Chapter 1: Hot Rain

Chapter 1: Hot Rain

The soft patter of rain on her bedroom window woke Raindrops up one late spring morning. The scheduled drizzle was set up the previous evening and was meant to go on all morning, to be cleared up by the time afternoon lunch rush rolled around. Raindrops wasn’t concerned with that, however, as she rolled out of bed and stretched her sleek jasmine coated body, starting her day with a few warm up exercises to get the blood flowing. Today was her day off and the rain outside was the perfect companion to her mood which was surging with growing excitement.

She worked out just enough to get a sweat going before hitting the shower, whistling happily to herself as she began to wash her teal mane and tail. Usually on her days off she might simply laze around the house, curled up with one of her guilty pleasures, the romance novels she kept tucked away in one drawer of her room. But today she had plans. Plans with her... marefriend.

Marefriend. Just thinking it made Raindrops grin to herself. It’d been unexpected, this development in her life, but Raindrops couldn’t have been happier to be exploring this new relationship. A relationship with Trixie Lulamoon, Representative of the Night court of Princess Luna.

It was hard to think that just a year ago Raindrops hadn’t even met Trixie, yet so much had happened since the bombastic, loud mouthed, at times downright neurotic, unicorn had arrived in Ponyville. At first Raindrops had had trouble getting along with, let alone understanding, Trixie. She’d gotten on Raindrops bad side more than once with thoughtless action and a penchant for manipulation. Yet Raindrops had also come to realize there were few mares more dedicated to her friends than Trixie, a dedication so strong it’d taken her and five other mares from Ponyville, Raindrops included, to face down the Tyrant Sun itself.

Time and again Trixie had shown a willingness to place herself in danger for her friends, and despite an unfortunate ego Raindrops had gradually discovered that beneath the self-important exterior there was a good, honest, fun loving mare who was often so scared of losing the few friends she’d managed to make that Trixie would move the stars and moon to keep them safe and close.

In Raindrops’ case, very close.

Well, mostly close. There were certain quirks to Trixie that meant Raindrops may have been close to Trixie since they’d started dating, but not close to Trixie. As it turned out Trixie was rather skittish when it came to the matter of physical intimacy. More than skittish, actually. Even talking about sex tended to make the unicorn extremely uncomfortable.

In fact it was because of that trait of Trixie’s that Raindrops had come to realize how much she was actually fond of the other mare and had ended up taking the chance on starting a relationship. Six months ago Trixie had gone into heat, the first time she’d done so since moving to Ponyville. Trixie’s heat were unusually strong, and it had snuck up on her this year.

Raindrops still keenly felt the memory of that event. How she’d tried to help Trixie with keeping her mind off her heat through their exercise routine they’d gotten used to doing out in Whitetail Wood. How things had led from one point to another and she and Trixie had shared a kiss, one that Raindrops had felt terrible about because she’d been certain she’d taken advantage of her friend’s heat. Trixie, however, in her usual over the top manner, had made it clear that Raindrops’ hadn’t taken advantage at all, and that Trixie wanted more than ever to see where the feelings sparked during that time might lead.

So far it had led to four months of enjoyable dates, late night cuddling, and a whole lot of good natured joking among their friends. Cheerilee was particularly insufferable, though in a very supportive manner. All their friends had been supportive of the new couple in their midst. Raindrops appreciated it, but at times she got the feeling their friends started treading on eggshells when around her and Trixie, as if afraid the pair might burst like a bubble ir prodded the wrong way.

No matter, Raindrops had been having the time of her life for half a year, getting closer to Trixie.

Just not that close. Not that final closeness. Which was fine. Raindrops was fine with that. She’d understood that when she’d decided to start dating Trixie that there were lines that couldn’t be crossed, at least not without a lot of consideration for Trixie’s feelings on the matter. Light touching, cuddling, a few simple kisses, these were all alright. Trixie seemed fine with physical contact that was affectionate, just not... sexual. Which was fine! It was! Raindrops had to make it be fine, no matter...

Raindrops was satisfied with just the slight brushes of her wings on her marefriend’s shoulders, or along the elegant, smooth blue curve of Trixie’s back. She was fine with the soft kisses that sent shocks down her spine, Trixie’s lips pressed into hers as Trixie’s scent filled Raindrops’ senses. She was fine with just cuddling, spooning her body around Trixie’s warm, plush azure form, nuzzling the curve of Trixie’s neck and feeling the silky caress of her marefriend’s mane on her face.

There was no reason at all to fantasize about Trixie’s lips going elsewhere, exploring Raindrops’ body with gentle, eager pecks. No reason to think of Trixie’s tongue affectionately flicking out to tickle Raindrops’ sensitive spots, causing low eager moans to escape Raindrops’ throat as Trixie worked further and further down her body, until finally, reaching that one space, that one place that was for Trixie alone to explore, tongue pushing deep into-

“Mmm-” Raindrops eyes snapped open as she realized what she was doing in the shower and she nearly took the curtains down as she yanked her hoof away from her nethers, “Gah! What the... huh?”

Her heart was beating fast in her chest and she was still... feeling eager, back there, her fantasy of Trixie still fresh in her mind and not so small portion of her wanting to continue.

No... no can’t get myself riled up today, Raindrops thought as she forced herself to breath slowly and push aside the excitement that’d built up in her. She was going out with Trixie today to have a nice romantic picnic in Whitetail Wood, just the two of them enjoying lunch and watching the rainbows come out after the morning shower had ended. Raindrops didn’t want to ruin that with getting herself randy and ending up doing anything that’d make Trixie uncomfortable. Raindrops could just imagine the discomfort in Trixie’s eyes if Raindrops even smelled too much of sex.

Raindrops could easily see it, Trixie’s two huge lavender eyes swimming with worry and disgust at the simplest mention of sex. If only those eyes would become lidded with desire. Trixie’s beautifully angled features would complement bedroom eyes so well and Raindrops could just see Trixie wearing a lacy set of socks and underwear, giving her sultry looks as she stretched herself across the picnic blanket. Raindrops would go to her, taking Trixie up in her strong hooves and kiss her deeply, and be the one to take her turn exploring Trixie’s body, giving her the love and affection she deserved by slowly nibbling at-

“Ugh, what is with me today?” Raindrops asked, shaking her head. It was like Trixie was stuck in her brain this morning. And that feeling of excitement wasn’t going away. it was a steady heat building up in her...

...heat...

“Oh no... no no no, not today! Not bucking today!” Raindrops snapped as she slammed a hoof into the wall of the shower.

“Honey? You okay in there?” asked her mother from outside the bathroom door.

“Oh, uh, yeah, I’m fine!” said Raindrops, blowing out a sigh as she glared at nothing in particular. But her glare soon turned to a shamed look of despair as she let the shower water fall over her head, wishing the hot water could wash away the heat that was now undeniably growing inside her.

She kept track of it, but there was never any guarantees when it comes to this kind of thing, and there was now one undeniable fact starring Raindrops in the face.

She was in heat, and it’d had not only arrived early, Raindrops could tell it was going to be rough

----------

My little pony, My little pony
Ahh ahh ahh ahhh...
My little pony
Friendship never meant that much to me
My little pony
But you're all here and now I can see
Stormy weather; Lots to share
A musical bond; With love and care
Teaching laughter; It's an easy feat,
And magic makes it all complete!
You have my little ponies
How'd I ever make so many true friends?

----------

Trixie flew through her paperwork that morning with a fervor quite unlike herself. Not that she was lazy when it came to the neverending series of mundane tasks required of a Representative of Princess Luna’s Night Court, but she wasn’t exactly the most eager to tackle the mind mulching stacks of papers that often graced her desk. Today, however, she hit them with energy, a inner fire making her quill pen sweep over the papers with speedy flourishes.

“Really going at it there.”

Trixie nearly snapped her pen at the sudden comment, but she recovered fast, frowning at her somewhat fudged signature and making a fast alteration to make it look better before glancing up at the pony who’d addressed her. Pokey Pierce, her assistant, was looking at her with his eyes brimming with sarcastic bemusement, his own horn glowing as it levitated a fresh stack of envelopes to Trixie’s desk.

“I’m not going at it, I’m working at a normal, medium pace,” said Trixie as she glanced over the new envelopes. Only a dozen or so, probably all minor petitions or requests for local matters to be forwarded to the appropriate channels in the Night Court in Canterlot. She’d need to read them, sign them, then send them on their way so ponies on a higher pay tier than hers could actually debate over what to do about them.

“Well, whatever you want to call it, I’d say this is the furthest along in your morning work I’ve seen you get this early in awhile,” said Pokey as he began to collect the papers Trixie had already gone over so he could take them to the post office. He smirked slightly, “Special occasion? Or perhaps a special somepony?”

Trixie rolled her eyes. She hadn’t once felt a single twinge of regret in pursuing a relationship with Raindrops, but certainly she was getting tired of the teasing from her friends. She made a shooing motion with her hoof, “Away with you. You’re not getting any gossip from this mare. My personal affairs are not anypony’s business but mine.”

“And Raindrops’,” said Pokey, his smirk widening as he ducked Trixie’s quill pen, which flew at him in her magic aura like a little buzzing bee.

“Git! Vous tromper gênant!” Trixie said, only half serious as she dove into her rich Neigh Orleans accent.

“Okay, okay! I’m going. You two crazy fillies enjoy your day and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” chimed Pokey as he left her office, leaving Trixie to blow out a sigh and get back to work.

She finished in record time, well before she expected Raindrops to show up at her door. That was partially the point. Trixie wanted time to make herself ‘presentable’. She and Raindrops hadn’t had as much opportunities as Trixie would have liked to have actual dates, and when they did manage to get their schedules to align Trixie enjoyed going that extra mile to look good for her marefriend.

Trixie hummed a giddy tune as she got ready for going out with Raindrops. It might have just been a fairly typical picnic get together, but it was special because of who it was with, not what they’d be doing, specifically. Besides, when one goes on a picnic with Trixie, there’s no such thing as typical. Her outfit for the excursion wasn’t her usual star speckled violet magician hat and cape, but instead she’d gotten a slimmer, dark blue dress that had a long train and a deep v-cut in the back. It had a matching set of socks, a concept that Trixie found a tad odd but Cheerilee had assured her it was a appropriately alluring style. Cheerilee was the closest among her circle of friends Trixie could claim had much experience in the dating scene. Through most of Cheerilee’s information was a number of years out of date Trixie still trusted it.

She rarely ever applied makeup as well, but she considered Raindrops more than worth the effort. Nothing extensive or fancy, just a little eye shadow and lipstick. She took some time to ensure her mane and tail were thoroughly combed to silky smooth perfection, and she applied a dab or two of perfume while she listened to the rain of the morning begin to slack off. That meant that Raindrops should be on her way! Trixie happily put the finishing touch on her ensemble, a small white lily she slipped into her mane just above her right ear. She knew it was a favorite of Raindrops’, and looked forward to seeing the pegasus’ reaction to Trixie wearing one.

Raindrops was in charge of the food this time, through Trixie was supplying the drinks. Nothing too hard, just some good champagne from Canterlot, Fillecarte Salmonte. Trixie wasn’t too familiar with champagne but it’d come recommended, this time from Lyra, who’d apparently used the brand for her last anniversary with Bon Bon. Trixie had the opaque green champagne bottle set in a little bucket of ice covered with a blue cloth (actually one of the cloths she used for some of her magic shows). The ice was conjured and hit with a simple temperature preservation spell Trixie had learned from Twilight a few weeks ago. It was strange to think of the once fugitive mare now being Ponyville’s resident librarian, but Trixie had grown accustomed to having Twilight around rather quickly and had struck up enough of a friendship that it wasn’t unusual for the pair to talk magic once or twice a week.

There was a knock at the door, rapid and a tad frantic, which caused Trixie to raise an eyebrow. It was a heavy knock, very much sounding like the way Raindrops tended to pound a bit harder than needed, but that quick, frantic nature of it caused an unpleasant coil of worry to worm its way into Trixie’s heart. She did not want an emergency today. Whether it be attacking phoenixes, rampant golems, natural disaster, magical curses, or Corona herself lighting the town on fire, Trixie was in no mood to have her picnic with Raindrops interrupted by anything.

Mustering her courage around herself like she would her magician’s cloak Trixie trotted to her front door and swung it open, determined to face whatever was coming with a winning smile.

Trixie had to duck a hoof that had been still trying to knock as she opened the door, Raindrop’s belated, frantic gesture almost giving her marefriend a minor concussion. Raindrops pulled back almost as if her hoof had struck fire instead of empty air, her eyes gem-carved saucers as she almost, but not quite, jumped back.

“Oh! Trixie, I’m so sorry! Are you all right?”

“Perfectly fine,” Trixie said, keeping her tone in that nice, calm, neutral tenor that she reserved for diplomatic situations or reassuring panicking marefriends. Why was her marefriend panicking? Raindrops’ hair was a tad disheveled, not unusual, but Trixie could see the fresh wetness of a shower that was too heavy for the light rain to have accomplished. Raindrops wasn’t dressed, again not unusual, but save for the simple fact that this was a date day and Raindrops, romantic streak that she had, enjoyed dressing up a bit as much as Trixie did. The rapid breathing was the heaviest clue. Raindrops usually didn’t breath that hard outside of a long exercise set.

Trixie’s mind did a few mental checks, adding the twos and twos. Raindrops had rushed here, no prep for date. Something had happened. It was making Raindrops distressed. Trixie didn’t like things that made Raindrops distressed. Time to go into damage control mode, starting with recon.

“Raindrops, take a breath, come inside, I’ll get some tea on,” Trixie said, stepping back from the door and tilting her head to gesture Raindrops inside. Trixie would have gone for coffee but she’d become gradually more aware over the past months of Raindrops’ own preference for certain teas and had a small and ready stock in the kitchen ready to go.

Trixie frowned deep and long as Raindrops didn’t enter but remained agitated at the door.

“I, uh, sorry Trixie, but it'd probably be better if I don’t,” Raindrops said, voice dripping, practically soaked, with apology, her eyes taking Trixie in with a jaw that didn’t seem to quite want to close, “You’re wearing socks...”

Trixie coughed, suddenly self conscious, though not entirely displeased at the appreciative awe in Raindrops’ voice, through worried about the tremor in it. What was wrong? Raindrops looked as much scared as appreciative of Trixie’s ensemble.

“You like them?” Trixie asked, stretching one leg out.

Raindrops looked like she’d been splashed with hot water, actually stepping back from Trixie, “No. Yes! Yes you look... stunning. Beyond stunning. Just, uh, today’s not the best day to look stunning. I’m... sorry, but, uh, I might have to cancel today. Take a, heh, raincheck?”

Raindrops let out a nervous laugh and Trixie knew whatever it was it had t be bad, if Raindrops was going for bad humor to try and cover... fear? Was Raindrops afraid? Trixie might not have noticed, once, but she knew Raindrops well enough now to see the signs. The faint tremble in the eyes, the way Raindrops kept bouncing slightly on her hooves as if shifting in preparation to fly. It was not an encouraging sight.

“Raindrops, amore,” Trixie stepped forward, a slip of her Neigh Orleans slipping into her voice as her own worries bubbled up, “What’s wrong?”

For Trixie’s step forward Raindrops had taken a step back, almost as if she was worried about being too close, “Nothing! Nothing!... Okay, something, but not something that’s a big deal or anything. I’m just going to be out of, umm... touch, for a bit. Couple of days. Maybe a week?”

Trixie was herself now starting to feel the unpleasant pinch of rising panic, but she pushed it down with the two-hit combo of logic and reason. First of all, Raindrops wouldn’t be acting this way without good, sensible reason. Second of all, it could be literally any mundane reason from a sudden crunch of work at the weather station to some kind of family emergency. Trixie’s only concern to the contrary was the way Raindrops wsa trying to keep distance between them. Trixie had taken another step, right past the threshold of her front door, and Raindrops had danced back like Trixie was on fire.

“Raindrops can you just calm down and tell me what has you acting like I’ve contracted a horrible disease?”

Raindrops had been in the middle of taking another step back but stopped so sharply it was like she’d hit an invisible wall. The pegasus’ face went through a bewildering series of twinges as she rapid fire looked guilty, terrified, and then stoic in the span of a few seconds. From the sudden rigid posture and hard monotone Trixie could tell Raindrops was literally forcing herself to spit out the words, even as they came spilling like a verbal waterfall.

“I’m in heat. Sorry. You look amazing. Keep the socks. Bye!”

Raindrops was not a fast flyer, but she was a powerful one, and when she burst into the air and flew off it kicked up enough wind from those wide, beautiful, strong wings that Trixie was forced to cover her eyes with a hoof. By the time she blinked away dust she saw Raindrops had already put a painful amount of distance between them... and unmistakably in the air was the scent Trixie hadn’t noticed until then; a muggy, sweet spicy smell.

It took Trixie a good solid minute to fully register what had just happened, leaving her standing in her front lawn with a wide eyes, bewildered look.

Raindrops. In heat.

“...merde...”

“Okay, what got lit on fire this time?” asked Pokey as he trotted back from his errant to the post office, his look somewhere between amused and cautious, favoring the second as he got a closer look at her and his voice dropped to a more serious note, “Boss?”

Trixie blinked a few times, scattered mind remembering that the stallion in front of her was her assistant and he was asking her questions, but her mind was currently full of Raindrops and what to do about the current... predicament. She had to command her mind back into proper order, despite the way those thoughts wanted to go galloping down a dozen different thought processes at once. Was Raindrops going to avoid her for the entire time she was in heat? Did Raindrops want to be left left alone or be chased? If Trixie did do anything what would help? Could she help? Did help entail... things Trixie didn’t want to think about, but had to, because her marefriend was thinking about them? Perhaps she could get her hooves on some of that alchemic potion that negated those kinds of urges? Would Raindrops take it? Did she want to not be in heat? Should Trixie try talking about it or avoid talking about it? What about their friends?

“Boss?” Pokey asked again and Trixie frantically put pins in her running thoughts, even as they clamored for attention.

“Sorry. Thinking. Everything go well at the post office?”

Pokey had the art of the slightly raised eyebrow down pat and demonstrated his mastery of it, looking her in the eye, “Swimmingly. Nary a disaster in sight, the mail sent off to its proper purpose. So, you going to actually tell me why you look like you've just been punched between the eyes or is this a story I’m going to only hear long after the fact?”

Trixie cocked her head, but the concern undercutting his sarcasm softened Pokey’s words put her at ease. Well, somewhat more at ease. Her head was still a swirl, but a few ideas were aligning enough that she wasn’t paralyzed with thought process. Friends. She needed to get her friends together. Sort this out. Ask advice. Might as well start with Pokey.

When she was done telling him of Raindrop’s sudden visit and revelation of the pegasus’... condition, Pokey had grown a thoughtful look. Good, Trixie could use thoughtful.

“Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later,” Pokey said, sucking air in through his teeth and letting it out in a long, slow breath, “How do you feel about it?”

“I... have no idea what to feel about it,” Trixie answered honestly, then frowned, “Wait, not true. I do feel one thing, pretty solid. I want to help Raindrops. Somehow. I don’t want this to be like... like my last heat.”

“What, with you locking yourself in your house alone for a week?” asked Pokey.

“Yes. That. That isn’t going to work here. Whatever else might work I don’t know, but I know isolation isn’t it,” Trixie said firmly, her brain gradually working out plans. If nothing else she wasn’t planning on letting Raindrops deal with this situation alone. She fixed Pokey with a look that was probably just a step or two behind pleading.

“Do you mind doing me the favor of asking the girls to come over?”

Pokey nodded firmly, “Can do. Where will you be?”

“Finding my marefriend,” Trixie said.

“Sure that’s a good idea? Didn’t she just jet away from you at high speed?”

It was Trixie’s turn for a long breath, steadying, “I’m not going to drag her back here or anything. If she needs space I’ll give it, but I need to talk to her about this first. Pin her down... ugh, not that way!” she said at Pokey’s higher eyebrow raise, “I mean make sure I know where she’s at and that she knows I want to work this out. That’s all. Then I come back here and bounce ideas off of my friends until I do figure something out.”

“I’m shocked, that’s a sensible plan,” Pokey said, then ducked a ball of dirt that had been flung his way via Trixie’s telekinesis, “Hey, watch the mane! I work hard to make it look this good.”

Trixie brushed past him, following the trail she’d last seen her jasmine pegasus flying. It didn’t take her long to notice the path led to a spot that was extremely familiar to her. To her and Raindrops both. Whitetail Wood.

Chapter 2: Needs

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Chapter 2: Needs

Wrangling with her sense of self-control, her heart thudding with painfully quick thuds in her chest, Raindrops didn’t even realize how much she was on autopilot with her flight from Ponyville until she was directly over the clearing in Whitetail Woods that was her usual exercise spot. Her and Trixie’s exercise spot. Once this had just been Raindrops’ place, but now it had a even more special meaning, because it was their spot. Trixie had kissed Raindrops for the first time here. In her hormone soaked mind it was all too easy to remember that instant, four months ago. Trixie had been the one in heat then, but Raindrops had kissed back and...

And I wish she was here right now for me to... NO! Can’t do that to her! Gotta get myself under control! Exercise! Do something with my body other than... than Trixie.

She landed solidly, almost frantically, and paced around in a circle for a few seconds before compulsively entering into her exercise routine. She started with stretches, focusing hard on ignoring the building ache and tension... elsewhere in her body. Forelegs, hindlegs, wings, neck, back, she went through the motions of loosening the muscles in each with deliberate and blank minded focus. She certainly wasn’t thinking about how nice it would be to have Trixie here with her to help her stretch, to feel Trixie’s soft, delicate hooves gently caressing Raindrops’ body as she bent her form in various poses meant to relax the muscles. And nothing else. Of course if Trixie were here then she’d need to stretch too. Raindrops would of course help her marefriend through the proper motions, helping Trixie stretch out her slim, soft body. Raindrops might start to carefully start to massage Trixie’s back, losing those delicate muscles underneath velvety fur. Perhaps instead of exercising they could find another way to work up a sweat with each other.

“Arrgh!” Raindrops smacked her forehead into the soft grass and yelled her frustration into the ground. The cool dampness of the recent rain soaked into the ground only served to contrast the heat that was boiling inside.

Skipping the rest of her stretching routine Raindrops launched right into doing a set of wingups. No thinking of Trixie! No thinking of Trixie’s curvy, soft, sweaty body. No thinking of those incredibly socks Trixie had been wearing that served as such a delicious contrast that drew attention to just how well toned those limbs had become.

Raindrops built up a sweat quickly, her wings starting to ache as she went faster than she knew she should for a properly paced set of wingups. She couldn’t help herself. She needed to drown out her own brain constantly trying to conjure up images of Trixie in every compromising position known to ponydom. Raindrops was pretty sure she didn’t even like the idea of foodplay, but a certain mental image involving copious amounts of syrup seemed both impractical and unhealthy Besides, knowing Trixie, if Trixie was into that kind of thing, she’d prefer a mix of tabasco and honey like the kind she put on her morning toast.

Raindrops had needed to expand and be open to some interesting new concepts of food since starting to date Trixie.

When her wings seriously started to burn and Raindrops had worked up a good panting sweat, she slowed down, planning to switch to working on her abdominals, but she noticed that not only had her heat not dissipated, it actually felt worse. She stood there with burning, tired wings, dripping sweat, breathing hard... and all she wanted was Trixie, here, right now. And yet that was the last thing she wanted because Raindrops knew all Trixie would do if she was here would be to look at Raindrops aghast and want nothing to do with her.

The thought hurt more than Raindrops had imagined it would. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t realized this was coming. She knew she’d go into heat eventually, and that she’d need to be away from Trixie when it happened. What Raindrops hadn’t expected was how much it’d leave her feeling hurt and unwanted to realize that, while she was like this, Trixie probably wouldn't want to be anywhere near her. Or that, even when Raindrops wasn’t in heat, there’d never come a point where Trixie would want Raindrops the same way Raindrops wanted her.

She didn’t even realize what she was doing until her hoof had struck one of several boulders that dotted the edge of the clearing. Raindrops blinked, shocked that she’d wandered over to the boulder in her mental wanderings, and moreso at the small, cracking impact her hoof had made in the stone. Her hoof hurt, and she looked at it with a frown.

“What’s wrong with me?” she murmured.

Her heats in the past had never been like this. Neither this intense, nor coming with such conflicting emotions of frustration, fear, need, and anger. She shook her head, turquoise locks falling across her face as she took several deep, calming breaths, trying to find her center.

It’s fine, Raindrops. We’re going to be fine. Just going to avoid Trixie for the next few days. I can exhaust myself with exercise until I’m too tired to think about her. As long as I keep my distance from Trixie everything will be-

“Raindrops!”

She froze upon hearing that voice, coming from just the other side of the clearing. Without thinking Raindrops dove behind the boulder she’d hit, hiding from the pony who’d just entered the clearing. Any hope that Trixie hadn’t seen her, however, was dashed away the moment she heard her marefriend trotting towards the boulder.

“Are you alright Raindrops?” asked Trixie in a tentative tone, her voice getting louder as she came closer.

“I’m fine!” Raindrops said, far too fast, she realized. She took a shuddering breath and continued, “Just, uh, stay over there, okay? I’m...”

I’m what? So horny right now that just looking at you will make it worse? Oh, and I don’t want you to see I just injured myself punching a boulder because I’m so frustrated I can’t touch you?

Instead what came out was, “I’m just needing some alone time.”

She blanched. That hadn’t come out quite right. As she wracked her brain for some way to get Trixie to go without it sounding like Raindrops was either angry or scared, even though I’m both, Trixie spoke again, apparently having stopped on the other side of the boulder. Trixie’s voice was both bewildered and a bit hurt, which caused Raindrops to wince.

“That’s fine, but we can’t even talk face to face?”

Deep breaths, Raindrops, deep breaths...

“Sorry Trixie, it just that, well, are you still dressed like that? With the socks?”

“Um, yes?”

“Yeah, better stay over there. It all looks very good on you. One hundred percent behind you dressing like that in the future when I’m not in such a strong heat that looking at you like that is going to be tantamount to holding a glass of ice water in front of a mare dying of thirst.”

“Oh. I see. Well then, I understand that you might need a bit of personal space at the moment, but I had to come talk to you. You left before I could actually say anything.”

Unless you were going to say “Hey, I’ve spontaneously decided that sex isn’t so gross after all” I don’t know if anything would’ve helped, Trixie, Raindrops thought, but kept her mouth clamped shut like an iron vice. That thought wasn’t proper. It was just the heat and frustration talking! Making her think stupid things. She cared about Trixie and did not want to do anything to hurt her.

“S-sorry, Trixie. I figured you wouldn’t want to be around me right now,” Raindrops said, and winced at her own tone. She’d tried to sound nonchalant but her tone had not been able to disguise some of the hurt and frustration she was feeling. It’s not her fault, or mine, this is just the way it is, she kept trying to remind herself.

‘There was a brief silence on Trixie’s end before the showmare said, “We really should have talked about this before it happened. Chalk it up to my not thinking ahead. I’m so used to, well, negating my own heat I didn’t think about yours. But that’s okay! I, you’re Dedicated and Dutiful Trixie, shall find a solution to our problem! I’m not letting hormones interfere with our relationship! I’m going to figure things out with the girls and come up with a plan!”

Raindrops eyes snapped wide, “Trixie! You don’t have to involve our friends in this! It’s kind of a personal thing!”

“Raindrops how long do you think it’d take them to figure out something was off about us?” asked Trixie with a frank tone, “We won’t be able to keep it a secret.”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I want it talked about among all of you!” Raindrops said, feeling the raw hotness blanketing her face, “Beside don’t you hate talking about this kind of thing with ponies!?”

“Normally, yes,” said Trixie, “But this is different. This is about finding a way to help you, my amazing, dedicated, and affectionate marefriend! I shall brave the sea of awkward conversations to seek the best possible way to get us through this trial of hormones versus platonic romance!”

“Trixie, its not that simple,” said Raindrops, taking a deep breath. Which turned out to be a mistake because she caught a full whiff of Trixie’s scent and faint perfume, which immediately brought up a mental image of how gorgeous Trixie had looked, fully dressed up... for a date that couldn’t happen, now. Raindrops licked her lips and shook her head fiercely. “I don’t think there’s going to be an easy way to deal with it now, but if I can last long enough this will all blow over and things will go back to normal.”

“Sure, until the next heat,” said Trixie, “Yours or mine, either way we’ll be back to the same problem. But fear not! I can think of a solution. I just need time and help. I just wanted you to know that I will figure out how to make this work! You, uh, are you going to be okay by yourself? Want me to send one of the other girls here to take care of you?”

There was a long pause after that. Then Trixie said, “That came out completely wrong, didn’t it?”

“Completely,” agreed Raindrops, then sighed, “But I get what you’re saying. You don’t want me dealing with this by myself.”

“I am worried about you, amore,” said Trixie.

Amore. Love. Raindrops wondered if Trixie realized how it made her feel to hear Trixie say that one word with her rich Neigh Orleans inflection? Right now, however, it mostly just served to emphasise the fact that Raindrops shouldn’t, couldn’t, go to Trixie and embrace her. Oh sure she could try to do that, but all it would accomplish would be to make her desire for Trixie ten times worse through contact.

“If you want, send one of the girls, sure,” said Raindrops, “Maybe Lyra would have some advice for me? She’s the only one of us who’s in a relationship right now.”

“Pretty certain her ‘advice’ is going to consist of inviting you into a threesome with Bon Bon,” said Trixie with a small ‘gak’ sound, which was soon followed by, “N-not that it’s bad for you to want to do, um... things. Would that work? Another pony taking care of it-”

“No,” Raindrops said sharply,flatly, and in a tone that cut Trixie off before that thought could complete itself.

“Are you sure?” Trixie began to ask, but Raindrops again cut her off quickly.

“I’m sure. I’ll talk to Lyra. Might help to get another perspective. But I’m not sleeping with another pony, Trixie, even if Lyra offered.”

A few seconds passed before Trixie responded, sounding apologetic and thoughtful, “Right, right. Of course that wouldn’t work. I’m sorry, Raindrops. I just want to make sure you can feel better. I’m going to go talk to the girls now. Pokey ought to have gotten word out to them by now. We’ll think of something, you can be certain of that. Are you going to be out here all day?”

“Probably not,” Raindrops said, “I’ll head home in a hour or two. Just wanted to get in a workout to get my mind off things.”

“Okay, then I’ll drop by your house later once I’ve got a plan of action! If... uh, you’re feeling up for it, that is.”

“I’ll see how i feel by then,” said Raindrops, wishing Trixie could find some way to talk about the situation that didn’t make it sound like Raindrops had some kind of illness. ‘I just want to make sure you can feel better’ and ‘If you feel up to it’ were phrases you used on somepony with the Feather Flu or something, not a mare going through perfectly normal heat phase!

“Very well then, take care of yourself in the meantime!”

Raindrops waited until the sound of Trixie’s hoofbeats dissipated into the background noise of the Whitetail Woods before peeking out from behind her boulder. She cast a forlorn look at the small crack she’d put in the stone. Exercise suddenly lost most of its appeal. It wasn’t a solution, obviously, it just made things worse by working herself up even more.

Embarrassing as it was, she could only think of one other possible way to deal with the situation before Trixie got any crazy ideas in her head. Or her friends lined up one after another to offer their own solutions. No, if exercise wasn’t working, then she had to go with her emergency standby method of handling her heat. She hadn't had many, given she was relatively young compared ot her friends, but she was experienced enough to know it was useful to have some... back up methods of keeping oneself in check.

She took off with a firm flap of her wings, which were still a tad weak from the overexertion of her earlier workout, and she started heading for home.

----------

Trixie all but flew through the door of her residency, sweeping past a surprised and confused Pokey as she began taking her clothes off, floating the socks off her legs one by one, followed soon by the dress. She passed through her living room where she saw that Cheerilee and Carrot Top had already shown up, and she gave them a smile and wave as she pulled her dress off over her head.

“Hey girls, glad you could make it. Ditzy and Lyra not here?”

“Lyra’s raiding your fridge,” said Carrot Top, nodding her head of curly orange mane towards the room in question, “Ditzy’s not off work yet.”

“She told me she’d drop by as soon as she could,” said Pokey, trotting up behind Trixie, glancing at the floating bits of clothes, “Want me to stick those in your room, boss, while you start talking shop with your friends?”

“Yes, thank you, Pokey,” she said, letting his magic take over floating the clothing, which he quickly took away towards the stairs. A moment later Lyra poked her head out of the kitchen, a last bit of eggroll dangling from her mouth, which she quickly swallowed and gave Trixie an closed-eyed, apologetic smile.

“Sorry, slept in,” the mint unicorn said, “Didn’t eat breakfast yet. I can get you more eggrolls if you want?”

“It’s fine,” said Trixie, nodding at her couch, “Take a seat. We need to get to dealing with this emergency before it gets any worse. From what I just saw I have about twenty four hours to develop a solution before things reach critical condition.”

At her deathly serious tone the other mares in the room all perked up with more intense interest, Lyra quickly hopping over to the couch and flopping down, not quite entering her normal lounging position, instead sitting up some. Cheerilee tilted her head in curiosity, speaking up first, “So what do we have? Letter from the Princess warning of Corona on the move? Rampaging monster? Invasion of sapient cacti?”

At the stares from the others in the room Cheerilee just shrugged, “What? I’m the only one who’s had that nightmare of the cacti hordes gaining sentience and seeking to take over the world?”

“Anyway,” said Carrot Top, “What is this all about Trixie? Pokey was kind of vague on the details.”

Trixie blinked. She hadn’t actually thought much ahead to this part, and now that the moment was on her she found it remarkably... difficult to actually speak up about. Raindrops hd been right, talking about her and her marefriend’s potential s... se... S-word troubles was rapidly switching on every one of her social-awkwardness red flags. She was rapidly conscious of a red warm spreading across her cheeks as she tried to force out some words in what was essentially a squeaking whisper.

“Yes, well, the emergency is... you see its that time, and Raindrops... she needs me. Not that way! Okay, yes, that way, but I’m very... me, and she’s very... her... and I want to help her! I am not an undutiful, ungrateful, neglectful marefriend! However there are... logistical issues with meeting certain needs. I don’t do the thing, but she wants to do the thing, only she’s trying not to want to do the thing but she shouldn’t have to not want to do the thing that I don’t want to do. So, we need to think of how to do the thing without doing the thing.”

“...Well, that explains everything,” said Lyra in a flat tone, starring.

“It does?” asked Carrot Top, looking at Lyra askance.

“No, that was pure, incoherent babble,” said Lyra, sighing, “Trixie, try again, this time with actual sentences.”

“This isn’t easy,” said Trixie, hanging her head, her ears drooping slightly.

Cheerilee smiled, her tone turning to that calm, encouraging voice Trixie had heard the mare use at the schoolhouse. Some ponies might have found it condescending, but Trixie just found it soothing.

“Its okay Trixie, take your time, think it through. I think I can already guess at what’s happening, but say what you feel you need to say,” said Cheerilee, and Trixie swallowed, nodded, and gathered her thoughts.

“Right. Yes. So... Raindrops. Her heat started this morning. Pretty badly, if my conversation with her a little while ago was any indication. She wants to just avoid me the whole time, but that’s... that’s not fair to her. I want to try and come up with some kind of way to either help her with her heat, or... I don’t know. Satisfy her somehow.”

There was a long, pregnant pause among her friends. Trixie could see them exchanging wary glances with each other. She understood. Sex was an eggshell topic with Trixie. By this point they were all well aware of how easily she got flustered just by the mention of it, and how opposed she was to ever engaging in it herself. Trixie had never let herself feel out of place because of that. It was just how she was and she’d never once considered compromising that part of herself for anypony...

...but then again Trixie had never been in love before, either.

If Raindrops was frustrated, then Trixie was equally so. Confused, more like. Not having any interest in sex had never been an issue for her outside of the time she herself went into heat, at which point she just sort of holed up in her home in the past and avoided contact with ponies until the storm blew over. Kind of what Raindrops said she intended to do. But while Trixie could deal with that kind of thing because she was used to it and it was her choice, it didn’t feel fair or right to force Raindrops to do the same. But how to help Raindrops? What could Trixie do? She was at a loss, other than the fact that she felt she had to do something.

“Um, Trixie,” Carrot Top was the first to speak up, “I don’t know how to really ask this, well, delicately, but... what are you willing to do? I mean, is it possible to just, er, go for it, with Raindrops?”

Trixie blanched, unable to help the expression, the natural grimace of ‘ewww’ that just naturally came with the mere thought of sex, “If I thought I could just do that so easily I wouldn’t have asked all of you over, honestly. I’m hoping to figure out some sort of... alternative. Some way to help Raindrops get it out of her system, without having to... do it the old fashioned way.”

“I hate to say it, Trixie,” said Lyra, holding out her forelegs in an open gesture, “But when it comes to heat, heck, when it comes to just wanting it normally at any old time, there are only so many ways to scratch that particular itch. Usually involving two or more ponies. Even using your hoof on yourself is pretty unsatisfying compared to the full gig.”

Trixie knew her head was doing a lovely imitation of a beat at this point, but she forged on, squaring her shoulders. This was for Raindrops, so she had to deal with this! She looked at Lyra, meeting the other unicorn’s level gaze, “If I did end up trying to do... sex... with Raindrops, it might make things worse. I might, I don’t know, gag or something, and she’d get the entirely wrong idea! There has to be some way to attain satisfaction in that area without actually doing...”

“Tongue,” Lyra stated flately, “You’d need to use your tongue on her, Trixie. Or your hoof. Or scissor it up. You know what scissoring is?”

Trixie did not. She was quite sure she didn’t want to. What could it possibly mean, anyway? Scissors were just cutting tools that opened up like a pair of... legs. Oh. Oh. Trixie was starting to feel faint. Light headed. She shook her head, trying to clear the dizziness.

“Lyra, maybe you could back off of her a bit?” said Carrot Top, frowning.

Lyra slumped, holding up her hooves helplessly, “I don’t want to make Trixie feel bad or anything, but facts are facts. If she’s serious about alleviating Raindrops’ sexual frustration there’s really only one, solid way to do it. I’m not saying they got to do it every day. Maybe once a week would do he trick?”

Once a week!? That seemed an insane number to Trixie. Her panic must have shown because Cheerilee stepped in quick to say, “Let’s not get hasty, or narrow our focus just to intercourse, ladies. There are many ways for a pony to achieve orgasm. What we need to do here, first off, is what Carrot Top asked. Trixie, there’s no pressure here, we’re your friends. But we need to know just what you’ll be comfortable possibly trying before we can start fielding any ideas here.”

That did seem to be the pertinent question of the hour. Raindrops had already demonstrated a near self-destructive willingness to ignore her own needs in favor of satisfying Trixie. So that left the question... just how willing was Trixie to compromise to meet Raindrops needs? It was a question she’d never had to ask herself before, and she realized it’d been foalishly short sighted to wait until now to start asking.

I should have sat down with Raindrops months ago to have this conversation with her, Trixie thought glumly, but took a deep breath, and started to speak her thoughts aloud to her friends.

“I don’t think I can answer that question, Cheerilee, without it being a pure guess and nothing more. My first thought is to try something with magic. A spell that’d either suppress her heat, or... or...” she took in a deep breath, then let it out slowly, “Trigger my own.”

Her friends all shifted uncomfortably at that, all remembering the last time Trixie had been in heat, no doubt. Cheerilee had a pensive and searching look in her eyes, “I’m not sure that’d help as much as you’d think, if you happened to find a spell that’d do the trick that is.”

“Why not?” asked Trixie, glancing sideways at Cheerilee.

“Being in heat is mostly physiological rather than psychological,” said Cheerilee, “Your body would be primed to go, but your mind would still be your own. All your reservations with sex would still be there,Trixie, you’d just be stuck in a body that didn’t care anymore.”

Trixie let out a small growl of annoyance. She remembered full well what being in heat was like for her. It was like her body would go renegade for a week, and she’d spend each day battling it for supremacy. It was almost like being drunk but without the enjoyable buzz or the blessed ability to forget what she’d done the previous night.

“Maybe I’ll just try getting plastered,” she muttered.

“No offense Trixie but I don’t think Raindrops would want you if you just got drunk to bang her,” said Lyra, folding her hooves across her chest as she slouched on the couch, her eyes taking on a twinkly light, “Maybe what you two need are a pair of mares to help ease you into things?”

Trixie stared at Lyra with unamused look and the bard chuckled, holding up her hooves defensively, “Okay, okay! Can’t blame me for trying to make the offer.”

“I don’t think adding ponies to this equation will help at any rate,” said Cheerilee, smirking at Lyra.

“Hmm, or maybe it will help,” Carrot Top was rubbing her chin, “I’m sorry if this sounds crazy, but the thought just won’t leave my mind. Remember the Mirror Pool I found? Made a whole bunch of me and ‘helped’ the town into near destruction? What if Trixie used some sort of spell to make a copy of herself? One that could, er, ‘help’ Raindrops in Trixie’s place?”

Trixie perked up at that, her mind immediately leaping towards what seemed like a possible solution that might solve all the messy details she was hoping to avoid, but the proverbial bubble got popped quick as Lyra said, “Assuming Trixie was able to learn such a spell, it would probably take too long to learn to do Raindrops any good for this heat, and besides... that might not be her thing. I mean, sure I might like to spring an orgy of Lyra’s upon my Bon Bon, but Raindrops might just find it weird to have sex with a copy.”

“Was just a suggestion,” Carrot Top said with a shrug.

“I may just ask the Princess about the idea anyway,” said Trixie, rubbing at her forehead, “If anypony might know a spell to help with this, it’d be Luna.”

“I wouldn’t rely on magic for this,” warned Cheerilee, “Any spell might help a bit, or act like a band-aid for the situation, but ultimately you have to work this out between you and Raindrops yourselves.”

Trixie took that in silence, unable to immediately counter her friend’s words, but wishing for all the world that there was some spell that might just make this problem go away and stop messing with her and her marefriend’s lives. She wondered what Raindrops would be thinking of this conversation if she was here right now...

----------

”You won’t get away with this, Count Maligned!” shouted the defiant Baroness Raindrops, pulling away from the Count’s oily, wicked grasp. The dastardly stallion twirled his thin black mustache and cackled madly as he held her firm in his tight magical levitation.

“Don’t be difficult Baroness. You will be mine, mind, soul, and body! Nopony can save you now that I have the marriage contract, and your family’s lands are already being integrated into my own. Hmm, the only thing we need now... is an heir!”

Baroness Raindrops slapped the villain in the face with a stout hoof, pushing back his grasping advance that only half tore the silk white bodice from her flank. She set her jaw and stared him down, “I’m not afraid of a measly worm like you. My one, true love shall come for me! The most glorious, and beautiful knight in all the realm of Equestria! The one, the only-”

One of the stained glass windows lining the wall of the Count’s personal chambers shattered, a brilliant azure form dashing through the shards with elegant grace, not a single bit of of glass touching her as she landed squarely in the center of the room with a flourish of her magnificent violet, star-speckled cape. A mane of brilliant silver and faint cornflower blue fell around a face beautiful as a beam of moonlight, with two glorious purple eyes that radiated such confidence and passion that Baroness Raindrops felt her heart might cease to beat at the mere sight of them.

Count Maligned sputtered and coughed, his own eyes bulging in disbelief, “It-it-it cannot be! You’re-!”

Both Baroness Raindrops and the newly arrived majestic mare spoke as one, the former a cry of joy, the later a smirking declaration, “The Great and Powerful Trixie!”

For it was indeed her, the shining magician, the eldritch knight, Equestria greatest heroine, who stood before them, one hoof tipping her pointed magicians hat as she drew a gleaming, jeweled rapier from a sheath at her hip in a glow of violet magic. The intense glow of her horn could be seen even beneath her magician’s hat and a series of bright, elegant flashes of chromatic fireworks erupted behind her along with blasts of blue smoke as she reared up on her hind legs, a knight rampant as she smiled brilliantly.

“None other! I have come for one reason alone, Count! To take back my precious amore. Release her and I might consider showing you mercy. Maybe. If your apology is profuse enough.”

Raindrops breath was nearly stolen away at the use of that on word; amore. The word slide like a hot arrow straight to her heart, igniting a warm rush of desire to flit through every inch of her body. The heat was unimaginable, as if her blood was boiling tea in a kettle fit to burst, stealing reason and sense. Her eyes were riveted to Trixie like a pair of lode stones as the mare approached the Count.

“Such drivel!” Count Maligned spat, drawing his own rapier, “You’re nothing but talk! Once I dispose of you the Baroness shall be mine!”

Sneering, the Count leapt at Trixie, rapier flashing. In a clash of singing steel Trixie countered with a near perfect parry, stepping into the Count’s guard and with a single swift pommel strike knocked the lout out cold. Raindrops was released from the now unconscious unicorn’s grip, floating down to the floor, and was galloping to embrace of her beloved practically before her hooves touched ground.

Raindrops wrapped her forehooves around her beloved, feeling an electric thrill run through her as Trixie in turn wrapped her hooves around Raindrops, brushing gently at Raindrops’ mane. The warmth of Trixie’s body pleasantly rubbed against Raindrops’ chest and as she buried her muzzle into Trixie’s mane, inhaling the other mare’s scent. They broke from their embrace only long enough to look each other in the eyes.

“You took a bit longer than I hoped, love,” Raindrops said coyly, running a hoof across Trixi’s lean neck, “The brute was near about to have his way with me!”

Trixie smirked jokingly, swishing her tail in a way that sent a thrill through Raindrops, “I thought it would be more exciting if I waited until the last moment. Well, that and the Count did have a few dozen guards I had to ‘convince’ to let me in to his estate!”

“I suppose we should flee before any of them awake...” said Raindrops reluctantly, starting to pull away, only to have Trixie’s strong hooves draw her back to the unicorn swiftly. Trixie’s lips met hers shortly thereafter, a light kiss that rapidly turned into an eager sharing of each other’s affections as Raindrops pressed more eagerly into her lover’s lips. The hard kiss was broken only long enough for Trixie to come up for breath.

“We have an hour I suspect, and,” she pointed with a lewd light shining in her eyes, “It seems the Count was kind enough to leave us a sizeable bed to make use of.”

Raindrops eyes went wide, but it was not true shock but rather a coy, false modesty, “Here? Now?”

Trixie’s hooves continued to hold her tight, sliding down across Raindrop’s back until they rested along that tantalizing line just before the small of the pegasus’s back became her solid, lean rump. Trixie leaned forward past Raindrop’s head and whispered into her ear the words Raindrops was desperately desiring to hear, words that turned the mere heat in her body into a volcanic build up.

“I want you.”

Raindrops couldn’t even respond save to nod and once more hungerly search out Trixie’s lips. The pair gradually made their way over to the large bed at the back of the room, hardly even noticing when they fell onto it, so tangled with each other already. For Raindrops the world itself was falling away and reshaping, until it was just herself and Trixie, and the heat of their two bodies. She felt Trixie’s velvet fur across her own, causing a sweet moan to escape her every now and then as she explored her partner’s curves and shape. They rolled about, as if unable to decide who should have been on top. Raindrops felt Trixie’s flicking tail brushing her like an extra silk appendage, and the mere thought of what lay attached to that tail caused a near convulsion to rock through her.

She wanted Trixie! She wanted all of Trixie! She wanted to feel every inch of her, taste every part, and hear every sound that’d issue forth from Trixie’s beautiful lips. Already Trixie was making soft purring noises and short, small gasps; sounds that only heightened Raindrops boiling excitement. When Trixie made the first affectionate lick on Raindrop’s chest, dragging her tongue gently over the pegasus, Raindrops lost all strength in her limbs. She let out a relaxed breath and held Trixie close, the unicorn smiling up at her with lidded eyes.

“Enjoyed that, did we?” Trixie asked candidly, “I’ve barely begun, amore.”

Raindrops looked into Trixie’s eyes and smiled back, “As long as you’re sure your okay with this? With me? You don’t think I’m... gross?”

Trixie seductively swayed as she crawled up Raindrops, until they were nose to nose, “I could never think that. You’re my Raindrops. I said I wanted you; let me prove it...”

Then Trixie went back to work with her tongue, giving loving, gentle flicks of it at Raindrop’s quivering body. Raindrops closed her eyes, gasping not just in pleasure but in relife. Her lover didn’t think her body was disgusting. Trixie wanted Raindrops, the same as Raindrops wanted her. They could share this moment with Trixie without the fear that’d been gripping her of being rejected. The fear that Trixie’s eyes would turn scornful and sickened at the thought of touching Raindrops...

“Mmm... Trixie...” Raindrops moaned as Trixie’s tongue went lower... and lower... tracing a warm, wet path across her stomach, then her navel, then lower still, to the waiting, heated wetness between her legs. Trixie’s first touch there, so soft, still sent a rush of intense pleasure coursing through Raindrops. Not just pleasure, but contentment and happiness.

“Trixie...I love you-”

“Hey sis, what’cha doing in there!” came Snails voice as he knocked loudly on her door.

“GGGAAAAA!” Raindrops flopped off her bed in pure panic, tangled in her blanket that she’d instinctively pulled over herself as she’d hugged her pillow, pretending it’d been Trixie. One hoof had been holding open a book, ‘The Saucy Adventures of the Eldritch Knight’ with a rather scantily be-socked mare on the cover that just happened to share a coat color with Trixie (that totally wasn’t why Raindrops had bought it!), through she’d stopped reading it and mentally inserting herself and Trixie into the narrative a few minutes ago when her other hoof had started to stroke over her body, gradually reaching down to the heat between her hindlegs.

Her room had the blinds drawn and the lights off, and it smelled heavily of her sweat and... other fluids at this point. She growled to herself as she disentangled from her sheets and called out, “What is it Snails? Didn’t mom tell you I’m not feeling well?”

When she’d come home early and clearly out of sorts her mother had been fast to pick up on the problem. Shutterbug knew her daughter well and this wasn’t Raindrops’ first heat, but Shutterbug had suspected this one would be different than the others her daughter had endured. Raindrops’ mother had asked blessedly few questions and merely assured Raindrops that she could spend as much time as she needed alone, but if she wanted to talk about it that her mother would be there to listen. Shutterbug had also said she’d remind the males of the house to give Raindrops her space... but apparently Snails hadn’t gotten the message yet.

“Huh?” came Snails’ confused tone, “I just got back from school and wanted to come straight to you, sis! I found this incredible ant hill today and wanted to show you it. Aww, but you’re sick? That sucks. You need anything then?”

“N-no! I’m fine! Just, uh, need to sleep!” Raindrops said, breathing deeply and trying to clear her head of the fantasy that’d been consuming her thoughts. Her sticky hoof stuck to her blanket as she tried to dry it off, and she sighed, waiting.

“Oh. Okay,” Snails said, sounding worried, but accepting. She listened until she was sure she’d heard him trot off before getting up and then flopping back down on her bed, laying on her back. Debating.

Should she get back to it?

This was the third time since coming back home. She had used a different one of her rather cheesy and raunchy romance novels for each time. She had dozens more novels hidden in stashes over her room. She’d intended to spend the whole day in her just...

...taking care of herself.

For any other time, any other heat she’d had in her life up until now, this tactic had been enough. But after three rounds of masturbation she barely felt a dent in the heat that kept surging through her. The release of orgasm had been there, each time, but lasting only a minute at most before things were back to that near unbearable need that ached in every pore of her body, but especially in her sex.

Red faced, annoyed, angry, frustrated, she rolled over and clutched her pillow to her chest once more, nuzzling it, imagining Trixie’s warmth, Trixie’s softness, between her hooves. She tried to make the image as real as possible in her head, because she knew this was the best she could ever hope for. Being alone in a room with a pillow, a fantasy, and her hoof.

No, she shouldn’t think bitterly like that. Raindrops tried to remind herself that she’d accepted all of this when she’d decided to date Trixie. She’d accepted that there wasn’t going to be a physical aspect to that relationship. It didn’t mean Trixie didn’t love her, or that Trixie thought Raindrops was disgusting. It wasn’t fair to resent or demand. The fantasy was enough. It had to be enough... because...

Because if it isn’t I don’t know if I can do this.

She hated admitting that, even if just silently to herself as she went back to work trying to keep her surging hormones at bay. Raindrops didn’t have any intention of giving up on being with Trixie, but she was now starting to truly realize what being with Trixie meant. What it meant she’d have to do without. How much she... needed it. Not just because of the heat. The heat just brought it into better focus. Raindrops was a sexual mare. She wanted to be with a partner, to hold and be held, to show affection physically and have it shown to her physically.

It was just a simple, basic need, and one she wasn’t at all sure she was going to be able to live happily while doing without.

But what other choice did she have?

Chapter 3: Of Hormones and Happiness

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Chapter 3: Of Hormones and Happiness

“You sure you want to do this, Trixie?” asked Lyra with a dubious cast to her features, looking at Trixie as she trotted alongside the musician down one of Ponyville’s back alleys... towards a particular shop Lyra was quite familiar with but was curious how Trixie had even become aware of it.

Trixie, with so much bravado that Lyra didn’t even have to try to notice how much the other mare was forcing it, flipped her mane and said, “I am leaving nothing off the table. Besides I thought you’d be fine with this idea. Don’t, um, well, you and Bon Bon... go to this shop a lot, right?”

Lyra’s ears twitched, her mouth quirking with a smirk she suppressed instantly, “Well, yes, we do. Bedroom Adventures just doesn’t strike me as the kind of store that you’ll be able to go into without hyperventilating all over the place,and I kind of like you to remain conscious.”

“That’s why I have you coming along!” said Trixie with forced enthusiasm that barely hid the mare’s nervousness, “You can help with the more... delicate parts of this. Look, I need to do this. If I can’t even deal with a simple shop dealing in,” she made a rough hoof gesture and a grimace of distaste crawled onto her face, “that kind of thing, then how can I face Raindrops head on? I still need to go to her place, but I want to actually go there with... with something concrete to help with!”

Lyra gave Trixie a flat look, “And just what do you expect to find in a sex shop to help with? Unless you’re planning a seriously messy visit, Trixie, I’m not sure this will do much except make you even more agitated with the whole notion of just sleeping with Raindrops.”

“Are you going to help me or not?”

“I am! Of course I am. But seriously, what do you expect to find that will help?”

Trixie took a deep breath, and Lyra wondered just what had to be going through her friend’s mind. Lyra, though she felt guilty to admit it to herself, had never been able to get her mind wrapped around Trixie’s hang ups with sex. It didn’t make Lyra think less of Trixie or anything, it just confused her. And made her worry for Trixie. Lyra had been happy to hear it when Raindrops and Trixie had started dating, feeling nothing but joy at the prospect of two of her friends making one another happy... but Lyra had also hidden a seed of fear that this very problem would eventually crop up. In Lyra’s mind the solution was as simple as Trixie just... learning to get over her distaste for sex, but she also knew that thinking that was unfair. But it was incredibly frustrating at the same time. She wanted her friends to be happy, but had no idea how to help other than to follow Trixie’s lead.

“Alternatives,” Trixie said simply, licking her lips in a harried fashion, “I know some of you don’t think it’s a good idea, but I don’t see a problem if I can find some magical item or spell that can simplify all this. Or maybe, I don’t know, some kind of alchemical solution? They must sell potions here, right? I’ve also considered, ah... toys.”

“Toys?” Lyra asked, not entirely certain she could raise her eyebrows high enough.

Trixie’s own cheeks had decided to do their best impressions of cherries, “It was just a thought! I don’t have to... um... touch directly if I use... something else... like a go between. I don’t know, okay!? Like I said, I’m not leaving anything off the table.”

Trixie hung her head a bit, saying in a lower voice, “I just want to bring Raindrops something to prove I’m thinking of her. That I’m trying to find a solution.”

Lyra smiled some encouragement, “Okay, I’ll stop questioning this, then. Just, you know, if this gets weird, just say so, and we can go.”

This earned a sidelong look from the magician, “How could it get that weird?”

Lyra let out a small chuckle, “You don’t know who works there, do you?”

"No, who?" Trixie asked as she pushed open the door to the shop, the exterior of which was denoted by a colorful sign of a heart with a red arrow shot through it. Trixie hadn't even made it one complete step into the store before a pink blur appeared before her with a sound akin to a flicked spring.

"Oh my gosh hi Trixie!" chirped Pinkie Pie happily as she bounced before the bewildered magician, "I never thought in a million zillion years you'd walk through those doors but when my tail went zonky and I got an itch on my left eyelid followed by two consecutive stomach gurgles I knew it had to be you! Oh, hi Lyra! Your order just came in this morning!"

"Hey Pinkie," said Lyra casually as she squeezed in by the stock still Trixie, who was starring saucer eyed at the bubbly pink mare while Lyra trotted into the store, "I'll pick up my order in a minute. I was wondering if you could help Trixie out first?"

"Oh indeedy doo!" Pinkie Pie gave a quick salute, "The Pinkie Pie vow of quality customer service applies to all establishments that employ yours truly! Sooooooo-" she shot eyeballs at Trixie with a wide, welcoming grin, "What can we do for you Trixie? Looking for some extra sauce for a steamy night of bouncy fun with a super special somepony? We've got it all here at Bedroom Adventures! Look!"

Trixie, eye twitching slightly, didn't quite manage to get out a, "H-hold on a moment Pinkie," before she was yanked halfway across the surprisingly large store and plopped down the central aisle while Pinkie Pie cartwheeling over to a series of shelves with numerous objects on display. Objects that as Trixie looked at them felt her brain start to freeze up.

"Yup, we've got every shape and size you could ever want, all made from super-duper realistic rubber that feels like the genuine thing! Vibrate function sold separately," Pinkie said proudly, then zipped up next to Trixie and whispered, "We've even got chocolate flavored ones in the back, ask me about those later."

"Pinkie..." Trixie managed to say while gulping and taking deep breaths, "C-could you slow down a moment?"

Pinkie's enthusiasm popped like a balloon and she immediately got a concerned look on her face, "You okay Trixie-bixie? You're looking kinda green around the old gills?"

Lyra, who'd been standing to the side, said, "Trixie's kind of freaked out by this stuff, Pinkie. She's here on her insistence, but we need to take it slow with her."

"Ooooooooh," said Pinkie Pie, nodding her head multiple times. Then she blinked, "Wait, if Trixie is all kinds of wiggled out by the smexyz then why'd she want to come here?"

Trixie, taking a deep, deep breath and letting it out slow, said, "It's complicated. My... my special somepony is in heat and I want to help, But..." her eyes nervously roved the shelves of sexual toys, implements, and accessories, her mouth going dry, "I don't know how to help. I thought maybe I'd find something here."

"Say no more!" said Pinkie Pie, pumping a hoof into the air, "I understand completely and give you my solemn Pinkie Pie Promise that I'll help you out of your sexual conundrum with all of my might! Now, taking it niiiiiice and slow let me ask you a question, Trixie."

"Y-yes?"

"Out of all the stuff in this store, what freaks you out the least? Like, what gives you the smallest of the wacky willies when you look around?"

Trixie glanced at Lyra, who gave Trixie an encouraging nod, and she began to slowly look around the store at her own, measured pace. Her face still heated up and she felt a tad queasy looking at some of the more realistic looking toys. Some had far too much detail for Trixie's mind to comprehend. Who needed their...toy to have veins? Some of them had features that left her boggled, even if some back part of her brain could understand why some mares or stallions might want "realistic squirting action" or "realistic heating spell for that extra real sensation".

Her heartbeat was pounding, but she found herself a bit less freaked out when she was able to look over towards a back wall and see a few items that were a lot less overt. Amid various colorful ropes and bindings there were also fluffy hoof cuffs and a few objects that looked more like rubber pool toys than anything sexual, and Trixie, with calmer breaths, pointed that way.

"That doesn't look so...bad," she said, "Let's start over there."

"Okie doki loki!” Pinkie Pie zipped over that way and Trixie gave Lyra a worried look over her shoulder, to which Lyra just shrugged as if to say ‘Hey, you’re the one who wanted to do this.’ With a heaving sigh Trixie followed Pinkie Pie over to the wall containing the less realistic looking sex toys, though it still left her feeling exceedingly uncomfortable just knowing what they were meant for. Still, she hadn’t lied to Pinkie, these more benign looking if still phallic objects looked less disturbing than the realistic ones. If she pretended hard enough she could imagine she was just looking at oddly shaped mane curlers.

“So, you wanna put your best hoof forward with your special mare’s in heat needs,” said Pinkie, with a smiling but quizzical look as she peered at Trixie, “But you’re all super green-gilled over the messier bits? Welllll, some of these vibrators have nifty remote controls.”

“Remote... control?” Trixie asked, eyes looking dubiously at the grinning Pinkie, “Whatever for?”

“Oh, some ponies like to roeleplay, or do a little master/servant stuff, and its all kinds of fun sometimes to let somepony else have control, so you can anticipate when your special somepony might push the button to ramp things up. There’s also voyeurs who like to watch as their partner squirms and...uh, Trix? You okay?"

“...F-fine, entirely fine,” Trixie said, gulping, face breaking out into a sweat.

Pinkie Pie frowned, rubbing her chin, “Hmm, this is worse than I thought. It’s gonna be tough helping you out when even talking about the horizontal jamboree is making you so jittery.”

Trixie took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying her best to provide Pinkie with a small smile, “I know, and I know you’re trying your best to help. Do you, um, have anything in this store that would... affect a mare’s heat cycle?”

“You mean like put the damper on the raging sex inferno?” asked Pinkie Pie.

Trixie blinked, then shook her head, “No, I already know there’s next to no market for that and had checked thoroughly for such things during my last heat. No, I’m asking about any potions that... induce heat.”

At Pinkie’s confused look Trixie also heard Lyra come up behind her and ask, “Trixie, what are you planning?”

It was a thought that had been nervously skittering around her mind for the past few minutes, actually, as she desperately struggled to run down the list of solutions and was finding so few that looked viable. She hated her heats with a passion that burned almost as hot as the heats themselves. When Trixie went into heat, either due to random genetic chance or her general avoidance of sex itself, she went into a heat that was a lot stronger than normal. At its worst it left her thinking and acting almost like a different mare.

Maybe that different mare was what Trixie needed to be in order to help Raindrops?

Pinkie and Lyra both exchanged unsure looks with each other.

“Well, we do have potions like that,” said Pinkie with uncharacteristic caution and her enthusiasm clearly curbed with worry, “But maybe you shouldn’t use something that’ll make you want to do things you don’t really want to do. A party isn’t really fun if it's forced instead of real.”

“I think Pinkie’s got a good point here Trixie,” said Lyra, putting a comforting hoof on Trixie’s withers, “I know you’d do anything to help those you care about, especially Raindrops, but do you really think she’d want you taking a potion that’ll mess with your head like that?”

Trixie hung her head, eyes closed for a moment of deep thought, but soon enough she raised her head again, eyes snapping open. “I said that all options were on the table, and I meant what I said.”

Lyra didn’t back off, voice growing insistent, “Remember what Cheerilee said before? A potion to put yourself in heat won’t do any good. Your body will be all hot and bothered, but your head won’t be in it, and while I can’t speak for Raindrops I’m pretty sure she doesn’t want you drugging yourself in order to have sex!”

“I know,” Trixie said, her frustration pouring out of her as her voice turned plaintively shrill, “But I just don’t know what else to do, Lyra! If I thought it would help I’d dress in a bear costume and dance the Pony Polka at the front gates of Canterlot Palace! I’d find that less embarrassing and unnerving than the idea of... sleeping with my marefriend. Mon dieu what is wrong with me!?”

“There is nothing wrong with you Trixie,” Lyra said, lips pressed to a thin mint line, “You’re you, and she’s her, and this is just part of being in a relationship. You figure things out.”

Trixie turned her gaze across the lurid offerings across the shop, eyes finally resting on Pinkie Pie. The mare had been looking more and more forlorn as Trixie had ranted on, puffy hair deflating into a straight slackness that didn’t much become the party pony. With a bracing sight Trixie trotted over to Pinkie and smiled apologetically.

“I’m sorry for being a difficult customer. I appreciate all the help. I’ll, um, take one of these...” she pointed at a moderately sized vibrator that didn’t look too ostentatious, in either proportions or extra features, “Do you have it in, ehehe... my colors?”

Pinkie smiled back, “At Bedroom Adventures we have all your optional needs considered.”

‘Good, good, hmm, I don’t suppose you happen to sell flowers here too?”

------------

As it turned out Trixie and Lyra had to make a stop off with one of the flower trio, Roseluck, to take care of the floral aspect of Trixie’s “care package” for Raindrops, as she was now calling it. Lyra had picked up her special order, a mysterious and small brown papered box that left Trixie curious, but at Lyra’s deep grin at tucking the object away in a saddlebag Trixie decided that she’d prefer to keep her present sanity and didn’t ask.

Her own bag rattled with her recent purchases. Purchases, as in plural. She was proud she’d avoided hyperventilating a bit until after leaving the shop. Lyra’s words resonated in her still, fortifying Trixie’s heart for the task to come, but she still felt her face flushing with crimson heat as she hear every jostle from her saddlebags. In the end she might have gone overboard, but she was leaving little to chance here.

She hoped something in there would be of use to Raindrops, because she hadn’t been bluffing with Lyra; Trixie was desperate enough to consider a magical drug to try and fix this problem. Copious amounts of alcohol were not off the table either. As it stood she refrained from adding a bottle of champagne to her collection of offerings.

“Do you want me to come in with you?” Lyra asked as they neared Raindrops’ home, a small but sturdy house among a row of Ponyville’s numerous thatch roofed dwellings. It was a bustling day, with ponies trotting here and there, chatting among themselves, and foals playing through the rough country streets. Trixie was keenly reminded that if this day had been going according to plan she’d already be out on a enjoyable date with Raindrops.

I’ll help you, mi amore. Just you watch me, Trixie thought to herself... a thought that snagged for a moment as if it was trying to transmute into something more but it puffed away like smoke before Trixie could grasp at what that additional thought was. Shrugging it off for now she said to Lyra, “No, that’s alright. I don’t know how this is going to go, but I’d prefer this be just between me and Raindrops. But, um, if you didn’t mind waiting outside, just in case this doesn’t go well?”

Lyra nodded and gave Trixie a quick, comforting grip on Trixie's hoof, “I’ll be here. Now go have a chat with your marefriend, show her all the neat gifts you were thoughtful enough to bring in her time of need... although I still think you might as well just put a ribbon around yourself and let Raindrops unwrap you.”

Trixie rolled her eyes, “Don’t tell me you and Bon Bon have done that?”

Lyra giggled, “Hearthswarming tradition. We switch off each year who unwraps who.”

“A mental image I will now forever be unable to get out of my skull, come the season,” muttered Trixie. Arriving at the house Lyra went across the street, hiding just out of view as Trixie approached the front door. Taking a sharp breath, bracing herself, Trixie raise a hoof to knock, “Into the breach, dear heart.”

A swift firm trio of knocks were rapped out and Trixie waited, feeling her heart begin to pound a bit faster and the first drops of embarrassed sweat forming on her brow. That half formed thought from moments ago now struck her brain like a bolt of lightning, filling Trixie with sudden social dread. Her fears were confirmed in their enormity as the door swung open and a curious looking Snails stood there, foalish innocence plastered on his face as he looked at Trixie.

“Oh, hiya Miss Trixie!” he said brightly, “Are you here to see my sis? She’s been acting weird all day.”

Trixie gulped, trying to turn so the bag of unmentionables was less visible to the colt. Unfortunately her movement caught his attention and before she could respond to his first question he spouted another query, “What’cha got there?”

“NOTHING!” Trixie shouted, then paused at Snails’ flinching face to immediately try and soften her own expression and say in a more gentle tone, “N-nothing more than a few flowers for your sister, who is, uh, under the weather. It’s just a ‘get well soon’ care package! Yes. So perhaps if you could let her know I’m here?”

“Snails, sweetie, who's at the door?”called the voice of Raindrops’ mother, Shutter Bug, from the living room.

“Its Miss Trixie, mom! She’s brought a care package for sis! Uh, is sis sick?”

Trixie had the chill feeling of more of her blood draining from her face combined with the odd added warmth of it also heating up like a bonfire as Shutter Bug trotted out into the cramped entry hall and blinked at Trixie. It was a rather guarded look for the otherwise usually outgoing mare and Trixie had the sudden urge to shout ‘My intentions towards your daughter are completely honorable!’ A rather difficult to assert notion with a ten inch vibrating dildo, among other things, sitting in the bag she was carrying.

Shutter Bug, some unknown motherly decision or judgment crossing her eyes, said calmly, “Snails, be a dear and go play outside for a little while as I entertain our guest.”

“Uh, okay?” Snails said, not needing any real encouragement to go outside to play, where all of his bug friends were. Happily and thankfully oblivious to what was actually going on the little colt trotted outside and Trixie took his place inside, facing Raindrops’ other with an awkward smile.

“Thanks for letting me in,” Trixie said with a quiet nervousness.

“I don’t have a reason to keep you out, do I?” said Shutter Bug, nodding towards the open archway to the kitchen, “Come, I’ll fix you some tea. Raindrops is upstairs, but I feel we should talk before you go up there.”

“Of course,” Trixie said, wanting to do anything but, yet Raindrops was here, and Shutter Bug the rightful parental guardian... Oh sweet moontears I should have had Lyra come with me. She could have run interference.

In truth, however, Trixie knew this conversation needed to happen. While she and Raindrops had been dating she had met Shutter Bug and her husband Dewdrop in a few swift, informal situations, and neither had seemed to be bothered by their daughter’s budding relationship with the town’s Representative. However Trixie had yet to really talk with either parent about the relationship either, and with Raindrops in her present condition, well, it was past time for ‘the talk’.

Shutter Bug led Trixie into the kitchen, a rather small space with just enough room for the sink, fridge, oven, and a few cupboards. Really most of the house was like this, a tad small and cramped for a full sized family. Still it wasn’t uncomfortable per se, as Trixie leaned against the far wall and watched Shutter Bug get out a pot and pour water to start boiling for the tea. As she did so the pegasus mare took a deep breath, as if steadying herself, and looked at Trixie with a very open and frank expression.

“You’ve been dating my daughter for some months now.”

“Y-yes, well, I have, and you’ve known that,” said Trixie, stammering slightly, feeling jittery down to her very tail, “Both you and Dewdrop. I imagined if there was a problem with this either of you had ample opportunity to say so.”

Shutter Bugs ears twitched, an unconscious flick, “My husband and I have talked at length about it and we both agreed that Raindrops is old enough to start finding her own relationship. That said, she is a young mare, and...”

The mare seemed to stumble for words, waving a hoof vaguely, “She’s inexperienced, Miss Trixie.”

“Trixie, please. Just Trixie.”

“Trixie. Raindrops takes the notion of romance very seriously for her age, and has a rather romanticized notion of it all. I suppose I haven’t ever tried hard to teach her otherwise, but that’s neither here nor there.” It was now that Shutter Bug began to shuffle on her own hooves uncomfortably and it occurred to Trixie this might be as horrifically awkward for Raindrops’ mother as it was for Trixie.

Trixie was about to offer the mare some assurance that she had every intention of taking her relationship with Raindrops as seriously as it deserved and with a fair dose of delicacy, but Shutter Bug beat her to the punch with words blurting from her mouth as if she just needed them out there.

“Have you had sex with my daughter?”

Trixie nearly fell over. Surely she lost her easy lean against the wall and stumbled forward, eyes goggling, mouth agape, “What!? No!”

If the first question had been a swift jab, the uppercut was imminent.

“Why not?”

To that Trixie couldn’t even answer, just stare at the other mare with utter bewildered shock etched on her azure features. Her brain was in utter, frozen lock-down, as if Shutter Bug had just transmuted into Corona herself and demanded Trixie perform oral service right then and there. Neurons were firing, but no useful information was getting past the brain to the rest of Trixie.

Shutter Bug seemed to take note of the Representative's state of mind and blinked, “I feel like I’m missing something here.”

“I...should say so...” Trixie said in a faint, distant tone, slowly shaking her head, adjusting her hat, which had become askew. “Why would you even ask me a question like that?”

“It seems sensible enough,” said Shutter Bug as if explaining the basics of life to a growing foal, “My daughter is a romantic, and honestly has rather heavy heats since they started up. I want her to be happy, and thought that with her dating you she might find exactly that. She talks about you a lot, you know. Even if the relationship doesn’t last for the long haul at least it should be a good learning experience for her. But she’s been nothing if not more and more... pent up since she started dating you. Even before this heat I’ve noticed her, um, taking more ‘alone time’ for herself. I’ve been worried, Trixie, about whether or not you’ve been taking proper care of my daughter. She’s at that age where if she doesn’t get relief, who knows what might happen?”

There was no joking or mockery in Shutter Bug’s tone. Indeed the only emotion Trixie could hear in the other mare’s voice was deep rooted concern, that of a parent for a child. A child who was now old enough to be considered a young adult, with all the rather delicate and messy desires and needs thereof.

Merde... she’s not afraid of me having sex with Raindrops, she’s afraid I’m avoiding sex with Raindrops!

This realization was not at all helped by the fact that Trixie technically was doing exactly that, for very legitimate and personal reasons. Trixie’s mental freeze shattered and her brain went into overtime to try and explain the situation to Shutter Bug in any manner that’d make sense. She summoned up all the delicate, diplomatic acumen she could muster to pick her words with great care.

“Mrs. Shutter Bug, if there is one thing I can give you my absolute word on it’s that I want Raindrops to be happy as well. The relationship between her and I is something I’ve come to cherish these past months, and I don’t wish to lose it for any reason. Um, aheh, that said, sex is... it’s complicated for me.”

Shutter Bug’s head tilted, almost with an audible creak. “Complicated how?”

Trixie could feel the sweat-drops trickling down her neck. Really if Luna wanted to smash the moon into Ponyville at that time, Trixie wouldn’t have objected. Slowly she managed to get out, “I kind of, sort of have an aversion to sex. It isn’t something I can’t control, mind you, or affects how I feel about Raindrops. I just have never, ever had any desire for... for that kind of thing.”

Now it was Shutter Bug’s turn to look bewildered into near brain freeze. Trixie could actually see the other mare trying to turn the gears of her head, piecing together what Trixie was saying and what it meant. Her next words were quiet ones.

“I see. That would certainly qualify as ‘complicated’. Did Raindrops know about this before she began to date you?”

“Yes, she did.”

“Then,” Shutter Bug sighed, a rather helpless chuckle escaping her, “I guess the two of you have made your own bed here. I apologize if I came off as overbearing just now. I love my daughter deeply, and seeing her this stressed has me in a bit of a state. At least now I know why.”

She eyed Trixie’s bag with a look of understanding, “That’s meant to help Raindrops?”

Trixie belatedly nodded, face blossoming with fresh heat, “It, uh, well yes. Is that okay? Wait, how do you know what’s in there?”

Shutter Bug smiled, somewhat thinly, “My husband and I may have two foals but we still enjoy the occasional trip to that particular store, and those nondescript bags are actually rather noticeable. I suppose given the circumstances that might help my daughter as much as anything else you might try. Not as if I disapprove of her owning her own.”

That made a thought occur to Trixie, “How do we know she doesn’t already?I didn’t even think of that before buying all of this.”

“Oh, she doesn’t. I still clean her room sometimes and trust me, I’d know if she had a stash. Well, a stash other than the magazines and novels,” Shutter Bug said with a wink. She then adopted a slightly more serious, and somewhat supportive expression. “You’d best get up there, then. I think I’ve held you up long enough.”

“Thank you,” Trixie said, feeling a wave of relief that this conversation had drawn to a close, though fresh worry was quick to replace the relief as she realized the hardest part of all of this was yet to come. She began to trot from the kitchen when Shutter Bug called after her.

“Just remember, Trixie, that my daughter isn’t any more in charge of her hormones and feelings than you are of yours. Especially right now. From everything I’ve heard her say about you these past few months I think she cares as much about your happiness as you do hers. So... just be mindful of a young mare’s heart, both of yours.”

Trixie gave a beleaguered but understanding nod before continuing out of the kitchen and turning to head up the stairs.

----------

Raindrops was close. She could feel the electric build up of pleasure mounting, heedless of everything around her. Her face was buried in her pillow so the noises coming from her muzzle couldn’t bother her family.

In her crystal clear mind’s eye it was Trixie between her hind legs and not her hoof, tenderly using a skillful tongue. Raindrops could easily imagine Trixie’s smokey eyes lidded with desire, filled with equal pleasure as she touched upon Raindrops’ most sensitive spots. Wanting, needing, a shared connection that Raindrops would eagerly return as soon as she reached her own peak.

So close, just a few more-

The door knocked, loudly, breaking through the musty trance Raindrops was under. With a frustrated growl that was still half moan Raindrops ceased what she was doing and took a second to grumble several obscenities into the innocent pillow. She loved her family dearly but any one of them should have known that short of the end of the world there was no valid reason to bother her right now!

Actually, the end of the world was a distinct possibility with Corona still at large. For all Raindrops knew this was some kind of Elements of Harmony emergency, not that she was feeling particular harmonious right now. Rather fractured and chaotic, really, with a mind and heart zipping in a dozen different directions, but all tied into the throbbing need inside her.

“Be right there,” she said, “Just give me a sec.”

She was rather proud that she didn’t sound like she was ready for committing murder. Just assault. Self control, self control, wasn’t that what she was striving for? She took deep breaths, seeking her center, and briefly straightened out her bed, pointedly covered the rather soaked spot with a pillow, and considered opening the window to air out the scent.

Well, it wasn’t as if her parents weren’t aware of what was happening, and it’d take too long to air the room out anyway, so Raindrops decided just to skip that part and answer the door.

“What is it...?” Raindrops asked, trailing off and blinking in complete surprise at seeing Trixie standing in her hallway. Her breath halted in her throat and unbidden her wings fluffed upwards, almost painfully. Trixie’s mane framed her perfectly sculpted features like a silver waterfall under the moonlight. Raindrops wanted to run her hooves over that mane, like gravity itself was reversing to try and pull her towards the mare in the hallway. Trixie’s eyes were wide violet pools that lit Raindrops with warmth just to look at them. And that well groomed coat of bright, colorful blue! Trixie’s sleek, yet plush form was so enticing with its every curve, Raindrops wanted to feel every inch.

Trixie’s mouth was moving. Raindrops blinked again

“I, uh, sorry did you say something?”

Trixie laughed, a quick noise flushed with awkwardness yet beautifully ringing in Raindrops’ ears, “I asked if this was a bad time? I said I’d be by, to try and do all in my not inconsiderable intellect and capability to help.”

Raindrops saw Trixie’s nose twitch, smelling the air. Raindrops felt herself start to blaze with fresh heat as she suddenly wished she’d opened up the window. Trixie visibly swallowed, clearing her throat, “I didn’t mean to interrupt. Just, well, I brought something!”

Raindrops finally took note of the rather plain paper bag Trixie had been carrying, now proffered in a wreath of blue magical light. A set of roses joined the offered package, carefully wrapped in Roseluck’s signature style. Raindrops heart instantly melted like candle wax under an open flame at the sight. Even if she actually wasn’t that fond of roses, the romantic gesture left her smiling as she took the flowers, although she had a hard time meeting Trixie’s gaze because Raindrops was having difficulty resisting the urge to pull the mare into her room right then and there.

“Thank you, these are beautiful.” Her eyes turned towards the package, oddly plain looking for a gift from Trixie, which triggered worry within Raindrops because it made it clear to her how much this whole 'heat' thing was throwing Trixie off. “What’s this?”

Now it was Trixie’s turn to begin doing an impersonation of a strawberry, red starting to outweigh blue on her face. Between the two of us we could out red Bic Macintosh, Raindrops thought.

“It’s... gifts, stuff, from Pinkie Pie's work...”

“Sugar Cube Corner?” Raindrops asked with a bit of confusion. She enjoyed a bit of a sweet tooth, but she didn’t see how that was much help given that the only thing she really wanted to sink her teeth into was the enticing treat of a unicorn standing before her. Raindrops had to almost shake to banish the idea of Trixie coated in chocolate, just waiting for Raindrops to lick her clean.

I can’t take this for long, or I’m going to end up doing something I’ll seriously regret, she thought.

“Oh, uh, different work,” said Trixie, looking at the bag as if it might spit forth a cluster of snakes. In fact Raindrops noticed that Trixie was holding the bag in her telekinesis rather gingerly, like something that might explode at any moment. And what did Trixie mean by ‘different work’? Where else did Pinkie Pie work?

“I...” Raindrops hesitated, fear mixing with her surging desires, unease sickeningly mixing a potent need to pull Trixie to her and just feel the other mare from the tip of her muzzle to the... the other end. Raindrops suppressed a shudder. “I guess you should come in.”

For just a second Trixie looked as if she might refuse, and Raindrops could understand why. Her room, Raindrops herself, both, for lack of a more polite phrasing, stank of sex. While mares might not react to the scent of other mares in heat, the smell was still prevalent, and given Raindrops had spent the better part of the afternoon trying rather vigorously to douse the fire between her hind legs she thought it a minor miracle Trixie hadn’t turned and run away at the first whiff after the door had been opened.

Raindorps stood aside and Trixie took a few hesitant steps inside, clearly trying to suppress her agitation. It was sweet to think Trixie was trying so hard for her, which only served to both heighten Raindrops’ desire to hold Trixie and run her lips appreciatively over her deliciously curved body, and redouble her guilt for thinking that way knowing full well Trixie could only find such an action unnerving at best and disgusting at worst.

She immediately regretted inviting Trixie inside, because once the door was closed and they were alone Raindrops’ hormone drowned brain went into overtime with imaginative scenarios.

No, no, NO! Stop that. She’s here to help you, but not like that! She can’t, and you can’t let her, or let yourself, or... ARRRGHHH! Raindrops’ mental roar of tortured frustration must have broken through her plastic mask of an expression because Trixie looked at her with concern flooding her own eyes.

“This... this really isn’t any more pleasant for you than it is for me, is it?” Trixie’s voice was soft for a moment, but it soon became filled with a more bold and determined note as Trixie nodded to herself, “We’ll get through this. I shall not let something like mere biology hiccups interfere with taking care of you. So, that said, here, I hope these help.”

Trixie held her head high and floated over the bag, which Raindrops was happy enough to take if only for the distraction it provided, “Just what’s in here anyway?”

“Take a look,” Trixie said proudly, “It was not easy for me to, um, get myself to make the purchases, but I had Lyra’s help, and Pinkie Pie’s too. She’s rather supportive and seemed to know what she was talking about. I don’t know what, eheh, what size I should get, or what kind... so I got a variety.”

As Trixie had spoken Raindrops had set the bag down and opened it with a hoof, peering within. She opened her mouth, a laugh blurting from her as she almost broke into subsequent giggles, utterly astounded.

“Trixie, did you just buy me a bag of dildos?”

Trixie’s muzzle scrunched up adorably, “Not just dildos! There are two vibrators in there, one with raspberry flavoring and the other with a remote control! Also some kind of bead string. I don’t know what those are for but Pinkie Pie recommended them. I didn’t know what you wanted, okay!? I just grabbed whatever I thought might help you satisfy your, uh, needs.”

Raindrops couldn’t even bring herself to be embarrassed, she was too busy trying to find breaths between bouts of laughter, only enhanced by the fact that Trixie only turned further shades of red and even stomped her hoof in a manner Raindrops found absolutely precious.

“I don’t see what’s of funny! I’m trying to help, and thought that-”

It was impossible to stop herself. The upswelling of raw affection at the gesture crashed through Raindrops’ inhibitions, already strained past the limit, and she crossed the distance to Trixie in an instant and locked her lips firmly upon the unicorn’s, cutting off Trixie’s words with a deep kiss. For Raindrops the warmth of Trixie’s body, the soft touch of her lips, it was a moment of simple bliss. Soon ended, for she could tell Trixie was rigid, not fully responding, though not pulling away either. Raindrops did that herself after a moment, wings and fore hooves both holding Trixie in a tight hug that was painful in the knowledge it was all she could do right now.

“It’s very thoughtful of you Trixie. Thank you.”

She let go of Trixie, stepping back a bit to meet Trixie’s eyes. Trixie herself looked torn between confusion and relief. She readjusted her hat, which had been nearly knocked off her head by the surprise kiss. At length she said with a quick smile, “You’re welcome. So will this help?”

Raindrops glanced back at the bag of sex toys, “Maybe? I’ve never actually used anything like that before. It... like I said, it’s thoughtful. Might make this blasted heat easier to get through, but...”

She took a deep breath and met Trixie’s gaze, knowing to be anything less than honest here would be spitting on this wonderful mare’s resolve to make this relationship work, “I still want you. I don’t think anything can replace the simple fact that I... I have to feel you, and have you feel me. Everything short of that is just going to be temporary fixes while the dam itself is still going to burst at some point.”

She could see Trixie’s tension as clearly as she could read stormclouds, and wanted nothing more than to melt all that worry and fear away, to make her marefriend a happy, cuddly pile in her hooves. Only that was the one thing she couldn’t do, and so she was as bound as if there were iron manacles around her limbs, a mare dying of thirst in the desert with a oasis just out of tantalizing reach.

“I’m sorry, Raindrops,” Trixie said eventually, sounding almost like a lost filly in the woods, “I don’t know what to do.”

At length all Raindrops could say in return was the honest truth.

“Neither do I.”

Chapter 4: Boiling Point

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Chapter 4: Boiling Point

Trixie’s mood had turned distinctly foul by the time she returned home that day. Pokey had finished up the spare paperwork for the day and had wisely decided to get out of his boss’ way when he saw the sour grimace on her face that would’ve been reducing furniture to charred ashes if only looks held the power to translate mood into heat rays. Once Pokey had beaten a hasty retreat from the Representative's residence, Trixie promptly stomped her way upstairs, into her bedroom, threw herself onto the bed, and proceeded to scream into her pillows with all of the pent up frustration, fear, and bitterness that’d built up in her over the course of the day.

All she wanted was to find a way to make Raindrops happy! It was utterly unacceptable in Trixie’s mind for her to have to leave her altogether wonderful and dedicated marefriend to suffer. It made Trixie feel that hard sting of failure that she’d spent a good chunk of her life fearing and trying to avoid. What kind of marefriend was she if she couldn’t do something as simple as satisfy her partner’s desires?

Yet those desires involved doing things Trixie had such a powerful aversion to that she’d always fundamentally avoided even thinking about... it.

Sex. It’s sex. If you keep avoiding even thinking about the word then how are you ever going to continue this relationship? Trixie thought heatedly, rolling over on the bed and glaring at the ceiling.

“Is there something wrong with me?” she asked aloud, then shook her head, “Of course not. If ponies can dislike certain foods, then I can dislike sex. It’s not wrong, its just how I am.”

Which would have been fine, but she’d made the choice to begin a relationship with another mare who Trixie had known did like sex. She’d been aware of Raindrops’ obsession with over the top romance novels, and not once had Raindrops ever shown a disinterest or aversion to sex, so Trixie had been deluding herself to think this roadblock hadn’t been coming. The writing hadn't just been on the wall, it'd been blazed on it with twelve foot high flaming letters!

It might have also been equally naive to believe that the problem could be solved by just throwing sex toys at Raindrops and hoping for the best. Raindrops’ words echoed back to Trixie.

“I want you...”

Trixie spread her forelegs out to her sides, sighing. It wasn’t even as if she disliked hearing those words from Raindrops. If anything there was a certain, warm pleasure to hearing her marefriend say how much she wanted Trixie. But that was purely a matter of ego mixed with simple affection. Trixie liked feeling needed. Appreciated. Loved. And Raindrops was a very affectionate pony once one got past the outer barriers.

With a huff she raised her head, face deadpan, as she grumbled at her crotch. “This is all your fault, you know. You and your stupid, icky biology! Why, out of all the ways nature decided to make ponies reproduce, did it decide the best way to do that was to stick a hole there, inches from where we got to the bathroom!? That’s terrible design work! Oh, but that’s not all, no. Nature then decided to make you stupid at certain times of the year, torturing us with crazy hormones that don’t even take our personal feelings into consideration! You are inconsiderate and poorly designed!” she shouted the accusation, pointing at her nethers with a vengeful hoof.

A voice cleared its throat from the doorway.

“Are you done yelling at your vagina, or should I come back later?”

Trixie nearly hit the ceiling, jumping so high, and bounced off her bed onto the floor, looking upside down at the bemused looking Cheerilee standing in her door.

“C-Cheerilee!? What are you doing in my house?”

“You left the door unlocked,” Cheerilee said, taking a few steps inside and offering Trixie a hoof, which she reluctantly took to let the schoolteacher pull her back upright. “I thought I’d come check on you. How’d things go with Raindrops?”

Trixie’s ears flattened, and she looked away, silent. Cheerilee sucked in a breath, “That swell, huh? Kind of figured, honeslty.”

“Grr, not exactly living up to your Element right now, Cheerilee,” Trixie muttered, sitting back down on her bed, and lowering her head, “I don’t want to be reminded that I’m doing such a poor job of being a marefriend.”

“That’s not what I meant at all,” said Cheerilee as she went up to the bed next to Trixie and also took a seat, “And right now while you might be able to use a laugh, I think you need somepony to talk to you straight a little more.”

“That so? And just what’s this straight talk you think I need?”

Cheerilee looked at her steadily, face both sympathetic, yet somehow hard as she took a deep breath and said, “Let me ask you, straight up; would you be willing to try having sex with Raindrops?”

Trixie immediately winced, all of her disgust at the thought of sex ramming through her. “I can’t just stop finding sex gross, Cheerilee. This isn’t like trying to make a foal eat their vegetables. This is as much a part of who am I as my cutie mark. It isn’t going away just because its making life difficult right now.”

“Here’s the thing, Trixie. I’m not asking you to change how you fell about sex. I’m asking if you can have sex with Raindrops despite how you feel about sex.”

“But... she doesn’t want me to do that.”

“Raindrops doesn’t know what she wants, other than to make you happy,” Cheerilee said, pointing at Trixie, “And the thing is, I can tell you feel the same way. You both want to make each other happy, but this one sticking point is tearing you both apart inside. So here’s what I’m thinking. Try, Trixie. You don’t have to change who you are, but one thing I’ll point out here is that no matter what you’ve thought about sex all your life, if you haven’t actually tried it then you’ll never really know for certain just what it might or might not feel like. And if anypony you’ve ever met is worth trying this for, if not Raindrops, then who?”

The words held a certain logic to them, yet that didn’t make them any easier to hear. Even if Trixie did decide to try sex with Raindrops she didn’t fully trust herself not to make it so awkward and awful for Raindrops that it'd seriously hurt the other mare’s feelings. As much as Trixie didn’t want to think about sex, she could only imagine how Raindrops might feel if Trixie gagged or got nauseous in the middle of the act. Raindrops had made it pretty clear part of what she wanted was for Trixie to want this as well, and Trixie didn’t think she could fake it. Not without being stupendously drunk, or using magic to mess with her head, both of which were options Trixie knew Raindrops would shoot down. If only there was some magic that might give Trixie a third option...

“Cheerilee, I understand what you’re telling me, but I don’t know if I can do that. I don’t think Raindrops would ever forgive me if we got, uh, into it and I upchucked on her. I don’t think I’d forgive myself for doing that to her.”

“Let me put this another way then,” Cheeirlee said, fixing Trixie with a serious, almost parental stare, “What other options do you have at this point?”

Trixie blanched, looking away, her thoughts about magical third options echoing in her head. “I know you girls think it won’t work, but blast it all I’m willing to still try magicking my way out of this! With the right spells-”

“Trixie, Raindrops would never want you using magic to change yourself.”

“I’m not going to do anything like that,” Trixie said, mind turning its squeaky gears in an ever faster maelstrom of ideas, “But if you’re asking me to consider experimenting with Raindrops, and she’s... open to the idea, then experiment is exactly what I’ll do.”

The idea that took shape in her head was a long shot, but perhaps the Princess would understand, if Trixie just explained things openly. Her face was already burning with embarrassment just thinking of the conversation to come, but as Cheerilee had just thoroughly pointed out; Trixie was out of options.

----------

“I confess I’m surprised you came to see me personally when we have a very simple and convenient systems to convey letters to each other.” Princess Luna was inside her private study, warmth pouring from the hearth as she sat behind her desk, a pair of glasses that Trixie knew full and well the Princess didn’t need perched on her snout as she read a set of papers that Trixie suspected were incredibly boring tax documents.

Trixie had timed her arrival to Canterlot very specifically to meet with the Princess at just the hour before sunset, as she knew well that Luna was just getting to reviewing the night’s coming business but wouldn’t be so busy that taking a personal guest was out of the question. She also knew that addressing a letter to the Princess speaking of the need to discuss a ‘deeply personal issue’ would be just intriguing enough for Luna to be willing to set aside a few protocols to meet with Trixie in her private study.

She hadn’t told anypony besides Cheerilee where she was going that night, and she fully intended to be back in Ponyville before dawn. If all went according to plan, she’d have a surprise for Raindrops that morning that would hopefully lead to a solution to their mutual problem.

“I highly appreciate your willingness to meet with me, Princess.” Trixie said, dipping a polite bow, which caused Luna’s eyebrow to raise in quizzical bemusement.

“You wrote of a personal matter that required we talk face to face. I’ll admit I could only wonder as to what would trigger this.” Luna sniffed the air, “But I can take a guess.”

Trixie gulped, feeling the heat burn her face, and it wasn’t coming from the hearth. “O-oh?”

“You forget the senses of an alicorn are sharper than a normal pony’s by several magnitudes. I can smell Raindrops’ lingering scent on you, and judging by the scent she’s entered her heat cycle. So, let me make some logical deductions here, before you say a word. You’re having a panic attack due to your continued issues with the concept of sex and are seeking a magical solution from me, the one mare in all Equestria who’s magical knowledge likely contains several potential spells that might alleviate your issue. Am I close?”

“Painfully,” Trixie admitted with a soft snort and flick of her tail as she looked anxiously at Luna, “So the question is, will you? Help, that is?”

Luna was one of the few ponies Trixie had ever met who could completely hide her thoughts, leaving no clue as to what was happening behind her statue still expression or the seemingly infinite gleam of her eyes. In this case, however, Luna hid nothing, making it clear to Trixie what the alicorn was going to say before she gently floated her glasses off her snout, placed them on the desk in front of her, and looked Trixie directly in the eyes.

“No.”

Trixie was embarrassed by the petulant nature of it, but her emotions were boiling over as she stamped her hoof and said, “Why not!? I don’t have anypony else I can turn to with this! I’m still your apprentice, am I not? Teaching me magic is still technically part of that, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but it is entirely my own perogative to choose what to teach you and what not to, and in this case I am hesitant at best at the idea of teaching you magic that will allow you to bypass this issue, Trixie.” Luna took a deep breath, her expression softening into an understanding, if exasperated smile, “I’ve known for a long time that this was coming, and it's a problem I can’t solve for you, my dear, obstinate student. Your sexuality and how you relate it to those you love is something only you can decide.”

“I don’t have any sexuality! That’s what’s causing the problem!” Trixie nearly shouted, her breathing getting quick and irregular as her heart started to beat faster in something akin to the beginnings of panic. “I love Raindrops but I can’t make love to her without... without...”

“Without what?” Luna asked, raising an eyebrow.

Trixie lowered her head, muttering, “Without risking losing her. If I try to have...” she licked her lips and flinched, “sex with Raindrops, I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep it together. I don’t know what she’ll think of me if I literally gag while trying to, well, do anything to her. She’ll think I’m disgusted by her.”

“Which you are not, correct?”

“Of course not!” Trixie snapped, eyes flashing, voice passionately heated. “Raindrops is perfectly fine! She takes such good care of her body that it boggles my mind she didn’t find somepony before me! She’s literally got a smile I’d consider committing acts of sedition for!”

Luna’s eyebrow shot even higher but Trixie continued her tirade, as if the words couldn’t wait to stampede out.

“She’s braver than anypony I’ve ever known, has the guts to call me out on my horseapples and match me pound for pound in terms of stubbornness, and best of all she’s so unbelievably affectionate that just being around her can take the worst of days and make me feel better just by giving me a nuzzle! So let me make this crystal clear. I! Love! Raindrops! I love her to the point where I’m even considering ways to get sweaty and horizontal with her despite finding the very notion of sex gross enough to lock myself in my house every time I’ve ever gone into heat!”

Trixie, by now, had actually stomped up to Luna’s desk and reared up, slamming her forehooves onto the desk while staring Luna’ directly in the eyes, her own wide and nearly wild. She felt like a teakettle left too long on the stove, the steam not just whistling out, but screaming out along with the boiling water inside.

“So if there’s a bucking magical method to give my marefriend the unadulterated magnificent sex she deserves from a loving marefriend without me having a mental breakdown from it, I’m going to learn it even if I have to break into forbidden sections of the Canterlot vaults to find the spells! I’ll become a wanted criminal and toss aside any shot at nobility if it means I can give Rindrops just one night of actual happiness, and don’t you bucking doubt I will, Princess!”

“I think it might be a bit too late for the mental breakdown part,” said Luna after a moment of staring at Trixie, who in turn seemed to realize she’d just been yelling in the face of Equestria’s royal alicorn monarch, and wisely got off the desk and took a few hesitant steps back. Looking Trixie over for a few seconds more, if only perhaps to allow the mare to squirm a tad, Luna went on.

“However it is clear that your passionate about resolving this issue. One would think that passion might translate into a willingness to try the physical act one is so afraid of, but I can understand why you’d be fearful of disapointing Raindrops, if your love for her is so strong. Given what I know of Raindrops I’d point out any magical solution likely runs the same risk.”

“...I know,” Trixie said, voice now much more subdued after blowing her top a moment ago, “My other friends, Cheerilee especially, have already pointed all that out. I know Raindrops won’t approve of me using magic for this, especially if it's magic that alters my mind in some way. Which is why I was hoping you had spells that didn't involve that and could offer some other approach.”

“I wouldn’t teach you that kind of magic anyway. If I was going to teach you a spell for this, which I am not saying I will, but if I was it would have to be a lesser version of my clone spell.”

Luna’s words made Trixie’s eyes pop wide, shocked. “Your clones? I didn’t think anypony besides an alicorn could pull off a spell like that?”

“A true avatar requires alicorn magic, this is true,” said Luna, folding her hooves under her chin, “However there is a simpler version of the spell that could be performed by a unicorn. It would require a great pool of magic, perhaps beyond what you’re capable of. The clone would not possess more than a trickle of your own magic, and while you maintained the spell you yourself would be all but drained of magic as well. Furthermore the clone could only behave in accordance with your commands, lacking the independent thought and will that true avatars possess. She’d have your knowledge, but none of your personality. This is where the real trouble lies. Such a clone I doubt would be suited for the purposes of a passionate session of love making, as you desire for your marefriend. She’d obey commands like a golem would, completely devoid of passion.”

Luna sighed regretfully, “Even in your state of disgust for sex your passion would likely make your own personal attempt at making love to Raindrops much more pleasurable than anything the clone could achieve.”

Trixie swallowed, despite a dry mouth, and her mind worked furiously for an idea. With hesitance she said, “What if there was a way to connect my... my emotions to the clone. None of the physical sensation, but just my feelings and thoughts? Could I direct the clones actions that way, without feeling any of the physical stuff it’d feel?”

Luna’s silence stretched, making Trixie shift uncomfortably, until finally the alicorn said, “It is possible, but what you propose isn’t a simple thing. Modifying an already difficult spell in such a manner could easily tax you beyond your abilities. You’d run a dangerous risk of hurting yourself if you were not exceedingly careful.”

“I think I’ve already made it clear I’m willing to take risks for Raindrops,” Trixie said, then asked nervously, “Will you teach me? Tonight?”

If the silence from Luna before had been unbearably long, this one was truly glacial, to the point where Trixie was fairly certain she could feel her legs start to cramp up form standing still too long. Yet it was clear Luna was in deep thought on the matter, her blue eyes piercing straight into Trixie, measuring and calculating in ways only a being millennia old could manage.

“I shouldn’t,” Luna said, nearly making Trixie jump at the sudden voice, “I really shouldn’t. Every gut instinct I have tells me this is going to end in tears. But... you’ve long since stopped being the foal I took into my care. If I trust you enough to represent matters for an entire village of ponies, I can trust you to make your own choices about your sex life, whether for better or disaster.”

Luna rose from her sitting position on a large, dark blue velvet cushion, and strode around the desk, wings unfurling to their impressive length and reminding Trixie of just how large the alicorn was as she looked down at Trixie.

“Time is short, and this is no cantrip I’m teaching you, my student. Come, to the training room. This is going to be a long night and I have duties that I can only put off for so long.”

Trixie nodded and followed her mentor out of the alicorn’s personal chambers, and down the hallway towards the old stone training room where she’d learned many a spell under Luna’s strict instruction. There was a stitch of nostalgic feeling in the walk, following behind Luna, reminding Trixie of much younger and simpler days. A part of her wished her life had stayed that simple, with none of the troubles of today. Even facing the Tyrant Sun’s minions seemed easy compared to just finding a way to have a relationship work.

But find a way she would, no matter what it took. Tomorrow morning, Raindrops was going to be in for a surprise.

----------

“Should we be worried? I feel like we should be worried.” said Lyra as she sat at an outdoor table at one of Ponyville’s cafes. Beside her Bon Bon leaned against her and nuzzled Lyra’s neck, their tails affectionately wrapped around each others.

“Don’t, honey. They’re big girls who can sort their own issues out. Well, Raindrops is anyway.”

“But its weird Trixie vanished last night, isn’t it?” Lyra asked, glancing across the table at Ditzy Doo, who was sipping on some coffee. Ditzy was still in her mailmare uniform, taking her scheduled thirty minute meal break during her morning rounds. She looked at Lyra and shrugged.

“She wasn’t home when I dropped off the mail this morning. If she was I would’ve heard the singing. She really likes showtunes this time of year.”

“If Cheerilee wasn’t teaching class I’d snap her up for some lock-picking escapades to search for clues,” Lyra muttered, to which Ditzy giggled.

“Why do we end up breaking into Trixie’s house more often than we end up protecting the country from Corona?”

“Well if she didn’t lock the door all the time we wouldn’t have to,” Lrya said, hooves crossed over her chest and nodding firmly.

“Whose locking whose door?”

Lyra and the others turned to see Trixie trotting by, the magician pausing just long enough to tip her hat towards the table with a smug smile. Trixie had dark circles under her eyes, but managed to look energetic despite clearly having not slept the previous night. Lyra looked at the other unicorn with worried eyes.

“Um, so, Trixie... where were you last night?” A thought struck her and her mood both brightened and tensed at the same time, “You didn’t spend the night with Raindrops did you!? It would be amazing if you did, but did you?”

Trixie coughed, “Ah, no, not with Raindrops. Yet rest assured my time was well spent and soon I will allevate my darling of the heat that plagues us both with the quenching touch of a loving embrace! Trixie has gained new prowess and will meet the challenges of her lover’s passionate fires with an oasis especially prepared for her!”

Lyra tilted her head and blinked, “Huh?”

Ditzy Doo looked hopeful, smiling as she fluttered her wings, “So does that mean you figured out a way to be with Raindrops?”

“Yes! Maybe. Most probably. No, it’ll work.” Trixie said with her degree of confidence seeming to dip down and up like a roller coaster. Lyra couldn’t help but notice that Trixie’s legs were trembling slightly, and it might not have all been from fatigue. There was a real tremor of fear in the mare’s eyes, that she was doing her best to cover up with as much energetic bravado as she could push out. That alone redoubled Lyra’s worries.

“What exactly are you planning?” Lyra asked in as casual a tone as she could muster.

Trixie licked her lips and looked around as if suspecting eavesdroppers. The cafe wasn’t particularly crowded, though Trixie was making enough of a scene that the few other ponies there were watching with varying degrees of interest. The Representative of Ponyville making a scene wasn’t exactly unusual and most of the town’s residents were used to Trixie’s ‘expressive’ behavior.

Still, Trixie leaned in to whisper to the table, “I am going to visit Raindrops.”

Ditzy Doo, Lyra, and Bon Bon all exchanged looks, then Lyra glanced back at Trixie. “Aaaaand?”

Trixie’s face gradually took on the general sheen of a blue tinged raspberry, and her voice went into an even quieter yet somehow more serious whisper, “Then we shall... do the thing.”

“The thing?”

“The sex thing. With the sex.”

That caught Lyra by surprise. “Really!? You’re gonna go for it then!?”

“Shhh!” Trixie hushed Lyra with a hoof planted squarely in the other mare’s mouth, “Not so loud! Look, I have a clever workaround that should be a solid compromise between what Raindrops wants and what I want. I just need to run it by her, see how she responds.”

“That’s all well and good,” said Bon Bon, “But isn’t Raindrops working today?”

Trixie gained a thousand mile long stare, then slammed her forehead to the table, “Merde. I forgot that yesterday was her only day off! Alright, alright, not a problem, I can just catch her after her shift. Yes, yes this will work nicely. She’ll be tired after a long day of work and be perfectly ready to be ambushed by my love! I need candles, roses, scented oils, and about two sticks of butter.”

Before Lyra could even respond to that Trixie wheeled about, pointing dramatically, “To the marketplace!”

The magician was off like a blueberry from a slingshot, gone well before any of her present friends could say much to question her. Lyra frowned profoundly, blowing out a sigh.

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

----------

It had been a long and fairly strenuous day of work for Raindrops. Normally one could claim some time off due to things like going into heat, but Raindrops usually had hers under control and hated losing work hours, so she rarely opted for time off. Besides, given how worked up she was some hard physical labor was a better way to burn off energy and keep her mind off of other things. If she stayed at home all she’d end up doing is thinking of Trixie and getting overly acquainted with the toys Trixie had bought for her.

Which had been sweet, if a bit goofy on Trixie’s part. Raindrops wasn’t really all that into sex toys. They just seemed too impersonal. No matter how realistic the materials the toys just weren’t a substitute for the warmth of a real pony. Still, out of respect for Trixie she’d at least tried them the previous night. Well, the ones she could figure out how to use. The toys were novel, but not what she truly desired. Just a hollow echo of the fantasies that burned through her if she let herself stop and think too much.

Raindrops would’ve happily worked some overtime just to have the benefit of the distraction, but Rainbow Dash had insisted Raindrops head home. Mostly because, willing to work or not, Raindrops’ heat was ‘distracting’ some of her co-workers. Raindrops thought that was horseapples given she could handle cloud-busting solo, but arguing with Rainbow Dash didn’t hold any appeal, so she’d just agreed to go home at the regular time.

Only when Raindrops got to her house she had a surprise waiting for her. Her mother met her at the door, with a letter in hoof.

“Miss Trixie brought this earlier today,” Shutter Bug said, eyes guarded as she gave Raindrops the letter. Raindrops’ nose was quickly hit with a whiff of strongly scented perfume coming from the letter envelope, and noticed it was sealed with red wax stamped with Trixie’s seal.

“Thanks mom. Uh, did she say anything?” Raindrops asked hesitantly.

“Only that the letter was for your eyes only...” her mother responded with an uncomfortable pause. After clearing her throat a bit Shutter Bug said, “Dear, do you want to talk about anything? I, well, I know we haven’t had much opportunity to really talk about these kind of adult things but I want you to know I’m here and willing to talk if you need it.”

Raindrops took a very deep breath, which tickled her nose with more of that perfume scent... jasmine, she realized. Swallowing, she said, “I appreciate it mom, but its kind of complicated between me and Trixie right now. I don’t think the usual talks will help much. At least with her also being a mare you don’t have to worry about ending up with a grandfoal this early.”

Her mother let out a short chuckle, “Yes, I suppose there’s no worries on that front, although even if you were dating a stallion I know you’re responsible enough to take precautions. It’s less the physical responsibilities and more the... emotional impact I’m worried about. Honey, Trixie is your first, well, everything. I just worry. That’s a mother’s job.”

Raindrops looked to the letter in her hoof, carefully opening the envelope. Inside was fine quality pink paper, folded up. Raindrops unfolded it to find it had a short message scrawled in Trixie’s sharp yet expansive flourish.

Evening, my place. I hope to see you there, amore.

The words, short and simple as they were, sent a hot fluttering through Raindrops, making her spine tingle. What was Trixie planning? Raindrops was as excited as she was nervous. Surely this could’t mean what she thought it meant? Trixie was probably just wanting to talk more. Which was fine, although Raindrops wasn’t sure what that might accomplish other than to emphasize the problem. But what if...?

“Raindrops, dear?” her mother asked, noticing Raindrops starring at the letter.

“Oh, um, sorry.” Raindrops glanced away for a moment, mind spinning, but she quickly returned her mother’s look with a hopeful one of her own. “I’ll try not to worry you so much, but I think me and Trixie will figure this out, somehow.”

Shutter Bug nodded at that, still looking worried, “What did Miss Trixie want?”

“She, uh, invited me over to her place tonight.” Raindrops said, feeling the warmth on her cheeks as she said it. Her mother took a second to absorb that, blinking, and also reddening a bit in the face.

“Oh, I see. Well, I imagine you’ll want to freshen up then. Should I fix an early dinner?”

“Nah, that’s alright. Knowing Trixie, she’ll have something in mind.”

The rest of the afternoon was spent cleaning up with a thorough shower (in which Raindrops took care of some personal relief, just to take the edge off her heat) and then deciding just what to wear. Many might not have associated her usually blunt and at times rough personality with a romantic, but Raindrops took even the small things seriously and if Trixie was inviting her over for a romantic evening, even if nothing happened, Raindrops wanted to look good for her marefriend.

This might be a mistake, some dark corner of her mind told her. Given the strength of her heat being alone with Trixie in any kind of romantic situation could easily be a recipe for disaster. What if Raindrops lost control of herself? Even if by accident the idea of committing any kind of forceful assault upon Trixie filled Raindrops with cold dread. But no, Raindrops wasn’t that far gone. This wasn’t one of Trixie’s heats after all. It might be tough, and Raindrops might get very amorous during the evening, whatever Trixie was planning, but Raindrops felt confident she could control herself and be a perfect gentlemare. She wouldn’t even bring up sex! Nope, she’d just enjoy the evening, and shove down any sexual urges with a mental and emotional bludgeon.

Her range of clothing choices were limited, largely because she almost never had any good occasions to wear such things. There was her Gala dress, but that was entirely too over the top, and not precisely suited to a comfortable one-on-one evening with Trixie. She did own a less complex dress which consisted of a fairly simple ocean blue blouse with white trimming and a similarly white skirt that was just short enough to be considered a tad risque, and considerably her only other formal wear was something that looked more like a suit than a dress, she went with the dress.

Doing her mane and tail was a rarity for her. She rarely went beyond a few quick brushes to keep them straight and free of tangles. That evening she went all out, brushing both mane and tail to silky smoothness. She didn’t do anything fancy with either, but when her mother saw her she insisted on giving Raindrops at least one braid along the right side of her head. A ‘traditional’ braid for a pegasus mare seeing a paramour, and something Shutter Bug seemed to take a sort of simple, calming pleasure in doing. Since it made her mother happy and seem to worry a bit less, she didn’t complain, and left just as the sun was starting to set.

Trixie hadn’t specified an hour, but evening usually meant these dusk hours, and Raindrops found herself stepping lightly as she made the trek to the Representative's Residence. Once she arrived she noticed the interior seemed dark, but there was a faint orange glow from beneath the door, and so Raindrops trotted up without discouragement.

Even as she raised a hoof to knock, the door swung open. She could see Trixie’s faint gleam of blue magical aura on the door handle, but Trixie herself wasn’t visible at the door. Curious, Raindrops went inside, and immediately felt a comfortable warmth bathing the inside of the Residence.

The orange glow came from a combination of several dozen candles of red wax burning softly at various points across the living room, and from a fire crackling high in the hearth. The table near the couch had a pair of place-mats set out with two plates, trays of food stacked between them. Raindrops felt her mouth water at the sight of several of her favorite foods, including the chocolate cherry-topped frosted cupcakes that were among her guilty pleasures. Trixie’s taste in food might be generously described as strange, but when it came to preparing food for Raindrops she’d apparently pulled out the stops and gone out of her way to make sure what was on the table was to Raindrops’ liking.

Taking a few steps into the darkened room, the door closed behind her and Raindrops heard Trixie’s voice from the entryway towards the kitchen.

“Welcome, my jasmine flower. I hope you’ll find what you see to your liking.”

Raindrops peered towards the kitchen, finding it a bit amusing that Trixie was keeping herself out of view. The other mare had taken on a sultry tone that would’ve fit well in a play for one of her romance novels, although it was in that faintly over-dramatic tone that Trixie hit upon when getting into a performance.

“The food looks delicious Trixie.” she said, smiling.

“Oh, I didn’t mean the food...”

Trixie appeared in the entryway to the kitchen. “I meant me.”

Raindrops’ mouth gaped, eyes wide and starring. Her heartbeat immediately began to hammer hotly in her chest and her breathing quickened. She wouldn’t have been surprised if she was drooling, just a bit.

Trixie wasn’t wearing anything complicated. In fact the stark simplicity of what the mare wore over her smooth azure fur was part of what made it trigger all the primitive places in Raindrops’ heat affected brain. Deep violet socks extended up Trixie’s hooves, turning to tight hugging lace at the top portion, accentuating the fine curves of muscles Trixie had recently toned through the regular workouts with Raindrops. Trixie was standing on her hind legs, leaning forward while stretching her forelegs up the side of the kitchen entryway, flexing her legs while curving her body in a gentle bow while looking at Raindrops sidelong with lidded eyes half hidden by falls of silver and periwinkle blue mane. Raindrops’ eyes devoured those curves, looking along the smooth, tight bend of Trixie’s back, which then curved upwards into a plush rump. A finer rear Raindrops had never seen, and the effect was only enhanced by the fact that Trixie was wearing lace trimmed, jet black panties that only made that plump plot appear even more enticing. Raindrops wanted desperately to take that silky dark pair of underwear off of Trixie slowly, with her teeth.

Before Raindrops was even aware of it she’d taken several steps forward, only to catch herself halfway to Trixie. She halted almost painfully fast, shaking herself, and actually stuttering with her words.

“Y-you look... amazing,” she said, feeling the one meager word completely failed to express just what Trixie’s appearance was doing to her. The heat was back in full force, a surging lava flow in her blood that scorched down her spine and nestled like a caldera of magma in her nether regions. Every instinct was now screaming like a crazed cave-pony to march over there, tackle Trixie off her hooves, and take her on the kitchen floor.

This was insane! Raindrops had expected a romantic dinner, yes, but this!? Trixie was pulling out all the stops, but for what purpose!? Could she really be intending to... to go all the way? Raindrops didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but if this had been any other mare in all of Equestria besides Trixie then Raindrops would have said this was definitely where the night was going.

With Trixie, however, Raindrops was as confused as she was aroused. And if this kept up, Trixie was going to need to mop her floors before the night was done.

Author's Notes:

The story yet lives! In truth the holiday was more or less a prodding reminder that this chapter has been sitting at near done for awhile now, with only a few sticking points I was having trouble figuring out. My eventual solution was to say "screw it, press onward even if it isn't perfect". Part of my hesitance with this story is the sensitive nature of the subject matter. I've never wanted to present either Raindrops or Trixie as being inherently wrong in what they want, and present the issue of two people who love each other but have very different needs in regards to sex as a complex and difficult problem. At the same time, this is Equestria, and it was only a matter of time before Trixie got magic involved in this. How will that turn out... well hopefully you won't have to wait another year to find out.

I actually don't have too much more of this story to go. One or two more chapters, plus epilogue, tops. However I will warn that the 'sex' tag is likely to be earned in the next chapter, as after thinking about matters at length I don't think I can do the story properly without getting explicit. So, you know, just a beforehand warning that the next chapter is likely to get beyond risque implications of naughty bits, and go 'full frontal', as it were. Fortunately I imagine I'll be awkward enough just writing it that I'll be able to capture the awkward nature of two first time lovers trying to figure out sex for the first time, especially with the Lunaverse Trixie being one of the participants.

Chapter 5: That Awkward Thing Called Sex

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Chapter 5: That Awkward Thing Called Sex

The constant peal of thunder Trixie was hearing was her own heartbeat as she stared at Raindrops with as much sultry, seductive charm as she could summon up as she stood in the doorway between her kitchen and living room. From the absolute tomato redness splashing Raindrops’ face Trixie imagined she was succeeding in pushing her marefriend’s buttons. Not necessarily difficult given Raindrops was in heat, but Trixie still felt a small, inner arm pump of triumph that she was nailing the sexy marefriend bit.

The big hurdle would be what came next. Trixie took a deep breath and did her best to saunter forward, swaying in what she imagined was an eye-catching manner. Raindrops certainly hadn’t taken her eyes off Trixie for a second thus far.

“So, mi amore,” Trixie said, fluttering her eyes at pegasus paramour, “Shall we eat?”

“Whu?” Raindrops just murmured in a haze. Trixie coughed and nodded at the tray of snacks she’d prepared. Raindrops glanced at the cupcakes with dumbfounded eyes, as if she’d forgotten they were there.

“Oh? Right. Eating. That’s a thing we ponies do sometimes.” Raindrops said as if she was trying to kick start her brain again. Trixie found the way the other mare’s ears flopped around her beet red face rather adorable. Still, she hadn’t set all this up just to let Raindrops stand there like a statue. Trixie had worked up a lot of courage to decide to make this evening happen, and by Luna (in some ways quite literally) she was going to do this!

“Of course if you’re not hungry I’m sure we can find something else to do.” Trixie said in what she hoped was an appropriately husky tone as she lightly stepped up to Raindrops and gave the pegasus an affectionate nuzzle.

Raindrops nearly jumped to the ceiling, wings popping wide around her like a pair of umbrellas snapping open. Raindrops’ fuzzy, jasmine coat had been hot to the touch and Trixie had almost felt her marefriend’s own heartbeat hammering in her chest.

“T-Trixie what is this?” Raindrops stammered, gulping, “I mean, you’re all dressed in... and talking like... but you’re not...”

Trixie glanced at herself. She hadn’t thought she’d overdone it that much in her getup. The panties and socks were really pretty plain compared to some of the descriptions she’d read in a few of Raindrops’ more risque romance novels. However it was obvious Raindrops was beyond flustered, and the way she had barely blinked while looking at Trixie left her feeling an odd mix of shame at teasing Raindrops like this and emboldened confidence that she at least could pull off being attractive.

Realizing she needed to stop beating around the bush, Trixie offered Raindrops a reassuring smile, despite her own now bubbling nervousness. “Coming on too strong? I suppose I thought it’d be easier if I got lost in the act. Should have known that with you I need to be more direct.”

It was her turn to gulp, a whole fleet of butterflies roaring in her stomach as she forced herself to say the words. She was scared, no denying that, but she’d decided this needed to happen if there was any chance for her and Raindrops to work as a couple. Raindrops meant too much to her for her to back off now. “If you’re okay with it Raindrops I want to... to be with you tonight. Um, in that way marefriends are. You know...” her voice lost all of its faux attempts at seduction as she whispered uneasily, “...s-sex.”

Raindrops didn’t respond immediately, her eyes seeming to carefully measure Trixie’s sincerity on invisible scales. The incredibly strong pegasus mare suddenly seemed very fragile, as if a slight push might knock her over. Trixie even saw Raindrops’ knees trembling. Her voice was steady, however, as she said, “You don’t have to do this Trixie. You don’t have to force it. I’ve told you this already, I don't want to do anything you're not one hundred percent comfortable with.”

Trixie shook her head quickly. “No! I’m not forcing myself. I’m choosing to do this. I can't tell you I'm 'one hundred percent' comfortable with it, but I want to do this even if I'm just, like, seventy percent comfortable with it. Okay maybe more like sixty percent, but still...”

She stepped close to Raindrops, who stiffened but didn’t pull away as Trixie looked her in the eyes and put a hoof on the pegasus’ warm cheek. “Raindrops, I want to be with you. I want you in my life. It isn’t fair for me to want that, but to not give you anything that you need while taking whatever I want from you. I don’t know if this is going to be... good, or anything. I don’t know what I’m doing, and how many times have you heard me admit that out loud. But I want to try. I can’t let this go without having tried. Please let me try?”

The last came out as a little more than a whispered plea. Raindrops looked at her with wet eyes, and before Trixie knew it the peagsus’ heated lips were locked on hers. Kissing was one thing Trixie never had an issue with, and she let herself fall into the kiss while wrapping her hooves tightly around Raindrops’ withers. She felt the soft tickle of the pegasus’ wings as they wrapped around her in a warm, blanketing embrace. She felt Raindrops’ heat like a small sun in her hooves, and both their hearts combined were pounding fast enough to make Trixie shake.

Raindrops broke the kiss, but only to gently nuzzle Trixie’s neck, then work her way up to slowly nibble on Trixie’s ear with heated breaths. Trixie giggled slightly, still not unnerved by this level of attention. But she did freeze slightly as she felt Raindrops’ wings move. Amazingly adaptable appendages, the pinions moved across Trixie’s back, light and tickling until the reached the unicorn’s panty-clad rump with a soft squeeze.

Trixie made a slight ‘eep!’ noise and Raindrops pulled back, eyeing her carefully.

“Are you sure about this Trixie? If anything starts to be too much for you, please say something, okay?”

“I-I will, but, um, I had a plan of sorts,” Trixie said, nodding towards her living room couch, “Do you mind if we sit down?”

Raindrops looked at her oddly, but slowly nodded, “Okay, this is your show, your rules.”

Raindrops went over to the couch, and Trixie couldn't help but notice the way the pegasus walked held a certain tightness to it, as if Raindrops was near to exploding. Given the rather hefty scent filling the living room by this point Trixie wasn’t blind to how aroused Raindrops was. It was probably taking a rather heroic level of willpower on Raindrops’ part not to pounce on Trixie. The realization just cemented how much she cared for this brutally strong willed and honest mare and that Trixie was doing the right thing by making this night happen.

Once Raindrops was seated Trixie went to the couch, but rather than sit on it she leaned into Raindrops and softly whispered, “Lie down.”

Raindrops licked her lips, doing as Trixie bade. She seemed suddenly quite vulnerable, laying on her back with Trixie standing over her. She looked up at Trixie with wide, anticipating eyes. “What are you planning?”

“Do you trust me?” Trixie asked.

Raindrops took a deep breath and nodded, “I do.”

“Then when I do this, trust that it's the best first step I could think of.” Trixie said, and began to channel magic through her horn. Raindrops flinched, and her expression turned worried, but Trixie just held a hoof to the pegasus’ mouth to shush any protest. “You trust me, remember? I know you don’t want me using magic for this, but just trust me when I say I think this will work if you just let me try.”

Raindrops still looked worried, but said nothing further and just gave Trixie an affirming nod and watched as Trixie’s whole horn became lit with an intense glow of azure magic. Trixie concentrated upon the complex spell she’d learned from Luna, pouring her all into the effort. Soon a stream of blue light flowed like liquid from her horn to a spot right next to her. The magic undulated and grew, taking shape. Soon legs, head, tail, and horn formed and gained definition. Within moments an identical copy of Trixie stood beside the magician, opening here eyes and smiling down at Raindrops.

“Hey you. Surprise!” the clone Trixie said, and the real Trixie smiled as well, because she could feel her emotions and thoughts connected to the clone. Luna had told her the clone would be essentially without thought or action that wasn’t supplied by Trixie, and as long as Trixie thought or felt the actions she wanted the clone to take, her doppelganger would behave like her. The drain of the spell was incredible, but with the spell itself cast Trixie knew she could maintain this one clone for a few hours without needing to worry. Once she dispelled the clone, she’d receive all its own experiences as her own within one night’s dreaming, according to Luna.

Raindrops was staring at the clone Trixie in shock. “Trixie, what is this? An illusion?”

“Nope.” said Trixie, “She’s as physically real as I am, she’s just not a separate, real pony. She’s like a reflection of me that does what I think and feel for her to do, she just does it independently instead of by exact control like I would with an illusion.”

“Speaking of which,” said the clone with a seductive lick of her lips, “Shall we get started? We’ve made her wait long enough for this.”

Trixie knew the clone was just saying what she was thinking, but it was still a little surreal. Then again if it was surreal for her, it must be doubly so for Raindrops. She gave her marefriend a reassuring smile, “If it's okay with you, the plan is that I get everything above the waist...” she ran a hoof over Raindrops’ belly and traced it up to the pegasus’ chin, ending by leaning over and giving her marefriend a gentle kiss on the lips. “And she takes care of everything below the waist.”

Raindrops didn’t look entirely convinced, but Trixie could see Raindrops also wanted this. Having to keep her hooves off Trixie during her heat had been torture for the poor pegasus, and even as dubious as this magical crutch might seem, she seemed willing to give it a shot. Trixie decided she needed to be bold here, for both their sakes.

“I know its not perfect, but its a step forward for me. Maybe one day I won’t need her, but right now this is the best compromise I could think of.”

“...Okay,” Raindrops said after a moment, and looked up at Trixie with eager but tender eyes as she wrapped her hooves around Trixie’s neck and pulled her close for another kiss. “Let’s do this.”

Trixie returned the kiss eagerly. Luna had been very adamant that for the clone to work that Trixie had to keep up a strong flow of emotions and thoughts to guide the clone’s efforts. So Trixie focused all of her attention on Raindrops. All of the potent feelings of affection that had taken root over the past six months, all of the budding love she held for this wonderful mare that had come into her life. She poured all of that into her eager kiss, tasting Raindrops on her tongue as she held the mare tightly.

When she felt Raindrops suddenly buck under her and gasp Trixie realized her clone had started to do her part. She didn’t see what the clone was doing, as she kept her eyes firmly locked on Raindrops’ face, but she heard the sudden wet slurping noises from that area. The sound send an involuntary nervous twinge through her but she quashed it as she focused on Raindrops’ upper half, lightly kissing her marefriend’s neck as Raindrops squealed and gasped from the clone’s attentions.

“T-T-Trixie, it’s...” Raindrops was breathing hard, trying to form words, “Can y-youuuu make h-her sl...slow down a bit!?”

Trixie’s eyes widened slightly, “Is she going too fast or something?” Somewhat bewildered, she wasn’t even sure how to make the clone do specific things like slow down. Still, she apparently needed to figure it out, because Raindrops was barely managing to gasp out words.

“R-really sensitiveaaaaah, need to taaake it s-slower, mmph!”

Trixie tried to think slow thoughts, and made the mistake of looking back at her clone as if to give it a good bonk on the head and commander her to take it easy on her sensitive marefriend. Of course in looking back she got a real good eyeful of exactly what was going on down below. Her clone had planted herself firmly between Raindrops’ splayed hind legs, and was licking away eagerly like a filly with an ice cream cone. For a moment all Trixie could see was a copy of her own tongue lapping up and down like a pink wave. Her clone was using her hooves to rub Raindrops flanks as she went to work, and even as she watched Trixie heard Raindrops let out another choking breath that was caught between pleasure and pain.

For a moment the old, familiar gut reaction of disgust towards anything sexual rocked Trixie’s mind. It was instinctual and instant, based solely on a visceral feeling of repulsion upon seeing herself buried face deep in somepony's privates. Yet she immediately tried to take the reins away from that feeling the second it appeared, knowing she had to get the situation under control. Unfortunately her clone reacted to her emotions, as it was designed to, and almost immediately rocked back away from Raindrops as if burned, all but tripping over the table and sending the trays of cupcakes on the table flying across the wall in a colorful splatter of chocolate and cherries.

“Oh, merde!” Trixie blurted, caught between wanting to try and clean up the mess, and getting her clone back under control.

“T-Trixie? What just happened?” Raindrops asked between panting breaths, face flushed completely red as she blinked at the scene. “One second your clone is trying to treat my nethers like a all you can eat buffet, and the next...”

“It’s okay, everything’s okay, I have this under control.” Trixie said between heard breaths as she went over and pulled her clone to its hooves. The clone stood confused for a moment, eyes fluttering in bewilderment.

“I like Raindrops, but I don’t like Raindrops? This is confusing.” the clone said like a baffled puppy.

“Oh be quiet.” said Trixie, “I was just taken off guard. You were doing fine, you just needed to take it slower.”

The clone just continued to look confused, and Trixie heard Raindrops sigh.

“Trixie it’s... it’s fine. We don’t have to keep going.”

Trixie wheeled upon Raindrops, all but flopping on top of the pegasus to keep her on the couch as she gave her marefriend a stubborn, puffy cheeked pout. “Wait, I’m not about to give up just because of a slightly shaky start.”

Raindrops managed an embarrassed but genuine smile, patting Trixie on the head and pulling her into a hug, “Trixie, this is... awkwardly sweet what you’re trying to do, but c’mon, this is getting ridiculous.”

“You were enjoying it though...” Trixie said, burying her head in Raindrops’ chest. “I so, so, so want to be able to do this for you! I know I can make it work, just give it another chance?”

Raindrops’ face couldn’t get much redder, and the color had spread to her neck and wings. “It did feel pretty good. Just way too fast and intense. Kinda need to take things gentler with a delicate mare like me.”

The two mare’s shared a giggle that did wonders to melt the awkward tension between the two, and Trixie leaned up and kissed Raindrops again. “Not exactly how I planned the night to go, but thank you for bearing with me.”

Raindrops’ muzzle tickled Trixie’s cheek and the pegasus whispered in her ear, “You’re worth it, weirdness and all. Let’s try again, just... uh, think slow thoughts this time. Like preparing tea, it takes time to reach boiling point.”

Trixie took the mental image to heart, and as she started to give Raindrops more gentle and soft-lipped kisses across her neck and chest, she focused on the picture of a slowly heating teakettle as she started to pour her feelings of affection back towards the clone. The clone approached, this time more slowly. Trixie decided to carefully watch the clone out of the corner of her eye as she gave tickling little licks on Raindrop’s neck, which made the pegasus sigh in contentment. She watched partially to make sure the clone was doing what she was supposed to, and partially to just... get used to the sight.

She watched the clone almost prowl back onto the couch and more easily settle herself between Raindrops’ eagerly open hind legs. Trixie forced her thoughts to a slow simmer of affection and love, built around the image of the teakettle slowly heating up. The clone seemed to get the idea and this time flicked her tongue out slowly, with a gentle lap.

Raindrops’ sigh was louder this time, rising to a soft moan. The clone continued with slow, gentle motions of her tongue, and Trixie felt a strange rise in her chest as Raindrops started to writhe and curl her hooves beneath her. Trixie kept kissing her marefriend, working her way up her belly and chest back to her neck. She could taste the sweat on Raindrops now, and felt the gasps working their way out of her throat. When Trixie reached up and cupped Raindrops face for another deep kiss, Raindrops looked at her with eyes that were swimming with a bright glow of pleasure and... completeness.

“Trixie.”

Raindrops didn’t say anything, else, just that name filled with such warmth and need that Trixie couldn’t keep herself from cracking a giant grin. This was in many ways better than the most thunderous applause she’d ever gotten for one of her magic shows. She loved the adoration and attention of the crowds, but this was the adoration of just one mare, but the one mare Trixie cared about most, so it was precious beyond measuring.

Ironically there was nothing sexual about this for Trixie. This was just the raw, simple satisfaction that came from the knowledge that she was making the pony she loved feel good, that she was giving Raindrops something she desperately needed. Was she still weirded out somewhat? Yes. But it was a compromise she realized she could live with, if only to see that look in Raindrops’ eyes and hear Raindrops speak her name like that.

She leaned into her marefriend, sharing the same breath as her, and said with heartfelt honesty, “Raindrops, mi amore.”

As the two shared another heated, passionate kiss, the clone responded by going just a bit faster, but this time Raindrops didn’t complain one bit.

----------

The next morning Trixie awoke wrapped up hoof in hoof with a nice warm cushion of satisfied and sleeping pegasus mare. Trixie looked on Raindrops’ slumbering face, which was bathed in a heated glow that had nothing to do with the sunlight coming in through the curtained window, and marveled at the content smile Raindrops wore.

Trixie couldn’t help but smile as well. The night had gone well. She hadn’t really kept track of how long she and Raindrops had... enjoyed themselves, but it hadn’t been that long since she hadn’t felt the clone reach its limit before everything was said and done. Afterwards the pair had basked in each other for a moment, before Raindrops had the practical suggestion they clean up the cupcakes coating Trixie’s wall before they stained anything. After cleanup Trixie had fixed a quicker, simpler dinner and the pair had fallen asleep on the couch together.

Trixie couldn't remember the last time she felt this satisfied. Not that she’d had anything sexual done to her, she’d been doing all the work last night, but there was a simple emotional satisfaction to realizing she could satisfy her partner. She’d need to spend more time working on her control of the clone, but she was confident she could manage to better their coordination for next time.

For now Trixie just enjoyed watching Raindrops sleep and the feel of the pegasus’ warm, cuddly body pressed up against hers like a fluffy pillow. Unable to contain herself, Trixie actually let out a soft giggle of happiness as she nuzzled Raindrops, her tail actually wagging back and forth.

“Hehehe, Trixie is the smartest, sexiest, most loving marefriend ever! Go me!”

Raindrops 'snerked' out a laugh, her eyes flicking open as she pulled Trixie into a tight hug, “And so modest, too.”

“Heh, sorry, did I wake you?” Trixie asked, planting a peck on Raindrops’ nose.

“Nah, I was already waking up.” Raindrops stretched and yawned, then let out a content sigh as she tried to rise but just ended up flopping back on the couch. “Your couch is way too comfortable.”

“All the better to trap you with, my dear.” Trixie said, rolling over onto Raindrops stomach and wrapping the pegasus up in a tight embrace.

“Geez, one night of testing your sexual barriers and you’re already talking bondage.” Raindrops said with a raised eyebrow, “Normally it takes two sequels in those romance stories to reach the chains and leather.”

Trixie snorted, “Let’s not push things too far. I’ve manage to find a way to satisfy you without having a conniption fit. I’d say that’s a big first step. We can wait awhile on step two.”

Raindrops nodded agreement, “I’m still amazed at step one. I didn’t... really know if using magic was the right move, but it worked.” She sighed in remembrance, licking her lips and stretching her wings. “Oh how it worked. I sooooo needed that last night, Trixie, I can’t even begin to tell you.”

“No need, I think half of Ponyville heard you. Guess I don’t need to ask you if you, er, finished. I don’t think you could’ve gotten that loud if you hadn’t.”

Raindrops’ face blazed red once more as she coughed and looked away, “It... it was my first time too, Trixie. I don’t really know how to control my voice.”

“Its okay.” Trixie smiled mischievously and gave Raindrops’ throat a quick kiss, “I liked hearing you.”

Raindrops shuddered and sighed, then gave Trixie a rather bashful look. “So, um, n-next time do you think... I could try to do the same for you?”

Trixie paused, hesitant. “I don’t know. Let’s... let’s call that ‘step two’ and try it when the time is right.” After a moment of thought she added, “Next time I go into heat. We’ll give it a try then, see how it goes. I can’t make any promises.”

“It’s alright, I understand.” Raindrops held Trixie close, one hoof running affectionately through the unicorn’s silver mane. “One step at a time, Trixie. We’ll figure things out one step at a time.”

At that Trixie smiled and let herself relax atop her comfy marefriend. Raindrops was right about that. Whatever might come at them, they’d take it on one step at a time. No matter how difficult or awkward things might get, they’d figure out a way forward, together.

Because they were worth it.

----------

Sometime that afternoon Cheerilee, Lyra, Ditzy, and Carrot Top were all sitting around one of the outdoor tables at the cafe. The four of them all had a faint air of nervousness about them as they nursed their drinks and talked quietly among themselves.

“Do you think they’ll be okay?” Ditzy said, running a hoof around the edge of her cup of cocoa.

“Sure they will.” Lyra replied confidently, although she also wryly rolled her eyes, “Even if they never get horizontal with each other, or have a terribly dramatic breakup, everything will be fine, because we’ll totally be there to help them both through it.”

“Lyra, don’t talk like that!” said Carrot Top, “They won’t break up. Uh, will they?”

“But if they can’t resolve their overwhelmingly hot sexual tension then where can things go but downhill to dramasville?” said Lyra, and Cheerilee just smiled behind taking a sip her own cup of coffee.

“I think it will work out.” Cheerilee said, nodding down the street. The other mares looked, and saw that Trixie and Raindrops were walking their way.

The two mares were walking close to each other, practically snuggling while trotting, with Raindrops having one wing firmly around Trixie’s back. Both of them were beaming with a particular glow, and both smiled brightly at their friends as they passed by the cafe.

“Afternoon everypony!” Trixie said with a wave, “Beautiful day for a walk, isn’t it?”

“Uhhhh... yeah.” Lyra said, blinking.

“You two look really happy today.” Ditzy remarked carefully, “Did something happen?”

Raindrops let out a short giggle, leaning into Trixie contentedly. “Nothing we can talk about in public, I’m sure.”

Trixie’s face lit up with a knowing smirk, “Let us just say that we’ve come together to find a solution to our difficulties.”

“Not yet we haven’t,” said Raindrops, winking, “That’ll be ‘step two’ remember?”

Her face taken over by a wave of cherry red, Trixie leaned back into Raindrops and said, “Well, maybe we can work on that after our exercise session?”

It was Raindrops’ turn to blush furiously as she laughed into Trixie’s mane, and then gave the other mares at the table an apologetic smile, “Heh, looks like we’ll be, uh, busy for most of today. We’ll catch up with you girls later.”

As the loving couple trotted off, all but wrapping their tails with each other, the rest of the group exchanged looks of varying degrees of surprise with one another... except for Cheerilee who simply looked smugly pleased as she held out a hoof.

“Okay gals, pay up.”

Lyra cringed, “Crap, I was hoping you’d forget about that bet.”

“Oh, I never forget a wager.” Cheerilee said, tapping her hoof on the table. “Ten bits each. C’mon.”

One by one Lyra, Ditzy, and Carrot Top pulled out the small, silver coins and hoofed them over to the grinning Cheerilee, who slipped them into her own purse happily.

Epilogue: Afterglow

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Epilogue: Afterglow

Six months later...

The papers hit the ‘done’ stack on Trixie’s desk with finality and she yawned, stretching in her chair. Across her office Pokey Pierce was removing the last bits of outgoing paperwork that would get sent to the mayor’s office, slinging them into his saddlebag and giving his boss a final wave before he headed out the door.

“Have a good one, boss,” Pokey said, then winked, “And good luck with tonight.”

Trixie, to her credit, contained the rush of heat to her face so it only colored her cheeks as she crossed her hooves and gave him a level stare, “If you make fun of me do remember it’s my hoofprint that goes on your paystubs.”

“Who says I’m making fun?” Pokey said with a faintly joking air, but his expression did turn rather quickly serious. “If you don’t mind my saying so, you’ve actually seemed pretty happy lately, and in this humble assistant’s not-so-subtle opinion it's clear to see why. So I mean it when I say good luck and hope things go well for you two tonight.”

“Speaking of which I need to get ready.” Trixie said, then paused before adding, “Thanks for helping get the work done early today. Appreciate it.”

“No problem, boss. Hope I wasn’t too much of a distraction.” he said with a wink, and Trixie tossed a nearby stabler at him, much to his laughter as he trotted out of the room.

“It only just started today! I have more self control than that, now hurry up and get out of here you silly stallion!” Trixie shouted, only somewhat irked as Pokey left the Residence, leaving her to make her preparations for meeting with Raindrops. Gah, why did he have to be so bothersome, with his stupidly nice horn and perfect hair?

She shook herself. Her heat had hit that morning, practically right on schedule. In the past she’d have shut down the whole Residence and barricaded herself like she was readying to survive a hurricane, but strangely this time her heat hadn’t hit quite as hard and she needed to get her paperwork done for the day and so she’d dealt with Pokey’s presence to get it all finished quickly. She’d largely distracted herself form Pokey by thinking of Raindrops, and it had actually done wonders.

Heat always struck her like a tone of hormone saturated bricks, but instead of all the old fears and revulsion she usually felt when these times came, she approached this heat with a bit more anticipation. Well, perhaps not eager anticipation. She was still incredibly nervous, and having her body partially hijacked by hormones was never her idea of fun... but this time it was different, because she had somepony to share the burden with. Somepony that understood her, accepted her, and most of all loved her.

For six months she and Raindrops had continued their somewhat unconventional relationship and in that time Trixie had learned a lot about herself.

First of all she’d studied up on her situation and had learned she was far from the only pony with a sexuality that was anything but sexual. At Raindrops’ insistence, and with Ditzy’s Doo’s help at the post office, Trixie had even joined a few pen pal groups of such ponies and had been able to talk about her experiences while also learning about theirs. In so doing she’d learned there were a lot of different degrees and ways folk approached their sexuality, or lack thereof, and in some ways after so many years of suffering through her own discomfort with it she felt a bit foolish for not seeking out to learn about it and talk with others sooner in her life.

Ultimately she’d learned her situation wasn’t all that unusual. There were plenty of ponies who either had no sex drive, felt actually repulsed by sex, or fell somewhere in a middle spectrum between the two. And many of them still had relationships with other ponies who were sexually active. It was just that each pair, every couple, approached their situations differently.

It all did leagues for helping Trixie be more comfortable with her own choice with Raindrops, and her plans for the next steps to take. Using the clone for the past six months she and Raindrops had enjoyed a somewhat still awkward but healthy and growing sex life. Raindrops was incredibly patient and understanding, more than willing to take things slowly and carefully, and that did wonders for Trixie’s own confidence and willingness to explore her boundaries with her loving marefriend.

So far she had only worked up the courage to try pleasing Raindrops herself, without the clone, once, and the attempt didn’t last very long, but Raindrops hadn’t so much as shown a shred of disappointment and instead had been nothing but supportive the whole way. Conversely, Trixie’s confidence in using the clone had gone up considerably and her control of the spell had been fine tuned to the point where she could get the clone to do almost anything she desired. She’d even gotten use to watching the clone out of the corner of her eye, and had been growing gradually more bold with her own technique when being with Raindrops. She found she rather liked massaging Raindrops’ back and was quite good at it, and had been learning the all important art of preening her pegasus lover’s wings.

As squicky as she still found the messier aspects of sex, she had no issue with the responses she could get out of Raindrops during the act. In fact hearing Raindrops’ various soft gasps, sharp moans, and most of all the way she’d call out Trixie’s name always left Trixie with such an immense sense of love and satisfaction she couldn’t imagine not being able to do so anymore.

And so that led to tonight; Step Two.

Trixie shuddered, licking her lips as went up to her bedroom to get dressed. Simple but stunning was her go-to choice for what to wear for nights like this. The same violet socks with the lace at the top that she wore for her first time with Raindrops went on first, and by now they held a certain special sentiment for Trixie. However over that she slipped on a sheer, high cut dress of gossamer deep blue that clung firmly across her body; just barely decent for walking about in public. Her thoughts turned to what Raindrops might be wearing tonight and her heat laden mind started to conjure images of Raindrops’ smooth, toned and athletic body dressed up in any number of form fitting outfits, each more scandalous than the last. A warm tightness beneath her tail that would have made her wince and gag in the past held a certain uneasy promise to it now.

She had no idea how she’d react to Raindrops being the one to please her. In all the six months since their first time together it had always been Trixie doing the pleasing, because it was really the only thing she’d been comfortable doing. But Raindrops wanted to try and return the favor, and in some ways Trixie understood. She enjoyed Raindrops’ reactions to her efforts to make her feel good, so it was only natural Raindrops wanted to experience doing the same for her.

Trixie just didn’t know if she could give the same reactions. For all her and Raindrops’ experiences together of late, Trixie was still technically a virgin. Some of the ponies she’d written to about their experiences with asexuality described it as not being able to feel anything during sex. Trixie had no idea if she was the same way. She’d avoided it for so long she couldn’t really guess. The only time she even felt anything down there was during her heat, which was why she’d timed this ‘Step Two’ for when that happened.

And now the time had come and she was as nervous tonight as she’d been the first night with Raindrops and the clone six months ago.

With a final check in the mirror to make sure she looked presentable, Trixie went down to the kitchen and snagged the bottle of well aged Neigh Orleans red wine and placed it in a picnic basket alongside a heart-shaped container filled with fresh baked cupcakes.

Thus prepared Trixie stepped out into the pleasantly cool evening, the sun still not quite fallen past the horizon. She trotted along Ponyville’s familiar roads, catching sight of Lyra helping Bon Bon close up shop as she passed by the confectionery.

Lyra gave Trixie an encouraging wink and Bon Bon managed a knowing smirk, waving as Trixie trotted by. Trixie for her part felt surprisingly little embarrassment knowing her friends knew exactly where she was going, what she was going to do, and who she was going to do it with. She returned the wave and continued to walk, feeling more confident with every step.

She went outside of Ponyville to a certain clearing amid the nearby woods, one that had a nice view of a remote local pond. She saw a picnic blanket already laid out there, with several nearby oil lamps lit to provide a certain sensual glow to the scene as the sun set.

Trixie set her basket down by the blanket and looked around for Raindrops, eyebrow quirked up. Where was that pegasus? She had to have been the one to put out the blanket and light the lamps. Not to mention there were roses strewn about around the picnic blanket, the kind of romantic theatrics Raindrops was getting more and more into.

A brush of gentle air and the flapping of wings signaled Trixie to look up, and her breath caught in her throat as Raindrops descended.

Raindrops was wearing a nearly see-through dress of glittering dark purple that matched the color of the sunset washed sky as she swooped down from above. The fluttering silk clung to and accentuated every lovely curve on Raindrops’ body as she landed, and Trixie felt her heart start rapping on her rib cage. She wiped her chin, removing the drool that had started to cling there. Her blood felt hot as tabasco sauce and she couldn’t keep her tail from flicking about in anticipation.

Raindrops smiled bright as the moon and came up, rubbing her neck along Trixie’s in an affectionate gesture while saying, “Hey you.”

“Hey yourself.” Trixie said, returning the neck nuzzle full force and then quickly slipping Raindrops a quick and full lipped kiss. Raindrops giggled into the kiss, reciprocating in full.

The two mares lost themselves there for a minute, but eventually Raindrops broke off the kiss and laid down on the picnic blanket, propping one hoof on her cheek and laying her other foreleg across her body. “So I see you brought some wine. Did you bring glasses?”

Trixie blinked, then smacked her forehead, “Zut alors, I knew I was forgetting something!”

“No problem, I don’t mind drinking from the bottle.” Raindrops said, removing the wine bottle and removing the cork deftly with her teeth. Trixie sat down next to Raindrops and gladly accepted the first drink, then passed the bottle back to her marefriend, who took a long drink herself.

The two enjoyed an easy and companionable moment of sharing wine, and Trixie gave Raindrops the box of cupcakes. They took their time with those two, letting the sun slip beyond the horizon and for full dusk to set in while they let the evening simmer. But soon enough Raindrops looked at Trixie with caring but also understanding eyes as she slipped close to the unicorn and wrapped her hooves lovingly around her.

“Are you sure-” Raindrops began, but Trixie stopped her with another quick kiss.

“You always ask that, amore.” Trixie laughed.

Raindrops eyes gleamed, “And for you I always will.”

Trixie nodded, and took a deep breath through her nose, drawing in the scent of Raindrops. She felt herself shaking slightly, her nerves not quite as steady as she liked, but the heat was surging through her like a warm ocean current. Looking at Raindrops’ earnest eyes, and roving over the strong contours of her figure, while feeling those powerful that ever gentle hooves around her, Trixie didn’t want to fight her heat.

Running a hoof across Raindrops’ mane, Trixie rolled onto her back and pulled Raindrops on top of her. The pegasus let out a little gasp of surprise at the move, but Trixie silenced it with another kiss. She then looked Raindrops in the eyes, hoping everything she was feeling would shine in them.

“I asked you once to let me try, even when I didn’t know if things would work out. Now that you’re the one who wants to try, I’m not going to say no just because I’m nervous. You’ve let me show you my love for six months straight, its only fair you get to return those feelings now. I don’t know how I’ll react to it, but I’m not scared of it anymore. I know however things go, we’ll still find a way to work things out, because-” she leaned up an nuzzled Raindrops, “-we’re so very, very worth it.”

Raindrops sighed and smiled, “No argument from me there. Sooo...” she lowered her head and started to shower Trixie’s neck with light kisses and flicking licks, gradually working her way lower and pulling aside Trixie’s dress, “Shall I get started?”

“Take all the time you want, but first, perhaps you’ll enjoy a little... assistance.” Trixie said with a wink, and her horn lit up with magic. Raindrops watched with a sudden, heated interest as Trixie’s magical aura started to take the shape of a clone... but not of Trixie.

The magic aura brushed along Raindrops’ body and took on a jasmine hue, and in moments another pegasus mare appeared and leaned over Trixie sensually, an exact copy of Raindrops.

“Trixie?” Raindrops asked curiously, and Trixie grinned.

“Just a little modification I developed, amore. Don’t worry, it only works because I know you so well. I don’t think I could do this with anypony else.”

“Yes, but, c’mon, two of me?” Raindrops smiled wryly, eyeing her clone, “You’ve been dreaming about this for awhile now, haven’t you?”

“Hey, fair’s fair, you got to have two of me at once. I’m just making us even.” Trixie said, reaching up to the clone and stroking her flanks appreciatively while winking at Raindrops. “Besides, you must have thought of this idea too at some point.”

“I may have.” Raindrops admitted with a face blazing multiple shades of red, then she grinned furiously and resumed her slow trail of kisses down’ Trixie’s stomach, making the unicorn shudder slightly as she worked her way ever lower. “Just remember, any time this gets too uncomfortable for you, tell me, and we stop.”

Trixie reached out to stroke Raindrops’ mane comfortingly, while the Raindrops clone settled in beside them and in response to Trixie’s emotions started to nibble on the real Raindrops’ ear. For her part, Raindrops gulped, blushing even more fiercely red, and Trixie smiled in equal parts embarrassment and mischievously playful joy.

“The same for you, amore. If this gets too weird for you, tell me, and I’ll send the clone away.”

“You’re... enjoying this aren’t you?” Raindrops said, sighing as her clone started to lick at her neck.

Trixie gulped, face flushed as she watched the clone and Raindrops with lidded eyes, “Juuuust a tad, yes.”

“Well, nopony ever said dating you was going to be exactly normal.” Raindrops said with an accepting smile, still giving her affectionate clone an askance look but clearly getting used to it's presence quickly. “But you’re right, its worth it. Now... let’s see what we can do about this heat.”

Trixie laid back as she felt her marefriend reach that part of her that for most of her life had caused her nothing but trouble and confusion.

The trouble might never go away, but she’d taken great steps in confronting her confusion, and learning that while her sexuality wasn’t ever going to be like that of other ponies, she could learn to live with it and love with it regardless. Because she’d been fortunate enough to find a pony to share her life with who loved who she was. More than that, however, they’d both learned that the most important part of sharing themselves with each other was the willingness to understand and compromise with each other needs.

Perhaps that wouldn’t work for every relationship in the world. Trixie had no idea. But it worked for her and Raindrops, and for Trixie Lulamoon the confusion and fear of sex had given way to a better understanding an acceptance of herself, and a love for the pegasus by her side that would never fade.

Author's Notes:

And with this we wrap up this little tale, the second Lunaverse fic I've finished, albeit by far much shorter than my other projects in the setting. I'm glad I wrote it though, as exploring this aspect of Trixie and also expanding on this ship has been fun. I hope the eventual conclusion I came to here was both interesting and respectful to the subject matter. I spent a fair amount of time on various forums for those who are asexual, learning about how different people approach the matter. The main thing I learned is that there's a pretty wide spectrum of experiences and that each person is a little different, even in how their asexuality works. Ultimately the most common conclusion I found was that each individual couple had to work out their own boundaries and compromises with each other, and that the most successful relationship were usually between people willing to just understand each other's needs and meet halfway on them. I think that's what would work best for Trixie and Raindrops as well, although Trixie does have access to some tools people in real life don't, but the general idea of compromise is still the same. I didn't want to present the notion that Trixie is fully accepting of sex or has suddenly stopped being asexual, its just that because both she and Raindrops honestly do love each other they're willing to meet each other halfway, with Trixie willing to try experimenting and exploring what she is and isn't comfortable with in terms of engaging in sexual activity, and with Raindrops being equally willing to always ensure that she only does what Trixie is comfortable with and doesn't push for more than Trixie is willing to give. In the end it works for them, but even Trixie admits that what works for her and Raindrops might not work for every couple, and that it really does come down to individuals having to find their own way.

In any case, thank you all for reading.

Heatstroke

by thatguyvex

Chapter 1: Hot Rain

Chapter 2: Needs

Chapter 3: Of Hormones and Happiness

Chapter 4: Boiling Point

Chapter 5: That Awkward Thing Called Sex

Epilogue: Afterglow