Unending Slumber

by tyion


Chapter 4

The next morning Dash woke up due to a sweet scent that filled her nose. “Sweet Celestia this smells good!” Dash murmured dozily as she made her way to the source of the smell.
She ended up in the kitchen (who would have guessed) where she looked at the pegasus with a blank expression.

“Did you cook this?” Dash asked as she inspected the food on the table.

“Uhm, yes, but you only had milk and cereals so I just made you some cloud pancakes” Fluttershy explained.

“Just? Mare, please. The only thing I ate for the last months were cereals” Dash explained as she sat down. Just before she started to devour the tasty treat in front of her, she realized that the other pegasus gave her a look of inquiry.

“Yea, I’m not much of a cook” Dash stated with a nervous laugh. “However, time to eat!” Dash called out in anticipation of the “feast” in front of her.

As she threw the first slice of a pancake in her mouth she was completely blown away by its amazing taste.

“Aren’t you eating ehm…, what’s your name by the way?” Dash asked.

“Uhm, my name is Fluttershy” she replied sheepishly.

“Fluttershy was it?” Dash asked, she just barely heard what the yellow pegasus said.

Fluttershy simply nodded.

“I’m Rainbow Dash, so, aren’t you eating, too?”
        
“I’m not that hungry.”

“Pegasusfeathers! They are delicious, now sit down and eat some.” Dash commanded.

Fluttershy did as she was told to and took one of the pancakes.

As they both were silently munching, Dash spoke up again “Where did you learn to cook this good anyway?”

Fluttershy hesitated for a brief moment “Well, my parents weren’t at home most of the time so I had to learn how to take care of myself really early” Shy explained.

“Oh,” Dash simply commented.
        
The next couple of days went pretty much the same, but Fluttershy felt a rising unease with every passing day, she felt like she was too big of a burden for the pegasus who took her generously in.

It was the night of the sixth day when Fluttershy decided to leave. She was silently approaching the door, being very careful not to wake Dash up. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and took a few steps inside.

“Where are you going?” a rough voice suddenly called.

“Uhm… I don’t want to impose anymore, so I am leaving…” Shy explained.

Dash let out a long sigh “Close the door and come in, it’s getting cold” she responded.

Fluttershy gave her a look of confusion.

“Listen, this is as much your home now as it is mine, so close that door and go back to sleep.” Dash explained.

Fluttershy couldn’t understand the cyan pegasus “But why? I am just some stranger, why are you so kind to me?”

Dash couldn’t think of an answer, after all, she didn’t even know why she was so nice to her. “Look, I don’t know why but I just can’t let you go now. You have nowhere to go and simply the thought of you freezing outside makes my stomach twist, so just come in now, jeez”

Fluttershy realized a warm feeling around her stomach; it was a feeling she couldn’t quite explain she felt happiness and like she was welcome, like somepony cared for her. This pegasus saved her from the coldness of the world outside, just because she is so kind to her.  

She slowly made her way to the couch Dash was laying on.

“What is it?” Dash asked.

“Thank you,” Shy said, being on the verge of tears.

“No problem, you’re always welcome, but that doesn’t mean you need to cry now” Dash replied with a grin.

Fluttershy nodded and wished Dash a good night before going back to her (well, Dash’s) bed.
She laid down and for the first time in a long while she did not need to think about what to do next, she had a home now, one in which she was welcome even though she got kicked out from flight school.

After a while the door in her room opened just a crack, revealing Dash who was dozily standing there with a pillow in her hooves.

“Hey Shy, I was thinking, now that you’re gonna stay here I was just, well you know, thinking that I could sleep on a bed too? I mean, the bed of my parents is more than big enough for two ponies. Or would that be awkward for you?” Dash asked with a nervous smile.

Shy didn’t respond but simply moved away in order to make room for Dash.

“I knew you were cool” Dash said with a grin as she jumped on the bed.

The following minutes were the most awkward in Dash’s life; neither of them moved a single inch.

I should’ve just slept on the couch Dash thought.

“Dash you’re still up?” Shy asked.

“Yea”

“I was just wondering, uhm... where your parents are anyway?”

“I wish I knew, they just kind of disappeared. One day I came back from flight training and they were just gone. Can’t say I didn’t see it coming though, they made it quite obvious that they don’t want me.”

“I’m sorry to hear that” Shy commented.

“It’s fine I guess that’s probably a reason why I didn’t want you to leave. Since that incident I just don’t want to lose anyone, I know how painful disloyalty can be.” Dash explained, unsteadiness filling her voice.

All of the sudden Fluttershy turned around towards Dash and wrapped her hooves around the cyan pegasus.

Dash was surprised by this motion but didn’t do anything to prevent it.

“Night, Dashie” Fluttershy murmured.

All the awkwardness was suddenly gone. “Dashie, really?” I hope that nickname isn’t going to stick, Shy” she giggled.

“Can’t promise that” Fluttershy chuckled
.
After this event the two of them were pretty much inseparable, except for the two days after the race where Fluttershy fell off a cloud, but luckily Dash decided the leave flight school shortly after and moved to Ponyville as well.

At first she saw Dash like the bigger sister she always wanted. Then Twilight moved to Ponyville and since that day the bonds of their friendship thickened with every passing day. They went through so much as six friends, but Fluttershy always felt a different kind of connection towards Dash. And just when she realized that these feelings were… love fate decided to take Dash away from her. It just didn’t seem fair. She would never know if these feelings are mutual.

A smile formed on Fluttershy’s tear covered face as she considered that Dash may have held the same feelings for her.