Ribbons and Lace

Drifting in the space between "asleep" and "awake", there was only sensation, devoid of context or meaning. Rarity was somewhere warm and soft. Her stomach ached. She could smell faint animal musk and the sweetness of flowers. It was uncomfortably bright.

That last item pushed her a bit farther toward wakefulness, and facts started to connect into conclusions. She was in bed. She should eat something. Fluttershy was nearby. It was well after dawn.

Fluttershy! Emotion, more than memory, propelled Rarity out of sleep. Her eyes tried to snap open, but they were glued shut by a thick crust of dried tears. She groaned and scrubbed groggily at them, managed to open her eyes on the second try, and blinked against the light.

"Good morning, Rarity!" Fluttershy said from her elbow.

The pegasus was curled up beside her, looking just as desheveled as Rarity must have, with Other Mares laying open on her pillow. A leaden lump of shame fell into her stomach at the idea of Fluttershy finding such a book in her possession, but then memory of the previous night flooded back, and embarrassment shattered and blew away under a gale of joy. Rarity surprised the other mare with a tight, impulsive hug, squeezing until Fluttershy squeaked. "The best morning ever!" she laughed.

As it turned out, it was only technically morning, lacking but a few minutes to noon. The weights around Rarity's neck had been traded for so many balloons that her hooves barely touched the floor as she went about the most needful of her daily ablutions. Is this what it feels like to be Pinkie Pie? she thought, laughing to herself while she brushed out her mane.

The sounds of activity drew her down to the kitchen. In the time it had taken Rarity to prepare for the day, Fluttershy had made the bed, wrangled her mane into some semblance of order, and laid out toast and tea on the table to boot. The balloons partially deflated as Rarity hesitated in the doorway. It felt strange, having somepony else cook for her in her own home. Granted, she was only an indifferent chef, but her pride as a hostess twinged all the same. "Er, thank you," she said uncomfortably as she seated herself.

Fluttershy set the teapot on the table and settled a comfortable distance from the unicorn's elbow. "It's no trouble at all," she said cheerfully as she started nibbling on her toast.

She wasn't putting the table between them, which was good, but Rarity's heart gave an unexpected lurch when the pegasus didn't cuddle up beside her, either. What does that mean? she wondered. Did Fluttershy need more time to come to grips with all this? Perhaps she should ease into things gently? How fast would be too fast for the shy mare? Or is it nothing at all?

There was so much that needed saying, and yet Rarity groped for small talk instead. "You didn't stay up all night on my account, did you?"

Fluttershy shook her head and swallowed a tiny nibble of toast before replying. "Oh, no. I only woke up a little before you did. You just looked so worn out last night, I thought I'd let you sleep."

"That was very considerate of you. Thank you, Fluttershy."

"...welcome."

Rarity held back a sigh behind her smile. What happened to the lustful fantasies that she had entertained less than two days before? With the real Fluttershy here in front of her, she could only think of what might offend her and try to divine what she was thinking. Somehow, when she would have already been ravishing her imagined lover, the real thing turned her into this...

"Would you like some more tea?"

"Please."

...this artless little filly. Rarity sipped the fresh tea while the kitchen clock dropped a steady stream of ticks and tocks into the silence. She knew how to charm a stallion. At a moment's notice, she could come up with five different lines, each with a different subtext ranging from polite disinterest to steamy innuendo. But Fluttershy, the mare with whom she could share anything, tied her tongue for fear of saying the wrong thing.

Well, I suppose I should apologize for passing out on her, at least. "I want to say--"

"You know, when--" Fluttershy said at the same time. They both stopped short, only too happy to give way to one another.

Rarity giggled nervously. "Go ahead?" she prompted.

The pegasus gently touched Rarity's hoof, bright eyes peeking out from beneath her lashes. Her voice carried the merest hint of reproof. "You know, when I quit modeling, you promised never to keep your feelings a secret from me again."

Rarity flinched, then nodded acknowledgement as she stroked Fluttershy's hoof in reply. "You're right. I did, and I haven't lived up to--" She stopped short at Fluttershy's expression. It was just a flicker, but as brief and clear as a lightning bolt. A frown twisted her lips, her eyelids drooped with disappointment, and she puffed out a ghost of a sigh that Rarity could hardly even hear. She wasn't fishing for more apologies.

Oh!

Applejack's voice echoed in her ears from -- how long ago? Only a day? Two? "Maybe Fluttershy has done her wrong. But she can't do much more'n be sorry, can she? That, an' try to make it right."

Make it right.

Rarity scooted over toward the pegasus, closing the distance herself. "I should have done this a long time ago," she murmured as she took Fluttershy's cheeks in her hooves and pulled the other mare's muzzle hungrily against her own. Fluttershy froze for a fraction of a second, but then she melted into the unicorn's grasp with a soft, happy murmur. It was awkward and tentative, but it was still the best kiss of Rarity's life.

In her romance novels, Rarity had seen the very best kisses described as tasting like fine wine: sweet and warm and intoxicating. She had tried to imagine it, but both her imagination and the metaphor fell well short of the reality. It actually tasted like tea and toast -- Perhaps if we'd been drinking wine instead, she thought -- but no wine ever bottled had made her head spin so wildly, nor left her feeling so alive.

The gentle pressure on her muzzle vanished after only a few short seconds, but even the brief contact left Rarity's lips tingling. She opened her eyes as Fluttershy touched the tip of her hoof to her lips, murmuring, "Oh my goodness..." Then she smiled and closed her eyes again, leaning forward with her lips puckered for more.

The second kiss lasted much longer, filling the kitchen with soft, happy 'mmm's. Rarity slid her arms fully around the pegasus as they broke apart again, pausing just long enough to gasp a few deep breaths, then dove back into the embrace. Breakfast suddenly held little interest for either mare.

Heat seemed to spread out from Fluttershy's lips through Rarity's entire body, like the prickling burn of a blush, but everywhere at once. In spite of the heat, though, a phantom drop of cold sweat ran down her neck as she slowly, cautiously stretched out her tongue to brush Fluttershy's lips. She tensed, ready to draw back at the least sign of discomfort.

Fluttershy, rather than hesitating, pushed harder against Rarity's muzzle and impatiently sucked the unicorn's tongue fully into her mouth. Rarity stiffened and let out a surprised squeak of her own, and the pegasus instantly released her tongue and jerked back with a tiny echoing 'eep!'

"Sorry!" she gasped. "I'm sorry. Too much?" Her whole body drooped like a wilting flower, her hair falling across her face.

"No, it's fine!" Rarity assured her quickly. "I was just surprised. I didn't think you'd be so... eager." She brushed a hoof across Fluttershy's forehead, pushing the hair out of her eyes.

Fluttershy smiled timidly and kissed the unicorn's hoof as it lingered on her cheek, her eyes alight with desire. "It felt really nice," the pegasus murmured. Rarity replied by pressing her muzzle against Fluttershy's again, this time boldly thrusting her tongue past the other mare's lips. Fluttershy let out a low groan as her tongue curled around Rarity's, embracing it as tightly as Rarity held the pegasus in her hooves.

Fluttershy's muffled gasps and moans grew louder with each passing minute, rising from self-conscious little whimpers to unrestrained, full-throated groans of delight.

The unicorn cracked an eye to peek at a Fluttershy too overwhelmed to remember to restrain herself. Her eyes were squeezed shut, an expression of intense concentration on her face as she soaked in the sensations. Her body quivered with tension, and Rarity thought she could detect the faintest suspicion of a mare's excitement that wasn't her own.

She wants this as much as I do, she realized. Perhaps Fluttershy had her reservations, but the underlying desire was as plain as day. So... just how far will she let me go? Warmth uncoiled in her belly in anticipation of the answer, and this time Rarity welcomed the deep flush of arousal. Because, heavens help me, I can't think of any reason to stop...

As if sensing Rarity's stirrings, Fluttershy's wings slowly spread to their full span, showing off as the shy pegasus never consciously would. Rarity couldn't help a muffled giggle as she reached out to run a hoof across the soft feathers. Fluttershy broke the kiss with a gasp at the touch and hurriedly pulled her wings back in against her sides, trying at the same time to bury her blush in Rarity's shoulder. A nibble at her neck was sufficient to distract her, though -- Fluttershy yelped and trembled as the unicorn's teeth grazed her skin, and as soon as her attention wavered, her wings unconsciously rose again.

"Don't hide it," Rarity cooed, lifting her lips to brush the edge of Fluttershy's ear. "I'm glad I excite you." The pegasus's face grew hotter still against Rarity's shoulder, but she slowly, cautiously lifted it, peeked at Rarity's own blushing smile, then took a deep breath and visibly threw her embarrassment to the wind. This time, the unicorn invited the other mare's tongue into her own mouth.

Fluttershy's hot, quick breath ruffled the coat over Rarity's cheek, and a frisson of nervous excitement ripple through the unicorn. This... was really happening. After years of dreams about courtly romance and days of fevered fantasy, it was finally really happening...

Somewhere deep inside, Rarity's sense of propriety was waving its arms and howling about first dates and what sort of mare 'gave it up' so easily, but she buried that voice in a hole and built a house of rationalization on top of it. It wasn't as if they were perfect strangers, after all. She knew exactly what kind of mare Fluttershy was, and vice versa. I want this, she wants this, and it's nopony else's business, she thought, rebelliously stroking tense wings again. The pegasus uttered a soft, needy whine and shifted her hips, spreading soft, butter-yellow thighs in silent invitation.

Rarity parted slowly from the pegasus, sucking gently on her tongue as it slid free, until she had just the tip caught gently between her teeth. "Bed?" she suggested, finally releasing it.

"Bed," Fluttershy agreed shakily.

The unicorn's slender body slid past Fluttershy as she rose, offering a shoulder to lean against until the flushed pegasus felt steady on her hooves. Fluttershy accepted it gratefully, and even took a moment to get her wings under control in spite of Rarity's reassurances. Slowly at first, they headed for the stairs together.

Fluttershy's nerves visibly steadied with every step. She huffed a soft "whew" and offered a smile as eager and nervous as Rarity felt. Rarity returned the grin as encouragingly as she could manage, then darted in close to peck Fluttershy on the cheek. Fluttershy's eyes went wide and she stumbled over the next step.

"Sorry!" Rarity said past giggles, but the pegasus replied with a peck of her own. Rarity naturally had to retaliate, and the two mares burst into the bedroom laughing and peppering one another with playful kisses.

Rarity threw herself down on the big four-poster bed without hesitation. The luxurious pillow-top mattress offered plenty of space for two and then some. But I've never actually shared it with a lover... until now, Rarity thought, the prospect sending a thrill through her whole body. She flipped her mane so that her coiffure lay artfully askew over her shoulder and looked back at the pegasus -- not straight on, but slightly off to the side, focusing a coquettish look out of the corner of her eye. "Fluttershy, darling..." she cooed, smiling enigmatically as she twisted her hips to just the right angle to flash an inviting slice of smooth, pale belly while her tail concealed her backside. It was a pose she had practiced to perfection in the mirror, but like the bed, she had never before shared it with anypony else.

The effort wasn't wasted. Fluttershy's wings sprung wide once more and her expression wavered between uncertainty and pure, unbridled lust. She fluttered up onto the bed, the sharp scent of arousal unmistakable now. "Um, should I, um...?" she asked, licking her lips apprehensively as she started to lean down toward Rarity's thighs.

Rarity arrested the motion with a gentle hoof under the chin. "Not yet, darling," she chided gently, the same hoof gently guiding the pegasus to lay at her side. Her voice dropped to a silky purr. "Though I've never wanted anypony as much as I want you right now." Fluttershy did her best to deepen a blush already as dark as the silken bedspread beneath her. Restless wings were soon splayed across the blanket and soft yellow thighs spread wide, offering herself without reservation.

Rarity kissed just below her ear, then quietly pressed her lips to Fluttershy's neck a few inches below that. She worked her way over the other mare's shoulder and traced the padded ridge of her breastbone, then slid lower, dragging a sensual lick across Fluttershy's belly. Fluttershy's soft gasps escalated in intensity, if not volume, the lower the touches moved, and her breath came faster and faster, her body trembling with... what? Fear? Desire? Both? Rarity hesitated as her lips touched the pegasus's navel, peering up at her face. Fluttershy's eyes were clenched shut and her jaw muscles stood out with the tension of clenched teeth. She was clearly terrified, but bottling it up under a lid of desperate need. She was panting so fast that Rarity started to worry she would pass out before they got to... well... 'the good part'.

As the unicorn pulled away, Fluttershy's eyes popped open and she made a noise somewhere between a gasp and a whimper, staring down with some mix of relief and an aching disappointment Rarity knew all too well.

"Nervous?" the unicorn asked. Fluttershy nodded jerkily. Rarity was careful to keep disappointment out of her voice as she said, "We don't have to do this right--"

"No!" Fluttershy all but shouted, then flinched at the sound of her own voice. In a calmer tone, she went on, "I really, really want this... I've just never let anypony else... you know..."

Her lips set in a faint moue, Rarity idly carressed the other mare's belly with one hoof. She couldn't keep from giggling, though, when her hoof strayed across a low nipple-capped teat and provoked a surprised squeak from the pegasus. "If it makes you feel any better," she admitted after a moment, "I'd been saving myself for... well, my Prince Charming. Until I met him, that is..." She shook herself and smiled up at her quite charming friend. "At any rate, I suppose that rather puts us in the same boat."

The worried creases faded from Fluttershy's brow and her ferocious blush backed down to a low burn as a tentative smile broke out in reply. A hoof stroked once down Rarity's mane. "I'm glad it's you," the pegasus murmured.

Rarity simply smiled in reply and let her cheek rest on the other mare's wonderfully soft stomach. Fluttershy wasn't flabby by any stretch, but she was a far cry indeed from Rainbow Dash's spare, bony frame, or even Applejack's hard slabs of muscle. Simply holding her was a delight in its own right, even if Rarity's sights were currently set a bit lower.

She resumed her southward trek with a kiss just below the bellybutton. Fluttershy gasped once and moaned loudly, but she was no longer on the verge of hyperventilating. Rarity finally slipped down a little farther still, pressing her lips softly against the other mare's mound and drawing a dove's coo of a groan from her.

Rarity leaned in, nose almost brushing Fluttershy's sex, pausing for a moment to simply breathe the sweet, faintly pungent scent of her lover's arousal. If she had thought the kisses were intoxicating, this was downright narcotic! She ran her tongue eagerly but gently across the other mare's sex lips.

"Ooooohhh my goodness!" Fluttershy moaned, her hips squirming irresistably from the brief contact. Memories of fantasy encounters with the pegasus darted through Rarity's head as she dove in, but they couldn't even begin to compare to the real thing. Freed from the need to imagine the experience, her mind was free to soak in every detail. How could she ever spare the thought to envision the subtle shift of thighs against her cheeks, or to conjure up the texture of Fluttershy's coat against her nose as her lips sealed around firm, slightly pouted vulva? She started out slowly, the tip of her tongue gently tracing the contours of Fluttershy's most sensitive spots in spite of the fire pounding through her veins and the ice trickling between her own thighs.

Fluttershy gasped as the unicorn began to tease her, quivered under the cautious licks, then suddenly twisted her hips away from Rarity. She yelped and shuddered, her thighs clamping together protectively. "Ah! That tickles," she complained, squirming until the sensation faded.

"I'm sorry, darling, I didn't know you were that sensitive. I'll be more careful..." She pulled the other mare's hips back in front of her and spread her thighs with both hooves, then leaned down again and pressed her lips to Fluttershy's yielding labia again. She started to work the tip of her tongue between them, flicking playfully at the inner lips.

The pegasus endured for a few more seconds, but yanked herself away again with an even higher-pitched squeak. She let her head fall back to the mattress with an angry whimper of frustration. "I--I'm sorry, I just can't... it tickles too much..." She started to roll over, getting her hooves under her. "I guess I'll... um, ‘do' you instead. If that's okay."

"A moment, darling. I'm not defeated yet!" Rarity said, pinning her in place with a gentle hoof on her stomach. She flashed a determined grin as her horn lit up and the bright azure aura of her magic picked up a hefty roll of strong, pink silk ribbon along with a pair of scissors. "Lay down and spread your legs, my love. As far as you can," she directed. The pegasus obeyed without comment, but she eyed the ribbon with an expression that said she had an idea of what Rarity was up to and wasn't entirely comfortable with it.

"Do you trust me?" Rarity murmured as the ribbon tied itself around Fluttershy's left rear hoof.

"O-of course," she replied, eyes following the spool as it swung around the bedpost and the scissors snipped it off.

"I promise I won't hurt you. If it becomes too... intense... just tell me to stop, and I shall. But please, do try to relax and enjoy it." Within moments, her right hoof was similarly restrained.

Fluttershy nodded, her breath starting to speed up as the ribbons took away even the option of covering herself, but Rarity heard her force a deep, calming breath and smiled. Fluttershy waited patiently while the silk ribbon secured her forelegs as well, holding her spread-eagle on the blanket, and Rarity giggled softly and draped herself over the foot of the bed with a rather wicked smile. "Brace yourself, darling," she murmured, admiring the bound pegasus with eyes half-hooded with lust. The pegasus was clearly as ready as she could possibly be, her mound glittering with droplets of liquid, the coat matted dark where Rarity had smeared them around. Then she leaned in, wrapped her arms around Fluttershy's hips, and started again.

Unable to twist away or close her legs, the pegasus could squirm and thrash against her bonds all she wanted -- Rarity maintained the onslaught, lapping at her outer lips, then gently spreading them and sliding her tongue between. The pegasus struggled under the ticklish assault, yelps and whimpers escalating into muffled shrieks, but she endured it admirably. After a few minutes, she seemed to calm or tire, or perhaps just grew used to the sensation. Shrieks faded and she filled the room instead with barely-controlled moans, and her hips began pressing toward Rarity's mouth instead of twisting to escape. The unicorn writhed a bit as well, grinding her thighs together and desperately wishing somepony could take care of her at the same time. But, she told herself, her lover came first.

Or she will, anyway...

Once the pegasus seemed comfortable -- or as comfortable as one could be in the midst of broutant le minou -- Rarity slid her tongue up to part the folds just under her own nose and brush the little nub that stood stiffly between them. Fluttershy's moans went up an octave at the slightest touch. She grinned and gave it another flick, a bit harder this time. The other mare cried out and arched off the bed without warning, grinding her crotch up against Rarity's face and smearing it with sweet pegasus juice.

Rarity froze and stared up at the pegasus, her coat matted across both cheeks and a string of fluid trailing back to the mare's dripping cleft. Fluttershy relaxed with a long, dreamy sigh and lay quiet for a moment, then opened an eye cautiously, as if expecting the pleasures to resume at any moment. She blinked a few times, focused on Rarity, and squeaked.

"I'm so sorry! Let me--" she began, only seeming to remember her bonds when she tried to reach down and wipe Rarity's face. Her blush reasserted itself, this time out of helpless shame.

Ickiness is often a side effect of hard work, Applejack had once told her. Well, I can't very well imagine a more worthwhile task than this! "It's... it's all right, darling," she said, shaking off the shock. "This is bound to make a mess, I suppose!" She leaned back in and cautiously flicked Fluttershy's sensitive little clit again, running her tongue in a small circle around the nub and drawing a wheezy squeal from the pegasus. Her gasps and cries came faster as Rarity teased her, but this time there was no panic in her panting breaths. Rarity saw her hindlegs tense, pulling the ribbons taut as if she wanted to wrap her thighs around the unicorn's head.

Rarity attacked her lover's flower, locking her lips over the wet, swollen petals and thrusting her tongue in deep. She gave a few firm thrusts into the depths, making the pegasus's slick, wet walls squeeze around her tongue, provoking a long, stifled squeal from her lover. Then she slid up and wrapped her lips around her lover's button. The unicorn gave it a couple of light sucks and let it slip free again.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaah--!" Fluttershy rasped an even longer, louder squeal, and Rarity realized the quiet pegasus was screaming -- or as close to it as she ever got, anyway. Catching Fluttershy's clit between her lips once more, she started aggressively flicking the tip of her tongue across it. The bedposts creaked with the strain as Fluttershy pulled against them, eyes clenched shut. Her cries, though soft, took on a primal urgency. She shuddered once, then let out a sharp squeal and bucked her hips up against the pale mare's face again. The gush of juices that splattered Rarity's muzzle dwarfed the earlier mess, running down her chin and trickling from Fluttershy's sex as she quivered against her bonds, moaning the unicorn's name over and over.

Once her lover's moans had subsided, Rarity rubbed her nose affectionately against the warm, damp mound and slowly crawled up to lay beside Fluttershy. Even the fires of her own passion had abated somewhat -- not that she would turn down reciprocation if it were offered, but a deep sense of satisfaction and, well, pride bubbled up as she slid her arms around the dazed pegasus. For a few precious minutes, nothing mattered. Not her store, not her dresses, not even her appearance. Nothing in all of Equestria mattered but one gorgeous mare. Unmindful of the state of her coat, Rarity shared a long kiss with her lover while the scissors drifted from post to post, cutting free the silk ribbons.

"Haaah... your turn, I guess?" Fluttershy panted as she snuggled up against Rarity, her lovely aquamarine eyes drooping at a languid half-mast.

"When you're ready, darling." The pegasus wasn't the only one who needed a minute to calm her racing heart.

Fluttershy assented without comment and nestled her nose against Rarity's neck, kissing so lightly that the unicorn hardly felt it. Rarity could feel the grin against her shoulder as Fluttershy murmured, "Are you sure you've never done that before?"

The unicorn almost felt like hiding behind her hair the way Fluttershy often did. She shrugged with an embarrassed laugh. "Er... quite sure. I suppose I read a lot of those kinds of books, so... I must have learned something?" She cleared her throat uncomfortably and hurriedly changed the subject. "So, you never told me you liked mares," she said playfully.

"Um... well, stallions are also... nice. I guess it never came up, since you were, you know, interested in the Prince." She shrugged and cuddled in closer, talking into Rarity's mane. "I've never, um, gone out with any mares before, anyway."

"I know what you mean," Rarity said fervently. "It rather sneaked up on me as well. And it's all because of that dress!" She jerked her horn in the general direction of the ponyquin still secured in her bedroom.

Fluttershy's body pressed delightfully into her as the pegasus craned her neck to look. "What do you mean?"

Between quiet kisses, Rarity briefly explained what had really happened on the afternoon barely a week past when Fluttershy had modeled the lingerie for her. And, with some hesitation, what happened after she left.

"I can't believe you-- you-- did that... over me!" she squeaked, hiding embarrassed giggles behind her hooves. Then, peeking at Rarity's mussed hair and thoroughly rumpled bed, she lowered her hooves enough to show the edge of a smirk. "Well, maybe I can, now..."

The unicorn chuckled and nodded. "I suppose all the pieces were already there, so once I had it, aheh, thrust in my face, so to speak..." she returned the smirk, waving her hoof to encompass Fluttershy's sprawled form. "Anyway, after I, er, lost my composure at the spa--"

"You freaked out," the pegasus grinned.

She rolled her shoulders uncomfortably. "Yes, well... that was when I finally realized..." She pressed her brow against Fluttershy's and gazed into her eyes with a besotted smile. "...that I was in love."

"...love you too," the other mare murmured faintly.

They kissed once more, slow and tender, but growing more and more impassioned until Fluttershy had caught her breath and Rarity was left quite breathless.

The pegasus glanced toward the dress again and whispered, "Would you like me to wear it for you?"

Rarity often enjoyed dressing other ponies up, but she had never enjoyed it like this. Her tongue jousted with Fluttershy's as she fixed the halter in place and smoothed its veils. While she cinched the saddle, the other mare kissed and nuzzled playfully at Rarity's thigh. It was delightfully distracting. The unicorn's lips preceded each of the leggings up Fluttershy's thighs, leaving a trail of damp kisses along the way. The scent of both mares' excitement was heavy in the air by the time Rarity got around to the crupper. She had saved it for the very last. She slid her hoof beneath Fluttershy's long tail, stroking her rump with slow, sensual touches -- a stark contrast to her swift, businesslike manner the first time. The unicorn fastened the loop in place with her teeth rather than magic, then drew a low sigh from her lover with a quick nuzzle to each of the butterflies on Fluttershy's hip.

Rarity stepped back and paced a slow circle around the pegasus, this time without a thought for the technical details of the dress, simply drinking in the sight without shame for the liquid fire that started boiling between her thighs. Her memory didn't do it justice.

Fluttershy, for her part, seemed far more comfortable than she had in the first modeling session. Their intimacy, it seemed, had done wonders for Fluttershy's confidence. She was all smiles as she watched Rarity's expression, posing playfully to show herself off as the unicorn circled. There wasn't a shred of diffident or coy about her now, but Rarity didn't think it lessened her beauty by a single iota. Although I admit that I may not be entirely unbiased at the moment, she thought.

She didn't realize that she'd stopped until a nuzzle behind the ear turned her knees into quivering jelly. "Don't you want to lay down?" the vision in lace and diamonds cooed, nudging her gently toward the bed. Her legs almost buckled obediently right there in the middle of the floor, but she managed to drag herself onto the bed before she collapsed. Then it was all she could do to roll onto her back and offer herself to the most beautiful pegasus in the world.

Fluttershy hopped up after her and leaned in close, but hesitated as the ruffles on her halter brushed Rarity's thighs. The unicorn squirmed at the sensation of silk grazing her skin, but the movement only seemed to make Fluttershy stare, entranced.

"Darling, please..." Rarity prodded. The pegasus jerked as if waking up from a dream, blinking at her once before she seemed to remember what she was doing. Slowly, gingerly, she leaned forward and stretched out her tongue.

The first lick was so soft Rarity wasn't even sure she'd really felt it, but Fluttershy lifted her head again, licking her lips with the air of a pony sampling an unfamiliar dish. When she poked her muzzle in again, it was with more certainty -- though the stroke of her warm tongue across Rarity's unrelenting heat was still little more than a teasing caress.

"Fluttershyyy--!" Rarity whined past clenched teeth, willing herself not to jerk away from the ticklish brush of the shy mare's tongue. "Harder, please!" She felt the muzzle nod between her thighs, and the other mare's tongue flattened against her.

She lay back with a satisfied sigh and tried to relax as far as she could, but the slow, torturously soft strokes soon grew almost as unbearable as the tickling. Obviously, Fluttershy hadn't even imagined doing this before. The slow, gentle motions would have been wonderfully arousing as foreplay, but the time for hors d'oeuvres was long past and Rarity was craving the main course.

"Fluttershy... dear... I'm not made of glass," she panted. "You're far from hurting me. You can go much harder!" Fluttershy complied, the licks growing firm enough to part her nether lips.

Rarity held back a frustrated moan and let her continue for a bit. She didn't want to offer nothing but a constant stream of complaints. It wasn't as if Fluttershy was bad at this... well, all right, she was, but that was just a matter of teaching the nervous, inexperienced mare what Rarity liked. And vice versa, she reminded herself sternly. She knew well how difficult it could be to wheedle criticism out of the shy pegasus.

Rarity finally couldn't take it any longer. "Fluttershy, please, hold up for a moment..." She lit her horn, seizing the other mare's tail with her magic and tugging it toward her. Fluttershy squeaked and stopped licking -- a relief, actually -- to follow the tug, sidestepping around until her rump was positioned above Rarity's own muzzle. "I'd like to show you what I want you to do, so just imitate me, all right?"

"...oh. Okay," Fluttershy murmured, shoulders slumping ever so slightly. I'm sorry, Rarity added silently as she stretched up to kiss the other mare's velvety orchid, and Fluttershy leaned down to do the same.

Rarity took a couple of deep laps to start, demonstrating what she meant by "harder". Her tongue eagerly split Fluttershy's soft folds, darting into her depths and pulling away again in one swift motion. Fluttershy muffled her low moan against Rarity's body before she accepted the prompting and started to do likewise.

Rarity loosed her own loud cry (only slightly exaggerated for Fluttershy's benefit) as she felt the trickling stream between her thighs dammed by her lover's tongue at last. The pegasus proved a quick study with the right encouragement. She dove deep into Rarity's hot spring, her own gasps and groans matched by the unicorn with only a few moments' delay.

Fluttershy's bare rump flexed hypnotically in its lace-lined window as Rarity guided her. She couldn't help grinning at the way the beautiful yellow hips wiggled when teased, the unicorn returning some of the treatment Fluttershy had offered her before, but they tensed in time with Fluttershy's moan when Rarity drove her tongue into her lover's wetness.

The boiling sensation that had nestled between Rarity's thighs began to bubble up through her body, sweat breaking out on her skin as the sensation of heat and pressure grew. Her body begged for more, and she told Fluttershy in the most physical way possible.

Her focus slid downward, settling on the stiff point at the center of the mare's pleasure as she clutched Fluttershy's hips. Her whole body glistened with sweat where it didn't shine with other fluids. The trickling stream had eroded into a mighty river valley, and only Fluttershy's lips held back the flood. But rather than taking Rarity's cues, the pegasus was slowing down, distracted, her motions becoming vague even as Rarity's urgency increased.

"Harder," the unicorn barked. "Harder!" That seemed to bring her back, but Fluttershy still wasn't keeping up well. Her wings trembled at full spread and her breath came in sharp, quick huffs between licks.

"I said 'harder'! Like this!" Rarity grabbed Fluttershy's hips, the garter belt giving her purchase so she could pull herself up and mash her muzzle against the other mare's rump, her shoulders lifting entirely from the bed in her enthusiasm.

Fluttershy shrieked at the rough treatment, her own ministrations faltering for a moment. Her legs shook a little as she found herself partially supporting Rarity's weight as well as her own, but the yellow pegasus didn't complain. Instead, her tongue circled the hard rock in the middle of Rarity's river, sending building ripples of tension through the unicorn's body.

Oh, much better! Much, much better... Celestia, that's good!

Fluttershy apparently thought so, too. She moaned wantonly as Rarity demonstrated the firm, flickering licks she needed so badly. Fluttershy pushed her hips back against Rarity's lips instead, hardly even trying to copy the motion. Then, suddenly, Fluttershy's muzzle came away from the unicorn's crotch with an orgasmic whinny. Her hips bucked with a helpless spasm as a gush of musky sweetness filled Rarity's mouth, and the sudden jostle shook the unicorn's hoof from the garter belt--

Pop!

Both mares froze. The quiet sound of thread giving way was as good as a bucket of cold water for cooling their passions. Rarity let go of the other mare's hips and carefully disentangled herself. A section of lace skirt flapped loose across Fluttershy's thigh where Rarity's weight had come down on it.

"Oh my goodness... oh my goodness..." Fluttershy chanted between gasps for breath, her eyes wide in an expression of horror like a foal beholding the shards of a broken lamp. The loose strip of fabric fluttered like a flag at every quiver of Fluttershy's body, but Rarity's hooves shook almost as badly from a mix of exertion, arousal, and adrenaline as she leaned in close to inspect the damage.

"It's not bad," she declared after a breathless moment. "Just a broken seam."

Fluttershy let out a breath she'd been having trouble holding. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have suggested this! Now I've made more work for you."

Rarity shook her head, though she did start undressing the pegasus. "Now, now. I share at least half the blame. It's only a few minutes' work to fix, and I'll reinforce those stitches while I'm at it. Better that this happened now rather than after the client gets it home, I suppose!" Her laugh sounded a bit on the fragile side, all the same. That had been far too close. No more playing with other ponies' things, you foolish filly!

The jolt of fear had somewhat chilled her ardor, but the heady purfume of carnal desire still clung heavily to her lover's body. Her own, too, she knew. Rarity breathed in deeply as she helped Fluttershy out of the saddle, letting her lingering gaze speak for itself as she removed the halter from Fluttershy's cheeks and magically brushed away a strand of pink mane that was pasted to her lover's face by perspiration... or possibly some other liquid.

"I think I understand what you meant by 'harder' now," Fluttershy said once the dress was once more wrapped around its ponyquin, blushing in spite of everything they'd shared in the past hour.

Rarity giggled, feeling her own cheeks heat in response. "Do you want to give it a try without my guidance?" she asked. Fluttershy just smiled and nodded. The unicorn kissed her softly, then strutted over to the bed. She didn't bother climbing all the way up, simply draping herself over the edge as if inviting a stallion to mount her, her rear hooves spread wide on the floor.

Gentle but firm hooves came to rest on her cutie marks as hot wetness met hot wetness, and the lust that had faded to a distant simmer quickly began to seethe once more over the fire of Fluttershy's lips. Rarity clutched at the blankets, softly gasping the other mare's name with each stroke of her tongue.

The white unicorn lay like that for a while, her hips jerking against the edge of the bed as each jolt of pleasure raced up her back, rebounded off her horn, and streaked back down to her hindquarters. She could feel the tension already winding tighter and tighter in her stomach, ratcheting her back toward the cusp of release where she had balanced before shock and fear drove it away.

Fluttershy could apparently feel it too. The wonderful slick-rough-soft contact shifted, seeking out the glowing coal of Rarity's need. She heard the strain rising in her own voice, her cries pitching up and up as her excitement grew. Then, without prompting (or had she screamed 'Harder'?) she felt Fluttershy's face push up against her and soft lips zeroed in on Rarity's aching nub. Satin-soft lips closed around it, joined by the firm caress of a tongue, and she barely had time to catch a fold of the blanket between her teeth before the fire of passion erupted into white light. The boiling liquid between her thighs flashed into steam, impossible heat racing down every nerve in her body. She couldn't possibly hold it in -- her eyes clamped shut and a scream tore from her throat as the unendurable heat consumed her.

When the fire had passed, only a silky, buoyant bliss remained, like floating in a warm ocean, rocked by gentle waves of pleasure. Distantly, she could feel her body quaking and moaning as each swell passed, but Rarity floated limply on top of them.

The waves grew smaller and less frequent as she drifted, and Rarity soon washed up on her own bed, panting softly and shivering with the passage of each ebbing surge. The last tiny ripples lapped playfully at her hooves before they, too, retreated and left her basking in the warmth of a body pressed against her side and a feathery wing spread across her back.

Rarity roused enough to survey the rumpled, stained blanket and the snipped ribbons still tied to the bedposts with a strangely exhilirating mix of embarrassment and pride. Then her gaze drifted to the yellow mare at her side, and pride easily overwhelmed any sense of self-consciousness. Fluttershy had cuddled up beside her in practically the same pose, sprawled over the edge of the bed. And what a photo that would make, she giggled to herself, leaning over enough to brush her lips against the other mare's.

As much as she would have liked to stay there, cuddled up bonelessly beside her lover, the outside world gradually wormed its way back into Rarity's consciousness. The clock tower distantly tolled once, and she could hear the sounds of a busy Ponyville day beyond her windows. Things to do and ponies to see before the day was out. She slowly dragged herself fully onto the bed, then levered herself up into a sitting position to wait until her legs felt less like rubber.

"I should probably set myself to rights... again... and open the shop before our friends start to think I've become a hermit and try to break down the door," she said with a small smirk.

Fluttershy nodded in agreement, sheepishly rubbing her drying cheeks. "Should we tell them about us right away?"

Rarity considered while she magicked the windows open to freshen the air and slowly slid off the bed as she stripped the soiled sheets. "I suppose it would be unkind to leave them believing we're still at odds. We should say something before the day is out... but only after we make Pinkie swear to keep the inevitable party amongst ourselves," she decided. "I'd rather not have her announcing this from the rooftops... at least, until we figure out precisely what ‘this' is going to be."

Fluttershy nodded and pressed her neck against the unicorn's. "I like ‘this'."

Rarity smiled and leaned her shoulder against Fluttershy's in silent agreement.

Rarity smiled and leaned her shoulder against Fluttershy's as a barrage of crackers went off and showered the new couple with streamers and confetti, accompanied by a cacophony of noisemakers.

"Congratulations!" chorused four mares and a dragon.

Rarity laughed and started shaking colored paper out of her mane. "Thank you! Thank you all!"

"Thank you very much," Fluttershy added, for once not trying to hide in the face of public attention.

"Don't move!" Pinkie warned, dragging out a boxy camera from Celestia-only-knew-where. "Smile!"

As the stars faded from Rarity's eyes, Pinkie bounced over to hug each of them with one arm. "I'm so glad you two are getting together! I hope you're happy forever and ever!"

"Thank you, Pinkie. I hope so too." The unicorn couldn't help trading a grin with Fluttershy.

"Enjoy the party!" Pinkie said. "Can I get anypony some punch?"

"Oh, it looks delicious," Fluttershy said, and the two of them gravitated that direction. Rarity was about to follow when she saw Applejack and Rainbow Dash exchange a meaningful glance, then set aside their own cups of punch and move to intercept her.

"Heya, Rarity!" Applejack said. "I just wanted to tell ya how glad I am ever'thing worked out okay in the end. Fluttershy's an awful forgivin' gal, and yer one lucky mare."

Rainbow Dash nodded, crossing her hooves and aiming a glare at Rarity. "Yeah, lucky we're not taking turns seeing who can kick you the farthest."

"Rainbow!" Applejack barked.

"What? She is!"

"What Rainbow means to say," Applejack said, rolling her eyes, "is that Fluttershy's really somethin' special. So you be good to 'er, y'hear?"

The fashionista nodded once, a soft smile touching her lips. "I know she is. And I will," she said in an appropriately chastened tone. Rainbow Dash gave her a satisfied nod, though her return smile ran out of steam before it reached her eyes.

"I know ya will," the farmer said cheerfully. "Congratulations, an' all!"

"Congrats," Rainbow echoed, shooting up into the air and heading back toward the punch. Halfway there she paused, spun around in midair, and pointed a hoof at her face, then Rarity's. I'm watching you, she mouthed, then zipped off to retrieve her drink.

"I'm fairly sure she's kidding," Twilight said from her shoulder. "Or... exaggerating, at least."

"I don't think I'll risk it, all the same," the fashionista said dryly.

Twilight chuckled. "Yeah, good point. For my part, I just wanted to say... I told you so."

Rarity blinked, shaking her head to rattle her hearing back into proper order. "Pardon?"

The purple unicorn grinned broadly. "I told you she'd forgive you. And you said I could say 'I told you so' if she did."

"Ah. Yes. You most certainly did!" Rarity managed a weak chuckle. "I've never been happier to be wrong in my life."

Twilight chuckled along with her, then sidled closer, her cheeks taking on a red flush as her voice dropped to a murmur. "Hey, I wanted to tell you, I know this... shop... in Canterlot that sells... things."

Rarity stared blankly at her friend. "I myself own a shop that sells things," she deadpanned.

"No, no, not just 'things'... things."

The white unicorn took in Twilight's blush, her hushed tone, and her emphatic lack of specificity, and the light slowly dawned. "Ah. That sort of 'things'."

"Yes! Exactly!" Twilight giggled, looking relieved that she didn't need to say more. "I never shopped there because, you know--" She jerked her head toward Spike. "--but if you want their address or anything..."

Rarity fought to keep her own blush off her face, and to keep from thinking too hard about the possibilities. "Ah... yes... thank you, I believe I probably will..." she replied. While she hadn't really considered seeking out such devices before, it suddenly seemed like an eminently worthwhile investment. Along with the strongest lockbox I can find, in case of Cutie Mark Crusader Safe Crackers.

As the conversation moved away from romance and its accoutrements, Rarity gradually became aware of a pair of eyes tracking her every movement. Spike sat, morosely nursing a cup of punch, his gaze never leaving her except when she caught him staring.

"Twilight, darling, would you excuse me for a moment? I'd like to get some punch."

"Hm? I can come wi-- Oh! Oh, sure! No problem. Congratulations again!"

Rarity smiled at Fluttershy as she passed, filled a cup with thankfully Gummy-free punch, and casually circled back toward the little dragon's chair. He sat up straighter and bravely attempted a smile for her benefit. "Hiya, Rarity! Um... congratulations, and all!"

She sat down slowly, paused to compose herself, then turned to the baby dragon. "Spike. I owe you an apology. I owe more than that, actually, but an apology is all I can offer. I've strung you along for some time and terribly abused your feelings for me, and that was very bad of me. I'm sorry. I should have put a stop to this long ago."

Spike looked down, kicking his legs. "Oh. Well, okay. I..." He rubbed his nose, his eyes glistening despite his best efforts. "I guess I forgive you."

Rarity reached over to rub his head, her smile mixing sadness and affection. "You're a true gentlecolt, Spike."

Any further conversation was halted by a knock at the door. Pinkie looked around the room with a perplexed look as if wondering who'd left. "Huh, who could that be?" she said aloud, trotting over to open the door.

"Just a couple of party crashers," replied the last voice Rarity ever expected.

Princess Celestia ducked through the door, grinning impishly. "I merely want to offer my own well-wishes to the new couple."

"Let it be known by royal decree:" Princess Luna bellowed, stepping through behind her. "This party shall commence forthwith!"

"All right!" Pinkie yelled, shaking the rest of the partygoers from their shock. "That makes it official!" She bumped the record player's table with her hip, jolting the needle perfectly onto the first track.

Rainbow Dash was the next to find her voice. "B-b-b-but how?!" she burst out.

Celestia chuckled, swaying gracefully to the music. "Oh, between Twilight's letter, retraction, and retraction-retraction, I've kept up with the situation remarkably well. Her last letter happened to mention the time and place of this celebration--"

"So we invited ourselves!" Luna finished, helping herself to a cup of punch while Twilight blushed and stammered.

Rarity managed at last to make her legs work in the right order to step forward and drop a deep curtsy to the Princesses. "We are greatly honored by your presence, Your Majesties--"

"Stay such formalities!" the younger princess boomed. "Tonight you host only a pair of vagabond wastrels, truant from hearth and from duty!"

"We slipped out," Celestia translated. "We can rule a nation any day. This is important." She smiled down at the new couple, looking each mare in the eye."Fluttershy, Rarity, I wish you all the joy that you could wish for."

"Thank you, Princess Celestia," Rarity said, nearly choking on the words. Then Celestia stepped aside for her sister.

Luna laid a hoof on each of their shoulders. "I suppose a blessing of fertility would be futile in the circumstances, so I will simply wish you good fortune in all things."

Embarrassment fully choked off any reply from Rarity, and the pronouncement left blushes on everypony else as well. "Th-thank you," Fluttershy squeaked.

"Come now!" the Princess of the Night proclaimed. "Let the beats be dropped, and stint not on the mead!"

It was a good party.