The Spider and the Butterfly

Chapter One "First Date"

Rated - T

The shy mare let out a sigh. Everypony decided to venture off into the city with the exception of Fluttershy, who felt it was best to stay behind in case Peter returned. While that was partial in her decision, Fluttershy just did not feel comfortable taking on the claustrophobic atmosphere of the city for a second time in the same day. Though her current surroundings were within her comfort zone, it was impossible to not feel the depths of loneliness that pulled at her heart. Without the presence of her friends or Angel, she almost could not bear to face the oddity alone.

Yet it was for the best. She did not wish to slow anypony down in their endeavors. Fluttershy sighed inwardly as she shifted her weight, turning onto her back. Several strands of her pink mane shielded one half of her face, exposing only a saddened gaze in her right blue iris and a pathetic frown her lips bore. It had been an hour since the others left and well over three for Peter. She was only concerned for his safety, but Fluttershy could not shake the longing sense of want she felt for the stallion. Her face flushed, matching the temperature of the very sun Celestia rose daily.

'In *want** of his company,'* she told herself, ignoring the countless possibilities that one word conjured up.

Fluttershy slammed her eyes shut, using every ounce of her willpower to rid the images from her mind, but Peter remained at the center of her attention, despite various attempts to think about other situations. There were several things she liked about Peter, but this was getting wildly out of control. Why did he cause so much chaos in her emotions? Granted, she would not have minded it so much. In fact, she actually enjoyed the warm feelings he brought about from within her being.

Peter was a strong stallion with a large heart. He would fight the deadliest monsters and find time to go to the spa afterward. Despite his immense strength, he paid caution to remain gentle to those around him. Fluttershy found that astoundingly attractive about Peter, but it helped that he was quite the physical specimen, too. The mare groaned outwardly, hating the side effect of harboring these feelings. Rolling to her side, Fluttershy allowed her stiffened wings to rise appropriately without her body weight restricting them.

'Is it wrong that a part of me enjoys this?' Her flushed cheeks to a dewy shade of pink, matching the tone of her bright mane.

Before she could answer her own question (purposely nonetheless), Fluttershy made her way to the open window in the room, stopping to stick her head and hooves outside. The sun steadily fell into the horizon, temporarily staining the sky a dark shade of orange. Before long, the moon would rise and leave the sky a wondrous shade of black. Yet, neither could take away from the beauty the city held. The sun's reflection beamed off several of the buildings' glass exteriors, and it was rational to believe, along with the night lights of the streets, the moon would do the exact same thing.

A gentle breeze brushed her mane over her eyes, forcing the mare to use her hoof to free her vision. After doing so, Fluttershy found an amazing sight concealed by the setting sun, its silhouette raising her ears attentively. Unfortunately, they flopped to the side in defeated fashion upon realizing the distance between her current position and her point of interest. It seemed so far to fly on her own, and to travel on the ground through the countless herds of ponies was too much for one so timid to imagine.

Fluttershy sighed. It was difficult being a Pegasus who preferred to stay grounded.

Deep down, she had hoped to see the sight before the end of her visit, and another part of herself wished Peter could be there alongside her to share it. Fluttershy shook her head shamefully. It was selfish, but she desperately wanted the stallion's company, not wanting to spend another moment alone for as long as she could help it. While she did not completely agree with Iron Will's teachings, Fluttershy still drove, albeit very softly, to be more assertive, and now seemed like the best time to give it a try.

With a weak smile, Fluttershy mentally nodded, agreeing to ask Peter to accompany her to see the Statue of Harmony sometime soon. Her perked wings twitched, as if agreeing with the notion.

"Maybe... I better go find him," she whispered, using her hooves to bring her wings back into her side.

Peter leaned over the table, keeping his eyes sternly fixed on the device between his hooves. Though the day had just begun, evident by the bright morning sun's awakening rays, everypony already awoke and went to dine in the hotel's cafeteria for breakfast. Unfortunately, Peter chose to stay behind, taking the moment to refill his nearly depleted web-cartridges. It had been days since he last performed this task due to the lack of danger, and considering how expensive the ingredients for his webbing used to be (and still are), Peter was grateful for not having to refill them as often.

An exasperated groan escaped from the stallion as he failed to, once again, slip the capsule into the correct compartment of the cartridge. While Peter accepted his pony form for what it was worth, some of his perks as a human were heavily missed, namely his fingers and thumbs. Those helpful appendages made grabbing the smallest objects easy, but with hooves, as clunky as they were, grasping anything was a challenge in itself.

Granted, grasping had never been a problem for one with the adhesive touch of a spider, but the web-shooter's modified (and ponified) design made placing the capsules into its compartment reminiscent to sliding a thread through a needle. Peter's brow twitched involuntarily upon another failed attempt. His pair of web-shooters held ten capsules each, and over the course of the hour, he had only successfully filled two compartments, meaning eighteen remained empty. At this rate, the entire day would have been wasted on something so trivial.

It made him wonder how he managed to get this process right the first time.

With renewed vigor, Peter edged his seat closer to the table, determined to reduce his pathetic number of eighteen to something mildly more encouraging like seventeen. Using the tip of both hooves, the stallion lifted one capsule and hovered it above an open compartment. The fit was tight, leaving absolutely no room for error. Time stood still, as if the fates were watching this battle of epic proportions. Peter slowly lowered the capsule, desperately wanting to avoid another mistake.

His mind screamed, reminding him just who he was exactly. He was formerly Spider-Man, the hero who survived bouts with the likes of Venom, Juggernaut, and Thanos. Even now, he was Spider-Mane, the pony who could beat dragons, Hydras, and ever-so energetic Rainbow Dash. Peter smiled at this fact. Above all, probably his greatest feat was that he was the leader/foalsitter of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. With such a volatile resume, Peter couldn't fail his current task. It was impossible.

Using all of his skill, Peter allowed gravity to guide the capsule into the compartment, but it teetered forward, bouncing off the edge before inevitably landing back on the table. The high-and-mighty Spider-Man had been bested once again, the agony of defeat clutching at the lowest part of his soul. Peter screamed at the top of his lungs before slamming his hooves into the table in frustration. However, the shock caused the device to unleash a burst of webbing, covering the side of Peter's face.

"Crap!" he blurted out, instinctively clutching at the sticky substance. Paying no attention to his surroundings or his spider sense, Peter rose from his seat, only to trip haplessly over the stool placed next to the table and knock over the case of capsules in the process. "CRAP!"

Flat on his back with his limbs hanging limply overhead, Peter grumbled incoherently, debating whether to return to his work or not. However, a shadow loomed over his being and disrupted his train of thought. Though the image was upside down from his viewpoint, Peter immediately recognized the mare's bright yellow coat, silky pink mane, and glossy blue eyes.

"Fluttershy? Well, this is awkward," he weakly murmured, clearing his throat afterward. "How much of that did you see?" He placed his hoof over his forehead, smiling. "Congratulations. You've caught me with web on my face."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you." Fluttershy trailed off, barely above the hint of a whisper. Her eyes fell to the ground and widened upon spotting the many capsules scattered across the floor. She tilted her head to the side at the sight. "What were you doing?"

Lifting himself from the ground, clumsily at that, Peter pried the webbing from his face. "Don't worry. You're not disturbing me. I was just fixing up my web-shooters. Had an accident, but it's nothing major." He explained, letting out a defeated sigh after. "I just hope room service doesn't get the wrong idea with all of this."

Flipping over to his side, Peter finally made his way back to a vertical base. His brow furrowed. So many capsules lay scattered, but the moment he knelt to retrieve them, Fluttershy mimicked his actions. She lifted one with two of her hooves delicately and softly dropped them within the case. She paused, unsure if her actions were acceptable, but Peter grinned, giving his silent approval. He attempted to do the same, finding a way to fail the first two times. The process took a few minutes, both ponies scanning their surroundings thoroughly, but every capsule had been recovered and placed back within the glass case.

"Thanks, 'Shy." Peter said warmly, giving the mare a matching smile. His eyes widened, a late realization coming into mind. "Why aren't you with the others?"

Fluttershy gasped, caught off guard by Peter's simple question. "Well... I thought you might be hungry and um..."

Her mind grew fuzzy, leaving it impossible for her mouth to form the words she needed. The room was quiet save for the sounds that came from outside the opened window. Fluttershy took a deep breath before turning to the side, retrieving a small basket with her hoof. The effect Peter had remained as sterling as ever, and Fluttershy enjoyed the heat generating throughout her chest, especially the giddy sensation that stifled her breathing so.

Fluttershy shook her head, keeping those thoughts at bay. There was time for that later. She came to see Peter with a purpose. She would not spend the day alone. Her brow lowered, showing a look of determination on the mare's face, but it dissipated, morphing into a hesitant smile as she politely offered the basket to Peter. Lowering her head, Fluttershy used her teeth to remove the cloth shielding the basket's contents. Several fruits were organized within, each unique scent reaching out to those within range.

Abashed, Fluttershy's body lowered. "I brought you some food. I hope it's okay."

Peter's eyes widened. He ran his hoof through the assorted fruits, mentally noting how fresh each one was. Whether they were gathered by Fluttershy or somepony else, it was clear quite a bit of care was put into the basket. Peter's lips curled into a smile. Even now, he could not get used to how considerate his friends were, evident by the rising temperature in his face.

Reaching out, Peter placed his hoof on the mare's shoulder and whispered a simple yet honest, "Thank you."

Fluttershy felt her skin burn from Peter's touch, a sensation she had not felt before. It was so enticing, as if Peter's warmth was spreading across her body. Her goal was within reach. Assertiveness had never been her strongest trait, nor would it ever be, but Fluttershy begged for her heart to stay strong, knowing it was her only hope to earn the company she so desired. Fluttershy found herself lost in Peter's hazel irises, fueling her desire to blurt out all of her fears that had troubled her recently.

"Um..." Fluttershy blinked nervously, ignoring the flush that formed within her cheeks. "There was something else I wanted to ask you... if that's okay."

"'Shy, you can ask me anything." Peter's words held an honest tone. He reached for a plum within the basket, managing to grasp it with two hooves. Luckily, its size was easier to grasp. Before taking a bite out of the sweet delicacy, he added, "What's on your mind?"

It was now or never. Fluttershy's gaze fell to the ground. Her mind swam with frenzied emotions. It was selfish and shameful. She wanted Peter's company so badly, and now was the perfect time to ask him. However, Iron Will's image appeared in her mind, the minotaur offering a confident thumbs-up.

'Don't be shy. Look 'em in the eye.'

Forcing the lump in her throat down, Fluttershy made sure her eyes were dutifully set with Peter's. "Um... I was thinking about going to the Statue of Harmony..." She edged forward, closing the distance between herself and the stallion. She did not want to be lonely any longer. "...and I would really like for you to go with me."

Fluttershy's request was delivered gently, but Peter felt as if he had been sucker punched. He stood slack-jawed, trying to contemplate the words echoing throughout his ears and mind. His eyes widened, having finally noticed the crimson blush that filled Fluttershy's cheeks. Peter dismissed the thought, believing she meant with the others. Yet, the back of his mind nagged at him, begging for a sense of closure.

"You mean with everypony, right?" Peter brought his hoof behind his head, unaware his cheeks were just as stained as Fluttershy's. 'Leave it at that, Parker.' His mind added. His mouth, as per usual, ignored the demand. "Or did you just ask me out on a date?"

Both ponies remained silent. Peter laughed dumbly, partially relieved with the mare's silence. For all he knew, Fluttershy was just put on the spot. In a moment, she would correct his accusation, and the day would proceed as planned. Unfortunately, the mare edged a bit closer to the stallion. Her gaze turned sweet and smile remained intact. Small beads of sweat formed on Peter's forehead as his intake of air shortened immensely.

"Um... yes..." she nodded, confirming Peter's fear. "That is, uh, if it's okay with you... I would really like to see the Statue of Harmony together."

'Wow, Parker. Who would've thunk it? A pony just asked you out on a date. Well, just tell her no and...' Peter bit his lip in an attempt to hide the goofy grin forming on his face. 'Dude, no. She's a pony. Scratch that. She's a HORSE. You can't do it. It's just not normal.' The inside of his chest grew light, as if his heart threatened to fly free from its confines. 'Okay, okay. Nothing is normal in your life, but you have to draw the line here. Seriously, can you tell Fluttershy 'yes' with a straight face?'

"Fluttershy, I'd love to go," Peter said without a hint of hesitation.

'Okay, what the heck?! Why did you do that?! She's a pony!' Peter glanced to the side. 'Yeah, she's a pony, but I'm a pony, too. Plus, in case you forgot, I'm going to be a pony for the rest of my life.' His mind huffed. 'Okay, maybe... but...' Peter stole a glance at Fluttershy. 'Come on. How can I say no to her? She's cute, and it's just a date between friends. Maybe, this will open me up to the idea of something more in the future.' Exhaling, his mind admitted defeat. 'All right, fine. Just make sure you don't do anything weird. Well, weirder than this.'

Peter resisted the urge to bring his hoof over his forehead. 'I must be insane. I just lost a debate with myself. This must be what Deadpool goes through.'

In the midst of his debate, Peter had not noticed Fluttershy's change in demeanor. Her smile grew in width, matched only by the brightness in her eyes. Peter actually agreed to go with her. She neighed victoriously, hopping from the ground and waving her hooves. The blush on her face remained, but the Pegasus did not care, evident by her uncontrollable giggling.

"Oh, my gosh! Thank you!" Fluttershy clapped her hooves together. "Um... When shall we leave?"

That same moment, Peter took a second plum from the basket and placed it on the table where his web-shooter rested. "Just give me a bit to grab my things, and we can leave in a few."

"Okay. I'll meet you in the lobby!" Fluttershy nodded eagerly, turning to make her exit immediately. However, her mind clicked, reminding the mare not to leave so rudely. She faced Peter and waved her hoof sweetly. Yet, that was not enough. Perhaps it was out of instinct, but Fluttershy walked up to the stallion and wrapped her hooves around his neck. Peter's body temperature spread, engulfing the mare. "Thank you, Peter."

Breaking away, Fluttershy used her hooves to bring her wings back into her side and hastily made her exit. Peter scratched the back of his head. It may have been a mistake, but Peter did not care. He trotted over to his backpack where his heroic attire was and stole a glance at his web-shooters. Shaking his head, Peter knew he would have to go without them for the day. His mind begged for a worst-case scenario to interfere with the day, but for the first time since Gwen died, Peter felt ready to give dating another chance.

His mind droned. 'Even if it is with a pony.' However, his grin resurfaced. 'Well, at least she's cute.'

Peter made his way downstairs rather clumsily, struggling to properly tie his scarf around his neck while also attempting not to swallow the plum between his teeth whole. Though he had taken on the most dangerous without showing an ounce of fear, a date request from a girl caused great feelings of trepidation to build within Peter. It was perhaps the start of something new, and Peter could only wonder how his horrible luck would ruin everything.

After what happened to Gwen, he had a right to feel pessimistic about the situation, but Peter smiled halfheartedly, still grateful someone so cute asked him out in the first place. Before long, Peter finally reached the lobby, stumbling to a halt in front of the main desk. Glancing around, he searched for the pink-maned Pegasus, but a sigh of relief escaped from his mouth upon failure to spot the mare. Peter current entrance was not necessarily graceful, and it was rather early for Fluttershy to see he wasn't exactly the smoothest operator.

The scarf fell from his grasp, causing the stallion to let out an exasperated groan. It seemed his finesse was leaving him at a phenomenal rate. Peter readied to retrieved the cloth, but a pair of yellow hooves slid underneath the scarf, beating him to the punch. His eyes grew in width and cheeks flushed. Fluttershy held the scarf with an uncertain smile on her face, but Peter could only laugh forcefully to hide his embarrassment.

"It's just not my day, huh?" Peter said, shrugging his shoulders pitifully.

"It's all right," Fluttershy softly replied, her voice filled with gentle assurance. She edged a bit closer to Peter and fidgeted with the scarf in her hooves. Rising to match his height to the best of her limited ability, Fluttershy readied to reach for Peter's neck but paused halfway, unsure if her actions were complimentary or welcomed. "Um..."

Peter only smiled and lowered his head, silently giving his consent. Fluttershy's cheeks reddened at the gesture, but she accepted, extending her hooves until they reached the back of Peter's neck. They were so close, Peter's natural scent coursing through her senses. It was unbearable, and Fluttershy struggled not to give into its enticing grip. Her hooves daintily tied the scarf in a neat knot, leaving it with enough slack to slid free whenever desired but tight enough to stay in place. She wished not to widen the gap, but it was necessary.

"Is... that better?" she asked, desperately trying to free the wondrous smell from her memory banks.

Brushing his hoof across the cloth, Peter closed his eyes and grinned. "Much better. Thanks." He tilted his head to the side. "Any idea where the statue is?"

"Um... it's across the city." Her gaze fell to the side before it focused back on the stallion. "It's really far away." The fears of her agoraphobia resurfaced, causing the mare to brush her hooves against each other nervously. "Are you sure you're okay going with me? I mean... um... I understand if you don't want to."

"Don't be silly! Of course I'm still going with you!" Peter responded, maintaining a great sense of enthusiasm. However, Fluttershy's nervousness remained apparent, evident by her fidgety motions. Despite holding a small smile, Peter could not hide the concern in his eyes. Ignoring his mind's demand, Peter placed his hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder. "You asked me out, right? It's only fair that I take care of you along the way."

Fluttershy felt her lip tremble as she stole a glance at the door. Countless ponies filled the streets of the city, and there was a possibility she could be swept away in the chaos. Her desire to be with Peter came into conflict with her fear of crowds, a collision course of sorts with her heart and mind.

"Do you... promise not to leave me behind?" she asked, her resolve feigning.

Fluttershy's eyes grew as wide as saucers. Peter removed his hoof from her shoulder and gently placed it on top of one of her own. All of the heat in her body rushed to her head, leaving Fluttershy a fair shade of crimson and awfully light-headed. She turned to face again, feeling giddy at the nervous ambiance of the event, and said sensation only intensified when her eyes fell on Peter's warm yet gripping smile.

"Of course. I promise I won't." Peter broke away and trotted over to the door. As he held it open for Fluttershy, his reassuring smile remained intact. "Are you ready?"

Fluttershy felt useless. She asked Peter out, only to nearly back away at the last moment. However, the knowledge that he was there for her combined with the steady release of hidden emotion gave Fluttershy the strength to press onward and pursue her heart's desire. With a simple nod, the mare accepted the gesture and stepped outside, only to be greeted by a plethora of assorted chaos, particularly the swarm she suddenly found herself in.

Her breaths grew shorter with each intake, but Peter stepped in, placing his hoof around her shoulder. "Let's take a taxi. It'll be easier to get to the statue that way," he whispered, earning an affirming nod from the Pegasus. 'It's almost the same as Manhattan. Let's give it a try.' Stepping onto the side of the road, Peter raised his hoof high and waved it strongly. "Taxi!"

A pony with a carriage in tow rushed over to the stallion, parking along the side of the road. "Where to, Mac?"

"How much for a trip to the Statue of Harmony?" Peter asked, holding the door open for Fluttershy.

"'Bout twenty bits. It's a ways off, Mac."

Once his date accepted the gesture and entered the carriage, Peter placed the amount in the bag on the driver's side without a hint of hesitation. After Peter joined Fluttershy inside, the driver smiled before running off for his customers' desired destination. Immediately, Fluttershy found the atmosphere much more favorable, allowing the mare to smile for the first time since she stepped outside. Yet, the heat around her body had not simmered in the slightest. Peter sat next to her, unaware or not mindful their sides were brushing together.

The muscles in her back tightened. It was happening again. Fortunately, with her wings pinned behind the seat, she had not need to worry about anypony witnessing her rise in arousal. That was as long as she didn't move, but her body slowly edged closer to Peter, perhaps out of instinct. Her mind screamed, more so politely demanded, for her body to stop. Peter promised to stay by her side throughout the entire duration, and she only wanted to ensure he kept his word.

"It's going to be a while until we get to the statue," Peter whispered, shifting his gaze away from the window. "How are you holding up?"

Fluttershy repositioned herself, placing the side of her head against Peter's shoulder. He turned his head and peeked down at the mare, the fresh, clear scent of her mane entering his nostrils. Peter brought his hoof behind his head. His entire face turned a heavy shade of crimson, and Fluttershy's features were vastly similar. However, though they hid it from each other, a warm smile had formed on both their faces.

The trip itself was brief. The grounds around the Statue of Harmony were empty, making it easy for Peter and Fluttershy to make it as close to the monument as possible. Now, as they traveled back to the Manehattan Palace in the same carriage, both ponies sat in comfortable silence. Yet, Peter could not quite bring himself to forget the oddity he just saw, or at least, not in a fully positive manner.

The green-colored statue only caused Peter's mind to run, questioning if Equestria was just an alternate version of Earth. For the inhabitants of Equestria, the Statue of Harmony was a monument, representing the hearts of everypony and a land united by harmony. For Peter, it was just a ponified version of the Statue of Liberty. In a sense, they were both one and the same. Peter chided himself, ashamed he did not see this coming. After all, Manhattan and Manehattan were the cities both statues resided in.

With a simple shrug of the shoulders, Peter accepted the sight for what it was and paid it no further mind. If not for the fact that Peter already knew of parallel dimensions and met three alternate versions of himself (not counting the pig named Peter Porker), he would have believed his sanity had long run out. Yet, his greatest experience of the day was not witnessing the monument but Fluttershy, with her bright smile, leaning over the steel railing surrounding it. Thanks to her high and innocent enthusiasm, Peter still managed to enjoy himself immensely (despite the bizarre sense of deju vu').

Fluttershy rocked in her seat, unable to bring her joy to a standstill. The Statue of Harmony was everything she had imagined, the towering figure's beauty magnifying underneath the bright, clear sky. It was enough to take her breath away, really, but Fluttershy's lips curled into a smile as she stole a glance at Peter. It was easy to remember there was he had that exact same effect on her. Because Peter agreed to accompany her, he inadvertently gave Fluttershy the courage to go through the heavily populated city.

The inside of her chest swelled, threatening to burst. The feelings she harbored for Peter were already strong, but at the moment, Fluttershy felt something more, a lingering sensation buried deep within her soul. The sense of giddiness she grew to adore returned more intense than ever, leaving the Pegasus to practically burn in her own increasing body heat. The longer she stared at Peter, the hotter her cheeks grew and worse her other symptoms grew.

For the entire duration of the trip back, Fluttershy kept her words to a minimum, using the time to sort out her frenzied emotions. She knew exactly what her heart desired, and a part of her pleaded for some of Iron Will's assertiveness to help cease it. However, her better judgment prevailed, knowing that could destroy any progress she may have had with the stallion. Fluttershy had come so far and the goal was within reach. It was so close. She resisted the urge to reach out to Peter, who only sat inches away.

It was unbearable. He was there. All she had to do was tell him how she felt, but the task became increasingly difficult, her mind falling into a downward spiral. What was the best way to tell him? How would he react? Would he be okay with it, or would he reject her feelings in the worst way? Fluttershy whimpered. The feeling of rejection was painful, but the idea of Peter doing so seemed like too much to stand. Stealing a peak at the window behind Peter, Fluttershy's eyes widened once the Manehattan Palace came into view. In her deep thought, she had lost complete track of time.

What was she to do now? There was so much she wanted to say. The inside of her mouth grew dry. Fluttershy knew the only way for her to gain some form of control of her urges was to confess the truth hidden in her heart. Biting down on her lip, Fluttershy mentally nodded. She slammed her eyes shut, tuning out her mind's thoughts. The carriage came to a complete stop, but the mare paid it no mind. It was time she heeded her heart's advice instead.

"Looks like we made it back," Peter said, oblivious to the developing situation. He stepped out of the carriage first, turning to hold the door open in a chivalrous manner.

Fluttershy only peeked her head out of her carriage, but instead of exiting, she took advantage of the extra height the vehicle provided. Extending his hoof out, Peter prepared to help his date from the carriage, but his eyes shot open as something warm fell over his mouth, syncing with his lips. Both ponies remained in this state for several seconds, with Peter standing outside and Fluttershy sitting inside, lips locked nonetheless. Then, as quickly as it happened, it ended. Fluttershy pulled away, her cheeks flushing to a shade of dewy pink.

"Um... I..." she murmured.

Shaking her head, Fluttershy hopped from the carriage and sped past Peter, who had not moved an inch since he was kissed. Finally, as if his nerve returned, the stallion's turned to face the mare, unaware his face was as red as a tomato. Fluttershy stood at the entrance to the Palace. Despite the level of embarrassment she felt, the smile on her face suggested some peace of mind had finally been obtained. Fluttershy couldn't say what was on her mind, but at the very least, she was finally able to show it a little. Before anything else could be said, the mare retreated within the hotel, leaving Peter both shocked and horrified.

'Whoa. What just happened?' Fluttershy's taste had not left the sanctions of his mouth, prompting Peter to place his hoof over his bottom lip. His mind exhaled between shrills. 'Hey, don't act surprised or anything, Parker. In case you weren't paying attention, a horse just kissed you... on the lips.' His lips finally curled into a smile, adding to his mind's exasperation. 'Come on! It was weird, wasn't it? I mean... Dude!'

Peter remained still, ignoring the buzz that surrounded him soundly. For the first time in months, he had gone on a date (with a friend), and it ended with a kiss, something else Peter hadn't experienced since his days with Gwen. However, of all things, a pony was the one to bring about this change. It was wrong and, in some minds, taboo. Peter furrowed his brow, chiding the fact. There was nothing wrong with what just happened. Fluttershy knew what he really was, but she paid it no mind, accepting Peter for who he was.

Equestrians opened their hearts to Peter, despite his alien background. So why was it so difficult to accept them in return? Closing his eyes, Peter savored the taste bestowed upon him a bit longer. As of now, he no longer had a reason to shut out his attraction to those around him (especially now). Mares of Equestria were no different from the women of Earth. With his changed body, Peter finally had a reason to let Gwen go. It was time he searched for something more, and perhaps after a few more dates, Peter would finally take that final leap.

'So you're going to start dating ponies now? It's still weird if you ask me.' Peter rolled his eyes, the grin on his face remaining intact. 'It's just one date, but I feel a bit more confident than before. I think it's a step in the right direction.' His mind grumbled, hating how things were transpiring. 'Fine, but experiment a bit more before you take that leap of faith, Romeo. That's if you luck up and get a second date. Not that I care or anything.' His mind sighed. 'You usually don't get a second date, Parker. So expect to wait a while before anything else happens.'

Heeding his mind's remarks, Peter shrugged and walked into the Palace. It was true. Though Fluttershy was a great kisser, judging from his track record back at home, it was highly unlikely the day would be remembered by the mare. The smile on Peter's face remained firm. Regardless, he had something to remember the day by. Unfortunately, his eyes grew blank at a realization. Though the sun slowly fell into the horizon, there was still a vast amount of time left in the day. His web-shooters needed to be filled, and it seemed an all-nighter was in his approaching future.

Shaking his head, Peter placed his hoof over his forehead and sighed. "Oh, well. Back to reality." To add to his misery, his mind groaned. 'You still kissed a horse.' With a chuckle, Peter's cheeks blushed. "And I regret nothing."