Fluttershy awoke to the gentle rise and fall of her lover's breathing. Holding her gave her such immense satisfaction, brought her so much peace. She couldn't imagine ever wanting to let go. Beneath the sheets the pegasus slowly extended her wing to envelop the foal's upper body. Every bit of additional contact increased her happiness exponentially. The moist feeling returned that always came to her eyes when she was this happy, and, wanting nothing more than to be even closer, Fluttershy gently drew her tail over the filly's flank. Fluttershy focused her sense of touch, of sound, of smell to memorize every bit of what was happening in that moment, to carve everything, especially the peace she felt, deep into her memory. She'd call upon it when days were long or conflicts grim and take strength that she wouldn't otherwise ever be capable of, to draw courage greater than what it had taken to stare down a gigantic red dragon. This was her happy place, her safe place.

Barely enough time had passed, and Sweetie Belle began to stir within Fluttershy's supernal embrace. Her breathing changed, and, wordlessly, she rotated, turned from facing away to meet the eyes of the one she loved. She returned her embrace and kissed her once softly on the lips. Sweetie paused to let the sensation soak in then kissed her again and again more passionately. With shuddering breaths between them, Fluttershy felt Sweetie retract her back hooves and draw her swirled tail beneath her to make contact with the thigh on which the affectionate pegasus lay. Their lips parted and rejoined again. Sweetie drew her tail up and down Fluttershy's thigh, moving it between and around them while the pegasus lovingly stroked Sweetie's flank with hers, moving back and between her legs gradually. Their mouths opened, and Fluttershy finally tasted the unicorn's smaller tongue. Her relief at finally being inside the filly again was like a cool drink of water in a parched desert.

Full of desire, her expression tense, Fluttershy drew the small warm body in tighter and spread her hind legs. “Oh, Sweetie Belle,” she cooed softly.

Completely absorbed in the fantasy she'd chosen the night before to relieve herself before the challenge she would face today, the pegasus heard nothing when her friend, trying to be considerate of any animals that might be easily frightened, knocked lightly at the front door. No good, the unicorn thought. Fortunately her second attempt was heard. Abruptly, Fluttershy snapped back to reality and stopped what she was in the middle of doing.

Oh dear, oh dear! she thought to herself. Could Sweetie Belle have arrived so early? With a deep breath and a disappointed sigh, the young mare prepared herself quickly to receive her guest. A tissue and a few quick brush strokes later, Fluttershy fluttered downstairs and opened the door. To her surprise, she found Twilight waiting for her outside. “Oh, Twilight!” Fluttershy couldn’t help but be happy despite the interruption to see her dear friend. “Come in, please.”

“Good morning, Fluttershy!” The purple mare began. “I’m sorry to come over so early unannounced, but with how busy things have been lately, it’s been almost impossible to fit everything into my schedule. I hope I didn’t wake you!” Noticing a few stray strands of hair in her friend’s mane leftover from sleep, the winged unicorn smiled apologetically as she entered the cottage.

“Oh, I see! Well, uh ... It’s okay. Actually, I’m expecting Sweetie Belle soon, so I was planning on getting an early start anyway, I guess.” Fluttershy looked down in case any trace of her white lie could be detected on her face.

“Oh! How nice! Well, I’ll try not to keep you, then. Are you foal-sitting for Rarity again?” The two friends took a seat in the living room.

“Not exactly. Sweetie Belle visited yesterday when she said she wanted some time away from the boutique.” The yellow mare giggled softly. “You know how stressful it can get when Rarity has orders to fill. And, well, Sweetie and I thought it might be fun, and, um ... give Rarity some extra space if I took Sweetie under my wing for the day.”

Twilight chuckled with her friend and looked at her with sincere admiration. “Wow! And even after the havoc the crusaders caused last time!” Twilight chuckled again. “You really are the kindest pony I know.” Fluttershy wanted to object. It had only been difficult last time because the three were together. Sweetie by herself was an entirely different filly than she was in the company of her friends. Instead, Fluttershy simply blushed and smiled briefly at the compliment before she remembered the other part of her motivation. At that, she couldn’t help but frown a little. Twilight, observing closely now, noticed something off.

“Well,” the purple pony began “I’ve been meaning to come by because, on the morning of the princess summit, it sort of seemed like something was bothering you, and, well ...” the princess of friendship gave the pegasus her most sympathetic smile, “right now, actually, it kind of seems like something is bothering you, Fluttershy.”

The pegasus didn’t know how to react. She was rather surprised to learn that Twilight paid such close attention to her. Seconds passed while, with a nervous gaze and a small frown, Fluttershy examined her floor, trying to decide whether to downplay her recent struggles or to open up to her concerned friend. “W-well ...” Fluttershy coughed nervously. She trusted Twilight more than any other pony except maybe Rainbow Dash, and the new princess was certainly one whom she thought might better understand her difficulty than most.

The timid pegasus decided that she should rely on her friend. Even if she couldn’t bring herself to explain everything, she felt she’d be able to, at least in general terms, explain what had bothered her. She certainly wanted the help, whether or not she thought she could bring herself to accept it.

“It’s just,” she sighed. “I’ve always, um—I really admire how—” She shouldn’t bring up Twilight’s potential relationship, she decided, “—how social you and our friends are.” She thought how best to say what she was thinking, and Twilight waited patiently. “I mean, well, friendship just comes so naturally to you, but for me, even though I have neighbors and friends in Ponyville, I’m not really good at being, um ... open. I’m really happy, Twilight, that you were able to fit in so easily, even in an entirely different world, or, well, maybe ‘easily’ isn’t the right word, you know, but if Cadence is the princess of the Crystal Heart and of love, then I think of you as the princess of magic and friendship.” Fluttershy caught herself rambling and rubbed her neck in embarrassment. “Um ... what I mean to say is that I’ve always been happy to spend most of my time with my animal friends, b-but—” the next part came with difficulty for the shy pony “—having pony friends is even nicer, and ...” The young mare paused for what felt like a long time.

“Yes?” Twilight gently encouraged.

Fluttershy seemed to have hit a wall. She wasn’t sure how to go further without explaining her need for a more intimate relationship than typical friendship could provide. She attempted to anyway. “Do you—or have you ever felt lonely, even though you have really close friends, Twilight?”

Twilight thought the question over. It was normal to feel lonely sometimes, she thought. In fact, it was something she felt often herself, but was that typical loneliness the same thing that Fluttershy seemed to be worrying about? “Yes. I think I know what you’re talking about. Do you mean, like, wishing you had a very special somepony?”

Fluttershy’s eyes shifted nervously, but she nodded. “Um well, yes, or at least sort of. ... It’s just, I don’t think that I’m the sort of pony who, well ... who can have that sort of relationship.”

Twilight’s expression changed from one of concern to realization. “So you’re lonely, and you’re worried that you won’t be able to find a very special somepony?”

“Well, um ... kind of. I mean, I think stallions like me, usually. It’s hard not to recognize that when you’ve been a model”—Fluttershy visibly wilted and grimaced at the memory—“and I know stallions who are friendly enough and who might like me maybe, in a romantic sort of way. I don't mean that I'm too shy to say yes when they ask, even though that's part of it, really. I—” another sigh and a pause. Fluttershy suddenly felt it building, the pain she'd endured so long surfacing. “Oh Twilight!” Her features twisted. She genuinely wanted to say what was on her mind, but it was much harder than she thought to open herself, even to Twilight. “I don't know ... if I can say what I really want to say!” Her pain was spilling over. Fluttershy began to break down. Turning her head and covering her face with a foreleg so that Twilight couldn't see her tears, the pony began to weep softly but bitterly.

Twilight was taken aback. She'd known something seemed wrong, but, had she known how much her friend needed her, she'd have cleared her schedule yesterday to help. Friends always came first, a lesson she was proud to have learned from masters of loyalty and generosity. Compelled by compassion, Twilight rose from her seat and trotted quickly to Fluttershy's side, placing her foreleg around her. “Fluttershy, I—” Twilight choked up seeing the kindest pony she knew suffer “—I'm here. You can tell me anything!”

Fluttershy took Twilight's shoulder gratefully. “Th-thank you—Twilight,” her speech broken by sobs, “but I—I'm scared!——I've never—never told anypony before.”

Twilight wrapped both forelegs around her now and squeezed more firmly. Stroking between her wings, she comforted her. “We're best friends, Fluttershy. If you tell me ... if you let me help you, I'll do everything in my power to fix whatever's wrong.” She meant it absolutely.

Fluttershy truly did feel comforted. The waterworks slowed, but she couldn’t stop them. “I—I know you'd do anything to help a friend, Twilight—I'm just afraid that if I tell you, that—maybe—maybe you'll ...” More than just her re-intensified sobs prevented the pegasus from saying what she was thinking. She couldn't tell her, maybe you'll be forced not to be my friend anymore. It would only make her assume the worst—maybe she would assume correctly, Fluttershy thought—and the desperate pony didn't want to alienate her friend like that, now of all times especially. The yellow pony could think of nothing to say, so she allowed herself to sob harder.

Minutes passed, and Fluttershy's crying eventually ebbed and halted. Fluttershy pulled away to blow her nose then looked back at Twilight. “Oh—” hic “—I'm sorry. I got your shoulder wet.”

“No, no. It's nothing Fluttershy.” Twilight wiped the mist from her own eyes and sniffled lightly. Fluttershy took a couple of calming breaths, and, for several seconds, looked down, allowing herself to relax. Whatever the trouble was, Twilight felt it best to continue waiting for Fluttershy to say what she had to say. The mare in front of her had enough of a time communicating even when she wasn't so upset.

Finally, Fluttershy spoke, again in control of herself. “I'm also sorry I caused you grief, and ... I'm sorry again because, well ...” Fluttershy's expression hardened subtly, “I can't say what's bothering me.”

Twilight's natural propensity to worry gnawed at her. “But—but why?”

The answer seemed clear to Fluttershy, though she fought tooth and hoof to deny it to herself. She was deciding to hide what bothered her because, deep down, next to the kindness she’d nurtured so well, grew selfishness. A schism formed between the pony that faith and fear each drove her to become. To keep fighting for her faith, she thought, meant that she had to take whatever help she could bring herself to accept in spite of the fear.

“I—” Fluttershy teetered back and forth, laboring again against her better half to deny her friend a reason, wincing as she spoke “—I just can’t ... but, Twilight, I still want your help.” Her eyes pled. “I think, maybe ... I just need somepony to talk to ...” she forced herself to ask the next favor despite knowing her friend was far too busy already, “and sometimes check up on me, maybe, even if only once a week—” Fluttershy fought back her shame, not wanting to admit she needed checking up on, yet trusting in Twilight. The least she owed the pony who’d noticed her need and desired to help her was a chance to do so “—to make sure I’m ... alright. I just feel ... overwhelmed, and knowing that I can count on you to help me feel a bit less alone, even though I can’t say what’s the matter, could make all the difference.” Finally, it was out. She looked up at Twilight for her response and saw sympathy again on the friend's face.

Her answer came without hesitation. “Consider it done.” Twilight felt relieved that Fluttershy would allow her to do something, but she wouldn’t let it end there if she could help it. She’d recognized desperation, perhaps greater than any she’d recognized before, beneath the pegasus’s normally calm exterior, and Twilight felt it could mean disaster if not addressed immediately when it became fully exposed.

She took a deep breath to steady herself and collect her thoughts. “Fluttershy, I know this must be difficult, and I’m really happy you trust me enough to let me help you, but”—her brow furrowed deeply with concern—“for my sake and yours, please promise me you’ll come to me immediately if you need to talk sooner than my visits.” Her expression became serious. “Will you do that for me?” She was ready to insist, but it wouldn’t be necessary.

Fluttershy was moved. This time, as tears formed, the yellow pegasus smiled. “Y-yes, Twilight. Thank you. I do promise.”

Twilight sighed in relief. “You’re more than welcome—and one more thing, if you’d please hear me out.”

Fluttershy nodded, fully focused on Twilight.

“If there’s ever a time you can’t get a hold of me and you’ve already tried sending me a letter through Spike, will you please spend some time with one of our friends until you feel better or I can be there for you?”

Fluttershy considered the request. It didn’t require her to expose herself as she had to Twilight, and, really, she already sort of did this anyway, minus the added condition that she contact Twilight through Spike. “As long as this can stay between just us, I will.” She nodded. “You have my word.”

Twilight pulled the yellow mare suddenly into a tight embrace, and Fluttershy accepted the heartfelt gesture, wrapping her forelegs around Twilight. It felt like part of her was being restored and healed—soothed. She let the hug endure much longer than usual. When finally both felt satisfied, each let loose the other, and they shared a meaningful look. Silently, they acknowledged that things had changed between them. Several moments passed before Twilight spoke.

“Is there anything else I can do for you, Fluttershy?”

The yellow pony shook her head. “As long as you promise to let me return the favor some day if you ever need it, I can’t ask for more. You’ve already given me exactly what I think I need, Twilight.”

Twilight simply nodded and smiled. “Well, I suppose ... I should get going. I wouldn’t want to keep you from Sweetie Belle.” A thought crossed Twilight’s mind at that moment, a completely improbable thought, she decided. She forgot it quickly as it was followed by another thought. Her face brightened. “Oh! Maybe we could have a slumber party soon!”

Fluttershy smiled a bit wider. “That sounds like a wonderful idea.”

“Yay!” Twilight clopped her hooves together excitedly. “We’ll work out the details later then. 'Til then, take care!” One last concerned smile, and the purple unicorn departed, leaving Fluttershy to herself in the cottage full of animals that now were gradually waking themselves.

Dawn had come and gone, and there would be no time now for Fluttershy to revisit her fantasy and finish what she’d started, but Twilight’s visit had been worth it, she felt. Better than any momentary sexual relief, Fluttershy felt a good portion of the burden of her loneliness lift from her. Things were looking up, and, thinking of what lay ahead and whom she’d be spending the day with, Fluttershy felt positively giddy.

At the Carousel Boutique, a white unicorn foal packed her saddlebags with care. Her attempt at making breakfast had been slightly less disastrous than in the past, which had the filly in especially high spirits. Asking Rarity for instructions and help preparing the night before had paid off, and she’d been especially kind to Sweetie Belle, the older sister having still felt a little guilty for being so short with her the day prior. Her bag brimming with “just a few daily essentials,” Sweetie Belle set out to Fluttershy’s cottage.

As she trotted through Ponyville Square Sweetie Belle took in the sites and sounds.

A familiar pink and silver duo spotted the lone filly from nearby. With a smirk and the trademark look of superiority that Diamond Tiara used ad nauseam, the pink filly started in Sweetie Belle's direction. Silver Spoon followed, mimicking her partner, raised muzzle included. Sweetie's pupils contracted as she spotted them approaching, and instantly she wished she'd taken a different route.

“If it isn't the magic-less blank-flank.” Diamond Tiara cast her bait. Sweetie Belle knew it wouldn't end there, but she wouldn't dignify the bully with a response. While she was alone, this would be too easy, thought Diamond Tiara. The tiara-wearing filly flanked Sweetie Belle on the left, and, reading her companion's thoughts, Silver Spoon split to take her right.

“Somepony looks happy today considering how un-special she is.” Diamond Tiara addressed Sweetie Belle directly so that there wasn't any way she could pretend not to hear.

The unicorn considered speeding up, but, despite knowing what would happen if she responded, it felt cowardly to simply run off. What would her friends think if she did? If she stayed silent still, they'd tease her worse for it, but to respond now felt like acknowledging Diamond's insult, and Sweetie Belle was terrible when it came to witty comebacks. This couldn't end well, no matter what she did.

“What do you two want?” The little unicorn attempted to ask with as much contempt as a more confident Scootaloo might have, but the question came out sounding more like a pout than a counterattack.

Diamond Tiara was unphased. With a smug look, she continued her ritual of denigratory self-elevation. “Oh, nothing! I just find it interesting that you'd choose to show your flank in broad daylight without your two loser friends. What've you got in the bag? No doubt it has something to do with that pathetic crusading you're always up to.

“My friends aren't losers, and this doesn't have anything to do with our crusading. If you must know, I'm on my way to spend the day with Fluttershy.”

“What? Your sister couldn't stand you again, so she sent you away to somepony willing to put up with your lameness?” Both she and Silver Spoon laughed. She had struck a nerve.

“How would you know if Rarity and I hadn't been getting along?!” Sweetie's eyes teared up a little.

“Oh we have our sources, don't we, Silver Spoon?”

“Of course! Imagine our surprise to find out what a disaster you are in the kitchen and how, no matter what you do to help, you constantly mess everything up.” Silver Spoon delivered the line with mock disbelief.

Sweetie Belle stayed silent. She felt useless and unwanted often enough already. Hearing it from the two classmates she liked least was salt in an open wound. Smelling blood, Diamond Tiara went in for the kill. “What's the matter? Can't handle the truth? I guess only a pony with talent can make it in Equestria, really. Those without one or whose talent is something ridiculous like playing with butterflies would go well together, after all. At least somepony can stand to be around a miserable failure like you.”

That was too much. The white filly couldn't take it any more. If she could have, she'd have told the two to mind their own business; she'd have told them that Fluttershy was super extra talented, not just with butterflies; she'd have told them what she thought of their rotten attitudes. Instead the tears began to spill. To spare herself the additional humiliation of letting the two see her cry, Sweetie bolted, leaving the two bullies cackling behind her.

As Sweetie arrived at a quiet part of town she let herself slow down and release the sobs she'd held back. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were simply awful. It pained her just to think that there were ponies who could be so cruel with words. She could forgive them, Sweetie decided, but would they ever learn to be kind?

By the time she arrived at Fluttershy's cottage Sweetie had set aside her sorrow and again focused on the day ahead. Fluttershy answered the door promptly. “Welcome, Sweetie Belle. Come on in.” They smiled at each other, but each sensed in the other something just slightly off. A little redness in their eyes, tone of voice slightly lower than usual. Now that they were together, though, they felt somewhat better. “How has your morning been so far?” Fluttershy asked.

“Well, it was great until some fillies from my class—” she paused and sighed “—I'll tell you about it later, maybe. I'd rather not think about it.” Her ears folded back momentarily at the fresh memory, but her smile returned as she asked in turn about Fluttershy's morning.

“Oh, I've been, um ... alright. I'm just glad to have you here now.” She smiled and sounded honestly happy. Their eyes connected and so did something inside. A moment passed in contented silence before Fluttershy remembered the first order of business she'd planned to attend to. “Have you eaten breakfast yet, Sweetie?”

“Oh!” The unicorn hopped once excitedly, suddenly energetic again. “I woke up early this morning to make us something to eat! Um ... but ... if you've already eaten I'll just save it. Y-you don't have to eat with me, I mean.” Sweetie blushed a little. “I'm not a very good cook, but Rarity helped me this time, so hopefully it's not as burnt.”

“How thoughtful!” Fluttershy was genuinely pleased despite Sweetie's word choice. “I'd love to share what you made.”

Breakfast was remarkably normal ... -ish. The orange juice and sliced fruit were fresh and un-burnt, and, while the toast had been incinerated, at least it wasn't soupy. Rarity had explained that toast was meant to be served dry. Fluttershy managed to politely swallow a spoonful of the black powder. The slight nausea had been worth seeing the filly beam. Between bites of fruit and hay the two enjoyed some light conversation, during which Sweetie Belle found herself enjoying the warmth of Fluttershy's gaze even more than she remembered.

Feeding the chickens and their newly hatched chicks had been every bit as adorable as Sweetie anticipated. Despite the shame she still felt from yesterday, Fluttershy allowed herself to watch raptly. She knew the dangers of dwelling on her fantasies from past experience, but resigning herself to her more base passions seemed simply irresistible with the opportunity so perfectly ... presented to her. At least she had Twilight to help her now, she thought.

The little filly leaned low on her front hooves to nuzzle the little yellow balls of feathers, and, tail raised, she displayed herself prominently. Fluttershy could have sworn that, in the unicorn's excitement, she saw her small fillyhood contract. A deep breath later, the pegasus felt her heart stop hammering, and she opened the gate for Sweetie to exit the coop's yard.

A thought had occurred to Sweetie while she'd fed the chicks. “Hey, Fluttershy, do you think that Scootaloo will ever be able to fly?” Sweetie's expression was thoughtful. “I mean, I know you were a weak flier once too, so ... I thought maybe you'd know something about it. I wish I could tell her something to encourage her.”

Fluttershy contemplated her response. “Well, really, my weakness was mostly due to something called performance anxiety. Have you heard of it before?”

Sweetie shook her head, a little embarrassed. “Should I have?”

“No, no. Most fillies your age wouldn't know about it, I think.” Fluttershy continued her explanation as Sweetie followed her to retrieve two pairs of saddle baskets and then proceed to their next activity.

“Most ponies, adult and foal, feel a little bit of performance anxiety when they're about to do something in front of a lot of other ponies, or in front of somepony who makes them nervous. That's part of what anxiety means, really—being nervous—except that it's usually harder than normal. When I was still learning to fly, being at flight camp made it very hard because others were always watching. I was so nervous that even lifting off the ground was really difficult. Not long ago, I even had a very hard time flying with the other pegasi to lift water up to the weather factory, but, when I got over my anxiety, Twilight said I measured as one of the strongest fliers.” Fluttershy blushed lightly, a bit embarrassed by default to admit she was good at something athletic, though she didn't mind at all that Sweetie seemed impressed.

Is this what it's like to show off? she wondered as she paused to let the explanation sink in. When Sweetie Belle seemed to have digested the information she continued.

“Scootaloo doesn't seem to be the nervous type, though. She has a wing condition that makes her a little bit like a bird whose wings have had its flying feathers clipped short. I wouldn't worry too much, though. Scootaloo seems a lot like Rainbow Dash.” Sweetie's ears perked. “When Dashie wasn't able to do the sonic rainboom, she just kept at it, and, when it really counted, she performed one to save one of our best friends, your sister, of course. I don't know if she'll fly soon, but Scootaloo's wings are strong thanks to her, um ... scooting, and she seems just as determined as Rainbow. When she's older, if she hasn't already grown into larger wings, there are prosthetics, um—” she decided to clarify “—fake wingtips that can help her, and, even though they're hard to learn how to use, I have no doubt Scootaloo will make it count like Rainbow did, so she'll become an excellent flier.”

“Huh.” The unicorn considered this information. “I bet Scootaloo will be happy to hear she's like Rainbow Dash!” Sweetie and Fluttershy giggled together.

A minute's silence passed as they continued to make their way. Mulling over Fluttershy's admitted performance anxiety, Sweetie Belle came to a new realization. “Um ... Fluttershy, I think ... maybe I have a bit of performance anxiety too.” She felt no shame to admit it in light of how open the kind mare had been about her own struggles.

“Oh, really?” the pegasus gently encouraged. “How so?”

“Well, during our school's last talent show, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo thought I should write the song and sing for our performance, but I told them I didn't want to sing in front of a crowd. Honestly though ... I actually love singing when I'm not nervous. Mom and dad tell me I sound really good, too. I guess I'm wondering, how did you get over being nervous to learn how to fly well?”

“Well, for me,” she began, “when I fell from the sky, you might remember, the butterflies caught me. Even though I was falling and afraid that I might, well ... really afraid, I still couldn't open my wings. The only thing that made me able to fly, I suppose, was feeling safe after they caught me. Not just the butterflies, but being near solid ground, too, helped make me feel safe, and seeing so many critters that I loved gave me the motivation to fly into trees and all over, getting to know them.”

Fluttershy became silent, letting the young unicorn consider how her experience might apply to her. The most valuable learning was self taught, a lesson that Fluttershy had learned from Princess Celestia herself.

The two finally approached the tranquil edge of the Everfree Forest.

“Today there are some herbs I need to gather here,” the pegasus explained.

“You mean we're going into the Everfree Forest?!” the filly squeaked. The thought surprised Sweetie Belle greatly after how Fluttershy reacted the last time she and her friends had even suggested going in.

“Oh, goodness no! I mean here at the forest's edge, not inside. It's still a bit dangerous, but, since it's daylight and, well, I can trust you won't run off into the forest, can't I?”

“After last time, I wouldn't want to leave your side for even a minute!” The filly drew herself into Fluttershy's side, taking shelter with a wide-eyed look at the dark trees. She shuddered at the memory of what happened and tried to shake it off with a nervous giggle.

Fluttershy blushed behind a comforting smile and took the chance to wrap her wing around the filly. This activity was already working out better than she had hoped.

“You'll be perfectly safe here with me.” She looked down with a soothing expression at Sweetie Belle. The little filly felt instantly better. Fluttershy's eyes, she thought, must have even more than the power to intimidate dragons.

Again, Sweetie wondered why Fluttershy was so nice to her, why the pegasus truly seemed to enjoy her company this much. It couldn't just be that she found her more interesting than her animals, despite what she'd said. Whatever the reason, she loved it. If the pegasus wouldn't tell her why right away, it was fine, but knowing felt important to Sweetie, not just because she liked learning about her friend, but because her own self worth was beginning to hinge on understanding why the mare treated her more special than even her parents or sister seemed to.

A feeling of warmth sprung up in the little filly beyond the naturally comforting feel of Fluttershy's feather shield. She decided to express the warmth with a nuzzle to the mare's side that made Fluttershy's heart skip a beat. With an unconscious blush on her white cheeks that made the pegasus's heart skip yet another beat, the filly stammered. “Th-thank you, Fluttershy.”

The affection and her racing heart had robbed Fluttershy of speech, but the mare stopped her slow trot along the forest's edge to lean down and nuzzle Sweetie Belle's cheek affectionately in return before the two resumed their leisurely pace.

As they continued, Fluttershy began to describe what they'd be looking for with a number of special cautions for what to avoid. Ms. Cheerilee had taught Sweetie's class about certain poisonous plants, but near the forest there seemed to be a lot more variety than what she remembered. Not to mention, seeing something in a book was quite different than seeing it in real life, Sweetie Belle thought.

A few minutes passed, and Fluttershy arrived at a patch of plants that matched one of her descriptions. Reluctantly she withdrew her wing from Sweetie Belle to begin showing her how to correctly pluck their leaves while leaving as little damage to the plant as possible. Their stroll progressed, and, with each leaf, stem, seed, or root their baskets began to fill.

It felt wonderful to teach, thought Fluttershy. No wonder Cheerilee always seemed so cheery! For Sweetie Belle, learning from the mare she admired and with whom she'd quickly come to feel connected was an adventure and likewise a treat that she was starting to wish she could have every day.

The hour passed quickly, and, having found the last of what she needed on her list, the yellow mare called for Sweetie. When no response came, Fluttershy turned her head to look around and saw the filly lying unconscious.

She gasped, shocked.

“Sweetie Belle!” Fluttershy flew with haste to the filly, spilling some of the contents from the baskets she carried. Panicked, Fluttershy called to her twice more, hovering just above her.

Looking around to see whether any cause could be found, Fluttershy recognized a bright purple flower with violet stamen. Landing lightly, she examined it more closely. She hadn’t ever seen that type grow at the forest’s edge before, but she knew that its pollen induced sleep. After checking Sweetie Belle’s breathing and finding she was alright, Fluttershy relaxed, letting out a relieved sigh and a brief chuckle.

Seeing the filly sleep was a treat she hadn't anticipated at all that day, though it had been something she fantasized about often. Fluttershy felt a familiar ache again.

After collecting her fallen herbs, the pegasus deliberated and decided to set her baskets down. She looked around and listened for any sign of company. Small animals went about playing and foraging. She noticed a pitying of doves flutter about mating and felt herself grow warm. A gentle spring breeze rustled tall grasses and forest leaves. The yellow pony detected no sign of larger animals or ponies, either above or on the ground. With a steadying breath, she removed Sweetie’s baskets to set them next to her own, and lifted Sweetie onto her back in order to carry her away from the sedative flower. On a soft bed of green grass, Fluttershy lay Sweetie Belle gently down.

Her ache intensified, and she swallowed hard. Sweetie Belle would be out for at least an hour—more likely, two hours considering Sweetie’s size and the potency of the pollen this time of year. Sweetie wouldn’t know anything that happened while she slept. They were all alone, and, while carrying the foal back to her cottage was an option, there was no guarantee it would help the temptation she felt right now. Rather, the opposite might be true, she thought. This was exactly the kind of situation that she needed Twilight for, but she couldn’t leave Sweetie, and she couldn’t risk bringing her to her cottage before running for Twilight’s help. There was nothing the pegasus could do to resist but lie down and let herself ache. She didn’t know how she would handle it, but she had to try.

Softly, Fluttershy laid herself down a few feet away from the foal, and, with sad eyes, looked longingly at the filly’s peaceful face. My sweet-Sweetie Belle, she thought. The ache—she thought—really was unbearable. ... Maybe if she could just lay close to her, it would be alright, she thought. No longer concerned with appearances, painful longing was now etched in Fluttershy's features. She rose with a trembling breath and, very slowly, went to the foal’s side. As she let their bodies rest against each other, Fluttershy began to relax a little and was surprised to hear Sweetie Belle speak.

“—notridiculous ... bestfriend,” Sweetie's words ran together. The mare looked down at the little unicorn, wondering what she could be dreaming.

Her distraction didn’t last long, and soon Fluttershy felt the ache again, stronger than ever. In a last ditch effort to quell her longing, the pegasus stretched out an unsteady wing and wrapped it securely around her foal. If she hadn’t been right next to Sweetie Belle as she said it, she wouldn’t have believed she heard correctly.

“.. love you Fluttershy...” came the dreamy voice of the foal.

No, this wasn’t a fantasy. It almost certainly didn’t mean what she wished it meant, but it was more beautiful music to her than the sweetest birdsong. Lying next to the foal, savoring that small bit of heaven from her fantasies made real, Fluttershy was overwhelmed with emotion. Triggered by Sweetie's somniloquy, a new power entered her from somewhere unknown, and Love chased away Fluttershy's self doubt long enough for her to regain control. It wouldn't last long, but it gave her the strength she needed to make the crucial decision to deny herself, no matter what.

Minutes passed and, though resolved, Fluttershy's instincts clawed, searching for any acceptable way to find release for what she felt. Suddenly, an idea struck her. “I—” the yellow pegasus's voice trembled, and she looked furtively around again before finally clearing her throat and speaking softly, confidently, and clearly directly into the filly’s ear.

“—I love you, Sweetie Belle.” Sweetie's ear twitched and the filly smiled. Fluttershy finally felt a small portion of her burden lift, but she needed more relief. “I don’t just love you.” Her voice trembled again subtly. “I’m in love with you, Sweetie Belle.” Tears began to roll down Fluttershy’s cheeks. Happiness balanced out her sorrow in that moment, and she felt oddly calm, as though in the eye of a storm. She watched for the foal’s response. No words came, but the foal’s brow furrowed as though she were trying to understand something difficult.

“You’re very very special to me. ... I know that you’re still a very young filly and I’m, well ... I’m grown up, but ... I’m in love with you.” Fluttershy let out a small sigh of mixed relief and sorrow at having confessed to the sleeping Belle. Knowing how dreams could drift, and hoping, if at all possible, to hold Sweetie’s subconscious, the young mare wrestled with words mentally, trying to speak what she felt as concisely as possible to make it through the filter of dreams to the foal beneath her wing.

“I don’t want you to be afraid. I’d never mean to hurt you. If you wanted to, I’d ask you to be my mate for life, and I’d do everything I could to make you happy.” Fluttershy thought of the improbability of what she hoped for and what she could possibly say to help the precious foal understand her feelings. “You're the kindest, most beautiful, most purehearted pony I know. ... From the day I met you and saw your smile, I've loved you, admired you, and wished you were mine to have and hold forever.”

The aching wouldn't stop completely, no matter how she confessed the depth of her feelings for the foal. It helped a little, at least—let her escape the thoughts she knew would only end up hurting them both if entertained. She felt ashamed, but now—she realized—now somepony special to her would be able to hear her, and she wouldn't have to fear the consequences.

Fluttershy's heart spilled over. A melancholic melody parted softly from the kindhearted mare's lips.

Torn with desire for good and evil,

Elysium and Tartarus warring,

silent we lie on the front of battle.

Few conflicts so fierce ever know such calm.

At the forest's edge so bright and serene

a stone's throw away from danger and fear,

I led you with both scandal and honor,

a corrupt mare looking for innocence.

Proven noble but sadly not valiant,

bearing kindness and yet lacking restraint,

both bless-ed and cursed with lust and with love,

unworthy shoulders carry your virtue.

Whether I fail now, you may never know.

Only I'd feel both the sting and relief.

I might for a time quench my burning thirst,

and preserve your virtue in ignorance.

My soul, though, would ultimately despair.

The thirst would return much worse than before.

Would you, in your purity, receive me?

Could you become the cure I don't deserve?

Fluttershy kissed Sweetie Belle's forehead, and her tears bathed the foal's muzzle.

Torn with desire for good and evil,

Elysium and Tartarus warring,

silent we lie on the front of battle.

Seldom such sorrow has known such sweetness.

“Fluttersh—” The foal softly muttered at the end of the song, but afterward remained silent.

Fluttershy extended her neck and rested her head lightly atop the unicorn's behind her small rounded horn. She felt her breathing beneath her wing. How many times she'd imagined it before, she didn't know. She'd had no experience to go off of beyond the usual cuddle session with whatever animal most closely matched a foal's size. Now the lonesome mare made good on at least part of her fantasies.

She quieted her mind, putting all thoughts aside, lewd and noble, self-pitying and heroic. With all the focus she could muster and desire like a branding iron, Fluttershy marked every exquisite detail of what it physically felt like to be with the filly deep into her consciousness, the scent of her mane, every twitch, every sound, and every second of every breath she recorded to the best of her ability. Even if Sweetie Belle couldn’t be hers forever, at least the sensation of being with her would be. Though it wouldn’t be nearly enough to satisfy her, Fluttershy would make it count.

Noon came, and Fluttershy’s meditative state was broken as Sweetie finally began to stir. Gradually relaxing her focus, Fluttershy sighed. She felt emotionally and mentally tired. To the split parts of herself that had fought so hard she gave congratulations and condolences.

Now unfocused, Fluttershy’s mind began filling with the fantasies she’d deliberately kept at bay over the last couple hours. Her self restraint was reinforced, however, by the knowledge that Sweetie would again soon be conscious. Oh, what she would have given for a single wet lick of the filly’s area while she slept. By refraining, Fluttershy knew she had retained something more valuable, however—her self worth. She would need every bit of it for what she finally decided she would attempt.

Sweetie Belle came to, feeling herself wrapped in feathery warmth and something light and warm on top of her head. As she shifted, the weight lifted, though her body remained covered. Her eyes blinked open to see the beautiful spring day she’d left behind, now evidently brighter. Turning her head, she looked with half-lidded eyes up at Fluttershy. “Fluttershy? Wh—What happened? I ... don’t remember.“ Her small voice came out groggily.

“Everything’s okay, Sweetie,” Fluttershy reassured. “You didn’t know any better, but there was a purple slumber lily and, when you smelled it, it put you to sleep for a while.”

“Nngh.” The filly tensed and stretched, and Fluttershy withdrew her wing. “How long was I asleep?”

“Only a couple of hours. I’m sorry I didn’t warn you about the slumber lily. I didn’t know it grew in this area.”

“Oh. Um ... it’s fine. I feel really well rested now, actually! Were you here the whole time?” Sweetie noticed how comfortable she felt lying next to the yellow pony. She couldn’t complain at all, though it seemed a little odd to cuddle with somepony outside her family.

“Um—” a slightly nervous expression betrayed Fluttershy “—Y-yes. I didn’t want to leave you alone, of course, and it seemed like a lovely morning to just relax outdoors after the herbs had been gathered.” Fluttershy nodded toward the filled baskets.

“No complaints here!” The filly squeed happily and pressed herself affectionately into Fluttershy's side, nuzzling the pegasus and making her blush. Seeing Fluttershy's subtle glow and the way her eyes sparkled at her made Sweetie Belle smile even wider. It felt so wonderful to be with somepony who seemed so reciprocally happy to be in her company. Sharing each other's gaze, naturally, serenely, Sweetie's thoughts and feelings bubbled to her lips.

“Thank you for taking me under your wing, Fluttershy. ... I really like you.” Though she'd meant it platonically, the filly blushed. Maybe, thought Sweetie, this was what it felt like to have a very special somepony. Though it was silly to think it in the company of her sister's friend, somehow Sweetie couldn't let the thought go.

As happy as it made Fluttershy to hear the filly's thanks and admission, Fluttershy had already read the filly's thoughts well before that moment. It came as no surprise in light of her body language and the recent experiences they'd shared together.

A different realization dawned on Fluttershy instead then.

Now was the perfect time, but she doubted she was prepared enough, having only decided on her plan a couple minutes before Sweetie awoke. This, however, she decided, would be better done without preparation. For so long she'd thought and planned how to fulfill her fantasies, but now, she knew, there was so much more than fantasy at stake. As a matter of the heart, it deserved to be dealt with spontaneously and genuinely, she felt. Fluttershy took a breath to calm herself, then she too spoke from the heart.

“I love you, Sweetie Belle.”

Her words and tone were soft. Her eyes and smile were peaceful if a bit sad. Fluttershy was reminded of the calm she felt before as Sweetie slept. It seemed like a full day had passed since then, thanks to her meditation. Though similar, this time was a bit different. Before, she’d been in the middle of a dangerous situation, the eye of the storm. Now it felt more like the calm before the storm, and a far greater one at that. Her heart and mind were tense. Instinct telling her to hide—take shelter before it was too late.

No, Fluttershy commanded herself. She refused to back down.

Whatever her fate, she invited it now, consigning herself to the sorrow of knowing that, no matter the outcome, she was sure both she and Sweetie would have to endure some amount of pain. If Sweetie decided not to reciprocate, it would be quick, at least for the filly, she hoped. If everything went according to her desire, however, then they’d end up facing the long storm together.

Author's Note

Last revision published: 28 January 2015
- for punctuation and flow

Original note:
Family issues arose last week or I'd have published this sooner, but oh well. Enjoy your cliffhanger!
Oh yeah. And don't let my mediocre non-rhyming poetry reflect poorly of Flutters. :P

Edit - 12/27/14 : Revised for punctuation, flow, and voice, etc.