Every Expression of Happiness

Fluttershy hummed happily as she carried her wicker basket toward the little hill by the pond. She had been looking forward to her evening picnic with Applejack for days now, and had prepared a special salad for herself since she knew the farmer would be bringing a few samples of her family’s special varietals.

She debated having some salad even before she left but decided it would be best to wait until she was with Applejack. Something about the earth pony always made Fluttershy feel particularly comfortable, and she certainly wanted to feel safe on this particular night.

As she arrived she saw Applejack casually sprawled on a spread blanket just below the crest of the hill. The blonde waved to her, gesturing for her to get a move on, so she grinned and picked up her pace a bit. Applejack was just finishing rolling a cigarette when the pegasus arrived.

“Heh, almost thought I’d have to start without ya,” the farm pony drawled through a wide smile. “I brought us some o’ the Apples’ best,” she added with a wave of the pungent joint.

Fluttershy giggled and lay down next to Applejack before pulling her salad out of the basket. “Oh, thank you,” she said with sincerity. “I’m ever so grateful you agreed to come out here with me. I don’t do this often, but,” she lowered her gaze, her cheeks coloring lightly, “it’s always better with somepony you trust.”

Applejack chuckled as she lit the joint, took a long pull from it, and passed it to the pegasus. “Don’t you worry none,” she squeaked out, doing her best to lose as little smoke as possible. “You know I’m glad to be here.” She emptied her lungs in a long, slow breath, grinning as the resultant bluish cloud curled up and away over the hill.

Knowing she couldn’t so casually toke the way the more experienced farmer did, Fluttershy sipped delicately at the blunt, taking in plenty of air along with the smoke. The strong, ripe smell alone almost made her wings flop to her sides, and she could feel the first stirrings of its effects even as she sent her own lungful to chase after Applejack’s.

“I know,” she said with as her smile slowly eased into a far more relaxed grin than usual for her, “but I really do appreciate it.” She took another long pull, held it, then let it out, blinking as everything around her slowed down just a bit. She gave the joint back to Applejack, then opened her basket and unpacked the treats she’d made for them both.

Passing a plate of greens and hay to Applejack she dug into her special salad. After she swallowed the first bite, trying to ignore the earthy flavor of the fungus, she held up a forkful and gestured with it toward Applejack. “You sure you don’t want to try some?”

Applejack’s Stetson waggled as she shook her head. “Naw, I’d much rather just watch you for now. Another time, though, and I’ll be glad to.” Her smile was wide and calm, and the already mellow pegasus felt another notch of tension ease away from her as she looked into those lovely green eyes.

Suddenly noticing that she was still holding the laden fork out, Fluttershy giggled and started devouring her skillfully adulterated snack, taking care not to miss any of the “secret ingredient”. She was taking a slightly higher dose than the last time, so she was especially glad Applejack was there for her.

They finished the first joint, then passed a second back and forth until with a slight mental hiccup Fluttershy realized she had hit her limit. She was feeling relaxed and peaceful and a little giddy: just right for when the psilocybin started its work. Applejack finished the stub off, then rolled herself another, thinner one, which she puffed on idly as the pair lay comfortably on their backs gazing up at the night sky.

“Whadda you see when you look at the stars?” asked Applejack quietly.

Fluttershy thought that over for a few seconds. “You mean tonight, or normally?” she giggled softly, her eyes never leaving the heavens.

Applejack bumped the pegasus with her shoulder. “You silly filly!” she chuckled, then frowned slightly as she continued, “Though, huh... now that you ask I don’t rightly know which I meant.”

Fluttershy snickered, then started laughing, then clapped her hooves over her mouth in an adorable and vain attempt to suppress further mirth. Finally she was able to speak, though a little giggle escaped every few words. “Well, I don’t think I can answer for normal right now,” she managed as she felt her perceptions start to wobble, “but right now? I see... I see... Ooooohhhhh....” her voice trailed off as the stars above her started to spin lazily in a chaotic pattern, leaving trails behind them that, ever so quietly, began one by one to sing.

Turning to look at Fluttershy, Applejack could see that her pupils were huge - so big that the distant scattering of lights was visible reflected in her blue eyes. As the farmer watched the pegasus’ breathing slowed, finally becoming deep and smooth. A smile crept onto Applejack’s features as she saw Fluttershy’s wings start to slide down from her sides in slow motion, finally coming to rest on the blanket beneath her.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so relaxed, mused Applejack in wonder, though that thought wasn’t half so startling as the next. She’s so... beautiful!

Just then Fluttershy rolled her gaze slowly over to meet Applejack’s, and a wide smile spread across her face like the sun breaking over the mountains. Her slightly spinning pupils gradually came to rest as she drank in the sight of orange coat and yellow mane. A barely audible hum - a harmony to the star-trail song she could still hear - came from her as she gently reached out to stroke Applejack’s mane.

“You’re lovely,” Fluttershy breathed adoringly.

Applejack took a deep breath, then let it out before saying, “...you’re pretty darned gorgeous yourself.”

The two mares leaned closer, their breaths mingling. It seemed to each that they could hear the other’s heartbeat as their lips came closer together, almost touching....

A few moments later, neither Applejack nor Fluttershy could remember who had cracked first, but after what seemed like hours of uproarious laughter, the ponies were laying close together, holding their aching sides as they gazed back up at the sky.

A few more chuckles escaped them as they caught their breath. “Heh,” said Applejack at last, wiping the last of the tears from the corners of her eyes, “I love ya dearly, sugarcube, and that’s the truth, but I just don’t think that would ever work.”

“You’re right, of course,” replied Fluttershy happily, “and I love you too!” She blushed and giggled as she echoed, “Silly filly!”

They sighed in unison, laughed softly at the synchronicity, and then went back to leaning on each other as they watched the stars whirl and dance above them.