“Feelin’ good, Sweetie Belle?” asked Applebloom, swishing her long red hair about as the little red wagon and the cooler on it rattled behind her.

The yellow filly was wearing a straw sunhat that provided her with plenty of shade. She was clad in a plaid shirt that had its sleeves cut off, not to mention some cutoff shorts that she’d modified herself.

“I’m fine,” replied Sweetie. A shimmering blue-and-green bikini carefully preserved her modesty at the waist, and her over-developed chest that dipped well-below her waistline. She was also wearing a light chiffon shirt that protected her shoulders and back, but not her front (as there was no way that it could properly cover her chest). “Why couldn’t Rarity have made me a shirt to cover these things with?”

“Just be glad she’s gotten over your developments,” noted Scootaloo, wearing a magenta bikini and a cut-off shirt. “She could have just made you nothing but shapeless covers.”

“She has more taste than to do that, Scootaloo. But I swear to Celestia she’s not over…’all of this.’”

“Has Rarity ever considered therapy?” asked Applebloom.

“We don’t mention ‘the T-word’ around her. Mom suggested it a long time ago when she was depressed at the start of her dressmaking. I don’t need to tell you how that went.”

“Speaking of ‘Mom,’” smiled Scootaloo, scooching in shoulder-to-shoulder to her friend, “I think she approves!”

“What are you getting at?”

“Aww, c’mon Sweetie Belle,” said Applebloom, scooching in close on the other side and making a ‘crusader sandwich.’ “Both yer parents seemed to be warmin’ up to Chrome last night. Heck, yer Dad and him were really gettin’ into that buckball talk over dessert.”

“And he asked for seconds,” noted Scootaloo. “Mom’s gotta like a fella with a good appetite.”

“For your information,” huffed Sweetie Belle. “That pie was gonna go to waste anyways. Chrome was just helping clean out that fridge since Mom and Dad aren’t going to be home for awhile to finish off most of what Dad bought last night.”

“Just more for you two to eat while he’s in town,” noted Applebloom.

“Will you two give me some elbow room!?”

And with that, Sweetie Belle shifted to the left and to the right, bouncing her friends aside, as she quickened her pace.

“She’s so huffy this morning,” Scootaloo murmured to Applebloom.

The three soon found themselves at the entrance to the Ponyville Arms. Its exterior blended well with the small-town architecture of the area, except for a few upscale accoutrements like a fancy awning and a revolving door. Before they could enter, Chrome came rushing out. He was wearing a RCC tank-top, and a white pair of swim trunks with a set of stripes down either side.

“Hi!” he called out cheerfully.

“Hiiii!” chimed in Applebloom and Scootaloo.

“Hello, Chrome,” said Sweetie Belle.

Needless to say, the shimmering material of Sweetie’s bikini was catching the hot sunlight in a number of places, and her friends noticed some “tightening” in Chrome’s attire.

“Nice and shiny, isn’t she?” giggled Scootaloo, before Sweetie gave her friend a ‘sharp’ nudge with her elbow. “Ow!”

“Sorry Chrome,” said Sweetie Belle. “These two are being…difficult.”

“We ain’t bein’ difficult,” said Applebloom, coming up next to her friend. “Whut’s yer deal, anyways? You’ve been a bit short with us since we picked you up this morning.”

“Not now,” whispered Sweetie to her friends, before turning her attention to Chrome. “So, sleep well?”

“Yeah,” he nodded. “It’s a little pricey here, but the bed’s nice and comfy.”

“Is it a big bed?” asked Scootaloo.

“It’s…fairly good-sized.”

“Sounds like a yes to me!”

“I didn’t know you were so into beds, Scootaloo,” said Sweetie.

“The bigger the better, right Sweetie Belle?”

“Say what now?” asked Chrome.

“Girls,” sighed Sweetie Belle again, “are we gonna get to the lake or what? After all, it was you two that kept insisting we get an early head start.”

“Hold yer horses, Sweetie Belle,” smiled Applebloom. “We need to take a little detour over to Sugarcube Corner.”

“For what? We packed plenty of juice and sandwiches.”

“But we don’t have cupcakes,” smiled Scootaloo.

And soon after their little detour, Chrome was on ‘wagon duty,’ pulling it as the girls filled him in on what to expect at the lake. Or rather, Scootaloo and Applebloom were. Sweetie Belle was being rather quiet.

As Applebloom finished a little story, Chrome stopped for a moment, and gave a loud stretch.

“Nnngghhhnnn!!” he said, swiveling his neck.

“You alright?” asked Scootaloo.

“Just a little stiff,” he replied. “Must have slept wrong-agh!”

Suddenly, he winced.

“Are you okay?” asked Sweetie Belle.

“Got a little pinch, right here,” he said, pointing to an area on his left shoulder. “Sweetie Belle, can you give me a hand?”

“Um, okay?” She said, walking over.

“And why don’t you girls take the wagon on ahead? We’ll catch up.”

“No hurry,” said Applebloom, taking the handle from Chrome. “Take yer time.”

And with that, the yellow and orange fillies trotted off, leaving Sweetie and Chrome alone among the rolling hills.

“So, what can I do?” she asked, coming around behind him, her chest squishing against his back.

“You can tell me what’s wrong,” he said, turning around quickly and giving her a look that seemed to bore right through her eyes.

“Wh-what about your neck-“

“That was an excuse to get you alone. Come on, Sweetie Belle. I’m not dense, and something is obviously bothering you. Now what is it?”

“It’s…it’s nothing,” she said.

“Really? Because right now, and I hate to say it…I’m not appreciating the way you’ve been acting. It’s not like the Sweetie Belle I know from Canterlot.”

“Oh, is that so?” she asked. “At least when I go to visit somepony, I give them notice-“

“I told you yesterday I sent you a letter saying I was coming. Now I don’t know what happened to it, but I swear to Celestia I did send it. I don’t like to lie to my-“

“HEY!!!” came Scootaloo’s voice from the other side of a nearby hill. “WHAT’S TAKING YOU TWO SO LONG!?”

“WE’RE COMING!!” yelled back Sweetie, before looking at Chrome. “We’ll talk about it later.”

Chrome watched her trot off, and a few moments later, followed behind her.

By the time Chrome and Sweetie came over the hill, Scootaloo and Applebloom had everything unpacked. The cooler was sunk into the sand, a few large towels were laid out, and both of Sweetie Belle’s friends were wearing just their swimwear.

“C’mon down,” called out Applebloom, grabbing some juice. “Let’s get this party started!”

Sweetie Belle tried to negotiate going down the sandy hillside, but found herself stepping gingerly, as she could feel her hooves sinking into the sand, but couldn’t see them.

Suddenly, she felt a hand take hold of her left arm, and saw Chrome holding it, and giving her a little smile.

“I got you,” he said.

Sweetie felt a tingle go through her body, as she allowed him to guide her down onto the main beach area.

“Too bad we don’t have a camera,” said Scootaloo. “That was a cute little moment.”

“Catch!” called out Applebloom, tossing a bottle of juice to Chrome, and then one to Sweetie.

Chrome effortlessly caught his bottle, but Applebloom’s aim was off and Sweetie’s bounced off her left breast, and wedged itself in her cleavage.

“Oopsie,” shrugged Applebloom.

“Allow me,” said Chrome, plucking out the bottle and handing it to Sweetie.

“Now that’s service,” smiled Applebloom, popping the cap on her bottle. “C’mon everypony, here’s to a fun afternoon in the sun!”

And moments later, it seemed like the party had gotten underway as Chrome took off his top.

“Mmm, ah think Sweetie Belle’s order is ready,” giggled Applebloom.

“Knock it off, Applebloom,” said Sweetie, removing her own top.

Chrome tried not to stare, as the shine of her bikini was catching his attention. Moments later, Applebloom walked up behind him and placed a bottle of sunscreen in his hand.

“What’s this for?” he asked.

“Fer Sweetie Belle!” smiled Applebloom.

“I’ll be fine, Applebloom,” snorted Sweetie. “It’s not that hot-“

“You said that 3 summers ago, and you got burned soooo badly.”

“Yeah,” said Scootaloo. “We don’t want you getting as red as your cheeks.”

“My cheeks are fine,” said Sweetie, in an annoyed tone.

“Not these,” said Applebloom, coming up behind her friend and slapping her white bottom!

“OW!!” cried out Sweetie Belle, before chasing Applebloom across the sand.

“Bet you wish it wuz Chrome who did that!” yelled back Applebloom, before diving into the lake, and swimming a ways out, causing Sweetie to give up the chase.

“I’ll get you for that later!” yelled out Sweetie.

As she saw Chrome standing there holding the bottle, she averted her eyes and sat down on a blanket.

“Well, you heard her,” she said. “Sunscreen me.”

Chrome was getting an awkward feeling again, but crouched down next to Sweetie, and got to work. Naturally, he asked permission before rubbing over her more prominent areas, leading to a half-hearted “sure” from Sweetie Belle.

Needless to say, he felt a bit deflated when applying sunscreen to her bottom and exposed chest area.

“Would you do me?” he asked as he finished up on her arm.

“What?” she asked, a bit in shock.

“The sunscreen,” he replied, shaking the bottle. “Figured I did you, maybe you could do me?”

“Oh, sure,” she said, taking the bottle.

Chrome found himself standing up with his arms out as she covered him all over. There were several times where her chest was rubbing against him, but she seemed to be taking the whole thing very seriously, hardly smiling at all.

After she finished up, the two saw Applebloom emerging from the lake, shaking out her hair and going over to the cooler.

“Y’know,” she said. “How bout we git lunch over with now, so we kin swim until dinner…and then go back to Sweetie Belle’s place.”

“Why would we do that?” asked Sweetie.

“Cuz you got that fridge fulla food, and we kin help ya eat some of it before it all goes bad. Heck, bet Chrome could work up quite an appetite swimming today.”

“Always ready to help,” smiled Chrome.

“Great, then it’s settled,” said Applebloom, grabbing sandwiches and passing them out, before making sure everypony also had a bottle of juice.

It didn’t take them long to finish off the sandwiches, and Applebloom passed around some of the cupcakes they had purchased.

“Mmm, this is good,” said Chrome, getting some blue-purple frosting on his lips. “Good thing I don’t eat these too often.”

“If ya ever move to Ponyville, that could be a problem,” chuckled Scootaloo.

“Say girls,” smiled Applebloom, “how bout we play a little game?”

“What do you have in mind?” asked Chrome.

“One we haven’t played since we were fillies…Truth, or Dare.”

Needless to say, Sweetie Belle gulped loudly.

“You know how to play, right Chrome?”

“Course I do,” he replied. “I’ve just, never played it before.”

“Ohohoh, we got a first-timer,” squealed Scootaloo.

“Just don’t get carried away,” cautioned Sweetie Belle.

“Aww, stop worryin’ so much,” said Applebloom, rubbing her friends thigh as they sat in the sand, facing each other. “Scootaloo, you kin go first.”

“Okay,” smiled Scootaloo. “Dare!”

“I dare you to kiss Chrome…the way Sweetie Belle would!”

“Applebloom,” sighed Sweetie.

“Chrome?” squeaked Scootaloo, trying to sound like her friend as she crawled over to him. “I have to have you!”

Moments later, Applebloom was laughing as Scootaloo threw herself at Chrome, causing him to fall back onto the sand, her body pressing firmly against his.

“Mmmmmm,” she murmured as she gave him a long kiss and then came up for air. “Maybe one more!”

Sweetie Belle just sat there not saying a word as Chrome and Scootaloo sat back up, and resumed their original positions.

“So, how was it?” asked Applebloom.

“Nice try,” chuckled Chrome, wiping his lips. “But seriously Scootaloo, you need to take a few tips from Sweetie Belle.”

Scootaloo smiled at Chrome, and winked at her friend.

“Alright,” smiled Applebloom. “Chrome, you go next!”

“Okay…truth.”

“Do you, looooove Sweetie Belle?”

“Applebloom,” huffed Sweetie Belle.

“Of course I do,” said Chrome. “I think she’s the most beautiful pony I know!”

“Aaannnndddd?” asked Scootaloo.

“Look,” Sweetie huffed again, “he answered. Let’s just move on.”

“Sounds like somepony is up next.”

“Fine…truth.”

“How many kids are you and Chrome gonna have?” asked Applebloom.

Sweetie Belle was silent for a few moments, staring daggers at her friends before she spoke again: “I’m not gonna answer that. Ask another question.”

“Now c’mon Sweetie Belle, you haftah-“

“I’m not answering that stupid question!”

“Sweetie Belle,” said Chrome reaching over, “what’s wrong-“

“You!” she yelled, causing everyone to go silent. “You just…go along with anything they say! And who said I loved you? You’re a friend, why can’t you two get that through your heads? Why do you keep thinking I invited him here to…to…”

“Okay,” Chrome suddenly exclaimed. “I can take a hint.”

“Chrome?” asked Scootaloo.

“Applebloom, Scootaloo…Sweetie Belle. Thanks for inviting me, but I’m going back to the hotel.”

As he got up and walked away, Sweetie Belle suddenly bounced to her feet and followed after him.

“Chrome?” she called out. “Where are you going-“

“Why did you even invite me to come to Ponyville?” he asked, turning to look at her with an expression of anger and hurt. “Why!?”

“I-I-I,” she stuttered. “I thought…I mean, I…”

“…you don’t even know, do you? You know what? This past year, I have never felt for another pony like I did you. I admit what I did to get into Twilight’s class was stupid, but what I said in the game is true: I love you, Sweetie Belle. And I thought you loved me. So…do you?”

A confused look passed over Sweetie’s face, as her lips seemed to be trying to say something, but nothing came out.

“I need some time to think,” he said, quietly. “And it looks like you do too.”

And with that, Chrome headed off towards Ponyville, as Sweetie Belle felt like her heart had just turned to stone and dropped into her stomach.

As she watched him trot off and disappear over a small hill, she turned back towards the lake. As she came within sight of her two friends, she could feel the watery sting of tears in her eyes. Seeing them look at her, she could feel the flow of tears increase, before she navigated herself towards one of the beach towels.

Staring down at the towel, Sweetie suddenly dropped down on her knees, causing her massive chest to quake. Moments later she face-dove forwards, causing her chest to squash out beneath her body like a mattress. Her arms came last, thumping against her firm chest.

Applebloom and Scootaloo watched their friend’s body shake in spasms, before they realized she was crying into her expansive cleavage.

Author's Note

Yep, drama rears its head during a hot summer day in Ponyville.

Once again, it’s always fun to play around with our favorite trio, though the hard part was trying to get the emotional resonance leading to a moment I’ve had in mind for awhile.

It had been in my mind to bring back the lake that played a fun role in The Expansive Romance of Applebloom and Coral Leaf. There was another idea on how this environment would be utilized, but it was much better to not make people think they knew where it was going.

I had to definitely truncate the game of truth or dare to fit the chapter. There were a few different ideas for Scootaloo’s moment, that were reigned in due to how Applebloom and Scootaloo might consider what was off-limits regarding Chrome.