Hearts, Hooves, and Balloons

by Strawberry Jelly

Rating: mature
Tags: Romance, Slice of Life
Length: 19662

Pinkie Pie has a problem; she always gives her friends gifts for Hearts and Hooves day. This one in particular though? She finds herself coping with a few new problems that have come up.

Pinkamena Diane Pie, a pony that knows everypony, has a habit of giving her best friends a Hearts and Hooves day gift every year. One year however, she finds herself having a peculiar problem with one of her closest friends.

She's done this for a few years for her, and suddenly she starts having some strange feeling that confuses her more than when Marble Pie decided that she wanted to be a rock when she grew up. (Luckily it was just a phase, but a strange one no less)

Now though, she is trapped inside of the home with said friend and must learn to cope with the new feeling that neither one really understands.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-03-24 10:37:29 UTC

Chapter 1 - Hearts and Hooves Day With a Hint of Confusion

Hearts, Hooves, and Balloons

By Strawberry Jelly

Chapter 1 - Hearts and Hooves Day With a Hint of Confusion

Ponyville's skies were coated in cotton candy today of all days.  A Hearts and Hooves day that was scheduled for rain was a treat for me; not as big of a treat as ice cream cake of course, but still a treat.  I never understood why ponies hate spending time under gray skies when the pegasi work so hard to put them together.  Sure, they were applauded for having nice and sunny weather, but nopony ever noticed just what patience and control it took to create weather storms that lasted precisely as long as they schedule.

That's why I always like to thank Rainbow Dash and the other weather ponies with some cupcakes wrapped in waterproof shrink-wrap!  I don't know why they call it that though; it doesn't really do much shrinking.  There are a lot of silly names like that though; like hacksaws and crowbars.  You don't really do much hacking with hacksaws and I don't think crowbars are made out of crows...

...Unless they are?  How silly would that be!

Oh right, I was getting distracted again from what I was supposed to be doing!  I was supposed to be visiting Twilight and give her a super funtabulous gift today!  It has absolutely nothing to do with a special somepony either. I promise it doesn't; it's just one of those silly filly coincidences that you readers like to make conclusions from.

“Humans?  What are those?  Don't be so silly, Gummy!”

I giggled and hugged the adorable little alligator as tightly as I could.  Where does he come up with these ideas for strange creatures?  I really wish I could convince him to publish a few of those book ideas that he told me about!  Would you read a story about a fire breathing alligator that saves Equestria from the evil faery queen?  Because I totally would!

Wait, who am I talking to again?  Nevermind that, I'm a filly with a mission!  Call me 00Pink, because I have to deliver this super yummy cake to the super pretty princess of the library!  Pretty princess?  What was that all about?  I'm not all too sure about why I keep going off on these tangents, but that's why Twilight always calls me so random I guess!  Not that I think I'm that random...

“Right Gummy?”

He's always so agreeable with me.

So, the trip to the library was actually pretty uneventful, apart from the white cotton candy that loomed in the sky out of my reach.  Honestly I wish that Dashie would give me just one piece!  She always says that they're made of water, but water doesn't just float like that!  Besides, Discord always gave me a bite of the cotton candy clouds; well, when he was being all mean and weirdy to everypony anyway.

“Pinkie?  What are you doing out in the rain?” Twilight stared at me with those two amazingly wonderful amethyst eyes of hers that made my tummy go all wobbly like if it were a Pinkie Sense just for my best friend ever.  Well, it's not like Dashie, Fluttershy, Rarity, or Applejack weren't my best friends, but I always feel so... Weirdy around Twilight.  Like I ate waaaaay too much candy corn (believe it or not, that is actually possible), but it feels that way in a good way.

Like I said: Weirdy.

“Come inside, you're going to get yourself a cold!” She scolded me in that voice that's a cross between being really kind and really worried.  I always loved how she had that voice for me after I do something silly...  Not the fun kind of silly either, but more like the 'I goofed up' kind of silly.  She had that voice at my last birthday party that they threw for me too; after the incident with me replacing them with the stuff that just fell out of my mane...  She also said I shouldn't keep things that can rot or expire in my mane either.  I don't know how she can be so smarty over things like that; it's just another reason she's so amazing.

“H-Hi, Twilight,”  I responded with a voice that made even my own heart sink at how lonely it had sounded.  No, I can't just let her worry about me because the pony I wanted as my very special somepony was just... out of my reach.  Now that she was a princess, it just made it that much worse at how I can never have her...  Besides, she had that stallion in the Crystal Empire that she always stole glances of.

Not that I spy on her, of course!  I just...  notice things.  I notice things that would make me sad if I were in love with her secretly and could never ever tell her.  Maybe I shouldn't be here; what if she had that pegasus upstairs right now?  I don't want to interrupt her Hearts and Hooves day with her special somepony...

“Pinkie, come inside, it's freezing out here!”  She only scolded me again and took my breath as well as my hoof as she pulled me into the far warmer library.  As much as I loved the work that the weather ponies did, it was always so comfortable to be in a warm house... especially if it was here with Twilight Sparkle.  I could just feel my tummy tingle with thousands of butterflies that I swear I never ate.  Sometimes I really think that caterpillars like to crawl into my stomach when I sleep and make cocoons.  Granted, Twilight somehow made them hatch every time that I saw her though.

“What were you thinking?  Staying out in a winter rainstorm?  I don't want you to get sick, Pinkie,” Her frown made that cage around my heart tighten as punishment for worrying my best friend.  I really don't know how something can hurt so much but make me want to hug her so tightly as if it would just somehow make it all go away.  How silly would that be?  A hug stopping very physical heart pain?

“S-Sorry Twilight,” Is all I could muster through the uneasiness that I felt.  It was a good thing that Gummy was still on my back, or I think I'd just pass out from how nervouscited I was.  He really was a great alligator; always being there for me even when I was doing something super stupid.  Well, what I'm like 90% sure is stupid.

After all, I don't want to interrupt her from her special somepony.

“Come on upstairs so I can get you a towel,” She wore a complex expression on her face that was hard for me to make out.  Maybe I really was intruding on her...  I don't want to be a burden on my friend. “Please, Pinkie?  For me?”

She must have noticed that I wasn't following, but I felt that thought of being a burden lift from my head like a rock falling out of my mane.  She's right though; I shouldn't just stand here and drip all over her floor.  Rarity always says that's really rude to do when you're a guest at somepony else's house.  I didn't really have a choice but to follow that perfect lavender body that...  There I go again.  Sorry about that.

When we had gotten to the bathroom, she had me sit down in front of one of those super long mirrors that let me see all of well... me.  Well, me and the violet alicorn that sat behind me with a fluffy white towel that felt amazingly soft against my damp fur.  “I know you like to leave Rainbow Dash those cupcakes for after work, but would you please at least wear a raincoat?”

I bit my lip and closed my eyes to feel those warm but firm hooves roam over my body with only a piece of cloth between her and I.  My heart was doing that weird thumpity thump thing again that it liked to do when we were close like this; it felt good though, unlike that restricting feeling I had only minutes earlier.  It was so calming, enough to let my guard down and let out a soft, happy sigh.  I couldn't help myself.  Twilight really was such an amazing friend...

Her hooves paused for a moment at the sound of my contentment, only to have her hooves move back up my back and brush over my mane roughly to get the moisture out of it, “I know it's not really my business, but I worry about you sometimes, Pinkie...”

I nodded my head slowly, but reassuringly to my friend before a few more words just tumbled out of my mouth, “... Wanted … see you...”

They were quiet, unusually quiet for me and I knew it, but it felt... strange to let her know how much I wanted to see her.  It's weird though, right?  When you see a friend, you're supposed to want to let them know that you missed them, but why did it make me feel so shy at the idea now?

I noticed her ear flick at my words through my half-lidded eyes, “Pinkie, you know you can always come and see me... My door's always open to you girls.”

'To you girls'... For some reason her saying our friends could join too felt so... strange.  Almost upsetting, but at the same time I was happy to hear that coming from her.  I really don't know what's wrong with me, but it honestly was starting to scare me...  Well, except I kept reminding myself to 'giggle at the ghostly', but it doesn't really work that way when the ghostly is inside of me.

“Thank you...”  Was all I could manage before I leaned back into her roaming hooves concealed by a now-wet towel.  It was comforting to know that she was here for me though, even though I did something stupid and made her worry about me.  I seem to do that a lot though; maybe it's what Pinkie's here to do?  Naw, I'm here to see my friends smile!

Well, except right now apparently...  I wanted to stay like this with Twilight and never ever stop for some reason.  Maybe I'm just a silly pony...

“Do you want to talk about what's wrong?”  I felt two warm hooves wrap around my barrel, stopping my breath at the unexpected embrace.  It was so weird...  I always hugged Twilight, but this felt so... different...  It made my heart pound in my chest like a drum playing to lead a line of parasprites from Ponyville.  “Your heart is pounding!  If you're scared, I promise that I won't be upset and I won't tell anypony!”

I shook my head slowly and rested my hooves over the lavender mare's that held me like a mother holding her filly, “That's the problem, Twilight.  I...  I'm not sure if something is wrong.”

She tilted her head with a perplexed expression finding its way onto her face, “You're not...  What do you mean?”

My body shifted uneasily before I remembered something important.  Very, very important actually!  With a quick gasp of air, I broke free of Twilight's embrace and ran into her bedroom once more to grab my damp saddlebags, “I almost forgot the super fantabulous reason I came here!”

I looked back at the confused mare that stood behind me, watching me shuffle through my belongings before I pulled out a big white box with the words 'For Twilight' scribbled across the top in pink writing.  “I made one for all of our friends, and I wanted to give you yours!”

Twilight was gaping at me for some reason?  Was it something I said or done?  I mean, I guess I did suddenly go from weirdy feeling to super excited again, but I didn't think it was that weird.  “Here, here, here!”  I cheered and hopped in place before she took the box from my hooves and stared at it for a good five minutes.

“Pinkie, did you really get me a Hearts and Hooves day gift?”  She was wearing a soft smile with a twinkle in her eyes as she looked into the crate and dropped it in shock at what she found inside.  Was it okay?  I know I got her a little more expensive of a gift than I did for anypony else, but it wasn't that bad, was it?  Wait, what if she didn't like it?

I backed up slowly and bit my lips, feeling my hair wanting to deflate from something so simple.  Surely something so silly wouldn't upset me this much, right?  Right?!  Oh Celestia, I think I made a mistake!

“Pinkie... It's beautiful,”  She stared at the box for a moment before her horn glowed with that purple aura, pulling the small silver chain with a deep amethyst that matched her eyes etched into a small pendant that dangled at the end.  “You got all of us one of these?!”

I felt my own cheeks heat up a little from realizing that I was letting my stupid brain jump to conclusions like that, but on the question she asked...  Why didn't I buy everypony a matching gift?  It would've been really fun if we all had matching necklaces.  “I...  I got everypony else something different.  Only you got a necklace like that, though.”

She smiled softly, igniting the fire in my cheeks again the moment that I saw it and hatching even more butterflies yet again!  I really need to start wearing like a face mask when I sleep so they'll stop making cocoons in there!  She already had it latched around her neck, making my heart skip yet again at the sight.  That settles it!  There really has to be something wrong with me!

“Pinkie, I love it... and lavender?”  She squealed happily and levitated the damp flowers from the box and sniffed them with a content sigh escaping her lips.  “I didn't think you knew these were my favorite.”

“Pinkie Sense,” I explained casually, despite the uneasiness that was churning my stomach and causing my hooves to shift underneath me like if I had to use the bathroom super bad; only, I didn't have to go.  No, in fact I didn't want to be away from my friend at all for some reason.  On that note though, why hadn't my Pinkie Sense told me about the flowers that my other friends like?  It only worked when I was picking out Twilgiht's.  Actually, the only thing I put in their boxes were common flowers and some homemade cupcakes.  I only really spent money on Twilight, and for the life of me I didn't know why.

“I guess... That makes sense?”  She said uncertainly, probably still a little skeptical on how my Pinkie Sense works.  Honestly, it was confusing to me most of the time, but I love for things to be confusing!  They're more fun when I don't really understand them.  So, then why is this uneasiness not like that at all?!  I wanted to get rid of it, but for some reason I wanted to just hug Twilight so tightly and cuddle her and I don't even know why.  How would that help with anything?  Not that I don't love cuddling, mind you, but I just don't understand how it would solve my problem.

“I...  I should probably head back home,”  I bit my lip nervously, wanting to escape this feeling that was twisting my stomach like an angry quartz worm let loose on a rock farm.  Before I managed to sneak myself through the door, the librarian spoke up to my attempt at an abrupt getaway.

“Pinkie, it's getting late and the rain isn't due to let up until the morning,” She tapped her hoof on the ground with a slight frown on her lips, “Do you want to stay the night?”

My heart skipped yet another beat at her words; if I was a more serious pony, I'd probably say something like 'I'm going to die with how often my heart keeps doing this', but there's no fun in being serious like that!  Even under the circumstance, I still want to at least stay a little silly.  “Do I?!  I'd LOVE to!”

Okay, so maybe it wasn't one of my best ideas to stay here where I feel all weirdy, but something inside me just wants me to... stay.  Stay close to Twilight, and I'm not really sure why, but maybe it's a new Pinkie Sense that's telling me something super important!  Whatever it is, I have to keep a super extra Pinkie Pie Eye out to make sure that it's nothing bad.  Although, I'm pretty sure it might just be a doozy!

Chapter 2 - What is Love?

Hearts, Hooves, and Balloons

By Strawberry Jelly

Chapter 2 - What is Love?

We sat in a rather awkward silence for a good fifteen minutes before the uneasiness in my chest finally calmed down enough to let me breath.  It's strange how something as simple as just being quiet can do so much; not that I'm going to make a habit of it, of course!  After all, what good is a party pony that doesn't get loud when she parties?!

Twilight and I were resting downstairs with a plate of triple double chocolate supreme cookies on the table with one two books sitting in front of us; although mine was admittedly far better than hers.  Although the taste of crayon isn't very flattering, it's still fun to color in the black and white pictures on the page in front of me.  My friend on the other hoof was reading some book that had words so big that it made my head spin just from looking at it!

“Having fun, Pinkie?”  She spoke without looking up from her book,  having her eyes skim over it still through a pair of black-rimmed glasses that she only really wore at night.  I don't think she really even needs them; they just make her look more intelligent... and maybe more like a librarian.  Not that I'm complaining, they emphasize the beautiful color of her eye-

I shook off that thought; where did that come from?  Not that she wasn't pretty, but it's weird to think about it so passively like that.  Maybe I really need to get my head checked out; it feels like it's filled with frizzles again and not enough frazzles.  “You know it!”

“Sorry I'm missing a few colors; foals tend to accidentally steal a few crayons here and there and I have yet to order anymore,” She apologized for having only a few of the off colors that hardly anypony uses; like white.  I really don't understand why white's such a bad color!  It didn't do anything wrong to anypony, did it?  At least, I don't imagine white being that crayon that gets drunk at a party and acts like a jerk so none of the other colors want to invite it over again.  Maybe ochre would do that, but not white.

“It's okay, I love pink anyways!” I smiled and looked over the various shades of pink that were still in tact.  Pony's always find it ironic that my favorite color is actually a light blue though; which Rarity had picked up on with my Gala dress a while back.  Don't get me wrong, Pink is my second favorite color, but being the embodiment of it kind of makes you feel less inspired from it.

Wait, who am I talking to again?  I can be so silly sometimes!  Right Gummy?

I looked over to the adorable alligator that was currently chewing on Twilight's tail.  He really does like Twilight a lot; even though he refuses to admit to that crush of his!  She didn't really seem to notice my pet's attempt at getting her attention though.  “So, Twilight...”

“Yes?” She replied after a moment, not moving her eyes from the pages of her novel.

“Okay, so, Gummy has a crush on a girl and he refuses to admit it, but do you have any tips on how he can let her know?”  My usual grin returned to my face as I asked the question without second thought.  Sure, Gummy would probably yell at me later for hinting at his secret like that, but he'll appreciate it when they start dating!  Wait, would Twilight even want to date Gummy?

“I...”  She paused at that thought, before a sly smirk appeared on her face, as if she knew something.  “Pinkie, you do realize who you're asking, right?  I didn't even know how to make friends until a few years ago; let alone catch a special somepony.”

Upon seeing my face, which I felt contort into one of worry, she continued.  “But, I do have several books on the subject we can look at if you'd like?”

I stopped at the idea of reading a book.  It's not really something I'm a big fan of; especially if it's a book that doesn't have any pictures.  “Twilight, if we do...  Can you read them to me?”

I was being hopeful, but not entirely sure if my friend would be willing to go through all of that trouble for me.  After all, she always scolds me for not reading anything beyond children books to the little cakes and cook books for work...  Although I prefer just to experiment with sweets.  After a moment, Twilight placed a bookmark into her novel and sat it down on the table with a wry frown on her lips, “Pinkie, you know I think you need to start reading more...”

I put on my most pitiful puppy-dog face I could for the lavender alicorn with my blue eyes watering in hope, “... Fine Pinkie, but you have to actually listen and promise you'll read when I ask.  We'll take turns.”

Good enough!  I nodded vigorously at her and gave her the biggest hug I could muster!

Which is how I found myself sitting right next to her by the table again, looking at the same book entitled: Dating 101: 20 Tips to Letting Her Know.  It's a good thing that Gummy wanted a mare, otherwise I don't know if this book would work.  I grinned at the little green alligator that I held in my forehooves before glancing at the book that was levitating in a magical purple aura.  Twilight really was too good to me sometimes; I really need to find a way to repay her sometime...  Maybe I'll make her a double fudge sunday surprise next time she comes to Sugarcube Corner.

“Alright Gummy, make sure to pay attention,” I giggled as said alligator casually chewed on the edge of the table in front of us.  He really was wild sometimes; especially when he hits the punch table at parties.  I'll never forget his birthday party when he did all of that dancing in the nude after having only two glasses of punch.  It was weird though, especially since Berry Punch wasn't there to spike the drink this time.  Gummy still denies that it was him, but I can't stay mad at that cute face of his!

“Dating is a complex experience for all parties involved.  In the modern day, all sorts of relationships have been legalized by Princess Celestia; ranging anywhere from interspecies to homosexual relationships, as well as heterosexual.  Although Ponykind was originally a matriarchal society, stallions have been not only granted equal rights, but also equal standing in the world of dating; some of which even take on the dominant part between the two (or more)...” Twilight began to read the introduction to the story, which I found myself forcing my attention to.  She really did have that air of intelligence about her when she read some of those words, leaving that warm feeling inside of me as I realized just how lucky I was to have her as a friend.

Wow, if Gummy manages to win her over, then Twilight will become my sister-in-law!  That'd be amazingly wonderful-awesome!  Could you imagine being related to the smartest pony if all of Equestria?  She could teach me so many things and I could teach her how to bake!

Oh Celestia, she really could use that.  I remember the last time I let her bake the cake for the picnic between our friends, and it turned out horrible!  Of course none of us said anything, but I seriously think she put rosemary into the cake.  It definitely did not bring out the... what I think was meant to be vanilla flavoring.

Speaking of, being this close to Twilight made me realize something.  She smells like vanilla.  Well, vanilla and maple.  It's actually a really nice combination; I wonder if the vanilla is from a perfume she wears?  If so, I really want some!  I mean, cotton candy is great and all, but it's vanilla!

“Pinkie, are you listening still?”  Twilight was glaring at me with a slightly aggravated frown on her lips that made my cheeks heat up a little.  I totally just spaced out again while she was reading and didn't hear a thing she was reading.  Thankfully though, her hoof was underneath the line I assumed she had stopped on and I nodded eagerly to reassure her I hadn't gotten lost in thought (which I had).

“Then do you mind picking up where I left off?”  She raised her brow halfheartedly, obviously not believing me.  Which I didn't really blame her for, because I really wasn't, but I still picked up where she left off.  Luckily I have a good memory and knew where her hoof was before leaving the page.

“R-Romance stems from the basic need for a pony to have a mate, no matter what gender or species they may be.  This book is designed to help both mares and stallions help express how they feel for one another...  Tip One:  Make sure to admit your feelings in the right setting; mood can make or break their reaction to you telling them.  Make sure you do so on a romantic night like the night of a meteor shower or Hearts and Hooves day.”  I recited the book word for word as my eyes skimmed over the page.  I had to pause a few times to reread the sentence so I wouldn't mess up, but my mind kept getting caught on that scent of maple and vanilla again.  I really need to ask her later where she buys her perfume.

“Tip Two:  Make sure they're interested in your gender or species.  In the modern days where more and more stallions and mares come out with their true sexuality, it's hard to just change what they're attracted to.  If a mare prefers stallions, then don't try to change who they are,”  Twilight continued with a slight smile before glancing down at Gummy, “Although a mare would have to be pretty silly to turn you down, Gummy.”

Her giggle was soft and playful, but still made me breath catch in my throat for some reason.  Oh wow, if her laugh did that to me, I can only imagine how Gummy feels having the mare of his dreams giggle like that was doing to him.  He's so shy right now that he's not even saying anything at all!  Right, I'm still not breathing...  I should probably start doing that again.

“T-Tip Three:  Be decisive with how you feel; nopony likes a special somepony that can't express themselves.  Make sure you're clear about your intentions and feelings for them, and don't leave them guessing.”  I continued and looked down at Gummy, who was swishing his tail back and forth.  He was so anxious to tell her!  I'm so happy that my little Gummy is growing up so fast, though.  It seems like just yesterday that I had gotten him from Fluttershy.

Twilight nodded towards Gummy before speaking again, “So Gummy, make sure that you tell your special somepony that you really do like her,”  She giggled again at her own playfulness, catching another unexpected breath in my throat.  Why was her teasing Gummy feeling so... embarrassing to me?  My heart was actually starting to pound a little from that smile... that laugh... those beautiful eye-

I shook my head out of trance again.  Where do these things keep coming from?  I mean honestly, why am I spacing out so much over my friend?  Maybe something's broken in my Pinkie Pie brain...

“So Pinkie, you never told me who Gummy was interested in.  I understand if he doesn't want to say, but knowing who we're talking about may help a little,”  Twilight spoke with that sly smile on her face again.  I don't know why it caught my gaze like that, but it made my cheeks burn either way.  Oh no, wait...  Oh Celestia I hope not.

“Twilight, I have a question; how does Gummy know he's interested in somepony?  D-Do you have any books on signs to having a crush?”  My heart pounded at my question to answer her question.  Why hadn't I noticed this before?  I guess I never had a crush on somepony, but I'd imagine it felt a little like this...  How am I going to tell Gummy?!  He'd be so upset if I had a crush on the same pony as him!

Twilight stared at me for a moment before nodding, “It should actually be one of the books here in this pile.”

Her hoof pointed towards the stack of psychology books that we had pulled off of the shelf a little earlier.  To be exact, she was pointing at the Dating 101: Signs to Having a Crush.  She levitated the book from the pile and opened it to the first page, “I can understand why you- … He'd be curious.  Honestly, I don't thing I have ever really had a crush on anypony before either, so I may be a little curious too.”

She doesn't know what a crush feels like either...  Maybe there's hope for us ye-

No!  Bad brain, bad!  You don't have a crush on Twilight; Gummy is the one that wants to be with her.  You are checking for Gummy, and it has nothing to do with how adorable that face is or how her mane looks sexy when it's ruffled from lack of sleep...

There I go again!  Brain, just stop already and let me help Gummy with his problems in winning her over!  Right, focus!

“Sign One:  Your thoughts tend to always drift off about them when you're doing other things.  These thoughts tend to only increase when you're close to said mare or stallion.”  I recited while biting my lip anxiously at the very idea of liking Twilight Sparkle.  I will admit though, that the necklace she was wearing did look rather gorgeous on her and...

Focus.

I had to stop nip that thought in the bud.  After a moment, I heard her sweet voice continue where I had left off, “Sign Two:  You will find yourself wanting to spend more time with them.  In itself, this isn't a sign of liking that special pony, but if it's coupled with the other signs, it can definitely improve the chances of you being interested.”  Twilight tilted her head a little at this knowledge, as if in some kind of deep thought before mumbling, “Maybe I really am interested in him...”

“What?”  I asked with a twinge of... pain...? in my chest.  It definitely wasn't a feeling of comfort or joy that she had a crush on him.  Not a her, but a him; maybe it was Gummy, but for the life of me I couldn't understand why I wasn't happy with that single word.... him.

“S-Sign Three:  You may feel a hint of jealousy when you hear that special somepony talk about other stallions or mares that may interest him or her on a romantic level.  Remember, being jealous is a natural part of liking someone, but don't let it cloud your judgment and make you angry.”  That one hurt... a lot.  Was that what I just felt a second ago?  Jealousy?  No, I had to make sure that my suspicious are justified; it could have just been me feeling upset for Gummy.  “Twilight, do you think you have a crush on anypony?”

Her cheeks visibly grew a little red under that purple fur; as hard as it was to tell, anyway.  With that though, I think I had just gotten the answer I was looking for, but she went ahead and spoke anyway, “I'm starting to think so...  Everything we've read so far is pointing to my liking that one pegasus stallion back in the Crystal Empire.  Well, rather, his counterpart I had met when I had gone through that mirror...  What about you, Pinkie?  I mean of course, what does Gummy think?”

I paused, feeling like someone had just taken a needle to my heart like if it were a balloon...  It was deflating and it... hurt... A lot.  In fact, I had to blink back a little bit of water forming at my eyelids to keep from crying out.  “I...  He...  He has a crush on somepony, and I-I think he just realized from reading the book that they don't like him back, and...”

I at least tried to cover my tracks by saying it was Gummy, but that pain was still burning like a fire in my heart and tears started to stain my cheeks and... and...

“Pinkie!”  I heard her voice cry out as my world suddenly turned gray around me and several loud thuds echoed through the library as three rocks, a bag of flour, an eggbeater, and a few turnips fell down from my mane and crashed into the ground...

I wasn't feeling very pinkie keen right now...  And it had been a while since I wore my hair like this...  “Oh hi, Rocky...”

Chapter 3 - Mistakes Were Made

Hearts, Hooves, and Balloons

By Strawberry Jelly

Chapter 3 - Mistakes Were Made

“Oi don't like da look she's givin' me,”  Rocky said flatly at the librarian that sat across the table from him.  I don't know why, but Rocky really doesn't like Twilight and it's pretty weird.  I'm pretty sure Madame le Flour doesn't have anything against my friend, although Egge the Beata hasn't really given a hint one way or another; probably because he's so calm from that magic grass he's always smoking.  I really need to stage an intervention for him.

“Pinkie...  Are you feeling okay?”  Twilight cautiously asked with a raised eyebrow, as if something was actually wrong.  I don't know what's gotten into her suddenly, but maybe she didn't want my other friends to come over so suddenly?  I guess it is kind of rude for them to just drop in, but I can't just turn them away either.

“I'm feeling just fine!”  I giggled and leaned across the table to give her a hug before dashing by Mr. Turnip's side, “I don't think she likes us too much.  Don't be silly, Twilight's super friendly to everyone!  You say that, but she looks really confused by something.  Maybe because you all just came over uninvited.  It was pretty rude of you all.”

“Well, Ah for one dzink she is lovely,”  Madame le Flour backs me up as usual.  Honestly, she's the nicest of my non-pony friends.  Not that not being a pony really matters or anything, mind you!  I'm not a racist.  At least, I don't think I am... hm...

“Gummy!  Don't say such things!”  My cheeks heated up at his unusually perverse words.  He might give Twilight weird ideas or something!  I really don't want her to go off thinking I have weird sexual thoughts for her; that's just be weird!  She's one of my best friends, after all.

“Pinkie, you're scaring me...”  Twilight managed to whimper out between all of my friends rambling on to one another.  I notice her backing away from the table for some reason; was she uncomfortable around my friends?  I wouldn't see why she would be; only Rocky really has said anything mean to her.  Maybe it's something I said or did?  She did say that I was scaring her.

“Are my friends bugging you?”  I frown towards her, feeling a twinge of guilt shoot through my body for some reason.  Why am I hurting so much?  I feel like someone just ripped my gut out and was stomping on it with all four hooves.  That's when Rocky spoke up again, “If she don't wanna pardy with us, then she don't godda!”

With that, Twilight took a few more steps back and made some kind of complex expression.  No wait, I know that look...  That's the look of fear; complete and utter fear of something... but she made that look towards me.  Is she scared of me?  I felt another agonizing jolt shoot through my body straight from my heart before almost doubling over.  “Pinkie, can we talk upstairs...  In private?”

Guiltily I felt myself nod in agreement, wanting to do anything to make her happy again.  What was I doing to scare her like that?  That wasn't just a look of concern, but she looked like I was about to actually hurt her!  I don't want to do anything like that to Twilight... ever...

After we entered into her room, she trotted over to her bed and laid down on it before patting the spot next to her, “Pinkie, come here... please?”

Why did my heart skip like four beats right there?  It actually made me feel a little light headed, but a strange sense of bliss at the same time.  I jumped onto the bed next to her and almost immediately collapsed from exhaustion that I didn't even realize was there before.  Was there something wrong with me?  I feel like my heart is being crushed in a vice...

“Talk to me; you just randomly got super depressed after we read those books on relationships,”  Twilight tried her best to have a soothing voice as I felt her wing wrap itself around my body like a blanket...

She's so soft; like, her wing feels like it's made out of clouds (Trust me, I've walked on one before).  I love her so much...  Woah, where'd that come from?  No, Gummy loves her, I do not.  Right?

Her hoof softly brushed through my flat but long mane, as if to try and comfort me; to which I admit that I found me head leaning into her as if to prolong her affection.  Why do I have to love her?  Why does it hurt so bad?  Why does she have to have a crush on that stallion back in the Crystal Empire?  “Twilight, make it stop!”

I found myself drowning her barrel in tears, only to receive two warm forelegs wrapping around my withers with one hoof still gently stroking my mane as I just... let it out.  I'm not even sure what I'm letting out, but I know it's leaving me through the water that was pouring from my eyes.  “It just hurts and... and...”

“Shh,” She cooed softly and pressed her muzzle warmly against my forehead.  It did wonders to calm me, but the tears still just kept falling for around an hour before I finally pulled away with the combination of tears and mucus staining my pink fur and sadly, Twilight's lavender chest.  I couldn't help but feel a little bad for that.

“I think I know what's wrong,” She said calmly before giving me a sweet smile, “You're in love with somepony that you don't think loves you back?”

Her tone posed it as a question, but I think it was more of her stating the fact.  So I give her only a nod in response before wiping my face with a shaky pink hoof and give her a halfhearted smile.  It hurt, but I don't want to let her know that it was her; I simply couldn't.  Not without severe ramifications and...

Wow, do I really sound that way when I'm depressed?  I miss being pink and bubbly already!  Wait, what if she does like me back and what if she kisses me tonight and what if... Ohmygosh!  Okay, so maybe my mane still isn't fluffing out again, but I do at least feel a little better after telling myself that.  Maybe I should bake something?  That usually makes me feel happier too.

“Pinkie, do you want to tell me who it is?”  She asks with a slight frown that kills that joy I was feeling a moment ago.  I don't want to tell her, I can't tell her.  After all, Twilight is my best friend in the world and I can't just go and let her know how I feel about her.  I absolutely can-

“I love you,” I found myself saying despite my brain literally yelling at me.  Normally I could play it off as a friendly love, but not with this context...  Twilight's too smart for that; which is just another thing that makes me love her even more.  Oh Celestia, is that my heart?!  It was shaking my body with how hard it was pounding in my chest.

“I... You...” She actually moved away from me...  Not hugging me closer or staying the same, but she moved away.  I made a mistake...  I made a really big mistake...  “Pinkie, I'm going to go take a quick bath.  Pinkie promise me that you won't leave while I'm gone.”

It hurt so bad to do the motions, but I did them halfheartedly no less, “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

Even a halfhearted pinkie promise is still a pinkie promise, and I can't break it no matter how agonizing it was to be here in this library.  I feel like I had just lost my friend, and what's worse?  The Elements of Harmony.  We need to get along in order for them to work, but I just broke those forever too!  Stupid, stupid, stupid Pinkie Pie!  Why didn't you think of that before you went and let out your stupid Pinkie feelings!  I pounded my hooves against the top of my head as if some sort of punishment would do me any good at this point.

To add insult to injury, I went and promised something that I really, really didn't want to keep.  Now I get the joy of laying alone of her bed with her scent, and left all alone to my thoughts and...

...Oh sweet Celestia she smells amazing.

I inhaled slowly, taking in the mixed scents of sweet vanilla and delicious maple... as well as a third scent I hadn't noticed before.  Old paper; like that smell you get when you open a book that hasn't been touched in years.  Not really something I ever found a particularly nice scent, but now that it was part of Twilight I just...

“Twilight...” I inhaled the euphoria inducing aroma that lingered in the sheets, feeling it burn away at that pain I had been feeling only moments ago.  Maybe this wasn't going to be so bad after all; maybe she just wanted to think and maybe she does love me back...  Maybe, just maybe...

Twitch.

I felt my hind leg twitch a little at that thought... What if she came out here and decided that she wanted to...

Twitch.

I think I'm letting her scent get to me; I need to stop right now while I'm ahead.  I force myself away from the sheets before feeling a burning pain in my gut that my shaky legs collapse from.  Okay, maybe I can just relax and take a few deep breathes...

Bad idea, that just made it worse... It was like this itch that I couldn't scratch.  An itch that caused my hind legs to shift uncontrollably and make me breath like I had just ran a mile.  I took another deep breath of her sheets that sent a warm electrical sensation down my spine.

… Okay, make that two miles.

I rolled over best I could onto my back, feeling that itch only worsen in my nethers.  You know how when you have an itch that you can't scratch, it's like the worst thing ever?  This wasn't like that at all; well, it still was driving me a little crazy, but not in the same way...  It was something I didn't just want to scratch, but it was like an itch that for the life of me, I wanted her to scratch it for me...

Squish.

“Ah...”  A soft gasp escaped my lips when my hoof found the itch; it wasn't just an itch anymore.  My entire body lit up like it was on fire, but in a good way; does that make any sense?  I really don't think it does, but that's really the only way to describe it.

“Woah!”  I squealed again as my hind legs took on a mind of their own and clamped down around my hoof with a soft squishing sound escaping my groin.  I'm not really sure what I'm doing, but it feels so... good.  Like, better than eating ice cream cake with extra ice cream for breakfast.  Which it's funny I should mention that, because I really could go for a-  “Ah!”

Never mind!  I'll take this any day of the week!  Cautiously, I looking down at my hoof to see several strings of some sticky... stuff between it and my nethers.  Maybe I should ask Twilight what that is later; but right now I had bigger problems to deal-

Her scent filled my nose again, sending shudders down my spine and immediately my hoof pressed against me again to scratch the... itch.  I don't know what I'm doing, but I know something amazing is going to happen if I don't stop; I can just feel it.

It felt weird to just let my instincts take over, but the feeling of my hoof just slowly grinding against me is taking my sanity away; which my friends tell me they fear for it anyway... but I don't care right now...  What if it was Twilight down there?  I bet her hoof is softer... better... warmer...

My breath caught in my throat at that last idea; I wonder if Twilight knew about this amazing feeling?  Maybe I could teach her about it...  Well, it'd be more like us both learning what it is, but I really want to learn more about it.  Especially with her for some reason. Maybe I...  Oh wow!  My tail twitched violently and my left ankle felt extremely creaky.  Whatever that Pinkie Sense was, it was going to be a doozy-

“Oh Celestia!”  I squealed while my entire body spasmed, especially that soft, wet part against my hoof that either shut my brain down, or just kicked it into a million times overdrive.  My mind was racing and my back legs were kicking wildly at the air and it felt so amazing and my brain is so fuzzy right now and what just happened?!

I whined and continued to rub my hoof against myself, albeit at a slower... much slower rate; as if I were surfing and the wave just started to die down as I approach the beach.  I'm not even sure how I thought of a metaphor for something so amazing, but trust me; it's even better than what I just said... Imagine riding that wave, but it's made out of chocolate!  No, even that's still not as good...

And... And...  Why do I feel so guilty for what I just did?  Like, there's this feeling of absolute guilt in my chest and it... it hurts...

Suddenly the door swung open, revealing the mare of my dreams with damp fur and a towel wrapped around her mane, “Pinkie, I've been thinking and... and can we talk?”

Her voice was soft and kind as ever, causing that guilt in my chest to only multiply in realization that what I had just done might have been something really bad...  And what if she heard me?  Wait, what if she can smell it?  I didn't realize it at the time, but there's certainly a... scent lingering.

I bit my lip and shifted uncomfortably to hide my shame, praying to whatever divine being that may be listening, that she was just as oblivious as me to what I had just done.

Intermission

Hearts, Hooves, and Balloons

By Strawberry Jelly

Intermission

My legs shifted uneasily against the sheets that I had kicked up in my embarrassing moment, which I still felt a mix of shame and lingering pleasure over.  My legs were still kicking nervously in fear as I watched Twilight walk across the room towards me.  She was totally going to smell it and ask questions or... or what if she thinks I'm a bad pony for doing it!?

I inhaled sharply for the upcoming onslaught that she was about to give m-

“Why does it smell like cotton candy and cake icing in here?”  Okay, so that was unexpected.  I sniffed casually at the air, only to take notice that I did in fact smell like cotton candy.  Wait, do you think she would too?  Why am I asking you?  Wait, who am I asking to begin with?

“I'm not sure,” I lied, hoping that I didn't sound too terribly suspicious to my friend.  I'm still not sure why it's so embarrassing, but I just kind of know it's not something you should do in somepony else's bed.

“Never mind that anyway,”  She shook her head, thankfully trying to steer clear of the incredibly awkward subject, only to look at me with those two amethyst eyes that I can't find myself avoiding.  Rather, I didn't want to be avoiding them.  It was a soft, loving gaze that just seemed to pour out the words of 'It'll be okay'.  “Pinkie, I need to let you know...”

She climbed onto the bed next to my and faced Luna's white moon that hung high in the sky still.  I just joined her side and stared out with her, making sure to keep a little more of a distance from her than that of what I personally wanted.  Better safe than sorry, at least when the very stability of my heart is at stake.

We just sat like that for a good five, maybe ten minutes, or maybe an hour; I lost track of time as I caught random glances of Twilight when she wasn't expecting it.  A part of me was hoping that she wasn't going to say anything and just let us sit like this for the rest of the night, but of course she spoke up after the long, but comfortable silence.

“I never really thought about romance, or relationships beyond that of friends.  I'll admit that I seem to prefer stallions, as per my previous experience with Flash Sentry, but I can not really say anything about the female persuasion,”  Her voice was soft, enigmatic, but clearly thoughtful as she spoke.  Wow, she even has me using fancier words than what I usually do!  All I can think is just how much I love her...

“Pinkie, what I'm saying is...  I don't want to rush into something; I don't love you like you clearly love me – or at least think you love me – but that doesn't mean I'm not attracted to you.  You really are a rather attractive mare, and one of my best friends...  No matter what happens, I will never abandon you,”  She stressed that last sentence for good measure, but it was enough to still give me a sense of hope.  Joy...  I truly felt both in her words, which mainly caused a warmth to spread through my body from my chest.

“So does that mean?!”  I was shaking, almost to a point of violence in excitement for what was about to come.  Oh sweet Celestia, she was about to say she wanted to be my special somepony and-

“No.”  She said flatly, forcing any fluff hat may have been returning to my dead mane to fizzle out like a fireplace without lumber.  “Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to the idea, but I need time to think about it...  Pinkie, I'm not rejecting you, but can you please just be patient?  … For me?”

She looked over at me with those stunning eyes that left me a combination of awestruck and strangely content.  Sure, she hadn't rejected me, and maybe it was the lingering hope that her words had created, but I really want to just hug her so tightly...

So I did!  Of course I hugged her as tightly as I could, like, tighter than I've ever hugged Gummy.  I heard her let out an uneasy squeak from my grip, but she returned the hug no less and pulled me back onto the bed with her in a warm cuddle.  Easy there, Pinkie; you've cuddled with your friends before, and this is no different at all!

“Thank you, Pinkie,”  She mumbled before giving me a soft nuzzle on the cheek and letting me see that unbelievable smile.  That moment was the moment I realized that I truly loved the mare next to me.  Don't ask me how, but I just... knew.

Oh Celestia, there it was again.  Her scent was even stronger after she bathed; even to the point of making my mind race like Rainbow Dash performing a sonic rainboom.  I loved being held by her like this, but it was getting dangerous...  Especially with how much I just want her to kiss me... and maybe touch me...

I let out a warm, dreaming sigh for the mare that rested next to me.  No, I can't just jeopardize her 'maybe' for something so selfish; no matter how amazing it would feel.  “Twilight!  C-Can I take a bath real fast?”

I practically cried out to her, sounding pretty suspicious in hindsight, but I couldn't let it get to me now.  She looked at me in what I assumed was disbelief, and maybe suspicion...  “S-Sure, Pinkie.  I don't mind; I left enough hot water for you anyway.”

“Th-Thank you,”  I smiled and gave her a soft, meaningful nuzzle to her neck that made her actually catch her breath for once.  Taking my victory silently, I made my way to the bathroom with a wide grin on my lips that I really hoped she didn't see.  I did that to her; the mare of my dreams, and you know what?  It felt amazing.

Almost as amazing as the warm bathwater that I sank into like a raft with a hole the size of my head.  My muscles apparently were aching more than I was expecting from that... thing I did on Twilight's bed...  That she was now laying on without a clue.

My leg twitched a little at the idea; what if I left my scent on there and she smelled it and...  What if she was having thoughts like that too?  What if she started touching herself in that spot and...

My cheeks were burning up at my thoughts that I had to painfully shake off.  I couldn't just do that again; especially not in her bathroom too!  Sure, I did it in her bed, which was probably worse, but still...  That itch came back though; with a vengeance this time.

I really, really, really, really wish she was here to scratch it for me.

Chapter 4 - Kisses in The Rain

Hearts, Hooves, and Balloons

By Strawberry Jelly

Chapter 4 - Kisses in The Rain

"This isn't doing any good," I closed my book halfheartedly with a whimper.  I can't focus and it's something that I need to read.  Staring that the copy of Psychology of Dating in front of me, I learned next to nothing over the past fifteen minutes.  It was one of those moments where you end up reading the same line twice.  It was one of those moments where you end up reading the same line twice.

"What am I going to say?"  I needed to think.  Pinkie was going to be done with her bath soon, and she would be expecting an answer from me.  Honestly I was planning on flat out rejecting her; in the nicest way possible mind you, but still.  The problem is that when I went to take my bath, I got to thinking and thinking can be a dangerous thing at times.  It made me ask myself a question that I hadn't ever even considered as a possibility:

Was I lonely?

Sure, I had spike and my friends, but why am I still left with that empty feeling when I go to bed some nights?  Now, even if I were lonely, was Pinkie Pie the answer?  Maybe I was just wanting somepony to cuddle up to at night for the sake of having somepony.  That wouldn't be fair to her if I just used her as a substitute for someone I wanted.

No matter how tempting it was to feel that warmth next to me, I just couldn't bring myself to make any big leaps yet.  Giving her hope felt like it could easily just hurt her in the end, and I don't think I could live with myself if I did that.  I couldn't help remember her 'friends' that she had downstairs; no, I didn't want to see her ever get that depressed again.  Rejecting her would only be a short pain, but breaking her heart would never heal.

I levitated a sheet of paper from my desk across the room along with my usual inkwell and quill.  It was times like this that I decided to resort to what I know best; how to make a list.  Jotting down the pros and the cons of being with my friend proved a little harder than what I was expecting though.

“Pro:  She's funny.”  That was something I found surprisingly important.  Before what happened tonight, I didn't ever really think about dating in general, but I now realize just how much I love Pinkie for being able to make me laugh.  Not a romance love mind you, I mean as a friend...  I think...  No promises.  “Con:  She can't control her emotions.”

Pinkie was extremely driven by her impulses, which made me realize just how her feelings for me could be in spur of the moment, but it could also mean that she's a hundred percent serious as well.  It would help if she were a little more predictable, but that's another thing I kind of like about her.  She brings a certain balance to how I normally act;  I'm controlled and calm in most situations, while Pinkie is impulsive and emotional.  “Pro:  She helps me open up.”

“Pro:  She's honest with me.  Pro:  She makes me feel intelligent,”  Wow, three pros in one fell swoop?  I was trying to alternate, but all of those just rushed into my head and all of which are important.  That last one though, surprised me a little.  Was I a little insecure?  I think she helps me with that too... But...  “Con:  Has little situational awareness.”

Pinkie isn't the best at reading a situation, which lead to a lot of misunderstandings in the past, sadly.  She means well, but I've seen her hurt situations more than she helped.

In the end though, the pros and cons were tied perfectly at the end, which only made my stomach churn and lips form a frown at the lack of answers it had ended up providing me.  Not too long after though, I heard the mare in question speak from my doorway...

~~~

“Twilight, I'm back,”  I called from the doorway with a mixed feeling of anxiety and actual happiness.  Not sure why I was feeling so nervous though, but I trod slowly into the room with an alligator riding my back, wanting to do nothing more than to just tackle the princess on the bed.

“Oh hi, Pinkie,”  She shifted nervously for some reason; maybe I wasn't the only one with that weirdy feeling?  I hope not.  At least seeing her be a little insecure made me feel better about this whole thing...  “Come here?”

Her hoof patted the bed  as she scooted over to make room for me.  My breath caught at her gesture, running my thoughts through my head at a million miles an hour.  Oh god, she's totally going to say that she loves me back!  She really really really loves me!  I found myself hopping over to her bedside before jumping right in to make her bounce a few times with me.

Pomf!

“Pinkie!”  She squealed and playfully swatted a hoof at my now-fluffy mane,  “Good to see you're feeling better!”

I smiled and hugged her tightly, ohmygosh she loves me back!  Maybe that's what my Pinkie Sense was telling me when I was on her bed?  Ohmygosh, it is a doozy!  “Pinkie!”

She giggled again and pressed a hoof against my chest to break the hug, “Pinkie, we need to talk.”

My heart skipped a beat at her words, almost picking up on a certain.. tone in her voice that I couldn't place.  This was the part where she admitted her feelings to me and it was going to be so perfect and we'd kiss and cuddle and-

“Pinkie, I can't.”

… Or not.  I don't think I've ever had my mane flatten, fluff, and then flatten all in the course of one night before.  She didn't love me back; I understand.  It's weird though, despite having her reject me, I still felt a certain... peace.  Like something just clicked and it all made sense.  “I'm going to go sleep downstairs.”

I say calmly and stand up, picking up Gummy who was now standing on the ground again.  Maybe I shouldn't have stayed over tonight; maybe I should have just went back home in the rain and ignored the screaming of my little Pinkie Pie feelings.  Maybe I should...  My heart was aching.  I should go home.  I need to go home.  I need to...

Click.

Right out the front door into the rain I went.  The soothing rain that would wash away the pain...

~~~

I heard the front door open and close, distracting me from the list I had continued to write.  She left into the rain... because of me.  I should have figured she would, but I...  Why do I feel so empty for rejecting her?  Why was my heart burning with regret?  I did the right thing, right?  I didn't want to hurt her in the end and...

“I need her.”  I withstand from kicking myself in the head and charge down the stairs after my friend, “No time to talk, Rocky, I have to fix my mistake!”

Maybe Pinkie was getting to me; especially if I'm talking to a pile of rocks that had a Manehattan accent.  Was I being selfish?  I feel like there might have been a bigger reason for me rejecting her like that...  Was I scared?  In hindsight, that's what it felt like.  She makes me irrational, and I don't like that.  I like having control and not having to worry about things like chaos or entropy.

So why am I out here in this lightning storm?  Why was I out trying to find the mare that makes me feel... happy.  I thank whatever divine beings for Spike being over at Rarity's tonight of all nights, because this was going to be a hectic night if I had ever seen one.  “Pinkie!”

I screamed to the heavens themselves, breaking into a full gallop as the rain pounded over my freshly washed body.  Never mind that though, there are more important matters at hoof.  I need to catch her; I need to save her.  I need to save us.  Our love, the Elements of Harmony, and most importantly, our friendship.  “Pinkie!”

I screamed until my voice was hoarse, only eliciting a few strange looks from the windows of houses I had passed by.  There I finally saw her pink coat crossing the bridge at the edge of town, on the path to the Everfree.  “Pinkie Pie!”

I cried out again through the downpour of rain, only to have her continue walking away.

~~~

I was heading home.  Mommy said she wanted me home by sunset and I have a long way to go; the rock farm was all the way on the other side of the forest and she was going to be grumpy if I didn't make it back in time.  Daddy would ground me again, and I really didn't want that.  Plus, I needed to move the rocks from the eastern corner to the southern corner.

I think I could hear her calling my name already too.  I always knew she had a loud voice when she was mad, but I never expected it was that loud!  She almost-  “Oof!”

I squeaked as I hit the pavement as somepony tackled me with a soft thud.  My vision was filled with purple fur as my head was forced into the barrel of my assailant, which normally I would have returned the embrace, but...  I knew that scent.  The perfect mixture of vanilla, maple, paper and now, fresh rain.  It was a scent that I loved so much, but a scent that caused a sudden agony to burn through my chest like pure lava being let loose into Ponyville.

“Pinkie, where do you think you're going?!  You just left and... and... I'm so sorry!”  She cried out and tightened the two forelegs that were wrapped around my head, smothering me in the process.  Something that made me only feel more pained for some reason...

“Twilight, I have to get home or mommy will ground me,”  I say calmly and break the embrace, standing up, and leaving the confused mare behind me.  As much as I loved my friends, they could be so clingy sometimes.  Especially Twilight.  She knew that my mom would be mad if I stayed here too late.

“Pinkie...  You live at Sugarcube Corner,”  She trotted beside me with an expression of fake concern that only made me angrier.  She never cared if I got grounded.  In fact, it was because of her that I often found myself locked in my room for weeks or having extra chores around the farm.

“No I don't, I need to get home before dinner.  Daddy likes for me to help make dessert,”  I say calmly as I continue to trot towards the forest.  Suddenly, another hug from the annoyance stopped me again.  Why didn't she just buzz off?  She needed to.

“Pinkie, please...”  She pleaded with that 'empathy' she liked to pretend to have;  she was always good at pretending to care.  I don't know why she did it either, it was stupid of her.  I wasn't just going to fall for...

Tears streamed down my cheeks, mixing with the rain that was drenching my coat.  My body was trembling as warmth covered my previously frigid lips, as if a spark was reignited and brought me back to Equestria.  That's right, I hadn't lived with my parents for years.  I...  I have Twilight's lips pressed against my own.

“I..” I manage to mumble against them, only to find her pressing them closer to silence me in a clumsy kiss that didn't really involve any movement other than just putting our mouths together.  Was this how a kiss was meant to be?  Sure, my heart started to beat like I just drank fifty cups of high-caffeine coffee, but it still seemed a little... anti-climactic.

No, maybe there was something more?  I pressed my lips back against hers and clumsily moved them like I had seen others do before.  Well, like I think they were doing; it's awfully rude to just stare at something like that.

“Nh,” I heard her make a moan from behind my kiss, immediately making me pull away in shock.

“Are you okay?!”  I didn't mean to hurt her!  Did I do it wrong?  Oh Celestia, I screwed up big time!  I need-

She nodded softly, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes and expectantly leaning closer again.  Was she wanting another kiss?  Oh god, maybe I should try?  I pressed my lips against her again for another clumsy lip lock, hoping I was doing it right at least.  I was enjoying it, but was-

There was another soft moan from her and her lips started to move in response to mine, sending a shiver down my spine and somehow making me give a soft moan in return.  It felt good, and even if this was the wrong way to kiss, I still liked it.  In fact, the entire world grew silent apart from the sound of my pounding heart, the pouring rain, and her soft breathes.

Her hooves found their way around my withers and pulled me closer to her shivering body, both of us being coated in the cool seasonal rain in the dead of night.  Finally though, she broke the kiss with a soft sigh and a smile that...

Oh Celestia, that smile...

My heart literally started pounding like a... like a... I don't even know, but it was pounding!  “Pinkie, I'm cold...  C-Can we please go back to the library?”

Her voice was soft but had a tone to it that I could only describe as playful.  Maybe.  Don't tell anypony, but I'm like super duper bad at reading what ponies mean in the tone of their voice.  I used to get in a lot of trouble from jumping to conclusions, but her voice still sent chills up my spine...  Or maybe it was the fact that it was really cold out here.  I think it was her voice though.

And so that's how Equestria was founded!

The End!

Okay, I'm kidding, but no, that is how I found myself on a certain Princess' bed, kissing her over and over until my lips were starting to feel raw.  I didn't complain though, we were both burning up in contrast to earlier, but it was an amazing kind of burning up.  It felt like she was meant to just be here near my hooves, in contrast to what had happened earlier.  In fact, it was almost like we were just melting together like cupcake icing put on too early.

“Pinkie, I...”  She took a deep breath before giving me a passionate nuzzle across my cheek.  Our cheeks were both stained red and our manes both ruffled our in all directions; which is weird because my mane was still being flat, just having stray hairs poking out in different directions from Twilight's hooves running through it.  “Pinkie..”

“Yes?”  I gasped softly, feeling a little... twitchy again.  Like I had earlier alone on the bed and in the bath, but this time it was different; well, stronger.  Like, a whole lot stronger.  Honestly, my back legs felt like they were on fire from how hard I was trying to keep my nethers away from Twilight.  I didn't really want her to know...  What if it was something bad to have?  I didn't want to upset her right now-

“I feel...” She took a soft gasp and kissed my neck softly, causing my hind legs to collapse from the sudden rush of pleasure.

“What was that?!”  I whimpered in shock and hugged her warmly, having my breath stolen by her touch.

She smiled and only nuzzled me slowly, “Pinkie, I feel... hot...” Her voice was breathy and sounds a little excited and... and...

I felt a certain heat against my hind leg coming from her lower body, a heat that I remember all too well.  Okay, so I'm at least not weird for having that happen to me, but I-  Ohhh, idea!  What if I did the same thing to her and made her feel super duper wondertastic?  My mouth softly met her neck, giving her that clumsy kiss that we'd been practicing against each others' lips earlier.

“T-That's not helping!”  She squeaked and gave out a soft groan, wrapping a single leg around my withers.  At least she's enjoying it, so maybe I'm doing something right!  Right?

My hoof found itself creeping across her chest, softly rubbing through her fur.  She really is beautiful, even with that little bit of pudge she had around her tummy.  Actually, I kind of like that about her.  She's not fat mind you, but it's that amount you'd expect from a mare that reads most of the day.

Who am I talking to again?

Never mind that, I have something more important to tend to!

“Pinkie, I..”  She gasped again, stirring uneasily underneath me as I do what comes naturally to me.  By natural, I mean I just stroke the whole of her chest softly before slowly moving my hoof down towards her legs while not letting my lips ever leave her neck.  “What are you doing?”

She asked before letting out a squeal that echoed through the bedroom.  I'm glad Spike was out with Rarity right now;  I can't be sure, but I don't think you're supposed to do this with other ponies around...  It just feels awkward thinking about it for some reason.

Squish.

“I...” She stopped mid sentence as that soft sloshing sound echoed from the meeting of her nether and my slow-moving hoof.  I was making sure to be careful; I learned in the bath that being too rough hurts... a lot.  Especially that little nub that pokes out when you get more excited; that was really bad!

“Oh wow, Pinkie!  What are-”  She pressed a hoof to her own lips as she let out another pleasured moan from my touch.  At least, I was hoping it was pleasured;  I'm really bad at telling the difference between that and one in pain.  That's why I was being extra careful.  Wait... careful!  That's it!

My tongue is super soft and squishy, so maybe it won't hurt.  I kissed her neck one more time, making her give out a heavy sigh again before I climbed down her body slowly, feeling my chest rub across hers.  Oh Celestia, her fur was so soft!  Like, I really need to start using her soap, I'm jealous.

Right!  Got sidetracked there again!

“I don't know about this, Pinkie,”  She whispered softly.  Why would she want me to stop?  It feels amazing when I do it to myself; I mean, it can only be like 20% better to have someone else do it for you!  “Pinkie, plea- Ah!”

She moaned loudly.  Like, really really loudly this time.  My tongue did that too!  Which by the way, it tastes a lot different than I was expecting.  I almost expected her to taste like maple or vanilla, but no... It tasted like her neck, but maybe a little sweeter.  Also, the squishy stuff that was coming from her felt weird against my tongue, but amazing at the same time.

My mane spilled over her leg as I leaned against it softly, giving it a soft, tender kiss before returning my muzzle to her warmth.  My tongue moved slowly across the wet, warm lips, leaving a lingering taste that was both bland, but... delicious.  Like, it was the taste of Twilight, and I knew that; that's why I liked it so much.  To top it all off, it was a taste that proved I was doing something good.

“Please!”  She moaned loudly again, pressing her forehooves against the back of my head, playing nervously with my mane as I bury my tongue inside of her on a whim.  I don't know why I thought it'd feel good, but apparently I was right to think so with how her body tightened around me and how I could hear her breathing skyrocket like she ran a few laps around Ponyville.  “W-What's-”

She screamed, like legitimately screamed and clamped down on my head with all four legs, my mouth flooding with something that I really hadn't expected; had this happened when I did this to myself?  I squeezed my eyes shut as her surprisingly sweet... stuff?  Flooded into my mouth, clouding my own thoughts a little, like a mini... uhm... whatever you'd call that super awesome thing that just happened to her.  I really need to ask her what I just swallowed too;  Like, I feel like I'm doing something that I don't know anything about...

“Why....?”  I heard her sniffle softly.  Wait, was she...?

I opened my eyes to see a princess with tears staining her velvet, lavender cheeks.  They weren't just tears from pleasure either; not like the ones I had earlier...  No, she was actually crying...  My chest felt like ice and my heart felt like it was made of stone at the sight.

“Twilight...”

“Why didn't you stop...?”  That look of fear appeared in her eyes; one of the few things I can really spot and understand...  I hurt her.  I hurt someone so important to me and she was horrified at what I was doing...  Why didn't I see it?

“I-I'm so sorry...”

… Is all I could say through my guilt.  Whatever I had done was clearly something important to her an I just... I just ignored it...  I ignored her feelings...

I'm such a Pinkie Pie...

Intermission

Hearts, Hooves, and Balloons

By Strawberry Jelly

Intermission

It was a calm silence that embraced me; calm, but definitely had a heavy under layer of tension between me and the beautiful mare that sat back to back with me on her bed.  Sometimes I wonder to myself how I can be so thick headed, but it's always a certain aspect that's eluded any logic or reason.  Everypony always tells me that I can't read situations and I always say something stupid because of it.  Well, in this particular case, I do something stupid.

Her weak, half-hearted sobs were absolutely nerve-wracking on my heart and even my muscles were starting to ache from the guilt.  Sitting here in the cool darkness of candlelight and the ghost of Luna's moon as it peeks through the clouds and snow has only given me one idea; one hope to latch on to.  Maybe she would forgive me?  I've apologized so many times in the past fifteen minutes that I was starting to sound like that broken record player in Sugarcube Corner.

I turned my head out to gaze at the newly created winter wonderland that hadn't appeared on any of the weather schedules today.  Such was life in Ponyville; the Everfree Forest had a terrible habit of changing the weather up as it sees fit and the weather pegasi can only do so much to control it.  Well, of course Dashie could in ten seconds flat; which is actually ten point thirty-one seconds, but who's counting?

I guess I am, but still.

“Pinkie?”  Twilight finally said to me through a wavering voice, “Was that your first time... Doing that?”

I nodded silently, knowing good and well she can at least see me through her peripherals.  I could only hear a halfhearted sigh from her though and feel her warm body lean against my back a little more.  “I wasn't expecting that, and I really wasn't ready, Pinkie...  You just had kind of sprung it on me before I even realized what happened and my head started to spin.  Don't get me wrong, it felt amazing, but I was still uncomfortable with it...”

I nodded again, taking in her words with a slight frown on my lips to hold back my soured stomach.  Her words were like venom when I swallowed them, making me want to lose whatever was left in my empty stomach.  There is no doubt that I loved this mare anymore, but it looks like she was planning on rejecting me all over again; not that I blame her, mind you.

“Do you even realize what we had just done?”  Twilight's words softened after maybe picking up on my regret.

With that question though, I simply shook my head and told her the honest to Celestria truth,   “I only learned about it recently, and I still don't really know anything.  The only thing I know is that it feels really good, and I just wanted to make you feel good...”

Okay, so maybe I left out the part about doing it on this very bed, but I felt like that might only make the whole situation that much more awkward.  She didn't seem to mind though, because she replied just as calmly as ever.  “Pinkie, it did feel good, but I know that it's not something ponies should do...”

“Why not?”  I asked, almost turning around to face her right there.  My churning gut reminded me to not rock the boat though; I was treading thin ice and just like cutting ice during Winter Wrap Up, I could easily find myself soaked if I made a bad move.

“I'd rather not talk about what happened, but it's really important.  I...  I admit that I've tried doing that before with myself, and it was amazing for the first few times I had done it.  Well, until...”  She paused and let out a nervous laugh,  “Before mother had caught me.  She scolded me.  Said it was bad and that I shouldn't ever do it again.  Don't get me wrong; she wasn't cruel or hateful about it, but she was just...  Disappointed...”

“... It was enough to make me never want to do it again, though.”

I soaked her words up like a sponge, turning and tossing the meaning of what she had just told me around in my head.  Maybe it was something bad if Twilight's mother had reacted so strongly to it.  It's not like it was my intention to hurt one of my best friends in the world; it was just me wanting to make her feel good...  Twilight always took what Princess Celestia as law, so maybe she was the same way with her parents.  At least, it would be safe to assume from how she reacted.

“How can something so bad feel so good, though?”  I found myself hiding behind my grayish-pink mane and looking out at the snow that was covering what was now ice.

“Honestly, I wonder the very same thing from time to time and... and...”  She started before excitedly spinning around and wrapping her warm legs around me and giving me a playful giggle, “Brainblast!”

“Brainblast?”

“It was something silly that I used to say as a filly when I had a really good idea,”  I felt her cheek warm up against the back of my neck, where it had rested.  “Anyway, what if we read books about it?  I mean, if it's written in a book, then it has to be a hundred percent correct, right?”

“I guess?”  I let out an uncontrolled giggle.  That was the mare I loved; always turning to books to help her out of a bind.  Okay, so maybe it was a really boring way to solve problems, but we could leave the creative things up to me!  After all, I've already told you that she balances me so perfectly!  At least I think I told you that...

“Wait, who am I talking to?”

“What was that, Pinkie?”  Twilight called out from across the room.  Her magic was pulling out a few books for her to skim over a moment, only to return them to their proper place on the shelves.  “This isn't any good; we're going to have to look downstairs...”

“Well, I think Rocky's getting a little lonely anyway,”  I hopped off of the bed and headed to the door.  Honestly I don't get to spend too much time with Rocky anymore; especially after my sisters had given him to me before I came to Ponyville.  Inkie really liked her pet rocks.

“I... O-Of course, Pinkie.  W-We can talk to him while we study,” She frowned nervously at me.  Well, maybe she was worried that Rocky still wouldn't like her?  I know she'll manage to win him over.

~~~

Studying was proving difficult with the affection that Pinkie had been showing my neck for the past fifteen minutes, but it was honestly the best feeling in the world.  Well, maybe not as good as what we did earlier, but...  Oh Celestia!  That felt amazing!

“Pinkie, I-I really don't taste that good, do I?”  I shifted a little from that heat forming in my nethers.  For somepony that knew nothing about sexual encounters, she sure seems to have a natural talent for it.  At least, I think she's good.

“Mmhm!  You taste just like maple!”  She grinned and planted a kneading kiss on my neck again, sending frozen chills down my spine, followed by a sudden rush of heat from between my legs to my face.

“W-Well, I do live in a tree,”  I giggled and bared my neck a little for her, enjoying the tenderness that she offered.  Now that I was expecting her to act this way, it didn't feel so out of place.  In fact, I let my heart open to the idea as long as she didn't do anything... more.  Not like last time; we promised to at least study about it before making any brash decisions like last time.

“Finding anything?”  Pinkie mumbled as she tended to my neck.

“N-Not yet,”  I sighed weakly feeling my wings jet out to either side of my body, snapping my eyes wide open in shock.  Oh Celestia, they do exist!

“Woah!”  Pinkie giggled a little and pawed playfully at my wings with her hoof, “Twilight!”

I flushed gently at her playful nips at my wings, sending uneasy chills through my entire body.  How were they so bloody sensitive!?  I really had no idea that they could feel so good!  No wonder Rainbow never lets anypony touch her wings.

“Ah... P-Pinkie!” I sighed and spun around to kiss her desperately on the lips.  Control?  Studying?  Maybe being a little irrational was the best thing right now.  Maybe letting loose every once in a while couldn't hurt too badly, right?  Maybe-

Knock-Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock-Knock.

I looked up from the mare I now had pressed against the floor of the library, only to be pulled back to my senses.  What in Equestria was I about to do?  Oh wait, I had a door to answer.  At nine at night actually, but maybe it was something important?

I gave Pinkie a gentle peck on the lips, “Hold that thought.”

I pulled away from her and headed to the door, opening it to see two ponies that I certainly had no plan of seeing that night.  A certain mare named Twilight Velvet and a stallion named Night Light.  My parents.

“Uh.. Hi mom, hi dad.  What are you doing here so late?”

“... Because it's the fifth...?” Mom's brow raised as if it were something casual.

“Wait, what?!”  I squealed in shock before running over to the calender that hung on my wall.  How did I manage to forget something so important!?  It was my brother's birthday in a few days and mom said she wanted to throw the party here!

“I... Right.”  I turned around to face my parents before glancing back towards my marefriend.  Okay, that could be a problem too.  I probably shouldn't mention that over the next few days.  That'd be bad.

… Really bad.

Chapter 5 - Secrets

Hearts, Hooves, and Balloons

By Strawberry Jelly

Chapter 5 - Secrets

I pressed my nose against the fogged glass that gave me a view of the freshly frozen Ponyville.  I love it when it snows, even when it's uncontrolled weather from the Everfree.  Behind me, I could hear Twilight mumbling something to her parents, but I was told to sit in the other room while they talked.  It really was nice to have my mane up and fluffy again; especially with Rocky being back in my mane.  He really likes it in there.

“I wonder how Dashie is handling the weather,” I commented idly as my forehoof dug lazily at the wood flooring underneath me.  “What about you, Gummy?”

Yeah, Gummy really was quite the philosopher.  He and Big Mac would probably get along if they ever met.  “Mental note; introduce Big Mac to Gummy.”

I pushed my hoof up to the window, clearing the persistent condensation that was forming yet again.  Maybe I should get a towel or something?  The only thing I'm doing at this point is smearing water all over the glass.  A loud clattering awoke me from my daydream, causing me to turn around to see Twilight and her mother both yelling at each other.  What happened in the past few minutes?  They were just talking and hugging not too long ago!

“I sent you the schedule four days in advance as always, and you didn't meet us at the station; number one on the list,”  Her mother scolded Twilight, tapping her hoof angrily against the table in the next room.

“I had important matters come up, Mother.”  Twilight crossed her forelegs across her chest and made a deadpan expression that could easily sour milk with the look alone.

“Like hanging out with your friend that you see daily versus your parents that you haven't seen in months?”  Velvet growled at my marefriend.  I swear I could see electricity shooting between their eyes from the tension alone.

“They always get like this around any holiday or birthday,”  A voice called from beside my.

I turned to see the midnight blue coated stallion that Twilight called father sitting next to me and looking out the window.  Even if they did do this a lot, I really didn't like seeing the two fight.  I mean, I never see Twilight get angry over anything, so it was a little frightening to see her actively argue with somepony.

“Really?”

He nodded, “They're too much alike.  They both like having everything under control and calculated, which leads them to clash over who should be in control.  If you just wait a few minutes, they'll both get over it.”

“It's weird to see her like that.  Twilight always acts so calm and collected; well, other than that one time when she was late on her friendship report...  We all ended up having to start writing them over that whole fiasco,”  I grinned a little at the memory.  We really did go far back; even if it had been only a few years, Twilight and I and the girls have been through so much together.  No wonder I fell in love with her the way I did.

“I heard about that.  A Want It Need It spell isn't really an easy spell to cast.  Only my daughter would be able to do something like that so casually,”  He couldn't help but chuckle a little at the very idea.  “Miss Pie, I can't help but want to thank you and your friends for what you've done to her.  Back during her childhood, she was always so reclusive.  Velvet and I worried so much about her; it wasn't healthy for a filly to only be close to her brother; she even shied away from us.”

“Just call me Pinkie!”  I giggled before turning my face to serious-Pinkie mode.  “I noticed it when I first met her...  How sad she looked; not in her voice or words, but how she stood and how her eyes said so much about longing.  Just thinking about it, I'm not even sure if she knew that's what she was wanting.”

“You sound like a really perceptive mare, Pinkie.”

I blushed a little, “Not really.  I really never read situations right, and I always hurt ponies on accident because of it...  I don't know how to explain it.  It's like I can read other people so well until I get involved.  If I know them closely and are friends with them, it makes it so much harder to see these things...  It's like I can't see them having any flaws at any time and it's just... hard.”

He nodded softly to me, “I can kind of understand what you're saying.  Either way though, I'm glad that Twilight has a mare like you in her life; especially as a marefriend.”

“Wait, what?!”  I squealed at that last part he slipped in, eliciting a strange look from the two bickering mares at the table.  “Sorry, I thought I saw someone outside.”

I gave them a nervous grin that apparently was enough to get them back to talking with one another.  How did he know?!  I didn't say anything, did I?  I can be so loudmouthed sometimes, but I'm pretty sure I was quiet.  “How did you know?!”

“I just had a feeling.  That and Twilight has a hickey on her throat, so I put two and two together,”  He shrugged.  “It's hard to see through the purple fur, so I wouldn't worry about Velvet noticing, but I can't help but be protective of my little girl.”

“D-Does that mean...?”

“What!?”  I heard Twilight scream from the other room.  It only caught my attention for a moment though before Nightlight pulled my attention back with a hard pat on the back.

“Of course not!  I know that you're one of her closest friends, so you won't do anything to hurt her.  Although, I'll admit that I'm surprised with her being into fillies; she always seemed so absent when it came to love.”

“S-She kind of still is; I think it has more to do with me being me than me being a mare,” I shrugged and gave him a soft smile.  “Then again, don't take my word for it; I'm just a silly party pony.”

He laughed a little before shaking his head, “Nah, I can see why she likes you.  I can also tell how hard you're trying to impress me even though I already gave you the okay.  Come on and say what's on your mind.”

I grinned widely before nodding, “Weeeeeeeeell, if that's the case...”

“Can I help set up Shining Armor's party?!  I am the Super Duper Party Pony of Ponyville!”  I jumped up and pulled a clipboard from my mane, “I have so many ideas already for the party that I know Shining and Cadance will love!  Not to mention the strawberry-cherry supreme cake with cotton candy icing!  What if I have a flugelhorn player?  Twilight told me that Shining used to have one in the marching band he was in.”

Nightlight looked a bit taken aback for a moment before giving me a grin, “You really didn't waste any time, did you?  Honestly, I feel like it'd be a waste not to have your help in planning this party.”

“Really?!”  I hopped around him with a wide grin before stopping in midair, “Wait, when is he supposed to be here?”

“How are you-”  He shook his head, “Never mind.  He'll be here in three days, so we have to hurry and get everything ready for him and Cadence.”

“Then it sounds like a party to me!” I grinned and skimmed over the list again,  “What about games?  I was thinking the traditional Pin the Tail on the Pony for the younger ponies, but maybe we should go with something more adult as the night goes on?  I'm not sure how you, Velvet, Shining Armor, or Cadence all feel about drinking games though.”

“Velvet probably wouldn't play, and Celestia forbid what Tartarus I would get from her if I did, but I'm sure Shining would enjoy it.”  Nightlight nodded, obviously wanting to have a drink or two himself.  I feel bad for him having a wife like that.  Maybe Twilight won't be that way, though?

Woah, that was a thought.  Who said we were getting married yet?!  We've only been special someponies for a day!  Silly Pinkie Pie brain, you're too silly sometimes.

“Oh come on, are you sure that you can't have a drink or two?”  I poked my tongue out at him playfully.

“I may sneak one or two, but don't tell her,” He pointed a hoof towards his wife with a sly grin stretched on his face.

“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!”  I recited my promise perfectly from memory while crossing a hoof over my heart, holding my foreleg up and then sticking the imaginary cupcake in my left eye.

“... What?”

~~~

“I'm sorry dear; it's just that I want this birthday to go off without a hitch.  Do you remember the last birthday we had?  It took Cadance weeks to get the pudding out of her hair.”  My mother said with her voice finally calming down.  She really did have a point; Shining had a bad history with birthday parties.

“I do understand; it's just that Pinkie was having trouble with a bit of... depression; so I needed to help her and I lost track of time,”  I gave her a hopeful smile, “Besides, I have the spare bedroom ready for you and dad.”

“And the one for Shining Armor and Cadence?”

I nodded, “I went ahead and made the last spare bedroom too, just in case.  Although, I think Pinkie's probably going to be sleeping there tonight.”

"Wait, what?!" I heard Pinkie scream from the next room, only to have her shake her head and explain herself.  "Sorry, I thought I saw someone outside."

She can be so random sometimes.

“I've been meaning to ask; you told me that she's the one that does the parties, right?”  Mother asked with a raised brow.

“Yes, that's Pinkie!  The best party planner in this side of Equestria,”  I bragged a little for my friend.  Well, maybe it was more for me; I wanted her to approve of Pinkie before I told her exactly what Pinkie and I were.  Actually, what am I going to do with Dad too?!  I bet if he found out, he'd disown me!  When I was a foal, he used to tell me that he didn't want me to date anypony or he'd be upset...  Would he be that upset, though?

“What's wrong, Twilight?”  Mom's voice snapped me out of that train of thought, eliciting only a nod from me and a false smile.

What exactly are Pinkie and I?  I know we're technically special someponies, but it all just seems so rushed in retrospect.  As friends, we cuddled and talked all of the time anyway, but what did dating entail?  We already kissed and she even...

I felt my cheeks heat up at that memory.  Oh Celestia, that wonderful memory.  Well, it wasn't a good one either, but it still felt amazing at the time.  I wonder if Pinkie would be up to do that again tonight?

“Twilight, why are you blushing like a school filly with a crush?”  My mother yet again broke me from my trance.

“H-Huh?  I'm not blushing, am I?” I asked and raised a hoof to my cheek.  Okay, it was, in fact, warmer than usual.  “M-Maybe I'm just a little fevered.”

“Mmhm.  That hickey on your neck must just be heat rash too, right?”  She looked at me with that knowing look the she usually wore when I was in trouble.

“What!?” I screamed and quickly covered my mouth, glancing over to see that Pinkie and Dad were both thankfully preoccupied with their own conversation.

Mother was only laughing to herself before shaking her head, “Don't act so surprised, Twilight!  I'm your mother, and you of all ponies should know that you can't hide anything from me.  I assume it's that cute filly in there, if my motherly senses are telling me correctly.”

“I- But- Are you okay with this?”  I felt my cheeks only heat up more at my mother's prying.

“Oh Twilight, of course I am!  Here I was thinking that you weren't interested in getting a special somepony at all.  I don't think you realize just how relieved I really am!  There's hope for me having grandchildren yet; adopted or no,”  Her smile was wide on her face, almost to the point that it reminded me of my marefriend after four mugs of hard cider.

Okay, I'm not really comfortable relating my lover to my family.

“Wait, do you think Dad noticed?!”  I almost shouted, but managed to stifle it down to a half-whisper.

“Your father?  Oh please; Nightlight's so thick when it comes to anything even remotely romance related.  I wouldn't be surprised if he still didn't figure it out even if you kissed her in front of him.”  She gave me a reassuring laugh with her words.

“You're right; I mean, do you remember my eighth birthday?”  I giggled in return.  Okay, so maybe I could hold off on letting my father know that I'm a fillyfooler.  I really don't want him to be upset with me; especially with how much he didn't want me to date anypony.

“Or our last anniversary?”  She deadpanned at that apparently sour memory.  I think it was needless to ask though; he had a bad habit of forgetting things like that.  “So, I want to hear all of the details with you and Pinkie!  I feel so out of the loop not knowing that my own daughter had a special somepony!”

“Wait- you mean-”

“Everything!”  She grinned.

Oh Celestia, it's only been one night and yet it feels like it would take hours to explain.  But knowing mother, there's not a single way out of the corner that she had just backed me into.  Then again, she might be able to talk to dad about it and ease him into the idea.  That and honestly, mother always has been a good ear to talk to.  Even back in school when Celestia was upset with me, she'd be there to listen...

“Well mother, you see...”

Chapter 6 - Flutter

Hearts, Hooves, and Balloons

By Strawberry Jelly

Chapter 6 - Flutter

Oh, uhm... Hi.

I don't know why I said that, but I just felt it was probably needed.  My name is Fluttershy and I'm the caretaker of the animals that find their way around Ponyville.  I don't know why I'm introducing myself either, but it just feels... right.  I don't know, have you ever felt like somepony is just watching you and wanting to talk?

Anyway, my days are calm when I'm not helping my friends save Equestria, usually only consisting of feeding, cleaning, and grooming my many animal friends and ocasionally spending time with the girls.  It wasn't too long ago that I hadn't had any of those pony friends that I love so much now.  Friends that truly see me for more than just my shyness; my silly phobias.

Today was different though; I felt amazing and the warm sun kept a smile on my face.  I was almost to the point of singing with how perfect this day was.  Almost.  I don't really like to sing in front of other ponies, except maybe my friends on occasions.

I trotted with an unusual bounce in my step with my white-framed glasses and forest green hat that Rarity loathed so much.  She insisted that it was so 'last season' and that I should update my wardrobe, but I really didn't care.  They made me feel genuinely pretty and that's something I absolutely needed today because today was something special.

Why, you ask?  Because today was going to be the day that I finally admitted to her how I felt.  It took Rarity and Applejack months to actually convince me, but after all of this time, I was finally brave enough.  The only thing I could ask myself is if she loved me back...  Or what if it's worse?!  What if she thought I was some kind of freak?  What if-

I took a deep breath to ground myself as best I could.  Pinkie would never just abandon me for having feelings for her and Rarity took exceptionally long to pound that fact into my head. I have nothing to worry about.  Nothing to worry about.

“Right, nothing to worry about,”  I repeated out loud this time as I watched the bakery appear in front of me.  “Never mind, I'll come back when it's warmer!”

I spun around to see Angel Bunny looking up at me with that disapproving look and a harsh thumping of his foot.  “But-”

He shook his head and pushed on my front leg to turn me back around.  I gave him a pitiful whimper, only to be returned with another angry glare from him.  “You're right, I have to do this...”

With a sigh, I turned and walked into Sugarcube Corner, having a knot swell up in my throat.  That's when it hit me though; Pinkie was terrible at reading emotions or even understanding them.  Did she even have the ability to fall in love the same way other ponies do?  I approached the counter with a smile, being greeted with one in turn from Mr. Cake.

“Why, hello there Fluttershy, what can I do for 'ya today?”  He said in his usual outgoing tone that I was so jealous of.  I wish I could be as talkative and social as the cakes sometimes.  That's just another thing I loved about Pinkie though; the fact that she was so talkative and never worried about what other ponies thought.

“Oh... Uhm... Hi, is Pinkie in?”  I replied with a shy smile.

“Actually, I don't think she came home last night.  She left to give the weather team their usual desserts and also said something about delivering her last Hearts and Hooves Day gift to Twilight.  I'd check there; poor filly probably got snowed in.”  He shrugged and smiled, “Speaking of which, if you're heading that way, can you tell Twilight that her cake should be finished at noon.”

I nodded, “I'll tell her, thank you.”

With that, I left the bakery with a sense of emptiness.  I wasn't expecting something so simple to become complicated like that.  Pinkie had given me my Hearts and Hooves gift already, but I wanted to make her something special.  It's just a shame that I didn't finish it until the day after.  Oh well, I'm sure she'll like it even if Twilight's there to see...  No matter how embarrassing it is.

I'm sure she'll feel the same way about me, though.

I hope.

Rarity, Applejack, and Angel Bunny say so... but...

I shook my head, “No, it'll work out...”

~~~

I opened my eyes to the warm Equestrian sun, but feeling a contrast cold seep through the window by the bedside.  Luckily though, I had the warmest of warm bed warmers holding me in her hooves though.  I gave Twilight an ever-so-tender kiss on her chest, feeling my own heart beat a little faster already.  She was looking down at me with two half-lidded eyes that only made me cuddle closer to her.

“'Morning,”  She murmured drowsily and ran a gentle hoof down the back of my neck, “I had sweet dreams about you last night...”

“Good morning,” I gave her a warm smile in return, “I had sweet dreams about candy!”

Oh right, I probably should've said something all loving and stuff...

She didn't seem to mind though, as I was greeted with a tender nuzzle against the tip of my muzzle.  I'm so glad that I had sneaked into her room last night to cuddle her; that spare bed was so cold on its own, even with Rocky.  He probably didn't mind me leaving though; the guy sleeps like stone.

I felt a warmth suddenly spread through my mouth as Twilight's horn glowed a faint purple, replacing that awkward morning taste with a fresh minty feeling.  “Sorry, Pinkie, we both had some pretty bad morning breath...”

I giggled, “Are you kidding?!  That's so much faster than brushing!”

“Well, it doesn't clean your teeth as good, so we'll still have to brush later,”  She smiled and gave me another soft nuzzle, which I returned affectionately this time.  “... But it's enough to let me do this...”

“Do wha-”  I felt her lips pressed warmly against mine.  Early morning kisses were even better than the kisses we had last night!  Eagerly, my own mouth pressed against hers, deepening the kiss for a good minute before she finally broke off.

“Wow...  Are y-you sure that it was just about candy?”  She giggled a little and wrapped her hooves around my withers.

“And cupcakes!”  I grinned and pulled myself up closer to her, only to have her evade my affection and place a tender kiss on my neck instead.  “A-And I think you might've had a different kind of dream.”

I felt her nod against my neck, which I couldn't resist leaning into her muzzle.  Her breath tickled, so I had to stifle a little giggle from her; an attempt that failed miserably the moment she bombarded me with tiny kisses that left an ever-so-light tingling feeling behind.

“You know, I always thought it was only in books that ponies actually did this with one another when they first woke up,”  Twilight murmured before doing something that I hadn't expected...

… She bit me.  Not like an angry or painful bite, but a bite that was gentle and warm.  A bite that caught the side of my neck, only sending an electrical shock down my back that felt better than that candy binge I went on for Nightmare Night.  “Ah...”

“Hm?  So the book was right when it told me that ponies enjoy that?”  She asked softly against my neck, to which I nodded with a breathy voice accompanying it.

“B-Better than ice cream.  Wait!  What if we get ice cream with this?!  What if-  Ah!”

I squeaked again from the second tender bite that she let loose on my neck, causing my front legs that had been supporting me to collapse under the wave of pleasure.  What had gotten into her so suddenly?  I thought she didn't want to do anything like... this... but-

“You taste like icing,”  She murmured with that tone and with that singsong voice.  That voice that just makes me want to melt like ice cream on the sun.  “I just want to stay like this forever...”

She suddenly rolled us over so she could stand over top of me, “Or like this.”

“Oof!  What kind of icing?”  I grinned excitedly, wrapping my forelegs around her neck.

“Hm...  That really yummy pink icing, you know...  The kind that you had on my birthday cake last year,”  Twilight kissed me again, but more furiously this time; albeit still clumsy, but it was a kiss that I loved no less.

As with all good things though, her kiss eventually ended, giving me time to speak, “Ooh, I remember that!  I made it from- Ah – whipped cream an-and-”

My voice caught in my throat with her thousand kisses showering all over my chest.

~~~

Pinkie really did taste sweet, even though she bathed last night and shouldn't have anything in her fur.  Maybe it's just another one of those things about Pinkie that you shouldn't really question.  Celestia knows that I'm not complaining about my marefriend's mysteriously delicious flavor, it's just something I need to take note of and figure out later.

My legs shifted uneasily underneath me as that itch started to become unbearable.  I didn't know why I had those dreams the night before, but I needed to fix it.  I needed to have something to stop that itch.  I needed Pinkie to help me.  I needed to go farther.

My lips pressed firmly against her tummy, making sure to take special care that they were gentle, affectionate, and most importantly... teasing.  At least, as teasing as I can be; just like my books had explained.  Her moans gave me all of the encouragement I needed though, and she was doing plenty of that.

Books never lie to me, do they?  They helped me out during the Running of the Leaves and they're most certainly helping me with this alien concept.  I'll admit that I was rushing it a little, just as Pinkie had done the night before, but it's hard to think clearly with that unbearable itch.

“Twilight, what are-”  She was cut off by another unrestrained whimper in pleasure.  My tongue lightly flicked again against the nubs resting on her tummy.

'Nipples are sensitive to the touch and invoke a rather wild response in Pinkamena,' I'm not ashamed to admit that even something so passionate intrigues my scientific mind.  I wanted to take notes, not only for future encounters, but even to compare to how my own body reacts.  Last night was far too hazy and uncontrolled of an experiment to derive anything from; so now that I'm taking dominance, I can tease, squeeze, and test until my heart's content...

Which was being overshadowed by a combination of that unbearable heat escaping from between my own legs, and a sweet, tantalizing scent that came from Pinkie.  Seriously, I know she's a baker and eats enough candy to kill any normal pony three times over, but how does that amount of sugar transfer into her very being?!  Her scents, her tastes, and even her voice seems to embody this phenomenon.

“I-I love you...”  My thought process was broken by those three words, letting my eyes move up to meet those two deep blue orbs of her own, taking my breath away the moment I met her gaze.  She looked... confused as to why I was staring so long at her tummy.  Oh divines, I was really thinking of my marefriend as a science experiment!  A jolt of guilt surged through my heart, almost making me want to stop right then and there.

“I love you too, Pinkie,”  I mumbled, pressing my muzzle against her soft, pink tummy.  My eyes didn't break her gaze for a moment as I lightly kissed the candy flavored fur that she wore quite wonderfully.  It's true though; with all of my heart, I cared about the mare in front of me.  Now, most ponies would probably see us as rushing in head over heels, but that's just it...

Pinkie is one of my best friends.  I've known her for years, and although it may have been a different kind of love, the kind I have now is no less real.  I had her now; her soft fur, her vanilla scent, her sugary taste, her loving gaze, and most importantly, her friendship.  Our relationship wasn't going to change drastically because we're a couple.  She'll still be Pinkie and I'll still be-

“Ah!”  What was I thinking about?  My mind shut off the moment I felt her hoof slowly graze across my horn.  Was it always that sensitive?!  It's hard to explain the pleasure behind it, but it's like an electrical shock that's made of pleasure instead of pain...  If that makes sense.  I can't-

Her hoof slowly circled the base, ruffling my mane lightly in the process.  I felt like I could completely melt at the tip of her hoof from the sharp contrast of pleasure and relaxation.  Was this what the book referred to as a 'hot spot'?!  Nothing I read mentioned that it was this amazing!

“I really do...”  I reiterated my affection with a slow, passionate kiss against her belly that was followed by a barrage of lighter pecks that left her fur a little wet with saliva and having her skin no doubt tingle.

My nostrils were met with another scent this time though; one that was a bit more musky than I was used to, but still had that impossible overtone of cotton candy and cake icing that I had come to associate with the pink mare before me.  Her surprisingly gentle touch slowly traced across the length of my horn, once again forcing a breathy moan to escape me.

“T-Twilight, I-I can feel your breath against...”  She trailed off, wearing unusually red cheeks that I could even see through her pink fur.  Oh Celestia, what do I do now that it's in front of me?!

My eyes trailed down to see the source of that burning warmth that I felt against my muzzle, taking in another breath of that strangely pleasant scent.  That's when it hit me;  I had absolutely no idea what I was doing.  I hadn't gotten that far in the book!  I'm not good at just winging things; especially not something so important!

“Pinkie... I-I'm nervous,”  I admitted it.

Oh divines, I admitted it and she was going to get upset and her hair would flatten again and-

“I-I am too,”  She replied, but made sure that her hoof didn't stop slowly circling my horn, “But...  I'm not at the same time, because it's you.  Does that make sense?  I think it does, but Mr. Cake says I always say things that- Ah!”

I let out a purposefully hot breath this time to keep her from going off on a tangent.  It seemed to work though, because she was looking down at me with half-lidded eyes and a coy smile that made the world just blur and disappear around me.  The only thing that mattered was me and the beautiful mare in front of me.

I swallowed nervously, but leaned my head forward to make my first contact with Pinkie; my lips being met with the softest skin I've ever felt, being secondly noted just how wet it had gotten just from my teasing.  I had done this to Pinkie.  I was actually capable of making her feel this good that she... 'Oh my...'

My cheeks heated up at that thought.  Pinkie was actually enjoying what I was doing.  The books I read were definitely paying off already!

“That does feel better when you do it!”  She cheered to some theory she had being proven.  I could sympathize with that;  I felt pretty excited when any of my theories were proven r-

I was doing it again.  'No, Twilight.  Focus on the task at hand.'

My tongue slowly poked out from my lips, hesitantly tasting the soft flesh that had already made their mark by soaking my lips from only a few light kisses.  The taste was a lot like the scent though; it was strong, but not overwhelming, and had overtones of cotton candy and cake icing in the mix.

My mind raced as I eagerly rolled my tongue over her, causing her body to actually start to writhe and wriggle to the point that I had to clamp my forelegs over her hind in order to keep her from bucking her hips.  I knew she was ticklish, but this was getting ridiculous with how sensitive her body was though!

Wait; the books I was reading always had the two talking to each other in 'dirty ways' and complimenting one another on lewd things.

“Pinkie, you are so wet and slippery.”

… Well, I tried.

“... What?”  She blinked. Having me stop to say something out of the blue like that was a pretty bad idea apparently.

“I...  Never mind,”  My cheeks felt like they were about to ignite.  I should've realized just how awkward and robotic that was going to sound.  So I made a mental note to save the dirty talking practice for later.  Wanting to put that mistake behind me, I eagerly returned my tongue to her marehood with a slow, passionate taste that eagerly turned into a soft kiss that caused her look of confusion to return to one of pure bliss.

“Twilight!”  Pinkie squealed and squirmed as I hesitantly pushed the tip of my tongue into her warmth, feeling it tighten around me.  An act that her legs tried to mimic as they attempted to free themselves from the bindings my forelegs had given them.  Her hooves both clamped down onto my horn and uneasily caressed it.  She was showing a surprising amount of self control in trying to pleasure me; which come to think of it, how did she know that my horn would be so sensitive?

I let out a breathy moan against her body, causing several shudders and a building warmth against my lips.  Was she getting close to finishing already?  I mean, I didn't exactly last that long the night before either, but I had expected Pinkie to have an unending amount of stamina.  But she-

“Mmmph!”  My eyes widened as my mouth was flooded with juices that I could only describe as overwhelming.   Not the taste, but the sheer amount that escaped her; the taste was still that of the various sweets that I had connected to my marefriend.

“Woah...”  She mumbled and looked down at me with a rather comedic expression on her face; one that reminded me of the time she tasted the rainbows in Cloudsdale. She proclaimed excitedly,  “My mind went kaboom!”

Her sense of fatigue seemingly faded from her as she brought her hoof to my cheek, caressing it with a tender touch.  I found my own eyes closing as I leaned into her, feeling a strange sense of joy mixed with the burning uneasiness of wanting my own release.  I looked up at her with eyes that showed my own desire as best I could, “Was it that good?”

Pinkie nodded and brought me closer to her, which was a weak attempt, but one that I obliged and was rewarded with a warm, wet kiss.  A kiss that only was given for a moment before I felt my entire body collapse as every ounce of my energy was pulled from the warmth that had enveloped the tip of my horn.  My eyes fluttered open at the overwhelming pleasure that was assaulting my entire body, only to see Pinkie taking the tip of my horn into her mouth.

'What are you doing?'  I tried to ask, but realized just how weak my body had become from her amorous act.  Physically I couldn't bring myself to control my muscles through the pleasure that dominated me more than chains ever could.  Why in Equestria was a unicorn's horn so sensitive?!  I needed to look that up, because I didn't recall it ever doing something like this whenever somepony touched it in the past.

In fact, it was actually a little scary that I couldn't even move a muscle apart from an occasional twitch or uneasy moan.  I couldn't even stop my eyes from rolling back the moment her tongue started to caress it; the worst part though, was that I felt so close to finishing, but no matter how much pleasure shot through my body, it wouldn't end.  A knock at the door saved me from Pinkie's onslaught, which was both to my thanks and utter disappointment, because that burning was completely unbearable now.

“Y-Yes?”  I called breathily, having my body still be uncontrollably weak to where I couldn't actually stand up and answer.

“I'd suggest finishing up what you're doing and coming downstairs, there's a mare named Fluttershy wanting to see Pinkamena,”  I heard mom call from the other side; her choice of words however, was enough to make my cheeks heat up yet again.  Were we being that loud?  I really, really hoped that she didn't hear anything, and I especially hoped that dad hadn't either.

I looked up at Pinkie and gently nuzzled her chest, “W-We should clean up and go downstairs...”

She frowned back at me, but wrapped her hooves around my neck, “But, but, but...  I was having fun!”

“We can continue later,”  I giggled a little, craving that release like Pinkie craves sarsaparilla. “But... Uhm... Can you carry me?”

I extended my hooves for her to pick me up, still having my hind legs feel completely numb from only moments ago.