//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: How Could They Not Realize it? // by SapphicShy //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash sat in her Freshman science class, which she had with Rarity and Pinkie. It was the first day and the professor was making everyone introduce themselves, Dash was up next. She went to the front when it was her turn and spoke about herself. "I'm in an awesome band with my friends," she shared, and began listing off her bandmates, "Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, and Sunset Shimmer. Fluttershy writes most of our songs, and she's amazing at it, plus she's got an amazing voice and she's really pretty and-" "You really like this Fluttershy, huh?" The professor cut her off. "Totally, she's my best friend." Rainbow replied before going back to her seat. The professor shook his head and chuckled to herself. They finished the introductions and the class got freetime for the rest of the period. "Darling, what was all that about?" Rarity gave Rainbow a questioning look. "What was what about?" "All that stuff about Fluttershy?" "What? Am I not aloud to take about my best friend?" "Not sure 'best friend' is a strong enough word," Rarity mumbled. Rainbow rolled her eyes and went back to reading her Daring Do book. The girls sat in the cafeteria, eating lunch together. Fluttershy was leaning against Rainbow's side and held Angel in her lap. "Rainbow Dash said something...interesting, during science today," Rarity said as they were all talking about their classes. "What do you mean by 'interesting' ?" Sunset asked. "She was talking rather, well, fondly of Fluttershy during class introductions." Rarity explained. "She kept talking about how much she loved her songs, and how pretty she is." At this, Fluttershy blushed and Rainbow rolled her eyes. "And what's wrong with talking about my best friend, huh?" "Darling, if you keep this up people are gonna notice your, very obvious, crush on your 'friend'" Rarity said, making finger quotations at the word 'friend'. "I-I don't have a crush on Fluttershy! Why would anyone think that?" The rest of the girls just stared at Rainbow and Fluttershy as the two were still cuddled close together. "You girls sooooo cute together! Why can't you just admit that you love each other already?" Pinkie said. Fluttershy looked up at the group, "do we really look that much like a couple?" They all nodded, "Don't worry about it, you shouldn't let anyone's opinion affect your relationship," Sunset said. The conversation went on for several minutes, the others making comments about how Rainbow and Fluttershy made an adorable couple, and the aforementioned girls insisting they were just friends. Once both girls finished their lunch they walked out of the cafeteria, close together. Their friends watched with knowing expressions. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash sat in their dorm, getting ready for their next class, neither seemed too keen on discussing the conversation that had just occurred. They both had music class and then English 101. They walked to class together and went through the whole 'first day of class' procedures. After English, which was their last class of the day, both girls had to get to work. They decided to walk together since they worked across the street from each other. Fluttershy walked into the small flower shop and instantly felt at home. Being there reminded her of her mother and all the times she helped her in the garden. She put on her work apron, and began repotting the plants that had outgrown their pots. After she finished she started on an arrangement someone had ordered for a wedding, they wanted a blue and purple theme. Once her shift was over, Shy cleaned up and walked to the café to meet with Dash. She walked in and saw her rainbow haired friend working the register. "Hey, 'Shy" she greeted her, what can I get you?" "Just a green tea, please." "Sure thing," Dash went to start making Fluttershy's drink, when she spoke up again. "Wait, how much is it?" She asked, pulling out her wallet. "Don't worry 'bout it, I got it covered" Rainbow Dash smiled. "I can't let you do that, Dashie, I can pay for myself." "Seriously, 'Shy, I got it." Dash insisted. "Besides, you have all those animals you take care of. You'll need your money to take care of them and yourself." Fluttershy sighed, "I guess your right," Rainbow smiled and went back to making Fluttershy's tea. Fluttershy drank her tea and conversed with Rainbow as she worked. The café was closing soon so she was know wiping down tables. Once Rainbow Dash finished her shift, they walked back to their dorm together. The girls changed into pajamas and layed in Rainbow's bed, watching cartoons from her laptop. As much as she wanted too, Fluttershy couldn't focus on the cartoon. Her mind kept wandering back to the conversation at lunch. It made her completely rethink her feelings towards her closest friend. Were they truly more than friends and they just hadn't realized yet? Did it even work that way? Did she love Rainbow Dash. No, of course not. They're just friends. That's it. Two, very close, friends. The taller girl shifted slightly and Fluttershy looked at the almost nonexistent space between them, as if she were just realizing how physically close they also were. Were they always this close? Even in public? It had always come so naturally to her, she never thought twice about it. But now that the idea of them looking like a couple came up, she couldn't stop thinking about it. She felt a hand on her own and looked down as she realized she had been stroking Angels fur rather aggressively. Fluttershy looked up to Rainbow, who seemed to notice her getting lost in thought. "You alright, Flutters?" Fluttershy simply nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine, just thinking about something." "Wanna talk about it?" Fluttershy hesitated for a moment, before nodding. "It's just... What our friends said at lunch. Do you really think people see us like that? N-not that there's anything wrong with it, but still." Rainbow shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know 'Shy, it's not like we're acting any different than before, why would anyone suddenly start viewing our friendship differently? Besides, we're just doing normal friend stuff, it's not like weren't kissing or anything." She paused, seeming to contemplate her next words. "Although, I wouldn't mind the idea of dating you, and I know that whoever you end up with is gonna be one lucky person." Fluttershy smiled, "Same to you Dashie, you're gonna make an amazing girlfriend someday." The girls cuddled closer together and continued the cartoon, which Rainbow had paused when she started talking. Rainbow woke up with Fluttershy cuddled up against her. She saw her laptop on her floor, still open, and realized that they must've fallen asleep while watching cartoons. Dash carefully got out of bed, not wanting to wake up the small girl, and got dressed for her morning run. She fed Angel and left some bird seed on the windowsill so Fluttershy wouldn't get woken up, and she could rest a bit longer. Angel rarely ate food given to him by Rainbow Dash, but he did this time, knowing it was for Fluttershy's benefit. Dash put her laptop away and pulled the covers over Fluttershy, then left for her run. Her morning runs were one of Rainbow's favorite parts of her day, they helped wake her up, and gave her plenty of time to think and clear her head. She was thinking about what Fluttershy said, about how she would make an amazing girlfriend. She couldn't help but wonder who she might end up with. As much as she disliked all that mushy romance talk, she still liked to think about her future girlfriend. She began to think about who her type was. She came to the conclusion that she'd wanna date a girl who was soft and sweet, who would love her no matter what and would wanna be there for her as much as Rainbow would wanna be there for whoever 'she' was. And above all, she wanted her future girlfriend to be kind not just to her, but to everyone. She wanted a girl who could see the good in everyone. "Uuugh," Rainbow groaned, "I'm never gonna find anyone that perfect." Having gone a bit farther than usual, the athlete decided to turn around and head back to her dorm. When Fluttershy woke up, she was a bit startled to see that Rainbow wasn't there, then remembered that she had her morning runs. She went to feed Angel but paused when she saw him nibbling on a large carrot and saw four more in his bowl, Fluttershy wasn't sure if Rainbow had given Angel too many or if Angel had finally found out how to get food from the fridge himself. Knowing the two, neither option would surprise her. Fluttershy reached down to grab the extra carrots, but Angel glared at her and tried hitting her hand, although it wasn't very effective. "Sorry Angel Bunny, but you can't have that many. You don't wanna get a tummy ache, do you?" Angel grumbled, then after thinking for a moment, he broke one the the extra carrots in half, keeping it for himself, then let 'Shy take the rest. Fluttershy got dressed and gathered her stuff for class, she still had a few hours until the first one started so she decides to read for a bit. Rainbow Dash came back not longer after, and once it was time, the girls went to class. Classes got done and the girls went back to their dorm, neither had work so they spent the evening in their dorm together. It was a peaceful evening, the girls did what little homework they had left. Rainbow ran out to get them a pizza for dinner and they spent the night relaxing, content just to be in each other's company.