Between Two More

~~~~Carousel Boutique~~~~

Sunset had always considered herself to be an excellent student in whatever subject under whichever teacher. No matter what, she did well. However, she had done so with a level of haphazardness that Mistress had been rather appalled with. Of course, Mistress being the wonderful mare she was, had corrected Sunset with proper organizing techniques. And it had sunk in apparently.

She was standing in Rarity’s studio for the third time this past week (Rarity herself had been mostly occupied with her personal items in her bedroom), and she stood back priding herself on the completed work before her. The spools of thread she had taken care of the day before, ordered by the little numbers Rarity had etched into the bottoms, and the pony imitator fitter things (Sunset didn’t particularly care what they were called and only remembered the name was hard to spell anyway) she had arranged in various parts of the room so one was always near one of the workstations. But today, oh, today. The hundreds, and she was not exaggerating that number, of bolts of fabric now sat on their shelves with a level of care that would have made Mistress blush in pride.

Sunset tittered a little at the thought of Mistress being so giddy like that, and she took one more moment to admire the bolts ordered by fabric type and arranged by their place in the color spectrum. Sunset gave them one final nod and turned about to begin work on the jewelry and accessory cabinet. And who should she standing in the doorway but the white unicorn herself. “Oh, here to be picky over the better mare’s work?” Sunset sniped. It was now the kind of unspoken rule that she and Rarity mostly communicated in jabs at the other. Not that Sunset was opposed. It made talking to her easier in a way, not having to dance around her feelings and the courtesies of society.

“Well, we all must have our talents, darling. It’s always nice to see when somepony’s comfortable with their own limitations.” Rarity still smiled prettily, but she never bothered to get really angry with Sunset. She was always playful and coy, but it somehow didn’t seem quite so annoying these days. Mostly Sunset felt because she could sneer back without either of them batting an eye. “Ah, I see you’ve managed to learn your color wheel properly. Marvelous job, dear.”

“Oh wow, so you can recognize the pattern of Rainbow Dash’s mane,” Sunset replied. “You’ve only lived around her for, oh, I don’t know, your whole life. Impressive.” She paused, as did Rarity, and when neither of them spoke and only stared at the other for a good long minute, Sunset continued in a much flatter tone, “So what are you here to ask me, seriously?”

Rarity cocked her head at Sunset, then spoke in a slower and softer voice. “Well, I was wondering if you’d like something to drink. You’ve been at this for some time, and even for Twilight that much levitation work would be tiring.” She wasn’t fidgeting or fudging, just…. open.

“I’m fine,” Sunset said, using her magic to pick up a small glass half filled with water from one of the tables. She shook it in front of Rarity, chinking the ice around. “Your sister had me covered. Figured it was safer to have her fetching water than in here trying to ‘help’.” Sunset could have taken a stab at Sweetie if she’d wanted. The opportunities were just about endless, but Sweetie was a foal for starters. And she was, well, sweet.

“Ah. She does try, you know, but I do understand,” Rarity chuckled ruefully and a crack of exhaustion appeared in her mask of chipper grace. “At least we’ve come to understand one another better, else she might very well have driven me to madness.” She shook her head once, the bright smile back. “Well, I’m glad to see you’re well taken care of.” She glanced around the main room for a moment, doing a little turn as she did so. “The place is finally coming together again… I’ve missed my home.”

“Is that your subtle way of trying to tell me to haul my plot out the door?” Sunset asked, eyes half-lidded and slurping loudly at the water. “Cause it’s not all that clever.”

“Gracious, no.” Rarity seemed… genuinely shocked at that suggestion. Huh. “I was just…” She stopped mid word, her lips firming into a line before she visibly retook control of herself. “If I wanted your plot out of the door, Sunset Shimmer, I’d tell Sweetie Belle you were to be her new personal assistant.”

Sunset actually balked at that suggestion, not long, but judging by Rarity’s small grin, she’d noticed. Nevertheless, Sunset recovered and returned the sly smile, saying, “Eh, would you really want to do that? I mean, are you sure she’s ready to learn all the interesting things I could teach her.” She waggled her eyebrows just a tad and had to resist bursting into laughter at the new look on Rarity’s face. “So, did you not want me working on that catastrophe of a cabinet or what?”

Rarity eyeballed the thing for a moment after shaking off her look of horror, a giant mess of sewing tools, scraps of appliques, and bins of small gem shards of every color in existence and blew a lock of her mane back over her head. “There’s no way that’s going to get done today.” She turned to the clock, then shook her head. “We’ll tackle it tomorrow. Why don’t you head on home and spend some time with Twilight while the princess is busy playing masquerade. I’m certain you two would like some privacy.”

“Pfft,” Sunset huffed, blowing a strand of her own mane out of her eyes in an irritated way. “Knowing my luck, she got bored and went back. I’m more than willing to leave you wallow in self pity though.” She made a mock bow to Rarity in over-exaggerated fashion and made her way out of the boutique into the fresh Ponyville air. Ah yes. Breathing real air was always a pleasure after a long day of unpleasant work and unpleasant co-workers. She took a few spare seconds to take several deep breaths and promptly began her walk back home.

She didn’t like thinking Rarity was right about anything, but it wasn’t unreasonable that the princess had decided talking with Mistress was less interesting than seeing what Ponyville could offer a young, spirited mare. Personally, Sunset would take talking with her head in Mistress’s lap any day. Especially after shopping. She hated doing that. It was always more like a chore anyway.

With the thought of Princess Celestia actually not being at the tree library, Sunset picked up her pace just slightly. If she made it home early enough, Mistress might indulge her in some petting. It’d been too long since she and Mistress had just cuddled, and Sunset was in serious longing for some private attention from her. Her heart was actually beating a touch faster in anticipation when she eased her way through the door. There was nopony in the immediate public area, not surprising considering the time of day. Sunset thus made her way upstairs and gradually began following voices to the upper level balcony accesses.

She could have sworn her mane deflated. It seemed to be coming from one of the rear balconies. Mistress’s voice could be heard alongside Princess Celestia’s own, and Sunset slowly forced herself to kill the idea of cuddling and petting. But even with that depressing turn of events slowing her pace, she almost stopped dead when the wind shifted, and she could hear the princess clearly.

“... need to decide who will be filling out the working staff. It’s quite the process to make sure you’re choosing ponies both you and she will be comfortable with.” The princess sounded very businesslike, almost as though she were discussing a matter of state. “I’ve a few suggestions, and Cadence sent a list of her own.”

Mistress’ voice popped up a moment later, “I saw those lists, Celestia.” Mistress sounded… very embarrassed. “As though Applejack would let me pull Big Macintosh away from the farm for that. Really, Celestia.” Sunset didn’t normally eavesdrop, but it was more like she was frozen in place while she listened and nature was just letting it happen. Celestia was giggling faintly, and Mistress groaned loudly. “Celestia, listen. I know you’ve shown me the written law, but is this really necessary?”

Princess Celestia’s voice became quite firm. “Yes, Twilight. There are very good reasons that these laws were put into place, even beyond what we’ve already discussed. And you already know that Sunset is going to be well taken care of.”

“No, Princess, I understand that just fine,” Mistress said. She seemed to choosing her words carefully. Or, that’s what it sounded like to Sunset. “It’s just, if I need to even entertain the idea of having somepony else around to f…” Sunset could hear the blush in Mistress’ voice, “... to give me some variety, I want it to be different than what I have with Sunny…”

She could feel her chest tightening up, and her legs beginning wobble. Her mind was working rather quickly, and she didn’t like where it was taking Mistress’s words. She squinched up her eyes and shook her head furiously. She would not cry, she wouldn’t. But she needed a way to get rid of the plaguing thoughts. Or to outrun them. Outrun the insinuations of her… physical inadequacy. Before she fully realized it, she was out in the streets of Ponyville, running. She convinced herself her eyes were watering from running in a headwind.

~~~~Ten Minutes Earlier~~~~

Twilight glared at the ancient book of laws, but it stubbornly refused to re-write itself. “Princess Celestia, I’ve never questioned the wisdom of your rulings before, but what in the name of Harmony were you thinking?” She threw her hooves up in total frustration, her mentor munching happily on a Sugar Cube Corner Macaroon in blissful immunity to her student’s anger. “This law is so incredibly ass backwards, I’d have suspected Prince Blueblood or one of his ancestors to be responsible for it!”

“Actually, it was one of your ancestors, if my memory of the genetics are correct.” Celestia hummed softly, tilting her head to one side. “Regardless, it was a genuine concern at the time. And given that I never anticipated having to apply that law to somepony other than myself and Luna, we really didn’t see the issue considering we already had such individuals on staff.” Her eyes sparkled in mischief, and Twilight glared at her. She was never going to get the mental images of her teacher doing those things out of her brain, ever.

Celestia shook her head. “Really, Twilight. It’s not such a big deal. After all, Sunset’s going to be the Royal Consort, and thus is already entitled to the vast bulk of your time. The attendants are mostly there for set dressing and to ensure that you and your consort are never lacking for intimate companionship. Not that I ever think either of you shall need it, it's simply procedure.” Celestia’s words were so bafflingly logical that Twilight wanted to strangle them. Then bury in a deep, dark hole nopony would ever find.

“Leaving aside the long list of issues with presuming Sunset wants to marry me under royal decree…” And her cheeks flamed to a bright red, and she knew it. “It’s still utterly ridiculous. Why do I need Twelve of them? Ugh!” She threw her hooves up again and sank back into her chair. “Sunset isn’t going to take this well. Bloody bollocks, I'm not taking this well!” she muttered, hoping the last of her objections might steer Celestia away.

Celestia tsked. “Twilight, there’s no point in arguing it further. You know why this is necessary, and you know that I would not ask this of you two if I did not think you were prepared to deal with it." Celestia arched an eyebrow at her, huffing softly. And I am absolutely certain that once Sunset understands how firmly you two are to be bound together that many of her objections will vanish.” Celestia set down her cup of milk and half smiled at her. “You certainly don’t have an issue with any of the other staff requirements.”

Twilight glowered at her. “I’m not required to, and I quote..” She stabbed her hoof at the law book, “provide an excellent report as to the capabilities and specialties of the attendant staff to the ruling monarch with full illustrations for the rest of my staff.” At that, she dropped her head into the desk. “Seriously, Celestia?”

Celestia laughed brightly, happily. “Oh, Twilight! It never fails to amaze me how this generation has gotten so prudish.” Twilight glanced up in shock to see Celestia fluttering her eyelashes. “Extensive illustrations and descriptions used to be an important part of courting a royal mare, you know.” Twilight’s brain kind of broke at the thought of that, so she quickly dismissed the thoughts so she wouldn’t have a coronary. “Twilight, relax. Choosing your attendants will not be nearly as hard as the rest of them.” Celestia rolled her eyes. “Harmony preserve me, it’s difficult to find a decent maid even in Canterlot.”

Twilight still wasn’t convinced though and replaced her forehead on the table with a mutter. Celestia sighed softly. “Twilight, these laws are as much to comfort and reassure the ponies of Equestria that we are in the best of mental health as anything else. More importantly, it establishes our status in such a way that when we deal with the very highest nobles, they unconsciously respect our decisions based on some very ancient ingrained habits.”

Twilight brought her head up and hummed. She hadn’t considered that as being one of the driving forces here. Celestia kept speaking though and wasn’t allowing much time for introspection. “Now, you need to decide who will be filling out the working staff. It’s quite the process to make sure you’re choosing ponies both you and she will be comfortable with, especially in the household positions.” Celestia was clearly getting down to business, so Twilight decided to focus on that. “I’ve a few suggestions, and Cadence sent a list of her own.”

Twilight eyeballed the scraps of paper on the table and had to roll her eyes. Of all the ridiculous things about this, those had been the worst. “I saw those lists, Celestia.” Twilight coughed, trying to keep from blushing too badly. “As though Applejack would let me pull Big Macintosh away from the farm for that. Really, Celestia?” Celestia giggled, and Twilight had to smile wryly at her. Clearly, those lists had come from some personal fantasies of the two mares. “Celestia, listen. I know you’ve shown me the written law, but is this really necessary?”

Celestia’s voice became quite firm. “Yes, Twilight. There are very good reasons that these laws were put into place, even beyond what we’ve already discussed. And you already know that Sunset is going to be well taken care of.” The Princess tossed her mane, and her tone made it clear the subject was no longer under debate.

“No, Princess, I understand that just fine,” Twilight said hurriedly, trying to choose her words carefully. The last thing she needed was a repeat of yesterday. “It’s just, if I need to even entertain the idea of having somepony else around to f…” Twilight bit back the word, wishing her stupid overactive libido would quit bombarding her with very sexy fantasies. “... to give me some variety, I want it to be different than what I have with Sunny.” She swallowed softly, taking a minute to get her bearings. “What we have is special, Celestia. And I’m not going to discuss even the possibility of this without her around to understand what's going on.”

The Princess raised her hoof. “And I promise you, Twilight, what we’re about to do will have no impact on that special relationship. That’s why those who we choose for your new household must be selected very carefully, and from just amongst the ponies you know.” She smiled faintly at her. “This way, Sunset will never need to fear that she will lose you to somepony else again.”

~~~~~~~~~

Sunset eventually slowed to small trot around the time she was exiting Ponyville proper. The self-defeating, wounded thoughts were mercifully gone, but she wasn’t yet sure if what had replaced them was much better. She was fairly certain that only Mistress’s tone of annoyance at the whole… idea Princess Celestia had suggested kept her from jumping off some tall cliff someplace. Mistress still loved her more than Sunset could fully understand, and that was something to cling to viciously.

Sunset didn’t think Mistress would have risked as much as she did by denying the princess only to save face. Mistress loved her. She wanted to be there to care for Sunset and help her any way she could. But then, Mistress was that way with all her friends. It didn’t feel like she was falling out of ‘favor’, but those words… Sunset didn’t like trying to sort them out. She just wanted to believe Mistress still loved her in a special way. It was easier to believe that..

But all the same, Mistress had wanted something different in the bedroom. Sunset had managed to purge herself of the feelings of inadequacy by running them out, but bland… lacking creativity? Mistress was the one who ordered her around in bed (and out of it), but maybe there’d been subtle hints she’d missed. Little things Mistress had done wanting Sunset to have some creative initiative. And she hadn’t taken them. And now Mistress was… Sunset had no other words for it. Sunset had let her beloved Mistress become bored and never even realized it. The word ‘selfish’ lanced through her mind harshly, but Sunset fought it back.

And it wasn’t, thankfully, too hard to do. She surprised herself when she looked up and was standing at the door to Fluttershy’s cabin. Somehow, her hooves had wandered her out here of their own accord, and Sunset couldn’t be upset at the coincidence. Fluttershy… Fluttershy would listen. She swallowed past the lump in her throat that seemed insistent on not going away and tapped lightly against the door.

There was a momentary silence, and for just an instant, Sunset was unsure if Fluttershy would even be here… until the door cracked open just a little. “Oh!” Fluttershy gasped and pushed her door open wider. “Sunset, what on earth are you doing here? Is everything alright?” She was half hiding behind the door, but that wasn’t particularly out of place for her. She looked over Sunset in one sweeping glance, then shook her head. “Nevermind that. Come inside.” Sunset nodded her appreciation and stepped through into the warm, and admittedly cozy, little cottage.

Fluttershy gently shut the door behind her and glanced to the middle of the room. Angel Bunny was sitting contentedly by a half-empty bowl of carrots and greens, and there were signs of other detritus scattered around the cottage of recent feeding. “Angel, out,” Fluttershy said in a quiet but firm tone. The nasty little bunny glanced at Sunset, then at Fluttershy with a stubborn look on his face. Fluttershy’s voice turned quietly menacing. “Angel, I’m in no mood today. Out.”

The bunny opened his tiny mouth to complain… but Fluttershy’s glare at him seemed to be effective for once, and he scampered off out the door a moment later. Fluttershy sighed and quickly swept up the mess around her living room, putting her wings to surprisingly excellent use corralling the trash and sweeping it into a bag. “Have a seat, Sunset. Is there anything I can get you?” She tucked the bag into one corner and half-heartedly pushed the big and familiar sofa out of its corner just a touch.

Sunset crawled into the sofa, sighing when its softness brought out how tired she felt. “I’d like some bottled hope if you’ve got any of that lying around,” she said ruefully. There was a small couch pillow on one of the chairs, and Sunset levitated it over to rest her head on the arm more comfortably.

“Well, I do have a bit of last year’s stock…” Fluttershy hummed, and Sunset instantly felt a little confused. That had to be some kind of joke on Fluttershy’s part there, right? But Fluttershy did produce a bottle… a very small bottle, containing a bright amber-red liquid and labeled ‘Sweet Apple Acre’s Brandy, Family Reserve’. Two shot glasses followed, and Fluttershy blushed a little as she smiled at Sunset. “What happened, Sunset?” she asked in her serious voice, flying… well, more fluttering over to the couch, pouring a tiny measure into each glass.

The stuff smelled like somepony had liquified apples and made them alcoholic. It was almost thick, like a syrup, but not quite that viscous. Sunset took her glass without hesitation and knocked it back without even pausing. Yes, she needed this right now. It seared down her throat and sent a massive blast of warmth right into her middle, tasting of sweet and tart apples so strongly that it was like eating an entire pie in one go. It was strong enough to make her cough a little, and for Fluttershy to give a soft and encouraging giggle at her for doing so. “I don’t know what happened,” Sunset admitted. “I just… I don’t know. Everything was okay, it really was. I’m working so hard Fluttershy. I want to make Mistress proud that I’m trying to get along with Rarity, and then she says…” Sunset stopped. It was embarrassing and shameful in a way. Was she really not completely adequate anymore?

Fluttershy gently tsked and squeezed a hoof around her shoulder. “I’m certain she’s very proud of you, Sunset.” She was so utterly certain of that too… in a way that Sunset found a little surprising. “And you don’t have to tell me what she said, if you don’t want to. I understand that sometimes things get a little hard for both ponies… This kind of relationship is never easy.” Her gentle smile was even more warming than the alcohol had been, and just her presence was oddly comforting in a familiar way.

“It’s…” Sunset paused. Fluttershy wanted to help her, that much was evident, but it was harder admitting to herself that she wanted Fluttershy’s help. That warmth and comfort Fluttershy so willing gave out… she could relax into that if only she told Fluttershy what had really happened. “I think…” It was still difficult to say aloud, but Shy’s eyes silently encouraged her with the utmost patience. “Mistress isn’t satisfied rutting me anymore. She… she was talking with a guest about getting somepony else to bang.” She suppressed a sniff.

Fluttershy hummed a little, drumming her hoof on the couch side. “That’s a toughie. It really could honestly have nothing to do with you, Sunset.” Fluttershy looked wise, and oddly enough, sounded like she knew what she was talking about. “Twilight could be completely satisfied with you, but there could be something she isn’t comfortable exploring with you. She is very in love with you, after all, and may think you wouldn’t be comfortable with it.”

“But then why not ask? And why now? Just when Rarity comes back, and I’m having to deal with that?” Sunset said, the words tumbling out of her mouth with little control of her own. “I’ll experiment however Mistress wants! You… you don’t think she actually wants to grind with Rarity do you?” She tried to avoid it, but the last bit came out a little panicky anyway.

“Oh, Sunset…” Fluttershy shook her head slowly. “Twilight’s got a bad habit of her thoughts locking up on her at the oddest of times. She can be very silly sometimes when it comes to talking about how she feels.” She smiled and tried to comfort her with gentle strokes along her shoulders. Sunset felt herself shiver and found herself leaning into that soft yellow coat. “I don’t know what is going through her mind, but I know she’s probably working very hard not to hurt you. Trust her, Sunset.”

“I just want Mistress to talk to me,” Sunset said absently. “I feel like I don’t know all of what’s going on, and everypony else does and…” She stopped and looked up from her head now rested on Fluttershy’s shoulder. “I’m… I’m a desirable mare to look at, right?”

Fluttershy giggled. “Of course you are, Sunset. And believe me,” she rolled her eyes expressively and spoke in a whisper-soft and conspiratorial voice, “none of us know what’s going through Twilight’s head most of the time either. She’s a little frustrating like that, but we love her all the same.” She nuzzled her cheek fondly against Sunset’s, obviously relaxed now.

“Unconditionally,” Sunset murmured back, returning the sweet nuzzle. Only, as her face brushed so gently and closely against Fluttershy’s cheek, she felt a wave of pleasurable heat swamp her face. Oh, she knew that feeling. Yes, she knew it well, and before she had rationally thought anything more, she found her lips lightly grasping the little pegasus’s sweet cheek.

Fluttershy blushed cutely and turned her head to softly return the favor. She leaned in and the soft scent of flowers seemed to be everywhere around them. Her lips were so gentle as they brushed back across her own, beginning to close. And just as Sunset found her eyes closing, images of Mistress flashed behind her lids. She gasped shortly and abruptly pulled herself back upright and away from Fluttershy. It took a supreme amount of effort not to wipe her lips with her hoof. “I’m… I’m sorry,” she breathed, mentally scorching herself. How could she have done that? Even thought about it? Especially given why she’d been upset in the first place. “I shouldn’t have… Sorry.” There, it was done. “I’m going to head back now,” she said, making to stand up off the couch. “Thanks for listening and putting up with me.”

But Fluttershy’s hooves were firm on her shoulders and were surprisingly strong at pushing her back down to her seat. “How long has it been since you thought of your own needs?” Her voice was calm, but there was a fire in Fluttershy’s eyes. “Not just the time you spend with her, I mean… but the needs of your heart? You’re so…” She pulled Sunset in close - too close. They touched, warm body to warm body, and Fluttershy sounded oddly flustered. “I see you all the time in that library and no matter how much time you spend around her, you look so lonely.”

“I’m not…” Sunset tried to protest, but the words died on her mouth. When was the last time somepony other than Mistress had held her in her hooves like this? She really didn’t look forward to anypony visiting the library, and when she was working, it was only to see if Mistress was finished with her daily tasks. “I don’t know…” she settled for. It would do. It seemed to do a lot lately.

“Sunset,” Fluttershy turned her head, and looking into those expressive eyes it was hard not to see the pain she felt for her. “Nopony can live with just one other somepony in their lives. You need more than just your true love.” She gently stroked a hoof down Sunset’s cheek, and softly leaned in again. This time, Sunset couldn’t pull away as gentle lips traces across her own, and Fluttershy pressed her forehead in. “There’s other ponies around you that care about you, Sunny. Let us in.”

“I…” Sunset tried to begin, but she couldn’t go on coherently. She leaned in herself, and locked her lips with Fluttershy’s, wrapping her hooves around her. It was… relieving, enveloping. Different, but heated and passionate all the same. Guilt pushed at the back of Sunset’s mind again, but she kicked it away, touching her tongue to the outside of Flutters’ lips. Shy’s hooves began loving rubbing up and down Sunset’s back, and their kiss deepened for a few brief seconds before they parted. They were both breathing hot and heavy, and a thin trail of saliva connected their lips.

Fluttershy was smiling prettily around her red cheeks. “You’re a very beautiful mare, Sunny,” she said quietly, and the words triggered a little rush of pleasure. Then she grinned, something she’d never seen Fluttershy do before, and her tone became almost jovial. “Let’s play a little!” She giggled… and shoved Sunset over on the couch, sending her sprawling onto the cushions. Sunset let off a little meep, and Fluttershy practically pounced on her, raining little kisses all over her face.

Once she’d recovered, Sunset was fully in the moment, and at her first chance, she clasped back into a firm kiss with Flutters. This time, their tongues met, dancing around and intensifying the kiss. Sunset’s hooves ran through Fluttershy’s silky, long mane, and a small moan sounded from between their kiss. And it grew a little louder when Shy’s weight eased against her.

Fluttershy giggled, and she seemed much more bubbly and bright than usual. It was also kind of hard to ignore how long Fluttershy’s mane was when she was under her like this. It spread around and on top of her like a big silk blanket, and it smelled strongly of honey and roses. Gentle, firm hooves were massaging every inch of her body starting from her shoulders and slowly working down. It was luxurious in a way nothing else she’d felt before had been. “So tense,” Fluttershy teased and gently smacked her shoulders. “Relax, Sunny!”

It was hard to do that, given the events of the past few days, but she did try to unwind a little bit. Fluttershy’s hooves were very persuasive as they worked relentlessly into her muscles, slowly but surely pulling the tension out of her body. “That’s much better. Sheesh, you’re worse than Dashie after a practice session.” Fluttershy’s gentle tease made Sunset smile at the thought, recalling just how hard Dash would push herself in her sports. Her smile was quickly smothered with a firm kiss on the lips, and then Fluttershy was away again, her wings swishing happily. “That’s much better. Let’s see if we can’t get another one of those.” Her eyes sparkled, and Fluttershy’s hooves moved down past her shoulders to her sides.

There, they were getting more sensual… more slow, even strokes up and down her body to try to coax her into letting go of her rigidity. “We should take you to the spa… Aloe gives the most wonderful massages.” There was a distinct sparkle in her eye and a suggestive tone in her voice that made it clear these were not ordinary massages. Fluttershy’s hooves moved a little further down, running under her to her back muscles and working in slow and sensual circles… making Sunset gasp as she felt the muscles there spasm from the attention.

It felt good and hurt like tartarus in equal measure, and she was astonished to realize just how badly she’d been tensing herself up. Another gasp escaped her, and Fluttershy’s lips caught her this time - sending them into another hot, open mouthed kiss as their tongues danced together. She’d never had a massage quite like this before, she’d never even considered asking Mistress for one either. Wasn’t this sort of thing supposed to be her job? But, Oh! How wonderful it felt…

The kiss ended far too soon for her liking, her breaths coming out in rapid pants as Shy finally pulled away and gentle hooves crossed to her belly. The intimate touch only gave her a moment of anxiety before it melted away, Fluttershy’s hooves were infinitely gentle as she scrubbed along her sensitive belly so perfectly that Sunset couldn’t keep her hind leg from kicking out a little in unconscious pleasure. “Aww… Sunny likes bellyrubs!” Fluttershy teased again… and went at it with a vigor that made Sunset’s mind melt a little with how wonderful it felt.

“You’re… Mmph!” Sunset tried to speak out, and found her voice momentarily stifled by a pleasurable huff. “Such a tease, Fluttershy.” The words came out warm and loving, and Sunset was surprised at how relaxed she’d felt saying them. “Um… but you can keep doing that, if you really want to…” She felt… shy, suddenly. She wasn’t entirely sure how to handle all of this, really. Fluttershy wasn’t being remotely dominant with her, just playful. “I mean… I really do, kinda… sorta… like it…” She blushed and covered her face with her hooves. She’d never admitted that to anypony other than Mistress. Ever.

Fluttershy smiled and slowed down her scrubbing to a comfortably, slow rub. “Maybe I should have you over for these once a week,” Fluttershy suggested with a sly smile. “It’d do wonders for your stress, I think.” She giggled again, and it was hard for Sunset not to giggle in response. Fluttershy’s hooves were travelling far lower than her belly now, though. They were stroking over her hind legs and softly stroking over her Cutie Mark. She leaned down, and softly ran her lips along her belly in gentle feather kisses, slowly down to her thigh and stopping just short of it before trailing them back up, almost as though she was using her mouth to groom her. By the time she reached Sunset’s lips again and stared heatedly into her eyes, they were both breathing like they’d just run a race together. “Do you want to…” Fluttershy whispered, her voice trailing off like she wasn’t quite sure what to suggest.

Sunset pulled her in until she was laying atop her and let her heated whisper into Fluttershy’s ear. “Am I a pretty mare?” Whatever was going to happen now, she wasn’t sure… and she didn’t care. It felt too wonderful to finally let herself go.

“Oh my, yes...” Shy repeated in the same, passion infused hush. And her next words weren’t words at all. Sunset’s legs widened, exposing herself, and Flutters slowly began rotating her hips… It took a moment for her to realize what was going on, but when Fluttershy pressed herself in between Sunset’s legs it became clear. Their hot nethers touched, and an electric shock of pleasure ran up her spine.

Sunset moaned sweetly, burying the sound in a kiss with Shy. Her nub brushed against Fluttershy’s own with a rhythmic intensity and she gradually began bucking her hips up. Little meeps escaped both of them as they ground against each other’s slits, accenting the intoxicating sound of their juices rubbing back and forth. Fluttershy nibbled at Sunset’s ear, and she groaned in return as their pace increased.

Through the haze of building pleasure, Sunset stroked her hooves all along Fluttershy, eventually settling them on her slim flanks and pushing down, increasing the pressure they had against one another. Fluttershy’s kisses descended to Sunset’s neck, and their panting breaths joined in unison as little spasms began to break out in their bodies. Sunset felt herself coming close, and she bucked up harder and faster in response, moaning at even the slightest touch from Fluttershy’s lips.

Their bodies moved in sync, a slow writhing that made the room seem all too warm for her. Looking up into Fluttershy’s eyes as they moved together, it was wholly unlike anything she’d ever shared with Mistress. This was less intense, more sweet… More sensual in a way. “You’re so beautiful,” she whispered up at Fluttershy, who responded with a slow kiss of her own. All the rest of her tension drained out of her body, and for the first time since Sunset could not remember when, she felt truly relaxed as the pleasure continued to rise in her body.

She couldn’t tell how long they moved together like that. It could have been minutes, hours, or days, and Sunset wouldn’t have cared any which way. It was as though a dam had broken inside her, and all of the negative feelings had been washed away in a sea of warmth and love. An age later, what seemed like an eternal haze of mounting pleasure came to a head as Fluttershy sat bolt upright, and let out the most climactic wail Sunset had ever heard. And Sunset wasn’t far behind. Her mind was drawn to the heat and wetness still between her legs and the enticing way Flutters still rubbed herself against Sunset even after cumming. “Fluttershy,” she moaned, and her head laid back as the glorious shaking took her. It died away eventually, leaving her breathing to slowly bring itself down from the high.

Their bodies pressed to one another as the heat slowly died and their breathing caught up to one another. They were cuddling, but in a way that only suggested close friends and nothing more rigid than that. It was a good feeling to be able to be so close to somepony like this without worrying about being ‘good enough’. Fluttershy giggled cutely. “There… I knew that somepony was in you somewhere. An amazing somepony...” she added with a flair of false suggestiveness. Sunset couldn’t hold back her own chuckle and rested her head back again.

The high was dimming, which meant her brain was starting to pick up the pieces of logic again. And she honestly would have appreciated it if it hadn’t. How in Equestria was she supposed to explain… this to Mistress? The gentle, sweet breathing and weight of Fluttershy was soothing enough to make the thoughts not so bad, but they were still there. What would Mistress think? Sunset knew she’d be…. well, maybe upset wasn’t the right word. Hurt? Confused? Sunset rolled her head to the side. It was probably best if nopony else knew.

“Stop that,” Fluttershy said sharply, catching her attention instantly. Fluttershy was looking quite sternly at her. “You’re doing it again. Every time I’ve seen you relax, you’re back to tensing yourself up again…” There was a real and hurt concern in her voice, and her hooves were gently rubbing at Sunset’s shoulders. “You needed this, Sunset. You and I both know it.” Her hooves traveled down to Sunset’s back, and rested there for a moment. “For a lot of different reasons, too.”

“Why is this so hard for me then? Why do I feel like I haven’t done right by Mistress because of… well… yeah,” Sunset trailed off into a mumble. “You said it best, maybe. I have a hard time letting ponies in… I like having Mistress alone with me. That can’t be bad, can it?”

“It can when you push everypony else away in fear to get it.” Fluttershy was back to being quiet, but there was an intensity to her voice. “When you’re so scared of anypony else spending time with somepony, you smother them… You hurt them.” She shook her head slowly. “You deserve to spend lots of time with her, Sunset. But she deserves to spend time with other ponies too. When you really care for somepony, you have to believe...” She shivered a bit and laid her head on Sunset’s chest. “That they’ll never leave you, no matter what.”

“Does Mistress believe that about me you think?” Sunset asked, feeling herself less tight as the scent of Fluttershy’s mane soothed her. “Even when she said those things?”

“Of course she does.” She sounded warm and soft… It was a nice sound. “I know Twilight, Sunset. I’ve seen what she’ll do for the ponies she cares about… and the faith she has in all of us.”

“But, Mistress does that for everypony,” Sunset said. “I don’t like sounding -”

“Ah… But you’ve said it, haven’t you?” Fluttershy almost never interrupted other ponies… but her cutting in almost sounded like she’d expected Sunset to object. “She believes in everypony around her. It’s why she’s come so far from who she was when she first arrived… It’s how we’ve managed to get through so much together. It’s why our friendship is so very strong.” She gently lifted Sunset’s head, smiling softly. “And yet, out of all the somponies she knows and loves… she chose you.” Shy took on a sly look, her smile curling up. “Do you know why?”

“Because -” Sunset had the answer ready. Right there on the tip of her tongue. But when she went to speak, there was nothing. She’d never really thought about why, only that Mistress had chosen to love her, all her faults aside. It had been enough for her then, but this was now, and she was at a loss for words. Almost. “Fluttershy…” her voice shook. “I… I’m not ready for a foal. I don’t even know why Mistress loves me, and yet I’m…” It felt like the weight of the last week collapsed on her all at once then. She couldn’t breathe, swallow, cry. Nothing. “Help me, please? I want to go home to Mistress happy…” Her whisper was strained, but Fluttershy would understand. She would know when Sunset couldn’t go to somepony else.

“Shh… Hush now.” Fluttershy wrapped her up in gentle hooves and rocked her body against hers. “She loves you, and that is always the first step.” She gently brushed away the tears with the tip of a wing, and pushed back her tousled mane with infinite care. “You need to go speak with Nurse Redheart. She’ll make certain of things, and then…” She exhaled deeply, and shook her head slightly. “We will make sure that no matter what happens, everything is cared for. I promise, Sunset.” Fluttershy drew a little X over her heart, and smiled just a tiny bit at her. “You’re not alone, and you never will be.”

She gulped. “Will you go with me?” she asked.

“Of course.” She winked, putting on a sunny smile… and said, teasingly, “But I think we should take a shower first. I can comb your mane for you, if you like.” Sunset nodded and let herself smile. It felt good to.