Expectations
Fluttershy trotted alone on the sidewalk in front of a couple stores selling everything from shoes to danishes. The sky was overcast and looked like it may rain. She stopped to look up and admire Rainbows work. The clouds were tightly packed and appeared to covered the sky completely. The pegasi seemed to be done and Rainbow should have met her here a half hour ago. She sighed and began making her way home when a cyan blur almost knocked her down with a soft "Eep!", only to be saved by a familiar pair of hooves.
"Whoa, there, Flutters. You alright?" Rainbow asked as she trotted up next to her best friend.
"Oh, um, yeah. I'm fine." she replied. She turned to Rainbow with a relieved smile that radiated with warmth and comfort.
"Good, 'cause you seemed down before I made my awesome entrance. Now, come on! I wanna get there before it closes."
They both started off towards there favorite late-night rendezvous. They had been going to the Foaming Mug for about two years now. Fluttershy never really cared for the whiskey rainbow liked, but she liked to have a beer occasionally, but only for Dash. She felt at home with Rainbow Dash. Ever since flight school, she had always liked her, and maybe as more than a friend. She glanced over at Rainbow, admiring how she held herself. Rainbow didn't care what other ponies thought about her and didn't let anypony push her around; not even a little bunny. Fluttershy let out a frustrated grunt and pushed away the inappropriate thoughts. Rainbow was just her friend, no matter how much she wished she were more. They passed a large metal object surrounded by police tape, officers, and science ponies. She brushed it off as nothing and continued down the road.
After they rounded the corner, the neon sign flashing the words "The Foaming Mug" with a neon pony taking swig after swig from her bottomless cup came into view. The sign was a sight very familiar to the two. Rainbows face lit up and Fluttershy's mouth curled in to an infectious smile that could make anyone's heart melt. When they came closer to the doors, the sounds of music and alcohol fueled fun greeted their ears. Rainbow flew ahead to open the door for the yellow pegasus. Fluttershy thanked her and stepped onto the wooden floor. Dash followed behind and galloped up to a stool and ordered two beers before Fluttershy could protest. As she made her way to her friend, she breathed in the nostalgic musky smell of smoke, sweat, and the ever present scent of alcohol. She sat down between Rainbow and a tipsy stallion. Capps, the bartender, slid two mugs across the counter and dropped Dash's bits into a bowl. Rainbow downed a fourth of her drink and turned to Fluttershy with a foamy upper lip.
"So, what's going on in the world of Flutters?" She lowered her voice as she continued, "You aren't still letting that stupid rabbit push you around, are you?"
"Oh, everything's been fine lately." Fluttershy replied, "Angel's been kinder since my little episode with Iron Will."
"Okay, but if he gives you anymore trouble, you just holler and I'll come help out in anyway I can."
"Thanks, but he's really fine," Fluttershy knew that Angel Bunny was not being any better and has started treating her like a slave, but she didn't want to be of any nuisance to any of her friends.
Rainbow sat, unsure of what to say to change topic and keep the conversation alive. At the moment, it was almost flat-lined. She lit up as an idea caught her.
"How 'bout we slam a few more beers and fly to your house and see what unfolds?"
At that, Fluttershy's wings shot up, but quickly folded back to her side as she slunk down into her chair with an embarrassed squeak.
"Uh, Rainbow, I don't know-" she was cut off before she could finish.
"We could play videogames, maybe some Pony Kombat? Wait, do you have a GameSphere?" She turned to Fluttershy, curious.
Fluttershy was relieved, but also a bit disappointed. She lifted the mug in front of her and took a sip. She liked the taste of beer, but she was worried about the consequences of drinking too much. She began to relax and watched the mug foam down. some ponies behind her began playing billiards and has just broken. A wasted mare sat against the wall watching a large stallion curse and slam an old jukebox. Fluttershy had never seen anypony get it to work, but didn't wan't to get in the way of the aggressive pony.
"You don't have one, do you?" Fluttershy shook her head, "That's alright, I don't even know how to hold the controller, or how I'm holding this mug, for that matter." She lifted the mug and stared quizzically before drinking the rest and ordering another for her and Fluttershy. She began to say no, but stopped after she noticed her empty mug. And how off balance she felt. She'd had too much. She turned and stared at the floor in case she might throw up. She would have if the stallion to her right hadn't gripped her mane and yanked her head up to meet his furious eyes.
"My marefriend just broke up with me," he said in a deep, aggressive voice, "So you're *hic* coming with me." he got off the chair and began dragging her by her mane to the door, squealing.
*CRACK*
Fluttershy dropped to the floor as Rainbow bucked the stallion in the back of his head.
"Don't you fucking DARE lay a hoof on MY marefriend!" Dash's mane hung partially in front of her face as fury burned behind it. The dazed stallion struggled to get to his hooves as Fluttershy galloped to the back, tears streaming down her face. He turned to Rainbow before trowing up a pool of blood, beer, and almonds. He looked at the puddle in panic before stumbling and falling limp on the wood floor. Dash galloped to her friend and together they began slowly trotting to the door. Rainbow Dash dropped ten bits on the counter and told Capps to keep the change.
"Alright, RD. You girls watch yourselves out there, alright?" he called to them as they closed the door.
Fluttershy's hoof was slung over Rainbow's back as they made their way to her cottage. The sun had set by the time they reached it and angel was waiting at the front if the door tapping his paw.
"Oh. my! Angel, I completely forgot to feed him his dinner!" Fluttershy yelled (as much as she can, anyway) as she galloped to the bunny, "Go ahead and come inside. I'll be out in a little while."
Rainbow Dash trotted up to her door and walked inside. Spotless. Not the she expected any less. She climbed onto the couch and waited patiently. After a couple minutes, Fluttershy emerged from the kitchen, mane slightly unkempt, and took a seat next to Rainbow Dash.
"So, um, did you mean it when you said, um, back in the bar, that uh..." she couldn't quite say it, but Rainbow understood what she meant.
"The marefriend thing? Oh, I thought that we were kind of, you know, a thing, aren't we?" Fluttershy could feel the heat radiating from Dash's blush.
"I-I don't know, I kinda, um... really like you. I understand if you don't feel the same, though," she trailed off as she finished.
"Well, I, uh, I actually have always REALLY liked you, too," she turned to Fluttershy, "I've had a crush on you since flight school, in fact." her blush was burning on her face as she talked.
Fluttershy turned to Dash. Rainbow's eyes burned with care and fear; Fluttershy had never seen her in such a submissive state.
Fluttershy leaned forward until she could feel Dash's breath on her fur.
Then the bomb from the street detonated and everypony died.
THE END