To readers who finished the former Chapter 10 before 2 February 2015,

This chapter comprises the revised second part of the old Chapter 10 (now chapters 13 and 14). It is not new to the story.

Their hearts raced, and the coat of their faces gleamed with perspiration within the shimmering, pink, sun-warmed curtain of Fluttershy's mane. It had gotten steadily warmer where they sunbathed, becoming hot without shade, but they'd been far too preoccupied to notice any discomfort. Instead, the extra heat felt good, as if it had melted them together. Their lips and tongues entwined, and the taste of sweat mixed subtly with their saliva, bringing new excitement and temptation to kiss elsewhere, which they did, unashamed, at least until they strayed too far for their chaperone's comfort.

Each now long felt swollen with desire. The constant pull of arousal without release drove them wild with passion and would have pushed them far past the edge of control had it not been for their direct supervision. For Fluttershy, who knew well what release meant, it was almost painful to hold back. For Sweetie Belle, who'd never known such intensity, it felt bewildering in spite of everything she'd read and what little she'd previously experienced. For both, however, the thought of stopping was far worse than enduring the continued tension of her arousal.

With each kiss, Fluttershy imagined their bodies cleaving to one another, enmeshed, sliding, and penetrating. Sweetie ached to do as she'd once done, to suckle at her mentor's juice and rosy nub, and, for the first time, to feel her do the same for her. She longed for Fluttershy's unique intimate smell and taste. Even the strange texture hidden between her fillyfriend’s labia now was exotically appealing in retrospect. Most of all, the thought of having the same honor, of Fluttershy’s mouth between her nethers, drove the little unicorn to fevered bursts that explained why sometimes her lips strayed to parts beyond the pegasus’s mouth.

In her own fiery eagerness, Fluttershy couldn't help but pioneer new ways to experience the foal's cheeks, lips, and tongue, and, on occasion, to explore her teeth and gums. The newness of each sensation and the unprecedented passion with which the pegasus steadily began to throw herself into each lengthened kiss surprised the foal. Her mentor’s tenderness comforted her in spite of the oddness of some of the licking, nibbling, and oral caressing beset her, and Sweetie Belle welcomed the adventurous pegasus, sometimes with a playful giggle, other times with ears flattened in momentary uncertainty, and still others with her own slightly clumsy but eager attempt at imitation.

So they learned together what best suited them, dwelling longer on some than others, and, between each expedition, returning home to the familiar feeling of the other’s soft lips and wet hot tongue pressed firmly against their own with muffled, mutually euphoric moans.

If only Twilight weren’t watching ... The thought struck Fluttershy more often than she would have liked. Rather than pull back, attempt to rein in her passion, her body urged her. A little more won’t hurt ... It feels so good.

Kiss after kiss, taste after taste, the heated mare made every effort to ignore her conscience, yet, gradually, thoughts it couldn’t bear began to enter her mind. What began as fleeting moments of irritation at the boundaries imposed by their chaperone turned to desperation and a will to rebel. What started as brief fantasies of leading Sweetie away secretly grew steadily and, to the pegasus’s horror, turned into plans that would betray their friend’s trust after everything the kindhearted princess had done for them. Finally, suddenly, the lust-addled mare awoke to her reality, and, trembling subtly, she paused, and their kiss broke.

She saw that she’d not only been taking advantage of a foal for her own gratification, but forcing her closest friend to watch, fret, and hold boundaries which Fluttershy herself should have done. Selfishly, she’d asked Twilight Sparkle to bear the burden of her own lust. That the purple pony still hadn’t stopped them completely now struck Fluttershy with awe. If at all, normal ponies barely stomached second and third hand accounts of what Fluttershy was guilty. How she’d managed to overcome her gut reaction for so long baffled Fluttershy.

To Sweetie, it was all a dream. Here, she felt safe in the company of ponies who cared for her more than she believed any other had ever cared for her. Why Fluttershy hadn’t continued again to kiss her yet was a mystery that caused the little filly to slowly drift down from cloud nine. The little white unicorn reached up, eager for more of the other’s lips, only for the pegasus to withdraw subtly beyond the foal’s reach.

Fluttershy thought.

What about this could ever work? Her answer was bleak.

How have I been so delusional? She saw no excuse.

The voice inside Fluttershy became steadily louder, impossible to ignore.

What was Twilight thinking, allowing this?

She thought she knew the answer; she must have been coercing the loyal friend with the appearance of vulnerability, forcing this abomination to continue protected under the pretense that it could be healthy. Now, Fluttershy thought, ‘healthy’ was the last word she’d use to describe the desecration of the dear foal before her. Fluttershy’s stomach twisted horribly at the thought, and she prepared herself to withdraw altogether. Sensing what she was about to do, however, her body fought back enough to give her pause.

!!! The flood of hormones screamed at her to kiss the foal.

If that were all her conscience had to fight, it would have won easily. No pleasure was worth what she was doing.

Seconds that felt more like minutes passed in silence, and Sweetie Belle watched the unexpected play of emotions across her love’s face, wondering silently at what could possibly be going through the mare’s mind.

Fluttershy’s focus finally returned to the filly waiting in front of her. At the sight of Sweetie’s emerald eyes, tears began to leak from the gentle mare’s own. Before Sweetie could ask what the matter was, however, Fluttershy leaned back in and kissed her again tenderly, almost apologetically.

It was wrong. Fluttershy felt it.

Though she’d reveled in the fulfillment of her fantasies the past few hours, she’d known sooner or later she’d have to face reality. Being close to Sweetie should never have led to this, she thought. It wasn’t what a foal needs. What a foal needs—Fluttershy knew better than most at heart—is real love from a mentor, not the lust drenched monster she’d become ... and yet Fluttershy kissed the foal again, deeply, so that Sweetie Belle was surprised a bit by the pegasus’s sudden vigor. Rather than own the sin and face the wholesome painful path toward change, Fluttershy tried desperately, for the thousandth time, to forget what she knew about right and wrong.

Weakly, she invited the old embittering lie into her heart that told her with each subsequent kiss and trembling micro-orgasm, that, whether by Twilight or Sweetie or her own mother, she could never really be loved, that only pleasure existed to comfort her. The greatest pleasure, therefore, must be the only true Love.

Fluttershy had known better from the day she found truth by the healing words of her friends in the faith, yet part of her still remained unconverted, and the bitter-sweet lie had led the shamed pony, bit by bit, over the years, with the learned promise of physical gratification, to this point. Vainly, she’d believed the promise it whispered subtly to her, that she could ignore the aching in her heart indefinitely. Even as she ran from it now, the ache—the truth (and all it both promised and threatened), was catching up with her.

If she hadn’t made so many past mistakes, maybe she wouldn’t have feared so intensely to face what hid behind her lust. Now, if she let herself believe she was wrong, that the pleasure she felt at using and abusing her friends could only end in sorrow—as impure and damaged as Fluttershy was already—oh, how deep that sorrow would become, and the isolated pony would surely be met with the return of so much indescribable, crushing loneliness. Losing faith, Fluttershy attempted to numb her soul a little longer, to shun reality, but, though she continued to kiss Sweetie Belle, she failed now to fully ignore the pain that came with this particular pleasure.

“Sweetheart.” Fluttershy stopped and wiped away her unexplained tears after another especially passionate kiss.

Before she could say another thing, Sweetie kissed her quickly one last time and smiled. Fluttershy blinked and smiled back, full of tenderness and pain.

“Yes?” Sweetie answered, expecting an explanation for the sudden shift in her fillyfriend’s behavior.

“I think it's almost time for us to go.” She'd noticed the animals' behavior, as well as the shadows, begin to shift in ways that queued her to the beginnings of late afternoon, but, beyond that, Fluttershy felt she ought to quit now, before the guilt she felt became any worse.

“Oh.” Sweetie frowned a little, disappointed to be left in the dark. She didn’t question it however, distracted by the notice of their date’s end. Suddenly, Sweetie brightened again. “You said ‘almost,’ so there should be enough time for one last thing!”

“Oh? W-what last thing?” Fluttershy couldn't help but be curious in spite of her inner conflict. She watched the foal pull out a rolled bit of parchment.

“I ... kind of ... wrote a song for you.” The little unicorn blushed, needlessly embarrassed, and Fluttershy couldn't help but blush back before avoidantly turning her gaze.

“Oh! Sweetie ...” Fluttershy tried looking at the filly from the corner of her eye, but it didn't help keep the butterflies from returning. She didn't deserve to feel butterflies, she told herself, not after how she'd been acting. Still, she couldn't avoid eye contact, at least not now. The pegasus resigned herself to looking into Sweetie’s jewel eyes and quietly attempted to shoo the butterflies away as best she could. It was a losing battle. “That's ... just wonderful!” The mare settled with the reaction she thought might make Sweetie happiest. It was the least she could do, even though a song was the last thing she felt she deserved just then.

The little filly was satisfied, and, smiling, she continued. “I only wrote it this morning, so it's, um ... not quite finished.” Her ears flattened nervously for a moment. Encouraged by the pegasus's adoring smile, Sweetie cleared her throat, her fair voice hummed in search of the right key, and Fluttershy sat listening. A simple familiar melody rang from the foal, though the words were different from what Fluttershy knew as the original lyrics. As if by magic, the mare's shame quickly vanished, the sound of the filly's voice entrancing her.

My sunshine pony, my garden posy,

You make my heart light, and full of joy.

Your love brings peace mid the fearful tempest.

Let not chill winds my posy destroy.

Your loving kindness dispels the blindness

When pain and sorrow cloud my soul.

I never knew, Dear, how much I need you.

In your warm arms my spirit is whole.

The song of my heart, a sincere offer,

And prayer you'll be forever mine.

Through ice and fire, please raise me higher,

And our love become passion divine.

My sunshine pony, my garden posy,

You make my heart light, and full of joy.

Your love brings peace mid the fearful tempest.

Let not chill winds my posy destroy.

Sweetie Belle fell silent, and the blush on her cheeks deepened. Despite having sung well by her standards, the filly still fretted a little. Maybe the lyrics were too corny, and, with it being something she threw together almost on a whim, the tune had ended up being unoriginal. It felt right and sounded good to her, but she worried the same.

Fluttershy's eye's sparkled and looked far off as the song finished. It was a moment before she brought herself back to the present and finally responded. “That was just ... so lovely, Sweetheart!” Fluttershy reached forward to draw her into a heartfelt embrace. “Thank you.” Fluttershy pecked the little unicorn's forehead, cheek, and snout, then squeezed the little filly again lovingly. Sweetie grinned back with a wide toothy smile, relieved and elated at how well it had gone over.

“I'm really glad you liked it.” Sweetie paused. “I, um ... thanks,” she finished with a nervous laugh, blushing modestly. “Y-you're not just saying that?” Despite the pegasus's reaction and the fact that Sweetie rarely had any complaints for her singing, she clung to some uncertainty.

“I'm not. I promise!” The pegasus was emphatic. “You sing more beautifully than any of my birds—oh—but don't tell them I said so, if you don't mind.”

The filly giggled. “Sure thing.”

A moment of silence passed between them, during which Fluttershy’s smile faded a little.

“You know, my mother used to sing me that tune,” Fluttershy said, “before bed every night.”

Sweetie's beaming smile persisted. “Me too!” Sweetie squeaked, “I mean, sort of. ... It’s one of the first songs I learned. We didn’t sing it every night, but we sang it often.”

Fluttershy was glad to hear they had as much in common. “I’d love it if ... um—” Fluttershy hesitated uncertainly “—I mean, how would you feel if we ... chose a song to be ours?” She decided not to suggest what she was thinking in case Sweetie had her own idea for a song.

Sweetie placed a hoof to her chin. “I've thought about it ever since I talked with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo about it, but ... I don't really have anything in mind ... well,” Sweetie paused. Fluttershy waited, and, when the foal hesitated still, she prompted her to go on. “I just ... guess the idea is a little strange. I was thinking, You Are My Sunshine actually, um ... fits really well, when I think about you.”

Fluttershy nodded, pleased with the suggestion. “Yes, I think it fits for you too,” Fluttershy looked sentimental for a moment. “Actually, um ... I think it’s wonderful you suggested it because—did you know that certain flowers hold different meanings?”

The connection between their song and flowers was lost on Sweetie Belle, but she answered the enthusiastic instructive tone of her mentor expectantly. “Uh-uh, I mean, except red roses mean romance, I guess, right?” Sweetie leaned curiously toward Fluttershy who confirmed with a nod.

“Well,” Fluttershy's smile grew again, “You see, orange flowers, especially vibrant circular ones like the Gerberas daisy you have,” Fluttershy nodded to the remnant of Sweetie's bouquet, and the filly's head turned to rest her gaze on the bright round orange flower next to her geraniums, “mean warmth, happiness, and joy. When you give them to another pony, you're telling that pony that they're your sunshine, or that you want to be theirs. I, um ... thought it was appropriate to give you since you always brighten up my day.” It was Fluttershy's turn to blush a little at her own mushy sentiment.

Sweetie was wide-eyed. “Really? Then we have to make it our song! I mean,” Sweetie amended, “if you don't think that it's, um ... too childish,” the filly recalled her earlier concern about the strangeness of the suggestion.

“W-well ... I don't mind, if you don't mind. I mean,” Fluttershy had to fight not to hide her sentiment behind lukewarm consent, “I, um ... sometimes wish you were my foal.” Fluttershy finished timidly, anxious about what the filly might think of that fact.

It took a moment before the comment sunk in. Sweetie Belle thought about what it meant to have just passed the afternoon, passionately kissing a pony who wished to be her mother, and a disgusted look crossed her face briefly. When Sweetie had said she thought her choice of song was strange, she'd thought being childish was a drawback, not an advantage. Fluttershy was different, after all, the filly remembered, not averse to her immaturity as Rarity seemed to be sometimes. Unsure how to respond, Sweetie decided it was best to agree, trusting the older pony.

“I ... guess I don't mind,” as long as Fluttershy still treated her like a special somepony and didn’t forget about her like her own mother seemed to sometimes.

“Oh ... I'm glad.” Fluttershy looked slightly abashed. The foal's uncertainty didn't escape her, but the pegasus hoped anyway for this fantasy to come to fruition as well. “I guess I was worried you'd think that was strange too,” she admitted, but decided not to dwell on it. “Um,” Fluttershy's front hoof brushed lightly over the picnic blanket. “I was actually going to suggest we make our song the version you wrote for me, instead of You Are My Sunshine. Yours feels a lot like the original, only I like it more because you wrote it, but, um,” the yellow pony added, “I still really like the original, and we can make it our song instead, if you'd rather—”

“No, no,” Sweetie interjected. “That's a great idea, actually! I don’t know why I didn’t think about writing our very own song.” Sweetie became more enthusiastic, “We can add verses and change it however we like ... or make the original a part of our version!”

“I see no reason not to. That sounds wonderful, Sweetheart!” the pegasus smiled adoringly, watching the petite pony ponder the possibilities.

“So, it's official then! We have a song.” Excitement filled her eyes. “I can't wait to tell the girls!” Sweetie squeaked. Fluttershy nodded her assent as Sweetie lost herself in thoughts of how her friends would react and what verses she and Fluttershy might add.

In the quiet moments that followed, the magic of Sweetie’s song finally faded, and reality finally settled back in and around Fluttershy. It’s weight placed itself on her back and shoulders and in the pit of her stomach. However brief it had been, and in spite of their supervision, she remembered how she’d let her mind and intentions wander to dark places.

As the pegasus finished the last of her hay juice, her thoughts were interrupted. “Oh, yeah!” Sweetie exclaimed, a bit over exuberant, and Fluttershy started. “Flutters, what about the red geraniums and yellow daisy you gave me? What do those mean?”

The question made Fluttershy pause momentarily as she recalled why she’d chosen them. “Um ... well, daisies also mean innocence and hope, and yellow means many things, depending on the flower, but, in this case, it compliments the daisy, adding, purity, patience, and trust,” things which Fluttershy felt she’d been doing very poorly at herself. Fluttershy’s guilt shown as a small frown formed on her lips, and she sighed. Before Sweetie could respond, the soft-spoken pony continued. “Geraniums generally mean friendship, but red geraniums have a special meaning ... I—well ... they admit folly and ... that I acted poorly before.”

Fluttershy resisted the urge to look away, holding eye contact with her young belle. Sweetie looked back with concern at the remorseful pegasus. “When you combine the meanings, the bouquet I gave you means that I’m sorry, I’ll try harder to be trustworthy and pure for you, and I value your warmth and love.” A half grin suddenly replaced Fluttershy’s frown, and she brightened a little, though remorse still played on her features. “It’s almost like saying, ‘Please don’t take my sunshine away,’ I guess.” A fine job she was doing at trying to be better, Fluttershy chided herself. “But I, um ... didn’t mean to be a downer. I mean, it’s ... well ...” She was tempted to cover up her latest transgression—to say it was in the past. The flowers were meant as closure, but now it felt like a lie in light of the unholy selfishness she’d let possess her so recently. If the flowers were to hold any sincere meaning, she decided, she’d have to confess.

“I only meant it as a token of moving past what’s past, but now ...” It was still hard for her to admit it. Her eyes shut, and she clenched her teeth against the metaphysical pain, frowning again. One last unsteady breath, and she forced it out. “I made another mistake ... just now ... I mean, before ... when we were kissing.” Her gaze fell.

Sweetie wasn’t sure what to say. Was this about the crying? “Fluttershy,” Sweetie’s concern shown on her brow, “What’s wrong?”

“Well ... I really wanted to—I thought about meeting with you tonight, secretly ... without Twilight, and breaking our promise to her. I just ... I’m so sorry.” Her eyes watered. “It was more than just thoughts. ... Before we stopped, I was going to ask you to meet me, but then I realized I’d only be hurting you and Twilight.” Her remorse was made even more evident in the trembling of her voice.

The little filly wasn’t certain how to react.

If Sweetie were wiser and stronger herself, maybe, she imagined, she could buoy her fillyfriend against her weaknesses and help her escape the shame that seemed to constantly threaten their love. In spite of all her studying the past week, Sweetie felt unprepared.

Fluttershy looked back at Sweetie and cursed herself for inspiring the worry she saw in those eyes. What else did she expect, she asked herself. “I just needed to tell you, because I feel like, if I want your trust, I should be open. But, unless you wanted to ask me anything, or talk about it more, that’s all. I won’t let it spoil our date.” Fluttershy put on a smile. “We love each other, and, like I said, I’ll keep trying to get better. You’ll love me, even while I’m not perfect, won’t you?” The thought genuinely cheered Fluttershy. She knew the kind foal's answer before she asked, but the reminder as Sweetie smiled and nodded made Fluttershy's eyes sparkle. The pegasus meekly held out her foreleg, and Sweetie filled it warmly as she always did.

“I trust you,” Sweetie reassured her. The truth was that she’d have trusted Fluttershy no matter what she asked of her. Fluttershy suspected as much and found it both appealing and frightening. “I think I'll help myself to some fresh apology, though, just in case,” Sweetie added. The filly grinned and returned to the side of the blanket she'd left upon finishing her lunch, hours ago, to take a mouthful of scarlet petals. “Hmm.” She chewed and swallowed. “Not bad! Apology accepted.” The filly managed to look smug for a moment at her own wit, then giggled. Fluttershy joined her.

“Clever filly,” Fluttershy praised. As Fluttershy’s guilt dissipated, she indulged again in the sight of her foal. The mare's roaming eyes, half-lidded gaze, and crooked smile seemed to come from nowhere to Sweetie Belle, eliciting a slightly nervous, but happy smile.

Fluttershy caught Twilight’s approach from the corner of her eye.

Having nearly forgotten about their lavender friend since Sweetie’s song, the shy pony snapped back from her little daydream, and both she and Sweetie looked as the purple pony arrived. “I’m sorry. I know I’m interrupting.” Twilight smiled, her tone matter-of-fact. “I ... trust you’ve enjoyed the afternoon?” She asked as if the answer were obvious.

Fluttershy faced Sweetie again, and the two shared an eager look and a smile. “Oh, definitely!”

“Yes!”

They nodded more to each other than to Twilight. They were incorrigible, but lovebirds were that way, Twilight guessed. She almost regretted what she'd later have to tell them, and the pang she felt made the princess pause before she could continue. Regardless, she smiled. “I'm glad to hear it.” She exhaled, emotionally spent but ultimately happy for their successful first date. “Unfortunately, we're out of time.” She managed to sound apologetic.

“Oh, of course.” Fluttershy agreed with a smile, though her brow betrayed mixed feelings.

Sweetie frowned and nodded momentarily, but perked up slightly as she anticipated future dates.

“When can we—I mean,” she interrupted herself, and her tone became formal. She had been looking forward to asking this question. “Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy’s attention turned to the filly. “Yes, Sweetie?”

“Will you go out with me again?” At the question, her muzzle turned a light shade of pink. Her eyes shifted quickly once to check that Twilight was still watching. At Fluttershy’s glance, Twilight politely averted her gaze to the nearby hill, but, the pegasus decided just as quickly, it didn’t matter if the friend saw this.

“Yes. I’d love to!” Excitement rang in her response.

Sweetie grinned widely and blushed in return, happy to see her ray of sunshine glow. The filly turned to Twilight next. “Um ... Twilight, you’ll come with as our chaperone won’t you, please?”

The purple mare’s focus returned to the pair. “I will.” She nodded, pleased and impressed with Sweetie’s initiative. “In fact,” Twilight ventured to interject, anticipating the natural followup question, “I’d like to talk about our schedules for a moment, if you don’t mind?”

It had come as somewhat of a disappointment to Sweetie Belle that they wouldn’t be able to go on their next official date until after the Summer Sun Celebration, even though it was only a week away. Still, they’d all meet together once for “checkups” to discuss their progress together and to talk about a certain “paradigm shift” that Twilight left unexplained except to say she felt it was important.

Fluttershy and Sweetie exchanged their typical I-love-yous and a final kiss as they parted.

That evening, Sweetie Belle kept a record of her first date, written in Crusader code, her joys and her concerns, and, when the ink had dried, between the pages of her latest journal entry, she carefully preserved an orange daisy.

Author's Note

Last revised 2 February 2015
- for punctuation, flow, and detail

Original Note:
*groan*
Parts of this became tedious to write and I worry it will reflect poorly unfortunately. Maybe if I plan things better.. It's unavoidable sometimes though I guess.

So because this chapter is already later than I'd like I'm releasing it before I've finished editing it. Let's see how badly this turns out I guess. If anything changes drastically I'll try to remember to put an author's note about it at the beginning of the next chapter.

Also, dat season 4 finale!!

(Edit: Oh this chapter didn't turn out so bad after all I guess. Just a few typos. Yay.)

If any errors pop(ped) out at you, I'll be grateful as usual to have your help fixing them. I think I got all of them, but it's easy to miss some. What takes me longest to rectify is my wording, but I think that didn't turn out to need much editing since I've been editing as I go. Suggestions are still welcome of course.

This chapter you might notice the capitalization of the pronoun "Ah." It was experimental. I think I like lower case better personally, but if you feel strongly one way or the other I'd like to hear. It's probably not a big deal either way.

The issues are the meat of this chapter of course. I'd love most to hear your thoughts about exactly that since one of my primary purposes in writing this is to gather information about others' perceptions and share some of my own about the moral, social, psychological, and spiritual issues surrounding what it means to be in a situation like this.

For instance, if Sweetie were a human child in real life, what age range do you think she'd fit into best based on how she's written here physically and mentally. Would her physical and mental ages match? Do you think she'd be ready for the kind of relationship they both seem to want? Why?

I'm constantly trying to answer these and many other questions myself. Hopefully having interested readers' opinions will give me that much more insight.