The Bouquet

Please enjoy this shipping fiction.

I had so much fun with this fic, I wrote a second part. In this thread, they are presented as one piece, whole and uncut.



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It was a bright, sunny morning in Equestria. A few ponies had already begun to set up shop in the market, but most of Ponyville was just waking up.

Rarity yawned, slid out of bed with all the grace of a princess, and used her unicorn magic to put her slippers on. She stepped lightly down the stairs, and into the kitchen. As she made herself breakfast, she yawned, and looked out the window. "I simply don't see how anypony can be out working at this hour," she said sleepily. She then finished her breakfast, and went to go get the paper.

Rarity opened the door, bending to pick up her paper. Once she did, she noticed a bouquet of bright pink roses lying on her doorstep.

"Oh my!" said Rarity, her eyes shimmering with delight, "These are simply wonderful!" She lifted them up gently, and set them in a vase of water inside her house.


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Some hours later, Rarity was at Twilight Sparkle's house, wondering who had sent her this morning's gift.

"...and they were the most adorable color, too!"

"Uh-huh," Twilight said, immersed in a book.

"And they stripped of thorns as well! Somepony must really have been thinking of me."

"Uh-huh."

"Best of all, the color goes so well with my hair, I can wear them, too," Rarity said, and sure enough, one of the majestic pink roses was resting atop her head.

"Uh-huh."

"Twilight, are you even listening?"

"Uh-huh."

"I'm listening, Rarity," said Spike, hovering next to her. Rarity ignored him, and Twilight closed her book with a sigh.

"It sounds like you've got a secret admirer, Rarity," Twilight said.

"I'll say," said Spike.

"And why wouldn't I?" said Rarity, "I just wish I knew who they were."

"How could you not know?" asked Spike mournfully.

"Sometimes, I wonder that, too," said Twilight to nopony in particular. Rarity ignored both of them.

"Well, I'd best be going! I have a lot of work to do if I'm going to find out who my-" Rarity giggled, "-secret admirer is. Toodles!"

Rarity was just stepping out of Twilight's door when suddenly-

"Hi, Rarity! What's up? Are you visiting Twilight? I like visiting Twilight, so are you?" Pinkie Pie said, popping out of nowhere. Rarity nearly jumped a mile into the air.

"Why, hello, Pinkie Pie. Yes, I was just seeing Twilight to ask if she could help me." Pinkie Pie's eyes lit up.

"I can help, I can help! I'm a great helper!" Pinkie said, bouncing up and down. Rarity looked uncomfortable, but she couldn't say no to that face.


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"Do you have any idea where to look?" Rarity asked, as they wandered through Ponyville. She was doubtful that Pinkie could really help her.

"Of course, Rarity! In an investigation, we always start with the list of suspects!" Pinkie Pie said, coming to a stop suddenly, and looking covertly at Rarity. "Got any leads?"

Rarity thought for all of two seconds. "No."

"Okay!" Pinkie only looked happier. "Hey, lemme see that!" she said, snatching the rose from Rarity's hair... and sniffing it.

"What? Whatever are you doing, Pinkie?" Rarity cried. Pinkie Pie stopped.

"Just as I suspected," she said, "The smell of the rose masks the scent of... apples! Applejack sent the flowers!"

"Don't you mean Big Macintosh?" Rarity asked, "Yes, he is rather manly, isn't he? All big and strong from… picking apples," Rarity batted her eyelashes nervously, "Yes, I'm sure that's it."

"Let's go!" said Pinkie Pie as she bounced down the trail to Sweet Apple Acres, with Rarity trotting behind.


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"Well, howdy Pinkie Pie and Rarity," said Applejack to her friends, as she greeted them in front of her family's home, "What can I do you for?"

"Hi Applejack!" Pinkie said, before rarity had a chance to speak, "Is Big Macintosh there? Rarity wants to ask him on a date." Rarity blushed, but Applejack looked confused.

"Uh, sure, Pinkie. Lemme go wrassle him up for ya." Applejack walked up into her house to go find her older brother. Rarity turned to Pinkie.

"A date, Pinkie? Who said anything about a date?"

"Well, of course you want to take him on a date, silly! When a colt and a filly like each other, that's what they do!" Pinkie Pie said, "You do like colts, don't you?"

"Don't be ridiculous! Of course I like colts. And colts like me," Rarity said, "Now be a dear and make yourself scarce, won't you? I should talk to Macintosh alone. It will be less intimidating that way."

"Okey dokey lokey!" said Pinkie Pie, "Do your best!" Then, she bounced clear out of sight. Rarity shuffled her hooves and checked her nails for few moments. Presently, Macintosh himself appeared in the doorway. Rarity quit fussing over her appearance, and put on her most flirtatious expression.

"Why, hello there, Big Macintosh," Rarity began, "I only came to thank you for your generous gift. But while I was here, I got to wondering- given that we both have feelings for each other- if you would accompany me on a date."
Macintosh made no response. His expression remained stoic; it was impossible for Rarity to tell what he was thinking.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" asked Rarity, growing more nervous by the second.

"Sure, I guess," said Macintosh, still with no change of expression.

"Okay," said Rarity, smiling awkwardly, "How about we meet at 'The Filly's Corner?' You know, that outdoor restaurant in Ponyville? Is that okay with you?"

"Eeyup." Macintosh didn't even look that interested.

"Alllllllright…" said Rarity, "I'll see you tonight…" She turned and galloped back down the path to Ponyville. She had a lot of work to do in order to be ready for her date in time.


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"Opal, is this too formal? No, is it too informal? That's what I meant. Or is it too classy," Rarity said to her cat, Opalesence, "To wear on a date with Macintosh?" Rarity was in her dressing room, stressing about the night ahead of her. Opal meowed.

"No, he isn't a ruffian. I'm sure there's some refinement in him somewhere… Still, it makes me wonder if he really was the pony who sent me those roses after all." Rarity picked out a nice red dress. "Here," she said, "This one will do. Alright Opal, I'm heading out. Wish me luck!" Opal just meowed and rolled her eyes.

Rarity walked into town, holding an umbrella above her head. It wasn't raining very hard, but any water in her mane was too much water. She saw Fluttershy and waved. Fluttershy stopped to wave back, and then continued past the florist and into the pet shop. "She's probably getting some pet food for all her animal friends," said Rarity. She continued through the neighborhood until she found her way to "The Filly's Corner." Macintosh wasn't there, so Rarity waited. And waited, and waited…

Finally, Big Macintosh showed up. Rarity was astonished to see that he had dressed up even a little; he was wearing a bow-tie that could easily have come out of Prince Blueblood's wardrobe.

"We should go inside and get out of the rain," said Rarity, and she noticed Macintosh didn't have an umbrella with him.

"Eeyup," said Macintosh, and he followed her.

"The Filly's Corner" was a very classy restaurant. Rarity had been here once before, when she was just a young filly herself, and she had forgotten how nice the food smelled. Even though there was a light rain, the restaurant still had plenty of customers. Half of the tables with umbrellas were occupied, but Macintosh and Rarity were led by their filly-server to a table against the wall of the restaurant. All of the tables were a quaint courtyard, with ivy growing on the walls and fences, and small rose bushes blooming in the corners.

As soon as they had placed their orders, Rarity decided to start asking the questions she was simply dying to ask. 'And there's no point beating around the bush, anyway,' she thought. Out loud, she said, "So, Macintosh, what is it about that you like best about me?"

"Um," said Macintosh, realizing this was a question he had to answer, "Your hooves?"

Rarity looked disappointed, but she tried again. "Well, what's your favorite food?"

"Apples."

Rarity smacked her hoof to her forehead. Their food arrived rather quickly, and Macintosh began to eat. Still, Rarity had one last question.

"Macintosh, why did you send me those roses?"

Macintosh actually looked up. "What roses?"

"You know," said Rarity, now extremely confused, "The pink ones you left on my doorstep?"

"I didn't… leave you… any roses," said Macintosh through mouthfuls of spaghetti. He stopped chewing, and looked concerned for the first time all night. "Is that why you brought me here? I wasn't sure."

"Yes," said Rarity, defeated, "It's true. I only wanted to know who my secret admirer was." She looked at Macintosh, still hopeful. "You're sure it wasn't you?"

Macintosh smiled kindly. "I'm sure."

"Okay. Well, no sense wasting good food," Rarity said, and she began to eat. Macintosh continued eating as well. They both finished in silence, and Macintosh picked up the bill afterwards. Rarity thanked him, and headed home alone.

Late that night, safe and sound in her bed, Rarity drifted off to sleep, still wondering who had left the roses. "I'll just ask Twilight for more advice tomorrow," she said sleepily.

Outside, Fluttershy quietly placed another bouquet of pink roses on Rarity's doorstep.


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Twilight Sparkle felt as if she never got enough study time with all these other ponies around. And even though she enjoyed helping her friends, she had a formal duty to Princess Celestia to keep up with her studies. So, if push came to shove, her studies were more important. Or at least, that was what she used to think. Now she wasn't sure anymore. She hadn't known before what it was like to have friends.

'All that aside,' she thought, 'Rarity's problems are too much for me to handle.'

She had awoken this morning and gone about her usual business. Dewdrops gathered on the opening petals of flowers outside her windows. The sun twinkled from behind a distant cloud that the pegasus ponies had delicately placed in Equestria's sky.

She had only just begun studying when Rarity had knocked on her door. Twilight thought it would be over quickly, and she might send her friend on her way, but Rarity wasn't acting like herself. Normally a talkative mare, Rarity was acting quiet, timid, and confused. Twilight decided to take charge of the conversation.

"Does this have anything to do with those roses from yesterday?" she asked.

"Mhm," said Rarity, biting her lip and looking nervously over her shoulder.

"Okay.... did you find out who sent them?"

"Mhm."

"Can you tell me?" ask Twilight, growing just a little impatient.

"No," said Rarity, still looking nervous.

Twilight was going to ask why, but was interrupted when something fast and colorful zoomed through the open window and into Twilight's bookshelf. The books cascaded down upon Rarity and Twilight.

Rainbow Dash popped her head out of the pile of books. "Guys! You have to help me!"

Twilight's head was still spinning from the avalanche of books when she resurfaced. She tried to focus on Rainbow Dash. "What's going on, Rainbow?"

"Never believe this," said Rainbow Dash, walking quickly towards the door, "But when I went to see Fluttershy this morning, she wouldn't answer the door. I went inside, but she wasn't there!"

Twilight followed behind Rainbow. "Fluttershy is missing?" she asked, "Are you sure?"

"Ugh," said Rainbow Dash, "Of course I'm sure! We have to find her!"

Well, we'd better get started!" said Twilight, growing anxious as she turned back to look at Rarity, who had yet to extract herself from the books. "Come on, Rarity!"

"Umm, I…." Rarity started to say, as she climbed out of the pile of books, but Rainbow and Twilight galloped out the door.

"Oh dear," said Rarity to herself, as she followed her friends.


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"There you go, Mister Turtle," said Fluttershy, picking up a turtle that had been on his back, and turning him over. The turtle smiled and continued down the road in the opposite direction of Fluttershy, towards Ponyville.

"Oh," she said, a small tear welling up in her eye, "I wish there was another way. But I've made up my mind.

"Rarity won't feel the same about me as I do about her. She just wants to be friends. And now she knows it was me leaving those flowers on her doorstep. She won't want to be friends after that.

"My only choice is to leave," Fluttershy concluded sadly, whispering to herself as she walked slowly down the road, "I have to leave my home, Ponyville, and maybe even Equestria."

Fluttershy looked beyond the vast mountain range ahead of her. Illuminated by the sun that had almost risen to its pinnacle in the sky, the indigo edge of Equestria's borders seemed still, as though nothing could possibly live so far from all she knew. She sighed and continued down the path, flapping her wings sullenly so as to lift herself a few feet above the ground.


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"Where d'ya think she went, Rainbow?" asked Applejack, racing away from Fluttershy's house with Pinkie Pie and the rest of the gang, who had all joined together to search for their friend.

"I don't know," Rainbow Beating her wings as she raced alongside her friends, "But I bet we'll find her if we head this way!"

"What makes you say that, Dashie?" asked Pinkie giving Rainbow Dash her bubbliest grin while bounding down the path.

"Pinkie, she left tracks," said Twilight, "And it's not like she was going to the Everfree forest."

"Oh yeah!" said Pinkie, grinning and letting out one of her bubbliest giggles.

"But why would she leave?" asked Applejack of Twilight, "It just ain't like her."

"Um, Twilight," Rarity interjected before the other unicorn could respond, "Could you-"

"Do you know where Fluttershy is?" asked Twilight immediately.

"Well," Rarity said, growing flustered, "She might be embarrassed…. I would never…. I couldn't say."

"Whoa nelly!" hollered Applejack, stopping in her tracks, "If you know something about this business, you'd best spit it out, missy. We haven't got time to go bobbing for apples, here." Rarity said nothing, but something clicked in Twilight Sparkle's mind, she sped down the road and used on of her teleportation spells to send her far ahead of her friends.

Rainbow Dash waited all of two seconds before following after her. Applejack saw her friends scattering, and she looked back at Rarity for a moment, "If you hurt her, Rarity, you're gonna be awfully sorry when I get back." She turned around and galloped down the road, trying to catch up with Rainbow Dash.

Pinkie turned to follow her friends, put rarity, struck by an epiphany, grabbed her tail. "Wait! Pinkie, can you help me?"

"Again? Sure! What do you need? Is it a welcome back party for Fluttershy?" asked Pinkie, literally vibrating with excitement.

"Actually, you're not far off," said Rarity, pulling her friend closer to explain, "Here's what we're going to do…."


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Twilight popped up with a flash, about where she had guessed Fluttershy might be. Her friend was a little bit farther down the road. She used another teleportation spell to catch up with her. Fluttershy screamed in surprise and hopped foot in the air before dropping to the ground and covering her head with her hooves.

"Fluttershy! I know what's going on between you and Rarity! She told me about the roses, and I figured out the rest."

Fluttershy looked up at Twilight, twiddled her hooves, and broke eye contact almost immediately. Twilight pressed on, hoping to inspire confidence in her friend. "I don't know how Rarity feels, but she doesn't hate you Fluttershy. Just come home."

"I shouldn't. I don't want things to change. We're all so close," said Fluttershy, "I thought I should never tell Rarity how I feel. It might just make things…. Awkward."

Twilight shook her head, saying, "Nothing could ever ruin the feelings of friendship she has for you. You should know that by now."

Fluttershy still looked very uncertain. "Okay," she said, "But I can't talk to Rarity now. It would be shameful."

"I understand," Twilight Sparkle said with a small sigh, "Come on. Everybody was out looking for you." She turned around and started back towards Fluttershy's house.

"Oh, I hope I didn't cause anypony any trouble," said Fluttershy, beginning to trot after Twilight.

"Trouble? Are you kidding?" asked Rainbow Dash incredulously, zooming out of the sky, "I thought something bad had happened to you!"

"Oh, I'm very sorry-"

"You had us all worried sick, sugarcube!" said Applejack, coming up from behind Rainbow Dash, "What's the matter with you?"

"Now, hold on Everypony! Fluttershy has had some trouble," Twilight began, coming to her friend's defense, "And I don't think you're helping." Applejack's face grew red.

"Confound it, Fluttershy, I can't stay mad at you," said Applejack, giving her friend a smile.

"Now," said Twilight, "We're going to Fluttershy's house, and she's going to need our support to get through this. We can explain when we get there."

"Support? Sure! What are friends for?" said Rainbow Dash, following her friends down the road towards Fluttershy's house. Fluttershy caught up to Twilight as the group moved on.

"Um, Twilight? Thanks."

"It's no problem, Fluttershy," Twilight whispered to her friend, "Everything's going to be okay. You'll see."


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All the lights were off in Fluttershy's house, but the door was ajar.

"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight admonished, "You didn't close the door after you left?"

"Of course I did!" said Rainbow as the four friends walked in, "Somepony else must have-"

"Surprise!" shouted Pinkie Pie, as all the lights flew on. Balloons were everywhere, and neon streamers lined the walls. At the far wall, opposite the door, there hung a banner that read "Welcome Home Fluttershy!" in big poofy letters. Underneath it stood Rarity.

Everypony was too shocked to say anything. Twilight looked around to see where Fluttershy had gotten to. She found her friend cowering under a table, with her head in her hooves.

"Fluttershy," Twilight began gently, "Why don't we go and talk to Rarity. She couldn't possibly be angry if she and Pinkie threw this party." Fluttershy looked up and nodded nervously. She extracted herself from underneath the small wooden table, and went to meet her friend.

It was Rarity that initiated the conversation. "Fluttershy, dear, I'm so, so, so sorry that I didn't come and find you and say this right away. I was confused, do you see?" Fluttershy nodded, and Rarity continued, "I'm afraid I don't have any feelings other than friendship for you darling. But we're the best of friends, are we not?" Fluttershy nodded again, woefully. All the ponies looked on, wishing they could do something. Luckily, Rarity had a secret weapon.

"My dear, there is someone else who has something to say to you." Fluttershy looked up, and Rarity pointed to the pony she had meant.

Pinkie Pie stepped forward. Most everypony looked confused, but Rarity put on a knowing smile. Then, ever so slowly, Pinkie Pie walked up to Fluttershy, and planted the gentlest of kisses upon her left cheek.

Rainbow Dash's jaw dropped. Applejack's eyes went wide with surprise, and Twilight simple said, "Huh?" Rarity decided to sum it all up for them.

"She means to say, my dear, that if you will accept her advances, she would very much like to be your significant other."

Fluttershy turned bright red, from ear to ear. For a moment, everypony stood still, picturesque, and then Fluttershy nodded, unable to fully stop a small smile from slipping out. Applejack broke the silence, saying; "Now, isn't that just the sweetest thing?" Rainbow and Twilight began to head for the door, when Pinkie barred their way.

"Hey!" Pinkie said, "This was supposed to be a welcome back party! So let's PAR-TAY!"

Everypony broke out laughing, and partied like there was no tomorrow. When the gang took a break to play "Pin the Tail on the Pony", Twilight stepped aside to think about what she had learned. Many hours later, high up in Canterlot, Princess Celestia received a letter. It read:

"Dear Princess Celestia, today I learned that being yourself isn't always easy, and sometimes it can take one or many good friends to show you the way. I also learned that your friendships aren't something that can be broken by the events of one day, or by some awkward feelings.

"In the end, most everypony needs to have a relationship that's more than just a friendship. Oftentimes, you'll find it where you least expect it."