Following Rainbow making amends with Pinkie Pie for lying about eating her pies (and finally prying herself out of Pinkie's vice-like grip), the rainbow-maned speedster retreated to a certain house to wash off the disgusting excuse for a pie she had attempted to eat.
"Oh, man" Rainbow sputtered as the bucket of water cascaded over her "Now I remember why I hate washing".
"Relax, it's almost done" the pony aiding her said as she used a brush on Rainbow's mane.
"Tell me again why I couldn't use the shower?" Rainbow asked, sitting in a tub full of water in the backyard.
"Well, I'm sorry, but that stench was too great that the animals couldn't take it" Fluttershy replied as she lathered Rainbow's head "What in the world did you use to make that 'pie' anyway?"
"Honestly, I don't know" Rainbow shrugged as Fluttershy got another bucket of water "I was in such a hurry to make it up to Pinkie that I threw together whatever I could find. Remember, your cooking lessons excluded how to make pies".
Fluttershy sighed as she poured the bucket she had gotten over Rainbow "Oh, Dash, I told you it was a bad idea to not tell Pinkie the truth about the pies. I had a feeling that sooner or later, she'd find out".
"Yeah, she did" Rainbow sighed as she stood up in the tub "And let me tell you, she went almost as batty as when she thought we hated her parties and started talking to rocks and sacks. She even thought that I was obliterating her pies with laser eyes!"
"Laser eyes?" Fluttershy asked in confusion as she held out a hoof to help Rainbow.
"Hey, I don't know what goes through that mind of hers" Rainbow said as she took Fluttershy's hoof and climbed out of the tub "In any case, that never would've happened if I was just honest" she looked away guiltily "I'm sorry, Shy. I should've listened to your advice from the start".
"Yes, you should've" Fluttershy replied as she hoofed Rainbow a towel "Especially my advice about feeding all those pies to Tank. I kept telling you that animals can't process pony food like that. We've been taking the poor thing to the vet for weeks!"
"Hey, I thought Tank could handle it" Rainbow shrugged while drying herself off.
"Not to mention that you've been making me lie as well" Fluttershy sighed "I've felt so guilty this whole time for not telling the others the truth".
"Sorry for making you Pinkie Promise, Shy" Rainbow sighed as she ran the towel over her head "But since you were the only one who knew the truth, I couldn't let anypony else know. Besides, knowing Pinkie Pie, she'd probably be more mad at you for breaking a Pinkie Promise than at me for lying".
"Well, the important thing is that it's all out in the open now," Fluttershy sighed "It's such a relief that I don't need to do this anymore. Still, I feel like I should tell the others".
"Eh, I don't know, Shy" Rainbow replied as she tossed the towel onto the tub "I think Pinkie Pie might feel conflicted about being mad that you didn't tell her or happy that you've kept a Pinkie Promise for this long. But you're right. Now that the truth is out, we won't have to worry about this anymore" she groaned in pain "Say Flutters, can you help me out? Pinkie Pie's latest hug did a number on my back".
"Sure" Fluttershy nodded "Come into the house and I'll give you a massage".
"Great" Rainbow said relieved as she walked towards the front door "Anyway, it feels good to be truthful about this. I think I'm starting to see why Applejack likes honesty".
"Uh, Rainbow" Fluttershy said nervously as she stopped and looked backwards "By any chance, did you tell the girls any other secrets?"
"What? No!" Rainbow shook her head "I mean, Twilight did ask if there was anything else I was hiding, but I claimed I couldn't think of anything!"
Fluttershy sighed with relief. "Good. I was worried that it might've come out".
Rainbow shook her head. "Fluttershy, how long do you want to wait to tell the others about us? You just said you felt bad about keeping the truth about the pies secret, but you're okay with keeping our relationship hidden?"
Fluttershy sighed guiltily. "I know. I'm such a hypocrite. I'm sorry, but I'm just not ready yet. It's not that I'm ashamed of us, it's just I'm nervous that ponies will make a big deal about it".
"Yeah, I guess I can understand this being a big thing" Rainbow agreed.
"And not to mention when it's finally out there, ponies will always be pointing and talk about us whenever we go to town" Fluttershy went on "I don't think I could handle all that attention".
"Eh, I'm fine with it, but I can understand why you'd have problems" Rainbow shrugged "But if you want my advice, when we finally come out, just ignore all the ponies who will make a big deal about it".
"I don't know if I'll be able to" Fluttershy replied worriedly.
"Well, you'll have to learn to either ignore it or be okay with it" Rainbow said sympathetically "Cause know that sooner or later, we'll have to tell the others. I didn't just learn a lesson in honesty for nothing".
Fluttershy nodded. "You're right. One day, we will have to tell them. I just hope that I'll have the courage for when that day comes".
"Hey, pony up, Shy" Rainbow said encouragingly "You've come a long way since we defeated Nightmare Moon. That's why I fell for you. You're a stronger pony than you give yourself credit for".
Fluttershy couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, Dashie".
"Any time, my little butterfly" Rainbow grinned before wincing "But seriously, that massage?"
"Oh, right" Fluttershy nodded before leading Rainbow into her cottage. Stopping at the door, she flashed Rainbow a lascivious grin "And don't be surprised if the massage leads to something more".
Grinning excitedly, Rainbow practically dashed into the cottage before the door was shut tight and triple bolted.