Daring looked up at the sky shortly after they had left the temple. Neither had wanted to stay for too much longer in the place, just in case of any level of magical radiation that may had stayed within the rooms. That, and both of them were just more comfortable in forests after having spent so much time in them.

And now the sun was setting. “I guess I better setup camp.”

“Don’t you mean we?” Yearling stepped next to her adventurous counterpart. “Just because I’m no longer as rugged doesn’t mean that I can’t help.”

Daring frowned at the reminder that she was no longer alone. The two had both been quiet since their agreement in the temple to head out, and, if she were honest, she had forgotten that she had a companion now. And a needy one too. “Yeah, and I bet you’ll want to have the one mare tent, won’t you?”

Yearling narrowed her eyes, before letting a sigh out. “Actually, I had planned to leave it to you. Sure, I’ll sleep worse, but if any of our enemies come after us, I’ll be dead weight compared to you, so you need to be sharp.”

Daring blinked a few times, somewhat stunned as the other mare began to pull out the camping set. She hadn’t had many companions in the past, sure, but all of them who didn’t have a tent always wanted hers, especially the more sophisticated they were. And this one didn’t even have her wings!

Her own pair flapped lazily for a moment at the mental mention of them, and Daring paled. Yearling didn’t have wings. If they were attacked, Daring could just fly away, just like they’d done for their whole lives. That only made the thoughts worse though, as she soon realized that Yearling wasn’t just out a defensive tactic… she was out of a natural part of her.

Daring stepped closer to Yearling, putting a hoof onto her shoulder before wrapping it around the other mare. “Hey… Sorry. I know I haven’t been nearly as civil as you, despite the fact that you definitely seem to have gotten the short stick between us. Well, I mean, not the short stick, but-” She stopped as her counterpart put a hoof onto her muzzle.

Yearling, once she was certain that Daring was going to be quiet, went back to work on the tent. “I won’t deny, when it comes to how one feels when by themselves, I definitely got it worse. Less ways to defend myself, losing whole body parts… it’s rough. But I also know that I can’t fix it. Not right now at least. So what else am I going to do except try to keep it together, and handle myself? You know, the thing none of our other companions have done.”

Daring tried to respond, but there was an annoying catch in her throat that refused to let her. Instead, she could only watch as Yearling worked. Her lithe frame working hard at getting to tent pitched. She wasn’t perfect about it, but that only meant more squirming, frustration, and even time to look back to those perfect flanks of hers.

Those flanks she could trust, because they weren’t only hers, but understood her job. Understood the danger. Understood the pain one could feel when their partner let them down.

Daring swallowed hard as she stepped away from Yearling. “I’m… I’m not hungry or anything, so I’m gonna find somewhere to hide and rest out here. I’ll be close enough to make sure you’re safe though. Okay?”

Yearling now hesitated, looking to the adventurous mare, before nodding. “I understand, and I wish you luck in your search.”

“Thanks.” Daring spread her wings and took off, frantically searching for a spot. Her mind was already thinking of new adventures, but they weren’t the sort that she was allowed. She worked solo, and that was it.

But, as she let herself fall against a set of branches that would let her lay down, she couldn’t help but think how terrible that very fact was. How many nights she had gotten so little sleep. How often she had shivered, wishing only for another pony to hold.

And now? There was a beautiful, smart, amazing mare who probably had most the skills she did. Liked similar things as her. Would know every part of her. The last thought brought a sharp breath from Daring as her hoof gently touched the folds between her thighs. For a moment, she thought about ignoring the urge. It would almost be like thinking of your sister.

She then discarded it. She liked the other mare, and actually felt like she could trust her. She would enjoy that fact, even if people told her she was being weird or creepy.

She was done being lonely. And so, Yearling pushed her hoof further into her nethers, her face buried into her pillow to make sure Daring didn’t dare hear what she was doing, lest she find out her forbidden thoughts. She couldn’t stop herself though as small moans slipped out in time with the rhythm of her hoof.

She wondered if it would feel the same if Daring did it to her. If after a long day of typing she could come back to a warm, comfortable bed with her love staying there. They could kiss, before Daring kissed a more intimate part of her. Her hot tongue would send Yearling into squeals of ecstasy. But she didn’t dare move too much, lest she somehow encourage her lover to stop.

They could play with each other, their tongues and hooves exploring each other like old friends, until they came together to be one being. To be Daring Do again…

Daring pulled her hoof away from herself, the image of the two in a tent disappearing, being swiftly replaced by a tear. It shouldn’t be there of course. She wanted to be Daring Do again. She wanted to have all the power and smarts that she used to, instead of just being half, even if it meant sacrificing Yearling and being alone again.

...Right?

Author's Note

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