It was the night before Hearth's Warming, and little stirred in the streets of Canterlot as the six friends made their way through the waning light, towards the train station.
It'd been an honour to be chosen to represent a founder of Equestria in the Hearth's Warming pageant. A terrifying honour, for Fluttershy, but an honour all the same. It wasn't half as bad as she thought, once she got up on the stage. It probably helped that she was among friends – they made her feel safe. And also that she couldn't really see the audience for the lights.
They'd been walking in silence since they left the theatre, but that only lasted until Rainbow got one of those looks on her face, like she'd just had an interesting thought. She flashed Fluttershy a smile, then bounced forwards between Rarity and Applejack, to start a conversation. “So, Hurricane and Pansy,” she said. “What do you think?”
Applejack quirked a brow at her. “Think about what?”
“She means to ask whether we think they were involved,” Rarity explained. “And in answer, I'd say that I very much doubt it.”
Rainbow frowned at her. “How come?”
Twilight got a smile on her face, the one that said, 'I read this in a book'. “Romantic relationships between military personnel were outright forbidden in those days,” she said. “And especially with the huge difference in rank, it's highly unlikely that they'd pursue any feelings they did have. It'd be impossible to keep a relationship from interfering with the chain of command. At least, that was the original reasoning behind it.”
There was a moment of silence while everyone else absorbed that.
“...Well, that's a total downer,” said Pinkie.
“It's not very romantic, true,” Twilight agreed, “but it's quite sound from a logical standpoint.” She paused, and frowned. “Though I'd probably feel differently if I was the solider in question.”
Rainbow rolled her neck and jumped back in. “So, military protocol aside, you didn't answer the question, Twilight.”
“I just said it was highly unlikely--”
“But you didn't say it didn't happen,” said Rainbow, smirking.
Twilight rolled her eyes, then gave she and Fluttershy a pointed smile. “Well, I suppose they would make a sweet couple.”
“Yes, one!” Rainbow cheered. “How 'bout you, AJ? Pansy-cane – perfect match or no?”
Applejack laughed. “You already know how I feel about it, lovebird.”
“Was that a pegasus joke? Those are so Pre-Equestriaic.”
“That ain't a word. And you're too sensitive.”
“Am not!”
Fluttershy watched the exchange with a smile on her face, walking a little behind the rest of the group. It felt warm to see them all like this, even in the heart of winter. That was what the holiday was all about, she supposed. Finding warmth among friends when everything else was dark and scary.
Rainbow looked back over her shoulder, noticing Fluttershy hanging back. She'd obviously finished her discussion, because she slipped back and fell into step beside her. “So, what about you, Fluttershy?” she asked. “Think Hurricane and Pansy would work?”
Fluttershy smiled at her. “Something tells me that it would have.” She pressed up against Rainbow's side as they walked. It was a familiar weight now. “It was a lovely performance, wasn't it? You're a very good actor.”
“Yeah, I know,” Rainbow agreed. “You were great, too. Nailed it.”
“I didn't really have to act very much,” said Fluttershy, though she appreciated the compliment. “Except for the really, really disliking you part. I'd never say that about anypony. Especially not you.”
Rainbow chuckled. “Yeah, that's true. I guess it wouldn't be much of a roleplay if you didn't really have to act.”
Fluttershy tilted her head. “Roleplay?”
“Well, I was just thinking,” said Rainbow. “You looked pretty hot in that outfit...”
It took Fluttershy a moment to catch up. When she did, she found a playful smile. “Oh, really? I suppose I could ask Twilight if they'd let me... borrow it for a while.” She turned the smile on Rainbow. “With your permission, Commander.”
Rainbow grinned. “Permission granted, Private.”
Fluttershy felt a flush of heat. That was definitely not on the list of things she thought she'd be agreeing to today. Nor was performing in front of hundreds of ponies, now that she thought about it. Today was full of surprises. Tomorrow would be too, judging by the number of presents she had under her tree at home, from all her friends. She smiled at the thought.
“Do you have any plans for tomorrow?” Fluttershy asked.
“Hearth's Warming? Nah, not really. I mean, Pinkie's throwing that party at the bakery at twelve, but after that, I don't know. Why? You wanna do something together?”
“If you wanted to,” said Fluttershy.
“Yeah, 'course I want to,” said Rainbow. “What'd you have in mind?”
Hearth's Warming came around, and it was a beautiful day. White clouds let enough of the sunlight through to make the fields of snow over Ponyville gleam, without turning it to slush. It was freezing out, so Fluttershy had dressed up warm – in a fluffy green winter saddle with matching bobble-hat, and a yellow-striped scarf that was her Hearth's Warming gift from Rarity. Rainbow Dash had matched her – though she was all in red except for the white bobble – and they met up on one of the smaller lakes outside of town.
Ice-skating was harder than most ponies made it look, but still easier than it sounded, once you'd gotten the hang of it. Luckily, despite having not been skating in a while, Fluttershy hadn't forgotten how to do it, so she hadn't fallen over yet. Yet.
“This was an awesome idea, pal,” said Rainbow, with a warm smile on her face as they skated in a casual circle.
“I think so, too,” said Fluttershy. She was on the inside, and staying a couple of steps apart from Rainbow so that they didn't collide. “It's very relaxing.”
“Only 'cause it's just the two of us,” said Rainbow. “If you've seen Pinkie Pie skating, it gets pretty crazy. Impressive, but crazy.”
Fluttershy giggled in agreement. It was always nice – and always soothing – to spend time alone with Rainbow, whatever they were doing. It didn't have to be romantic dates or dinners in front of the fire. Just being together was the special part.
They fell into a silence, and for a long while, they just kept circling, content to enjoy one another's company and listen to the wind and the clack of skates against the ice. Minutes passed, maybe even hours. It all blended together into one long, perfect moment of peace and comfort. Fluttershy didn't feel the cold, just the warmth of being with Rainbow.
Feeling Rainbow's gaze, Fluttershy looked across at her. Rainbow was smiling at her, looking warm and particularly cute in her hat and scarf. Fluttershy smiled back. Rainbow really did have pretty eyes. It was easy to get lost in them, and Fluttershy did. The world outside got quiet and hazy, and though her hooves kept working against the ice, they did so on their own, leaving the rest of her to focus on Rainbow.
“Do me a favour?” said Rainbow, still gazing into her eyes. “Don't ever let me forget this.”
Fluttershy's smile turned questioning. “Forget what?”
Rainbow kept her hooves on the ice, and made an all-encompassing gesture with her head and eyes. “This. This date. This moment. You and me, here.” Something glistened in her eye. Her voice went a little scratchier than usual. “I think... this is the happiest I've ever been.”
Fluttershy felt something tug at her heart as she saw the tear in her marefriend's eye. “Oh, Rainbow...” She guided them to a stop at the edge of the lake, and they both stepped off the ice into the snow. Fluttershy kicked her shoes off and touched Rainbow's leg, giving her a look which, she hoped, told that she had no idea what to say. The sentiment had caught her totally off guard, and saying that she was touched by it would be putting it mildly.
Rainbow shook her head, kicked off her shoes too and used a hoof to wipe her eyes. “Ugh. Sorry. Don't know where that came from.”
Fluttershy's concerned frown held. “I think I might,” she said. It certainly sounded like it came from her heart.
There was a pause until Rainbow was sure she'd gotten rid of the wetness, then she took a breath and let it out in a sigh. She looked up at the sky. “This is crazy, Fluttershy,” she said. “So crazy. I don't understand why I feel this way.”
Fluttershy could've said something in the pause, but she didn't know what. Something in Rainbow's voice said that she was about to try getting something off her chest. Fluttershy did what she was best at, and listened.
“I don't know how to say it,” Rainbow went on. “I don't even know how I got to this, or when it happened. It's huge.”
Fluttershy felt her heart. “What're you talking about, Rainbow?”
Rainbow glanced down at the ground, then met Fluttershy's eyes with as much intensity as she'd ever seen. “I think I'm in love with you, Fluttershy,” she said. “I think I have been for a while now. I've just been too afraid to admit it to myself. Because if I'm in love with you, then--” She paused to shake her head, mouthing hopelessly. “--then I don't know. It's new. I've never been here before.”
Fluttershy gazed back into her, thoughts racing and heart doing the same. “Do you really mean that? That you... love me?”
Rainbow nodded. “Yeah. I do.”
'Oh my goodness,' Fluttershy thought, as an unbearable heat flooded her body, even despite the freezing air over the lake. There it was. The moment that she'd read about in story books. She'd dreamed of one day hearing those words herself, but she'd never imagined...
She'd loved Rainbow for a long time – they'd been best friends since they were foals, and the care and concern they shared for one another had always been love, there was no doubt.
But being in love? That was something Fluttershy hadn't even considered. Their bond had only been growing stronger over the past few months, there was no denying that. And the warm feeling Fluttershy got when she thought about Rainbow, or kissed her, or even when they were just around one another, that was growing too. She hadn't been able to give a name to it.
But now she could.
Fluttershy did the only thing she could think to do – she moved in and kissed Rainbow. There had been a lot of kisses, a lot of indescribable moments of closeness between them. Every one of those moments meant the world to Fluttershy. And this one meant more. It was a deep kiss, filled with heartwarming flame, only made brighter by the thought racing through Fluttershy's mind. 'She's in love with me.'
The kiss was one of the longest they'd ever shared. When they finally pulled back from it and opened their eyes, Rainbow truly did look happier than she'd ever been. There was a silent question behind her eyes, and Fluttershy didn't waste time in answering it.
“I love you, too,” Fluttershy told her.
“For real?” said Rainbow.
Fluttershy kissed her again, shorter, but just as deeply. She pulled back with a smile. “I'm in love with you,” Fluttershy reaffirmed. It was the most terrifyingly beautiful thing she'd ever said. And she meant it, with all her heart.
The look on Rainbow's face was priceless. “Never thought I'd hear that,” she said. “Especially not from my best friend.”
“Neither did I,” Fluttershy said. “It feels...”
“Awesome?”
“Wonderful,” said Fluttershy. “Only, more wonderful than anything I've ever felt.”
“You said it,” Rainbow agreed.
They shared a long, smiling silence, enjoying the feeling while it lasted. Like their first kiss, there would only ever be one first 'I love you.' But Fluttershy hoped that there would be a second, and a third, and many more. It was a moment to cherish though. Even if it did raise an important question...
Fluttershy gave her partner a thoughtful frown. “What happens now?” she wondered out loud.
Rainbow shook her head. “I don't know. Like I said, I've never been here before. But I think we just keep doing what we normally do. Like this--” She waved at the lake. “--and this.” She moved in and kissed Fluttershy.
Fluttershy's chest bubbled with a laugh. After the kiss, she nodded in agreement. “That sounds perfect to me.”
“And I guess we keep saying it. Like, a lot,” Rainbow finished.
“Saying I love you?”
“Yeah,” said Rainbow. “How sappy is that?”
Fluttershy giggled. “Sappy enough for me.”
Rainbow smiled back. “So, d'you wanna keep skating?” she asked.
“Definitely,” said Fluttershy. “I want to make the most of today. In fact, I'd much rather that it never ended at all.”
Rainbow shrugged. “It doesn't have to,” she said. “We've got all the time in the world. Come on.”
Rainbow led Fluttershy back out onto the ice, and they started skating again. They didn't say anything more, both of them keeping their focus on the act rather than looking at one another. But Fluttershy didn't have to look at Rainbow to know that she was smiling too.
* * *