Past Hearts

by MusaMae Harmona


The Beginning

Rarity studied her new dress design making sure every detail fit in just right. It simply had to be perfect. It was the most important dress in her career. Not everyone gets to work for the Princess of the Night.
“The veil simply won’t do, it would cover her crown. And the color is a tad too dark for the train and it is much too short with not enough stars…”
Rarity suddenly heard the bell to the front door tinkle and called out, “I’ll be out in just a moment!” On her way to the front of Carousel Boutique she noticed it was Fluttershy that had walked in and was currently looking at some of her newest dresses.
“Fluttershy dear, what can I help you with today?” She asked as she walked towards her. When Fluttershy didn’t respond right away she walked around her and noticed she had been crying. “Darling, what’s wrong?”
Fluttershy started whimpering and said in her usual quiet manner, “Big Mac left me again…”
Rarity hugged her dear friend while she wept and when she was finished, Rarity looked her in the eye and asked her what happened.
Fluttershy sniffled and with a tremble in her voice said, “It was simply awful! He was yelling at me again about how close I am with you all and when I said that you’re all my friends, he hit me and said it’s you guys or him… I told him I couldn’t choose and he told me to leave and that we were done…” Trailing off at the end, she began to quietly sob again.
During her retelling, Rarity’s expression got more angry and determined, but hearing Flutters cry it turned to compassion and pain for her dear friend. “Darling, that is simply awful. I cannot stand to see you cry. I know! How about tomorrow we go to the spa and have a nice relaxing day together to get your mind off of that big meanie?”
“I would like that, Rarity. I need to get over him and have a happy day with a great friend.”
Rarity smiled at Fluttershy and asked, “Would you like to stay and watch me work on Princess Luna’s dress? I could use your amazing fashion advice.”
“Okay.”
The next few hours flew by in a blur of ideas, remakes, critiquing, and friendly chit-chat. Sooner than expected, the clock chimed six o’clock and Fluttershy gasped.
“I have to go feed all the animals! I’m so sorry Rarity, but I’ll see you at the spa tomorrow at noon, okay?”
“Alright darling, and thank you for the help on my dress. Be safe going home.”
“Of course Rare.”
Rarity watched Fluttershy leave the boutique and head off towards her cottage and sighed, “Why couldn’t I tell her just how much I care?”

The Next Day
Where could Rare be? It’s almost noon! I hope she didn’t forget about our date… Wait! This isn’t a date, we’re just having a relaxing day together to help me forget… Him…
*doorbell tinkles*
“So sorry I’m late dear! I was just putting some final touches on our latest masterpiece. You haven’t been waiting long, have you?” Rarity said in a flurry as she hurried into the door with hair wavy from working too hard.
“No, I haven’t been waiting long and Rare, heehee, you’re still wearing your glasses…” Fluttershy giggled and hid behind her mane as Rarity’s eyes opened wide in embarrassment.
“Oh goodness! How forgetful of me! I just couldn’t bear to be late darling.” She said laughing as she took her glasses off and put them in her saddlebags that Fluttershy hadn’t noticed till then.
After they had checked in, Fluttershy’s curiosity got the better of her and she asked, “So why did you bring your saddlebags to the spa? You’re not going to work while we relax are you?”
Rarity looked up to see how upset that gorgeous pony looked and responded quite enthusiastically with, “Of course not dear! I would never distract myself while relaxing with you.”
A blush suddenly rose to Flutters’ cheeks and Rarity thought she looked adorable and then stopped mid-thought. Adorable?? As a friend of course. I’m a lady. I’m meant to find my Prince one day and live happily ever after. I can’t possibly be feeling more than compassion for her pain. Wanting to make her happy must just be me being a good friend… But what if I do-
“Hey Rare?”
“Yes darling?”
“You’re such an amazing friend for being here for me right now, I don’t know what I would do without you.” Blushing, Fluttershy turned away and quietly followed the spa pony to the massage rooms. Behind her, Rarity was blushing even more than Fluttershy and her mind was racing a mile a minute about what she could possibly mean by that.
After talking about all of their friends and how their work had been going for most of the spa trip, they found themselves in the hot tub. Rarity started thinking about how beautiful Flutters was when she relaxed, and changed her thoughts again as quickly as she could. She started wondering what Fluttershy was thinking about because she looked so distant, like she was so focused on her thoughts that a herd of buffalo could run through and she wouldn’t even notice.
“Would you ladies like any aromas to make your soak more relaxing? We have your favorites ready if you would like them.” Lotus surprised both of them out of their thoughts and Rarity wondered how she hadn’t noticed her walk up to them.
“Flutters, would you like any?” She asked the recovering Fluttershy with a smile.
“Um, no thank you. This is okay for today.”
“Thank you so much Lotus dear, but we’re perfectly fine today. Perhaps we’ll use some next time.” She spoke with a sweet smile and watched Lotus leave before turning to Fluttershy and asking her what was on her mind.
Blushing even redder than before, she said, “Oh it’s nothing, just a silly thought.”
“Darling, none of your thoughts are silly. I promise you can tell me and I won’t laugh. Pinkie Promise.”
“Really?” Fluttershy asked, hopeful.
“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Rarity responded while doing the motions.
Over at Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie Pie softly whispered, “Forever…”
Back in Ponyville Day Spa, Fluttershy took a deep breath and said, “I think I like you, Rarity.”