She always did have a pretty smile. Fluttershy couldn’t forget; how could she? When her childhood was as extensive as Applejack’s orchard, each tree, memories and pictures of that smile, coming to the forefront of her mind in the moments between thoughts, like subtle shadows on a cloudy day.
Yet, pictures of the mind, no matter how copious the repertoire, could never compare to the sight of the real thing.
Rainbow Dash turned to look at her with piercing magenta and she retreated behind a curtain of hair.
The short, rainbow locks were no longer the regal length of their high school days, instead clipped short and swept to the side, lain flat by the silly hat of military officers. No longer did her cheeks puff with the remnants of youth’s chub, replaced by a cut jawline and angled cheeks.
Training had done it’s number. The pressed uniform. The straight posture. The undertone in her eyes. Fluttershy didn’t recognize this woman standing a few scant meters away.
Then Dash smiled at her.
And the sun rose above AJ’s orchard, chasing them under the cool embrace of a beloved green.
Shaky, happily, Fluttershy smiled back. “Welcome back, Rainbow Dash.”