//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: Flashbacks 
// by TroubleMaker 
//------------------------------//

	It was the sun that eventually woke Rainbow Dash. Still drowsy and not yet ready to get up and face the day, she snuggled closer to the fuzzy yellow pony that she held in her forelegs.
Wait. Yellow? Fuzzy?
Rainbow Dash's eyes burst open, greeted by the sight of the face of her sleeping, fillyhood friend Fluttershy. The cyan pegasus immediately released her friend and tried to roll away. She only then realized that they were not on her princess-sized bed when she rolled of the couch.
The sound of a pegasus hitting the carpeted floor was, much to Rainbow's relief, was not enough to wake the sleeping Fluttershy. It was enough to wake a sleeping tortoise. Maybe this is a dream, Rainbow Dash thought, yeah. One of those dreams where you wake up in the dream and you think you're awake, but you're still dreaming. Luna's going to show soon and explain the symbolism of me waking up next to Fluttershy. I'll lay here until then.
While Rainbow Dash admired how comfy her carpet was, her pet Tank had enough time to walk over to his owner. The tortoise, feeling hungry, nudged his owner to signal that it was time for breakfast. The pegasus didn't respond. Tank nudged her again, but still no response. He was starting to get worried. Being a loyal pet, and faced with an owner that wasn't moving, Tank did the only thing he was capable of with his limited capabilities.
"YEOUCH!"
He nipped his owner on the ear.
Rainbow Dash sat up, thanking her lucky stars that Tank was not a snapping turtle. She looked back at the couch. Yep. Definitely not a dream. Fluttershy was still snoozing away on Rainbow's couch.
"What happened last night?" Rainbow Dash asked. Tank tilted his head in response. "You're right buddy. I need coffee for this."
As she waited for the coffee maker to finish making the magic elixir, she fed Tank and tried to figure out what had led to her falling asleep on the couch clutching Fluttershy like a teddy bear. She remembered that her coltfriend had left to run off with a unicorn from Manehatten and Fluttershy came by yesterday to talk about it. Beyond that, Rainbow Dash's memory was rather blurred.
Well, I'm fairly sure we didn't do anything, she thought, I mean, last I checked she wasn't into me, though she is into mares. Heck, I can still remember her coming out party that Pinkie threw.



Two years ago
"Isn't this exciting?!" Pinkie exclaimed as she gave Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash new drinks, "I was going to go with a rainbow theme because, you know, LGBT pride, but then I remembered, hey! My friend Rainbow Dash is going to be there, and her mane is Rainbow colored! How do you you get it that color anyways, do you mix seven different dyes together and then dye your hair, or is it a genetic trait, and speaking of genes, I once asked Rarity if she could make a dress for me out of denim, and-"
"Ah, Pinkie," Rainbow Dash interrupted, "I think the snack table is out of candy."
Pinkie Pie gasped dramatically. "No candy?" she yelled, "Pinkie Pie to the rescue!"
As the pink pony bounded away, Rainbow Dash looked at Fluttershy and smiled. "Sorry about that," she said, "Pinkie Pie knows how throw a party, but she doesn't know when to shut up."
"It's okay." Fluttershy giggled, "Um...thank you."
"For what?"
"For...for not treating differently."
Rainbow Dash smiled again. "Well heck, what do I care which way you swing? You're still the same lovable Flutters I met in Flight School." Fluttershy blushed slightly.
Rainbow Dash raised her punch glass in a toast. "To old friends!" she said.
Fluttershy clinked her glass against her friend's. "To old friends."



Today
Rainbow dash looked over her sleeping friend as she sipped her coffee. She remembered a little more about last night, such as the exercise that Fluttershy made her do to get all her emotions in the open. It had worked too. She wasn't exactly sure what the exercise was, though she suspected that it had something to do with the torn-up pillow in the corner.
I hope I didn't ask for any rebound sex. I'm fairly sure that I'm not attracted to her that way, anyways. Fluttershy sighed contentedly in her sleep and Rainbow Dash felt her stomach tie itself in knots. Then she realized that she had been watching Fluttershy sleep for the last ten minutes. Okay, she thought, I'm attracted to her, but that doesn't mean anything. Who wouldn't be? Her mane is so soft, you could pass it off as silk! She's kinder than anything and anypony I know. And that flank! That wonderfully, curvy... focus Rainbow, focus!
Rainbow Dash sighed. I wouldn't have a chance with her anyway. It's not like she still has a crush on me.



One year ago
"C'mon Gilda! Don't tell me you've gotten slower since I saw you last!"
"Not slower! Stronger!"
The cyan pegasus and her griffon friend raced across the sky as they did in their youth. This was the first time they had raced since they met up in Griffonstone and renewed their friendship, and Rainbow Dash hoped it would not be their last. Crossing the finish-line, both racers fell back on the clouds to catch their breath.
"So," Gilda said, "we cool?"
"Always," Rainbow Dash replied, "though I could use a few more apologies, just for good measure."
"Ugh! Seriously? I already apologized treating your friends bad, like, ten times!"
"True, but you haven't apologized for how you treated them individually." Rainbow Dash smiled slyly.
"...You're a sadist, you know that?" Gilda relented begrudgingly, "Fine. I'm...sorry I...got mad at Pinkie Pie."
"Aaand?"
"And I'm...sorry I...yelled at your marefriend."
Rainbow Dash blinked. "I don't have a marefriend."
"You don't?" Gilda gasped, "You mean that yellow pegasus isn't your lover?"
"You mean Fluttershy? No way!" Gilda started laughing. "What's so funny?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Dude!" Gilda replied between laughs, "I remember that she had the hugest crush on you in flight school!"
"She did not!" Rainbow exclaimed.
"Dash, I know you were romantically inept back then, but come on! She kept flying closer to you during class, she laughed at all your stupid jokes, and remember that play you were in? She came to every performance! Even missed her own birthday party to see it!"
Rainbow Dash's face turned as red as her eyes. "Oh man," Gilda continued, "I figured since you and her were living in the same town, she had finally confessed to you or something. I wouldn't have yelled at her if I thought she still didn't have a backbone."
Rainbow Dash glared at her friend. "Okay, maybe she had a crush on me when we were fillies, but that was years ago! If I hadn't noticed by now, she probably got over it!"
Gilda smirked. "How would you know?"



Today
Rainbow Dash got up and decided that it was time to make breakfast. She got up and put two waffles in the toaster and pressed down on the lever.
I may have been "romantically inept," as Gilda put it, when I was younger, she thought, but what Gilda doesn't know is that I've been around the cloud a few times since then. I'd know when someone likes me like that. Fluttershy would treat me differently, and she hasn't treated me any different than she did in flight school.
Rainbow Dash watched Tank munch on his own breakfast contentedly. She finally finished her cup of coffee and was going to get another when the waffles popped up with a very audible ding!
...Wait...



Last week
"For her service to Equestria, as both a Wonderbolt and as one of the elements of harmony," the yellow and orange pegasus said, "I, Spitfire, Captain of the Wonderbolts, award the Medal of Honor to...Rainbow Dash!"
As Spitfire pinned the fancy medal onto Rainbow Dash's uniform, the cyan pegasus tried to contain the squeal of her inner-fangirl. Many important people were watching her, including many nobles and the princesses. After all, it wasn't every day a Medal of Honor was awarded. 
As the cheering started to die down, Rainbow Dash noticed a very quiet, but very familiar "Yay." She looked into the crowd and saw her friends, including a cute yellow pegasus named Fluttershy.
After the ceremony, Rainbow met up with them. "Congratulations Rainbow Dash," Twilight Sparkle said, "you've made all of Equestria proud today, to say nothing of your friends and family."
"You rock Rainbow!" Pinkie exclaimed.
"Thanks guys," Rainbow Dash replied, "but how did you all find the time to come here?"
"Well, we weren't going to come at first," Rarity replied, "but when Fluttershy admitted that she'd rather be here than anywhere else, we all decided to come."
"What!?" Rainbow turned to Fluttershy. "But today was your birthday! This was your last chance to have a birthday party! Can you even have a birthday party after your birthday?"
"Actually, if memory serves," Twilight spoke up, "the Geneva Party Convention of 1865 determined that a birthday party can be held within one day of the actual birthday. Of course, that's about all they did determine."
"Well, can you blame them?" Pinkie Pie said, "The southern party delegates were arguing for cake segregation! Thank goodness for President Top Hat, otherwise we'd never have vanilla and chocolate at the same party!"
"Alright then!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, "Tomorrow will be Fluttershy's birthday party!"
"But isn't that when we're 'sposed to celebrate yer medal?" Applejack pointed out.
Rainbow pointed at her pink party planner. "How long would it take to change my celebration into a birthday party for Fluttershy?"
"Depends on how long it takes me to find proper candles!"
"Oh," Fluttershy said, "Rainbow, you don't have to give up your celebration for me."
"Why not? You did the same for me!" Rainbow Dash put her hooves on Fluttershy's shoulders. "Look Fluttershy, I know that you don't want to look selfish, but you take care of animals, you put up with Discord, you're a year older, you have lots of friends, you're cute, you're funny, and Celestia buck it, we like you! So I'm not arguing this point: you're gonna get a birthday party so you understand just how much you mean to your friends! Especially how much you mean to me!"
"Preach it sister!" Pinkie yelled.
For a few minutes, Fluttershy didn't know how to react. Finally, put her head down to hide her blush, smiled, and muttered a quiet "Thank you..."



Today
The sound of Rainbow Dash's mug hitting the floor pierced the silence of the household. Oh...my...Celestia. Rainbow's mind went into overdrive. She has a crush on me. FLUTTERSHY has a CRUSH on ME!
She suddenly shook her head. Wait wait wait. Let's not jump to conclusions. She came over last night to help me get over my coltfriend. As much as that sounds like a bad porn movie, she didn't put the moves on me at all. These are not the actions of a mare with a crush.
Her mouth gained a triumphant smile, which faded just as quick as she realized who she was talking about. Fluttershy wouldn't take advantage of me, even if she did feel that way! She only came over to comfort me because...because... Rainbow Dash's wings snapped to attention as she suddenly recalled just how many wing caresses went into her comfort, as well as a late-night, half-asleep kiss on the forehead from her fillyhood friend.
"HOLY BUCK, SHE'S IN LOVE WITH ME!!"
Rainbow's hooves slapped against her mouth as a yawn came from the couch. Rainbow Dash turned to see Fluttershy sitting up and staring at her with half-open eyes. To Fluttershy's credit, her recollection of events came much quicker than Rainbow's did, mostly because she was not as emotionally charged the night before. It did not, however, come before she could get extremely embarrassed about where she was and lock herself in the closet.
Rainbow Dash felt a pang of disappointment when Fluttershy ran away from her. Am I...am I in love with Fluttershy? she wondered.
Rainbow went over and knocked on the closet door. No answer came from the other side. "I know you're in there Fluttershy!" Still no answer. "I made waffles!"
The door opened slightly and Fluttershy's head peaked out from from behind it.



Fluttershy was feeling better after eating a little. She regretted missing dinner last night, but when she thought about it, that was about all she regretted. She never expected to stay the night, she only wanted to help her friend get better.
As she finished her breakfast, Fluttershy noticed that Rainbow Dash was staring at her. Fluttershy felt a blush creep across her cheeks under her friend's gaze. "Rainbow Dash," she started, "we need to talk about last-"
Fluttershy was interrupted when Rainbow Dash kissed her. Fluttershy felt her body freeze up while her insides melted with pleasure at the same time. Her mind completely shut down while her emotions were more turbulent than a hurricane. As for Rainbow Dash's side, she found the spark that she was looking for.
"Ha ha!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she pulled away, "Who's romantically inept now, Gilda!?"
Fluttershy blinked. "What just happened?"
"Flutters, has anyone ever told you how cute you look when you are confused?" The yellow pegasus blushed.
"Look Fluttershy," Rainbow Dash started, "I admit, I may not be in the best position to start a relationship again, but we've been friends for a long time. I really like you, and I'm positive that you feel the same way." Fluttershy's blush increased. "So if you promise that no matter what we will always be friends," Rainbow Dash touched her hoof, "then I'd like to give these feelings a chance."
"What are you saying Rainbow?"
Rainbow Dash paused and scratched the back of her head. "I guess I'm saying...I'd like to be your special somepony. If you'll have me."
After a few minutes, Fluttershy smiled. "I think I'd like that very much."



Ten years ago
Fluttershy's legs shook as she approached the lunch table at flight school. It was only her second day, and she had already made a friend. Well, she thought she did. She wasn't entirely sure.
Nevertheless, she walked up to the table where her hypothetical friend was sitting. "Um......"
"Oh hey, it's you!" the prismatic pegasus said, "Sorry I missed you after the race. I never did introduce my awesome self. The name's Rainbow Dash!"
"...Fluttershy..."
"Nice ta meet ya Fluttershy! Put 'er there!"
Rainbow Dash put out her hoof and Fluttershy bumped it with her own lightly. "Stick with me Flutters, and we'll go places!"
Fluttershy smiled and sat down, happy that she finally found a life-long friend.