"Tank, we gotta talk." Rainbow hooves propelled a canoe forward. A shell of scales rested in the center of the uneven transportation, gently rocking the current of the watery blues. A shoal of sunfish cowered under the shadow of the canoe while a hawk pierced the air above.
Always here for you, Dash. A scaled head bobbed up and down.
"It's about me and Fluttershy..." Dash whispered.
Tank eyes lit with an expected surprise. Dash read his emotions like the latest Daring Doo novel.
"Well... I think... no, I know I love her."
Far out man! That crazy rabbit was right!
"She doesn't... I mean she doesn't know what to do. She doesn't understand any of this. She told me nopony has ever been attracted to her or loved her. And I can't stop thinking about her! She's just so great... I need her in my life."
A shell of reassurance snuggled next to a tense, cyan figure. Dash’s hooves constricted every inch of the shell, capturing every pulse of comfort. "Thanks bud. But what are we... er... I going to do? I already told her how I feel, I mean that's how it usually works right?
Tank gave a nervous smile and shrugged his shoulders.
"Right you don't know. Silly of me. You're not the romance type are you? You just like to chill." Dash knocked his shell.
Tank replied by retracting into his shell and popping out with his aviators.
"I gotta tell you Tank, I'm glad I chose you as a pet. You are chill. Never get angry. It's up to you to cool me down... which is one of the reasons I love Fluttershy."
Rainbow you gotta fight for it! Do it for yourself man! Tank slowly offered her a nudged, quickly followed by a salute.
"You want me to... I'm not sure?"
The tortoise slowly punched his fists and pointed towards Rainbow's heart.
"You want me to beat up Fluttershy? How would that help anything?"
Tank facepalmed.
"Fight... for Fluttershy?" Her eyes lit with excitement.
Another salute drove the point home.
"But I don't wanna ruin our friendship. She's so delicate. I don't ever want to do anything that would hurt her."
A tiny green foot drove into the ground.
"Okay, I get it. But how?"
Tank could only offer a pair of shrugged shoulders.
"I guess we could go out to dinner again. I could tell her there. Let her know that she doesn't have to feel afraid of my love." Rainbow rowed her direction towards home. "I've just, it's a special feeling Tank. Love is pretty awesome, any way you look at it. I love Fluttershy. She's the only pony I ever feel comfortable enough to emote with. I always tried to hide any of these feelings before, but Fluttershy really changed me for the better. I don't know what the future holds, but with her in my hooves, I can only bet its going to be great. And that's why I'm going to take your advice!" Her rowing motions became even faster. "Just wish me luck Tank. Tonight is going to be one heck of a night, I can tell!"
"Oh Angel, I don't know. I don't know anything anymore. Can you talk with mommy for a bit?" A yellow body hugged the warmth of the couch. The bunny hopped onto his mom's lap and snuggled closely. Angel was in no mood to see his mother return to depression.
"You're more affectionate than usual. That's my bunny." Fluttershy rubbed her hoof against the bunny's forehead.
Angel gazed into her eyes, innocently demanding the identity of her problem.
"Rainbow Dash... well, you know how we are good friends and all... she talked to me last night. Said a few things. And she told me something. I don't know how to take it."
This just might secure my victory. The bunny’s arms shook with arrogant joy. Impending cheers ruffled his whiskers.
"She said I was special... and I helped her open her emotions up... and that she respected me..."
Here it comes.
"Loves me..."
Within seconds Angel had completed multiple laps over the perimeter of the room. He then returned to his caretaker's lap and danced using moves that Fluttershy could not comprehend.
"Angel?" Fluttershy asked, confusion slurring her speech.
Oh crap. Mom. Yeah. Right," The bunny lied a serious face and snuggled next to her.
"Umm... we'll just forget about that okay? Sometimes you are a really silly bunny... Anyways, Rainbow said she loved me... loved everything about me. and I don't know what to think. I love Rainbow, but not like that. I love her friendship. I don't want to disappoint her... I know she would love and respect me... can I be happy with her?"
Angel made an expression that signaled "Why not?"
"Because nopony has ever felt this way about me. What do I do Angel? Do I tell her that I appreciate her love? Or do I try to return it back? I don't know how." The shy pegasus shivered a small shake.
Angel tried his best to hug her, wrapping his arms around her neck in a soft motion. I love you mom.
"Angel, I love you too. But what are we going to do about my problem?"
The bunny paced for a few seconds, trying to piece together a solution. What do I do? wait... Got it! He pointed towards Fluttershy's heart, hopped down, made a flying pose that suggested Rainbow, and pointed back towards her. He then reached for a piece of paper and a pen.
"What do you want me to do Angel?"
I guess I'll repeat myself. He repeated his motions in a quick succession.
"Do you... oh Angel I think I understand... are you sure?"
He shook with head with as much authority as a tiny bunny could summon.
"You want me to write everything I love about Rainbow Dash?"
He nods were near lightning speed.
"Well, I guess that might help," Fluttershy’s timid demur held for a small eternity of indecision. Suddenly her expression hardened and a spark appeared in her eyes. On the paper she wrote- She loves me for who I am.