> Prom Protector
>  by Natedogg2006
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Unwanted Invitations
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot High was widely considered to be one of the liveliest schools in the city. With such an active and enthusiastic student body it was almost impossible to find any place in the school that wasn't buzzing with activity at any given moment. Even while classes were in session one could usually find students coming and going down almost every hall. Whether it was for some club activity, a student forgetting something in their locker, or just friends hanging out during a free period, there was always something happening. 
     
However, this fact was proving to be a nuisance for one particular student. They moved like a shadow through the halls. Ducking here, diving there, desperately making sure not a soul spotted them as they went. From behind a trash can they watched with frustration as a conversation at a locker dragged on into its sixth minute, the participants selfishly preventing their progression. It was with a mixture of joy and dread that they noticed the pair finish and begin to move away from where they hid. They could move now, but of course every move risked exposure. But they were in the clear now. Muscles clenched, they prepared to move, just this one hallway left between them and their final goal...
     
"Hey Shy."
     
"Eep!!!"
     
Fluttershy stumbled from behind the trash can, immediately curling into a defensive position as her usual anxieties flared up and rendered her helpless. After nothing happened for a minute she finally looked out from behind the defences of her hair and hands covering her face to see what had triggered her. What she saw was Rainbow Dash crouching down next to her with her usual smug smile.
     
Seeing this Fluttershy relaxed considerably, but still had to sit where she was and breathe heavily for a minute. Rainbow knew this, and knew she had to wait until at least step three of a Fluttershy freak out to talk to her. Luckily she noticed her begin to nervously comb her fingers through her hair in an attempt to make it look like she hadn't been hiding behind it again, so she decided to proceed. 
     
"So, what's wrong and who's butt am I kicking this time?"
     
Fluttershy tensed again, but this wasn't a full freak out so Dash just waited briefly. She knew there was a good chance her friend would accidentally spill the beans if she just left the question awkwardly hanging for a minute. That didn't seem to be the case this time though.
     
"No no Dash, there's nothing wrong. I just... I'm just late for class and you startled me is all."
     
"Shy," she said, raising a questioning eyebrow, "you're not late for class. Class is already more than half over. If you get there now Mr. Doodle is just going to send you to detention for the rest of the period. I'm only here because we were doing the mile run in gym and coach Spitfire said I could leave when I finished. You'd be better off skipping and coming up with a good excuse for it tomorrow."
     
Fluttershy made a shocked expression before reaching into her pocket and pulling out her phone to check the time. A pained and embarrassed expression followed, one that saw her retreat behind her hair again while mumbling. "Oh, I... I guess you're right. I... Umm. It's just...."
     
"Of course I'm right. So you and me might as well go get our lunches and get a start on that." She said this while rolling back on her heels and standing. She reached back down to offer the other girl a hand up. 
     
"Oh, uh... I guess that sounds like a good idea." She reached out and took hold of the hand, letting it ease her up from the floor. "Thank you Rainbow."
     
"No problem." Fluttershy was now standing, but Rainbow did not release her hand. Rainbow didn't notice color just start coming to Fluttershys face as she turned, still holding onto the hand. "And while we're there we can get back to the subject of what's wrong and who's butt I'm gonna be kicking. 
     
Fluttershy tensed up yet again, but Rainbow had a firm enough grip to pull her in the direction of their lockers. 


***


Both girls usually brought their own lunches for different reasons. Fluttershy because the schools vegetarian options were often limited, Rainbow because she was on an athlete's diet for the upcoming soccer season. But while they were lucky enough to have managed to get lockers next to each other at the start of the year, they were not lucky enough to get them in a convenient location. Thus they had had to double back across the school before doubling back again to the lunch room. That being said, they still had about ten minutes before any other students that hadn't had free periods before lunch started funneling into the lunch room by the time they got there. 
     
They sat at the back at their groups usual table. Being saviors of the school meant no one bothered questioning that this definitely was the Rainbooms table. Thus they had a fair bit of privacy as they set their lunches out and Rainbow immediately launched back into her questioning. 
     
"So spill. What or who has you on edge this time?"
     
"It was nothing Rainbow Dash. I just didn't want to interrupt Lyra and Bonbons conversation is all." She smiled sweetly. Fluttershy had been expecting this, but she still wasn't very good at lying, especially to Rainbow Dash. So while the explanation had come out quickly and did make sense in a very Fluttershy way, Rainbow was still very unconvinced. 
     
"Yeah no. I watched you for probably over ten minutes. You were jumping around like you were in a bad spy movie, and probably only like half of that was spent hiding behind that trash can. So it definitely has nothing to do with them."
     
Fluttershy looked away. She raised her sandwich to her face and took the smallest of bites, nervously chewing away to avoid the question while somewhat hiding behind it. Rainbow Dash had to steel her resolve not to be won over by the display. She continued staring, which continued to make Fluttershy's gaze turn further away from her. It wasn't until she couldn't turn away any more without straining her neck and she was completely hiding behind her lunch that she finally spoke. "I... It's not something you can help me with Rainbow."
     
It was said at a barely audible volume, but years of dealing with Fluttershy had granted Rainbow with an unmatched ability to hear such things. "That's what you always say Shy. And every time it is totally something I can help you with. I'm Rainbow Dash remember, there's nothing I can't do. So come on, we both know you're gonna spill eventually. And we both know I'm not gonna stop until you feel better. So just tell me who's butt I'm kicking and we can get to the fun part. I mean after all," she paused to direct a smug smirk at her oldest friend, you can't help me with Cranky's homework if you have to keep ditching his class right."
     
The attempt to lighten the mood didn't seem to work. Fluttershy finally turned to face Dash with an earnest look in her eyes. "No Rainbow, it's really not something you can help me with. It.. it's something completely different and I'm not sure what to do about it. No one's being mean to me, not really anyway. And even if that was the case, you couldn't help because you can't beat them up and not get in trouble."
     
"A day in detention is something I can handle if it makes you safe. I always get off with a slap on the wrist because I'm defending you anyw..." 
     
"It's not the same this time Rainbow!" The outburst was only loud by Fluttershy standards, but it still took Rainbow aback a little. "You.. you can't beat up that many people and not get in serious trouble. And.. and I wouldn't let you anyway."
     
"That many people? Shy, what's going on? Seriously. If this thing is this big I'm definitely doing something about it."
     
"I already told you you can't." Fluttershy looked at her friend in earnest again, hoping to calm her down before she continued. It didn't seem to be helping. "It.. it's because of prom." Rainbow had been scowling at Fluttershy to press her on, now the scowl added a squint out of sudden confusion. Fluttershy took a deep breath to push herself further. "Apparently it's gotten around that I, umm, have a hard time saying no to people. So, umm, a bunch of people have apparently decided that if.. if they keep asking me to prom, eventually I'll say yes to one of them."
     
A look of shock had come over Rainbow Dash. That quickly morphed to a mixture of anger and disgust as the words sank in. "What!!!???" That outburst was loud even by Rainbow Dashes standards, so the few students that had started to enter the lunch room that were now standing in line waiting for lunch to officially start were now staring in their direction. "Fluttershy, that's not just bullying, that's straight up harassment!!!"
     
"No it's not Rainbow. I mean, I'm not interested in any of them but, I guess they're doing it because they like me. I mean, I guess that's the reason."
     
"Fluttershy you're awesome, but I can guarantee this has nothing to do with that. They're just doing this because you're hot." Rainbow was no longer paying attention to what was coming out of her mouth. Her vision was on the border of going red as she was becoming lost in her rage. The words brought a slight bit of color to Fluttershy's cheeks for a moment, but the moment came and went as Rainbow Dash slammed her fist against the table and stood from her chair. She began to pace behind her friend as she mumbled plans of what she might do. 
     
This went on for several minutes as the lunchroom started to fill up. The attention it was causing was making Fluttershy more and more uncomfortable. Rainbow finally stopped pacing and turned back to Fluttershy. She put her hand on her shoulder and turned the pink haired girl to face her. "I want names Shy. A full list of every guy doing this to you, and I want it now."
     
Fluttershy didn't like when Rainbow let her anger get the best of her. She shied away as she tried to avoid her friend's piercing gaze. "Rainbow please. I ...I don't like it when you get in trouble for me. A... And it's not just the boys anyway."
     
"WHAT!!!!!?????" That was apparently a misstep. Fluttershy didn't know why, but that seemed to set Rainbow Dash off even more. The pacing resumed and Fluttershy thought she could now hear long streams of obscenities coming from her usually laid back friend. The display of anger was the reason neither girl noticed a figure approaching. 
     
"Well hello there Fluttershy. Fancy meeting you here." A very over groomed young man took a seat next to Fluttershy, pushing Rainbow Dashes lunch aside casually as he did so. 
     
Fluttershy let out a small "eep", having not noticed him coming. "H.. Hello Blueblood. It's, umm... Nice to see you again." Fluttershy was suddenly very uncomfortable. She attempted to move as far away from him as she could on her chair. 
     
He didn't seem off-put by this at all. He only took it as a chance to move closer, thoroughly invading the meek girls personal space. "Yes well, I'm sorry you had to run off so quickly last time. You didn't let me finish telling you of my grand plans for me and you next Friday."
     
He was just about to go into details of tuxedos, limos, and all the usual gaudy aspects of a prom date when a fist came down on the table next to him. "Hey buddy, clearly the lady isn't interested. So how about you get out of here."
     
The pompous young man didn't seem to react to it, barely turning his head to address the girl attempting to glare holes in the back of his head. "I'm not your buddy and this discussion does not concern the likes of you. I believe the lady can decide for herself whom she wants to talk to."
     
Rainbow noticed Fluttershy giving her a pleading look. Despite having been worried about Rainbow getting in trouble just minutes before Rainbow noticed the same look she had seen in her oldest friend's eyes many times over the years. Fluttershy needed help, and Rainbow Dash was the only person who could give it. 
     
Rainbow forced her fist against the table harder, causing her knuckles to crack loudly. "This isn't a discussion. This is just me telling you to get lost before I make you." The words came out through gritted teeth.
     
"Listen here you uncultured ruffian," he said while finally turning to address Rainbow, "your little friend here is currently the most sought after prize in the school.."
     
"She is not a prize." The words were roared through Dash's clenched jaw.
     
"Whatever you say, but you cannot possibly keep upstanding gentlemen such as myself from coveting her." He began to turn back towards Fluttershy as he continued. "You have no claim to her, so remove your tomboyish vulgarity from our presence while I..." He raised his hand to give Rainbow a shooing gesture, and that was all the opening she needed.
     
In one fluid movement Rainbow grabbed the offered wrist and twisted it around to the back of its owner. The arm that was not currently wrenching that arm up towards its own shoulder found itself pressed against the back of the boy's head. Both pressed the rest of the body forward until the side of his face met the table with a gut wrenching thud. 
     
The howl of pain didn't stop Blueblood's arrogance for long. "Unhand me you lowly...aggghhhh.'' Whatever he was going to say was cut off as Dash forced up on his arm some more for a second. As soon as she stopped he started again. "What makes you think you can do such a thing to me."
     
"I'm doing it ain't I?" Another groan of pain as Rainbow forced up again. 
     
"You have no place here. You can't stop interested parties from approaching her. What do you think you are, her girlfriend or something?"
     
Rainbow Dash was a very passionate person. She often acted more off instinct then thought. While this usually worked out for her, there were many times where she wished she could take the time and really consider her actions. She wasn't sure which it was going to end up being this time. 
     
With a twist Blueblood stumbled off his stolen seat. With one final jerk on his shoulder she violently shoved him away with a kick. Looking down at where he fell she exclaimed loudly. "Yes she is, you prick!"
     
With that she turned to the stunned girl next to her. Too fast for her to offer any protest Rainbow quickly but delicately raised Fluttershy off of her seat, brought her close, and planted what looked like a deep, passionate kiss on her lips right in front of the assembled student body, all of whom were currently watching. 
     
Not a soul in the room moved for the next five minutes.
> Explanations and Revelations
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So Fluttershy has been hiding the fact that a bunch ah' guys, and I guess girls, have been hitting on her nonstop all week?"
     
"Eeeyup."
     
"And y'all came up with this plan to make everyone think y'all's are datin' not more than a minute after hearing bout' this?"
     
"Eeeyup."
     
"And that's why y'all got Fluttershy sitting on ya' lap like that?"
     
Rainbow looked up at the catatonic girl perched on her lap in a rigid state. "Eeeyup."
     
"Ya' know I hate it when ya' answer like Big Macintosh Rainbow."
     
Rainbow smiled in a cocky manner. "Eeeyup."
     
The rest of the group had already entered the lunchroom and had been in route to help before the incident had occurred. Thus they had all seen what had happened clearly. AppleJack was the only one not in attendance as she took shop class at the other end of the campus right before lunch and was usually the last one to make it to the lunch room. So they had had to take the time to get her up to speed before Rainbow could divulge her hastily created plan. 
     
The lunchroom itself had been way too active after the incident to discuss said incident though. So the Rainbooms had all finished their lunches quickly and retreated to a secluded area of the library where they could discuss it in relative peace. Around Rainbow arranged between two couches, a few random chairs, and a table set up for ease of study sat the rest of her best friends, and all were giving her questioning looks of varying seriousness. Minus Pinkie Pie. 
     
AppleJack looked up to Fluttershy. Her expression hadn't changed since her and Rainbows lips had parted. Rainbow Dash had basically had to drag her to the library, but she did so in a way that would look to the many onlookers like they were just embracing while they walked. Now the poor girl sat, still with eyes wide open and arms folded against her chest protectively. As far as anyone could tell she had yet to even blink. 
     
"Has she said anything yet?" AppleJack now questioned. 
     
"Eeenope," was Rainbows response. AppleJack gave her a glare. Rainbow just chuckled. 
     
"Is the poor dear even breathing Rainbow? She looks positively dreadful." Rarity this time, with her patented overreacting.
     
Rainbow just rolled her eyes and placed a hand on Fluttershy's back, feeling the rhythmic, if short, rise and fall of her breathing. "She's fine. Heart rate is still through the roof though." Rarity gave her a disapproving stare. "What? It's fine. I've seen her get this way before. Give her an hour and she'll shrug it off."
     
"We're not about to wait an hour to make sure she's ok Rainbow Dash. You must know some way of getting her out of this."
     
"Well yeah, but I kinda don't want to use it."
     
"And why in the world not?" 
     
"Because if I use it too much she'll get used to it. You know how she is, finding ways to pull her out of this is hard to do."
     
"Rainbow Dash, she certainly can't go to fifth period like this. If you can revive her I suggest you do it now."
     
"Ugh. Fine." Rainbow reached up and tilted her still rigid friend down so she could whisper in her ear. "Hey Shy. Angel bunny fell down the laundry shoot again."
     
Fluttershy suddenly dove forward, arms outstretched. The only thing that kept her from face planting was Rainbow anticipating the lunge and holding her in place. A piercing, "Angel NOOOOOOO!!!!!" had the group at the center of attention again as the librarian rounded the corner and gave them a harsh glare. Realizing where she was Fluttershy blinked several times. Her cheeks lit up as she noticed her friends around her giving her concerned looks. She leaned back to avoid their stares only to notice the uneven nature of what she was sitting on. Looking back she saw Rainbow Dash smirking up at her. She then noticed where she was sitting.
     
With a small "eep," she managed to hop herself off the lap and attempted to move away. Unfortunately there was not much room left on the couch they were seated on. She was not even able to move far enough away to avoid it when Rainbow reached over and pulled her back over to her with an arm around her shoulder. 
     
"Relax Shy. I went a little far there, but I told you I'd find a way to protect you. Like I always do."
     
"S, s, so that really happened. You.. you told everyone we were dating... to protect me. And you.. you...." 
     
"Eeeyup." AppleJack shot Rainbow another glare. "And this time I'm not even gonna get in trouble for protecting you." She got some skeptical looks. "Ok, Blueblood might have a shiner. But that's one day of detention, tops."
     
A few hands met faces around the group. Pinkie was too busy writing furiously in a notebook to notice what any of them were doing. Sunset Shimmer face palmed the hardest but was the first to respond. "As bad as that is on its own, that's not even the worst thing here. You just went ahead and decided to pretend to be with Fluttershy, and you didn't even talk to her about it?"
     
"Didn't really have the time. I guess I could ask now." She turned to the girl who looked somewhat uncomfortable under her arm. "Hey Shy. You wanna be my pretend girlfriend for a week?"
     Despite knowing it was coming, the words made Fluttershy's face suddenly start going progressively more and more red. Hands met faces around the study nook again. Pinkie kept scribbling away. 
     
"It's a little late for that now Dash," Sunset admonished her when she finally pried her hand from her face. "And would you ease up. This is clearly a little much for her to handle."
     
"I.. It's ok." The words were barely audible, but the fact that they came out at all suddenly made all attention turn to the pink haired girl. The attention made her shy away again. She unconsciously curled into Dash just a little as she tried to hide. "I..I didn't know how I was going to get through next week if they kept... You know."
     
"Yeah, we get that you needed help, but I just think it was a little... Forward for Rainbow to just go and do something like that. I mean, are you ok with this?" Sunset gave Fluttershy a concerned look. 
     
"Umm well..." She looked away, suddenly realizing how much she was using Dash as a shield and moved away with her face going more red again. "It.. It might be a little uncomfortable, but.. Dash knows me well enough to know when..." She trailed off, unsure whether she should finish. She looked up to Rainbow Dash. 
     
Rainbow only rolled her eyes before continuing the story. "You guys know me and Shy have known each other longer than the rest of us have been together." Three heads nodded around her. Pinkie kept scribbling away. "Well, this isn't exactly the first time I've done something like this." Surprised looks went up among all those paying attention. "Not the whole, ya know, fake relationship thing, but I kinda have been trying to do everything I can to protect her ever since we were kids."
     
Fluttershy gave a small nod and a small smile. "Dash kinda knows when I really need help, and gives it to me even without me asking. Even sometimes when I feel like I don't want it and tell her not to." She looked up to give Dash as close to an admonishing glare as she could. Rainbow just laughed it off and finally let her go, feeling that there were no longer any interested parties still watching them. Fluttershy looked back to the rest of her friends. "I guess we've never said it out loud to anyone before, but Dash has pretty much been my protector ever since we first met. So... I think this is ok. Dash is just protecting me again. And.. If there's anyone I think I could fake this with, it's Dash."
     
"Yeah, minus the mushy stuff we're already around each other enough to act like a couple. I just gotta smooch her every now and then and we're good." Rainbow laughed as her sudden declaration made Fluttershy "eep" and freeze up again. "No honestly, after what I did in the lunchroom I think we can get away with hand holding and junk like that." Fluttershy was now leaning away from Dash, her blushing face still visible through her hair despite now unashamedly hiding behind it. 
     
Once again it was Sunset who tried to make sure she was ok. "So Shy. Even knowing what this is going to entail, are you still ok with this?"
     
Fluttershy did not move from her protective position, but the whole group noticed and gave a sigh of relief as her hair bobbed just a little indicating a nod. 
     
Rainbow Dash unconsciously reached out and began rubbing Fluttershy's back in a comforting gesture. "See, I told you all it's fine. We don't even have to worry about the next two days, and next week is totally already handled. Fluttershy just has to fake dump me right before the prom and we're good until the next fall formal."
     
Rarity let out a sigh. "Well I guess this is all settled, but it does rather put a damper on what I was planning on telling everyone today." Everyone's attention now turned to Rarity, minus Pinkie Pie who now had a stack of papers much larger than should have been possible from her notebook piled up on the table in front of her. "I had figured that since none of us had actual boyfriends going into prom week that you girls might be up for a group event for prom. Just a bunch of friends getting together to take the prom by storm. I already had some group dress ideas that would have made us all the talk of the school. But I guess that doesn't really work now."
     
The whole group contemplated this for a moment. Rainbow was the first to respond. "No, actually that's even better." This drew her quizzical stares. "I just figured on not going at all. But if we actually do go and Shy dumps me there, nobody will even think of asking her out again. Her reputation will be stone cold."
     
"Not too stone cold I hope. I'm sure the dear would like to have a boyfriend some day."
     
"Why would she, it's all downhill after dating the Rainbow Dash right." This finally got the rest of the group to relax, even Fluttershy managed a little laugh. 
     
Rarity looked excited. "So you girls are really on board with this." A chorus of agreement went up among the girls. "Oh this is going to be so much fun. You girls are simply going to love..."
     
"And finished!" Pinkie exclaimed as she slammed one last piece of paper down on the stack that was now taller than her. 
     
"Pinkie dear, what in the world is all that." All the assembled girls were now wondering just when she had managed to get the stack so tall.
     
"This is my plan for my 'Dashie and Shy Shy are finally the super duper cutest couple ever and that is super duper awesome' party." She ended with a smile that looked like it shouldn't be possible on a human face. The rest of the group just stared. 
     
"Pinkie, have you been paying attention at all?" Rainbow asked. 
     
"Nope!" Her smile didn't waver for a moment. 
     
"Pinks, we're faking it to keep Fluttershy safe."
     
Pinkie's smile finally fell. She looked over to the massive pile of papers earnestly before looking back at the fake couple now sitting comfortably close to each other. "Are you sure?" The pair just nodded. Pinkie looked back to the pile, her eyes becoming more earnest. Suddenly her smile came back and she looked back at them. "Well I guess you'll just have to get together for real then."
     
"Not happening Pinkie." Rainbow said flatly. Everybody was too focused on Pinkie to notice Fluttershy's cheeks start to take on color again. 
     
"It could happen," was Pinkie's only response. She rested her hands on the pile of plans protectively. It was just then that they heard the bell indicating the end of lunch. 
     
"Burn it Pinkie," Rainbow said as she stood, stretched, and reached down to help Fluttershy up. She then addressed the rest of the group. "We're still on for the usual study session tonight provided I'm not in detention right." Agreements came from the rest of the girls as they too began to rise. 


***


Rainbow Dash had a free period after lunch, so leaving the library with her friends was more of a formality. She gave each girl a wave as they were leaving. Then she got to Fluttershy. As usual there was a lot of foot traffic in the halls. It was apparent that eyes were watching them as they were the last of their friends to part. Noticing this, Dash decided one last show was in order.
     
Giving Fluttershy a quick look in warning, she leaned over and pecked her on the cheek. It still left Fluttershy a blushing, stuttering mess, but she was able to head to her next class well enough. She gave her a final wave as she rounded the corner. 
     
The halls finally cleared out, and for a brief minute Rainbow Dash was alone in the hall just outside the library. Her hand was still raised from waving to Fluttershy, and for some reason did not stop the process as the silence of the hall spread over her. The hand started to rise up to her head, and the other hand seemed to follow. 
     
The smile that now seemed plastered on her face finally dropped as her hands clutched her messy prismatic hair tightly.
     
"Shiiiiiiiiit!!!" She paused as her breathing became heavy.
     
"Shiiiiiiiit!!!!!" She was hissing under her breath, but the stress in her voice was making her words clearly audible if anyone were to enter the hallway. 
     
"Shit!"
     
"Shit!"
     
"Shit!"
     
"Shit!"
     
She had turned around and was now banging her head against the wall with every word. 
     
"What... The... Hell... Did... You......"
At the sound of voices coming from another hall Rainbow turned on a dime, assumed a relaxed posture leaning against the wall she had just been banging her head against, and casually began to whistle. The group of students that rounded the corner and entered the library either didn't pay attention to her or didn't notice her. The second the door closed behind them she turned and ran the other way down the hall. She rounded two corners and barged into the first bathroom door she found.
     
Once inside she couldn't think of what to do. She just stood at a sink gripping it hard, staring at her reflection in the mirror, and breathing heavily. 
     
"What is wrong with you, you moron. That was the single dumbest thing you could ever do. How are you going to hide..." A toilet flushed in a stall behind her. Without a thought she turned, ran forward, and kicked it open. Inside the stall was a large, muscular, white skinned boy Rainbow recognized. Apparently in her haste she had managed to barge into the wrong bathroom.
     
He was still in the process of fastening his pants when the stall door nearly smacked him in the face. That was probably why he wasn't able to resist when she grabbed him by the arm and yanked him forward. With a spin she swung him around and planted his face against the same mirror she was just using, his left arm now wrenched into the small of his back. 
    
"You didn't see anything! You didn't hear anything. You don't know anything. You weren't even here and as far as you know neither was I. DO. YOU. UNDERSTAND!!!?" 
     
He seemed as if he might try to protest, but additional pressure on his shoulder made that die in his throat. A weak, "yeah," was his only response. With that Rainbow let off the pressure and turned him towards the door with a shove.
     
"Good, now make sure no one else comes in here."
     
She turned back to the mirror as she heard the door close. She didn't really care what he did, Rainbow just needed a place to vent for a minute. Oddly the first thing to come to mind was that she was going to have to thank AppleJack for teaching her that hammer lock. It had been extremely helpful lately. Then she actually looked up into her own eyes and saw the terror written across them. She knew what the real issue here was. 
     
"You moron," she hissed much lower this time. "What THE HELL were you thinking? Fluttershy is off limits. You know this. So why did you do that?"
     
She pushed off the counter with a huff and began pacing, her hand reaching up to gently massage her head where she'd been smashing it against the wall. "This is bad. This is so bad. You are the absolute WORST match for Shy in the world. Case in point, what you just did. Shy needs someone gentle, someone who isn't going to push her too hard. So in other words, the exact opposite of you. No matter how much you want..." All that followed was a growl. She went back to the mirror and glared at herself again.
     
"You were supposed to put this behind you by now." She looked down, breathing heavily again. This part seemed to be the hardest to say, but she had done this before and knew it had to be said aloud so the words would stick. "She's the only person I think I could ever feel this way about... But there's no way it would ever work. Being her protector is the closest you will ever get, and trying for anything more will just screw that up." She looked back up to her own face again. "You can't be her protector and her lover. GET OVER IT!!!" 
     
She just sat and breathed hard for another few seconds. She finally straightened up, took one last deep breath, and ran her hands through her hair to smooth it back into something passable. "Ok, you got this. Just one week. Keep it together for one week. You've kept a lid on this for years, you can do it on hard mode for a week. Just keep the mushy stuff to a minimum..." She paused for a second as thoughts of what happened earlier came to mind. A swat to the side of the head brought her back out of it. "... And don't think about it." With one more deep breath she moved towards the door.
     
Exiting the bathroom she found Bulk Biceps standing across the hall looking nervous. "Remember what I said and get lost." He scampered away quickly. Though she had just finished a mile run a little while ago she definitely found herself in need of a good work out. She proceeded in the direction of the gym to see if some of the facilities were free to use. 
     
She thought of the upcoming weekend. 'At least I won't have to deal with this for the next couple days'. It was the only plus she could think of as she walked.
> Studying Worries
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Dangitdangitdangitdangit!!!!!'
     
After she had been the one to confirm the engagement, Rainbow Dash had completely forgotten about studying with the girls after school. When she had remembered late in final period she had suddenly wished to hear the crack of the intercom. She had figured most of the day that she'd hear it and be called to Luna's office for punishment. Apparently the commotion caused by what she had done had led to such convoluted stories about what had happened that most of the staff had called it a wash on figuring out who was at fault. Thus neither her nor Blueblood had gotten in trouble.
     
Normally this would be a good thing. Though she usually got off light she was usually punished in some way for the things she did. It was mostly so the staff was at least not accused of favoritism. Getting off scot free this time meant she wouldn't have the extra time she'd been planning on having to deal with the issues that had been plaguing her all day. Her and the other girls always met on Fridays after school to study, and these study sessions would usually end up in an impromptu slumber party. This being the case she'd have to face Fluttershy again much sooner then she had been hoping.
     
On the plus side of this she probably wouldn't have to face a sleepover, but the reason for this didn't make that much of a plus. This week's study session was in the smallest bedroom of all the Rainbooms. Fluttershy's room. And while it was too small for a proper slumber party it was just big enough to study in, provided they were very economical with space. 
     
Rainbow was now hyper aware of just how comfortable her and Fluttershy had gotten with each other over the years. Enjoying this closeness had been a guilty pleasure she had managed to conceal very well over the years, but now it was putting her on edge. Would being close to Fluttershy make her friends suspicious now? Would pulling away do the same? Why was she even thinking about this? She was supposed to be acting like everything was the same as it always was, wasn't she?
     
This was the war in Rainbows head as her and Fluttershy laid on her butterfly patterned bedspread in their usual positions. Fluttershy laid perpendicular across Dashes lap to prop herself up with her legs dangling off the edge of the bed while Dash sat back into the headboard and used Fluttershy as a book rest. 
     
Similar examples of space saving team work could be seen among the rest of the girls, though not nearly as intimate. On the floor next to the bed Rarity and Applejack were using each other as back rests, their similar heights facilitating the comfort in the action. Pinkie Pie and Sunset were on the opposite side lying side by side, half their bodies hidden below Fluttershy's bed, both the confined space and the proximity of Sunset being used to try to contain Pinkie shenanigans to some degree. 
     
Rainbow had been silently panicking at the thought of what she should do as she had been entering the room thinking about the usual positioning. When she noticed her friends taking their usual places without a thought, she figured her best bet was to do the same. Even Fluttershy didn't seem to give it a thought when she climbed onto the bed and waited for Rainbow to get into position. Luckily it didn't seem like anyone had noticed when she tensed up as Fluttershy took her normal position, her body seeming much more soft and inviting then when she normally dealt with this. But if Fluttershy wasn't freaking out about this then everything was still ok. As long as she never figured it out then she could keep this up as long as she needed to. She just had to be cool and everything would be....
     
"... Rainbow Dash!!!" Rainbow jumped slightly, realizing she hadn't been paying attention again. It was the third time she had realized she was drifting off thinking about... things. It definitely had nothing to do with how hypnotizing her oldest friend's lovely voice suddenly seemed to be every time she asked one of their friends a question. Nor how nice it suddenly felt when she had to move around on her lap to grab or hand off something to one of them as well. This time however she hadn't gotten away with it as someone had actually been trying to talk to her. 
     
She tried to play it off. "Yeah yeah, what?" she responded disinterestedly. She was hoping it would seem like she had just been purposely ignoring a stupid question. 
     
"Do you have the notes for Mr. Sombras class or not? I only asked you four times." Dang it, that had been a serious question. Sunset had turned on her side and was now looking up at Dash from half way under the bed with cocked eyebrows. 
     
Before she could manage a way to play it off Apple Jack decided to take a jab. "Oh be fair sugar cube. She's gonna be a mite distracted with her new girlfriend bein' so close and such."
     
Luckily that was an attack Rainbow actually had been planning for. "Oh yeah, I've just been hiding a massive attraction to Shy this whole time and now I just can't manage to keep it under control anymore." She said this while putting on her best Rarity impression for optimal drama queen effect. Rarity herself managed to crane her neck over Apple Jack's shoulder to glare at her for how over the top she had gone with it. Rainbow let it start to fade as she continued and she was sure it had nothing to do with the force of the glare. "It couldn't possibly have anything to do with me freaking hating math class or anything like that because everything has to be somehow related to mushy lovey dovey stuff right?" Apple Jack may be a living lie detector, but over the years Rainbow had found that enough sarcasm could overload her sensors. And luckily she hadn't caught on to that little trick yet. As far as she knew.
     
She got lucky again as a substantial thud was heard from the other side of the bed. The girls collective attention went to Pinkie Pie and the massive pile of papers from earlier now placed in front of her. "She admitted it! Party on!!!"
     
"Pinkie where did that.. you know what, never mind. I told you you should burn that." Rainbow had taken the distraction to quickly and quietly rummage through her papers. 
     
Pinkie looked to the pile with slight desperation. "But the party..."
     
"..Ain't gonna happen," Rainbow cut in.
     
Pinkies desperate stare at the stack grew. "Are you sure? There's really no way you and Fluttershy could fall in love? And then we could have a party."
     
'Dang it!' Rainbow noticed Applejack watching her this time. She was sure the others were curious as to how she might answer that one too. This one was going to have to side step the lie detector again if it was going to fool everyone. "Tell you what Pinks. If me and Shy ever actually do hook up, you're the first one we'll talk to about a party."
     
The rest of the girls could practically feel the sarcasm dripping from Rainbows lips, but to Pinkie sarcasm was mostly a foreign language. So with that statement the persistent party planner smiled up at Rainbow from her half turned over position and stashed her master plan away... somewhere. Rainbow would have to ask if Sunset noticed where she had whisked it off to. And as Dash watched the rest of her friends out of the corner of her eyes she figured she'd successfully dodged the issue again. Sunset seemed to confirm.
     
"So now that that is settled, do you have the notes? I want to be ready for his class Tuesday."
     
This time Rainbow was actually ready to make it look like she'd just been being nonchalant about the whole thing. "Yeah yeah, I got em' right here egghead." She handed over a few pieces of paper from the piles around her. "Still don't know why you actually want to study for a lesson you haven't even taken yet."
     
"Some of us like to be prepared for class Dash. It's not my fault the Monday Wednesday class is ahead of the Tuesday Thursday."
     
From the other side of the bed AppleJack cut in. "Yeah it is. Y'all are the one who keeps asking questions  fer' the whole class till' ya' know even the stuff that won't be on the test."
     
Sunset stuck her tongue out at Apple Jack, a gesture she obviously couldn't see through the bed. So the noise she made to accompany it was much more prominent than it needed to be. This seemed to mark the room forgetting about the issue Rainbow was dealing with as everyone laughed at the exchange. Even more so as Sunset finally looked over the notes handed to her. 
     
"Sweet Celestia, your chicken scratch is getting worse Dash." More snickering around the room, including some from on Dashes lap. Rainbow managed to not show how much that sound and movement affected her as the study session got back on track. "But your overall note taking is getting better."
     
The rest of the study session went along in a normal fashion. Rainbow managed to only drift off thinking about the girl on her lap once more, and luckily didn't get caught doing it this time as far as she could tell. When the time finally came to pack up it happened as usual as well. Pinkie had some new and elaborate plan to make a slumber party work in the confined space. This time it involved impromptu hammocks made from whatever they could salvage. The idea was rejected not only on the usual premise of sounding really uncomfortable, but also because it seemed like a huge mess Fluttershy didn't want to explain to her parents. 
     
The rest of the girls were packed up and saying their goodbyes to Fluttershy when she seemed to suddenly remember something. "Oh Rainbow could you wait up for a minute. If it's not too much trouble that is." This threw fuel on the fire again. 
     
AppleJack and Pinkie were immediately smiling like mad women. Even Rarity was giving them a suggestive grin. It was AppleJack that made the first attack. "Oh no y'all. We'd better hurry, the lovebirds want some time alone." The grin she put on was something Rainbow could only think to describe as 'punchable'.
     
Luckily Rainbow didn't have to be the one to defuse the situation this time. Fluttershy managed to pipe in just barely audibly at the new attention. "M.. My mom wanted me to ask you about something."
     
This didn't help much as Pinkie gave an overly exaggerated reply. "Oh, of course that's what she wants to talk to you about. Wink wink." The gesture of both winking in a very obvious way and actually saying it even got Sunset smiling at the fake couple suggestively. 
     
Rainbow made a rude gesture as the rest of the girls made a display of leaving quickly. Rarity was the one to make one last parting blow. "You girls have fun," she said as the door closed. 
     
Rainbow waited to hear footsteps at the bottom of the stairs before speaking. She didn't look back at Fluttershy as she did. "So, what did your mom want to know?"
     
"Umm... My mom didn't actually want me to ask you anything." Fluttershy looked away sheepishly. This meant she obviously didn't see the cringe run through Rainbows body. 
     
"Yeah I know. So what's this really about?" She asked while still not looking back at the other girl. She took a few steps backwards and fell back onto the foot of the bed in what seemed like a practiced manner. She put her hands behind her head in a casual display that she didn't actually feel.
     
"I.. It's about what happened today."
     
Rainbow let out a sigh. "Yeah, I guess I kinda knew that already too." She groaned and sat back up, doing her best to face her oldest friend as they both sat on the edge of the bed. "Ok... I'm sorry I did something so reckless and shortsighted without thinking about how it would make you feel... Again. And I'm sorry I took so long to say I'm sorry... Again. You know I have a hard time with.. This stuff."
     
Fluttershy nodded but wasn't looking at her friend. She was having a hard time removing her eyes from her own hands folded in her lap. She did in fact know that Rainbow Dash had a hard time letting her guard down in front of other people. It was usually only for Fluttershy's eyes, and even then usually only during particularly hard moments for one or the other or both. Usually Rainbow Dash opening up to her warmed her heart, but this time the circumstances of the conversation weren't allowing her to feel it.
     
"I.. It wasn't that. Well, I guess it kinda is.. But not really." Rainbow had had her own head down as well, and only now that she was looking up did she notice Fluttershy also unable to keep eye contact. "I.. I was actually wondering about... about....., ........."
     
"... Shy?"
     
"The kiss." The word made Rainbow look away quickly. Fluttershy still couldn't make herself look up from her own hands, now gripping each other tightly. As such neither girl noticed the bright color come to the others entire face. "W.. Why did you k.. kiss me?"
     
"L.. Like I said Shy. I'm s.. Sorry, I just wasn't thinking. In.. In my head I probably just figured that I had to do something big or no one would believe it. I mean come on, who would ever believe we were a couple." She managed to say it with her normal laid back tone, mostly, but right now her bravado was all show. She was only just managing to keep her breathing even and was only just now starting to get the color out of her cheeks. Luckily AppleJack was out of the picture, that made lying much easier. Fluttershy knew her well enough to catch her in lies too, but Dash also knew her well enough to work around the usual pitfalls if she was careful. 
     
"I... I guess that makes sense. And... And I know you don't usually have a plan when you do things." Fluttershy finally managed to look up as the two exchanged a smile at the statement that could easily be taken as an insult between anyone who didn't know each other as well as they did. That moment ended quickly as Fluttershy looked away again with a blush. "It's just that... Umm. I've never... I mean no one has... That was my first...." Fluttershy seemed unable to use the word again. She just kept stumbling over her words. 
     
Luckily this was one of the few situations Rainbow Dash had had time to plan for in the limited time she had away from Fluttershy today. She made a dismissive noise and waved her hand back and forth. "Oh come on Shy. Don't even give it another thought. That totally didn't count."
     
Fluttershy managed to look back to Dash, confusion showing in her eyes even through her usual apprehensiveness that had been pushed to the max for most of the day. "W.. What do you mean?"
     
"Well I'm no expert on mushy stuff, but from what I actually pay attention to of the junk Rarity is always spewing, isn't your first kiss supposed to be meaningful. Something you'll never forget." She put on her Rarity impression for the last part. She even struck a dainty pose and fluttered her eyelashes for effect. "So since that kiss meant nothing, by definition it couldn't be your first kiss. Our first kiss?" She made a show of thinking about that for a second before waving her hand dismissively again. "Doesn't matter, didn't count.
     
Fluttershy's look of confusion remained for another few moments, then a tentative smile finally started to show on her face. It didn't seem the most genuine, but Rainbow figured that was mostly due to how stressful the day must have been for her. "Yeah, I guess you're right Rainbow. There's no way anyone would think we were together. And all the things that make that obvious makes the whole thing kinda silly when you think about it."
     
Rainbow smiled back to her. "Yeah, you're getting it now. Besides that, were both girls. Pretty sure neither of us is even into girls, so it double doesn't count." That one hurt Dash to say the most, but she didn't let it show on her face. She let out a very fake laugh, but luckily Fluttershy didn't seem to notice and gave her one back.
     
"Thank you Rainbow. Sorry if I almost made this whole thing even weirder for you."
     
"No problem Shy. It's just one week of weird then everything goes back to normal." She stood from the bed and gave a little stretch. "Would you like to have the honors, or should I?"
     
"Oh feel free," Fluttershy responded as she noticed her friend eyeing the door. 
     
Rainbow took two long, quiet steps across the room. When she got to the door she yanked it open quickly. Four girls fell forward onto the floor in front of her in a heap. General noises of displeasure came from the pile. Sunset was the only one who had the decency to look sheepish about what she had been caught doing. "Did you girls all have your fun?" Rainbow asked with a sneer.
     
Pinkie was the one to respond, poking her head out from below Rarity. "No!!!! Fluttershy's door is way too thick, we couldn't hear a thing."
     
"Don't worry about it. Me and Shy were just exchanging our wedding vows while Santa and the Easter Bunny presided over the ceremony."
     
"WHAT!!! You got married and you didn't let me plan the party!!!" Pinkie exclaimed as she suddenly shot to her feet to glare at Dash. It wasn't clear how she got out from under the fashionista so quickly, but Rarity didn't seem to enjoy it as she suddenly fell again. Apple Jack was helping her up as Rainbow continued.  
     
"We reallllllly need to teach you about sarcasm. And you just lost all your party privileges for me and Shy." Pinkie looked very disheartened as Rainbow started shooing the assembled girls out the door. "Now get out of here ya' bunch of bums. Move." Through the moaning and groaning of her friends Rainbow managed to turn back to her fake girlfriend and give her a quick wave. "See ya' Shy," Rainbow managed to say in a casual tone above the complaining as the door closed. 
     
"Bye," Fluttershy managed at barely a whisper after the door was closed. She didn't even notice her hand had gone up in a wave as well. Absentmindedly she kept waving at the door until the footsteps disappeared at the bottom of the stairs and she heard the sound of a door open and close. It was only at this point that her hand drew back to her sadly smiling face and wiped the area under her eyes. The just emerging tears she had not felt building but knew were there suddenly cascaded down her face as their surface tension broke. 
     
' Well Fluttershy, that was about as definitive an answer as you ever thought you'd get.'
     
Fluttershy stood from her bed and went to her small vanity mirror in the corner of her room. She leaned down and placed her hands on the small table in front of it so she could look into her own eyes. Despite the small smile still on her lips, tears were now running unabatedly down her cheeks. 
     
'You always knew you were too much of a coward to ever tell Rainbow Dash how you felt. But you still managed to always think there was some chance that she might do it for you. Do what she always does and save you from your own fears. Be the way she always is; brave, upfront, and fearless.'
     
The smile finally dropped as her lips finally parted just barely. A single small sob found its way out. 
     
'Well that's exactly what she did. It just turns out that the answer to the question you could never ask was the one you always expected, not the one you always wished for.' 
     
Fluttershy finally broke down completely. She slumped into the chair in front of the table and fell forward. Her face pressed into her arms as she wept, small silent sobs escaping. She was no stranger to crying alone in her room, and knew how loud her sorrow could be before she might cause concern from someone else in the house. And as far as she was concerned, this sorrow was for her alone. Too many people spent too much time worrying about her, so the least she could do was have her breakdown quietly and not burden them further. 
    
Her sobs were becoming shorter and her breathing more even by this point. She managed to look back up into the mirror and her now puffy and bloodshot eyes. 'That's what it really all comes down to I guess. I'm just a burden, especially to Rainbow Dash. She's even pretending to like girls just to help me. So in other words, that kiss that didn't count is the closest I'll ever get, and is more than I'll ever deserve.
     
She took a deep breath to steady herself before she started speaking at a just barely noticeable level even to her own ears. "Rainbow Dash is everything you are not. It's not enough to l... love her if you have nothing to offer her. This is the way it's always going to be."
     
Letting out a shaky breath she went to the next stage of this seemingly practiced ritual. She opened a drawer under the vanity to reveal a small picture frame. Inside was a picture of her and Rainbow Dash from the first day they met, and probably the first time Fluttershy started to have feelings for her beautiful protector. It had long since become too hard for her to keep the picture out where she could always see it. But now she clutched it to her chest, remembering all the ways Rainbow had been the best part of her life for most of it. This was meant to remind her that what they had together was enough. This time however, she had one more little comfort she could cling to. 
     
"One week," she said, just the slightest amount of hope in her small voice. "I have one week to see what it could be like. One week to pretend it could ever happen."
     
With one last sigh she put the picture back in its place. She then stood and took just a couple trudging steps to her bed. It was still early, but it had been a hard day for the shy girl. Her bed and her dreams awaited.
> Monday: The Rules...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainbow Dash felt good. Relatively speaking. 
     
Having not been able to sleep much both Friday and Saturday night, her weekend had been fairly miserable. This had however left her with plenty of time to consider her current situation and come up with something resembling a plan. It was honestly probably the most planning she'd ever put into anything. 
     
Finally having a plan, kind of, combined with how exhausted she had been allowed / forced her to get to bed really early Sunday and wake up nice and early and fully rested Monday morning. Thus, as previously stated, she was feeling pretty good. At least better then she had been all weekend. Being close to the upcoming soccer season, Rainbow had intensified her usual work out routine which now started with jogging to school every morning. Her new found good mood made this a fairly uplifting experience. 
     
This good mood she was in made it possible for her not to panic as she noticed a familiar car pass her as she neared the school. Fluttershy's mom usually dropped her off before school, and it seemed like today they had randomly synced their departure. This did happen from time to time, but it was especially helpful to Rainbow today. 
     
Fluttershy got out of the car at the usual place. After giving her mom a quick thanks and goodbye Rainbow saw her turn in her direction to wait for her to catch up. Rainbows brisk jog slowed to a stop as she approached. Fluttershy stood smiling patiently as Rainbow greeted her while doing a quick cool down exercise.
     
"Hey Shy, how's it going?"
     
"I'm fine Rainbow Dash. How was your weekend?"
     
Rainbow internally sighed but maintained her usual casual demeanor. "Not bad. Just started stepping up my training, so a little tired but feeling good."
     
"Oh, I almost forgot that soccer season was starting soon. Does that mean you're going to need my help again this year?"
     
Rainbow smiled as they began to walk next to each other towards the school from the edge of the parking lot. "Of course. Can't train at my peak without my personal cheering section." That was another of the guilty pleasures Rainbow had allowed herself to enjoy over the years. She figured Fluttershy probably thought it was Rainbow trying to share her hobbies or something like that. In truth, trying to impress Fluttershy pushed her harder than anything else. She liked to think she was impressing Fluttershy in various... other ways, but that was obviously just wishful thinking. 
     
"O, ok, all try to do my best again."
     
"I know you will," Rainbow shot her a genuine smile. "But while I got you here, we've got much more pressing things to talk about." She reached out and wrapped her arm around Fluttershy's shoulder. She heard a slight inhale in shock but otherwise Fluttershy handled it better then she would have considered. "I had some ideas on how to make this whole fake girlfriend thing work out." That got the reaction she was expecting. While the shy girl managed to keep walking her pace slowed as she gripped the straps of her backpack tightly and let her hair fall over her face just a little. 
     
"Oh yeah, we probably should figure out how to handle that." Her hands came off the straps as she began poking the index fingers of each hand together nervously. "The truth is though, I've been too nervous all weekend to think about it that much."
     
"Well no need to worry. I've got it all planned out."
     
Fluttershy peeked out of her hair to give the Rainbow girl a quizzical stare. "Rainbow Dash, you planned something?"
     
Rather than be insulted by the words Rainbow actually puffed her chest out with pride. "Dang right I did. Figured it was my lack of planning that got us into this, it should be my plan that gets us out. So first things first. This?" She indicated the arm that was already draped over her fake girlfriends shoulder. "Or this?" She moved the arm off and brought it down so she could embrace the other girl's hand. She managed to hide any affect the gesture was having on herself.
     
Fluttershy was blushing again and attempting not to focus on their joined hands. "W, what are you talking about?"
     
"My plan is to come up with a few semi intimate gestures that will make people think we're together without having to do much. So over the shoulder? Or hand in hand?" She repeated each gesture as she spoke.
     
Fluttershy didn't respond for some time and kept looking away. Rainbow was about to push for an answer again when she heard the stuttered beginning of a response. "I... If, umm. If... we're trying to act like a couple then..." She readjusted the grip their hands had on each other so that their fingers were now intertwined. "... This would probably be best. I... It's what they do in the stories I read."
     
Rainbow let out a small snort, both to seem nonchalant and to force the blush in her face that the feeling the new position had caused away. "You and those cheesy romance comics of yours Shy."
     
Fluttershy finally looked over to Rainbow Dash, an indignant pout on her face. "It's called manga. You always get it wrong." By this time they were passing through the main door of the school. While the school was usually busy, the girls were fairly early so the halls were mostly empty. This was a plus for Fluttershy as it seemed no one had noticed her outburst.
     
'Stop looking so cute when I do and I might stop.' "Yeah yeah, manga or whatever." She purposefully pronounced it wrong to draw the pout out more. "Next thing. Do you think pet names would help?" 
     
This ended the pout as Fluttershy once again blushed and turned away. After another few seconds Rainbow noticed a slight nod.  Rainbow smiled. "Ok then. For the rest of the week I'm calling you Shyshy." That actually drew a slight laugh from the other girl. Rainbow gave her a mild glare. "What?"
     
"I.. It's nothing Rainbow." She said this between giggles.
     
"What? I already call you Shy, so I can't use that. I thought it would sound cutesy like something a couple would use. You don't like it?"
     
"N.. No, it's not that." She finally managed to suppress her giggling. "In fact I think you did great. I never thought I'd hear you say something that cute."
     
Rainbow looked away to hide her blush, but still tried to play it off. "Hey, I'm Rainbow Dash. I can pull anything off if I want to." Sometimes Rainbow envied Fluttershy's hair and how much it could hide. "So your turn. You got any ideas for some kind of pet name for me. 
     
Fluttershy seemed to think that over for a while. They were almost to their lockers by this point so Rainbow was hoping she'd think of one quickly. "Umm, I guess. W.. would it be ok if I called you Dashie then?"
     
Rainbow had to look away again. "Really Shy? You had to come up with something that cutesy for me?"
     
"Oh, I'm sorry. I could try to come up with something else."
     
By this time they had made it to their lockers and there were now some students around that might overhear them. Thus Rainbow wanted to finish this up and get the day started. "No it's fine I guess. It does seem like something you'd come up with if we were really dating."
     
Both girls went through the ritual of getting into their lockers and dropping off their homework and lunches. There was still time before the first bell so both girls meandered at their lockers to finish their conversation.
     
"One more thing." Rainbow hesitated. She could feel Fluttershy's eyes on her giving her a quizzical look as she waited for what was to come. But to avoid getting caught looking away again she maintained a relaxed posture while leaning against her locker. "Kissing." Rainbow needn't have bothered, that sent Fluttershy into a mild panic attack and she definitely couldn't see Rainbows reaction. "I think we're ok on that front, and I'm sure you want to avoid it as much as possible. Luckily PDA is supposed to stay limited on school grounds anyway. So even if we end up in a position were we might, you know, have to so no one suspects anything, we can keep it light and quick." She looked over to her friend who was just managing to look back at her. "And on the off chance it does happen, I'll give you a warning." She stepped over and ran her hand across the shy girls forearm in a semi intimate way. "Just something small like this. Is that ok or is that too much for you?"
     
Fluttershy seemed momentarily frozen staring at the fingertips still lightly brushing her arm. But after a moment she managed to choke out a reply. "That... That's fine, I think I can handle that much."
     
"Good." Rainbow let out a sigh of relief. She lowered her voice as she noticed other students starting to enter the hall as the first school bell grew closer. "And I'm just gonna say again Shy..." The words were low enough that Fluttershy had to lean in to hear them. "... I'm sorry I caused this. That's why I planned all this, I wanted to try to make this up to you even just a little."
     
Fluttershy seemed to notice the slight gloom come over her. She leaned in close and gave the normally confident girl a soothing hug. "It's ok Dashie." She waited for Rainbow to look up and give a smile at the new nickname. "I think we can get through this."
     
Rainbow did give her a smile back. "Yeah I do too," she said as she returned the hug just a little, she still had an image to maintain. The two broke apart before Rainbow Dash spoke again. "So, did you have any ideas."
> Monday:... Are Meant to be Broken
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshhohmygoshohmygosh.'
     
Had she just heard that right. There was no way she just heard that right. She was having trouble not losing it when Dash had touched her arm. There was no way she just heard that and she hadn't died from the excitement.
     
"Shy?"
     
"Huh?" Fluttershy brought her focus back to the girl who was already making this day too amazing to believe. 
     
"I said, did you have any ideas? For making this work?"      
     'Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshhohmygoshohmygosh.' She really did just say that. It was taking all Fluttershy had not to totally freak out at this moment. She had already decided she was going to try to enjoy pretending to be Rainbow Dash's girlfriend as much as possible, now she was getting even more chances to truly make it her dream come true. Rainbow Dash was giving her a chance to suggest more couple things they could do.
     
'Calm down Fluttershy, if you show it right now she'll know.'
     
' But I get to try all the things I've always wanted to do with Dashie, this is the greatest thing ever!!!!!'
     
'Not all of them. One or two more, tops. This is just for show. All those ones that are meant to be done in private anyway are definitely out of the question.'
      
Fluttershy internally sighed. She had stalled a little while attempting to get herself under control, but Rainbow Dash was used to that from her by now. She had to be slow and quiet with her next words to not betray the excitement she was feeling. 
     
"Umm... Well, if we need to pretend we're together, then I... I think we should probably sit together."
     
"We already do that Shy...shy."
     
That made Fluttershy blush just a little as she continued. "But, umm. Like closer. Like I, I could maybe... Lean my head into your shoulder when we're, you know, sitting together. I.. I think we're at least close to the right heights so that it at least won't be uncomfortable." Fluttershy knew that was true. She had eyed the position many times, dreaming of the day she could rest her head in that spot. 
     
Fluttershy got nervous as she noticed Rainbow seemed to be considering the idea. "Yeah, that'd probably be fine." Fluttershy silently let out a breath she'd been holding. But she felt like she wanted one more, one more really special one.
     
"And umm... Maybe, sometimes, if you want. You could, umm....,....pat me on the head." She held her breath again. That definitely sounded like she was suggesting it because she wanted it, at least to her ears.
     
Rainbow Dash just laughed. "Is that something else from your manga comics Shyshy?" 
     
It, in fact, was. But it was also one of the many fantasies she'd held onto for years. But of course she couldn't say that. Instead she just puffed her cheeks out in a pout at Rainbow once again pronouncing it wrong.
     
The breath she had taken by that point suddenly caught in her throat as she saw Rainbows hand raise. It came up just above her before lowering and lightly tapping her on the head three times before coming to a rest there. She could feel the tantalizing digits work into her hair just a little bit as Rainbow leaned forward to look Fluttershy in the eye.
     
"There, does that make up for making fun of it?"
     
'Don't do it!!!!'
     
'But!!!! But!!!! But!!!?'
     
She was so close. This felt so right. Fluttershy felt there was no way she could resist at that moment. She was gonna lose it. She was gonna.....
     
"Bbbbbrrrrrrrriiiiiiinnnnngggggggg!!!!!!!"
     
The bell broke the moment hard.
     
Rainbow pulled away and let out a snort of laughter. "No dice huh? Oh well, see you at lunch Shyshy."
     
And with that Rainbow trotted off, leaving Fluttershy standing stunned in the hall. It took her a minute to realize just what Dash had meant. In that stunned moment her fake pout had apparently become frozen on her face. It only relented when the rest of her body finally unfroze and suddenly went to jelly as she slumped against her locker, breathing hard and smiling uncontrollably. 
     
Fluttershy knew that the more she allowed herself to enjoy this that it was only going to make ending it all the harder. She knew this fantasy was never going to happen for real, and pretending it would would just leave her disappointed. And she knew that every time she let herself go it risked Rainbow finding out, and she had no idea how bad that could turn out.
     
But at that moment she didn't care. She knew that this was the closest she was ever going to get, so she was going to enjoy it as much as she could while she could. 
     
She was late to class. She was unable to leave the spot as she stood there hugging herself, waiting for the tingling in her body to settle down.
> Monday: Lunchtime
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

AppleJack was the last one of the girls to make it to their table as per usual, though what she arrived to was noticeably different then she was used to. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were sitting closer than usual. They were also eating their meals one handed, their other hands joined on the table between them for all to see. It was the moment she'd been waiting for all day. 
     
Rainbow internally groaned as she saw the dumb smile come to AppleJack's face as she set her tray of food down. She knew it was coming, the only question was how long it would ta...
     
"So how's the happy couple?" And there was that punchable grin again. She hadn't even fully sat down yet. 
     
Rainbow had expected this and as such was prepared. Fluttershy made a small squeak and attempted to pull away from her. Rainbow held onto the hand in hers and scooted her chair back over the small distance the shy girl had covered in her startled moment. "Doing just fine since you ask," Rainbow said without looking at the grinning farmer. She took a bite of her lunch before looking up to her with a deadpan stare. "And would you mind cramming an apple in it while people might be able to hear you."
     
AppleJack kept smiling widely. "Oh please sugar cube. Y'all ain't gotta make up excuses to be sweet on Fluttershy. I don't think anybody here is really payin' ya' any mind."
     
"On the contrary AppleJack," it was Rarity that responded. She was looking into her compact mirror, though it was clear to anyone paying attention to her that she was not using it to inspect her makeup. "If you'd discreetly look over my shoulder to the left you'll notice a few... less desirable male specimens paying quite a bit of attention to them."
     
AppleJack did in fact look, but not discreetly. From a table behind theirs Snips and Snails looked away very suddenly, whistling in what they clearly thought was a nonchalant way. Rainbow also noticed a girl from her and Fluttershy's science class do the same from the table next to that one.
     
AppleJack's face turned down in disgust. Her attention went back to Fluttershy. "No way. Did you really have to deal with those two hittin' on ya'?" Fluttershy looked away and the whole table noticed her grip on Rainbows hand tighten. 
    
"She's not telling, but Rarity and me got kinda a big list of suspects already."
     
AppleJack looked questioningly between the three girls. "Why won't she tell?"
     
"Because she doesn't want me to get in trouble for kicking their butts after prom passes."
     
Fluttershy turned to Rainbow with a desperate look. "Dashie, you promised you wouldn't."
     
"And I'll keep that promise. But they ain't getting away free and clear that easily." Fluttershy pouted, but her expression softened when Rainbow Dash let go of her hand to bring it up and pat Fluttershy on the head three times. "No violence, promise."
     
The whole table was so taken aback by this behavior that no one noticed Pinkie take out a notebook and start scribbling frantically. 
     
AppleJack turned her attention to Rarity. "If that's the case, why is Rares gettin' in on this?"
     
Rarity scoffed, still looking into her compact to study the room behind her. "While I too am opposed to violence, I simply cannot abide such brutish actions to be left unchecked." She closed her mirror with a forceful click. "Those who would put dear Fluttershy through such heartache will know that such actions will be addressed." The fierce aura coming off Rarity gave nearly the whole table pause.
     
Sunset Shimmer finally broke the tension with a casual cough into her hand. "So Rarity, what was it you were waiting for AJ to tell us?"
     
Rarity brightened immediately. "Oh yes, thanks for reminding me dearie." With a trained motion she slipped her compact back into her purse. "I've nearly completed my initial designs for everyone's dresses. I just need everyone at my house tomorrow afternoon for a final fitting and to see if I want to add anything to the final design. Is everyone going to be free?" 
     
A chorus of agreement went up around the table. A lull in this prompted everyone to suddenly look over to Pinkie Pie. The bubbly girl suddenly stashed her note book away before voicing her agreement as well. The rest of the girls collectively shrugged their shoulders. 
     
Rarity seemed overjoyed by this, clapping her hands in a gleeful manner and letting out a shrill squee. "Wonderful. This is going to be so much fun." She took the last dainty bite of her lunch before continuing. "Oh yes, one more thing." Her voice went fierce again. "You can add Caramel to the list Rainbow."
     
Rainbow seemed to be the only one not taken aback by this change in mood. "Roseluck too," she replied casually as she took the last bite of her own lunch. Fluttershy turned to Rainbow again, giving her a disapproving pout. Rainbow responded by separating their hands once again to pack up her lunch box. "No violence," she repeated. She then angled her shoulder on Fluttershy's side just slightly. 
     
Fluttershy suddenly blushed brightly, looking around the table. Slowly she focused back to the offered shoulder. She delicately scooted closer before ever so carefully lowering her head into place against Rainbow Dashes neck. There was a collective "awwwwww" from the table. Rainbow rolled her eyes. Fluttershy's blush deepened. 
      
"It's just for show", Rainbow grumbled. It was taking her complete willpower to keep her heart rate steady at the feeling of the soft hair against her neck. Fluttershy was doing her best to keep herself from smiling like a mad woman. 
     
"That doesn't mean it's not cute." Rarity's hands moved with the speed and precision of a skilled seamstress. In the blink of an eye her phone was out and a flash caught the fake couple off guard. She inspected her phone screen with a delighted smile. "Perfect."
     
"Delete it," Rainbow hissed. Both girls' eyes were wide but their position didn't change. 
     
"But Rainbow dear, what if I'm asked about the two of you? I need proof of your affection for one another don't I? In fact..." her fingers danced across her screen. "... I dare say all of us are going to need it." 
     
Phones beeped around the table. Three girls pulled them out to check their messages. The "awwwwww" from earlier was repeated. 
     
Rainbow Dash grumbled. "You girls are such great friends, you know that right." She poured enough sarcasm into her voice it nearly threatened to take out AppleJack's lie detector permanently. She also bit the inside of her lip to keep from smiling as she felt her own phone buzz in her pocket. Fluttershy was torn between staying in her comfortable position and lunging for her small vibrating purse to make sure the picture had in fact been sent to her as well. 
     
Laughing around the table seemed to signal the return to regular lunch time activities. The rest of the girls finished their lunches in due time and other than two of the girls being closer than usual everything seemed to be normal. 

     
     
Rarity was the first to notice it. Her gaze and sudden curious look caused the rest of the table to look where she was looking. 
     
Stomping towards the table like a petulant child was Blueblood. Rainbow saw that the black eye she had given him was still noticeable. She also noticed that it looked like he had tried to cover it with some kind of makeup. At that moment she wasn't sure if the scowl Rarity was giving him was over his presence or how badly he'd applied his concealer.
     
"I have words for you, you prismatic pauper," he bellowed. He was obviously trying to draw attention to himself as per usual.
     
His display was lost on Rainbow who only quirked an eyebrow and silently mouthed the word "pauper" questioningly.
     
Blueblood continued his tirade even more dramatically. "You expect me to actually believe that a tomboyish blaggard like you could actually win the favour of this delicate picture of feminine desirability. I say ha."
     
Once again his bluster was lost on Rainbow who now just silently mouthed the word "blaggard", directing it around the table to faces in various stages of confusion. 
     
"You have wrongfully robbed me of what is rightfully mine. I will have my prize which you have falsely claimed."
     
That finally got Rainbows attention. Her expression turned to rage as she growled her next words. "Oh you did not just talk about Fluttershy like that. I told you once already, she isn't a prize and she doesn't belong to anyone. You pretentious, stuck up, wannabe, pansy."
     
Blueblood didn't seem affected by the insults. "So you admit it. You take no claim of her and yet you presume to keep her for yourself."
     
Rainbows teeth were now grinding as she responded. "You little prick. You don't deserve to breathe the same air as someone like Fluttershy if you think of her like something you can own." Rainbow made to get to her feet, already planning on how she'd be spending her afternoon in the detention room when she found herself unable to rise. She became very aware of a very soft yellow and pink mass that had latched itself to her. Looking down she saw the pleading eyes of her pretend girlfriend staring up at her earnestly.
     
"Dashie please, calm down."
     
Rainbow felt her rage cool considerably, her cheeks coloring at the nickname now being heard by the collective student body. Though the situation did not allow her anger to subside entirely. "Shyshy, I can't just let him say stuff like that about you."
     
"I don't care what he says. I don't like it when you get in trouble over me." Fluttershy was torn. On the one hand she loved the feeling of being able to cling so tightly to Rainbow Dash. On the other she really didn't like this being the situation she got to do it in. But she clung nonetheless even as she felt Rainbow tense up again as Blueblood spoke again.
     
"What is this? Is it actually true that the both of you really are such disgusting deviants?"
     
Rainbow had never been so unsure in her life. That guy had literally just called Fluttershy a disgusting deviant. Rainbow had broken bones in people who had said things not half as bad as that to her. And this one was already deserving of a beating well before that. Yet she could not muster the rage that normally should be taking control of her right now. The thought occurred to her that it was because usually she got that way by getting between bullies and Fluttershy. Currently Fluttershy was between her and the bully and seemed determined to stay there. Rainbow had rarely had a problem going through stuff to fulfill her rage before, but going through Fluttershy was something she definitely didn't think she could do. 
     
Fluttershy's mind was racing. Even she thought Blueblood had stepped over the line at this point. By that metric Rainbow must be moments away from putting him in the hospital. It seemed she was managing to keep that from happening so far. But she knew how determined Rainbow could be, and that she probably wasn't strong enough to stop her if she was pushed past that point. This was always the reason she knew she couldn't be with Rainbow Dash. She wasn't strong enough, not to be what Rainbow needed. But being that this was already the closest she'd ever get, she felt she needed to at least try. Try to be stronger, like Rainbow. What would Rainbow do if she couldn't find any other way to defend her. 
     
"So that is it you two bit harlot. You sully my good name by allowing me to pursue a degenerate like you." The comment was now directed specifically at Fluttershy.
     
Rainbow tried to rise again, but Fluttershy just gripped her harder. In the back of her mind she could hear voices at the table saying things, most likely in defense of her and Fluttershy. But the war in her mind made understanding any of it impossible. She knew it made Fluttershy upset when she allowed her anger to get the better of her. But this was all she could offer the girl she cared most about. Fluttershy was too good for her, too good for anyone. So all she could do was be all the things Fluttershy could never be. No matter how much it hurt her inside to make Fluttershy upset, this was all she could do for her. 
     
Fluttershy knew that was the line. Rainbow wasn't going to be able to let that one go. The rest of their friends voiced their protests, but she knew they were falling on deaf ears. The only one who could stop Rainbow Dash right now was her. She still didn't think she was strong enough to do it, but if they're was anyone she could be strong for it was the one who was always strong for her.
     
Rainbow felt the grip around her midsection loosen, one arm coming off completely. Her rushing thoughts made her slow to react to this, but she was still going to take the chance to give Blueblood what he deserved. That was until she felt delicate fingers brush across her tense arm, sending goosebumps up it and a shutter through the rest of her body. A memory sent a shock through her brain. She looked down with wide eyes to Fluttershy. Her mind and her anger completely flat lined as soft lips met her own.
     
The kiss was not as long or as passionate seeming as the fake one Rainbow had given her when this whole mess had started. But Fluttershy knew she had to stop when she did, or she wouldn't be able to stop at all. Rainbows fight to get away from her had stopped as she sat breathing hard with her eyes closed. 
     
Rainbow presumed that to outside observers that it looked like she was trying to calm her anger. In truth she had nearly forgotten Blueblood existed the moment Fluttershy kissed her. What she was trying to calm was her own desire. In that moment she knew that if she saw Fluttershys face then there was no way she'd be able to resist. Thus her eyes were still closed when she finally spoke. 
     
"You really aren't even worth our time Blueblood. Get lost."
     
"What did you say to me you.. you...."
     
"You heard me, get lost. Obviously you lost. Giving you a beating would be giving you more attention then you deserve." She finally opened her eyes to see Fluttershys smiling face in front of her. She returned the smile before looking to the dramatically overreacting boy still standing a safe distance from the table. "It's pretty obvious I don't need to prove anything to.... Ohhhhh." Her voice went down as she noticed what was happening behind him and her smile became smug. She nodded her head to direct Fluttershy's gaze in his direction. Fluttershy's hand came to her mouth in a gasp when she did.
     
"You think you can brush me off so easily. My honor demands... Whaaahh."
     
The shreek he let out could only be described as girlish as a hand grasped the collar of his shirt and his feet left the floor. Apparently the staff had been better prepared for a disturbance during lunch this time around. The man who picked him up stood a full couple head lengths taller than him and was built closer to a bull then a person. Two much smaller but no less imposing figures came from behind him. 
     
"Thank you mister Blueblood. You've made it very clear to us who exactly was at fault for the incident last week. Coach Iron Will shall escort you to my office just as soon as we finish here." Principal Celestia's voice was incredibly level, almost cheerful as she addressed him. Pure panic was written across Blueblood's face and he was unable to respond in any way. She smiled and turned to the third person that had responded to the situation. "If you would Luna."
     
A smile came to Vice-principal Luna's lips that made Rainbow and every other who had been on the receiving end of it draw back with a cringe. "Attention to all Canterlot High students." The voice boomed through the room. Luna was the school's head disciplinarian, and it was a job she took very seriously. Normally Celestia kept her on the more reasonable side, but the relaxed smile she was giving right now said that that was not currently the case. Those who crossed the rules enough times had given this a name. Nightmare Luna was in the building.
     
"It has come to our attention that certain predatory actions which border on sexual harassment have been taking place within the walls of this school." She focused in on Blueblood who had been raised to her eye level by the mountain of a coach. The boy looked like he might wet himself at any moment. Rainbow and Fluttershy almost felt bad for him. Almost.
     
"I speak for the entire staff when I say that these actions will not be tolerated so long as we have anything to say about it. Thus if we hear even one more report of such actions the consequences will be severe. Since the incident seems to be linked to prom we will start by cancelling that. But due to the serious nature of the offences it will not stop there. We will personally see to it that anyone who even might have been taking part in these practices will be punished. That means all dances, all proms, all non-academic activities will be cancelled until all students currently enrolled in this institution have graduated." She cast a look around the entire room. "We hope our stance on this matter is clear." The whole room collectively shuttered.
     
Luna led the way from the room, Coach Iron Will and Celestia following. Though they seemed to be taking a roundabout route out, which was leading them right in the direction of the Rainbooms table.
     
"As for you two," her volume dropped but her words were no less commanding. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy seemed to be the targets and both girls froze. Luna reached into her pocket and produced two slips of paper and a pen. She placed the paper on the table next to the girls and began writing on them. "This is the second instance of excessive PDA between you two in under a week. This is an official written warning." She signed both slips before sliding them in front of both girls respectively before again leading the way from the room that was finally recovering from the shock. 
     
Celestia was at the back of the group, smiling as if nothing was happening. She stopped briefly before the pair as well. "The two of you make an adorable couple. Luna thinks so too." She gave them an approving smile before taking a few quick steps to catch up to the group. 
     
Murmuring was growing in the lunchroom. The Rainbooms collectively seemed to want to address what had just happened, but they didn't get the chance. The bell signaling the end of lunch made everyone jump.
> Tuesday: The Right Plan
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Seriously Shyshy, that's what you were most worried about?" Rainbow Dash was laughing boisterously in the hall in front of the pair's lockers. Her attention was directed inside the other girls locker. On the lower shelf of said locker was the slip of paper her actions the previous day had earned her. All other items had been moved from the shelf, as if in some attempt to keep it quarantined lest it somehow infect her school books. 
     
Fluttershy was giving a serious, but no less cute pout at Rainbows reaction. They had been talking about the previous day. All conversation about the previous day had been collectively put off by the entire student body. Though it was true that nobody really believed Luna or any other member of the staff would go to such an extreme as she had laid out, it was also true that nobody wanted to be the one to test that theory. Thus, had the halls of the schools been covered with egg shells for the second half of the previous day, one would be sure that none would have been damaged while the students, and some staff, tiptoed around them. 
     
For her part Fluttershy had been particularly concerned with her written warning, it being the first one she had ever received. Being that she too had been scared to utter even a single word after lunch the previous day, she had promptly began asking Rainbow Dash questions about this ominous slip of paper the moment she had arrived at their lockers. 
     
"It's not funny Dashie," she said, still pouting. "What am I going to do? I've only ever been to the detention room to give you your homework, I've never been inside. What am I going to tell my parents."
     
"First of all, I wouldn't lead with the fact that you got it by making out with me repeatedly." Fluttershy's pout dropped somewhat as she turned away to hide a slight blush. "Second of all, don't even bother telling them."
     
"But Dashie!!! I got in trouble, how am I supposed to not tell my parents?"
     
Rainbow Dash reached into Fluttershy's locker and pulled out the offending slip, brandishing it at the girl for dramatic effect. "Shyshy, these things are basically a joke. You didn't get in trouble, you got one fifth of being in trouble. Because it takes five before you get one day of after school detention. And they expire after a month." She then looked at the slip in her hand. "Wait up. Why does yours say it expires after a week?" She gave her friend a suspicious stare that was met by a confused one. "Eh, must be a first timers thing," she said, giving it a flick towards its owner. 
     
Said owner grabbed at it several times before finally catching it still midair. Gently she placed it back on its place of infamy. "So I don't have to go to detention? Or do that thing where I write something on a chalkboard over and over? Or..." She was cut off as Rainbows laughter started again. 
     
"Trust me Shyshy, especially if it's you, you don't have anything to worry about." She flashed a cocky smile before adding, "unless you find random reasons to smooch me like you did four more times by Friday." Her laughter grew more at the sight of Fluttershy's face going bright red in an instant.
     
She looked into her own locker as her laughter died down. She noticed the pile of slips to which her latest one had been added. She smiled genuinely as she turned back to the girl she wished she could be dating for real. "I really appreciate what you did though." Her voice was lower and devoid of her usual bravado. "I really had lost track of how much trouble I've been letting myself get into. Laying that douchebag out would have been a five day final warning suspension. How did you know?"
     
Fluttershy looked down for a brief second before looking back up to Rainbow Dash and putting on her best attempt at a confident tone. "You might not care about how much you get yourself into trouble, but I do. I know you usually get off pretty easy because you defend me. But eventually it'll catch up to you, and then it'll be my fault that you got in real trouble. And then what would I do without you?" Fluttershy cut herself off abruptly realizing the territory she might be heading into. 
     
Rainbow didn't notice it as she took to leaning against the lockers again. "Yeah, as much as he deserved a beating, that guy wasn't worth leaving you alone over." She gave a satisfied sigh. "Any word on what happened to him?"
     
Fluttershy shook her head slightly before continuing with a finger on her chin in thought. "Nothing official as far as I know, but there's lots of things being said. Rumors on the school forum are saying everything from suspension and expulsion, to Luna grinding him up into next week's sloppy joes." 
     
Rainbow Dash gave a snort of laughter. "Really good thing we don't touch that slop with a ten foot pole then huh? Well good riddance to him either way."
     
Fluttershy gave her a look of mild disapproval. "That's not very nice Dashie."
     
"Oh my god Shyshy, you are way too nice." She said this while looking away and giving a casual scratch of her cheek to hide the blush on her face. "Even having sympathy for that guy. Honestly tell me, would you miss him if he never came back."
     
Fluttershy's look turned apprehensive. "Well, umm... I can't really say. That is, umm....."
     
This went on for a minute, the kind girl still unable to say something nasty even about the very nasty boy. Rainbow Dash closed her locker by way of showing Fluttershy she didn't really have to answer. Fluttershy hesitantly went back to going through her own. Rainbow shook her head with a small, genuine smile and a small scoff of a laugh. "You really are perfect aren't you."
     
"What?"
     
Rainbow Dash managed to turn away quickly to hide her wide, panicked eyes. She managed to get herself back under control quickly as she turned back. A casual, "what?" was her response.
     
"Did you say something?" Fluttershy asked, looking confused as she closed her own locker.
     
Rainbow Dash shook her head casually and gave a, "nope," resisting the urge to hold her breath. 
     
"Oh, ok." Fluttershy seemed to brush it off without a thought. 
     
'Holy frick Rainbow Dash!!!!! What the heck is wrong with you!!!???' Rainbow mentally berated herself at the slip. She normally kept her feelings for her oldest friend way in the back of her mind, only letting the little things that were easy to love about her out every once in a while. Being in this situation with Fluttershy was obviously making them harder to try to ignore. The walls she had put up long ago so she would not scare off her skittish friend with her feelings for her were only now showing how many cracks they had. 
     
'Just because you want her doesn't mean you deserve her. If you crack now you're no different than all those people who have been hitting on her.' This was definitely getting harder then she thought it would. She had never thought she'd get to feel what it would be like for Fluttershy to pull her into a kiss. Even in the occasional fantasy she'd allow herself it was always her who would have to initiate any... physical show of their feelings. 
     
"Why did you do it?" Rainbows eyes went wide again. That one was out loud too. And Fluttershy had clearly heard her that time. 
    
"Do what?" Fluttershy asked with a caring look. 
     
'Dang it!!!' There was no way she was going to be able to play this one off. She desperately wanted to turn the conversation to safer subjects, but there was only one thing that made sense for her to be asking right now. And it was something she desperately wanted an answer to as well. She steeled herself before continuing. 
     
"Why... did you kiss me like that?" She gave a casual smile and a quick chuckle of laughter as she went on to try to mask her worry. "I mean really, it was pretty bold. Not exactly a Fluttershy thing to do."
     
Fluttershy blushed again and looked down to her backpack at her feet. That much Rainbow had been anticipating. What the shy girl said next she was not. 
     
"I know. But I really wanted to help you, the way you always help me. But I couldn't think of any way to do it. So I tried to think of how you'd help me." She looked up to give Rainbow Dash a smile, one Rainbow had to force herself really hard not to see as flirtatious in her current state. "Kissing me worked for you, so I thought it... it might work for me."
     
The laugh that followed was genuine as Rainbow Dashes slip up seemed to be forgotten. "Jeez Shyshy. Your parents were right, I really am a bad influence on you."
     
At that moment Rainbow saw a very rare sight. Most probably wouldn't be able to identify what they were seeing, but Rainbow knew Fluttershy well enough to be able to tell. Fluttershy was giving her a devious smile. "I'm not so sure Dashie, maybe I'm the one who's a bad influence on you."
     
Though Rainbow was always proud whenever Fluttershy found her confidence, that didn't mean she wouldn't challenge it. She leaned forward to be eye to eye with her slightly shorter friend and flashed her a challenging smile. "And how do you figure that, miss kindness incarnate?"
     
Feeling a level of confidence that was amazing even to her, Fluttershy leaned forward to match Dash's smile leaving their noses just inches apart. "I'll admit I did react way worse than you did. But it doesn't seem very Rainbow Dash like to freeze up like that just from one little kiss." She went as far as fluttering her eyelashes at her pretend girlfriend. Outwardly she was just having the kind of moment with Rainbow Dash they'd normally only be able to have in private. Inside Fluttershy was freaking out as she struggled with her brain screaming at her to stop and her heart begging her to go further. Though it was mild, she was openly flirting with Rainbow Dash in public.
     
It was a good thing Rainbow Dash was so proud of Fluttershy standing up to her in public, otherwise there would be no way for her to keep a blush from igniting her whole face. She was furiously arguing with her own good sense that there was absolutely no way Fluttershy was really flirting with her, no matter how much wanting it to be true made it seem so much like it was. She managed to maintain her cocky smile as she responded in a casual tone. "Oh who knows why that happened, maybe I was just floored by how good a kisser you are." Rainbow saw Fluttershy's usual timidness try to break through briefly, but impressively she seemed to manage to maintain.
     
Fluttershy had to physically restrain herself, pulling back just the slightest bit and hoping against hope Rainbow Dash didn't notice it and see it for what it was. Fluttershy was way out of her comfort zone right now. Occasionally she could muster the slightest confident retort to Rainbows good natured teasing, but only ever when they were alone. Rainbow had said it was good for her, helped her work on her confidence. Fluttershy had always seen it as a way of letting her affections for Rainbow Dash out just the slightest bit so that they wouldn't consume her. But she was starting to realize that letting them out might make them consume her too, and possibly even more quickly. She wasn't even sure what she had caught coming to her lips. Words better left unspoken or an action she'd regret, but it had been there.
     
'Focus Fluttershy. You had one thing you wanted today and this might be the best and only time to do it. Just remember that if you get this, that will be enough. It WILL be enough!
     
"Well then, maybe you'd like to do it more often." 
     
Both girls pulled away, nearly matching looks of shock on their faces.
     
'Holy frick, what was that!?!? Holy frick, what was that?!?! Holy frick, what was that??!!??!!' Rainbows mind raced, but luckily the shock kept her from saying or doing something that would really scare Fluttershy away.
     
'Oh my gosh, that was way too much!!! Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!!!! Fluttershy's usual level of confidence had returned very quickly, and it was now up to the linguistic skills of that side of her to try to fix what she'd just done. "Rainbow, I mean Dashie, I mean...I didn't, I mean that came... I don't know what..."
     
Much more natural instincts came over Rainbow Dash at that moment. Fluttershy was moments away from a full on panic attack, so Rainbow did what she always did in that moment. Quickly, firmly, but gently, Rainbow embraced her oldest friend. One arm went around her back, pulling her in close so she could feel her breathing. The other went behind her head, pressing it down against her shoulder ensuring she could see and hear little else but her and her words. "Shhhh, shhhh, shhhh. It's ok shy, I'm right here, I got you." The weight of the potential implications of what Fluttershy had said meant little as she fell into this practiced routine. 
     
Far quicker then it usually took in this sort of situation, Rainbow felt Fluttershy's breathing slow and her body pull away.
     
"I'm sorry Dashie... That umm, didn't exactly come out right."
     
Rainbow figured there was no reason to hide her own blush at that moment. She was glad the occupants of the lockers directly around them had already concluded their business and been on their way, everyone seemed to be giving them their space this morning. But the halls were still filling up as the start of the school day drew near. Several students definitely seemed sold on the couples authenticity from the sly looks they seemed to be getting at that moment. Rainbow also noticed looks of mild to moderate anger, the owners of which being added to her mental checklist for later.
     
"Yeah, I kinda figured. Don't worry, I still know this is all fake." She said it low, both to keep others from hearing and because saying it seemed to make her chest tighten. 
     
Fluttershy was somewhat glad that embarrassment was still dominating her features. She needed that reminder, but it still hurt to hear. "Y.. Yeah. Umm it.. It was just that I was...I was thinking yesterday that umm.... That, that seemed to be the thing that was working the best." Fluttershy did not look to Rainbow, but she could still feel her eyes on her, pressing her to be more clear. "K... Kissing I mean."
     
They had separated at this point, but they each leaned against their respective locker facing each other, so the space between them was still minimal. "Yeah, I guess it's been working to throw people off. What are you suggesting?"
     
"I was just thinking that, it would actually make us look like a real couple... if we kissed, you know, like regular couples do."
     
Rainbow had calmed considerably, but that still sent off conflicting arguments in her head. She wanted to read more into it, but knew the truth. But she could still allow herself to enjoy this a little more, so hopefully she could be satisfied and lock this away for good once this was over. 
     
"Well, if you think you can avoid getting into trouble over it," she flashed a cocky smile with no substance behind it, "then I guess I could manage that. I mean, it still doesn't count if we don't mean it right?"
     
'Suppress cringe.'
     
'Suppress tears.'
     
"Yeah, we can still give our first real kisses to someone someday." Fluttershy hoped her smile seemed pleasant, because it felt hollow. 
     
Both girls jumped slightly and looked up to the bell ringing not a great distance from their lockers. They then blushed slightly as they turned back to each other. 
     
"Well I guess that means..." Rainbow was managing to keep herself facing the other girl, but her eyes were as far turned away as she could manage. 
     
"Yeah... I mean, I guess..." Fluttershy was focusing on the floor, eyes darting up very quickly to see what Rainbow dash was doing. 
     
They inched forward slowly, gazes slowly becoming more directed on their targets.
     
The smallest sound was made between them as their lips met. They were probably the only ones who noticed. And yet despite being brief and nowhere near as intense as either other time they had tried, this one seemed much different. Without any other reason to kiss the other, it just felt....
     
"See ya later Shyshy." Rainbows natural cocky smile had returned as she looked down to the girl she wanted so much to kiss again.
     
"Yeah, see you soon Dashie." Fluttershy smiled shyly as she looked away with her hands tightly folded against herself. 
     
....Right.
     
Both girls picked up their bags and turned in opposite directions.
     
'It's not supposed to feel right Dash. Stop feeling like you could give her all the tender love she deserves.' And yet it still felt....
     
'It's not right Fluttershy. You already drag Rainbow down enough, don't pretend like this wouldn't just make it worse.' And yet it still felt....
     
.... Right
     
Both girls looked back as they walked. Both stopped as they awkwardly realized the other noticed them look. An awkward smile and wave passed between them, and they both rounded corners to their first classes.
> Tuesday: Fitting Together
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

'You did it again. Why? HOW?! You went to the bathroom because you did it again before too. You can't just keep finding excuses to leave.'
    
Rainbow Dash sat with the rest of her best friends in Rarity's work room/her family's spare bedroom. The hosting fashionista had painstakingly hung two sheets up in the room to turn a good chunk of it into a nicely private changing area. From behind said sheets came the grunting and an occasional obscenity of Apple Jack and nearly constant nagging from Rarity.
     
None of this was on the forefront of Rainbow Dash's mind. What she was concerned about was the fact that she had, for the fifth time that day and third just inside this house, wrapped her arm around Fluttershy's shoulder without thinking about it when she didn't necessarily need to for appearances. AppleJack had made comment on it the first time, and luckily it wasn't really a lie to say that she had just gotten used to it. The fact that she had gotten so used to it in just a couple days was a subject she was glad had not come up. She was probably lucky that Apple Jack had been Rarity's first victim.
     
"Ahhhhh, seriously Rares! Hey! Do not put yer' hand there!"
     
"Oh would you stop fussing so much. I'm just trying..."
     
"I don't want to know what yer' tryin' ta' do to me there. And what is... Wah, not ok."
     
"See, it's that easy."
     
Rainbow Dash had taken the distraction of the girl's argument as a chance to fake a yawn and sneak her arm away. She didn't like doing it, and not just because she loved the feeling of holding Fluttershy close. It was also because the small couch they were sitting on was almost too small for two people. It was honestly probably more comfortable to sit cuddled as close as possible, but that probably wouldn't work as an excuse if she tried. And all other potential seats had been taken upon them entering the room, so it was either awkwardly stand and look like she was trying not to look awkward, or do just what she was doing. 
     
"Are you ready for your debut darling?"
     
"Do not even dare Rarity!"
     
Fluttershy was even happier than usual that Rainbow Dash could be so absent minded at times. Seven times today when she didn't even need to Rainbow had draped her arm over her shoulder without thinking. This gave her the reason she needed to pretend she didn't notice as well when she leaned her head into Dash's shoulder. Luckily no one had yet to notice the contentive sighs she couldn't seem to help herself from making every time she was pressed so tightly against her girlfriend. 
     
'Pretend girlfriend.'
     
'You shut up.'
     
Fluttershy decided to pretend she didn't notice Rainbow remove her arm for as long as possible. She finally straightened up when the sheet curtain was drawn away. 
     
"TA-DA!!!!! What do you girls think?"
     
The room was quiet for a moment. Sunset was the first to respond, unless you counted Rainbow nearly falling from her seat as she began laughing hysterically. "Umm, well. Not that it isn't a good look... I just think it might be a little, understated... in places."
     
"I. Can't. Breathe." Apple Jack said, a look on her face that said she really wasn't enjoying herself at the moment. The reason for it was obvious. Were Rarity not such a talented seamstress Apple Jack might be indecent in front of them at any moment. The threads around the chest were holding on for all they were worth. And had it been cut any lower that might not even be relevant. The fabric around the sleeves also seemed to be barely holding in there, digging into the skin around her biceps in a way that looked painful. 
     
Rarity's show woman's smile fell, as did the hands she was holding up to present her work. "I know. It would seem our dear Apple Jack has done a bit more filling out since the last time I got her in here." Her attention went back to the glowering girl next to her. "This is why you should let me make outfits for you more often, so I can keep track of these things."
     
"Get. Me. Out. Of. This." Every girl in the room would swear from that day forth that Apple Jack's every word caused the lights to flicker. Yet Rarity was still undeterred.
     
"Oh please, let me apologize profusely that you seem to be an even more ideal physical specimen every time I take your measurements." Every girl in the room would swear from that day forth that actual sparks flew from where the two girls glares met. Rarity just flipped her hair casually as she continued. "Luckily it's not more than an inch or so anywhere that's hard to hide. A few simple tricks and it'll fit like a glove and no one will be any the wiser. You can go ahead and take it off now darling."
     
"If I take this off, it's coming off like the hulk." She clenched her fists and the fabric around the arms seemed to scream in protest. 
     
Rarity rolled her eyes. "A moment ago you seemed very adverse to the idea of me putting my hands on you anymore." The fabric screamed more. Rainbow readied her camera for the impending money shot. "Fine. Don't be so dramatic darling." She pulled the sheets back closed as Rainbow finally lost the fight with gravity and actually fell from her precarious seat to the floor while laughing uncontrollably again. Giggling was shared among the other three girls, but at which display it was hard to tell. 
     
Fluttershy reached down to pick up the laughing girls fallen phone, holding it where Rainbow would easily see it to retrieve it when she finished. And indeed she did. Rainbow's hand felt around briefly as her laughter finally died down before she noticed and started sitting up. Coming to a semi-seated position on the floor she was still snickering lightly as she reached across Fluttershy's lap to grab it. Perhaps that was the reason she didn't notice that in the process she managed to end up with her head leaning into Fluttershy's lap. But that didn't really matter when she suddenly realized she was comfortably leaning into it more. 
     
If there was intervening movements between that position and Rainbow suddenly sitting very straight and cross-legged on the floor, then the whole room missed it as the sheet was suddenly flung open. An irritated farmer stomped through the room, threw the door open, and stomped out without even bothering to close it again behind her. 
     
The silence in the room it caused lasted only a brief second. "NOTEBOOK!!!!!" Pinkie exclaimed as she followed Apple Jack out as a pink blur. 
     
Rarity now stepped to the center of the room, eyeing the door with disapproval. She shook her head before turning towards Sunset. "Sunset, would you be a dear and check up on Apple Jack? And possibly Pinkie as well, I'm not sure." Sunset's only response was to jump to her feet, put her hand to her temple in a salute, and march from the room as well. Rarity sighed before turning again and smiling tiredly. "Fluttershy darling, you're up next."
     
Fluttershy was caught off guard by this. At that particular moment she was not certain she could stand. The goosebumps running up and down her leg from where Rainbow's hair had been gently brushing it made it tingly in a way that made her not sure it would hold her weight if she tried. But an idea came to her that suddenly gave her encouragement to try. 
     
"Oh yes, certainly Rarity." Fluttershy had to control herself to keep from smiling as she shifted to stand up. Carefully she moved her leg, and placed it so that it brushed Rainbows exposed arm ever so gently. 
     
'Dangitdangitdangitdan... Ho! Ly! Cow!'. Rainbow Dash had been busy berating herself for forgetting what she was doing again. That was way too difficult for her to maintain as she suddenly tried to not think about how nice and smooth Fluttershy's legs were now that they were the ones touching her this time. She was sure it was just her panicking brain, but she felt like the contact was making her fingers go numb. 
     
Luckily it ended soon as Fluttershy stood, having apparently been summoned by Rarity as the next sacrifice. But the damage had apparently been done. Rainbow's mind was so fried at the moment she could swear Fluttershy was shaking her hips just for her as she walked away until the curtain was pulled closed again. 
     
Rainbow Dash was frustrated. She was suddenly glad she was the only one in the room, or at least this part of the room, as she was sure her whole body was blushing. She had gotten to the point where blushing didn't seem like a foreign feeling to her. She was driving herself crazy. She knew Fluttershy was not coming on to her, but it seemed like everything she did lately was designed to get Rainbow's attention. Even the smallest and most innocent things. And of course they'd all be completely innocent things if Rainbow wasn't driving herself crazy. After all, it wasn't like they had been doing anything that out of the ordinary with each other, with just a few notable exceptions. 
     
"Sunset dear, could you..." Rainbow looked up to see Rarity's face just poking through the sheets. "Oh yes, that's right. Oh well, you'll do. Could you step in here and lend us some assistance?"
     
Rainbow's internal thoughts were suddenly set on fire with those words. She could not process all the potential implications of them, but knew this was a situation she probably didn't want to tempt her fate in. That's when she realized she was standing with her fingers mere inches from the fabric. 
     
Rarity had apparently retreated back behind the makeshift curtain right after asking for help. She could now be heard humming in concentration from behind.
     
'Ok, be cool. You can do this. It's just Fluttershy..... Potentially barely dressed' Rainbow felt her eye twitch as her outreached fingers flexed back and forth. She felt like this was a much bigger barrier then the thin fabric would make it seem, and one she didn't know what was beyond. And she knew whatever was beyond it couldn't wait much longer without it becoming weird. 
     
With a deep breath, she pushed the curtain aside.
     
And that was a lot of very smooth, very yellow, very soft looking skin. 
     
Thankfully Fluttershy was facing away from her. But that wasn't much of a reprieve as the dress design Rarity had chosen had a very open back. She could see a zipper unzipped on the very low cut dress. The smooth yellow skin near the bottom of the dress eventually came to be hidden behind sheer white fabric, fabric that did not belong to the dress. As she was ripping her gaze from that she realized there was no matching fabric further up. That made the fact that the dress's blue fabric was rolled far forward on the girls' sides all the more noticable.
     
Trying not to feel like a creeper at that moment she finally noticed Rarity kneeling in front of the barely covered girl, looking like she was having great trouble with something. Both Rarity and Fluttershy had hands on the dress holding something in place. 
     
"Very sorry darling, these frills are a terrible pain. I didn't want to fasten them completely before the final fitting, lace is so delicate. We just need to hold it in place while you," she nodded her head towards Fluttershy, "zip her up. Slowly if you could. Don't want to lose these folds."
     
Rainbow struggled to keep her breathing steady. But she did, and even managed a casual shrug as she stepped forward. She then ran into another hurdle.
     
"Where's the zipper?"
     
"It's sewn in backwards to hide it better. It's a concept I'm trying." The fact that Rarity spoke so casually made Rainbow feel like hurting her at that moment. But that desire was well hidden behind a yellow haze that was clouding her senses and making the actions she was about to perform seem almost sensible. 
     
Without much thought Rainbow's fingers traced the path of the zipper to its source. One finger snaked under and found the zippers tab. She was barely conscious of her actions as one set of fingers held the dress in place, possibly lower then she needed to, and the other, most importantly, slid the knuckle of her index finger gently up the soft yellow skin along the spine of the image of beauty in front of her. 
    
Fluttershy was glad that Rarity's attention was focused on what she was holding. She had managed to suppress the whimper at the sensation of Dash's finger moving up her back, but her mouth had fallen open and her vision had blurred as her eyes fluttered. She was so disappointed by the feeling of the digits moving away that she didn't even notice Rarity pulling her own hands away as she readjusted the lace around the front of the dress.
     
"And there we are." Both Rainbow and Fluttershy were momentarily surprised to hear Rarity's voice. It suddenly felt like a long time had passed and they were shocked to find she was still there. Fluttershy was suddenly turned by the fashionista to face the other girl. 
     
Rainbow figured she had managed to keep the desire off her face when she saw her girlfriend in that dress.
     
'Fake girlfriend'
     
'Shut it!'
     
The dress was blue, and fit the girls form very well. It was embellished here and there, but not enough to distract from the natural beauty of the girl wearing it. And though she thought she managed to keep her eyes from lingering awkwardly, she noticed the lace around the top of the dress that was hiding the rather considerable cleavage the dress otherwise would show. 
     
"So, what do you think?" Rarity held her arms up in presentation much the way she had for Apple Jack, though this one felt much more earned. Rainbow cast her eye over the presented girl once more, strictly for a critical analysis. 
     
"Not bad at all Rares. I think you might have out done yourself with this one." Rainbow Dash fully expected the attention on Fluttershy would make her blush. What she didn't expect was that despite that she suddenly spread her arms out wide and gave an elegant turn to show all sides of her. Rainbow's mouth went dry, but she managed to croak out and additional, "yeah, looks great."
     
"Are you sure?"
     
'OH YEAH!!!'
     
"Yeah."
     
"I wasn't so sure on the lace," Rarity ran her finger along the top seam of the dress and Rainbow unconsciously wondered how easy it would be to break those dainty fingers. "It's the classic conundrum of what do you want more of. What do you think Rainbow?" She said looking over to her, indicating different cut off spots as she did. "More teasing, or more skin?"
     
Rainbow was having a very hard time discerning the line between looking and ogling at that moment, so she just gave a quick glance before responding as neutrally as possible. "I don't know. You're the expert, so whatever you think works. I like the way it looks now." She did not mean to add the last part. 
     
Rarity was humming in concentration for a few moments before responding. "Very well." She then produced a few pins and began tacking the lace to the hem. "Since I've already got you here, you might as well start putting yours on as well. We're going to run into the same problem after all."
     
"Why's that?" Rainbow and Fluttershy suddenly inquired at the same time. 
     
"Oh, well even if the two of you aren't going to leave the prom as a couple, you are going there as one. And Rarity Belle would never allow a couple wearing her dresses to clash!" She went into a grand proclamation kind of voice while saying this, but went back to pinning Fluttershy's dress absentmindedly. "Therefore your dresses are complements and are of similar design."
     
Rainbow Dash had to suppress a blush at that.
     
Fluttershy had to suppress a smile at that.
     
Rainbow looked around, realizing she was already in the changing area and therefore had a slight problem. "Umm, Rares?"
     
"There's a changing screen in the corner, your dress should already be there," Rarity said without looking up from her work. 
     
Rainbow suppressed a sigh of relief at that at least. She proceeded over and, once she was sure she couldn't be seen at all from behind the screen, proceeded to strip. This process did make her cringe though. She did like her body, was very proud of it even. It took a lot of work to get as toned and solid as she was. But thinking about what Rarity had just said made her think only one thing; this wasn't going to work. 
     
Rainbow wasn't sure what Rarity thought would happen, but as far as Rainbow was concerned, her and Fluttershy were in two completely different categories. You could put Rainbow Dash in a dress and she would look ok. But if you then put her next to someone like Fluttershy it would be obvious who didn't belong. 
     
"Are you ready Rainbow dear?" Rainbow sighed as she pulled off her sports bra and did her best to hold the dress and its components in place against herself. 
     
"Umm, maybe?" Rainbow tried to keep her whole body from going red again as the screen was moved away.
     
"That's the part we need to help you with darling." Rarity was probably lucky she was already facing the wall and that Fluttershy was in the room, otherwise such a sudden action would have probably led to a boot to the face. Rarity stepped around her and, before Rainbow could protest, started work on the top seam of the dress. 
     
Fluttershy suddenly realized something about herself; she was the jealous type. She felt her jaw tighten and her fingernails dig into the palms of her hands. She had had the same thing done to her minutes before, so she knew what was going on. Right now Rarity was bunching the lace around the top. She'd bunch it in a couple places, then have Rainbow hold it while she does the next. Four places to hold, so four hands. Although in her current jealous haze she was having a hard time seeing why she couldn't just have Rainbow Dash fold and hold them herself. Or just have it pinned beforehand and adjust it later. Or any number of other things that would mean she wouldn't have to put her hands on HER DASHIE!!!
     
That moment came crashing down as Rarity spoke again. "And just like that. Now if you wouldn't mind Fluttershy darling."
     
Oh right, she had been super anxious about this part. And it was all coming back to her now. Although Rainbow had sent such a pleasant sensation up her sensitive back, she had clearly done it simply because touching her there didn't mean anything to her. But this meant something to Fluttershy and therefore she couldn't possibly do something like that.
     
'But you want to.'
     
'Shut up.'
     
So Fluttershy stepped forward, determined to make this as fast and clean as possible. Mostly because she really didn't trust what she might do around Rainbow any more. Her slender finger slipped between the yellow fabric and over some black fabric that was not part of the dress without touching either. She felt the zipper tab and swiped it out with one fluid motion. Grasping it firmly she pulled.
     
And nothing happened. She pulled again, nothing. The zipper was solidly in place. "Umm Rarity. I, I think it's stuck."
     
"Oh bother. They didn't have zippers in the right color in my normal brand, I'm afraid that was one of the cheaper ones I had to buy. I'm afraid you'll just have to give it a good pull dear."
     
"I'm trying but..." Watching the zipper pull the dress up again and again told Fluttershy what was wrong. It seemed that Rainbows sleek, toned, slender... 'focus,' form didn't have quite the curve needed to keep the dress in place. So what was needed was just some extra resistance. Yeah, it was the only way. 
     
Before she could think about what she was doing her hand was already in motion. A flat palm went to just below where the zipper sat and pressed the soft fabric into the solid muscle beneath. This did provide the resistance needed, and though it would have been possible to adjust her grip after that, she firmly believed the best thing at this point was to do this in one motion. One clean, very slow motion. 
     
'Fluttershy did not just grope you. Repeat, Fluttershy DID NOT just grope you. She was just helping with the dress, it's what friends do.' And Rainbow Dash was certain she could get herself to believe that truth somewhere down the line. But for right now she was just going to let her subconscious fight about that while she stiffly turned.
     
Fluttershy didn't have the concentration to keep the shock off her face. While the dresses were designed to match except to complement each girl's bodies differently, Fluttershy couldn't believe how much better Rainbow pulled it off. It might not be her usual look, but to Fluttershy it was so revealing. All the parts of herself Rainbow kept away from the whole world save for occasionally only to Fluttershy seemed to come through in that moment. She was just so...
     
Rainbow couldn't even look into Fluttershy's face. But she did notice that while changing Rarity had apparently added a few flowers to Fluttershy's hair to tie the whole outfit together. And it did. It was like all the things that made Fluttershy so obviously wonderful, beautiful inside and out, and so easy to love, were all amplified so anyone could see them the way Dash saw them all the time. She was just so...
     
... Perfect.
     
".....,....., Wow."
     
The word was sudden, but not so much as to fully pull the pair from the trance they were in. They did turn however and found that the room had filled once again. If Rainbow could think straight right now she might wonder about being sure she'd closed the curtain. But she couldn't. Four girls now stared, varying looks of amazement on their faces. 
     
"Rarity, y'all are gonna be famous all right."
     
"They look so good, it's amazing Rarity."
     
"Oh my gosh, this is so great. You know, if you two weren't planning on breaking up at the prom, I think they'd probably declare two queens this year."
     
"Yes sometimes I amaze even myself."
     
Neither Fluttershy nor Rainbow Dash were really focused on who was talking. They did notice when Rarity went over to a mirror leaning against a wall and brought it over. Before the two now stood a fantasy couple. It was like a portal to another world where everything was perfect. One they felt like they could almost just reach out and...
     
"Ding-Dong."
     
"Pizzas here!!!" And for the second time that night Pinkie went running from the room. 
     
The moment finally broken, all the girls now looked around the room at each other. Each finally let out a giggle at the speed at which they heard footsteps moving down the stairs.
     
"Ok girls, you may get those dresses off, I know what modifications I need to make now." She indicated dressing screens at either side of the changing area. Both girls proceeded over. "Apple Jack, since you've been fitted you may go indulge. As well as you two once you're done. Sunset," she turned to face the girl, "if you'd please remain for a moment?"
     
Sunset nodded and watched on silently as the three fitted girls now proceeded from the room. She didn't bat an eye when Rarity closed the door behind them. 
     
"So?"
     
At Sunset's single word Rarity now turned back to face her. Her smile grew wide and devious. "I can't believe I've missed it all this time."
     
"Are you saying even before?"
     
Rarity's head nodded frantically as her smile grew in size and intensity. 
     
"And both?"
     
Sunset was sure Rarity's head was about to go flying at any moment at the speed it was now going. She then stopped abruptly, expectation in her eyes. Sunset knew what she wanted to hear.
     
"How do you wanna do this?"
> Thursday: Studying Old Times
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The past couple days had been interesting for Rainbow Dash.
     
Ever since highschool started her world had changed a little more than somewhat, but mostly for the better. But she had to admit there were times when she missed certain things about the way things used to be. 


*


     
"Sorry RD. I think this old clunker has finally given up."
     
"That's what you said the last time, but you always get it working again."
     
"Yeah, but it ain't happening any time soon. Gotta cancel for tonight. See y'all in the morning." 
     
"Yeah, see ya' AJ"
     
Click


*


     
Fluttershy found herself with lots of time to think about things in the past couple days. 
     
And what she inevitably thought about was the way things used to be. Her world used to be so small and for the longest time she thought that was just the way she wanted it. And while her current life was not something she would want to give up for anything, it was always hard not to think about the things you lost to get there. 


*


     
"Fluttershy darling I'm afraid I've a favour to ask. It would seem Sweetie Belle invited her friends over and mother and father are out."
     
"Oh no Rarity, I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do to help?"
     
"I'm afraid not dear, I've just got to stay in and make sure they don't cause too much trouble. Could you please tell Rainbow Dash that I won't be able to make it."
     
"Oh, yes I could do that for you. Try to have fun at least." 
     
"Thank you dear."
     
Click


*


     
Rainbow Dash loved all her friends, but anyone who knew her knew there was one friend that was more special. Although most would just think that was the case because they'd known each other much longer then the rest. That was only partially true.


*


      
"RAINBOW DASH!!! STUDY! NO TIME! NEED MORE!!!!!"
     
"Whoa Pinks, calm down. What's going on, you ok?"
     
"NO!!! DASHIE, SHYSHY, NOTEBOOKS!!!"
     
"Pinkie, you're not making any sense. Do you need help?"
     
"NO!!! RAINBOW STAYS, NEED MORE TIME!!!"
     
"So does that mean you're not coming tonight?"
     
Click


*


     
Fluttershy remembered when it seemed like life would never change for her. And she remembered being ok with it. So long as one thing in her life never changed she could be happy. Other things had come along to make her life even more happy over time, but the one thing remained. And now she felt like she had the best of both worlds, and she liked it.
     

*


     
"Hey Fluttershy. Could you do me a quick favor?"
     
"Sure, anything you need Sunset."
     
"Could you apologize to Rainbow for me? I just got a message from princess Twilight and I need to head to Equestria for a bit."
     
"Oh my. It's nothing serious I hope."
     
"Oh no, nothing like that. It's, umm, kinda hard to explain. Let's just say it's pony stuff and leave it at that. Nothing serious, but it has to be handled right away."
     
"Ok. Sorry you can't make it. We'll see you tomorrow I hope."
     
"Yup, should be back by then. Thanks Shy, see ya'."
     
Click


*


     
For the past two days it seemed like Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had been locked away in their own little world. It seemed that at any given moment they could look around and find themselves alone together. Wherever they went it seemed the rest of their friends were either running way late or didn't show up at all. 
     
What was even more odd about it was that any place they went, whoever was there before them always seemed to clear out in a hurry. At first they just thought it was because of nightmare Luna's declaration but none of those doing it seemed to be doing it out of fear or contempt, so it just kept getting filed under weird for the time being.
     
And all these coincidences seemed to almost logically lead to this moment. Shortly after the girls had decided they were all going to the prom, they also decided they did not want to skip their usual study session despite the prom falling on a Friday. So that led to them all deciding to have it a day early at the scheduled location. And then most of the group began backing out at the last minute. And now Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy found themselves once again alone. 
     
In Rainbows room.
     
'Keep it together, focus, homework, plutonic.'
     
'She's so close.'
     
'I said no.'
     
Rainbow Dash felt like she was fighting a losing battle. Upon entering the room they had both instinctively gone into the sitting position they had adopted when they were younger together. This involved Rainbow sitting against her headboard, and Fluttershy sitting against her chest. Neither knew why they had done it, but they had, eventually, decided to stay that way. For old times sake. And she also knew her parents were on the opposite side of the house, and probably already going to bed.
     
'Oh my gosh, her legs are already wrapped around me. It would be so easy to make a move right now.'
     
'That would be way too much. Even if she was your girlfriend that would be too forward.'
     
'Maybe that's true, but oh my gosh does this feel right.'
     
At this point Fluttershy's mental endurance was shot and she honestly didn't know how she hadn't thrown herself at Rainbow by now. Because of their position Rainbow had to lean her head forward to read anything Fluttershy held up for her, in the process brushing against her neck and tickling her ear with her breath. And right now Fluttershy had to reach for everything, allowing her to move against Rainbow's body in whatever way struck her fancy.
     
The more or less understood reason why they had ended up in this position was because of how much the past couple days had reminded the two of the times before highschool, back when it was just the two of them. At that time they were inseparable, being the only real friends the other had since the day Rainbow had come to Fluttershy's aid and they became friends on the spot. And in many ways they wished they could go back to that time for real. 
     
Barely a word passed between them, they weren't really needed. They used to study like this all the time when they were younger, a clever idea thought up by the shy girl to force her friend to study. At the time it had been because if Rainbow hadn't passed a specific test then she would be held back a grade and they would end up being separated. But they continued to do it afterwards, much to Fluttershy's delight as she had already long since realized her feelings for her friend at that point.
     
Rainbow Dash remembered the first time Fluttershy had ever done this. Rainbow had been being stubbornly stupid the way kids do, saying athletes didn't need to study. Fluttershy had literally pinned her in place and forced her to study for hours on end. Rainbow had known at the time that she could have freed herself, and indeed she initially tried. But the effort she saw the usually meek girl was putting forth to help her in a way no one else ever would got Rainbow past a particular barrier in her head, or maybe her heart, that had been in her way for some time. Being young and dumb she had also believed that being tough meant never doing wimpy things, wimpy things like having crushes. Thus she had always brushed off any feeling she had for Fluttershy as just being protective of her best friend. Fluttershy smashed that barrier that day without even knowing or trying.
     
"Hey Shyshy." Fluttershy was still holding up a paper for Dash to read, but it wasn't for a subject she needed help with. 
     
Fluttershy had to tilt to the side to look over her shoulder to see the girl behind her. "What is it Dashie? Did you finish this page?"
     
"Yeah, but it's not that." Fluttershy set the paper down, then looked back to inquire further. "Do you ever wish we never stopped doing this?"
     
"Y, you mean studying?" She was almost convincing, but as she looked away Rainbow noticed a telltale blush just barely grace her cheeks. 
     
"No, and you know what I'm talking about," Rainbow said with a playful growl as she began to lightly poke the sides of the girl on top of her. Fluttershy tried in vain to keep the fingers away, but it was too late. She did however refuse to answer or retreat despite the tickle attack so Rainbow finally relented and decided to ask again. "I mean this. The way we used to hang out, back when we were too young to care what people thought."
     
The laughter quickly left Fluttershy, but she was far from sad at the question. A wistful smile Rainbow wished she could see more of passed her lips. "Yeah I know. I guess on some level, but it's not like we weren't still close even if we weren't... close."
     
"Yeah I guess that's true. Just, you know, sometimes I think about stuff I've done before and wish I could've been more mature about it back then. I have done a lot of dumb stuff because I don't think it through after all."
     
Fluttershy smiled slightly. She knew Rainbow couldn't see it, but somehow knew she could tell. Then her expression darkened at another thought. "I... I just wish. I think the only part I really wish we could undo, was that week."
     
Rainbows expression darkened as well, her hands instinctively joining to wrap Fluttershy in a hug.
     
They both knew what had happened between them all that time ago. It was later on in junior high, when the majority of the student body suddenly became concerned with relationships. The two had managed to avoid questions about the nature of theirs, due to both not really interacting with any other kids and because Rainbow would usually beat up anyone who made Fluttershy sad. But this had been different. The more Rainbow tried to do to try to protect her from their words the more she only made it worse. Because what they were teasing her about was that they were girlfriends.
     
The only decision Rainbow could finally come up with to try to fix this was to eliminate what they kept teasing about. That meant doing away with all the ways they were close to each other, so for the first time since they met they stayed away from one another. For a full week they had to be without their other half. 
     
"I don't think I ever apologized for that," Rainbow barely whispered.
     
"I think you more or less did when you came back."
     
Both girls remembered that day the same, though they didn't know it. Rainbow showed up at Fluttershy's house and the first thing she did was hug her like she'd never hugged anyone before. It was the closest both girls ever came to telling each other their true feelings up to that point. Neither had known what missing someone they truly cared about was like until then.
     
"Still, I'm sorry," 'That I didn't tell you how I felt then.' "I shouldn't have let them make our friendship feel weird."
     
"It's ok Dashie, I'm sorry too," 'That I didn't kiss you when you hugged me.' "I just wish I was strong enough that you didn't need to try to do stuff like that to help me."
     
"You're plenty strong Shyshy. And I should probably tell you that more often."
     
'Just do it!!!'
     
'Just do it!!!'
     
There was a long pause that neither girls seemed willing or able to break. It was their bodies that finally broke the stalemate.
     
Rainbow tried to sound nonchalant as she released the hold on the other girl. "All right, as... nostalgic as this has been, it is way too hot in here for all this mushy stuff." While the statement was made to give herself an out before she did something she was sure she'd regret, it was also true. She figured her mom must have wrestled control of the thermostat back at some point because the heat of two bodies was becoming too much to bear at that moment. 
     
Or perhaps it was the heat of the moment. Both girls tried not to think about that as Fluttershy blushed lightly and began to scoot away. Being four people down they knew they weren't going to get much more studying done. So now came the part of the night to decide to either part ways or find something interesting to do. 
     
"So Shyshy, what did you wanna do?"
     
The question made thoughts come to Fluttershy's mind that threatened to make her blush again. She avoided this by looking away as if trying to think of something.
     
'This is your chance, she's right in front of you. Just do it. You can do this.'
     
.....,.....
     
'No you can't, you need a distraction.'
     
Fortunately for her at that moment a distraction presented itself. It came in the form of a small picture frame on Rainbows bedside table. Inside was a familiar image. 
     
"I remember this one. I didn't know you still had it."
     
Rainbow managed to hide the sudden shock that came to her. She had meant to put that away. "Oh yeah, that. I, I literally just found that maybe like two, three weeks ago." She had had to think quickly on that one, trying not to coincide the fake event with either the start of their fake relationship or the last time Fluttershy was in her room. "I honestly thought I had lost it years ago." She only hoped the not quite closed drawer below where it sat wouldn't prompt her to open it and find the perfectly outlined place for it among other things Fluttershy had given to her over the years. 
     
Fluttershy reached over, luckily not seeing Rainbow cringe, and grabbed it. She looked at it and smiled. "It's kinda funny to think about isn't it?"
     
"What? How you were so excited to make a friend that you invited me over to play that very day? Or that your parents were so excited you brought a friend home that they had to get pictures made and framed?" Rainbow reached out, taking the image in her hand and turning it around so she could see the boldly posing image of her younger self pulling the most adorably embarrassed mini Fluttershy into frame with her. 
     
Fluttershy let out a small giggle. "I thought that was the end of it. You were going to be scared off by my parents and you'd be joining in on the teasing you saved me from the next day."
     
Rainbow chuckled back. "Yeah. You figured out why I didn't when you met my parents didn't you?" They shared a laugh before Rainbow started reaching over to place the frame back where it had been for most of the last week. "We've been friends for a long time haven't we?"
     
That word made Fluttershy cringe just a little.
     
"And you've been my protector that whole time."
     
That word made Rainbow cringe just a little. 
     
'Just do it Fluttershy, it would be so romantic right now.' Fluttershy felt frustration. It felt like absolutely nothing was holding her back at that moment. And yet she still couldn't take that step. 
     
'You want this more than anything right now, what does it matter that you don't deserve it?' Rainbow was angry. She knew she had been slipping up a lot lately, and that thought was the ultimate proof. Fluttershy was too important to her to let herself think of her like that.
     
With that resolve now reinstated Rainbow gave a sigh and put on an easy going smile she hoped didn't look too hollow. "Well if we're going to stay with the nostalgic kick, then might I make a suggestion?" She twisted to the side and slid off the bed, going over to an old, small TV and a really old VCR she had been diligently keeping working just barely for years. She held up a bulky old video cassette case with the image of a fox and hound playing upon it. "First sleepover?"
     
Fluttershy smiled happily but didn't feel it. "That sounds lovely." She slid to the edge of the bed just above the spot she'd be leaning against while watching. It was still early but she knew how this would go. Within half an hour Rainbow would be asleep next to her due to how many times they had seen the movie over the years. She herself would succumb before the end of the movie despite her best efforts. She would eventually wake up in the bed wrapped up tight, Rainbow asleep on the floor next to it. Like they had so many times before.
     
Rainbow slid the tape in and hit play, previews starting after a moment. "Cool. I'll go get us some snacks."
     
Rainbow caught herself. Not only that but she caught herself catching herself. She realized that in leaving Fluttershy's side she was acting on recent instincts. And she kept doing it. 
     
Rainbow gave a quick peck on Fluttershy's lips, like a regular girlfriend would. She then drew back quickly and put on a look of fake shock. "I'm so sorry, I totally didn't mean to do that. It was, you know, just a reflex." She drew away further, putting on a sheepish smile that was equally fake. "Hope that doesn't keep happening after this whole thing is over, right?"
     
Rainbow didn't wait for any kind of response. She was making her way around her bed and out the door quickly. 
     
'That is IT!!! That is ALL you get. And you'd BETTER be happy with it.'
     
Fluttershy only vaguely heard Rainbow's apologies. She was still sitting stunned on the bed by the time she left the room. She knew that had felt right even if she knew Rainbow didn't feel the same. 
     
'Tomorrow. Tomorrow is your last chance. You are going to do this.'
> Friday: Prom
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Alright ladies. We've only a couple hours until prom starts and much beautifying to do before then. If we are going to take this event by storm then we need to all look our best. I have designated a changing area for everyone, you will find your dresses and all accessories with them. Chop chop now."
     
In the short time since school let out for the day Rarity had clearly been busy. Her whole house seemed to have been transformed into some kind of prom preparation base of operations. Not even Sweetie Belle had avoided her snare as she now stood by Rarity's side apparently awaiting some kind of instruction. 
     
The girls began making their way into the house, finding their names on different doors one by one as they went. Rainbow Dash was relieved to find there were enough changing spaces that none of them had to double up, her last experience here not something she figured she could manage a second time. 
     
Both Rainbow and Fluttershy did notice that they were the last two down one hall, but neither noticed Rarity's door right before theirs. Being the last two together they had a few extra seconds with each other while Rarity talked something over with Sweetie Belle. It ended with them giving each other an awkward smile before separating and each going to their assigned room.
     
The day had been long with anticipation for all the girls, but more so for the fake couple. Fluttershy had been frustrated when she realized that after her little slip up the day before Rainbow was showing much more diligence in making sure she didn't act like a girlfriend when she didn't need to. Granted there were only so many times in a day at school when they would be secluded enough to need to worry about such things, but the way Rainbow's arm had so promptly come off from around her shoulders on one occasion was slightly disheartening. But they had entered Rarity's house hand in hand which she still thought Rainbow hadn't noticed, so she still felt like she had a chance. 
     
As she found her dress and began disrobing she did feel a pang of fear and grief. Three times. Three times today she had already tried to do it. She had thought the prom would be the best place to tell Rainbow, but she didn't trust in her own confidence enough to leave herself with just one chance. And yet even after deciding she wanted her Dashie to know how she felt about her no matter what the consequences might be, she had still not been able to push the words past the now nonexistent barrier.
     
If she was even too weak to overcome absolutely nothing, then maybe she had been right all these years. 
     
She let out a heavy sigh as she reached back to do the zipper on her dress she had already managed to slip into. 'You can still do this. It just wasn't the right time before. You can be strong enough for Dashie. You can.'
     
Rainbow Dash grumbled as she stared down at her dress. She had been so careful. She had made a point to not indulge herself at all throughout the entire day. Then just the slightest distraction of Rarity's grand reveal and she suddenly felt her fingers gripping soft slender ones. 
     
'This ends today. She'll be on your arm for the first part of the dance, then you get what you deserve for enjoying this too much.'
     
Rainbow grumbled again as she pulled off her shirt then threw it against a chair with more force then was necessary. It landed with an unsatisfying plop which prompted Rainbow to walk over and join it on the chair, leaning forward and placing her face in her hands in the process.
     
She sat there and seethed for a minute. She felt so weak. She remembered junior high, and her week alone. She felt right now that such an action might be necessary again. After all she had done this week she wasn't sure at all if she could suppress her feelings like she usually did. And if she slipped again she didn't know if her Shyshy would ever trust her again. 
     
'Not your Shyshy. Remember that.'
     
She grinded her knuckles into her temple for a few seconds before standing and finishing the process of dressing. It was thankfully much easier this time around. As she looked down at herself and her outfit, images of the fantasy couple in the mirror came back to her. 
     
She shook her head hard and started walking back to the door.
     
Fluttershy had apparently beaten Rainbow out of her own room as Rainbow opened the door to an image of beauty. She gawked for just a moment but managed to turn neutral when Fluttershy turned to acknowledge her presence. 
     
"Oh Rainbow. Looks like yours turned out great." God her smile was way too sweet for Rainbow to endure right now.
     
"Yeah, you too." To her ear she managed to sound easy going.
     
Both girls turned to find a surprisingly scary sight. Rarity stood, not in her dress, but in her regular clothes. In addition to that she was wearing an apron, rubber gloves, and had her hair tied back and covered in a cloth wrap. Her eyes held thinly veiled menacing intent.
     
Reflexes kicked in as Fluttershy instinctively scooted slightly behind Rainbow and Rainbow spread herself into a defensive stance in front.
     
Rainbow spoke first. "What's up Rares?" She made only a token effort to keep the suspicion out of her voice. 
     
"I probably should have told you sooner, but you both would have said no so I didn't." The intent was no longer valid at all. 
     
"What are you talking about?"
     
"I believe that by this point it's no secret that I'm using all you girls as my own personal showcase tonight. But I'm afraid I neglected to inform you two that you are going to be my center piece."
     
Fluttershy's eyes went wide in realization.
     
Rainbows eyes narrowed in confusion and challenge. "Meaning?"
     
Rarity responded by shifting slightly and nudging her little sister they only just realized was still standing next to her. The young girl hefted up an actual aluminum briefcase and held it out for presentation. Single handedly Rarity worked the latch and opened it wide. Inside were the most expensive looking collections of makeup and cosmetic items either girl had ever seen. Rainbow's squint became a glare.
     
"I don't think so," Rainbow growled. 
     
"This is happening whether you let it or not. The only question is how difficult you want it to be."
     
"You don't have the guts." Rainbow stood tall in the familiar position of having Fluttershy curled into the small of her back as she was ready to protect her at all costs.
     
"Oh darling, why do you think I scheduled two whole hours to get ready?"
     
Rainbow suddenly reacted to the sensation of Fluttershy being pulled away from her. As she turned she felt familiar strong arms grab her. 
     
"Let me go AJ!" She had turned to see Pinkie Pie not really holding a not really struggling Fluttershy in place much the way AppleJack was currently actually holding her. 
     
"Fraid' not sugar cube." Apple Jack's tone was entirely too easy going for the situation and for how hard she was now struggling for Rainbow to be happy about it. 
     
Rainbow now noticed Pinkie was similarly attired to Rarity, meaning AppleJack probably was so as well. And probably Sunset somewhere too if she had to guess. "Whatever she's paying you I'll double it."
     
Pinkie's happy voice betrayed nothing of the suddenly tense situation. "She said she'd give me a free professional quality makeover."
     
AppleJack's voice was oddly blank. "She said she wouldn't give me a free professional quality makeover."
     
Rainbow struggled more, but any of her usual counters to the farmgirls strength had already been bypassed. This whole thing had been planned with cold and calculating precision. By now Pinkie was barely holding Fluttershy with two fingers each by the elbows, but as tended to be the case she seemed too courteous to fight even for her own well being. 
     
With one more big and prolonged strain Rainbow finally fell limp. "All of you are going to pay for this I hope you know."
     
Rarity walked around and patted Rainbow on the shoulder. "Oh please save your strength dear. You're going to need it."


***

     
     
The following hour had been pure torture, for Rainbow Dash at least. Fluttershy had modeled for Rarity before and fell back on what she used to do back then. Zone out and think of puppies. Thankfully Rarity had declared that neither girl needed much for makeup save for light accents. However Rainbow had had to be held down while the fashionista took several ominous looking tools to her face for way longer then she felt was necessary before applying and removing several creams and ointments several times over. 
     
Hair had come next and once again Rainbow felt like she got the short end of the stick as Rarity's brushes seemed to pass seamlessly through Fluttershy's seemingly endless locks. Rainbow was surprised to find she still had hair for how much she had felt was pulled out after the initial brushing was finished. Then more ointments, creams, gels, and if Rainbow never saw smoke coming off her hair again that would be perfectly fine with her. Rarity's constant assurances of it being alright made her consider more than once if she'd do time for biting off someone's finger. 
     
Finally came manicures and pedicures. Rainbow had wished the group working on Fluttershy had not transferred to another room by that point. She found herself wishing to have someone to talk to if only to distract herself from one specific detail. She found she actually didn't mind that part. She in fact felt herself enjoying it. This made her even more angry at the situation and she swore a blood oath to herself that Rarity would never find out. 
     
After that Rainbow was put into a thankfully comfortable chair and told not to move in any way, not even to scratch her admittedly itchy face and hair. Sweetie Belle was given the instruction of enforcing this edict to the letter. Thus was Rainbow stuck with nothing to occupy her mind but watching the young girl watching her closely with a whistle clenched in her teeth, ready at a moment's notice.
     
While Fluttershy got through the whole ordeal rather unscathed it was not the most enjoyable way for her to spend her day. She had never liked all the attention back when she had helped Rarity either. Worst of all she figured that the ordeal would have left Rainbow off kilter enough that she might slip up in some way again. Alas they had for some reason been kept in different rooms for most of the process and now were still apart as the other girls finished on them and made to prepare themselves. Fluttershy just sat and read an old magazine Sunset had provided for her.
     
Half an hour of the others prep later and the two girls could hear from their secluded positions the rest of the girls coming together and complementing each other. 
     
Rarity had apparently taken charge of the group again. "Alright girls, time for the main event. Fluttershy darling, if you would. And Sweetie dear, you may let Rainbow move now." 
     
Rainbow rol...
     
"And Rainbow, don't roll your eyes. I want the eyeshadow pristine."
     
Rainbows eyes stopped rolling mid way and instead began eyeing a nearby window with intent. She decided against it and proceeded to the door. 
     
Rainbow and Fluttershy were surprised to find that they had ended up in adjacent rooms again and did so by opening their doors to find the other doing so at the same moment. 
     
'Don't stare. Don't stare. Don't stare.'
     
'You're staring.'
     
'Then play it off somehow.'
     
'Still staring.'
     
With a colossal effort Rainbow managed to pull her attention away from Fluttershy and turn away giving as much of a fake cheesy grin as she could manage. "Well if Rarity wants everyone to know you're out of my league I think she managed to pull that off pretty good." She laughed, but it was probably the most forced laugh of her life and she desperately hoped it was somehow convincing. 
     
She remembered how amazing Fluttershy had looked during the fittings, but this was something else entirely. The girl before her nearly seemed to sparkle and glow with radiant beauty. Rainbow wished she was better with words, because there were none that she knew that would properly express how beautiful she thought her date for the night looked at that moment. 
     
'Do it now, right here, in front of everyone. It's the only way someone else won't take her for themselves.'
     
'There's no way anyone would touch her, we'd never let it happen.'
     
'So we agree? Then why can't I kiss her right now!'
     
Fluttershy was vaguely aware that Rainbow had spoken and that the other girls were watching them. But right now the world outside of what she was looking at seemed so insignificant. Fluttershy always thought Rainbow looked beautiful, but she also knew that she hid most of that beauty away from the world. And right now she knew that was probably for the best as all the beauty of the world seemed to fade away around the girl in front of her. 
     
A series of flashing lights was finally the stimulus that reminded both girls of the world around them. Turning down the hall where their rooms were located they found Sweetie Belle now holding a rather large and expensive looking camera and snapping pictures of them at Rarity's instruction. 
     
"Come on out now girls, I need some glamour poses." They found that Rarity had at some point set up some backdrops in her living room and now directed each girl in turn to strike various poses in front of them. However the vast majority of the pictures seemed to be focused on the fake couple as Rarity continuously had them take up very intimate positions together. 
     
This continued for another quarter hour before Rarity finally declared that it was time to go. Sweetie Belle finally broke the nearly stoic demeanor she'd managed the whole night so far.
     
"So I did good Rarity?" She asked with more than a small twinge of glee in her voice.
     
"You did wonderfully Sweetie," Rarity bent down to give her sister a gentle hug that wouldn't mess up her hair or makeup. "As promised, your reward will be waiting for you in the morning."
     
With a big smile Sweetie exclaimed, "thanks," before scampering from the room.
     
Rarity now turned to the rest of the girls. "As for the rest of you, I've a special treat for you all as well. And it arrived just a few minutes ago." She began walking over to her living room window.
     
Both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were having trouble focusing on what Rarity was saying. They had been the last ones to be photographed, and the pose Rarity had chosen had found them cheek to cheek and hand in hand. They were both trying their hardest to keep their faces discreetly hidden while also trying their hardest to eliminate their full face blushes. 
     
Rarity threw open the curtain on her window to reveal her front yard and what sat just beyond it. Even the flustered couple could not help but suddenly shuffle forward with interest. "It seems father felt the need for us to have a proper chauffeur for the evening."
     
A rather long and fancy white limo sat out in front of the house, a well dressed older gentleman stepping out to stand next to the back door in preparation. Smiles went up amongst the group. 
     
"Woooooo!!!!! Let's get this party STARTED!!!!!" Pinkie led the charge as they made their way out, and she was right. Any occupant of the vehicle that might have had something weighing on their minds were able to forget it for the time being. Right now was not the time for worrying about what the future might hold. Right now was the time to be dumb high schoolers having a good time. 
     
The music was too loud. The cheering was even louder. Everything in the limo was played with by every girl in turn. In the back of all their minds they all hoped Rarity's dad was generous with the drivers gratuity, but also knew they weren't going to stop.  
     
Long 'awes' were heard when the driver announced their arrival, but excitement was immediately restored when he stepped out to walk around to let them out. There were not many meandering outside the school when they exited, and yet eyes were still caught as the girls filed out one by one. Even Fluttershy seemed to be enjoying the attention. 
     
"Alright girls, we are exactly fashionably late. Our entrance should be sufficiently grand. I want everyone strutting their stuff." With a flick of her hair Rarity strutted forward. "I shall lead the charge and the rest of you shall make your debut just a few steps behind each other." She suddenly turned on her rather high heels towards Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. "The two of you are my finale. Put on a good show won't you." She gave a wink, turned again, and strode forward with much more sway in her hips then even reasonably necessary. 
     
Rainbow became nervous again.
     
Fluttershy became excited again. 
     
The entire group wondered how far Rarity had gone for this as it almost seemed like the music had cued up for them as they entered. 
     
Rarity entered the temporarily remodeled auditorium, struck a dramatic pose, and spun twice over with a flourish. She then stepped to one side and struck a new pose with one arm held in the air. 
    
Apple Jack followed, and was very obviously much less sure what to do. Without showing too much uncertainty she managed to tip her hat to the now very much paying attention student body. Not knowing what else to do she did a very square dance like shuffle to each side to show off just enough of her outfit before walking in with an only slightly awkward smile on her face.
     
Pinkie bounded in with energy and exuberance, spinning on her toes enough times to lose count as her thankfully puffy pettiskirt flailed in the breeze. She then struck a pose that didn't match her previous energy but still made several men in the room jaws drop before smiling big and hopping off to who knows where. 
     
Sunset was the only other of the girls who seemed to actually know what she was doing. With a distinctively bad girl strut she entered the room, stopped, and gave the room a playful glare. She then turned on her heel, paused, then turned back and continued her strut.
     
Finally came the couple everyone was waiting to see. Rainbow Dash had had some ideas at one point that she should watch the crowd for more suspects in the incident that had started this all. However she currently felt soft hands lightly holding the bare skin of her arm and was having trouble focusing. Fluttershy was currently so close to her that she could feel her body heat against her side. Rarity had gone as far as perfuming each of them, thus she could even smell her. Strawberries, mixed with something else. Possibly one of Rainbows favorite smells, and it definitely was now if it wasn't before.  
     
Fluttershy was still somewhat zoned out from her makeover and from seeing Rainbow after hers. She had taken note of the attention they were getting, but she was more or less just taking it as attention directed towards her and Dashie and thus was enjoying it thoroughly. Now they had come to the front of their line of friends. She knew Rainbow was familiar and comfortable with being out in front of people, but this was different. Fluttershy could tell she wasn't really paying attention to what she was doing as they stood before the room and did nothing, much to Rarity's displeasure.
     
Being that Rainbow neither knew what to do nor noticed Rarity's growing rage, Fluttershy decided she had to take action. What was odd to her was that she actually then proceeded to do so. Calling on her brief modeling experience she stepped forward while holding onto her Dashie. This caused them both to make a turn together as if they were dancing and giving the room a full view of them and their complimenting outfits.
     
They went for a full turn and a half, now putting Rainbow Dash where she could see Rarity giving her an evil glare. The turn had also given Rainbow some idea of just how much of the room was watching them and just how closely. Everyone wanted to see it, and Rainbow knew the more convincing it was the better it would be for her Shyshy in the end. She had told herself no more, but it looked like one more had to happen, as much as it might end up weighing on her. 
     
Rainbow took back control of the situation, swinging Fluttershy in a spin back the other direction. In the process she swept her arm under her soon to be ex pretend girlfriend and dipped her low. She paused, only partially for dramatic affect. She silently wished her hair wasn't up in such a tight and intricate design. If it was hanging free she might have been able to just bring their faces close and count on her hair to obscure what happened next. Instead she leaned in close to plant what she knew would be the last kiss she would ever share with the beautiful girl in front of her. 
     
A playfully scandalous "woooooo" echoed through the room. Neither girl really noticed. Rainbow's mind was busy trying and failing to force herself not to enjoy it. Fluttershy's mind was busy trying and failing to force herself to reach her arms up to hold on to this kiss for as long as possible. They stood again and were quickly escorted away by a now smiling Rarity. 
     
They found the rest of the group over by the refreshments. Sunset was the first to speak. "So, did we do alright Rarity?"
     
"Oh you all did wonderfully." She had her compact out, using it like she did at least half the time she pulled it out to discreetly watch the room around her. "And that's more then just my own opinion judging by some of the looks we are getting right now." She closed her mirror and slipped it into one of the discreet pockets in her dress. "We are now the stars of the prom, with all the prestige that comes with it. The only thing left to do now is to have as much fun with that as possible."
     
Pinkie let out a loud "wooooooo" before grabbing Apple Jack and disappearing into the crowd. They emerged moments later on the other side, leading a large group of randomly abducted students out onto the dance floor. 
     
Rarity strutted over to a group of obviously gawking boys that stood nearby. She picked one out at random and proceeded to run her finger teasingly up his chin. "Do you think you could do me a favor darling?" The boy was already pudding in her hands. She then pulled a small camera from another pocket in her dress. "I could use a photographer for tonight." All he could do was nod. "Good boy. Sunset, could you accompany us as well. I'd like some more shots of your dress in this lighting."
     
Sunset seemed to be enjoying having Rarity taking control of the situation, so with a cheesy salute she followed. They both found some of the prom scenery and began taking turns posing while their hapless assistant took pictures. 
     
That left the final two of the group alone once again. It was unfortunate that they were also the two who had the least interest in any activity that might happen at such a gathering. Rainbow Dash struggled to find a way to ask the question she knew she needed to. Fluttershy once again fought a one sided and yet seemingly hopeless battle in her mind. 
     
'Ok, this is really it this time. The perfect time, perfect place. If you have any courage in you at all you can do this. Right now.'
     
There was an awkward silence despite the loud music and other students around them. 
     
'Now! Do it now!!!'
     
Silence remained as Fluttershy noticed the other girl turn to her, seemingly ready to ask something. 
     
'No Dashie please. Not yet, not right now. I really can do this if I just had more time.'
     
"So Shy..."
     
"You know Dashie," Fluttershy was surprised by her own ability to cut in at that moment, but managed to play it off well and kept going. "I know you don't like for people to know you can dance, but you always said you'd finish teaching me someday." 
     
Rainbow was slightly taken aback by the sudden topic, then she smiled slightly at the memory it brought back to her. "Yeah, that's true isn't it. We never did get back around to that did we." They both smiled to each other at the shared memory of Rainbow Dash taking dance classes at her coach's suggestion. This being later on in junior high meant the only friend she had that she could practice with had been Fluttershy. They had gotten into a routine of Rainbow reteaching the lessons she had taken back to Fluttershy so they could both learn together.  
     
"Do you remember how to start?" They were near a less populated area of the dance floor. They walked together out to a somewhat private area well away from where Pinkie was managing to get Apple Jack to help her cause some kind of flash mob dance off. 
     
"Yes, but I don't think we ever danced to music like this." The more intimate part of the dance had yet to get started. This was still the mass party meant for the whole school. The beats were fast, loud, and meant for groups.
     
Rainbow just gave her an encouraging smile. "You don't remember anything I taught you do you?" 
     
The words were met with a half serious pout. "Well if you didn't take so long to finish teaching me."
     
Rainbow managed to laugh at her Shyshy giving her attitude. She reached up and placed her finger to the smooth yellow skin of her forehead. "The only music that matters is up here. Just focus on what you want."
     
'You have no idea how much I want to.' "Ok Dashie." With that she did her best to stay focused as Rainbow took her hands into her own and stepped in close. 
     
Rainbow hummed a few lines of music that Fluttershy did in fact remember from back then. "We were right about at that lesson if I recall correctly?"
     
Fluttershy hummed the notes back. "Yes, and you were starting to get frustrated that I was having such a hard time with it."
     
"Well we're both much better at keeping a beat now, so let's try this."
     
Fluttershy nodded, and as Rainbow started to hum again she led her in a slow dance. Fluttershy managed to keep up, though Rainbow did have to slow down and give her a little instruction every now and then. Before long she was able to keep up without looking down at her feet, so long as Rainbow counted the steps for her. 
     
Once again they were smiling together while thinking about old times. Fluttershy finally got comfortable enough with the movements to speak a sentiment she'd been holding in a long time. 
     
"I really miss when we used to do this together every week."
     
"Every Friday right after I got back from the class. Then we'd usually end up having a sleep over. It was definitely more fun then the class itself or reading the dumb book that they gave us with the class." Rainbow stopped herself from leaning in closer as she was feeling herself getting more and more comfortable with the situation. 
     
'Stop doing this. It's time for you to just accept this is over.'
     
'You can do this. This is right. You just need a little more time. What is stopping you?'
     
Both girls turned when they noticed a lull in the commotion on the other side of the dance floor. It seemed the music selection had changed up and it was time for couples to start coming together. They were both aware that this was probably putting the attention back on them. 
     
'Yeah, this is probably about right. This will keep Shyshy safe.'
     
"Hey Shys..." She cut herself off and waited for the other girl to look back to her. "I think it's about time for the big show." She saw her oldest friend look down, avoiding the conflict of the situation most likely. 
     
Fluttershy looked away, ashamed that it had come to this point. 'NO, NO, NO!!!!! Why can't I tell you? Why do I have to be so weak?'
     
Rainbow felt weaker than she ever had in her entire life. Nonetheless she put all her strength into keeping her voice as level and casual as she could. "We should make this look good. I think if you really want this to stick then it needs to be loud and dramatic. A really memorable dumping ya' know." Every word made her sick to her stomach, but she pressed on while hoping her joking voice didn't sound as cheap and hollow as it felt coming out of her. She went as far as making a gasp like she'd thought of something great. "Oh, do you think you could pull off slapping me? Maybe say I did something inappropriate to you. That would really keep everyone away from you."
     
'Please stop Dashie. I can't take it. I have to tell you, I need to tell you. Why can't I tell you?" Fluttershy still couldn't look up to the girl telling her to dump her. Every fiber of her being wanted to scream out, and yet there was some reason that seemed to make it impossible for her. She was hiding it well, but her breathing was now coming short and she was struggling not to just drop to the floor and cry.
     
Rainbow hated herself more with every word that came out of her mouth, but she knew this had to happen. The only thing she could do now was to give herself a chance to heal as much as was possible after this was over. "Yeah, then you'll be free and clear. You'll be able to find a guy that deserves you someday. Then, I don't know, I guess we pretend to be mad at each other for a few days or something. Stay away from each other for a while, then everything can go back to how it,~, use to be."
     
Fluttershy's agonized breaths suddenly caught in her throat. She knew Rainbow Dash probably better then she knew herself, much the way it was probably true for the other girl. And she knew that Rainbow always spoke with total confidence. But she had stumbled, just for a second, and it didn't seem like she had just gotten tongue tied. Stunned, Fluttershy looked up. 
     
Rainbow was still speaking, but the words seemed muted as Fluttershy looked into her eyes. She had known the girl in front of her the majority of her life and had had nearly every type of experience imaginable with her. But there was one thing that she had never seen in Rainbows eyes. In all the time they had known each other Fluttershy had never seen tears in Rainbows eyes.
     
But she had seen her cry. She was sure Rainbow wasn't aware of it herself, but Fluttershy had known it when she saw it. On a Saturday morning, on her porch, after having not seen each other for a week. And the invisible tears she saw then were the same she saw now. And she had known then what she knew now.
     
Rainbow dash needed help, and Fluttershy was the only person who could give it.
     
"So what do you think Shy, how do you want to end this?" Rainbow was suddenly caught off guard as a surprisingly strong feeling arm wrapped around the back of her neck. Delicate fingers that now seemed as solid as steel gripped her by the shoulder. They had stopped moving in their dance some time before, but that was the moment she suddenly felt she couldn't move, the hold on her was too strong.
     
"Dashie," Fluttershy's voice was more steady and strong then she could imagine it would ever be. The words flowed out of her like they were the most natural thing in the world. "I don't want this to ever end."
     
Rainbow Dash felt like the only thing keeping her on her feet at that moment was the girl now pulling her forward. Her mind melted as she felt soft but strong lips press deeply into her own, and keep pressing deeper as the kiss went on and on. 
     
At some point Rainbow's arms had come around and grabbed the girl now kissing her with passion, holding on for dear life. She felt herself almost go limp as the lips against hers finally pulled away.
     
"You can count that as our first kiss if you want, but I meant every single one of them." Her Shyshy whispered softly in her ear, sending tingles through her whole body.
     
Rainbow felt like she could barely breathe, but finally managed to respond in a small voice. "So did I."
> Protected
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two girls lazily traced slow circles in the center of the dance floor. They held each other close as they're feet unconsciously traced patterns to music only they seemed to hear. Their eyes were closed lightly as each of they're heads was placed on the other's shoulder. Their words were low, but they were close enough to hear each other perfectly. 
     
"What about that time at that camp we used to go to? You know, when you walked in on me changing before we went swimming." Rainbow Dash asked this with a suggestive smile she knew Fluttershy could feel through her shoulder. 
     
"That was a completely innocent accident. I was way too young to be thinking about stuff like that back then."
     
"Ok, then what about when the exact same thing happened the next year?"
     
Fluttershy hesitated for just a second. "That might have been a little less innocent." Rainbow snorted a small laugh, the vibrations of which caused Fluttershy to have to once again reach up to straighten an almost comically oversized cheap plastic crown that awkwardly balanced atop her long since disheveled hair. In the process of doing so it bumped the small tiara tangled into Rainbows hair, which she paid no mind to. "To be fair, we both did do a lot of... maturing that year. You can't really blame me for being curious about what had changed."
     
Rainbow gave a suggestive chuckle. "Yeah, we can go with that."
     
Fluttershy gave an indignant pout she didn't care that Rainbow couldn't see. "Well, what about the cheerleader outfit you got me when I said I'd be your personal cheering section for soccer season? Was that really the only style they had available?"
     
"It was actually.... I just didn't get it from a costume store like I had said." She felt Fluttershy grumble into her shoulder.
     
They shared a laugh, at this point neither of them sure how long they had spent reminiscing. They got some kind of an answer when Rainbow felt another grumble, this one not coming from Fluttershy's mouth. She laughed more as she felt the other girls' cheeks warm against her neck. 
     
"Yeah, I'm kinda getting hungry too. Hopefully there are some snacks left....." Rainbow Dash trailed off as she raised her head back up for the first time in she didn't know how long. Fluttershy noticed her head seemed to swivel back and forth. "Hey Shyshy." Fluttershy sighed contentedly at the sound of her Dashie's voice. "When did the dance end?"
     
Fluttershy gave a start as she straightened up as well. Her eyes opened and her vision cleared as she looked around. To both of their surprise they noticed that they had been dancing to no music as the band seemed to be in the final stages of packing up. Most of the rest of the dance seemed to have already been cleaned up around them and only a few students from the prom committee were still lingering around picking up the last bits here and there.
     
"I.... I honestly don't know," Fluttershy said as her jaw slackened slightly. 
     
"It was about forty five minutes ago." Both girls gave a start as they turned to a voice belonging to someone they knew hadn't been there a moment ago. "They said we could leave you alone until they were ready to lock up in about another fifteen minutes."
     
Pinkie Pie stood before the two, a smile that seemed too big for her face directed straight at them. 
     
Fluttershy was the first to recover from the shock. "Oh no, we're so sorry. Have you girls been waiting for us this whole time?"
     
"Don't worry about it. Like we said before, we're just super happy for the two of you. Limo driver is a little upset, but he's making time and a half now, so it's all good." Pinkie said this while reaching behind her and pulling out her backpack that the girls were sure she hadn't brought with her. 
     
Without blinking she turned the bag over. There was a loud, 'thunk' as a pile of papers bound in yellow and blue ribbon hit the floor. The new couples eyes went wide as they recognized Pinkie's 'Dashie and Shyshy are finally the super duper cutest couple ever and that is super duper awesome' party plan. Though it had grown, now standing taller than the girl who had dumped it. 
     
Pinkie's smile now seemed painfully large on her face.
     
"Pinkie no. That's excessive even for you." Rainbow Dash tried to make her words sound firm. 
     
Pinkie's smile now seemed like it might break the barriers of her face at any moment. 
      
"And didn't Dashie say you lost your party privileges for eavesdropping?" 
     
Pinkie's face now seemed to start vibrating. The couple instinctively found each other's embrace again.
     
"Ok Pinkie. You can throw us a party." Rainbow blurted the words out despite the fact that she had not been scared at all. Pinkie's smile seemed to go back to human proportions as she squeaked and somehow managed to scoop the tower of paper back up with one swing of her bag. 
     
The pair held each other close as they watched the party planner bound off. They finally managed to look to each other and giggle.
     
"Do you get the feeling that this suddenly became way more trouble than it's worth?" Rainbow asked, but her smile showed no sign of seriousness. 
     
Fluttershy put a finger to her chin as if actually considering the question. "Hummmm... Nope." She then leaned her head back into her new favorite place against her Dashie's neck.
     
Rainbow gave a light laugh and content smile as she reached over to adjust her real girlfriend's crown that was now rubbing against her ear. "Yeah, me neither."
     
The lights of the auditorium started to go off one by one. They each held the other in a strong embrace as they walked towards the exit.