//------------------------------// // Chapter 25 - "Danger Zone" // Story: My Little Caboose II: Friendship is Fragmented! // by DarkWing //------------------------------// "So," Rainbow Dash said simply after a few minutes, resting her hooves behind her head in the booth. She watched Fluttershy smile at the large group a few yards away from them, unphased by the large amount of ponies. "Are you having fun?" "Oh, yes," Fluttershy nodded clumsily, smiling at her friend. "Heh, how are you feeling?" Rainbow Dash asked, smirking at Fluttershy. "I'm fine," she said, then squinted slightly. "I feel a little tired, but that's it." "You know, I really am glad you came to hang out with us," Rainbow Dash sighed contently. "And I'm even more glad that Tucker goes to get the drinks." "I thought you guys liked each other," Fluttershy said, confused. "I like him just fine, but it's just been so long since it's been just us girls. I think the last time the guys were actually away from us was at Shining Armor's wedding," Rainbow Dash said thoughtfully, then rubbed her chin. "Well, besides when Discord put them in that maze, but there was hardly any time to talk to each other then. There's just some things I feel like I can't tell Tucker, y'know?" "I guess so," Fluttershy nodded, thinking of Grif. "You know you're no good at hiding secrets from me, right?" Rainbow Dash inquired. "We've known each other basically our entire lives. I can tell when something is on your mind." "I don't-" Fluttershy started, then let out a heavy breath. She knew she really couldn't hide anything from her oldest friend. "Can you keep a secret?" "Hey, I'm the Element of Loyalty," Rainbow Dash snorted. "Of course I can keep a secret." "It isn't funny," Fluttershy scowled. "I really need you to promise that you won't tell anypony." "Sure, yeah, sorry," Rainbow Dash said, leaning closer to her friend, motioning her hoof of her body. "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye. Now come on, tell me what's up." "I'm... not sure if I can tell you," Fluttershy murmured, backing away. "Come on, you made me Pinkie promise. I won't tell a soul, so your secret is safe with me." "Okay. Here goes," she muffled, cheeks burning a soft crimson. Clearing her throat, she made direct eye contact with Rainbow Dash and gave her a serious look. "I think... I think I like Grif." "Yeah, you're definitely drunk," Rainbow Dash said, grabbing the empty glass in front of Fluttershy. "I'm fine," she said softly. "I liked him before we came here." "Oh," Rainbow Dash said curiously, not really sure what to say to her friend. "How long have you liked him? Since he saved Angel that one time?" "Yes," she nodded, embarrassed. "Everypony he came here with says he won't do anything and only thinks of himself. I guess he does kind of sleep more than a regular stallion, but he's just as happy to help me when I need to do something. He's nicer than Sarge, Church or any of the others give him credit for." "Well... did you tell him that you like him?" "No, I thought it was obvious," Fluttershy said honestly, looking down at the table. "I mean, I'm really nice to him, I don't argue with him when most ponies would, and whenever he looks at me I can't make eye contact without looking away a second later." "Fluttershy, you're that way with everypony," Rainbow Dash groaned, rubbing her face. "Oh," she mumbled. "Don't worry, guys don't pick up on that stuff as easily as they should. And Grif isn't the brightest one in the..." Rainbow Dash stopped, thinking deeply. "Actually, he kinda seems smarter than most of the others, besides maybe Simmons, Church and Delta. Still, my point is that guys aren't good with all that feelings stuff. Remember your assertiveness training?" "This is different..." "Not really. You gotta be blunt about it," Rainbow Dash chuckled, but saw her friend deflate. "Want me to talk to him about it?" "No!" Fluttershy yelped, then covered her mouth and looked around. Once she realized nobody else in the club was paying her any attention, she looked at Rainbow Dash and frowned. "You can't say anything to him." "It's not good to keep emotions bottled up, Flutters," Rainbow Dash muttered. "I know. I'll tell him when I know..." "That he likes you the same way?" Rainbow Dash asked, giving her friend a supportive smile when she nodded. "I don't like to talk about this mushy stuff, but you're my friend, so I want to help you outta your jam. You really do have to follow your heart on this one." "But I don't know what it's saying," she pouted. "Look at it this way, then. It's either you tell him and risk whatever it is you have going on for you now, or you don't tell him and live a life never knowing how he feels," Rainbow Dash stated as if it was an easy decision. She then sat straight up when she saw the pair making their way back to the table, then nudged Fluttershy lightly and winked at her. "This might not be the best place for it, but I think the alcohol in your system might help you out a little on this one if you decide to ask." "What are you guys talking about?" Tucker asked with a tight-lipped smile. "Just mare stuff. You wouldn't understand," Rainbow Dash said. "Please, I understand the female body way more than you ever will," he chuckled, placing the tray on the table while Grif plopped down in his spot with another plate full of fries. "Hell, I've basically memorized every curve on the outside of your body. I'm just waiting on the moment I get to memorize the inside as well. Bow-chicka-bow-wow." "Charming as always..." "And you said I would be annoying to live with," Grif chuckled, adjusting himself in the seat. "So, um, Grif?" Fluttershy asked, biting her lip. Shaking her head, she grabbed the drink that was for her off of the tray and stared into it, finding it easier to talk to the liquid than to talk directly to Grif. "Can I ask you something?" "Sure, what is it?" Grif asked. "I just wanted to know if... you... well..." she said, glancing at him. Then down to his plate. "I wanted to know if you wanted... ketchup... for your fries?" "Good idea!" Grif smiled, giving her a friendly punch in the side as Rainbow Dash facehooved. "Be back soon!" Fluttershy sighed deeply again, placing her chin on the table dejectedly as Grif zipped back to the bar. Feeling as if she'd never have the courage to tell him, she began to wonder if living with Grif simply as friends would be bad. They had been doing fine thus-far, and she saw no reason to risk ruining that now. "Well, well, well. If it isn't Clutzershy," a voice said, making Fluttershy freeze in her seat, making her feel a whole lot worse off than she already was. Recognizing the voice, Tucker and Rainbow Dash turned to see a trio of stallion approaching them, each one with a Cutie Mark relating to a sport, each one with a smirk, and each one familiar to the trio at the table. Tucker, however, had not known them for as long as the girls, but he knew that there was history between them. "Didn't think I'd ever see you in this place, let alone not hiding away in Grounderville," Hoops whooped. "Leave her alone, Hoops," Tucker sighed. "Why? Just poking a little fun," he muttered, smirking at the timid pegasus. "Ain't that right, Clutzershy? Oh wait, I forgot that you're the weakest Pegasus in all of Cloudsdale. You wouldn't know how to have fun." "Why don't you guys just go away?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Why don't you make us? Oh, wait, if you tried, you'd probably just crash into the ground on your way over," he snorted, motioning towards Fluttershy. "You're almost as pathetic as she is. But at least you aren't scared to show your face around here, unlike that embarrassment." "Guys, stop. You know I'd kick your asses if I wasn't buzzed right now," Tucker grunted. "See? If Tucker isn't going to make us leave, then who will? Clutzershy?" Score laughed harshly, reaching for one of the fries on the table. Before he could grab one, he quickly found himself flying towards the crowd, a trail of blood arcing out of his nose after being struck on the side of the face. "No," Grif glowered, placing a bottle of ketchup next to the plate of fries. "I will."