“Sweetie, Dear, have you been feeling alright lately?” Rarity sat alone with the little filly across the table at breakfast. The young unicorn mare noticed Sweetie's behavior had been rather peculiar lately, but, today especially, the littler pony seemed off.

Having idly stirred her oatmeal for the last five minutes, she paused, the far off look in Sweetie's eyes focused, and she looked up at her sister momentarily. “I feel fine,” Sweetie answered absentmindedly and went back to stirring her oatmeal.

“You haven't eaten a bite of breakfast. Aren't you hungry?”

Sweetie wasn't particularly hungry, but she took a bite anyway. It tasted bland even though she'd added the usual amount of brown sugar and cinnamon. She swallowed, and the corner of her mouth drew back as she decided it was neither good nor bad really. “I guess not.” Sweetie’s nerves dulled her enjoyment. The foal set her spoon down to avoid playing with the oatmeal any longer, and, a minute later, Rarity gracefully whisked the dishes to the sink.

Sweetie always loved seeing her big sister’s magic, no matter how small the task. She’d normally ask to help or be inspired to try levitating something herself, but today she could only think about what would be happening in four short hours. “Can I be excused?” Sweetie thought about going to pick something out to wear later.

Rarity sighed. Something was up with her little sister, but she simply had no time to investigate. It struck her as odd that the little filly hadn’t already told her everything. She was usually so ... vocal, she decided. Rarity chided herself for thinking pesky at first. The elegant young mare truly cared about Sweetie, but work made it hard enough just to keep up with her friends, and the little filly seemed to be doing just fine beside, at least in general.“Yes, Sweetie, you may be excused.” She emphasized the correct word choice.

The foal made her way to exit the kitchen.

“Sweetie,” Rarity thought to say one last thing before she left.

“Hm? What is it, Sis?” Sweetie asked.

“I love you.” Looking back from the sink where she washed the dishes, Rarity smiled, though concern and regret filled her eyes.

To Sweetie it came out of nowhere. Even when Rarity was affectionate with her, she’d almost never said those exact words. Hearing them now made her think immediately of Fluttershy, who’d made it a habit every time they parted over the past week to tell her she loved her. “I love you too.” Sweetie Belle smiled brightly. Though she didn’t know what prompted it, it was always nice to hear it said and say it in return.

Rarity watched as the little filly disappeared.

Upstairs the juvenile unicorn rummaged through dresses she’d brought from home or kept there from past events. She had her flower filly dress from the royal wedding, the dress from Twilight’s coronation, a pastel green tutu (good for silly dancing around the house, making Rarity giggle, or just pretending she was a ballerina), and her Sunday best. Despite the grand occasion for which she wanted an outfit, the dresses Sweetie owned were all too fancy or too foalish for the date, she decided. A simple frilled saddle would have been perfect, but she probably wouldn’t receive one until she earned her cutie mark.

She felt lonely and a little sad to think of how Rarity would have loved to help her under slightly different circumstances. Of course she didn’t really trust the Crusaders’ sense of fashion, but, even if she did, involving them in lieu of Rarity would still have been too great a risk. Twilight already did so much, and was only barely able to fit in their date at all this week, but, even if she’d had the free time, it would look suspicious to have Rarity’s friend visit Sweetie alone, she thought, so the little unicorn made do on her own.

Once Sweetie finally had planned what to wear, she sat and tried to think what more she could do to calm her nerves and pass the next three hours. Her mind only drifted to everything that might go wrong. To distract herself, Sweetie tried reading, and, when she found she couldn’t focus, the unicorn tried writing in her diary. Using a code she and the Crusaders had developed in shenanigans that seemed by now long passed, Sweetie recorded what had happened yesterday, what she expected was going to happen today, her impressions, and what she wished might happen in the not too distant future.

Only half an hour had passed before she could think of nothing more to report, and the filly groaned, impatient for the waiting to be over, to see her very special somepony in the fresh open air. The weather was predictably perfect, but Sweetie wasn’t in the mood to go out for any other reason than to meet Fluttershy, so inside she stayed and meanwhile continued to worry whether she'd look cute enough, if she might act dumb, or whether she might say one of a thousand different things that could ruin the date.

After much sighing and pacing, finally, mercifully, an idea came to her to pass the time.

Fluttershy woke peacefully that morning at her rooster’s first crow. The fresh morning breeze wafted in through a window she'd left open to cool herself throughout the warm night and carried with it the sweet smell of Gerberas.

The sun had yet to rise. Normally Fluttershy would lie in bed, waking gradually ‘til dawn broke, but the excitement she felt as she remembered what would happen later that day energized her. Thoughts of Sweetie Belle’s tender affections, the two of them resting next to one another in the serene outdoors without hushed voices or the need to look over their shoulders constantly, soaking in the sunshine both literal and figurative in Sweetie Belle’s company, made Fluttershy’s heart both gladden and quicken and brought her to her hooves with a wide smile.

What a contrast, she thought, compared to just over a week ago when she’d lain in bed, fearful and full of lust, uncertain how she'd ever stand to be in the presence of the foal she most desired. She thanked her higher power for everything, her trials and sorrows, her comforts and joys, her friends and anypony whom she hadn’t yet befriended. She thought of her family and asked silently for their happiness. She thought of Sweetie’s family and asked the same for them. She asked a blessing on several of her animals specifically and on everypony and everyone, and, finally, she set about her day with a spring in her step.

Studying, journaling, calisthenics, and feeding her animals worked up the petite pegasus’s appetite. She ate fit and light as usual and was satisfied. Hygiene followed, including Angel Bunny’s tail-fluffing, a quick cuddle with her furry friend, and then off she went to her daily chores and errands.

The supplemental reading, writing, and exercise were still new to Fluttershy’s routine but they quickly grew on her. She noticed she had more peace, better focus, and greater energy thanks to the regimen her princess friend prescribed. Before Twilight ever asked her to, Fluttershy had told herself a hundred times she’d make this sort of healthy thing more of a habit. Why she hadn’t followed through she couldn’t explain. She guessed it took her friend’s support and true love’s interest to finally motivate her.

The nagging, “what if,” her usual fear of failure, wouldn’t get her down today. She knew she was loved and worth loving to ponies she cared about, and she had faith that nothing could deter her ultimate happiness as long as she remained steady in her will to succeed, whether or not she actually did so today, or in a week, or over the course of her lifetime.

She hoped against hope she would succeed at healing her inner wounds, both self inflicted and otherwise, and become the pillar of strength she wished to be for Sweetie Belle. Most importantly, Fluttershy was determined to succeed at what mattered most. At any cost, she'd love others, showing those in need the kindness she so cherished. In her flurry and hurry to prepare, the morning passed, and the time quickly came to meet the little pony she loved with their chaperone at the agreed location. Fluttershy set out eagerly.

“As a matter of fact the only young girl who is really ‘free,’ is she whose chaperon is never very far away. She need give conventionality very little thought, and not bother about her P’s and Q’s at all, because her chaperon is always a strong and protective defense; but a young girl who is unprotected by a chaperon is in the position precisely of an unarmed traveler walking alone among wolves.” Twilight recited the words of Emily Posting’s Ettiquette to herself, the book floating before her as she trotted toward the rendezvous point for her and Sweetie Belle.

The little white filly sat waiting at the edge of Ponyville. Upon seeing the lavender pony draw near, Sweetie hopped excitedly to her hooves. “Twilight!” she bounced energetically toward her.

Hearing the call, Twilight closed the book and tucked it away in her +1 tail of holding. “Hello Sweetie Belle!” Twilight checked to see whether they were alone. As she’d hoped, nopony was nearby. “You look lovely!” Twilight smiled adoringly.

Sweetie beamed. “Thanks! It took me a while to figure out what to do. Do you think Fluttershy will like it?” the white filly asked.

“I’m sure she will.” Twilight responded. Fluttershy would adore the little filly no matter what, thought Twilight.

Sweetie chattered on about her preparations while Twilight listened intently, nodding and offering the filly what encouragement she could while they walked leisurely toward their destination. “... I guess I’m rambling.” Sweetie stopped and blushed a little.

“Not at all, Sweetie Belle. It’s a special day for you. You have every reason to be excited!”

“Thanks, Twilight.” Sweetie was glad the gentle purple mare was there for her, and Twilight was pleased in turn that Sweetie Belle seemed to be comfortable with her.

“A good chaperone must also be a good friend.” Twilight thought back to her book. “We may have come closer because of Fluttershy, but I hope you’ll also think of me as your friend outside of what happens between the two of you.” Twilight smiled warmly.

Sweetie smiled back happily, but, moments later, recalled the thought she'd had only yesterday of betraying Twilight's trust. The filly looked suddenly as though her stomach hurt and turned her head down and away, clearly bothered.

“Is everything alright, Sweetie Belle?” Twilight looked confused by the reaction.

Sweetie forced a smile. “N-never better!”

Twilight said nothing more, but wondered at the obvious fib.

The following silence didn’t last long. As they cantered toward their destination, around one gently sloping hill covered in wildflowers, Fluttershy and Sweetie’s eyes met, and, calling to each other, each galloped to meet the other with an embrace. Twilight lagged behind intentionally, giving the two some space.

Fluttershy and Sweetie released one another. The pegasus’s eyes sparkled, her cheeks turned red, and her mouth hung slightly open for a moment as she took in the filly’s beribboned mane and tail. The little unicorn had never seen the expression before. She couldn’t be sure, but Fluttershy's admiration seemed to have somehow grown, if possible.

Sweetie had decided the best she could do in lieu of a suitable dress or saddle was to style her mane and tail, but even special grooming proved a bit tricky. Changing her style much or polishing her hooves would have left evidence that something was up, and, Sweetie decided, Rarity already seemed suspicious enough. The wary foal left a little early to the rendezvous point, so she’d be able to put on the hair pieces without any risk of being noticed. It had been tricky working outside with only the little hoofheld mirror she’d been gifted back when she first wanted to copy her elegant older sister, but, if Sweetie wasn’t mistaken about Fluttershy’s reaction, it had been worth the trouble.

The foal’s ribbons matched her emerald eyes. Sweetie had tied one in a bow smaller than Apple Bloom's by about half and fixed it in place just above her ear with a hairpin. The other she tied similarly, though a bit larger, around the dock of her tail. It was simple and Sweetie wished she could have done more. In Fluttershy's eyes, however, the simplicity highlighted the foal's innocence and made her craving for the little filly intensify.

Sweetie was relieved to see that Fluttershy hadn't worn anything either in the way of saddle or dress. Throughout her mane and tail the pegasus had set light blue wildflowers, flax, if memory served Sweetie correctly from the lesson in herbs and flowers Fluttershy had given her that fateful morning. It stood out to her as one of the prettier types for their dainty petals and vibrant hue against their dark green stems. Now, against Fluttershy's hair they stood out beautifully, complementing her warm powder pink tone.

Sweetie admired the way the mare's eyes stood out next to the little flowers a moment before feeling her stomach rumble softly. Suddenly, she thought instead of how the flowers might taste. Almost on queue, Fluttershy turned her head briefly and, from beneath her wing, produced a small bouquet. The colorful assortment quickly drew Sweetie's attention, bright red geraniums surrounded two immaculate Gerberas, yellow and orange. Fluttershy took the little bundle from her mouth to her hoof to give them to her sweetheart. “I, um ... thought maybe you wouldn't mind an appetizer before our picnic.” Fluttershy smiled wide to see Sweetie hop excitedly.

“Oh! Thank you! They're beautiful! Nd tfsty.” Sweetie finished with a mouth full of yellow petals.

“I’m really glad you like them!” Fluttershy rejoiced. Looking up, she saw Twilight standing a short distance off, smiling at the two. “I have everything set up. Why don’t we all relax and have something to eat?” Sweetie nodded happily and decided to save the remainder of her flowers for later. Fluttershy stepped to the filly’s side, took her under her wing, and looked expectantly back at Twilight.

The purple pony stepped forward a few paces, but stopped before coming much closer. Sweetie looked back as well, and the couple focused on their chaperone. “This time ... is for the two of you.” Twilight answered, feeling slightly awkward. “Please, don’t worry about me, I brought something to read and—”

“Oh, don’t be silly, Twilight!” Fluttershy insisted cheerfully. She appreciated the gesture, but certainly didn’t want to exclude their friend. “I have enough hay juice and strawberry sandwiches for all three of us and to spare.”

Twilight smiled and approached, but countered the offer. “I’m afraid I have to insist. In my book, Emily Posting says that a chaperone should never stay with a couple at meals, and I agree with her, but I won’t be too far away, and I’ll gladly accept a sandwich and a drink!”

Fluttershy assented and returned a concerned smile but made no complaint. She was grateful for the chance to give all of her attention to Sweetie Belle, after all. Sweetie was happy to go along with whatever the two older ponies decided, but also a little relieved to have some semblance of privacy with her fillyfriend.

So the yellow pegasus accompanied the young filly to a spread red and white checkered blanket where each settled. Twilight took what Fluttershy offered her in a napkin and cup, levitating it with her to a comfortable patch of grass a good twenty paces from the couple. Fluttershy served the little pony she loved, then herself, and the two rested across from each other on the blanket to eat.

A soft breeze and spotted clouds tempered the warm sun throughout the first part of their afternoon together. The scent of wildflowers wafted from the hill next to them, surrounding them with the sweet smells of the end of Spring, and butterflies and honey bees drifted nearby from flower to flower and over their picnic. Sweetie watched a few land on Fluttershy before moving on. The mare smiled at each of them, never bothered, even as bees buzzed next to her ears or butterflies flew close to her face. For the most part, Fluttershy’s gaze rested on Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie giggled at the way Fluttershy went cross-eyed to look at one butterfly as it landed on her muzzle before fluttering gracefully between them to land on Sweetie’s muzzle instead. The sunny pegasus returned a giggle in like manner as Sweetie's eyes crossed similarly, and the colorful insect left toward the hill in search of nectar.

“I know your special talent is working with animals, but I didn’t expect so many to come to you without, I dunno, a call or something.”

Fluttershy blushed slightly at the impressed look on Sweetie’s face. “Well, in a way, I guess you could say I am calling them.” Sweetie's expression turned curious. “The bees in particular, but also sometimes other flower-loving insects, are attracted to certain shades of yellow. Pink is also a color they like. They see colors differently than ponies do, but, in any case, they’re attracted to whatever shares things in common with the flowers that give them food.”

“Ohh.” Sweetie thought to herself. “So they think you might give them food like a flower?”

“Until they get close enough to know better, yes, at least most of the time, I think. Some, like that butterfly, stop to say hello though.” Fluttershy explained.

“Do they really have their own language like we do?” Sweetie marveled.

“Well, not like French or Equish, no, but some, especially animals that live in hives or other groups, have very interesting ways of talking to one another ... and, deep down, I believe every creature really wants to be understood,” cared for, she thought silently and pondered, staring across the multi-hued plant and animal life surrounding them.

Sweetie saw extra tenderness in the pony's aquamarine eyes and felt a sudden need to lose herself in them. Several moments later, the sunny mare blinked, coming out of her reverie as she felt the foal's mood shift and noticed the way she looked up at her, her eyes sparkling. Reflexively, Fluttershy blushed and her gaze turned to the picnic blanket momentarily, ready to withdraw.

She often tried not to notice how others looked at her, averting her gaze and hiding behind her mane. Now, though, Fluttershy was drawn into the other pony's eyes, and the two gazed deeply at each other. What striking beauty Fluttershy saw in Sweetie's jewel irises dilated her own pupils. Sweetie smiled, suddenly feeling an intense, unfamiliar mix of sad and happy at their connection.

The two leaned forward subconsciously, and, when their distance was still too great, Sweetie abandoned her spot on the blanket for a place at Fluttershy's side. The yellow mare wrapped her, as usual, in one wing, and Sweetie pressed her small cheek and snout affectionately against her fillyfriend’s shoulder.

Fluttershy lowered her head and met her foal’s warm nuzzle with her own. A pink curtain fell around them, the pegasus’s mane hiding more than her own face, for once, from the world. Their eyes met again, and, after a moment’s hesitation, Fluttershy's lips met Sweetie's. Each enjoyed the pillow-y comfort of the other's lips and felt the now familiar current course between them. The older pony kissed her foal tenderly and eagerly, and the tender little pony's lips pressed back in kind, receiving her pegasus like sun after a chill night.

Every kiss sent and received a subtle message. That week they’d begun to form a quiet language of their own, one of emotion and arousal, expressed sometimes with relaxed sighs, sometimes with shortened breaths, and still other times with light or shuddered gasps. The delicate sounds of lips and tongues meeting and parting, sometimes wetly pulling and unintentionally sucking, were, in their own way, a means of reaching out, an exchange of the most basic understanding. Now, uninterrupted finally, they began to speak their language fluently for the first time.

Each felt the other in the intimate hour that followed. Each sensed the other’s peace and joy, but, most of all, they felt a longing that grew in intensity. Very soon it distracted them until, on more than one occasion, starting with Fluttershy but taking turns evenly, one pony’s touch would travel downward, across the other’s flank, or one’s lips would leave the other’s mouth, searching for her partner’s neck or shoulder or chest, and Twilight Sparkle felt it necessary to cough and clear her throat loudly to remind them that it could go too far. In response, one or both would moan softly or whimper faintly at not being able to go further, only loud enough for both to hear, a secret kept from their chaperone that told the other pony, Yes. Please! or Give yourself to me! or, Take me now!

Never had Fluttershy felt so safe and so free to be open, and never before had Sweetie Belle felt so unconditionally accepted and loved.

There were a hundred thousand things they could have talked about. At least a hundred different questions passed through either pony’s mind, but none surpassed the exigent need of either pony to continue in their new primal tongue.

Author's Note

Last revised 1 February 2015
- for punctuation and flow

Original Note:
I have another 7k words written, but I still need to finish it before posting the next chapter, and I'm sorry to say I'm not sure how long it will be. I'm about a month away from finished with the semester along with all the chaos it means for my schedule, so yay for that!

I'm just publishing this little bit now so that the next chapter won't be too long, hopefully.
Rest assured I'm still happily working on the story. In the meantime, I hope you've enjoyed this shorter chapter.