Shared Feelings

I always enjoyed watching Twilight do just about anything. I felt bad for making the cucumber sandwiches so slowly; but it was hard not to be distracted by her. Each movement of her magic was so precise, so calculated, so steady, and smooth, all at the same time. She could make even the simplest of chores beautiful.

It was nothing like watching Rarity make dresses though. That was an art. Although all of her movements were just as steady, they were ever changing with the flow of the dress. Twilight’s motions were much more of a science; a series of steps which were just as beautiful after each and every repetition as the previous.

Although a problem in some situations, her OCD came in handy in times like that. Bread, cheese slice, another cheese slice slightly overlapping the first, four thick slices of cucumber, bread; each item was laid down in perfect order with nothing left out of place.

“Fluttershy?”

Her voice broke me free from my daze. I hesitantly moved my eyes up to hers, seeing exactly what I feared. She was staring right at me, her lips curved upward in a smug smile, and her hoof tapping lightly against the floor. “Oh…I’m so sorry. I was just…well…um,” I muttered, stumbling over my words.

“In a daze? It’s fine, Fluttershy… but is everything alright? You’ve been acting strange all morning.”

I could feel my heart suddenly pounding heavily at my chest, my breath seeming to leave me. I sucked in a soft gasp of air, my body growing rigid. “…Yes…I’m fine,” I mumbled.

I watched as Twilight’s face grew stern and serious, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. “Look, Fluttershy, I understand if you don’t want to tell me what’s going on. That’s fine; but whatever it is, I’d recommend you find a solution. It seems to be really taking a toll on you. I’m starting to get worried.”

“Oh… well, I really don’t want you to have to worry about me, Twilight. I’ll do my best to straighten up.” Inside I let out a long, drawn out, imaginary sigh of relief as my body and mind relaxed. I was more than thrilled that I wouldn’t have to explain myself to her. Just the thought of it made my heartbeat quicken again.

“Anyways, let’s find a nice place outside, hm?” she said with a warm smile. “I’m sure this picnic will help get your mind off things.”

“But… the sandwiches,” I sputtered out, my eyes darting to the plate we had set out for them. “Oh…” I mumbled, realizing it was already stocked full.

Twilight replied with a smirk, and used her magic to place the final piece of bread atop the one sandwich I had been working on the whole time. She then gently placed it in amongst the others, making sure the rows she had created were still perfectly straight and orderly.

“Want to carry the basket for us?” she asked sympathetically, seeing the almost shocked look which had formed on my face. Carrying the basket would have to make up for my slacking off.

“Of course I will,” I said sweetly, giving her a smile as she covered the plate with a glass lid; and placed it in the basket alongside a container of iced tea we had made beforehoof. This time it’s flavor was a gentle, but refreshing citrus. After she stuffed in the blanket, and put the lid in place; I grasped the basket tightly between my teeth, and headed for the door.

The sun had already grown very bright and intense outside, causing me to squint as I stepped out into it. The ground was still cool though, and the grass tickled against my hooves as I made my way across it.

“Underneath that tree, down by the creek?” Twilight suggested, pointing a hoof to the location.

I nodded my head, and gave her a tight grin, struggling to keep the woven handle in my mouth. Taking my expression as I had intended, she trotted off to the shade excitedly. I tried my best to keep up, but made sure to watch for any insects in the grass. It wasn’t fair of me to harm or even end their little lives just because I wanted to catch up to my friend. Luckily, there were only a few beetles and bees, ones which I could easily step around.

“Whew, it’s getting pretty warm out already,” Twilight said with a sigh, and quickly wiped a hoof across her brow.

I gently set the basket on the ground as I reached her. “Oh, yes, very,” I agreed. “We don’t have to eat outside if it’s too hot for you.”

“No, no, I’m sure it’ll be fine in the shade. Thank you though,” she assured me as she took the blanket from the basket. It unfurled easily with the help of her magic, and she laid it out as perfectly as she could on ground, adjusting it a few times to make sure.

I took a seat on its soft surface, a bit uneven from the larger tufts of grass beneath. Twilight took her seat directly across from me, and placed the plate of sandwiches between us. I could feel my mouth grow wet with salivation, and suddenly realized that I hadn’t even had time to eat breakfast.

One thought led to another, and suddenly, I gasped. “Oh, Twilight, I’m so sorry.”

“For?” she asked, raising her eyebrow.

“I never thanked you for washing all of those bowls for me; and for making these yummy looking sandwiches.”

A small smile formed on her lips. “Well, you’re certainly welcome. I don’t think you should be thanking me for the sandwiches yet though. I’m not even sure if they’re any good.”

To alleviate any doubt she had, a grabbed one of the near-perfect looking sandwiches between my hooves, then took a small bite. I had taken a bite large enough to get a little bit of everything; but quickly realized that Twilight had layered them so perfectly that each bite would contain every ingredient.

“Mmm, these are delicious,” I said with a hum after swallowing. The taste of the sweet, juicy cucumber, the strong, flavorful cheese, and the grainy goodness of the bread lingered pleasingly on my taste buds.

As if to make sure my compliments were true, Twilight took a bite of her own. After swallowing it down and grinning, she took another much larger bite. If you didn’t know her, the way Twilight ate seemed very out of her character. She was both messy, and noisy. Strange sounds escaped her mouth as it was covered with cucumber juice and breadcrumbs. I tried my best not to snicker, and quickly looked away as an amused smile grew on my face. It was so adorable.

She grinned after swallowing. “You’re right, these are good! I should be thanking you though.”

Pushing my mane away from my eye, I turned back to her, wondering what she meant. “Why is that?”

“Well, you’re the pony that bought all of the ingredients, after all. I don’t know how you do it, but you always seem have the freshest food.”

I felt my cheeks warming slightly at the compliment. Any compliment, even the most simple, made me blush. Especially if the pony giving it was Twilight. “Thank you. I always try my best to buy what looks the nicest. I tend to do it more for the animals than I do for myself though,” I said with a sheepish smile.

“No wonder those animals love you. You treat them like royalty,” she teased before taking another bite. I giggled softly. It was very true, but each and every one of those little critters deserved it; at least, I thought so. “I have a feeling there’s food on my face, hm?” she asked.

I nodded my head softly. “Yes.”

“I was only saying that because you have a little something there.” She pointed her hoof at the corner of my mouth. “Here, let me get you a…” her sentence came to a stop as she peered into the basket. “Oops, we may have forgotten the napkins,” she said with a lighthearted giggle.

“Oh…um, hmm…” My eyes darted back and forth looking for something, anything to wipe our mouths on as I mumbled.

“No problem, I can just use a simple spell.” I turned my eyes back up to her, watching as a pink aura surrounded her mouth, and easily flicked away the crumbs. I was glad she’d found a solution…but what about me? My question was quickly answered. “Turn your face a little to the left.”

“Hm?” I looked at her curiously.

“You want your mouth cleaned too, right?”

I nodded my head softly. “Yes, of course…but-” I felt a strange tingle around my mouth and cheeks, then realized that she was using the same spell on me. “Oh, thank you, Twilight,” I mumbled, feeling myself blush. “You’re so very sweet.”

“Pshh, it’s nothing,” she said with a smirk as she finished. “Anyways, want some of that tea? I’m thirsty.”

I nodded. “Of course.”

She placed a cup in my outstretched hooves, then filled it nearly to the brim. I smiled softly in thanks, and took a small sip. Twilight did the same. A sudden, “Shh,” escaped her mouth, even though I wasn’t speaking. I tilted my head questioningly.

She slowly closed her eyes in response, and tilted her muzzle up into the air. The small patches of sun which broke through the canopy of the tree above us, illuminated her face. I quickly realized what she was doing, listening to the sounds of nature.

The peaceful movement of the cool stream beside us created a pleasing background to the chirping of birds, buzzing of insects, and the soft whistle of the breeze in the nearby forest. The shade of the tree created the perfect cover from the intense sun above it. The grass and wildflowers glowed brightly in its rays. So too did Twilight’s absolutely stunning face. The shadows of the leaves helped to outline its smooth features.

I felt ashamed for staring, but I couldn’t help myself. With her eyes closed, I could do it all I wanted, and gladly took the opportunity. She was breathtakingly beautiful. The edges of her cheeks were so perfectly rounded, and her muzzle just as smooth with no harsh edges. Her dark, silky mane shimmered elegantly in the light, a stripe of pink and purple accenting it perfectly. Her long, black eyelashes contrasted starkly against her light, lavender fur.

My eyes began to travel down to her shapely body. I felt quite guilty for noticing, but the curves of her body had grown even more accentuated after she became an alicorn. Her chest was much more pronounced, and rounded. Her legs were slightly longer and more slender; and her stomach pushed in away from her ribcage with a soft, but noticeable curve.

Twilight’s eyes blinked open, and surprisingly enough, I gazed right into them. I wasn’t afraid, or nervous. Not even the slightest awkward sensation rose within my stomach. I felt calm… content. I’m sure it was only just a few seconds, but it felt like minutes; and Twilight gazed right back. Her eyes were like two perfect amethysts.

“Beautiful,” Twilight whispered, finally causing my heart to begin pounding. My eyes darted down to the blanket, and my cheeks burned with a blush. Because she was staring at me, I, of course, assumed that she was referring to me. My mouth opened in an attempt to say something, anything, a thank you, maybe. Luckily, nothing but a soft gasp came out. “Thanks for letting me enjoy such an amazing day with you, Fluttershy. Honestly, if it wasn’t for you, I’m sure I’d be locked up inside the library reading,” she said with a laugh.

“Oh…” I mumbled, my heart wrenching painfully as I finally realized she wasn’t referring to me. I gulped, and then clenched my teeth together, trying my best to hold back tears from the sudden insight. “Y-you’re welcome,” I managed to push out.

I felt something brushing against the outside of my thigh. To my relief as I looked over, Angel’s small face, and piercing black eyes pointed up at me. He crossed his paws, and huffed. “Oh, Angel, you and the critters need lunch too, don’t you? I’m sure you’re starving.” I would never, ever want to cut things short with Twilight; but after what just happened, I was on the verge of another breakdown. This time, one which was much worse. “I’m sorry to cut things short, Twilight; but I really do need to get these critters their food.”

“That’s fine, no worries. I should probably head back to see what trouble Spike’s gotten himself into anyways,” she said with a light chuckle.

“I’ve had a wonderful time with you,” I said sweetly as I got to my hooves. “You can make almost anything enjoyable.”

“Well, thanks,” she said with a grin as she too got to her hooves. “I had a lot of fun too.” Suddenly, her hooves were wrapped tightly around me in an embrace. Her warmth, and soft fur felt amazing against my own. I gently nuzzled my cheek against hers, and squeezed back tightly… I loved her.

“We should do this again soon,” I sighed out, trying my best not to make it sound too dreamy.

“Yeah, we really should,” she said with a soft smile as she pulled away. “Actually, are you going to that concert a couple days from now?”

“Oh, Vinyl…I mean, I guess I should be saying DJ PON-3 is playing in the town square, right?”

“Yeah… that’s normally not the sort of music I listen to, you know that; but it’s free, so why not? Besides, this filly has to party every now and again.” She gave me a smirk.

“Oh, I’m not really sure if I want to. You know me. Big crowds and dancing aren’t really my thing; and it’ll have both.”

“Come on, Fluttershy, live a little. It’ll be fun. You don’t have to dance if you don’t want to; and we can stay away from the crowd.

“I…I’m not sure, Twilight. I just… wait, did you say we?”

Twilight nodded her head and smiled. “Mhm, you did say you wanted to spend some more time together, right?”

“Yes, but-”

“Come on, Fluttershy, we’ll call it a date,” she pleaded.

Because she was pleading, I knew how badly she wanted me to come along. I had never, ever had her do that to me. Along with that, she said “date.” Did that truly mean what I thought it did? “Um…a…a d-date?” I muttered out shyly, quickly turning my eyes away from her as my cheeks began to heat up.

I looked up just in time to see her eyes roll as she laughed. “Fluttershy… you know what I meant. I tilted my head questioningly. “A date between friends.”

Even if it was just a friendly get together, I would never pass up the opportunity to spend more time with Twilight. It was going to be a little out of my comfort zone, but I’d do it for her. “…O-okay… I’ll go.

“You will?” she asked, a pep in her tone. I nodded my head in conformation. “Oh, Fluttershy! You’re great!” she squealed with delight, a large grin on her face. Suddenly, her soft lips made contact with my cheek, and I blushed furiously. My body grew light with joy, and my heart pounded lovingly. I was sure it was just a way for her to physically show both her excitement and gratitude; but it was still absolutely amazing.

My cheeks on fire, I looked down to see an infuriated Angel, his paw tapping against the ground. “Oh, Angel, I’m so sorry…” I turned my eyes back up to Twilight, my mind still in a bliss from what she’d done. “I really should be getting these critters their food. I’ll see you in a couple nights,” I said with a smile, my voice much louder and more excited than normal.