Black Celebration

Rain was pouring down from the sky, soaking Sweetie Belle and covering her in mud. Her white coat was completely stained, and her curly mane was nearly straight from the weight of the water. She shivered, shaking her head and running further through the muddy feild.

Sweetie had just experienced one of the greatest afternoons of her life. Only a few weeks had passed since she met Featherweight, but she felt a very real connection with him. Staring into his brown eyes she could see a reflection of herself in more ways than one.

Sweetie Belle entered the Cutie Mark Crusaders Clubhouse last, and the other girls were already sitting in a circle with cards out. They were all soaking wet, and had their drinks seated close by. The room was dark and candle-lit as usual, and it smelled like home. The other fillies turned around to look at Sweetie Belle and had different reactions. Apple Bloom smiled pleasantly at her friend and patted the ground next to her.

"Take a seat, Sweetie," she beckoned. Sweetie nodded and placed herself next to Bloom.

"Now!" Scootaloo declared, reaching for her first card, "let's play! Three!"

Sweetie Belle poured herself a glass of cider and took three quick shots. Apple Bloom drew a card.

"Three," she muttered, and the girls all drank again. Babs took a card.

"Ace," she said, and they all drank. Sweetie Belle feared that she would get very drunk very quickly. Scootaloo burped abruptly and without apology. Sweetie took a card.

"Queen. Girls drink." Sweetie squeezed her eyes shut and took another sip of acrid cider. She was already a bit dizzy, not one known for holding her liquor well.

"We are on the road to shitfaced!" Scootaloo exclaimed, shaking her head in amazement and taking up a card.

"Eight. Categories..." Scootaloo began, looking to Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom nodded. "Things I did this week," Scootaloo started a chain.

"Lost my virginity!" Apple Bloom declared. The game came to an abrupt halt and the girls all stared at Bloom in shock. Sweetie Belle put her drink down carefully, her eyes widening. Was Apple Bloom drunk or serious?

"Congratulations!" Scootaloo leaned over and gave her friend a tight hug. Babs and Sweetie Belle exchanged a glance. Sweetie Belle wasn't sure whether or not Babs was a virgin, but she hadn't expected Apple Bloom to be so changed suddenly. It had only been a few weeks since she met Lickety Split, not long enough to know somepony well enough to fuck them, in Sweetie's opinion. She couldn't believe her ears.

When Scootaloo had lost her virginity, it had been a total shock to Sweetie. They had been much younger, and Scootaloo was already on a streak. Sweetie had expected the second time this happened to be less shocking. It wasn't.

"It happened just yesterday, actually," Apple Bloom bragged.

"Wow, I figured you'd need to drink a lot before you were anyones. Details," Babs demanded, engrossed. Bloom chuckled and adjusted her green bandanna, then began to speak.

"Well, you guys all heard that I have a coltfriend now. We were both feeling fine yesterday, and he was looking pretty great too..."

Sweetie Belle listened, not a word escaping her lips. Apple Bloom had already found her passion. Had it given her artistic inspiration? Sweetie wasn't sure, and she wasn't sure if Bloom knew either.

"I think I'm in love with you, Sweetie Belle..."

Several more weeks had passed. Sweetie Belle and Featherweight were in her room, cuddling on top of the bed. Sitting upright, Sweetie Belle had her head on his shoulder. He had one foreleg wrapped delicately around her. She was blushing; the whole situation was so innocent.

Sweetie Belle's girly bedroom had been host to their sessions of deep talking and kissing for a few weeks. They hadn't done any real touching. They hadn't even considered it, and if they had they hadn't said a word to one another. The innocence was fun.

Sweetie Belle was intuitive, and not unaware to what was happening. The two ponies were nurturing real love. Sweetie Belle noted how warm Featherweight's forelegs were around her soft body. Strands of his mane rested gently against her cheek and the situation was extremely fragile. She felt like a baby in his arms.

"Can you promise me something, Featherweight?" Sweetie Belle asked, kissing him on the cheek. She was thinking partially of Apple Bloom. Bloom had started bragging up how much fun it was to be rough with Lickety Split. Sweetie Belle didn't think she could handle it.

"What is it?" Featherweight asked, genuinely curious.

"Please, be gentle with me. With my feelings, and...well..."

"Sweetie Belle, I'd never willingly do you harm," Featherweight answered plainly, absolving some of Sweetie Belle's fears. She still felt insecure.

"I'm sorry for asking, I guess it's a given," Sweetie Belle sighed. She wondered why exactly she felt so nervous. She was just now learning to trust Featherweight. They hadn't known one another long. But he was still so extremely trustworthy and kind. Why didn't she feel safe?

"You know, apologies are all I seem to get from you. There's no need to apologize. I want to get to know you too. I like you." Featherweight affectionately placed a kiss on Sweetie Belle's cheek and she blushed redder than ever. She smiled happily and wiggled closer to his warmth. She was being cared for, and it made her feel like a dependent foal. Still, it was a wonderful feeling. She was so used to being independent. Even her own parents didn't care anymore.

"Sweetie Belle, you know..." Featherweight began, looking into her eyes, "this is a question of lust. This is a question of trust. I am not letting what we've built up crumble to dust."

"You mean it?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Of course," Featherweight insisted.

"Let's go out for dinner tomorrow," Sweetie Belle decided, "at someplace nice."

"I'll pay!" Featherweight promised, smiling. He was always doing favors for her and it made her feel blessed. It was every time he opened the door for her. It was every gentle kiss. It was the way he held her close. It was all of those things and more that kept them together.

"Well, I suppose I should take you home now," Sweetie Belle said, looking out her window and realizing that the sun was going down. Featherweight nodded and stepped off the bed. The two pale young ponies walked to her door, kissing a few times just to savor the feeling. They swaggered down the hallway and out the front door together, blushing immensely. Sweetie Belle shook out her frazzled mane and Featherweight copied her action.

"Sweetie Belle!"

Sweetie Belle turned around as a cry rang out. Rarity was leaning out the kitchen window slightly.

"Yes, Rarity?" Sweetie called back.

"Can you stop at Sugarcube Corner and pick up some bread?" Rarity asked, "We're out!"

"Yes, Rarity..." Sweetie Belle replied unhappily, and began walking forward again with Featherweight. She was really tired of doing favors for her sister. She heard Rarity's window close and she sighed aloud.

"What's the matter?" Featherweight asked.

"I'm really tired of doing things for her. Why doesn't she do things for herself? She's a grown mare! Fully capable! No, I have to do everything for her. I wish I was out of the house already."

"Do you really?" Featherweight queried, fascinated.

"Yes!" Sweetie Belle replied, surprised that he didn't feel the same way.

"Well, it's not that I don't agree. I like the thought of living on my own quite appealing. I simply think that letting go is a stupid mistake quite a lot of the time. Er...do you know what I mean?"

Sweetie Belle thought about it. He was obviously quite a sentimental soul.

"I know what you mean," she replied, reaching the end of the sidewalk. Featherweight didn't live far away from her, only a short walking distance. She put a hoof in the road, ready to cross the street, when Featherweight instinctively put a wing out in front of her.

"Check," he protectively warned, clearly not wanting her to get nearly ran over again. Sweetie Belle blinked at him, grateful for his car. He knew each and every one of her weaknesses. It frightened her.

"Thank you," Sweetie responded as they crossed the street together. His house was only a few buildings down now, and all that stood between them and goodbye was a white sidewalk. The two walked in silence, leaning on one another, and soon reached his front door.

Sweetie Belle gave him one last kiss, a soft and sweet kiss that only lasted a few seconds. It was clearly filled with secret longing, but mostly lots of love. Featherweight leaned down and whispered in her ear.

"Sweetie Belle, when I'm on my own, you know, I'd rather be home."

"What do you mean?" Sweetie Belle asked, confused.

"I'd rather be with you. I love you."

Sweetie Belle watched as he walked inside his house, gingerly opening the front door and stepping inside. She was not letting her relationship crumble to dust.