Rainbow Dash sighed, casting a glance over to the clock on the wall for what seemed like the 100th time.
She had asked Fluttershy if she wanted to come over for Hearths Warming and she had accepted, saying that 7 PM was optimal for her, as it was the time in which she finished feeding and looking after her animals. While Rainbow had no doubts that she was coming - and most likely right on time - she couldn't help but feel nervous for some strange reason. It's as if a million tiny butterflies were fluttering about in her stomach. While she had felt this way for a while (she couldn't quite put her hoof on how long exactly), Dash had always shrugged it off. Maybe they were getting closer as friends - she had been spending an excessive amount of time with her recently. Or perhaps it was simply a thing that would pass soon enough.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
The sound had almost seemed to disappear completely. However as Rainbow came out of her train of thought, she had clocked into its existence yet again, despite how admittedly annoying it was. She knew, of course, that she didn't need to stay by the door awaiting the yellow pegasus' arrival, but it's almost as if something was compelling her to do so - something that she couldn't argue with, no matter how hard she tried.
The sound of a hoof rapping on the wooden surface of the door was heard and the blue pegasus' ears perked up promptly. As soon as she had registered the noise, she had reached for the doorknob and greeted Fluttershy with a greeting that was a little too enthusiastic, even for Rainbow Dash herself.
"Fluttershy! Hi!!" Dash shouted
Realising the mistake of raising her voice, she hastily corrected herself.
"Er, I mean, hi!"
There was a long, drawn-out silence as the two mares stared at each other, Rainbow Dash rubbing her neck and Fluttershy simply staring down at the ground awkwardly, with it suddenly taking her attention - even more than the friend she had come to visit. The lack of most noise was rather excruciating for the two. Fluttershy had now looked up at her friend expectantly with an unidentifiable expression on her face, the wind caressing her windswept mane and face, bringing back the feeling that was all too familiar to Dash.
She suddenly realised that she hadn't invited her in.
"Come in!"
The phrase - more of a request, for some reason, than a command - had sounded rather forced, almost as if somepony had blackmailed her to do so.
"Make yourself at home, Flutters. Would you like anything? Tea? Hot chocolate, perhaps?"
Dash had, for some strange, strange reason, adopted a rather... "posh" tone of voice - one that would contest with even Rarity's voice. She sounded somewhat regal, almost as if Fluttershy had been some sort of royal guest - perhaps even one of the princesses' themselves - or a completely new pony that Rainbow had never met before. The blue pegasus' wanted to hit herself for making everything so awkward, reminding herself that Fluttershy was her friend and someone she could be herself around.
"Um... Tea please, Rainbow Dash." Fluttershy responded, offering a small, genuine smile in response.
She took a seat on the sofa (or couch, if you're American!) and rested her head on the back of it, sighing happily. It had, for her at least, been a rough few days. A few of her animals had fallen ill and required extra special attention from her. Luckily, however, Twilight had agreed to look after the few that had become sick, promising that she would look after them. While she did trust Twilight fully, she couldn't help worry about her animals - after all, to her, they were her family and she felt rather close to them all.
"Here's your, Tea, Flutters."
The sound of Rainbow's voiced had snapped her out of her thoughts and she gazed upwards at the pegasus who was now placing her warm beverage on the glass table in front of her, steam emitting from the cup, flowing upwards and seemingly disappearing into nothingness once it reached a certain height. A new weight was felt on the sofa, followed by a small, happy sigh from the pegasus that had sat beside her. All previous awkwardness had vanished and the two sit there in peaceful silence.
Rainbow had elected to take a seat right beside her friend, to the point where their forelegs were touching. Neither were complaining, however, and Rainbow let out another happy sigh.
"So, Flutters," Dash began "how've you been? How are your animals?"
While the question was unexpected, Fluttershy turned her head to face her friend, offering her a small smile.
"Well," she said, placing a hoof to her chin "I'm okay, Dash. But a few of my animals came over ill..."
Rainbow's eyes must have widened slightly, because Fluttershy giggled, quickly continuing.
"They're okay, though. Twilight is looking after them. I trust her."
Dash smiled.
"Good!"
The peaceful silence resumed itself and Fluttershy leant forward to pick up her tea. Wrapping a hoof around it, she picked it up and leant back again.
She felt something on her shoulder and turned her head to realise that Rainbow was leaning on her. She felt her heart flutter in her chest as she looked at her. Despite this bold and unexpected move, Fluttershy had found herself rather comfortable in this position, realising that she even rather enjoyed it. Slowly and cautiously, Fluttershy rested her head on Rainbow's, smiling happily and letting out a giggle.
"I didn't take you for the snuggly type, Rainbow."
Rainbow giggled back, nuzzling into her neck and placing a forehoof over hers, rubbing her hoof gently.
While this had been a rather unexpected turning of events, Fluttershy was by no means complaining - quite the opposite, in fact. She found herself enjoying the close proximity and physical contact of her friend. She closed her eyes, taking in the feeling of Rainbow's fur on hers, the gentle rise and fall of her shoulders as she inhaled and exhaled, letting out small breaths. The two stayed there for what seemed like an eternity, simply basking in each other's warmth. Neither said anything, not wanting to break the precious, delicate moment - almost as if a single word was uttered, the moment would come to an end, never to happen again.
"I got you a Hearths Warming gift, Flutters."
Fluttershy lifted her head off of her friend's, staring blankly.
"You... did?"
Dash nodded.
"I know it's a bit early, but... I want you to have it now."
From seemingly out of nowhere, Dash reached under the sofa and pulled out a small, square box and handed it to her friend, smiling widely. Hesitantly, she reached a hoof on top of it and pulled off the lid slowly, revealing some type of plant. It had a few leaves, with a type of berry in the centre.
The realisation hit her like a ton of bricks.
"Is this... mistletoe?"
While she already knew the answer, she needed some type of confirmation that it was, indeed, mistletoe. The nod that Dash gave said it all and the blue pegasus averted her gaze downwards in embarrassment, blushing a bright shade of red.
"I'm sorry, I-"
She was cut off by a hoof being placed underneath her chin, gently coaxing it up to face her friend. Fluttershy, overcome by new, unexpected courage, leant forward, their muzzles connecting into a kiss. Almost immediately, Rainbow Dash kissed back with passion, closing her eyes. The kiss seemed to elongate forever, but the two eventually had to part for air.
The room was filled with the sound of their pants and the tick-tocking of the clock on the wall.
"I love you, Fluttershy."
"I love you too, Rainbow Dash."