> Rootbeer Smiles
>  by Lulubell
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> Chapter 1
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		She was standing behind the counter, giving her this root beer-float kind of smile; just the right amount of bubbly and sweet. Fluttershy rested her head on a hoof, watching the pink party pony from across Sugarcube Corner, idly sipping at an almost empty mango shake. 
Pinkie Pie flitted from customer to customer with breezy easiness. It was fun to watch. One minute she'd be at one side of the room, then the next before you could say lickety-split. She presented a platter of pastries to one couple, then a cake to a wide-eyed trio of young fillies who looked ready to dive in face first.
There was never a lack of customers at Sugarcube Corner and Fluttershy was willing to bet it was half because the sweets there were mouthwatering and half because of Pinkie Pie's charisma. No body could frown if she were around.
Well, almost no pony. Fluttershy sighed, nibbling at the straw in her empty glass. She herself was sporting an almost unnoticeable frown. Unnoticeable to everpony except Pinkie Pie of course. Not even two minutes later, Pinkie Pie was at her table, sliding another shake towards her.
“It's strawberry-banana! Your favorite!” Pinkie Pie said, beaming. 
“O-oh, thanks Pinkie...” Fluttershy mumbled quickly, turning to fish out her bit purse from her bag but Pinkie Pie laid a hoof over one of hers to stall her. Fluttershy squeaked, dropping the bit purse back into her bag.
“It's on me, silly,” Pinkie said, “Mrs. Cake says any friend of mine is welcome to whatever they want, on the house. I mean, everypony is my friend, but I can't just give away everything. Bad business, Mr. Cake says.” She raised her eyebrows, “If it were up to me, it'd be cakes and pies for everypony, everyday!” 
Fluttershy giggled. This is why she loved Pinkie- and why she was having such a problem. Love. Love was a strong, strong word. It could ruin friendships. She'd seen it happen before, and she loved Pinkie so much, she couldn't imagine life without her. Even if that meant being just friends.
“Thank you...” Fluttershy said, sipping at the new shake. She licked her lips free of the whipped cream that had found it's way there. Pinkie gave her a wink and disappeared back into the kitchen, humming a ditty.
Twilight had thought it was a good idea to tell Pinkie. That was the reason why Fluttershy was at Sugarcube Corner today. She was going to confess her love to her, but the anxiety that was gnawing at her insides was too much. 
“Be brave,” Fluttershy whispered to herself, clopping a hoof down on the table ever so softly, “That's what Twilight said. Be brave.”
She scrunched her nose and steeled herself. Next time she came over, next time she'd say it. Keeping it bottled up would wear you down, the princess of Friendship had advised. Besides, Pinkie would never give up a friend.
Yet, the thought nagged at Fluttershy. She knew Twilight was right and she was just being her anxiety-ridden self, as usual. 
“So, do you want to talk?” Pinkie asked, dropping herself into the seat across from Fluttershy. She quirked her eyebrows and gave her a gentle smile.
Fluttershy jumped, not expecting her return so quickly. She remained silent, the warm bustle of the cafe suddenly making her feel claustrophobic. Her heart began to pound, her chest restricting.
“'Shy, you know you can tell me anything!” Pinkie said, leaning close, concern written on her features, “A true true friend helps a friend in need and all that stuff!”
“I-i know...” Fluttershy mumbled quickly, “I just, I don't know how to say what I want to say...” She gulped, feeling her face flush red. She buried her face into her hooves and said something that sounded to Pinkie like “Eye love shoes.”
“Um, care to repeat that?” Pinkie asked, “I'm usually good at riddles but I don't think eyes wear shoes...” 
Fluttershy peeked through an opening between her hooves, “I...I...”
“Do you want me to guess? Ohh, oh! I love guessing games. Let me think!” Pinkie kicked back, pulling a bubble pipe from seemingly nowhere. She puffed out her cheeks, a few bubbles drifting here and there as she stroked her chin, “It has to be something really superduper serious for you to get so upset about!”
Her jaw hung open in a sudden realization, the pip clattering to the floor, “Omigosh! One of your pets is really sick!”
“No! No! Everyone is fine, if they weren't I wouldn't be here,” Fluttershy answered quickly, stemming Pinkie's fears.
Pinkie relaxed, but still looked worried, “True. Hmmm...” She tapped her chin and narrowed her eyes, “Oh! I got it! You came here to confess your undying love for me and are happily surprised when you realize that I, Pinkie Pie, love you too!” 
Fluttershy felt the world stop for just one second. She stared blankly at Pinkie Pie, her mouth agape. What had just happened?
“How...how did you know?” Fluttershy said, staring at her friend with a very confused expression. It was pretty adorable, if you had asked Pinkie later on.
“Oh, you know, Pinkie Sense!” Pinkie said, leaning forward on the table, “Fluttershy, you're so silly! I wish you had told me sooner.”
“I...I couldn't. I was so scar- wait, did you say that you l-loved me too?” 
“I was waiting for that to hit you,” Pinkie smiled widely as she leaped over the table. She landed on Fluttershy and squeezed her into a tight hug.
Fluttershy flailed wildly for a moment. The other ponies had all turned to look at them! She felt their eyes bore into the pair of entangled ponies, Pinkie Pie oblivious to the attention she was drawing.
It took a moment, but Fluttershy relaxed into Pinkie's embrace. This is what she had wanted, afterall. She had dreamed of this moment for months now, and here she was worrying about other ponies! Not today, she thought fiercely. She grabbed Pinkie's face in a moment of heated bravery and kissed her full on the lips. 
Pinkie's eyes shot wide open, but she wasn't complaining. She kissed Fluttershy, just a quick peck and pulled her back up on to her hooves. A few of the cafe patrons whooped and whistled. The trio of fillies still working on the cake they had ordered from earlier awwwed audibly. Fluttershy blushed as she hid behind her bang.
“Wanna go for a walk?” Pinkie asked, bouncing where she stood, “We have a lot of stuff to talk about!” 
“Sure, but what about work?” Fluttershy asked, heading towards the exist.
“Mrs. Cake said I could have off after I explained I was going to meet my first marefriend today.”
“O-of course,” Fluttershy said, “I should've guessed.”
Pinkie giggled, leading the way out into the bustle of Ponyville. Fluttershy walked with quiet calm, smiling to herself. Sometimes, it paid not to be brave.