Chapter 18
“You ready Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash asked the yellow pegasus beside her. It was a gorgeous day in Ponyville, the bright afternoon sun beamed down upon it’s citizens. The two mares sat perched high upon a cloud, above Fluttershy’s cottage.
Well, not exactly Fluttershy’s cottage anymore. As soon as the two were released from hospital, Rainbow Dash sold her cloud home. She kept the few possessions she actually cared for and moved in with her. They had both discussed moving in with each other, but Rainbow never even considered asking Fluttershy to sell her cottage. At first Fluttershy felt bad about Rainbow making such a sacrifice, but when she told Rainbow she simply shrugged.
“I only ever used the place for sleeping anyway. Besides, how would the animals get along without you?” Having Rainbow Dash live with her was a dream come true, she was an amazing help with the animals, keeping them fed and giving them attention. All of their friends had pitched in at some point to take care of her animals, but even though they had been well fed, when their mother walked through the door for the first time in a week the critters were overjoyed. Rainbow was a little worried about coming into her cottage, worried the animals were still angry with her for her poor skills as a caretaker.
But with Fluttershy around they grew to love her very swiftly.
Even Angel was beginning to warm up to the blue mare, the very bunny who tried to cook her only a year ago. With Fluttershy’s injured leg and inability to fly, Rainbow was actually in charge of the cottage for the first few days. She let the yellow pegasus rest in bed, or upon her couch, while she took care of the house and the animals. Fluttershy gave her some directions on the feeding schedule for the animals, and when she was done with them, the cyan mare took care of Fluttershy. She went out to replenish the groceries that had long since spoiled, and returned to cook and clean. It was obvious Rainbow wasn’t really used to running a household, but she held the role quite well. Whenever Fluttershy tried to get up and help, Rainbow would beg her to sit back down and relax.
It took a long time for Fluttershy be completely calm around the pony she loved. As she watched Rainbow move about the house, performing her chores, Fluttershy began to notice her own muscles were always tense. She worried that Rainbow would suddenly collapse, and she would be left alone again. But Dash seemed better than ever, she hardly stopped smiling. She was just as happy to live with the yellow pegasus, as she was to live with her.
“I have everything taken care of; you just work on getting better.” She would always say whenever Fluttershy asked if she needed help. Fluttershy had to admit, it was nice to have somepony take care of her for once. Her leg felt quite a bit better, but Rainbow didn’t let her help until the cast was off, which took about two weeks. She was grateful to have the blue mare around to help, Twilight’s spell had really weakened her, the tasks that she performed everyday just seemed to drain her. Tank seemed a little worried about moving back to the cottage, but Fluttershy assured him that he was still Rainbow’s pet.
Fluttershy never could’ve imagined before how wonderful it was to have another pony to live with her. They ate together, slept in the same bed with each other, and did... other things in the same bed together. And to be able to sleep warmly, cradled by her lover, and open her eyes to see the cyan pegasus next to her, it was an experience she had missed so. But even though she had the real thing now, Dash still insisted on hanging Fluttershy’s drawing upon the wall, saying it had sentimental value. Often Rainbow would wake up before her, but she never left the bed until Fluttershy was up too. Then she would plant a kiss on her muzzle and whisper good morning, and Fluttershy would smile sleepily and return the greeting. They were both so glad to be home.
The three ponies had stayed in the castle for only a few hours, before getting on the train back to Ponyville. Night had fallen by the time the trio arrived, but even with all that had been drained from Fluttershy, she was too excited to sleep. They were home; their friends were only a few blocks away. Though they didn’t get to see them, the first place they went to was the hospital. Fluttershy hadn’t left her lover’s side since she had awoken. She treated the blue mare as though she were fragile, like her life was holding precariously. But Rainbow seemed completely normal, if not even more affectionate towards the shy pegasus. Her eyes were open and gleaming, she talked the same way she used to, and both Twilight and Fluttershy quizzed her extensively on her personal history, which she aced.
It was truly Rainbow.
Once they arrived at Ponyville’s hospital, Twilight Sparkle had the two pegasi registered then retired to her library.
“Twilight, I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done.” Rainbow said, giving the purple pony a hug.
“That’s what friends are for. I’d love to stay and keep you two company, but it’s been a tiring day for all of us, and I’d imagine you would like some time to spend together. I doubt the girls will be leaving you much to yourselves.”
She said her farewells and walked out the door. Nurse Redheart came for Rainbow first, trotting up with a stretcher, which the cyan pony politely refused. Fluttershy wanted to stay with her, but as she began to walk, another nurse asked for Fluttershy to follow her. They weren’t separate for very long though, as Fluttershy’s injuries had been mostly taken care of. The doctor gave her some medication for the pain and informed her of precautions to take for the next few days in order for her injuries to heal properly. She was released from care afterwards and went to go visit Dash. Rainbow got much of the same treatment, however because of the extent of her injury, the doctors asked her to stay for a night or two, to ensure there was no serious damage. She didn’t seem very happy about that news, but before she could say anything Fluttershy thanked them for their help, not wanting Rainbow to argue when her safety could be at risk.
“It’s not a problem; I hear that you two have been through quite an ordeal.” After the doctors had left, Rainbow looked up sleepily from her bed. Fluttershy wrapped her forelegs around the mare.
“Promise me you’ll still be here in the morning.” She whispered trying to hold back her tears.
“I promise Fluttershy. Don’t worry, I don’t plan on leaving you anytime soon.” She returned the hug firmly. She watched Rainbow rest that night, too afraid to let herself drift to sleep.
In the morning their friends all came bursting through the door. All of them hugged and cried, the sight of their friends was one that was long overdue.
“We missed you so, SO MUCH!” Pinkie exclaimed holding everypony in a tight embrace.
Rarity made no attempt to keep from crying, and even Applejack wiped her eyes a couple of times.
“We’re so glad ya’ll are safe.” She said, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Oh, I haven’t been able to sleep a wink the past few nights!” Rarity burst out. “All I could think of was the two of you, lost and cold, or worse!” Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie all apologized profusely for all the two had gone through. They’d sent search parties two days after they’d gotten lost, but nopony even knew which direction to go. It was like looking for a needle in a forest sized haystack. Fluttershy and Rainbow told them it was fine, and shared with them everything that had happened while they had been stranded. Well almost everything. Of course they left out the scare with Rainbow Dash, and the full extent of their agony throughout. The tale made them smile, shiver and cry, but in the end all could agree it was great to finally have them back home.
“I had a feeling about you two.” Rarity announced after she’d calmed down a bit. “You know all Fluttershy ever talked about on our spa day’s was you, Rainbow” Fluttershy blushed as Rainbow looked at her with a playful smile. “Speaking of which, I can’t wait to get together again Fluttershy, the spa isn’t the same without you.”
“Rarity, I’m sure we’re all hankerin’ to spend some time together, but it sounds like they’ve been through quite a lot the past few days.” Applejack said in her usual motherly tone. “I think it’s going to be a while until things get back to normal. The alabaster unicorn made a face at the farm mare before turning back.
“Are you sure you’re alright darling?” Rarity asked the blue mare. “That wound looks gruesome!”
Fluttershy thought about what she’d have thought about the cut when it was open.
“’Course I’m alright, it’ll take a lot more than a cut to keep me down.” She said, holding a straight smile. “Besides, I’ve got Fluttershy here to take care of me.” She nuzzled the yellow mare which she returned.
Rainbow didn’t have to stay in the hospital for very long; only two days, but Fluttershy stayed over both nights, unwilling to leave her lover alone. Twilight had done an excellent job patching them up, and the doctors assure both of them that the damages they received during their ordeal weren’t permanent. But this news was a double edged blade since she wasn’t allowed to stay with Rainbow. It was technically against hospital policy for ponies to stay overnight, but nurse Redheart didn’t enforce it. She would enter the room and announce.
“Visiting hours are over.” With a smile and a wink, before walking away, and the two mares were left undisturbed until morning. It was also probably against policy that two ponies share a single hospital bed, but Rainbow had insisted and Fluttershy had no intention of refusing the offer. It was a little tricky to fit both of their bodies on the bed, but if they held each other close they had ample space to sleep. Even on a hard, sterile hospital bed it was the most comfortable sleep she’d had in a long time.
All their friends returned each day, and Pinkie always snuck in some cupcakes or other sweets so Rainbow could avoid the hospital food.
Scootaloo came too, which was the only time Fluttershy left the room. She knew the filly would want some time to spend with her sister, and honestly, looking at the orange filly always gave her a twinge of guilt. She’d almost cost her a sister, and if Scootaloo knew all that had happened, there was no telling what she would think of her. She would probably hate her. As it was though, Fluttershy was greeted kindly by the filly, with a hug and a smile. Later Rainbow explained to her that she was in a relationship with the yellow mare which seemed to make Scootaloo happy. Then Rainbow whispered something in her ear that made her smile grow larger still. Fluttershy was tempted to ask, but decided it was best to leave the pair alone. Fluttershy was so relieved everypony was taking the news of their relationship so well.
On their last day in the hospital, Fluttershy lay awake, watching her cyan angel sleep. There was a small smile on her face; Fluttershy hoped she was dreaming about her. Every so often she would let out a loud snore. They were so spontaneous, each time Fluttershy had to bite back her laughter. Suddenly another sound met her ears though; a slight brush of air on the door, followed by two knocks. It was still dark out, Fluttershy looked to the clock. It read 2:00 a.m. The sudden unknown noise sent a chill down her spine, but those knocks were rhythmic and obvious. She wanted to call out, but she might’ve woken Rainbow. She swallowed her fear. She was in a hospital, what was the worst that could reside on the other side of the door? A few images of grotesque monsters, dressed in hospital gowns and wrapped in bandages crossed her mind, but she shuddered and forced them out. Rainbow was behind her. She would keep her safe.
She slid softly out of bed, trying hard to make as little noise as she could, which was difficult on the hard floor of the hospital. She finally reached the door and cracked it open. There was nopony there. She opened it a little wider to check the halls, as she did she spotted something on the ground. A bouquet of roses. Twelve red plants lay on the floor before Rainbow’s hospital room, with a card tucked into it. When she opened the small white sheet of paper, it simply read:
“May the love you share never die. Cadence.”
Twelve roses. Cadence’s voice rang in her head. From the moment you and Rainbow shared that kiss in the cave, I’ve known exactly where you were. She looked at the red flowers, and silently mouthed.
“Thank you.” She stared down either side of the long hallway, but there was nopony in sight. She still didn’t know how she felt about the princess of love, but she knew her regret was true, and that was a start. She’d told Rainbow about Cadence, the fact that she had know the whole time, and to her surprise she was quite calm and understanding.
“That doesn’t matter now Fluttershy,” She said quietly. “What’s done is done, and in the end, it all turned out ok, right?” Fluttershy didn’t disagree, but she still didn’t feel ready to forgive. She grabbed the bundle of roses and brought them in to Rainbow. She was still asleep, but it would make a nice surprise when she woke up.
Unfortunately even though she was released from the hospital quite swiftly, the doctor informed her it would be nearly two months until she could use her wings safely, and after that time was up, she would need physiotherapy. Fluttershy expected Dash to get angry; she’d never been grounded for nearly so long before. But instead of becoming infuriated, she just looked really sad.
She maintained a level tone with the doctor, oddly polite for the news she had just received, and after he left she dropped her head.
“I can’t believe I’m going to need physio. My wings are going to be useless.” She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, as though the whole situation gave her a headache. The thought of staying on the ground so long her wings would degrade upset Rainbow greatly. She’d been doing so well being on the ground for so long. The shy pegasus was also grounded, but only for ten days, and she didn’t need therapy. Fluttershy hated to see her so upset, so she got up into the bed beside her.
“Well you helped me learn to fly once. I’d be more than happy to return the favour.”
Rainbow looked up.
“I’ll stay on the ground with you, it’s not like I do much flying anyway. I’ll come with you to all your therapy sessions, and when you’re ready to fly again, I’ll always come with you until you’re back to your old daredevil self again.”
A gentle smile slowly crossed her face.
“That would mean so much to me Fluttershy.” She said, giving her a kiss. “Thank you.”
It had taken nearly three months. The two went to her physiotherapy sessions, twice a week. Rainbow exercised her wings and Fluttershy was always there for support. Sometimes the girls would come too and they would all cheer her on together. It was painful to see the once proud aerial acrobat struggle to even lift and move her wings, but as the sessions continuedshe kept at it, and her feathered extremities grew stronger. Even with all the work she put in, her smile rarely left, and they always returned home happily. After a month of sessions, she’d been cleared to take flight once more. Fluttershy came with her for all her flights, and offered encouragements, much the same way Rainbow had done for her when they had first met. And her skill returned fast. Within two weeks she was diving and doing loops once more.
Then one day she brought Fluttershy outside from her chores with the animals, and asked her to watch. Fluttershy took a seat in the soft grass and gazed at the blue mare.
“Here, watch!” She said, excited as a filly. She shot into the air with her old unrivaled speed, and Fluttershy was immediately back up on her hooves in excitement. Rainbow looped as she rose, circling clouds as though it were nothing, all the while gaining height.
Finally, when she looked little more than a blue speck to the ponies below, she streaked towards the ground, faster than a bullet. Fluttershy, though excited, was suddenly stricken with fear. She knew exactly what she planned to do, but it had been so long since she’d flown, what if she had an accident? When her height had been halved, the sky suddenly illuminated, and a massive multicoloured ring expanded outward from the explosion high above the ground. Fluttershy whooped and cheered as Dash landed panting.
“Yes! I’m back baby!” She tackled the yellow mare in a tight hug.
They laughed and celebrated. It was like everything had gone back to normal. But better.
“Hey Fluttershy?” she heard her lover ask, dragging her back to the present. She’d been standing there, upon the little white cloud, with a small smile displayed on her face, lost in thought. Rainbow looked to her with and arched eyebrow. Dash’s wings were spread out in their full glory, a sight both of them could appreciate. Along her side was a faint white scar, just beneath the base of her wing, a reminder of what they’d been through, and the strength of their feelings for one another. Fluttershy could never stare at the mark for too long without choking up, but at the same time it filled her with a sense of hope. Rainbow had been able to fly with her old skill for nearly a week now.
“I’m still not entirely sure why you dragged me up here.” Fluttershy said with a nervous chuckle.
“I’ve got something to show you, but you have to follow me. Are you ready?”
“Yes.” She said finally. Without another word Rainbow tossed herself off the soft cloud, and Fluttershy followed suit. The multicoloured mare wasn’t flying at her full speed, but it wasn’t quite a leisurely pace either.
“Where are we going?” the timid pegasus asked. They were flying in the direction of their old home town, but they were far too low to make a landing in Cloudsdale.
“You’ll see.” With that ominous message she dipped lower. They skimmed the green tree tops, and Fluttershy felt her stomach knot. Ever since their adventures in the forest, she’d been apprehensive to go too far in. Everything, from the tall silent trees to the soil beneath her hooves reminded her of the fate that almost befell her beloved. But after several minutes of flying over the massive green canopy, Rainbow came to a sudden halt.
“Here!” she said excited, lowering herself down to the forest floor. Fluttershy followed despite her fears, trusting in the pony she loved. They landed in a little clearing. It was grassy and covered in hills, and the city of Cloudsdale was visible in the distance. It felt very familiar. Her eyes widened in shock and Rainbow burst into proud laughter.
“Rainbow is this...?”
“You bet it is. It wasn’t that hard to find actually, I remembered the day so well. And I promised myself that when I was able to fly I’d try to bring you back here. Where we first met.”
Now that she knew she could see it, all in her mind’s eye. All the animals, the bright sun, two fillies speaking timidly beside an old tree. All of it was just like she remembered.
“Rainbow this is so wonderful!” Fluttershy said, whirling around to take in all of the images. The flood of memories that came back to her made her heart skip. She felt like she was a filly again.
She turned to the cyan pony.
“Dashie, this is so amazing I-” her words came up short as she saw Rainbow kneeling on the ground in front of her. Her eyes were bright and she wore a shining smile. With one hoof she held out a beautiful corsage, with light green petals surrounded by ornate leaves. She looked between it and the mare she loved sheepishly as she spoke.
“I know I asked you before, but I wanted to do it in a more... traditional fashion. Fluttershy, the day we first met is my most cherished memory, I remember every detail, I even dream of it sometimes. The way your mane hung over your right ear, the way your eyes sparkled when I promised to take you back. On that day, you gave me such a wonderful feeling, I felt warm, like with you was where I was meant to be. And it would mean everything to me, if I could keep feeling that way for the rest of my life. You are the mare of my dreams Fluttershy, the pony I adore more than anything. Will you marry me?”
Fluttershy felt as though she were frozen, her breath came short, her mouth wouldn’t move. Was she dreaming? Rainbow looked up from her kneeling position with rosy cheeks. Everything about her seemed to glow.
“Yes!” the word finally came out “Yes, yes, of course!” she wrapped Rainbow Dash in a massive embrace, pressing her lips upon hers. They fell to the ground, still locked together. Both of them cried as they kissed, but neither of them had ever been happier. Deep in the meadow, under the shining sun of the spot where they had first met, they shared yet another milestone in their lives. They pulled apart, gazing deep into each other’s wet eyes. Rainbow Dash brought the corsage up and pinned it in Fluttershy’s flowing pink mane. Rainbow had never seen a more beautiful mare, and Fluttershy thought likewise.
“I love you Fluttershy.”
“I love you too Rainbow Dash.”
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“That one looks like a bunny!” the yellow filly said, pointing a hoof towards a large cloud in the sky.
“Oh!” the blue filly beside her exclaimed. “That one looks like the Cloudiseum!”
Fluttershy let out a soft giggle.
“You say that about all of them.”
The two friends lay on their backs, atop a small grassy hill, basking in the beautiful day that had been given to them. The sky was bright and blue as the coat on the cyan pony, with clouds drifting lazily across the sky. In the distance they could see their home of Cloudsdale.
“Well, they all look like the Cloudiseum.” She said laughing. “You know I-Oh.” She stopped suddenly.
Fluttershy turned her gaze from the sky to her friend, who lay staring quizzically at her own muzzle, at the end of which, a large butterfly had landed. Both of them giggled at the sight. Rainbow took in a breath and gently blew a stream of air. The startled insect took flight back into the forest. Rainbow used to be terrified of all the creatures on the ground, but after a while she’d grown used to them. She settled back in, happy to be sharing the day with her best friend.
“You know Fluttershy, it’s not so bad here. Maybe I’ll live near the ground someday too.”
“I’m glad you like it down here.” She said kindly, but her friends comment brought a question to her mind. “Hey Rainbow?”
“Yeah?”
“Even when we’re all grown up, and we move into our own houses, we’ll still be friends right?”
“Of course!” she shouted in answer, as though surprised by the very suggestion. “You’re my best friend ever! I love to spend time with you. And even when we’re old that’s not going to change. We’re going to be together forever.”
She stretched out a blue hoof and Fluttershy took it in her own.
Fluttershy looked back to the sky and smiled. Together forever. With Rainbow Dash.
She liked the way that sounded.