MLP: The Portal

Chapter 25: Relationship Talk

"Hey, Rainbow Dash? Can I talk to you for a minute?" Fluttershy asked quietly, gesturing for her to come over.

It was half past noon at Alex's apartment. Alex was out on his walk, and Twilight was in the shower, leaving just the two of them alone for an apparently private conversation. Rainbow Dash made her way over to Fluttershy.

"What's up, Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Um," Fluttershy took another subtle glance around before speaking up again. "So, you know how Evan is coming over soon?" She asked carefully. Rainbow Dash nodded slowly.

"Yeah…?"

"Um, well…lately, I've been having these…feelings about Evan. And, I don't really understand it, because we've only talked so much, you know?" Fluttershy began to explain her inner confusion.

"Mhmm? Fluttershy…are you saying that you…like Evan? Like, like like?" Rainbow Dash asked quietly, nearly whispering to her.

"I think so… I don't know what else to call it." Fluttershy admitted.

"Uhh, well that's great! I really don't know a lot about this kind of stuff though," Rainbow Dash admitted with a chuckle. "Maybe you should ask Rarity about it." She suggested.

"I probably will when I see her... Have you really never had this feeling before?" She asked. Rainbow Dash shrugged and shook her head.

"Never really thought about it, I guess. That kind of stuff is so ridiculous to try and figure out anyways. Ponies used to ask me about that with Soarin' a little bit just 'cause we're comfortable around each other. I honestly have never thought about it." Rainbow Dash repeated it.

"What about…Alex?" Fluttershy asked. Rainbow Dash's head turned slightly away from her.

"What about Alex?"

"Well, you know, you two have a lot in common. And you seem comfortable with him too. Rarity even figured a little bit-"

"What, me and Alex? No, no, he's cool and all, but…but…"

"But…what?"

"I-I don't know. I…never thought about it?" Rainbow Dash answered slowly, with less certainty than she had before. Fluttershy giggled a bit.

"Maybe you need to talk to Rarity too, Rainbow Dash."

The door opened, and in Alex came with Evan right behind him. They smiled.

"Hello, ladies." Evan greeted them with a chuckle.

"Evan! It's good to see you again!" Fluttershy said, getting up and hugging him. Evan hugged her back with a chuckle.

"Mhmm," Alex hummed with a chuckle. "Go on a date already." He said in a teasing manner.

"Shut up man." Evan chuckled.

"How are you?" Fluttershy asked with a giggle.

"Oh, you know, alive."

"Unfortunately." Alex chuckled.

"It's been an extra tough week, but I'm off the next few days, which I'm happy about. So it's my turn to stop by today." Evan said.

"We're happy to see you again." Fluttershy said.

"Yeah man, glad you finally showed up." Rainbow Dash said.

Twilight came out of the shower, adjusting the back of her hair as she came out. She glanced over, and saw that there was company.

"Oh! Hello there. You must be Alex's friend. I'm Twilight." She introduced herself, making her way over and shaking hands with Evan.

"Woahhh, their friends finally showed up? Does that mean they're heading home soon? Why didn't you say something man?!" Evan asked.

"Shut up, Evan. Listen to what she has to say." Alex said, leaning against the counter and glancing at Twilight.

"I wanted to thank you too for helping Alex in taking care of my friends. We're happy they're safe, and as a thank you, we'd like to take you both to Equestria on an off day for both of you." Twilight said.

"Um, you planning on paying for the flight costs? 'Cause I don't really have that kind of time or money." Evan said.

"Show 'im." Alex urged her further.

Twilight nodded, causing a basket of fruit to float the same way she had done with Alex's pillow the night before. Evan displayed a similar reaction as well.

"Bruh, you brought a witch into your crib?!"

"A witch?!" Twilight exclaimed, almost dropping the fruit.

"No, man. That stuff about magical ponies that the girls were talking about? It's real." Alex said.

"You're kidding." Evan said.

"Nah, I'm not. And they want to take us there."

"Uh…but I got…to fix my car." Evan said slowly.

"Look man, we're going to another planet. Do it later. Or better yet, let's plan for Saturday, okay? That's, what, three days for us to prepare ourselves?" Alex said.

"It'll take us only a few minutes to get there." Twilight said.

"A few minutes? What, you got a transportation spell or something? Oh my god, she has a transportation spell, doesn't she?"

"I do, actually," Twilight giggled a bit. "My friend Starlight and I wrote it."

"Dude, they wrote a spell, like it was a song or something." Evan said, his excitement beginning to grow.

"Right?! That's what I said!" Alex said with a laugh. The girls giggled.

"So, will you come?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Count me in. You can count him in too, just let him get over himself." Alex said, smacking his hand on Evan's chest.

"Yeah. Yeahhh count me in too. Once in a lifetime opportunity, what can I say? This guy says we Gucci, then we Gucci." Evan agreed.

"Good… I guess." Twilight giggled.

"Haha, alright, well, I'mma shower real quick before I go for my shift, so excuse me. Good luck, Evan." Alex said, brushing past Rainbow Dash on his way to his room.

"Good luck?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yeahhh, since Alex can't keep his mouth shut, I might as well. I was gonna ask you, Fluttershy, if you'd like to join me for-for lunch sometime. Sayyy, Friday?" Evan asked.

"Sure! I mean…sure." Fluttershy nodded with a smile.

"Great! Cool." Evan smiled and nodded awkwardly.

"Woo woo!" Alex shouted from the hall as he went into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

"Oh, darling, it's wonderful that you and Evan are going on a date. I wish you the best!" Rarity said with a grin.

"A d-d-date?" Fluttershy repeated nervously.

"Yes, love, a date. That's what you agreed to." Rarity said with a giggle.

"Oh. What do I- What do I do?" Fluttershy asked.

"You want my advice on the date?"

"Yes, please. I-I don't know what I should do."

"Oh, darling, all you need to do is just be yourself. After all, he asked you. Do you like him? Like, like like?" Rarity asked.

"I think so." Fluttershy answered with a nod.

"Then good, just go with that. You'll see, if it's meant to work out, you'll feel comfortable with him." Rarity said.

"Okay...comfortable. Thank you, Rarity." Fluttershy said with a smile.

"It's gonna be great, Fluttershy. You'll see." Rainbow Dash said reassuringly.

"It will be." Fluttershy said hopefully.

"Now, Rainbow Dash, it is my understanding that you also have something you'd like to ask me?" Rarity asked curiously with a hum.

"Right, um yeah… So…ugh this is embarrassing."

"Don't be shy, darling, we've known each other a long time. You can tell me anything!" Rarity said.

"Okay… I'm wondering how to tell if I like Alex." Rainbow Dash said, holding in a breath after getting out.

"Oh." Rarity said with some surprise after a small gasp.

"See?"

"No no, dear, it isn't that, I just… You're not somepony I particularly thought would be looking for a special somepony."

"Well, I wasn't, but… Fluttershy asked, and I don't know, so I wanna know for sure." Rainbow Dash said.

"I see. Well, how would you describe him?" Rarity asked.

"Uh, well…he's weird, but he's funny, he's cool too sometimes." Rainbow Dash described.

"Well, it's evident that you enjoy his company. The fact that you describe him as cool is a good sign too." Rarity said observantly.

"She's comfortable around him." Fluttershy added.

"Yes yes, I've noticed that myself. That's really good too. Darling, you don't need my advice." Rarity said.

"Really?"

"No, all you need to do is just spend some time with him, decide on what to do, and if you decide to move forward with this, simply tell him how you feel."

"Really? But-but, I don't know if I should do it."

"That's your decision, darling, and it's okay either way. Two things though: one, we were firsthand recipients of his generosity and kindness; that kind of empathy and care is valuable to a relationship. And secondly:

"Ask yourself this; if you decided not to confess your feelings to Alex, do you think you would regret it later?"

Rainbow Dash pondered over this, but she didn't have an answer yet…