Spicy

Chapter 6: Lavender Sorbet

Three showers, and I still felt... sticky. I was sure it was in my head, but I just couldn't help but think I still had something in my mane. I had to admit, though, it was quite the treat to get two meals at once.

I was still chuckling as I walked out the front door, ready to start a new day. It was a cloudy day, showers were scheduled for that afternoon. I had to admit, I loved the smell of rain on the breeze.

Anyway, with the rain, I was planning on spending the day indoors with a good book. As I didn't really have much in the way of a home library, I decided I would stop by Twilight's to get a couple. Rainbow Dash said she found a pretty cool sci-fi series about a frail, timid mare that got a suit of armor that made her an unstoppable weapon of harmony and justice and I said I’d give it a try.

I made my way to Golden Oaks, admiring the beautiful building. I had often wondered why she doesn't have a palace, yet. Sometimes I tried to imagine what it might look like when she would get it. Whatever it was going to be, I was certain it would be a very beautiful palace that compliments the town nicely.

I stepped inside to be greeted with the smell of books and a rather tall, fourteen year old dragon.

“How's it going, Nosh,” he greeted. “Here to see Twilight?”

“Not this time, Spike,” I replied. “I'm looking for something entertaining to read. Rainbow recommended a couple things.”

Spike chuckled. “And I bet I know exactly what they are.”

“Nosh,” came the voice of the resident librarian from the stairs. “To what do we owe this pleasure?”

“The need for books during the storm,” I replied.

“Oh?” Twilight said, eyeing me suspiciously. “No attempts at flirting or seduction?”

“You made it clear at the party you didn't appreciate my advances, so I stopped,” I explained.

Twilight looked rather surprised at that. “Oh... Well... Thank you. I appreciate you taking my feelings on the matter into consideration.”

I smirked. “As much as I enjoy,” I glanced at Spike out of the corner of my eye, “what I do, I would never want to make anyone else uncomfortable.”

“I'm fourteen, you know,” Spike said in irritation. “I know what sex is and what you do for a living.”

“Spike!” Twilight admonished. “Just because you know about it, doesn't make it appropriate.”

I chuckled and shook my head. That statement made absolutely no sense to me, but then again ponies were weird.

Spike rolled his eyes. “Yeah, a normal biological function is 'inappropriate'. You know, maybe ponies should try taking a hint from changelings.”

Twilight sighed, “Spike, let's not have this talk again, especially in front of company.”

“Oh, I don't mind,” I said. “I find it rather amusing.”

Twilight leveled a glare at me that could have disintegrated a lesser being. “Just get your books and get out.”

She could pretend to be mad all she wanted, but I could taste the humor coming off her. She appreciated the distraction from Spike's topic of choice.

“Take care, you two,” I said as I stepped out the door. A few steps out, I called back, “You shouldn't be ashamed of sex.”

“Darn it, Nosh!”

I didn't stick around to subject myself to the repercussions that were sure to come. Sure, she would let me have it later, but it was worth it to give Spike ammo against her. Of course, he'll probably get in trouble, too. I would have to make up to him some day

I would have to get that little dragon laid someday.

In the meantime, those clouds were about to pop. It was time to get home and wait out the weather.

The sound of the rain pounding against the roof and the fire in the fireplace made the perfect tone for a good book. And Rainbow Dash was right about the book she recommended. It was pretty good, especially the reactions of the mare's friends when they found out it was her.

I was at a particularly engaging scene. The hero's despair was so vivid, I could have almost tasted it.

Wait... I can taste it.

I looked up as a powerful source of the bitter emotion moved quickly by. A part of me wanted to just ignore it and go back to my book, but the rest of me shoved that into a dark corner.

With a sigh, I stood up, placed my book on the coffee table and opened my door. With a quick spell – one that Twilight showed me, – I created a magical bubble around me to keep the rain off and stepped outside.

I could still feel the traces of the emotion trailing off towards the edge of town. I tracked the feeling to the Ponyville Schoolhouse. Confused, I continued on, looking, listening, and feeling for whoever was so depressed.

It didn't take long to find the source, sitting on the swing in a pretty little yellow dress in the rain, crying her eyes out. Sweetie Belle. With a sigh, I made my way toward the distraught filly, kneeling beside her and wrapping an arm around her shoulders so my bubble protected her from the rain as well.

Her only acknowledgment was to lean into me and cry even harder.

After some number of minutes, I'm not sure how many, she began to calm down.

“You want to talk about it?” I asked.

She sat in silence, save her sniffles, for a few seconds before replying. “Button Mash.”

My heart nearly broke at those two words. A week ago, I noticed her feelings for the little gamer and gave her advice on how to talk to him. I had seen the two hanging out, so I figured it worked out. It seemed I was wrong.

“Aren't you two together?” I asked, dreading the answer.

“I... I thought so, but-but-but-” Sweetie said, starting to lose it again.

“Calm down,” I said, pulling her closer. “Just start at the beginning.”

She nodded slowly and swallowed before starting over. “I told Rarity I was staying over at Diamond Tiara's, only...” She hesitated. “I wasn't. Button's mom had to go out of town, so I wanted to stay with him.” Again, she hesitated.

“Promise me you won't tell Rarity anything I say,” Sweetie requested.

“You know I won't tell anyone,” I assured. “You have my word.”

Sweetie was silent for another minute, gathering her thoughts. “I wanted to... you know...”

Her fierce blush was enough, but I didn't want to assume. “What?”

“I... I wanted to...” She turned away and mumbled a barely audible, “Have... sex.”

“Oh... I take it something happened.”

“I... I took his hand and put it on my boob, and...” A little bit of anger mixed in with her sadness before she yelled. “He freaked out! He asked me what I was doing, and I said I wanted to have sex with my boyfriend.

“He... He said... He said he already had a boyfriend!” Her tears returned with a vengeance as she buried her face in my shoulder.

That was... surprising. I had met the colt a couple times, and I could have sworn I felt something from him.

“I'm so sorry, Sweetie Belle,” I said, stroking her back gently.

“I-it's not your fault,” Sweetie said, quietly. “You only tried to help me. I was the one too stupid to think we were dating.”

“Love makes everyone dumb,” I said.

Sweetie sat there for a while, crying silently before I spoke up.

“Why don't we go inside and get out of the rain?” I offered. “I'll take you home.”

“I like the rain,” Sweetie said. “It feels nice.”

I looked down at her and smiled. She was already feeling better. The depression was still there, but it was tempered with gratitude and even a bit of contentment.

“Why did you want to sleep with him?” I asked. “Don't ponies usually wait a while first? Or at least until they're older?”

Sweetie answered, “Yeah, but I like how changelings see it. Why should sex be a bad thing?

“... Besides, I'm pretty sure Scootaloo has done it, already.”

I tensed up at that.

Sweetie giggled. “I figured as much.”

“Uh... H-how... How did you know?”

She looked up at me, a smirk on her face. “I heard her moaning the other night when I was heading to the clubhouse. I was pretty sure that was you flying out the back.”

Shit. She did see me.

“Don't worry, I won't tell,” Sweetie said. “It makes her happy. She deserves to be happy.”

“Thank you for being so understanding,” I said. “I care about Scoots, and it does her good to have that kind bond with someone.”

I knew what was coming. It would have been obvious even if I couldn't sense emotions. Sure enough, Sweetie fidgeted as a spike of nerves hit her.

“Um... Nosh?” she began.

I swallowed thickly. “What?”

“Do... you think maybe... we... can have... that bond?”

Shit.

Scootaloo was one thing. She was a very independent filly, and can be gone all day and no one worries. Everyone knew she could take care of herself and could be trusted.

Sweetie Belle, however, had a rather overprotective sister, and it was still illegal in pony society.

Then there was the fact that she was emotionally...

Double shit. Her emotions were almost normal. That meant I couldn't use that as an excuse.

Wait, why am I trying to come up with excuses? I asked myself. I'm not a pony, I'm a changeling. Sweetie is an attractive filly, and a friend. Why the hell shouldn't I?

I looked down at her blushing, nervous face, her mane laying against her neck and shoulders. She was easily as gorgeous as her sister.

I grinned. She said she liked the rain, so...

With a pop, the magic bubble surrounding us vanished, letting the rain drench us as I leaned in and brought my lips to hers. She gasped, surprised at the sudden turn of events.

I broke away and asked in a husky whisper, “Anyone in particular you would like me to be?”

“U-um...” she managed, her brain still trying to catch up. “I-I guess... Um... I would still like to be with... Button... If that's okay with you.”

I chuckled as my body ignited in green fire, startling Sweetie enough to make her yelp and jump.

“How's this?” I asked, my voice noticeably higher pitched. “Wanna play a game?”

Sweetie smiles, her eyes tearing up again, but this time with tears of joy.

“Thank you.”

She stands up from the swing and throws her arms around me, hugging me tightly.

I place a hand under her chin, lifting her face to mine in a kiss more passionate than the last as my other hand wrapped around her waist.

We sat on the swing, cuddling in the afterglow of our love-making in a comfortable silence.

“You know,” I began. “You're a pretty good kisser. Have you ever done it before?”

Sweetie blushed, fiercely, tensing up in embarrassment.

“Oh, so you have,” I said in a teasing voice. “Come on, tell me. I told you I slept with Scootaloo.”

“Promise you won't tell?” Sweetie begged.

“Of course, I swear I won't tell a soul, until such a time as you release me from this oath.”

Sweetie giggled at my hammy performance.

“It was... um...” she hesitated, averting her eyes. “... Diamond Tiara.”

“Ah, that would have been my second guess.”

Sweetie looked at me in confusion. “Who would have been your first?”

“Seeing as Scootaloo said she never kissed anyone before, Applebloom.”

Sweetie smiled and said, “I'll admit, I thought about it, but she only likes colts.”

“But you like colts and fillies?” I asked.

“Please don't tell anypony.”

I smiled down at her. “I won't, but you shouldn't be ashamed of who you're attracted to.”

“I'm not ashamed, just... scared others will be.”

“Fuck them,” I said. “Anyone ashamed of you just because you like a filly doesn't deserve to be in your life.”

Sweetie nuzzled her face into my neck, joy filling her being. “Thank you. I... I do like one filly, especially.”

“Diamond?” I guessed.

Sweetie nodded.

“Well, I have a feeling she might feel the same way,” I said. “I feel it every time she's around you.”

“Really?” She looked up at me, her eyes full of hope.

“Yeah,” I said with a smirk.

“Thank you!” Sweetie said, squeezing me in a tight hug.

“Do you really think me and Diamond can work?” she asked.

“Of course I do,” I answered. “You're a sweet, kind, loving girl, but have trouble standing up for yourself sometimes, and she's assertive and charismatic, but her moral compass has a tendency to run askew. You would both compliment each other quite well. Besides, I've see you two together. You're as close to her already as you are to Scootaloo and Applebloom.”

Sweetie smiled softly and squeezed me. “Thank you... Um... maybe sometime you me and Diamond can... you know... do this?”

“Maybe,” I replied. “For now, though, let's get dressed.”

We quickly put our clothes on before I recast the the rain bubble spell. Sweetie then cast a spell Rarity taught her to dry their cloths and remove the dirt they gathered from being casually tossed on the ground.

“Come on, let's go get your girl.”

“Wh-What?!” Sweetie said, eyes wide in shock and fear

I smiled at her. “I'm going take you to Diamond Tiara's so you can tell her how you feel.”

“Nonono! I can't do that! I'm not ready... and we just had sex!”

I laughed. “Do you really think she would care?”

“She would care she wasn't invited,” Sweetie mumbled under her breath.

“Look, Sweetie,” I began, kneeling down to better look her in the eye. “If you keep putting this off, you're going to loose the opportunity. Tell me, does she like boys?” Sweetie nodded. “Are there any boys she's expressed interest in? Or girls that mike like her, too?” Another nod. “Then you need to act now, before someone else does. If there's something you want, you need to act to get it, or else you may lose your chance forever.”

Sweetie didn't respond for several seconds, my words rattling around in her mind.

Finally, she spoke up. “O-okay... I'll do it, but... I'm scared.”

I laughed, “Yeah, admitting you like someone like that is always scary.”

Sweetie looked at me curiously. “Is there somepony you like-like?”

I froze at that.

“Come on,” I said, standing up. “Let's get going before she goes to bed.”

I had to block out Sweetie's emotions, otherwise her nerves would've made me sick. Regardless, she was brave enough to bring her knuckles against the large, ornate door.

After about a minute, the door opened.

“Who is it?” asked a mildly irritated voice. A pink-furred face peered out, eyebrow raising at the sight of me and Sweetie. “Sweetie... I thought you were going to... a friend's.”

“I did,” Sweetie said sadly.

Diamond opened the door the rest of the way. “Oh, em, gee, he really is gay, isn't he?”

Sweetie nodded at that.

Diamond looked at me then back to Sweetie, “And why are you with him?”

Sweetie looked at me and I nodded toward the other filly, giving her the go-ahead. “He talked to me, a little and... Well, Diamond, I need to tell you something.”

Concern made its way into Diamond's emotions. “Yeah, come in.”

“I have to get home, anyway,” I said. “You girls have fun.”

“Okay,” Sweetie said. “Thanks, Nosh.”

I turned and began walking away as Sweetie disappeared into the massive home. I turned down the road, towards home. As I walked, I looked back, through the window facing the street. I could see Sweetie talking to Diamond, who's expression morphed from shock to pure, utter joy.

Just before a hedge cut off my view, I saw Diamond leap at Sweetie with a joyous kiss.