...beep
..beep
...beep
When Fluttershy woke up, she did not recognize her surroundings. She heard a steady beeping ringing in her ears. She was in a small room, at least, she assumed it was a room. There were green curtains surrounding the not very comfortable bed she was in. The bed sheets felt like it was just paper, as well as the pillow cases. The thick air spelled like harsh chemicals dipped in chlorine. Fluttershy could hear a conversation behind the curtains.
"Doc, please tell me she'll be alright!" A familiar raspy voice pleaded.
"She is still currently unconscious, but I do think she'll be alright. Just tell her not to drink so much anymore, she's very lucky to be alive."
There was a sigh of relieve as Fluttershy heard hoof steps exiting the room. "I'll let you have time alone with her." Rainbow Dash trotted to Fluttershy's bed, and opened the curtains. Fluttershy tightly closed her eyes, afraid that the assertive mare might be mad at her for not listening. Instead, she heard a faint shaky whisper coming from the pegasus.
"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. I shouldn't of left you at that bar. " This small voice sounded so scared, so hurt. Fluttershy wasn't sure if this was even Rainbow Dash anymore. "I'm suppose to be loyal! I should've been by your side!" She was almost yelling now. Fluttershy slowly opened her heavy eyes that felt like someone had attempted to glue them shut.
Standing before her was a not-so colourful Rainbow Dash. Her colours seemed to be dull, as well as her once beautiful magenta eyes that didn't seem to have any life anymore. There were dark bags under Rainbow's weary eyes. Her ears were completely flat, which complemented her depressed-looking eyes. There were no tears in them, but still, they looked so sad.
"...Ra-Rainbow Dash?" Fluttershy sputtered, a little frightened about Rainbow's current appearance.
"Fluttershy! Thank Celestia you're okay!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she squeezed Fluttershy tight.
"Rainbow Dash..?" Fluttershy whispered. Rainbow let go of Fluttershy to let her speak. "What...what happened?"" She asked. Rainbow Dash cringed.
"I'm sorry! All of this was my fault! I shouldn't of left you on your own!" Rainbow blurted out, leaving Fluttershy confused as ever.
"But, what happened?" Fluttershy repeated. Rainbow slowly backed away from Fluttershy, as if she was afraid. She hesitated before replying.
"You...you told us you wanted to stay at the bar a little longer all by yourself, and I let you. When I came back to your house, there were three empty wine bottles. I couldn't wake you up, so I brought you here as fast as I could. Luckily, the Doctor took away what would've been a really bad hangover." Rainbow Dash explained. Fluttershy was drunk? How could it be true? Once Fluttershy thought about it, though her mind still blurry, she did remember something among those lines.
There were still questions unanswered. Why was Rainbow Dash completely blaming herself for this? This was Fluttershy's decision, and her decision alone. Why?
"..Rainbow Dash?"
"Yes?"
"Why do you care so much?"
There was a moment of silence before Rainbow Dash replied.
"I just do."
Thankfully since Fluttershy wasn't technically sick, she didn't have to spend the night. Rainbow Dash had agreed to walk Fluttershy home. On their way there, Fluttershy spotted something.
A bar.
If Fluttershy went there, she could have that moment of happiness once more.
"Can we please go there?" Fluttershy asked, pointing to the nearby bar.
"Fluttershy!" Rainbow yelled, "Drinking your problems away is never the solution! Drinking is how I got you into this mess!" Fluttershy looked disappointed, which caught Rainbow's attention. "We need to talk. I'm not going to screw up. Not again." She added, barley audible.
"But, you said you hated talking about-"
"Forget what I said!" Rainbow snapped. "You seriously need help, Flutters. I may not be the type to talk about feelings and sappy stuff, but you need help." She soothed, causing Fluttershy to sigh in defeat.
"Alright. We can talk."
When Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy made it to Fluttershy's cottage, they sat side by side on the sofa. The empty bottles were still there.
"I can't believe I drank all this." "Fluttershy picked up one of the empty bottles in disbelief. Rainbow Dash gave her a sad smile before saying:
"So, what's wrong? What caused your depression?"
Fluttershy was still afraid of this moment, but she was even more afraid of becoming an alcoholic.
"I'm useless."
Fluttershy sighed. Rainbow's eyes widened.
"Who the buck told you that? Let me give 'em a piece of my mind!"
"Please no, Rainbow. You don't have to do that, it's fine."
"No, it's not fine!" Rainbow argued. Deep inside, Fluttershy knew Rainbow was right, but she didn't want to start a fight.
"Really, Rainbow. It's okay. It's true, I am useless. Nopony would miss me if I left." Those last words hit Rainbow Dash hard.
"What the buck are you talking about?! Of course ponies would miss you! I would miss you!"
Tears started flowing from Fluttershy's eyes, and she started sobbing uncontrollably.
"No you wouldn't! Admit it!"
Fluttershy shouted, her voice now cracking with every word. Rainbow couldn't believe her ears.
"Fluttershy, you have so many strengths! You defeated that dragon when I couldn't! You know what being kind truly means! You are like a sister to me. Please don't leave.." Rainbow trailed off as she felt a wet sensation run down her cheeks, feeling the sudden urge to wrap Fluttershy in both her hooves.
"Oh dang it Fluttershy, I promised myself I would never cry in front of anypony." Dash sniffled. "Especially you." As Rainbow Dash locked Fluttershy in a tight embrace, Fluttershy could hear Rainbow's heartbeat, which seemed to speed up with every sob.
"Rainbow, I won't leave. Promise. I also won't ever drink my problems away, I'll talk to you for now on."
"Promise?"
"Promise."