//------------------------------// // The Answer to the Question // Story: Why Did I Marry Her? // by Diablomuerte2 //------------------------------// The Answer to the Question Rainbow Danger Dash, a pony usually full of herself, was always up for adventure and fun. She had always been that way since she was a filly. She had dreams and aspirations that seemed pointless as she got older. She was still a fan of the Wonderbolts but the desire to join them was not there anymore. She had realized that the dream was fruitless when she got accepted. The day she was accepted, her usual chant of "Oh my gosh!" wasn't in her. She had tried so hard to get into the Wonderbolts and yet, when the opportunity came, she just didn't care anymore. She had explained to the group it was a 'been there done that ' scenario. She had already achieved success by being a hero and by being the best weather manager in all Equestria. The fame and fortune could go to some-pony else who needed it. She had been content, which frightened her. One day she was soul searching and decided it would be best to leave Ponyville. She wanted to find something new to strive for. She told her plans to only one pony. That pony was her best friend since filly-hood. They grew up with a bond that has kept them going as friends forever. Still, even with that one friend knowing, it was too many friends knowing. Fluttershy was determined not to let Rainbow Dash fly off to 'where the wind takes her.’ She had no idea why she strongly felt that Rainbow Dash should stay until the night before her friend was due to leave. ____________________________________________________________ When night descended unto the land of Equestria, Fluttershy made her move. She went to Rainbow Dash's house and decided she was going to convince her to stay. She finally figured out why she was so adamant about it. She just knew that she had to convince Rainbow Dash to stay or forever be without her. It would be awful for Fluttershy if that was to happen. Rainbow Dash had been expecting Fluttershy, she knew that mare would want to talk before she could make her journey. She was always cared for by the other mare while she had been protecting her. Their friendship was of mutual care and love. Rainbow Dash had always been the protector of the two, Fluttershy was the caring one in the relationship. She would nurture Rainbow Dash and keep her at ease. When they weren't together they usually, in secret, thought of one another. It was because of their bond that they had been able to help each other through the years. Fluttershy; growing in courage and strength as Rainbow Dash calmed herself and learned to relax. It was their ebb and flow, their give and take. When Rainbow Dash opened the door, the meek pegasus came in. She had this face of determination and she wasn't going to let her friend leave just like that. Rainbow Dash knew she wanted to say something so she invited her in, "You know you are always welcome inside my home Shy." Her soft tone was reserved for the only friend who had seen her cry. Crying isn't something Rainbow Dash does. She usually hates emotions as emotional situations bum her out. Fluttershy had smiled brightly as she entered the cloud home. She was surprised that Rainbow Dash kept the place tidy because she was always going off and doing things, and yet the house was clean. She walked until she found a couch and sat on it. She invitingly gestured for her friend to join her. Rainbow Dash knew that signal from when they used to be intimately close as fillies. Their friendship was unique in comparison to her friendships with the other mares of their group. She had never been as close to any mare like she was with Fluttershy. "Alright Shy, I can tell this will be a long conversation, so I’ll indulge you, but... just remember... don't tell anyone we snuggle... it would ruin my rep." She tried remaining cool in a situation that wasn't. Well I mean it's Fluttershy, she doesn't run on cool like I do. I still wouldn't trade her friendship for anything in the world. Fluttershy beamed when her friend snuggled close to her on the couch. It was rare moments like these that helped Fluttershy be strong and say what she needed to say. "Rainbow..." She started softly before her courage kicked in and she held her ground. "I don't want you to leave... because I want you to stay ... not just in Ponyville... but with me." She said while hiding her face away from her friend's gaze. Her courage dropped like a stack of dimes, and her fear rose. She was shaking now, her cards were on the table and she didn't know if the dealer was playing fair. Rainbow Dash moved the bangs out of her friend's eyes and kissed her gently on the forehead, "Shy, you are really cute, and I never call any-pony or anything cute." She wasn't sure where she was going with this because she wasn't into romance or feelings. She started noticing her friend was about to cry, she wasn't sure if her words were coming off as rejection, but she needed to quickly convey how she felt before things became sour. "Look Shy... I am not good with words... so I will say it in my way. I know you think you like me, but come on Shy, you are way too good for me. I mean, not only do you look... cool, you are also the epi-... the umm, ultimate in kindness?" She tried remembering that fancy word she read in that Daring Do book, but it never came to her. "Anyways, I just... am scared to be with someone as amazing as you... you are cool Shy, and you don't even know it." She finished while rubbing the back of her neck with her hoof. "Is that all? Please tell me that is the only reason you don't want to be with me." She said with tears trickling down her face. "Because if it is... I can tell you how silly you are." "But-" Rainbow Dash tried to counter but was silenced by a hoof. "No Dashie... it's my turn to speak, I want you to know something. I am not too awesome for you, I am your friend who wouldn't even be here if it weren't for your amazing dedication to being loyal. You’re always there for me and for all of us. I know you don't think you are amazing because of the whole Wonderbolts stuff, but trust me when I say this; I never met a more awesome mare in my entire life." She had wiped her own tears away and finished her speech with a bright smile. Rainbow Dash had never been told something like that. It was heartwarming and it made her heart pound a bit loudly. She was about to burst with joy and decided to do the one thing her heart was telling her to do. She kissed her friend, not with wild abandonment but with a kiss that made two souls spark and two hearts glow. ____________________________________________________________ A year had passed since the sun set on that day. Rainbow Dash never left to go on that journey, she had found what she was looking for in her own home. That night sparked a fire that never stopped burning. Rainbow Dash had been with Fluttershy through all the confusion, sadness, happiness, and all the other emotional moments of their relationship. The couple had survived scrutiny, doubts, and jealousy. They became engaged at the three month mark. It was sudden, but to them it felt right. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy exchanged feathers that evening and even had a flight together under the moonlit night. They were two souls that had bonded and slowly became one. The fire of their relationship never dwindled or burned out. Their wedding was a glorious one. Rainbow Dash had saved up all her paychecks and did some odd jobs to make sure the wedding would be something memorable. She didn't spare any expense, she was able to afford such a wedding thanks to her lack of spending, and her extra gig as a delivery mare. She had been able to successfully deliver packages and knick knacks with her amazing speed. Also, she had helped the cakes deliver goods from time to time, and even helped deliver apples for Applejack. Each bit helped, and she had been excited for something that usually she wouldn't find awesome. On the day of the wedding, all was right. The sky was beautiful, the guests were all on time, the animals were behaving accordingly, and the bride was very elegant. Rarity had spent an entire week making a dress for Fluttershy that was just right. Rainbow Dash decided a dress wouldn't do. She wanted a suit, since she didn't feel like wearing girly clothing, and it was her wedding so dress codes be darned. The ceremony went by fine and the reception was grand. It seemed all was going well, especially during their wedding night and honeymoon. They had fun traveling to Las Pegasus and living it up. Then reality caught up to them, they had already moved in together, but now they were legally married. They had taken the ultimate step and now it was up to them to keep the relationship going past the point of no return. After getting married recently, Rainbow Dash had a burning question in her mind. Why did she marry Fluttershy? She often thought about it, and usually no answers would come. She remembered the night that started it all but didn't remember why it was so pivotal or why it kept her near. Rainbow Dash had never felt love before she was with her wife. Still, in her brain, she had kept thinking about what would have happened if she went off alone and decided to leave that night? Those thoughts were bad for every-pony, so she ignored them and went to bed. Since Rainbow Dash had her day off tomorrow, she was finally going to enjoy one day just for herself. ____________________________________________________________ Rainbow Dash, not having to be up early, had slept in until the sun was high in the sky. She was happy to have some extra sleep. She had two jobs that she kept since her pre-wedding multi-job fiasco. It was worth it in her opinion just to be with the mare sle... "Shy?" She awoke to an empty bed and was suddenly not so happy. She was about to get up and start being angry until a scent hit her nose, it wasn't just any scent, it was the smell of breakfast. Rainbow Dash knew why Shy wasn't in bed with her now. That sneaky mare was going to use breakfast to trap Rainbow Dash into some boring day of doing stuff with her. I knew this was going to happen, my one day off and she wants me all to herself. Why did I marry her again? Rainbow Dash had no choice but to grin and bear it, ‘till death do they part’ and Rainbow Dash was loyalty. She couldn't break a marriage over her having one day of her own being taken by her insidious wife. She rushed downstairs as hunger had set in, she wasn't going to let her potentially ruined day stop her from eating a delicious meal. ____________________________________________________________ Fluttershy finished making a nutritious breakfast for her wife, it was her way of helping the morning routine as Rainbow Dash had always missed breakfast if she was in a hurry. "Hey there love, I made you some breakfast to get your day going." Her voice was soft and gentle, it was almost as if she wasn't planning on trapping her wife. Rainbow Dash kissed her wife softly on the lips. "I missed you in bed babe. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the meal and all, I just wish we could have stayed in bed a bit more before we headed off to do our own things." Her voice was softer than usual, trying to use her own sneaky method of being free for her one day off. She wanted to hang out with friends or something other than what Fluttershy would most likely have planned. "Oh do you have plans? I was kind of hoping... we could do stuff today..." The canary mare was lowering her head and hiding behind her bangs. She was hoping to spend time with her wife. She had so many things to do; from buying new furniture to grocery shopping and she didn't feel like going alone. "Shy..." She had to think of her words, her wife was very emotional and making her cry was too easy. She hated seeing her wife cry. Rainbow Dash's love for the mare kept her from being a jerk most of the times. She was still the same old Dash, but she had matured and wasn't into being 'awesome' all the time. "Don't worry, we can spend the day together." She had gave in, it wasn't unusual for things to go this way, it was just part of their relationship. ____________________________________________________________ Breakfast was lively, they both ate the oatmeal with cinnamon and a side of buttered toast. Fluttershy had told Rainbow Dash about her planned day and how excited she was to have the love of her life there with her. The canary mare was oblivious to her wife's plight and emotional disturbance. She was enjoying the moment and her wife had a mean poker-face. Rainbow Dash finished her meal and offered to do dishes, she had figured if her wife was cooking then she could at least do the cleaning. "I got the dishes Shy, why don't you start getting ready and we will head out." She felt a small kiss on her cheek and smiled with a goofy face. "Thank you Dashie, I shall get myself ready and wait... " She stopped in her tracks and smiled. "I don't want to shower all by my lonesome, you think you can wash the dishes fast enough to join me?" She heard the dishes being cleaned faster and sauntered off with a giggle. ____________________________________________________________ Rainbow Dash had been groomed and her mane styled by her fussy wife. "Shy... I can't go out like this... ponies will talk." She wasn't in the mood for being whispered about. She had always tried keeping her cool factor even when doing sappy things. It was just harder now that she had been married and professed her love on occasion in public. "Oh Dashie, just calm down will you." Fluttershy finished brushing her wife's tail and looked her over. "Just great, now we can go to town and get stuff done." She had this beaming smile that was hard for anyone to get upset at. Rainbow Dash had a little smile on her face from the infectious mood of her wife. "I guess I do look really good now. Anyways, let's go, we have a whole day ahead of us and I kinda was hoping we could zoom through the list." "Oh... okay, and when we are done we can have some dinner... and invite our friends over... I mean if you want." Fluttershy pawed at the ground, waiting for a response. "Sure we can invite friends for dinner, Just not Discord... not after the last time he came over..." She wasn't too happy about Discord's antics at social gatherings. He may have been reformed, but he was still a chaotic entity. ____________________________________________________________ Off to town were two colorful pegasi, one with a cuteness factor of over 9000, the other with an awesome factor that even dwarfed infinity. The whole town had mostly accepted their relationship, some neigh-sayers and oldies were not too fond but they couldn't do anything about it. One misguided fool attempted to vocalize his angry opinion about their relationship, it didn't turn out well for him, so no one else tried again. The only issue was now ponies were afraid to rip off Fluttershy at the market stalls or even accidentally hurt her. Rainbow Dash was super protective of her wife and let the whole town know it on occasions when some pony stepped out of line. Usually the confrontations wouldn't end up violent as the canary mare would calm her wife and remove her from the situation before any-pony got hurt. Their first stop was a place called Quills and Sofas. They had to purchase a new couch for their living room since Angel Bunny was still keen on keeping his own. Rainbow Dash wasn't into being bossed around by a bunny and almost sent it flying one day. It wasn't that she was angry, it just was the principle of it all. ____________________________________________________________ Inside the store Rainbow Dash was relaxing as the store owner was giving Fluttershy a tour of the area and showing off the gamut of couches and other furniture; ranging from the shoddy to luxurious. The owner never knew just what his customers would be looking for in a town full of random ponies. He had quills and sofas mostly, but also had other furniture in stock. He kept the name because it was owned prior by his father who entrusted the store to him. Fluttershy was looking around at the fine selections while glad her wife was within earshot so she could ask her for opinions or thoughts. "So Dashie, anything you like?" She was sure the question would be answered and had a smirk on her face when it was. "Yeah I actually think I want to get that one over there." She pointed to one that looked as comfortable as a cloud but had a price tag that wasn't too comfy. "Oh darn, it's expensive." Rainbow Dash knew she could afford it, but knew her wife wouldn’t enjoy mindless spending. Fluttershy had been keeping an eye on the 'books'. She was the one dealing with finances since it sounded like a load off Rainbow Dash's mind. Oh, boy was I wrong, now I can't spend my bits as freely... she did tell me she wanted us to save up money for something important, and has yet to tell me what that thing is. "Hmm' well," she thought about it for a second, "if you really like it, I think we can splurge on it." Fluttershy's willingness to make her wife happy was what kept their relationship strong. No matter how strict Fluttershy was with her wife, she was eager to see a happy face thrown her way. "Sweet!" Rainbow Dash jumped for joy. She looked around, realizing where she was, and blushed in embarrassment. ____________________________________________________________ Fluttershy was overjoyed; she had knocked one thing off her list and was able to make her wife happy. I knew making her come with me would be good, she needs to see that we don't just have to do romantic stuff to have fun. Doing things as a family will be important, I love her as a wife but I need her to be ready for a family... I think tonight I will tell her about my plan. Fluttershy had been keeping a tight lid on the reason she was cautious about overspending. She knew they had plenty of bits with Rainbow Dash's new promotion and her two jobs paying well. She didn't want her wife getting into the habit of spending the bits rampantly, since when their family started growing, the bits would be needed. They both made their way to the market stalls, it was an hour before lunch and they had to get many things. Fluttershy had many animals to feed and a hungry mare with a high metabolism and an appetite to match it. She rarely ate beyond what was needed to maintain her form, so she wasn't too worried about lack of food, but her bunny and her wife were both machines of mastication. Fluttershy wasn't angry with their big appetites, but it did make her need to get groceries often a necessity. They made their way to a stall for cherries where that same jerky stallion from before was working. Fluttershy was scared she would be ripped off again. The stall owner was going to try and jack up the price of cherries but noticed the cyan mare next to the usually timid customer of his. He knew the timid mare alone would be easy pickings for extra bits, but the other mare wasn't one to mess with. "Hello, how many cherries will you be buying, I have plenty in stock this time." His voice was still gruff but his tone was not as sour. Fluttershy was happy he was being nice, she mentally made a note to bring her wife more often during shopping trips. "I want six cherries please." She was expecting an overcharged price but got something very different instead. "That will be six bits." He said while noticing the cyan mare, whom he feared aggravating, had a bored look on her face. Rainbow Dash was bored with mundane tasks and it was the second task of the day. She hated shopping and was not a fan of waiting. She usually had two speeds, fast and faster. She was hoping the rest of the day would sail by so she could have some moment of freedom to herself. Wait, why do I want to be alone? I have been alone for so long, and since when do I find Fluttershy's company a bad thing. I can't think like this... though I still wonder... Why did I marry her? What is it that made me go through with this? ____________________________________________________________ They shared a quiet lunch, Rainbow Dash was quiet due to her thoughts, Fluttershy because she didn't want to disturb her partner's thinking. She was still wondering why the silence was bothering her though. "Rainbow Dash?" She asked, using her name instead of a pet one to make sure she knew it was serious. "Yeah Shy?" She snapped from her thoughts and answered sheepishly. "I noticed you have been silent, is this day really so terrible for you?" The question might as well have been a trap and the oblivious mare almost triggered it. "No my love, it's not that bad. If I am going to be honest, I got a new couch to roll on lazily, so it’s kind of a good day," She quipped. "I am just thinking about stuff, no need to worry about it," She said with a wave of her hoof. "Oh... good, for a minute I thought you hated spending time with me." She munched on her sandwich and had a soft smile. "Never Shy! It’s just, sometimes I like having a moment to myself is all. Hey love, mind if I take a quick trip to the sky before we go on to our next errand?" She asked after finishing her meal and leaving her bits on the table. "Sure, just don't go too far ... I still need my awesome wife to accompany me." Her use of the word awesome was nothing more than a means to please her wife. Awesome didn't matter to Fluttershy, it never was a quality she needed in a mate. She just needed someone who could be reliable, loyal, and loving. Rainbow Dash was all of that and more. Fluttershy knew she had hit the jackpot and thanked Celestia each day that she was blessed with her wife's presence. "Don't worry, I will be done in 10 minutes flat, just let me know where to meet up at." Her excitement almost hurt her wife, but the next move made was sure not to let things go sour. She kissed her wife on the lips and nuzzled her in public, that action left a blushing, happy wife and a ten minute reprieve for the taking. She flew off into the air to collect her thoughts and soared over the town she chose to stay in instead of leaving when she had the chance. ____________________________________________________________ Alone in the air to gather her thoughts, Rainbow Dash was able to openly think with no one to stop her from diving into her mental depths. She was in the sky and it was her domain, nothing could touch the sky like she could. Her wings graced the winds and her body massaged the atmosphere. She was one with the deep blue endless abyss and flying was like breathing, it was vital to her. She had a need to fly and that is what bothered her most about being 'tied down'. "I love her, that I get... but why did I marry her? It has something to do with that night. I was destined to leave and find something else I could desire. I thought the Wonderbolts would be my ticket to glory... then I got accepted. I turned them down as soon as I did, I can't believe I did that, Spitfire wasn't too pleased." She sighed, her thoughts openly spoken sounded like she was being imprisoned. Maybe I am a prisoner to my own wife... but if I really felt this way, why am I still going back to her and not just bursting out of here? "Something is keeping me around my lovely wife... I know I married her for a reason... if only my brain was as advanced as Twilight's, I would have figured it out already. Maybe I am aware of why... and just can't see it over my confusion." She kept flying into the sky, hugging it with her might, the winds patted her wings and she was finally breathing. "Wait a minute... I get it... I know now... I remember why I married her." She was elated with joy as she remembered it all. ____________________________________________________________ Fluttershy was looking at her list, she had planned for a couple of things and now was wondering if she had made a mistake with trying to bring their relationship to that next level. Rainbow Dash was maturing, but Fluttershy needed a foal soon, her maternal clock was buzzing like crazy. She wanted Rainbow Dash to be ready for a foal, but she wasn't going to force it. When Rainbow Dash is ready, we shall start our family. I can wait, after all, I waited all these years for her to be with me, what's a few more years to start a family? Fluttershy looked around, and, sure enough, she noticed a speeding rainbow trail heading her way with great haste. When it landed, the form of her wife appeared and in her wife's mouth was a single carnation. Rainbow Dash laid the flower in front of her wife and said with the most honest tone ever, "Fluttershy, I was thinking while I was in the sky, I thought to myself about why I married you..." She quickly nuzzled her wife before continuing. "I thought that maybe it was because I love you, but that isn't a good enough answer. Ponies love each other all the time and if people got married only based on love then this world would be full of married ponies. Love isn't the key factor, it's the underlying base of why I married you. You see, while I was remembering that day and wondering what would have happened if I chose to leave, I was thinking about where I could be and where I could go. At first, the thought of traveling sounded thrilling..." Her enthusiasm spiked until she continued. "Then I realized... that no matter where I was or where I would be, the thought of being without you anywhere... was depressing. I don't just love you Fluttershy, I can't see myself without you. That is why I married you, because without you I am empty and with you I am complete. You complete me Fluttershy, I married you because you complete me." She hadn't realized the crowd of ponies that had gathered around them. It was like a scene out of a movie, some ponies were so touched they began shedding tears. The ponies all waited to hear what the other mare would do, or say, it was keeping them on the edge of their non existent seats. Fluttershy was stunned, she hadn't expected anything like this. She thought the day was going to end badly based on her wife's initial grumpiness. She was surely surprised by the carnation and the heart melting speech. She shed tears of joy and kissed her wife deeply. Rainbow Dash blushed but quickly melted into the kiss. Their lips meeting caused a surge of joy and sparked a fire that would be dealt with later. Right now Rainbow Dash was going to be surprised. While the crowd stamped their hooves on the ground and cheered. Meanwhile she had her wife whispering something into her ear. "I am so glad you said that my love, I have something I want to tell you... I want us to take the next step in life and have a foal together." Her soft words ushered out the crowd's noises in the mind of her wife. Those words pierced deeply into the brain and she saw her wife's face light up. "Oh...My ...GOSH!" Rainbow Dash rocketed into the air ascending high enough before she made a Sonic Rainboom. This allowed the whole town to see her joy spread across the world, in the form of her radiant explosion of light and color. Fluttershy smiled as she gazed upon the brilliance of the Sonic Rainboom. She thought to herself with a bright smile on her face; This is why I married her!