//------------------------------// // 223. Now It's Time For Donuts // Story: Azure Edge // by Leaf Blade //------------------------------// Six women walked into a donut shop in Canterlot’s Sun District. They were covered in dirt and bruises, half of them even coated in dried blood, with most of their dresses torn in part or in full, or in Fluttershy’s case completely torn asunder, leaving her naked except for the shawl around her shoulders Rarity had gracefully given her. And the musty old cowboy hat on top of her head, also a gracious gift… from a friend. There were quite a few tables in the shop, but they were all empty at this late hour. The man behind the counter gave the battle-scarred group an odd look, but a dazzling smile from Rarity put him at ease as the rest of the girls sat around a table while Twilight and Rarity ordered some donuts for everyone. Fluttershy was trying not to feel guilty; she’d apologized countless times on the group’s trip back down the mountain, and she thanked whatever fortune she had left that they didn’t run into Tempest Shadow on their way. Everyone constantly told her, over and over, that they forgave her. But looking around and seeing the wounds on everyone that she caused, it was difficult for Fluttershy to not just burst into remorseful tears. Twilight and Rarity returned with donuts; Fluttershy thought they were each just going to eat one, but the two girls returned with a whole truckload, and as they handed out plates and put some donuts and other sweet treats on them, Pinkie started giggling. “Hey Fluttershy, this one looks like you!” Pinkie said, taking a donut with yellow frosting and pink sprinkles. “I hope it’s as sweet as you are, hehe!” Fluttershy let herself laugh at that, at least a little. It felt like everyone was trying to make Fluttershy feel better, feel like there wasn’t anything wrong, and while Fluttershy could pretend to go along with it, she couldn’t entirely ignore the wretched feeling in her stomach. The group’s meal went by quickly, and shockingly normally. Twilight took a sec to connect to Spike with her magic to make sure he was doing okay— and he was apparently doing great, and had already gotten into bed with a full stomach and a ton of tales to regale Twilight with in the morning. Rainbow Dash made jokes and Rarity did that thing where she pretended to rebut her, but only as a ruse to get Rainbow to commit even harder to her jokes, if that makes sense. They were an impressive comedy team; Rarity wasn’t so much the ‘straight mare’— and she definitely wasn’t a straight mare— as she was encouraging of Rainbow’s foolishness. Pinkie played along too and encouraged Rainbow even further, the pair cracking up the rest of the girls so bad they could hardly breathe, and Fluttershy was delighted to see everyone enjoying themselves. Applejack, once things had calmed down a tad, talked about apples. As she often did. Twilight and Pinkie were enthralled, Rarity pretended to be interested and Rainbow very much did not. Fluttershy wasn’t sure how she felt. Everything was going by in a blur. “Darlings, this has been a delight,” Rarity sighed contentedly as Twilight played around with her twitchy ears. Fluttershy wished she was in Twilight’s shoes, but she didn’t feel like she deserved to do cute couple things with Rarity anymore, at least not right now. “But I have to talk to Princess Luna before the night is over.” “I’ll go with you,” Rainbow said, standing up. “Moral support and all that.” “Thank you, Rainbow Dash,” Rarity beamed, “I greatly appreciate that.” “I’ll wait up for you,” Twilight said softly. She had mentioned earlier that she couldn’t handle being part of the talk with Luna when Rarity brought it up before. “I won’t,” Pinkie giggled. “I’ll be asleep.” “Big same,” Applejack nodded. “You’re all true friends,” Rarity said with a soft laugh, playfully rolling her eyes. She stood up and looked right at Fluttershy, who snapped to attention. “Before I go, Fluttershy, would you be a dear and come with me for one second?” “Uh, of course, Rarity,” Fluttershy nodded. Rarity took Fluttershy gently by her forearm as the two walked out of the donut shop together and loitered by the doors. There was barely anyone on the streets at this late hour, but the neon lights were still blazing. “What is it you wanted to talk about, Rarity?” Fluttershy asked timidly, bracing herself for the worst. “Talk?” Rarity shook her head. “No, sweetheart, I don’t want to talk. I want to kiss you.” “Whaaaat?” Fluttershy asked flatly, blinking confusedly. “May I?” Rarity batted her eyelashes at Fluttershy, who felt butterflies in her stomach. “O-of course!” Rarity put her arms around Fluttershy’s waist and stood on the tips of her hooves, Fluttershy bending down slightly to let Rarity’s lips reach hers, and it was like a hot bath at the end of a long day. Feeling Rarity’s soft lips against hers reminded her that Rarity’s words weren’t just words, that Rarity still loved her, and Fluttershy felt like she was wrapped in a soft, comfy blanket. “I love you,” Rarity whispered. “Now and forever, no matter your demons. I love you.” “I love you too,” Fluttershy whimpered, tears streaming down her face. “Don’t cry, queen,” Rarity said, trying to fight back her own tears, “you’ll ruin my makeup.” The two women laughed, and when Rarity hugged her, Fluttershy felt it. She felt it on her skin and fur, she felt in her bones and in her heart. Rarity loved her. More than that, Rarity didn’t hate her. Fluttershy returned to the inside of the shop, Rainbow clapping her shoulder and grinning brightly at her as they passed each other, with Rainbow heading out to walk with Rarity. Pinkie Pie yawned, stretching her arms over her head. “Gettin’ tired, sugarcube?” Applejack asked, ruffling Pinkie’s mane playfully. Fluttershy smiled. And it felt so natural that she didn’t even question it until a moment later, when she realized that watching Applejack and Pinkie together made her smile of all things. “I am,” Pinkie yawned again, “I am.” “I’ll walk ya home,” Applejack said, standing up. “Um, excuse me,” Fluttershy took a step toward the table, and all eyes were on her. She went pale, but cleared her throat and spoke up regardless. “Applejack, if you wouldn’t mind, I would um, like for you to walk me home instead. I want to get a chance to talk to you, one on one. For real this time.” “I’d like that,” Applejack said with a soft smile. “I’d like that toooooo!” Pinkie cheered, standing up on her chair and throwing her arms above her head. Then she yawned, and Fluttershy couldn’t help but giggle at her cuteness. “Fluttershy?” “Yes, Pinkie Pie?” “Tomorrow, we’re gonna have to talk about stuff,” Pinkie said seriously, and Fluttershy wanted to shrink into herself but she chose not to. “Boundaries and stuff.” “Yes,” Fluttershy nodded. “Yes we will. I promise to do whatever I can to do right by you, Pinkie Pie.” “Thank you, Fluttershy,” Pinkie smiled sweetly. “I love you.” “I love you too,” Fluttershy said softly. “Twilight!” Pinkie yelled and then yawned. “Take me home!” “You got it, Pinkie,” Twilight laughed and picked Pinkie up, carrying the sleepy pony on her back. “Are you two gonna be okay?” “Yeah,” Applejack said with a nod, and Fluttershy offered a timid smile. “I think we will be.”