There's Always An Afterwards

Celestia's sun began to dip below the horizon, making shadows grow longer, and streets empty.

One pink pony, though, was bouncing on the spot, waiting for her stallion.

Her bounces became less passionate as she waited. Being the paranoid pony she could be, she began to think that he wouldn't show up. Then she stopped bouncing all together.

"Pinkie!" A voice shouted. "Sorry I'm late!" Cheese said as he approached Pinkie.

"Cheesie!" She exclaimed. "I thought you weren't coming!"

"Why in Equestria would you think that?" The orange stallion asked.

"I dunno, I can just be paranoid sometimes..." She said as an embarrassed blush appeared on her face.

"I was late because I was making sure that our first date would be perfect." He said as he have her a quick hug. "Now c'mon, close your eyes!"

"Okay...." She smirked as her eyelids covered her sparkling blue eyes.

"I'm gonna guide you to the spot!" He beamed.

"Lead the way!" Pinkie said. He responded by putting a hoof on her back.

Cheese lead Pinkie through the darkened Ponyville, almost driving her into a tree a couple of times.

"Here we are!" Cheese said. "You can open your eyes." She opened her eyes, making her smile grow bigger and her heart flutter.

"You did all of this for me?" She asked, her cheeks turning darker.

"Uh, yeah!" Cheese chuckled. "Anything for my mare!"

"You're so sweet!" She giggled.

In front of them, Cheese had set up a red and white checkered picnic blanket. On it was a brown picnic basket. The scene was under a leaning willow tree that overlooked a small stream to the side. Pinkie then noticed that they were at the edge Whitetail Forest. Fireflies blinked and the birds that stayed out late whistled their song. An owl's 'hoo' could be heard in the distance.

"C'mon, let's sit down." Cheese said. The couple took their spots across from each other.

"I figured you already ate, so I just packed some sweets." Cheese said.

"Like whaaaaat?" Pinkie asked, leaning closer to the stallion.

"Like," He paused as he stuck his hoof into the basket. "Your favourite cupcake!" Cheese beamed as he pulled out a red velvet cupcake with lemon frosting, holding a cherry at the top.

"How did you know?!" She gasped.

"Mrs. Cake told me." Cheese shrugged as the mare snatched it from his hoof. He took another cupcake out of the basket for himself.

The couple laughed and talked through the evening while eating the snacks that Cheese had packed.

"Y'know what this reminds me of?" Cheese asked. The pink mare turned her attention to see that the moon was almost at its highest.

"I can think of one thing..." Pinkie smirked. "Only there's no mattress to look for."

"But there is a Pinkie Pie to kiss!" He said before leaning in and locking their lips together. Caught by surprise for only a second, she leaned in to his body and snaked her hooves around his neck. With an 'oof', Cheese fell onto his back.

"We're not taking this further than we have already, right?" Pinkie asked as she gasped for air.

"Not if you don't want me to." Cheese smirked.

"Kay, because I'm not really in the mood." She said.

"What do you mean, 'you're not in the mood?" He asked. "You're always in the mood!"

"I dunno, I'm just not up for it." She said.

"Alright, whatever you want." Cheese said as Pinkie tumbled off of his stomach.

Silence took over the pair as more and more stars appeared in the sky. Pinkie felt Cheese's body warmth reach her body.

"Cheesie?" She asked.

"Yeah?" He responded.

"Why did you fall in love with me in the first place?"

At first, he didn't answer.

"........I don't know."

"What do you mean, 'I don't know'?" She said as she sat up with a sad look in her eyes.

"Maybe that came out wrong. But," He paused. "That's the truth. I really don't know. I just... fell for you."

"...You did?" She asked.

"Yeah, I mean, you're funny," He kissed the top of her forehead. "You're smart," another kiss, only slightly lower. "You're energetic," another kiss. "You're loving," He kissed the bridge of her nose. "You're beautiful," he kissed the tip of her nose. "But that's not why I love you."

"Why do you?" She asked, her ears folding back.

"I love you, for you." He said before pressing his lips against hers again. She gasped through her nose as the distance between their faces closed.

Pinkie almost followed Cheese's lips as he broke their long kiss.

"Why were you thinking about this in the first place?" He asked.

"Like I said, before you, nopony had ever kissed me before." She said.

"Yeah?" He said.

"Nopony has really ever considered me as a mare to be with," She said as as looked down.

"Why would they think that?" Cheese asked.

"Most ponies think of me as a bungle of energy.... too much to handle." Pinkie said.

"You're not too much to handle..." He paused. "....You just needed to find the right stallion."

"You always know what to say..." Pinkie said as she curled up in his lap like a cat.

Cheese felt Pinkie's steady breaths caress his body. Then it hit him; Pinkie was calm. That's what she meant. Ponies who knew her, knew her for being the fun-loving crazy mare she was, but when the mood was right, the pony in his lap could be considered... calm.

"Cheesie, can you promise me something?" Pinkie asked.

"Anything."

"Can you promise me that you won't leave Ponyville for partying?" She asked without regret.

"....of course I can." He said. "Nothing in Equestria could keep me away from you.... I think you learned that the pleasurable way."

Pinkie giggled. "Pinkie Promise?"

"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" He said as he recited the motions.

"Thank you!" She gave his belly a quick kiss and hug.

Nothing was said after that. The couple just enjoyed their company and looked up at the stars.

A shiver ran through Pinkie's body as the night grew colder. Noticing this, Cheese gripped the hem of his shirt and started to pull it off. Pinkie jumped slightly as he fit the yellow shirt over Pinkie's body. He then tightened his arms around her body to share his body heat.

And before she closed her eyes, she whispered; "Thank you."

For no particular reason. It could've been for the shirt, the evening or the reassuring. But she was thankful, and so was Cheese.