//------------------------------// // Practice // Story: Living in the Present, Hoping for the Future. // by FlutterDash979797 //------------------------------// Her leadership. Her bravery. Her loyalty. Her friendship... her love for who I am... Fluttershy's list galloped through multiple pages. Somewhere somehow, the traits could be applied to other ponies in Fluttershy’s life, spare one in particular. This wasn't just new to Fluttershy; it was frightening. Indescribable. Whether anxiety or a soothing warmth plagued her, the feeling was still beyond her control. I can't hurt her. I will not. Nopony won't love me. I can't love them back... Pretty eyes. Bold spirit. Awesome flying. Great with Tank. Understands me... loves me for who I am. "Why Rainbow! Why?" Tears formed inside of her eyelids, ready to burst. "What do you see?" She exploded in fitful dispar. "I see the most kind and beautiful mare in all of Equestria. And I'm not going to let you tell me otherwise." Beside the doorstep stood Rainbow Dash. The speedsters love for the pretty yellow mare cowering before her emanated from Dash’s bold stance. "Rainbow?" Fluttershy asked, continuing to cower. "Come on! We are going out to dinner! My treat. And we are going to talk. About us." The stern tone made it clear that Dash intended to follow through. "Umm...." Yellow hairs froze. Cyan eyes slammed shut. The sound of hooves approaching caused the panicking mare to begin shaking. "Don't be afraid. You have nothing to worry about. You won't disappoint me. Just be yourself. That's why I love ya’!" Rainbow threw her foreleg over Fluttershy's shoulders in a comforting manner, tightening with each successive shake. "Listen... you have nothing to be afraid of. Look right in front of you. You've got a mare asking you out on a free date. A pretty awesome mare too, if I say so myself. You have a friend that understands you and wants nothing more than to see you happy. I would say you're a pretty lucky mare, but I'd be lying. The truth is you are finally getting what you deserve." The soothing voice of the rainbow mare filled the panicking mare, calming her nerves enough for her to reply. "Rainbow... I... okay. I'll go. I just-” "Hey... I'm a little nervous too. But together we can get over it. I promise." Dash gave her a quick nuzzle of affection to further boost her moral. The pair got to their hooves and a cyan wing encased the shy pegasus in a protective manner. Warmth rushed through Fluttershy’s system and she found herself content to dwell under the feathery appendage. Dash steered her charge toward the cabin door, enjoying her role as protector. The pair descended onto the road and meandered along, enjoying the shared warmth. Rainbow never let go of her feathered grip. It was a symbol not only of affection, but of understanding and dedication. "This... This is great." Fluttershy let out a timid grin. "Yeah. It really is, isn't it?" Rainbow squeezed Fluttershy’s figure. Here it goes... Fluttershy felt her comfort zone collapsing. "Rainbow, what do you..." "What's that Fluttershy? Like I said, pal, nothing to worry about, okay?" She bit her lip. "What do you love about me?" "I love your smile. I love your talent. I love when you sing; it's a really peaceful feeling. You make me happy ‘Shy. It's as easy as that. Do I make you happy?” "Yes... yes you do...” The shy pony trailed off into silence, turning her gaze to the path ahead. The rest of the trip was silent, but not at all unpleasant to Fluttershy. She doesn't care if I don't have anything to say. She doesn't need formalities, or small talk. She doesn't care if I look nice, or if I'm successful. She just needs me... A rare burst of confidence straightened her steps and she snuggled into her bold friend. And I need her. "So what are you going to get tonight? My sandwich was awesome last time, but I think I might try something else." Rainbow said as they approached town. "My salad was great! I think I might try something different as well. Maybe some soup?" "Soup actually sounds really good. We can both get it before our meal." Rainbow opened the door for Fluttershy, who quickly trotted inside and waited for Rainbow to return to her side. "Hey gals. Good to see you again. How's your vacation going?" A familiar waitress greeted them. "Good evening," Fluttershy smiled, "Our vacation has been great! How are you doing?" Rainbow eagerly followed the waitress's trail, ensuring Fluttershy was close behind. "Oh you know, working and family. Been doing this for a quite a while." The waitress lit the candle on the table. "You like living up here?" Rainbow asked. "I would love to live here! The lakes! The trees! Everything!" "My husband and I have a small house on the river. Our children are all grown up and in different places. We get by perfectly. We've been together a long time. And we've lived here nearly our entire life. We haven't gone many places or have done great things, but we're happy as long as we are together. You know? It's a simple life and we couldn't have it any other way. Oh... I'm sorry, you probably didn't ask for my life story." "Actually that is a very sweet story. I'm glad you and your husband are happy together." Fluttershy summoned a slight smile, basking in the comfort of an old love’s tale. The waitress sprung back into her job. "Root beer float and iced tea, right?" "Right on! Thanks! Also, let's do two bowls of wild rice soup before!" Dash paged through the menu. Fluttershy felt a smile emulating from the waitress as she closed towards the kitchen. "She's a really nice mare. I wonder if she owns the place?” "Well, I don't see anyone else around her. Just a few cooks in the kitchen. I would guess so. Anyways, what's on Fluttershy's menu?" "I think I'm getting the same salad. Soup and salad is a really good combo." The waitress reappeared after a few seconds, cradling a series of drinks with utmost precision. Two sets of eager hooves captured the beverages. "I'll have a salad again,” Fluttershy asked. "Sure hun. And you?" She scribbled the order down. "I think I will have a dandelion sandwich this time. Thanks!" "Sure. I'll have the soups ready for soon." The waitress put her notebook back into her saddlebag and walked away to prepare the soup. "So..." Fluttershy whispered. "Listen Fluttershy. Tell me what's wrong. Are you afraid? Nervous? I'm sorry... but I can't stop loving you." The bold statement matched its owner causing Fluttershy to smile despite herself, Rainbow Dash will always be Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow... this is all just new to me. Something will go wrong. It always does. I don't want to hurt you. I don't want our friendship to end... but I also love you Rainbow. I just... I don't know. These feelings; they are new and frightening. After what has happened to me, I don't want either of us to hurt." Cyan hooves captured a pair of yellow ones in their strong grasp and began to share true love. Caring pink eyes gazed into pretty aquamarine ones as the rainbow opened up. "Fluttershy... I would be lying if I said that I wasn't afraid. New feelings can be scary, sometimes terrifying. Remember when I told you that I felt comfortable emoting in front of you? I was terrified; I had never emoted like that to anypony. But when I did, when I overcame my fear, I discovered something amazing. I was able to let out all of my emotions to a pony who would understand. And now, I am not afraid." "Really Rainbow?" "Yes. Letting go of my feelings felt amazing. Why do you worry about hurting me? Even if we didn't make it as a couple, we would always be friends. I would never abandon any of my friends. You know that." "Well... I'm going to be honest Rainbow. I don't really know what to do... I love you Rainbow. I love your eyes. I love your bravery, I love your loyalty. And most of all, I love that you love me for who I am." "You're doing pretty well. This is almost getting too sappy for me and after this weekend, that's saying a lot!" Rainbow laughed in a emotional fashion. "I have already told you a hundred times what I love about you. Can I say that you look really pretty tonight? ‘Cause you do. Your mane looks really... um... nice and your eyes always shine... I guess?" Fluttershy giggled. "You have a pretty adorable laugh as well." The pair gazed into each other's eyes, smiling and laughing. "You look really nice tonight too, Dash." "Well, we'll have to get better at that." Fluttershy giggled even more. "Yes. But right now, your compliments are just fine. They make mine look good!" Rainbow tightly hugged her friend as they laughed at themselves. After the hug broke, Rainbow withdrew and looked deeply into Fluttershy's eyes. Beauty rested in their kind depths. Um... What do I do? Kiss her or something? But how? I hadn't thought this far ahead... Uh... Oh hay with it! The daredevil moved closely in and pressed her lips against Fluttershy's. The shy mare squealed quietly in fear, forcing Rainbow to quickly retract. "I'm... I'm sorry..." Rainbow whispered, shame clouding her judgement. "Don't be sorry... I liked it... oh, it's just so new to me..." Fluttershy blushed with the innocence of a filly. The new couple shared a smile, amused by each others inexperience. "We'll need to practice that too."