> A rainbow at the end of the tunnel.
>  by NotMyNormalUsername
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy hummed as she hovered around her garden, completing various errands. Worms for the birds, birdseed for the squirrels and chopped carrots for the bunnies. Today she was going into Ponyville to meet with Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie for lunch. Judging by the location of the sun, the butter-yellow pegasus had about an hour. Just enough time to finish her chores, clean herself up and pack the lunch. Deep in thought, it took her a few seconds to realise the the annoyed tugging on her tail. It was Angel. He looked unhappy. In his paw, he held a half eaten carrot which had obviously not met his standards.
"Now Angel, you must eat your lunch. At least just a few more bites?" The shy pegasus pleaded.
Angel shook his head stubbornly. Fluttershy didn't have time for this, Angel often refused to eat his food, sometimes it took hours to get him to eat. She reluctantly sighed, closed her eyes for a few seconds, then reopened them, glaring at Angel, seeming to stare deep into his very soul. Immediately, the white rabbit picked up the carrot and resumed eating.
"Good boy, Angel. See? That wasn't so hard now, was it?" Fluttershy said in her normal calm voice.
Now that Angel was dealt with, she could prepare for her lunch.

Fluttershy trotted through town, carrying a nice lunch of dandelion sandwiches and muffins that Ditzy Doo had kindly baked for her. The location of the picnic was chosen by Rainbow Dash, apparently it was her favourite spot. You could see Cloudsdale, their filly-hood home, and Ponyville both at once. As she neared the hill, Fluttershy could just make out her rainbow-maned friend waiting there already, but Pinkie Pie didn't seem to have arrived yet. It wasn't like Pinkie to be late, especially when there was food and friends involved, she was probably just caught up with work at Sugarcube Corner. It was a steep climb, so by the time Fluttershy reached the top of the hill, Rainbow Dash had already noticed her.

"Glad you could make it, 'Shy!" She said with a grin.

"Why, hello Rainbow Dash. Thank you for inviting me but... Um... Where's Pinkie Pie?" Fluttershy questioned.

"Oh, ah... She ah... Pinkie couldn't make it. Gummy is umm... Sick or something." Rainbow Dash stammered.

Fluttershy gasped, "Oh my, poor Gummy! Maybe we should go check on him and see if he's okay!"

"N-No!" The cyan pony cried out, "I mean ah... No big deal, he just has a cold or something, nothing serious. Pinkie said that he's fine." 

"Well, okay then, Rainbow. If Pinkie really said he's fine..."

"She did! Gummy's fine!" Rainbow Dash interrupted.

"Umm... Are you okay, Rainbow Dash? Is something bothering you?" The empathetic pony queried.

"I'm fine Fluttershy, really. Nothing to worry about. Let's just eat our lunch."

Fluttershy was about to protest, but the rumbling of her stomach interrupted her train of thought. She nodded, then set down the lunch basket.
They both sat there in silence for a few minutes, chewing on their sandwiches. In the sunlight, Fluttershy couldn't help but notice how beautiful her filly-hood friend looked with her rainbow mane blowing in the gentle wind. Rainbow Dash was a very athletic pony, and it showed in her slick blue coat and muscular body. Fluttershy let her eyes wander around her friends body until she glanced up and realised that Rainbow Dash was staring at her the whole time. The pink-maned pegasus blushed and looked down at the grass for a while.
After a brief moment of awkward silence, Rainbow Dash spoke up.
"Fluttershy," she began "I have something that I need to tell you. Pinkie Pie was never invited to this meeting. The only reason I said she was going is so that you'd not think of this as any more than just a lunch. The real reason I invited you here is so I can ask you something that has been gnawing away at me for years."

Fluttershy looked up, but didn't say anything.

"Fluttershy, I like you. As in more than just friends. Ever since we met at Summer Flight Camp I've had these feelings for you, and I can't keep them to myself any longer! I just need to know, do you like me the same way I like you? Are you willing to before than just friends?"

Fluttershy's jaw dropped. She stood up and looked around in confusion. She hated to be put on the spot like this. Rainbow Dash was just staring at her, expecting an answer, but, the truth was, she didn't know just what her feelings for her friend were, she needed time to think but Rainbow Dash needed an answer now. Oh, she didn't want to make a choice now only to change her mind later! In her panic, Fluttershy turned and flew away, fast. Rainbow Dash called out to her, but she just had to get out of that awkward situation and think about things. Fluttershy flew through Ponyville, her head filled with thoughts of her rainbow-maned friend. By the time she finally arrived at her cottage on the edge of Everfree forest, the sun was just starting to set. She gently glided down through her open bedroom window and landed gracefully near her mirror. Her reflection stared back at her, a confused mess. Her mane was all ruined from all that fast flying, it's a wonder that Rainbow Dash manages to stay in style all the time. Rainbow Dash... Fluttershy had just flown away and left her there. She had probably hurt her feelings as well; it must have taken an awful lot of courage to say what she did. The pink-maned pegasus looked down in shame. Tomorrow, she would apologise to her friend, even if she had not yet thought of an answer. The shy pegasus slowly slid into her bed. Maybe the feelings she had for her longest friend were more than just friendship. As she drifted into a fitful sleep, thoughts of Rainbow Dash filled her mind, and a tiny flame lit itself in her heart.

Rainbow Dash flew angrily around around her room. She was so stupid! How could she confess her feelings towards Fluttershy so suddenly!? Fluttershy hated to be put on the spot, it was no wonder she flew away in fear. She angrily kicked her pile of Daring Do books over, scattering them across the floor. Tears in her eyes, she leapt out her window and took flight, spreading her wings and catching the last moments of the sun before it set. She had no idea where she was going, she just needed to fly.