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“Far too shiny,” Rarity mutters, tossing the gown aside. “It's just a tea party - not anything fancy.”
“What about this one?” Sweetie Belle holds up a pale pink dress for her older sister to see.
“Goodness no, that's not my colour at all! I couldn't possibly wear that.”
Sighing, Sweetie Belle takes in the mess that litters the floor of Carousel Boutique, clothes and accessories strewn everywhere. “You've been looking for something to wear for an hour. Why are you so stressed out about it?”
“Darling, you know I need to look my best!”
“But you're only going to see Fluttershy…”
Rarity’s deep blue eyes soften at the mention of her best friend, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. She picks up a turquoise hat and strikes some poses in the mirror, before letting out a huff of exasperation. “Maybe you're right, I'm overthinking things. Would you be a dear and help me tidy all this up?”
───────
Birdsong and bright sunshine greets Rarity as she trots through the streets of Ponyville. It has only been a couple of weeks since Winter wrap up day, but spring is everywhere to be seen across Equestria.
Everypony is clearly taking advantage of the beautiful weather. On the grass, Twilight is practising magic with Spike, watched in awe by the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Lyra and Bonbon are there too, braiding flowers into each other's manes.
Rarity can't help but watch them for a moment, studying their delicate touches, the loving look Bonbon gives Lyra as she talks.
There have always been rumours about the two of them around Ponyville - rumours that they might be more than friends. Not that Rarity likes to participate in such idle gossip, she's far too sophisticated for that nonsense.
But still… There's something about the idea of two mares being in a relationship of that kind that sets her heart aflutter.
“I'm going to be late if I stand here much longer,” she mutters to herself, setting off once again at a brisk pace. She was not going to disappoint Fluttershy by arriving even a minute after three o'clock.
───────
The meadow beside Fluttershy’s cottage is, as usual, overflowing with small creatures - everything from mice and squirrels, to tiny ladybirds and bees. So sweet how they all adore the pegasus, Rarity thinks fondly. Even Opalescence (possibly the moodiest cat of all time) has a soft spot for her.
“Fluttershy, hello?” Rarity calls.
“Oh! Hello there Rarity, nice to see you!”
“And you, darling. How are you today?”
“I'm good, thank you,” Fluttershy murmurs shyly, smiling behind her wavy mane as she pours the two of them tea. “How are you?”
Rarity takes a sip from her teacup, taking note of the unusual timidness from her friend. Sure, Fluttershy is… well, shy - but not around her, not when they've known each other for so long.
“I'm quite alright,” she replies eventually.
“Me and Angel baked some cupcakes this morning. It's a new recipe I got from Pinkie Pie but I think they came out okay. Would you like to try some?”
How could she possibly resist, when Fluttershy's soft green eyes are gazing into her own, so full of hope?
“Why of course, dear! I would love to. Oh, are those cherries, how marvelous…”
───────
Hours pass by in a whirlwind of chatter and laughter. Before long, the light outside has faded, leaving only the cozy glow of Fluttershy's lamps.
“Oh wow,” she says, “I didn't realise the time! Sorry Rarity, I hope I haven't kept you too long.”
“Nonsense dear, it's been wonderful to catch up with you. We should do this again sometime soon!”
As the two mares head towards the door, discussing plans for another meet-up, a deep crack echoes through the night, followed seconds later by a blinding flash of light.
“What on earth—”
Eyes widening, Fluttershy peers out of her door. “I don't remember a storm being scheduled for today,” she stammers. “Rainbow Dash would have told me about it if there was. Oh Rarity, I'm sorry, you're more than welcome to stay until it's over.”
“You are a sweetheart, Fluttershy, but I should get back to Opalescence before—”
Her sentence is cut off by another growl of thunder, somehow even louder this time. Fluttershy lets out a squeal as a gust of wind rattles the house.
“On second thoughts… maybe I should stay for a bit. If you don't mind?”
“O-of course not.”
Rain pelts down, hammering against the windows. Fluttershy's animals cower inside their own little homes - her words of comfort seem to relax them, but they don't come out.
Despite the bitter weather outside, warmth blooms in Rarity's chest, looking over at her best friend. They share a weak smile, the both of them a little shaky from fright.
The night draws on, with no sign of the storm stopping. As midnight approaches, the mares close the curtains, turn off the lamps, and head to bed. But try as she might, Rarity seems unable to fall asleep. She twists and turns, attempting to drown out the howling wind by pulling a pillow over her head.
She wonders what the other residents of Ponyville are making of their unexpected situation - Twilight and Spike in the library, Applejack at Sweet Apple Acres, Opalescence all alone at the boutique…
“Rarity? Are you awake?” Fluttershy's silhouette appears at the doorway, her faint whisper barely audible over the rain and thunder outside.
“Yes darling, is everything alright?”
“Well— I don't want to bother you—”
“You're not bothering me at all,” Rarity replies, turning on the lamp beside her so she can see better. “What's the matter, Fluttershy? Is it the storm?”
“Not exactly…”
A strand of hair falls across the pegasus’s face as she settles onto the bed (somewhat hesitantly) beside Rarity. How lovely it would be to braid that soft pink mane, she thinks, reminded of Bonbon and Lyra in the park earlier.
Does Fluttershy know that she thinks of her whenever she sees them? Whenever she sees any couple, for that matter?
Ever since she was a little filly, Rarity had dreamed of finding that special pony, falling in love with a stallion who would sweep her off her hooves.
But what if that special pony wasn't a stallion? What then?
As if reading her thoughts, Fluttershy shuffles closer, until they are right next to each other. “I've been meaning to tell you something for a while, but I don't know where to start.” She fidgets anxiously, “You're the first pony I've ever felt truly safe with, and— and I really appreciate our friendship.”
“I do too.” Rarity leans into her gently, “You can tell me anything, dear.”
“Well— the thing is— I like you more than I should, and I know you probably won't feel the same way, so I'm sorry, and I understand if you feel uncomfortable being friends still, but I've liked you for a while and I think you deserve to know the truth, even if it makes you hate me.”
The world comes to a halt as she finishes her sentence with a sob. It takes Rarity a moment to process both her words and the meaning behind them. Even the storm outside seems to hush while they sit together, one mare’s eyes filled with shame, the other’s with surprised wonder.
“Fluttershy, my love, surely you know I could never hate you!”
“W-what?”
Rarity wipes the tears from Fluttershy's face, taking it softly on her hooves. “You are most dearest to me - I could never love anypony more than I love you.”
“But I… I don't understand?” Fluttershy stutters, “I'm nopony special, I'm terribly anxious and shy, and not at all pretty, not like you.”
“Nonsense! You are the kindest and most beautiful pony I know. And your shyness? Well that's all part of your charm! There's nothing wrong with being a little more anxious than others, it doesn't make you any less worthy of love.”
Fluttershy stares at her open-mouthed, her cheeks bright red. “You really think that?”
She cannot do anything to keep the adoration out of her voice, one look at the mare she desperately wants and she falls head over heels all over again. “Absolutely. And if you feel the same way, would you like to go out on a proper date with me?”
“Oh Rarity, I would!”
───────
The sun is already high up in the sky when Rarity awakes, her eyes flickering open to see Fluttershy sleeping peacefully beside her. Their tails are intertwined, purple and pink shining in the late morning light.
Smiling fondly, Rarity presses a kiss against Fluttershy's cheek, “Darling, it's time to get up.”
“Hmm? Oh, good morning, is the storm finally over?”
“It would seem so!”
The pair trot over to the window, taking in (to their delight) clear blue skies and a warm breeze.
“This is how spring should be,” Fluttershy murmurs, still half asleep as she leans against Rarity.
“You can say that again, my dear.”
They stand in silence for a few moments, listening to the gentle bubbling of the stream, watching all the critters bathe in the golden sunlight.
“Is that Applejack?” Fluttershy says suddenly, “Oh no, what's the time? I must be late for today's schedule!”
Rarity scurries after her downstairs, only to find the pegasus standing motionless in a scene of utter destruction. The front door has been blown straight off its hinges, littering the floor with debris from outside.
“Here's those apples you asked for Flutter— what in tarnation??”
“Good morning to you too, Applejack,” Rarity sighs.
Fluttershy's wings bristle anxiously, “Oh what am I going to do? Look at all this mess…”
“That storm sure was something, huh. Don't you worry sugarcube, I'll get this all sorted out in no time!” Her eyes shifting between her friends, Applejack adds, “Say, are you two mighty alright?”
Rarity tosses her ruffled mane, glancing over at Fluttershy. “We’ll tell you about it later,” they say together.