The checkered ball flew across the field—until it ricocheted off Rainbow's flat chest.
The young athlete came down from her leap and—with a devilish smirk plastered across her sweaty face—she gained control of the ball, dribbling it down the field as her teammates ran parallel to offer support.
The air filled with cheers as the CHS alumni watched their team from the bleachers. They hooted and hollered to support the players. Meanwhile, the ball went towards one half of the field... then back... then forward again... then back once again. Back and forth and back and forth...
Flash Sentry couldn't help it. His eyelids grew heavy. He propped his chin against his palm and leaned sleepily forward. The sounds of players yelling and grunting grew indistinct, forming a hushed rain in the corners of his mind. He was seconds away from teetering off the topmost seat of the bleachers altogether when he heard—
“She's so adorable.”
Flash blinked awake. With thin eyes, he looked towards the dainty figure sitting to his immediate left.
Fluttershy sat like a prim and proper maiden on Sunday morning. Her folded hands rested atop her skirted lap as she gazed warmly at the most colorful sight darting back and forth across the field. Her calm eyes reflected Rainbow's whipping hair and kicking feet. With each resounding motion the offensive player made, her smile grew warm and warmer.
“Hmmmmm... even when the spotlight paints her as an action hero, she's just as tender and precious as ever.”
Flash fought cobwebs in his brain. Crackling joints, he sat up, wiped a hint of drool from the corner of his mouth, and forcibly woke himself to the moment. “Mrmmmff... do tell...”
“It's all an act,” Fluttershy declared. “A stageplay. Even to herself.” She threw Flash a wink—a very happy one. “But she can't fool me.”
“I... I would guess not...” He fought the urge to yawn. “After all, you've known her the longest.”
“How did you know that?” Fluttershy asked.
“... … ...” Flash's fingers gripped the bleacher seat beneath him like a vice. His eyes darted about. “... … ...uhmmmmmm.”
“No matter. One of us must have told you at some point.” Fluttershy gazed into the field below once again, her expression more contemplative. “It's true. Rainbow and I have known each other since we were in preschool. I suppose it's why I can... mmmmm... tolerate her brash actions more...”
Flash rubbed one eye, then the other. “You mean the way she thinks constantly of herself, brags for no reason, and only does acts of heroism in a last-second pinch?”
“She's an over-achiever,” Fluttershy said. “And as for the bragging—it's to cover how afraid she is.”
“Afraid of what?”
“Everything,” Fluttershy said. “Deep down—Rainbow's just a squishy little sweetheart. Soft. Tender. Cuddly. A lot like the animals I look after at the shelter.”
“Uhhhhhhhhhhhh—”
“Don't tell me you don't see it as well...” Fluttershy looked over at Flash. “...in the tiny, precious moments when she's nervous and squirmy?”
Flash threw on an improvised smile. “I suppose it isn't my place.”
“She wouldn't let it,” Fluttershy said. “She wouldn't let anybody think they'd be in the position to look after her as she insists on looking after all of her friends.” Fluttershy let loose a melodic sigh. Hugging herself, she gazed lovingly down at the field. “But I'll be there for her. Even when she doesn't expect it. She's done her best to protect me all these years. Now that we're all growing up and the complications of the world threaten to pressure her... I want to be there for Rainbow Dash. I want her to... to be held and comforted for a change.”
Flash cleared his throat. “I bet she's ticklish.”
Fluttershy giggled so hard she nearly fell off the bleachers. She cupped a hand to her blushing face and smiled at the boy. “My thoughts exactly! Why—Flash Sentry, are you psychic?”
“No,” Flash exhaled. “Just here.”
“You're so kind and calm and patient,” Fluttershy said. “With all of us, Flash. Ever since the portal opened and all our lives grew more and more magical... and more and more unpredictable. You've been here this entire time... so dependable and strong.”
Flash shrugged with a small smile. “If there's anything you can count on being predictable, it's me.”
Fluttershy giggled again. “And you're also so delightfully funny. It mystifies me why Sunset ever stopped going out with you.”
Flash exhaled long and hard, staring into the hard turf of the soccer field. “The truth only gets funnier...”