The day before the concert was a slow slog. Classes seemed to drag on, and Twilight found herself unable to focus on anything in them. The only part she had enjoyed so far was seeing her friends before classes started. She and Sunset had hashed out the final plans for the following day, while the others had talked about their plans for that evening, be it for the dance or family.
The only one who didn't join in their revelry was Rarity, who was absent from the usual spot that morning. This did not go unnoticed by Fluttershy, she was worried because she knew Rarity and Blue Blood had been fighting and her imagination was getting the better of her. Her friends tried to talk to her but she just kept assuring them that she was fine. Before they went to classes Rainbow Dash had pulled her aside.
"I know you said you're ok, but if you need to talk, I'm always here for you." She squeezed her friend's shoulder. "I'm sure Rarity is ok, she probably just had something to do this morning."
"How did you-" Fluttershy started.
"I'm worried about her too." Rainbow said. They hugged and went to class.
Lunch finally came, Twilight had rushed to sit with her friends. As she was approaching, she saw that Rarity was there too. She took the empty seat next to her. As her bag was sliding off her shoulder to the floor it grazed Rarity's side.
"Sor-" Twilight tried to say before she saw the look of sheer pain on Rarity's face. Her hands were on her ribs where the bag had made contact. Tears started to stream down her face, Fluttershy was the first to react, she was up on her feet, she put an arm around Rarity and began ushering her toward the girl's bathroom. Luckily the bathroom was empty, they piled in and were able to convince Rarity to lift her shirt. What they saw made them all sick. An ugly black and blue bruise glared up at them, it ran under her bra and began wrapping around her back.
Pinkie removed her hand from her mouth. "How long?" She asked, her voice shaky.
Rarity began sobbing. "Only once, he lost his temper and hit me, I didn't know what to do. I finally stood up to him about how he's been treating me and he got so angry." Her body was shaking now, she tried to steady her breathing. "I'm so scared, I don't know what to do." She repeated.
Fluttershy stormed out of the bathroom. "Someone go after her." Rainbow urged. She was holding Rarity, trying to help her calm down.
"I suppose you get to say 'I told you so' after all." She sniffled and laughed weakly. Rainbow simply held her, her eyes brimming with tears for her friend.
Applejack, Twilight and Pinkie Pie were trying to keep up with Fluttershy, who was nearly running with how fast she was moving. She rounded a corner, all the other three heard was a level, yet forceful, "Hey!"
When they turned the corner the scene was very different than what they were expecting. Fluttershy had Blue Blood backed up against the lockers, a finger pointing at his chest. She wasn't quite yelling, but something in her voice demanded his attention.
"Did it make you feel like a big strong man when you hit her? Did it! You're not a man, you're not even a child. I never want to see you anywhere near Rarity again, or I swear I will do everything in my power to ruin you."
Blue Blood looked amused. "You're not serious are you? You can't do anything to me." He looked to his friends, a smug grin on his face.
Fluttershy turned his face toward hers. "Look me in the eye and tell me how serious I am."
There must have been something in that stare that shook him, because his grin faltered. The three girls watching got chills from the intensity.
"Whatever, I won't go near her." He averted his eyes to get away from that piercing gaze. “I was going to break up with her anyway.
"Good, now here's what's going to happen. You're going to come with me and Rarity to the principal, you're going to fess up to what you did, apologize and never speak to Rarity again."
"What! No way, they'll suspend me. I'll get kicked off the team." He protested.
"That's the least you deserve!" This time she was yelling. "Do you have any idea how lucky you were to have her? Do you have any clue? If I were with her I would cherish every minute and never do anything to hurt her, but all I can do is be her friend and I've accepted that. And as her friend I'm going to make sure you do right by her!"
Blue Blood looked as if he was going to say something, thought better of it and slumped down, defeated. Fluttershy was breathing heavily, her veins coursing with adrenaline. She wiped at some tears that had formed at the corner of her eyes. She was about to address Blue Blood when a quiet voice made her head turn to the right.
"Fluttershy... I had no idea. How long have you felt this way?" She asked as she walked toward her friend, her protector.
"As long as I can remember." The two embraced.
"Thank you, darling." Rarity said, her voice breaking as tears started to form.
"Let's take you to the nurse's office." Fluttershy said, gingerly leading Rarity away. She turned her attention to Blue Blood. "You're coming with us."
The three of them made their way to the Principal's office. Blue Blood admitted to hitting Rarity, and both their parents were called. Her parents were obviously furious, but after the initial shock they were able to calm down enough to talk with Blue Blood's parents. His mom was very apologetic and offered to pay for any medical expenses should the need arise. His father was silent for the most part, agreeing with his wife when appropriate. Rarity was able to convince her parents not to press charges, she just wanted the whole thing behind her. Blue Blood gave a surprisingly heartfelt apology, which Rarity accepted. After it was all said and done, Blue Blood was suspended for three days and his position on the football team was under advisement. Throughout all of this Fluttershy was by Rarity's side, holding her hand and giving her any support she could.
Rarity was sent home early, the nurse recommended taking her to get checked out. She had several bruised ribs, luckily there wouldn't be any permanent damage. She invited Fluttershy over after school got out and they spent the evening together. Rarity's parents were very grateful to Fluttershy for standing up to Blue Blood on their daughter's behalf. Even Sweetie Belle thanked her, she knew her sister had been unhappy for a while, but she had hope that things would get better now.
Fluttershy was flustered by all the attention she was getting, so the two girls stepped out to the backyard and sat on the bench swing, the clear night sky above them.
"I haven't properly thanked you for what you did." Rarity said when there was a lull in their conversation.
"You don't have to," Fluttershy protested. "I only did what anyone would have."
"But it wasn't just anyone, it was you Fluttershy. You've always wanted what's best for me. You've always wanted me to be happy."
"And look where that got you." She looked down at her feet. "I should have said something sooner, intervened somehow."
"There was nothing you could have done, I was in denial about how bad it was. That's why I never told anyone, I thought I could handle it by myself. You helped me darling, got me out of that terrible situation, now I can try to be happy again." She placed a hand over Fluttershy's.
Fluttershy gasped, she looked at their hands then into Rarity's sapphire eyes. Their lips met, Fluttershy closed her eyes wanting the moment to last forever. The two held each other, swinging on the bench. They didn't know what the future would hold for them, the only thing they knew was that right now, this is where they wanted to be.
Fluttershy cleared her throat. "Rarity, will you go to the dance with me?"
Rarity smiled, and put her head on Fluttershy's shoulder. "I thought you'd never ask."