rainbow managed, touching down in front of her. Her stomach churned, though not in an unpleasant way. “...That was you?” Fluttershy looked at her, then sighed a bit, looking away. “Yes.” Taken aback by her curt response, Rainbow realized (somehow) why she seemed so upset. Her heart tore with guilt, and even her muscles were sore from it all, despite not having endured any strenuous activity long enough to wear her out. “...Fluttershy...I...I...I'm sorry.” The shyer mare didn't respond, she only looked down at the flowers at her hooves. Rainbow could feel her heart sinking to her stomach as she realized just how much she had hurt her best friend. But much to her surprise, Fluttershy came to her, looking at her pleadingly, before she sat down in front of her. Tears pooled in her eyes. She didn't say anything, but what she did next did all the talking for her. Fluttershy came in close, bringing her forelegs around her neck, and then touched her lips to hers. Rainbow Dash stiffened. Her wings spread open unwittingly, her heart pounded, her insides exploded with sensory overload, and her cheeks grew hot. Even her eyes remained wide open for a few moments before they drew to a close. What was going on? She had a girlfriend, she didn't want this, she didn't want this guilt or this pity! But she couldn't move away. Whatever was holding her back had the strongest grip possible, given that she didn't even WANT to move away. But why not? This was wrong! She didn't want to kiss Fluttershy or anypony out of pity! She could never do that to her, or to herself! What was wrong with this picture? Everything. She was not kissing Blazing Comet, her girlfriend. She was kissing Fluttershy, her best friend. And she liked it. She surrendered to the kiss. In fact, Rainbow even then brought her own forelegs around Fluttershy and kissed her back with fervency, but sweetly. Either her body was reacting faster than her mind, or she was seeing things. Either way, Fluttershy kissed awesomely. She was sweet, gentle, but had such unbridled passion in her kiss that it was hard not to appreciate it. She ran her hooves through the blossom pink mane, adoring its soft feel, and felt her heart jolt when the sweet mare in her forelegs uttered a soft moan between kisses. Whatever was happening, she didn't want it to stop. Kissing Fluttershy was wonderful! She must've been so happy, to finally share a passionate kiss with somepony she was in love with. Oh, Fluttershy was surely to be all smiles and pink cheeks when this was over! She couldn't wait to see the look on her face! Finally, she was happy again! But what was that sinking, guilty feeling in her heart? All of a sudden, Rainbow wasn't sure if she wanted to cry or not. How could she do this to her? How could she take advantage of this? How could the daredevil kiss her best friend, who now had a broken heart because of HER like this? Fluttershy pulled away then, with tears in her eyes. But with the way she was smiling in pure joy, with her cheeks bright pink, she was clearly crying tears of joy. “Rainbow Dash...I love you so much...” Something inside snapped, and it was as if she weren't even unsure or hesitating at all. Instead, Rainbow Dash smiled lovingly as she lay her forehead against hers, holding the beautiful Pegasus close to her. “And I love you, Fluttershy. I'll always love you.” Jerking up in bed, Rainbow Dash looked around her frantically. What had just happened? Why was she in the middle of a field, with Fluttershy, and had just confessed her- She was in her bedroom in her home, on her bed, and it was morning. Rainbow blinked the sleep from her eyes, trying to make sense of everything. Alone, in her room, and the sun had just risen some time ago. She remembered coming home late...fireworks...Blazing Comet...and then... Rainbow felt her heart sink. It hadn't been a dream. This dream was, but the events of the night before had been completely real. The day on the calendar confirmed it all the more. So did the dried tear stains on her pillow from the endless amount of crying she had endured. Rainbow broke Fluttershy's heart and shattered her dreams. Rainbow had gotten together with Blazing Comet. Everything was coming back to her. The pained, teary eyes of her best friend as she looked at her with complete despair and heartbreak. The way Fluttershy was sobbing loud enough to strike her ears with vicious assault. Everything. She couldn't even feel happy about having become a couple with a mare she fancied so much. “Why did I dream that?! I don't even love her and yet I dream of that?! She came on to me, she kissed me! ...But it was my dream, not hers... And I....JEEZ! I dreamed it because she told me she loved me, and I was feeling guilty and wanted to make her happy, so that's why I dreamed it up. NO! I can't do that to Fluttershy! I'm with Comet, and I won't date or love her out of pity! No! I can't do that to her! ...Darn it, why did this have to happen here?! How could I be so stupid?!” Before she could hold them back, tears streamed down her face yet again. Well everypony, I'm so sorry. I should never hurt Fluttershy.... I originally was going to have Dash never know of her feelings until later. However, this just wrote itself and it came out that way. I figured it would add something. But don't worry, I'm not going to make anything stupid happen.