Internal Issues

The stethoscope came out of the sterilization agent all but sparkling. Fluttershy let out a soft, gentle sigh as she toweled it, then hung it over a hook in her locker. Her doctor’s coat went on its own hook on the wall, next to the two other coats.

Twilight was right. Going to school had been a good idea.

She looked at the coats underneath the paper labels of Blue Kazoo and Hufflepuff, with Blue’s coat gone. Social situations terrified her to no end, which was why it surprised her that she made any friends outside of Twilight in class. She never bragged about it and never raised her hoof to answer questions, but word got out that she’d scored above average on her entrance exam, in addition to her lack of formal training.

She didn’t know how it spread, but she didn’t realize that her in-depth knowledge of animals was astonishing for her age. She had been informed by other teachers on several occasions that Professor Squirrely was impressed with her knowledge on animal anatomy and how to perform medical procedures. Fluttershy was always under the impression that his hard stares had been from annoyance. She was so meek and quiet whenever she answered, having answers but no confidence.

Unfortunately, that made her a target. She was used to being picked on, and she’d hoped that age would make some ponies lose that malicious part of themselves, but names got bandied about and she was tripped more than once.

Well, until Twilight had lost her temper. Then it became very clear that Fluttershy was not to be messed with.

However, putting Fluttershy in the spotlight a couple of times got her some attention that, looking back on it, she didn’t mind. Blue Kazoo and Hufflepuff, two students struggling with their work, came to her to ask for help. She’d been reluctant, but she and Twilight were both too polite to turn them down and made a pair of friends.

Then, when the three of them graduated, Fluttershy mentioned starting a practice in Ponyville, and two Canterlot unicorns found themselves buying a place in the little rural town by the Everfree Forest with a job opportunity open for them.

Fluttershy appreciated the company. While they never saw a huge number of animals throughout their shifts, it meant that they could work intersecting shifts so there would always be one pony available early in the morning, and one late at night. Being the head doctor, Fluttershy took the early shift while Blue Kazoo took the noon to evening shift, and Hufflepuff had the evening to midnight shift. It worked out, and a single carrier pigeon was always on the ready to go grab the extra doctors in case something serious was ahoof.

Fluttershy spread her wings, rid of her medical equipment at last. It felt good to help both pets and wild animals. It also felt good to earn some actual coin from doing it. Her stipend from the town hall was nice, but it meant she could only afford a few niceties over the years she spent working.

She stepped out of the staff room and found herself face to face with Blue Kazoo. Despite her name, Blue was a very calming dark brown with bright red hair that was getting a little long to be out of a ponytail. However, her namesake was always just sticking out of her pocket. “Oh!” Blue blinked as she nearly bowled the pegasus over. “Sorry, doc, I swear I meant to knock first. On your way out?”

Fluttershy nodded, shuddering as the cool air of the office hit her. Those doctor coats could get warm. “Yes. Blue, are you going to be okay by yourself?” Fluttershy smiled knowingly. Blue rolled her eyes, then gave her boss an affectionate smile.

They weren’t friends like Fluttershy and, say, Applejack were friends, but she was comfortable with her coworkers. It helped that the three of them worked together to get their whole business going from the beginning, even if it was just a couple of weeks ago. “I’ll be fine, I don’t think I’ll see another case like last night. Besides, I know you and Twilight got something planned.”

Fluttershy’s cheeks filled with color, and she scratched the wood beneath her hooves. “Oh, heh, you heard us?”

Blue Kazoo walked past her and into the staff room, opening a cabinet on the wall out to get a lollipop for herself. “Not at all, but you were hovering.” She took the plastic off the sucker and shoved it in her mouth.

“Hovering?” Fluttershy’s blush intensified.

“Like a school filly who just got her buns slapped by the colt she likes.” Blue snickered around the lollipop, and Fluttershy felt the bridge of her snout burning. “Either you and Twilight were necking in the office before I came in or you two are going to have one heck of a night together, and I didn’t see any hickies,” Blue leaned forward, eyeing her neck lecherously. Fluttershy turned her head so her hair would block Blue’s view.

“Well, she’s cooking tonight, one of my favorite meals …” Fluttershy shuffled her hooves. She was used to the rampant teasing, when your good friend, study-buddy, off-hours teacher, roommate, and your princess was also your lover, you got used to the accusations and ribbing.

She, the school, and Twilight had been accused of using their connections to get Fluttershy her degree by teachers and students, but the rumors were unfounded. Hard work and a good breakfast had been the real secrets to success—at least that’s what the newspaper column on the subject had read. That said, it bothered Fluttershy that Twilight’s princesshood was only recognized in relation to some sort of “scandal.” After Twilight’s involvement in Fluttershy’s education was made public Fluttershy could hardly glance at a newspaper or hear the rumors floating around without feeling a knot of rage tighten in her stomach.

“Princess Plays Favorites”, “The Elements or the Ponies: What Really Matters”, “Former Model and New Princess Cuddling Up.” Twilight’s status didn’t matter to her, though she found the wings attractive. Twilight wasn’t using her position to coast Fluttershy through school, she was her motivation and her study partner. Fluttershy was proud of her girlfriend and what she accomplished and she felt blessed that Twilight sacrificed three years of her life for Fluttershy’s sake.

That Equestria’s press was so quick to jump to conclusions and declare a scandal left a bad taste in Fluttershy’s mouth. Twilight was a good mare, who loved to help her friends! Becoming royalty didn’t change that in the slightest.

At least that’s what Fluttershy told herself when the whole debacle kept her up at night thinking about ‘oh goodness I’m dating a princess.’

Blue Kazoo licked the lollipop, then began to chew it between her molars before tossing out a response. “Y’know, I’m jealous of you, ‘Shy.” Fluttershy gave her a curious look as Blue glanced towards a mirror. “You got your life on the right track. Got this whole job, got a girlfriend, got a home. And, what, you said you got all this after achieving your life’s dream of tending to animals? What’s up with that? You got it made, girlfriend.” She paused, licked the lolli once, then grunted, “And you’re still cute to boot.”

“Heh.” Fluttershy chuckled in embarrassment, rubbing the mane out of her eyes as she considered her life. “I guess it has been pretty good. I’m still, y’know, shy …”

“Yeah, why is that?” Blue looked back at her. “You have, like, no reason to be shy. You have all of this going for you, you’re admired, you got a bunch of good friends, Huff and I are your employees and we hella respect you. So why are you shy?”

“Oh …” Fluttershy looked down, pawing the floor again. “No reason. I just am.”

“If you say so.” Blue shrugged, shoving the lollipop down her throat. Her eyes widened and she turned towards the sink, hacking it out with an ugly cough, then wiped her mouth. “Ugh, stupid sticky strawberry condensed sugar-syrup piece of crap.” Fluttershy gave her a smile, and Blue chuckled. “Alright Fluttershy, I think I’ve held you back long enough. Go eat with Twilight, and tell her I said hi.”

Fluttershy nodded, her smile small, but warm. “Of course I will. Don’t hesitate to send Pietro if something comes up.”

“That pigeon could use a break anyways, I think I’ll give him a little extra seed. Another ounce or two should be good for the fall. Toodles, ‘Shy.” Blue waved her off as Fluttershy walked down the hall. The conversation reminded her to bring some samples home for Owlowiscious, so she paused by the animal supplies to get a few scoops of sweet bird seed before heading out, waving goodbye to their receptionist as she did.

Fluttershy’s practice was on one of the main roads heading to Canterlot and Appaloosa. It was a bigger road than usual to handle more carriage traffic, and with the weather turning cooler there were numerous ponies on the move to check the markets and harvests. Appaloosian style of coats and ten-gallon hats, as well as thick country braids and bushy moustaches ended up mingling with the sharp-dressed Canterlot ponies who were gratefully shedding some of their thicker clothing as they moved out of the colder city.

Fluttershy felt invisible as she walked past crowds of ponies who were mingling as their wagons got checked over, waiting for friends, partners, or loved ones to get back with supplies, or enjoying having the dirt under their hooves. Without her coat and her stethoscope, Fluttershy was just another mare to the travellers. To the Ponyvillers, though …

“Hey, doc!” a local cafe owner called from his seat near the door. Fluttershy smiled and waved back.

“Fluttershy, looking good!” a mare called from her second story window. Fluttershy waved to her as well, recognizing her as the mare whose cat fell in a drain.

“Good afternoon, Miss Fluttershy.” Fluttershy turned her head, watching Mayor Mare trot past with her assistant, the two shining smiles at each other.

“If it ain’t Fluttershy!”

“Dr. Fluttershy, a good afternoon to you.”

“Hey doc, li’l green snakes aren’t poisonous, right?”

“Can cats eat chocolate?”

Her talent with animals had been well known before getting her degree. Now? Now there was a building she owned with her name on it where ponies walked in and asked for her expertise. To strangers who wouldn’t recognize her outside of a coat she was just another mare, but she was well known by the locals.

‘Famous’ wasn’t the right word; reputable was. Her reputation as one of the Elements of Harmony and the lover of Ponyville’s princess had also gained her some fame, but to this day saving Equestria didn’t seem to impress a lot of ponies.

She didn’t stay in town very long. As she left the town’s limits, she allowed her thoughts to move towards a particular mare that was waiting for her. Her gentle, kind expression she wore in town turned into a massive, sappy grin that would have rivalled Pinkie Pie’s in joy.

Lots of little thoughts ran through her head: a kiss at the front door, maybe get a little brave and try to—no, they would save that for later, in the dark. The smell of cooking throughout the house, her girlfriend standing in the midst of it wearing an apron, maybe swaying her tail … curling up together on the couch and reading, listening to one of those live plays in Canterlot on the radio, practicing her knitting while cuddling against Twilight’s chest …

She had a lot of little things to look forward to. She somewhat hoped that Twilight had changed her mind and wanted to do something extravagant and outlandish again in a bid to impress her. Fluttershy was always impressed, and adored the sentiment, but she didn’t want Twilight running herself ragged again.

Twilight could exhaust herself doing a lot of things trying to make them perfect. Fluttershy hoped the tacos wouldn’t be an issue. Well, they would be, but she figured a midnight check up on the animals and a short walk around the cottage would get the worst of it out of the way …

Was it … impolite to not mention her tummy troubles? Twilight probably wouldn’t be bothered either way, but Twilight could have very much hated the smell. If worse came to worst, she could always take a stroll with her to alleviate some of the tension.

Still, not telling her seemed bad, but it wasn’t lying, necessarily.

She could tell her after the fact. Twilight would be understanding. Fluttershy would get her favorite snack, then explain the issue, and take a little time by herself to not terrify her beloved.

All perfectly logical. Twilight liked logical, and Fluttershy found she did too. Things were less scary when they could be explained.

Except dragons.

Nothing logical about dragons nothing logical about dragons NOTHING logical about dragons.

Fluttershy shook the dragon thoughts out of her head as her little home came into view. She lived out of the way by choice, partially due to her social anxieties, but mostly to live as close to the wildlife as possible. Her cottage wasn’t totally safe from the elements, with old leaks and drafty holes, the small entrances for her animals to freely enter and leave, and no neighbors meant she lacked the security of civilization, but there were going to be downsides to everything. She felt she made the right choice though, and lived a quiet, happy, though solitary life.

Well, it wasn’t solitary anymore. She was reminded of that every day, and she was getting used to living as a couple. She walked across the bridge and stood at the door to her cottage.

Her ears twitched as she picked up the quick hooves moving inside, and the clanging of pots and pans. Her stomach growled, making her blush, despite being alone. To think, what would be waiting inside: the smell of puffy tortillas, the sharpness of cheese, the underlying waft of beans…

She nosed the door open, not wanting to spoil Twilight’s focus on cooking, and immediately slammed it shut.

She stared, bleary eyed at the door-handle, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open while covering her eyes. She felt smoke billow out around her, escaping outside, the smell of burning food filling her nose as she hobbled inside on three hooves. “Twilight?!” She shouted through the thick black cloud.

“Oh goodness, you’re home!” She heard Twilight yelp, then hack and wheeze. Fluttershy spread her wings and began to flap, pushing the smoke around and out of the way. She entered the kitchen to find Twilight levitating a dripping bucket, the oven open and vomiting smoke like it was preparing for the Miss Equestria Beauty Pageant. “I didn’t - hauck - think you’d be this early!” Twilight’s eyes were red and dripping, but Fluttershy blew the smoke out of her face while eyeing her flooded oven.

“Oh no, Twilight, what happened?” Fluttershy asked. There was something in the oven. Something as black as night and crisp as … crisp as … crisp as a pile of completely and utterly burnt artichoke hearts.

“I, uh, I tried to make dinner,” Twilight admitted a little sorrowfully. Fluttershy moved to the kitchen window and opened it to let the smoke filter out, her wings keeping a pocket of fresh air for the two of them. “I may have used the wrong grease. Or the wrong pan. I don’t know …” Twilight pouted, but Fluttershy let out a large sigh.

“I was worried.” Fluttershy kissed Twilight’s cheek, jumpstarting the purple mare’s heart rate. “You’re not hurt, are you?” Twilight shook her head and received a small, grateful smile. “Good.”

“Your oven, though.” Twilight looked at the thing, the last wisps of smoke getting sucked outside as the row of solid black lumps of coal continued to smolder on a baking sheet.

“That is a problem.” Fluttershy admitted, staring at her oven. It didn’t look hurt, but that sheet would need to be thrown out, the whole thing cleaned. “Is that our dinner?”

“Not unless you’re Spike,” Twilight grumbled, earning a polite cough. “Well … damnit,” Twilight huffed.

“Twilight,” Fluttershy admonished with a frown, but stopped herself from reprimanding her mare. Right now, they needed to calm down. “It’s okay, Twilight. The oven I mean, it just needs to be cleaned. The food can get thrown away and we’ll order something.”

Twilight sniffled, looking ready to say something, but whatever it was, it died like her hopes for the perfect evening. “Alright.” She and Fluttershy flapped their wings, making their ways to the windows to open them wide and let the remaining smoke out. While Twilight properly disposed of what was going to be dinner, Fluttershy called in one of her bird friends to attach a delivery order to its leg.

“Twilight, do you want to invite Spike over?” Fluttershy called over her shoulder before writing. Twilight set the blackened pan on the stovetop and shook her head.

“Let’s make it our night. Not to mention I’ve been trying to teach him not to eat out so much, it’s making him a little dumpy.”

Fluttershy made their order to their favorite place. “What would you like?” She called while Twilight started closing windows.

“Potato soup and breadsticks,” Twilight answered without hesitation.

Fluttershy wrote the order down with her own. Always potato soup and breadsticks. Smalltime restaurants and delivery food services always carried those two, since they were a common, not to mention popular, pony food. It was Twilight’s go-to. Not that Fluttershy could complain, fruit salad with cranberry dressing was always her favorite.

Three years didn’t change a whole lot.

Well, that wasn’t true, she had a lot going for her after three years, but the little things never seemed to change.

Fluttershy stopped herself from rolling the parchment up and stared at the order, then added at the bottom: “Please do not use nuts.” She didn’t know if the fruit salad would have nuts in it, but on the off-chance it did, she didn’t want to upset Twilight’s allergy through a kiss.

When her little bird was off to the restaurant, Fluttershy returned to the kitchen to find Twilight scrubbing what was left of the oven. She decided to help. She took the pan and put it under some running water before pouring dish soap on it. As she used a sponge to get the soap spread out, she turned her head to look at Twilight.

Things were less than ideal, but listening to the sounds of scrubbing in her own home, knowing there was a pony just behind her doing housework while she herself did chores—it felt nice. It felt natural. She almost felt like grinning. Whenever she was in a conversation about romance before, other mares talked about candlelit dinners, slow dances, long make-out sessions, staring into each others’ eyes, being saved from bandits and beasts … Fluttershy always imagined this.

A small home full of animals and doing housework. She couldn’t guess why. It was so much more normal and with less emotions and feelings, but she didn’t feel the need to impress Twilight. That sounded right, she didn’t have to work so hard for Twilight’s affections. A lot of the mares she overheard talking about romance talked about changing their appearance, the way they lived, the dreams they had, they talked about doing something to get the attention of the love of their life.

It all sounded complicated, desperate, and chilling to put herself out on the line like that. Simply falling together over the past three years was so much easier, and so much more comfortable. A lot did change in that time though, and Fluttershy changed herself and her goals in the process, but by choice: not for Twilight, for herself. Albeit, at Twilight’s insistence, but romance wasn’t the intention …

So she scrubbed the pan, feeling content with her love life, her job, her future … Everything was fine.

“Stupid thing!” Twilight spat, causing Fluttershy to jump.

… Well, not in the moment, but things were fine.

Going to be fine.

So long as she didn’t stick around after eating.

Pans were put away, smoke was blown out—albeit poorly, Fluttershy needed to get some new windows installed—and the oven was scrubbed clean. They had to pause to answer the door and get their order, which was set on a counter to wait.

Despite Twilight’s grumblings and the loss of an oven pan, Fluttershy was smiling. She adored housework. Cleaning was so relaxing. Having Twilight nearby to help only enhanced it. They didn’t have much to talk about, but Fluttershy enjoyed the quiet moments of working together.

When all was said and done, Fluttershy excitedly grabbed their dinner, only to find her girlfriend pushing her out the kitchen. “Alright! Distraction is over!” Her words seemed to fall out of her mouth in a hasty jumble as Fluttershy was pushed into the living room.

“Twilight, you need to calm down.” Fluttershy glanced back as the alicorn used her magic to pull several bags out of the cabinets above the counter. She frowned as she watched her lover speed around the kitchen, pulling out more pans and checking temperatures on the stove and oven, then grabbing measuring cups and spoons. “Twilight.” Fluttershy spoke up firmly.

“Don’t worry about me, Fluttershy. Go ahead and start eating! I’ll just start on your tacos and—” Twilight was interrupted when Fluttershy took her by the chin and pulled them face to face. The alicorn squeaked, forced to look into Fluttershy’s glare. “I-I want to make it special—”

“And I appreciate it.” Fluttershy spoke sincerely, but let out a small sigh. “But I want to eat dinner first. We can eat our snack after.” When it was late enough to justify sending Twilight to bed while she took a walk around the property…

Twilight’s ears fell, but she nodded. She turned the appliances off for now, the time-table she’d set up in her head now destroyed, but when she and Fluttershy sat down and unwrapped their food, she seemed to settle. The moment the smell of fresh bread filled the room, Twilight’s stomach growled and she focused on the food in front of her.

Fluttershy was well aware that Twilight had difficulties peeling herself away from something important, but day after day of coming home and finding Twilight with extensive plans and timing every afternoon for the past two weeks had been, in a way, getting on her nerves. She enjoyed their time together but she missed the simple stuff. She missed sitting on the couch and eating while going over her notes. She missed the weekends where Twilight would get too exhausted to continue helping her study and doing all of her princess stuff and would want to sit back, relax, and listen to the shows.

Fluttershy appreciated extravagance, but she wasn’t a fan of it, and Twilight must have been getting advice from Rarity. Not that Rarity gave bad advice, but the constant stuff and events, the bits spent and memories made. She was ready to lay on the couch and curl up with a good book, and with luck Twilight cuddled up to her side.

By the time she looked up to see if Twilight wanted to listen to the radio, she found the soup bowl empty and the bread gone. Twilight was dabbing her mouth and smiling. “I’m going to get the tacos started!”

Fluttershy sighed, but nodded at her. “Well alright …” Most of the time Twilight was very cool-headed, but once something caught her focus …

She turned on the radio and listened to the news. Her side felt cold without a mare to warm it up, but she didn’t bother Twilight. She closed her eyes and let out a gentle huff as she willed herself to relax. She had nothing to be afraid of. Things would go smooth as silk tonight. She turned the radio from news to a local station that played up and coming bands, mostly country. She took a book off the shelf: Burning Heart: An Alicorn of Love and Loneliness. Twilight would hate it, but Fluttershy had a soft spot for bad romance. She smirked to herself as she opened to the bookmark.

She hadn’t had a whole afternoon to read for a few days. She started on the top paragraph, reintroducing herself to the plot up to that point, listening to the kitchen noises coming from the next room. It was a soothing sound. The knowledge of another pony there, in the house, doing stuff while she relaxed.

…When Morose Night felt Burning’s bulk shift on top of her, a stab of worry hit her heart; would he be rough? Would he be gentle? Would he hurt her like her former captor? Tears welled in her eyes, but the most gentle kiss put her to ease …

A clatter of pans, the gentle grind of a rolling pin.

She strained her ears to hear the radio. “Y’all listenin’ in just hear me out, this rough ol’ life has made me doubt. Seen three mares walk out my door, I had so much but now I’m poor. I walk the lands seekin’ a good hot meal, a nice warm bed, a tender flamin’ heart, but I look to the horizon with fear and wonder, where do I start?”

The sound of an herb shaker, the sizzle of the pan.

Fluttershy’s ears wiggled a bit. Her cottage was never quiet. Mice creeped through the walls and appeared to take from a plate of crackers left in the corner. Birds entered through the windows and preened themselves, raccoons and possums slipped inside to settle on cushions. Angel showed himself, grumpy from being smoked out of his own home to crawl under his blanket and sleep.

This was different. The noise of the animals was calmer. There was a second mare in the house who was very neat and orderly, and having paws all over everything made her twitch, glare, and sometimes shriek. The animals were trained to accommodate, and as a result, new sounds filled the house. Fluttershy loved her animals, but she was growing accustomed to the sound of hooves in another room and frantic scribbling. She also came to appreciate a radio now that she could afford it, and of course just hearing the activity in the kitchen with a good idea of what the results would be.

She had to be careful when turning a page so she wouldn’t salivate on it.

Several minutes passed, and she wondered if they were ready. But Twilight would have brought them out already if they were, so Fluttershy just had to wait a bit longer.

She read her book, smiling to herself. Then she glanced to the doorway and sniffed the air. Then back to her book. She smelled fresh bread and stared at the doorway. Something stopped sizzling and her tail wiggled. Then the sizzle started again so she looked back at her book. She read no words, but she made sure to keep up appearances.

She was so excited. For the first time in years homemade bean and cheese tacos were about to be hers. The last time she ate them, there was an issue about a restaurant, with her and Rarity being asked to leave, but this time would be different. She had plans. She knew what she’d do afterwards. None of that silly, overblown business from before.

She licked her gums thoughtfully, going over her route tonight in her head as she listened. The thoughts lulled her away from her hunger, for a moment, and she focused on her book once more, until the clink of plates caught her attention. Were they ready?!

“They’re ready!”

They were ready!

She almost couldn’t contain her excitement as Twilight walked into the room, hovering a large plate of eight tacos. “Y’know, cooking isn’t that bad. It’s like chemistry you can eat.” Twilight smiled as Fluttershy’s eyes lit up, her wings spreading out in sheer joy. “Smells better too.”

“C-can I?” Fluttershy almost lunged towards the plate like a dog after its favorite toy.

Twilight had to stifle a laugh. She lowered the plate for Fluttershy. The tortillas were perfect. Fresh, warm, and fluffy. The tacos weren’t overloaded with beans and cheese, the two being so evenly distributed that Fluttershy was sure Twilight was meticulous about how much went between each, and the herbs that went into them enhanced the smell.

One quick bite, and Twilight got to watch Fluttershy turn into a filly again, hopping in place while her whole body trembled. Twilight gave her an amused smirk. Fluttershy wasn’t kidding, these were an absolute treat. Twilight took a bite of her own and grew a pleased smile.

“I need to cook more,” was all Twilight said before taking another bite. Fluttershy was already on her second taco.

In a few minutes, the plate was empty, and the two mares sat in quiet satisfaction, bellies full. Now was the time.

Fluttershy stood and leaned forward to kiss Twilight. A proud, passionate, pleased kiss. “Thank you so much, that was amazing.”

“It was my pleasure.” Twilight blushed, brushing her cheek in embarrassment. “It wasn’t that hard. We should do this more.”

“Yes, more.” Fluttershy glanced to the door, and she knew it was now or never. “I’m going to go check up on the animal pens, maybe take a walk through the forest to see if anything new has moved in.”

“Oh.” Twilight frowned for a moment, brushing the carpet with the tip of one hoof. Fluttershy hid a guilty look. “Okay, are you sure you don’t want to, y’know, chill on the couch for a little while?” She did, but there would be complications. “Braeburn and the Appaloosa Quartet has an event tonight, and Applejack would love it if we listened to him,” she remembered. However, her need to go on that walk was highlighted by an urgent clench in her stomach.

“I’ll try not to take long, I promise.” Fluttershy took a step back. Her tummy gurgled out loud, but she hid it with a chuckle. “Trust me?”

Twilight seemed to mull it over, before giving a small nod. “I trust you.” She got up to her hooves and Fluttershy made a move to leave. “Hey, wait.” Fluttershy paused. Twilight was staring at her mouth, jaw cocked. Then, with a small smile, she strode forward. Fluttershy didn’t know what to expect, but was surprised when Twilight licked her along the side of her mouth.

Fluttershy’s ears turned red. Twilight took a step back and blushed back at her. Her mind had gone blank. She couldn’t hold back an excited whimper. In their brief relationship, it was the first time she’d felt Twilight’s tongue against her mouth in such an … intimate way.

Little problems just seemed to evaporate, and her head began to swim as her limbs locked up, a heat forming just past her tummy. She flared her nostrils as Twilight tapped her hooves. “Sorry. You had some leftovers on your cheek.”

“Oh.” Fluttershy’s response was airy. Her mouth stretched into an awkward smile. “Did you get it?”

“Yeah.” Twilight just shrugged as if it was no big deal.

“All of it?” Fluttershy persisted. Twilight was blushing harder, staring at Fluttershy’s lips.

“I-I think so.”

Fluttershy wasn’t the bravest mare, not by a long shot, but she was not the biggest coward. When something caught her interest, she could overcome her fears just long enough to be very very bold. “Maybe you should make sure.”

Twilight’s eyes widened, and she giggled as her ears flattened against her scalp. “I-I dunno, I thought I did-”

“You missed.” Fluttershy licked the side of her mouth, lapping at nothing. “Right there. Just a little bit.”

“Fluttershy …” Twilight’s voice trailed off as she wiggled in place, unable to get comfortable on her hooves.

“Please? I can’t reach it.” Fluttershy walked forward a few steps, giving Twilight her innocent eyes. “Only you can.”

“Well…” Twilight stretched her back leg, then took a step forward. “Okay, but only because you need the help.” She couldn’t keep herself from smiling like an idiot as she leaned forward.

Tacos and then this. Fluttershy was a small mess of excitement, and her nostrils flared as Twilight’s soft tongue flickered against the side of her mouth. “One more time,” Fluttershy whispered. It felt weird. The way she was reacting felt stupid, but her heart hammered in her chest with every tiny lap from Twilight’s tongue. Twilight leaned in to do it again, and Fluttershy turned her head, making Twilight lick the front of her mouth. They both snickered at how absurd it was. “Oops, I moved.”

“It’s okay, I think I found some there too,” Twilight tittered. She pressed her lips to Fluttershy’s. No playing around this time. It was a kiss. Lips parted, and for the first time, the two mares succeeded in sharing a little tongue. Fluttershy’s chest tightened as she heard Twilight moan. She didn’t know what she liked more, the dirty, naughty feel of her girlfriend’s tongue embracing her own or the noises Twilight made.

Her girlfriend wasn’t the quiet sort, while Fluttershy was. She stopped herself from ruining it with a laugh. She remembered Rainbow Dash bragging to some friends about ‘bagging a screamer’ one night. She wondered if Twilight was a screamer. A responsive, vocal mare under the covers when hooves wandered and emotions flared and bodies entwined and—

Fluttershy pushed.

“Fl-Fluttershy?!” Twilight squeaked as she found herself on her back. Pink hair draped around her, clouding her vision, making her focus on the brilliant, heated smile on Fluttershy’s face. “Oh Fluttershy.” Twilight’s body relaxed. She waited, patient for Fluttershy’s sake as the pegasus smacked her lips and leaned down.

Another kiss. Their lips were crushed together, and Fluttershy was amused as she noticed Twilight still tasted like tacos. A brief, urgent thought ran through her head but was forgotten as she did something that made Twilight whimper like a helpless pet.

Fluttershy laid against Twilight and purple hooves embraced her, locking just underneath her wings. Fluttershy felt her girlfriend squirm and kick beneath her as she pressed her belly against Twilight’s, an overwhelming feeling running through their hindlegs.

Fluttershy let go, long enough for them to catch their breath. She smiled down at Twilight, who stared back, dazed, her ceaseless mind stopped, swimming with emotion and feeling rather than words and formulas.

“I love you,” Twilight managed to whisper through the haze of pleasure.

“I love you too.” Fluttershy kissed her again, and Twilight squeezed her.

The moment came to a frigid stop when they heard a noise like a nasal trumpet.

Their lips still connected, Fluttershy’s eyes unfocused in horror as she remembered.

She lifted herself up. Twilight was staring at her, confused. Then, a small snort. Fluttershy flinched, mortified. “Okay, wow.” Twilight chuckled, her mind given a chance to reboot. She wrapped her hoof around Fluttershy’s neck and pulled her closer, but Fluttershy began to squirm away. “Fluttershy, it’s okay, it’s just—”

“No no, I should go for that walk,” Fluttershy insisted, trying to flee. All of a sudden, in the span of a moment, elation turned to horror, and a kiss turned into a reason to take a dive into a lake. She stepped back, backpedalling towards the door.

“Fluttershy!” Twilight sat up, disappointment and worry on her face. “Wait, I—” She paused. Fluttershy saw it. Her eyebrow twitched, and Twilight coughed, then gagged. “Oh. Oh. Oh my-wh-that’s. Whoo.” Twilight squeezed her eyes shut and began to flap her big wings as hard as she could, coughing hoarsely.

“I’m leaving!” Fluttershy squeaked in terror, scrambling towards the door.

“No!” Twilight cracked her eyes open and bound forward, resting a hoof on Fluttershy’s back. “It’s okay.” It wasn’t okay. Fluttershy’s stomach growled. “Look, we have medicine in the cabinet, we can—” A slide whistle went off in the room, deepening until it came to an abrupt, explosive end. Both mares could only blankly stare at one another. Then Twilight made an awkward smile. “Well now I’m just impressed.”

“Twilight, I need to go.” Fluttershy pushed Twilight’s hoof off her back. This couldn’t wait any longer. This was just the beginning.

“No, no you don’t need to- oh!” Twilight flinched, her eyes beginning to water as she waved a hoof in front of her face. “Oh I—” She coughed, she hacked, she retreated, pressing a hoof to her nose. “Oh my goodness, what in the world?” She asked between dry heaves.

Fluttershy kicked the door open, her future clear. “Twilight … for what it’s worth, the past three years were the best of my life,” Fluttershy whispered with finality, tears of embarrassment in her eyes before she turned tail and sped off, an angry lawnmower sounding after her.

Twilight winced and lunged towards the door. “Fluttershy!” She shouted after the fleeing mare, then nearly collapsed as she filled her lungs with a scent so putrid, she was pretty sure it could be declared illegal. It made her nostrils burn, her brain hurt, her mouth felt abused and her tongue tasted like it was rotting. She shook her head as she stumbled backwards.

Okay, Rarity and Rainbow Dash may have been on to something … but the damage was done. Twilight mourned the loss of a night of romance, love, and togetherness, and ran to the bedroom, sneezing and wheezing the whole way. Her mind was running through a simple plan, something she thought up on the fly. She had to act before Fluttershy got too far.

She pulled open the closet and found her hazard suit and gas mask.

She coughed one last time, hoping she was rid of the foul air and pulled the suit on.

It was the only way to be sure…