//------------------------------// // Role Reversal - goaway // Story: The FlutterDash Group Collab // by Dalek Saxon //------------------------------// Role Reversal by goaway My nerves are such that I'm afraid I'll fall through the bed of clouds, even though that's impossible for a pegasus pony. It's an awkward position to be in, and I'm not just speaking physically; I've dug a peep-hole with my hoof, and I'm pretty sure nopony can see me, but there's always that slight twinge of fear that I'll be discovered. I guess that's what makes it so exciting. The thrill of getting caught. Making myself as vulnerable as I have is a rare thing, and I don't enjoy it, but the show is worth the risk. A beautiful figure pirouettes in the clear sky below, a trail of pink and yellow blurring together in her wake. She's cut her mane and tail short, and maybe it's narcissism speaking, but the delicately-spiked tresses make her look even more gorgeous, framing her lovely face rather than covering it. Fluttershy comes here every weekend to practice her flying; I didn't know where she disappeared to at first, so I decided to follow her – rude, I know, but as her best friend, I feel a certain obligation toward her – to this place one day. Curiosity, that was all. Ever since the events of the hurricane, I'd been trying to push her out of the shell she'd cocooned herself in since foalhood; I'm gratified that Fluttershy has been taking my lessons to heart, and her flight skills have come on leaps and bounds. If she knew I was watching, she'd retreat back inside herself, so I can only – with much guilt – remain a passive observer of her aerial ballet. What little common sense I possess tells me to retreat back to Ponyville, but honestly, could you turn away from that radiant smile and flushed expression? The redness of her face, the breath coming in ragged gasps, the flutter of her wings … it all conspires to put sleazy ideas in my head, and a surge of shame courses through me. I should NOT be thinking about my best friend in that manner. When I started at flight school, Fluttershy was a year ahead of me, but she accepted me right away when my brashness – putting it mildly – irritated the others. I've always known that I was awesome, and humility didn't come easy to me, but that didn't stop the shy filly from befriending me, anyway. We took care of and protected each other from the bullies. Until the sonic rainboom. Until she nearly died falling from Cloudsdale. Until she moved to the ground and I was having too much fun to visit her. When Twilight Sparkle brought us all together as the Elements of Harmony, my relationship with Fluttershy picked up almost from where it had left off. It became stronger, even. On my part, at least. I don't know when my affection for her crossed the border from like into love, but Celestia knows I'd never tell her how I truly feel. She needs somepony like her: gentle, kind, attentive. Not an arrogant fly-girl with her head in the clouds. My introspection is cut short when a timid voice says, “What are you doing here, Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy was hovering just below my cloud, a frown creasing her face. Busted. Surprised, I almost fall, but my wings kick-in instinctively. Fuelled with adrenaline, my first impulse is to make a run for it, but I can't escape from that doe-eyed stare of hers. It isn't quite a full-on Stare, but it's enough to sap my will. “Um,” I respond dumbly, all the blood having vacated my brain in the meantime. How do I get out of this? Tell the truth? “Were you … spying on me?” I nod slowly. “Why?” Fluttershy asks, looking perplexed. Who can blame her? Words are slow to form, and I sense her impatience with me growing. Maybe she's getting a little bit too much assertiveness training? “I like watching you,” I finally say, totally not sounding like a creepy stalker. “Uh,” I correct myself quickly, “I mean, it makes me really happy seeing you growing more confident in your abilities. It, um, I'm proud of you.” A blush tints her cheeks. “You mean that?” “I do.” “I …” Some of her old shyness returns. “What is it?” I ask gently, wishing I could avert my gaze from those glittering blue eyes of hers. I'm pretty sure that my heartbeat can be heard across Equestria right now. Fluttershy bites her bottom lip before replying. “I didn't think I would've had a chance with you unless I was a better athlete, so I've been coming here every weekend for months to improve.” Her face is practically a ripe beetroot by this point. “Rarity said that you would only be happy with somepony who could keep up with you.” “Fluttershy,” I say, my mind not quite believing what my ears were hearing, “I like you because you're you. You don't need to prove anything to me.” I laugh giddily at the thought of all she's put herself through on my account. Because she wants to be good enough for me, not realising she's already my perfect girl. My forelegs reach out to encompass her waist and she lets out a soft yelp at the embrace she suddenly finds herself in. “I like you,” I say, placing a small kiss on her nose. “I like you a lot.” “I like you, too,” she replies, returning the gesture and giggling nervously. “Will you … give me some more lessons?” Her eyes flash with a suggestiveness I would not have thought her capable of. “It would be my honour,” I grin.