//------------------------------//
// Thursday Afternoon pt 2 
// Story: The Beach House 
// by NightCoreMoon 
//------------------------------//

/x/x/x/

As the pair approached, Pinkie Pie- waiting outside of the changing rooms- jumped up and waved before heading inside. Rainbow and Twilight exchanged a glance before looking down and unentwining their fingers.

“Look,” Rainbow said, stopping just out of earshot of Flash. “This doesn't mean I’m chill with the hand holding and hugging and stuff yet. Unless you, like, really really need it. Okay?”

Twilight nodded. “Yeah, I... I understand.”

“I'm not mad at you, I just have my thing about, you know. PDA.”

“I know. I know you do. I respect it and all. I just... yeah.”

They made eye contact for a few moments before turning and stepping forward.

“There you guys are,” Flash said, standing up. “One minute everything’s fine, the next, Twilight comes running out and tripping over my leg, and I get up to check that you're alright and Rainbow fuckin steamrolls me from the back? What's up?”

Twilight opened her mouth as if to explain but found herself cut off.

“She really had to use the bathroom. And I went after her because, well, it's not a good idea for girls to use the bathroom on our own especially this time of year. There are prowlers everywhere, man!”

Twilight raised an eyebrow at Rainbow, and raised her other one at Flash when he shrugged and sat back down. ‘Holy shit, that worked?’

Rainbow cocked her head in as she walked inside, picking up the discarded pink bikini from the ground and tried handing it to Twilight, who wasn't exactly paying attention.

“Twilight, there you are!” Rarity called, still in her suit. She stepped forward and pulled Twilight into a hug. “We were all so worried about you, what happened?”

Rainbow answered again as Twilight’s brain was short-circuiting. “I wondered too but she just really needed to use the bathroom. You ever get that sudden urge to just, go, like right now?”

“I hate that,” Sunset murmured. “One of the many things I hate about the human body.”

As Rarity pulled away, the rest of the scene settled in Twilight’s vision. Sunset was still in her white suit, Applejack was in a red underwire set, and Fluttershy was in a pale green tankini. She felt her eyes dart back and forth across all the bare skin and felt panic welling up from her gut.

“You okay, sugarcube?” Applejack asked, stepping forward. “Y'all ain't lookin’ too hot.”

‘No, but you are!’

“I'm... fine.”

Rainbow clapped Twilight’s shoulder and nodded.

Twilight sighed. “It's... it’s the suits.” She took her glasses off so she wouldn't have to see the looks on her friends’ faces.

“Wait, Twi,” Rainbow said, voice low and warning. “You don't have to-”

“I want to!” Twilight took a deep breath before continuing. “You don't have to lie for me. My whole life I never really saw very many girls in bikinis, and now that I am, it's just... there's a lot of skin showing that I don't usually see. It's just confusing and overwhelming and emotional, and that's why I ran. I just... felt guilty and ashamed...”

Silence rang for a few moments as she felt tears well up, until she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see a fuzzy yellow figure. She slipped her glasses on to affirm it was Sunset, who wore a compassionate smile if not much else. Twilight panned her vision over slightly to see similar looks on the rest of the girls’ faces.

“Twilight, you don't have to feel bad about that!” Sunset indicated, hugging her. “You shouldn't ever feel ashamed about who you are.”

“Darling, you're one of us,” Rarity said from behind her. “We trust you implicitly!”

Applejack shrugged. “It ain't like these don't cover everything they need to, least the bare minimum. I can't say I'd be comfy gettin’ naked in front of you, but in time I’m sure I’ll build the level of trust I have with the rest o’ y’all. And since you're a girl, we’ve got the same parts. ‘S why I'm okay with RD after all, and y'all don't flirt with me nearly as much as she does.”

“Oh, um. If I had to I wouldn't mind that, but, um...” Fluttershy brushed her hair out of her face. “It's just a swimsuit. I can't speak for everyone else but I don't mind if you see me like this. You're our friend, and you're not going to do anything... untoward.”

Pinkie glomped Twilight from behind. “Like I said earlier, it's okay to be gay!”

Rainbow shrugged. “Fuck it, group hug.”

The girls all did so, encircling Twilight with their arms. Tears welled up again, but this time they weren't those of sadness. She tried to bring her hands up to return anything, but her fingers accidentally grazed against smooth skin and fabric. She frantically pulled away, but two hands took hers and brought them up to rest on shoulders. She could see by the colors they belonged to Rarity and Fluttershy.

“Thank you girls...” she whispered. “I'm sorry about, you know. Throwing things off.”

“You're fine, dear!” Rarity assuaged. “You were only gone for a few minutes, and there's still plenty of daylight left. We still have time to do everything we set out to do.”

“Incoming lady!” Flash called from outside. The girls quickly disentangled and unclogged the walkway, bikini-clad girls retreating to just inside their rooms. A moment later, a short woman with tall hot pink hair stepped around the corner holding a sleeve of dresses draped over her arm.

“Missus Cake?” Pinkie asked.

“Oh, hello Pinkie!” She greeted, surprised. “Always a pleasure to see you and your friends. Oh my, don't you girls look beautiful?” She gave a brief once-over of the suits. “I remember back when I could wear a two-piece. Heading to the lake this weekend, are you?”

“Yup!” Pinkie cheered, placing an arm around Twilight’s shoulders. “This girl got us a fun few days of partying at a private beach house!”

“Ooohhh, what fun! Well, I hope you girls enjoy yourself. Now, uh, if you don't mind can I borrow one of these rooms here?”

“Ain't nobody in that one, ma’am,” Applejack indicated, gesturing towards the unused room.

“Well thank you very much, Applejack.” Her smile turned melancholic. “Oh my, you’ve grown so much... you know, you look so much like Buttercup...”

The farmer rubbed the back of her head. “I should hope so... thank ya kindly, Chiff.”

Mrs Cake smiled and nodded once more at the girls before making her way into the spare changing room. Once she clicked the door shut, Rarity stepped forward and cleared her throat.

“Well, I suppose now is as good a time as any if anybody wants to change partners. Sunset, Applejack, I’m sure you understand the basics now?”

Sunset rolled her shoulders. “I’d, uh... prefer to stay with you, if that's fine?”

“But of course. Applejack?”

She turned to look at the trio remaining for a moment before she pursed her lips. “Ya know,” she began. “I didn't really put too much thought to it earlier but maybe I should go it with Rainbow.”

The group silently contemplated her meaning.

Fluttershy stepped forward around her and towards Rainbow. She tentatively held a hand up. “Tag team?” She asked.

Rainbow rolled her head and stuck her tongue in her cheek out of pride. “Hell yeah,” she muttered, giving her oldest friend a high five. She glanced back to Twilight and Pinkie, flashing them a thumbs up, before patting Fluttershy’s shoulder and moving past her into Applejack’s room.

“Oh yeah,” she said, stepping back out and tossing something pink to Twilight. “Here's this.”

Twilight barely managed to catch it, as her thoughts were racing. She was totally over the anxiety of stripping and baring her chest in front of Rainbow for the sake of swimwear, and was close to getting there for Pinkie, but now that Fluttershy was thrown into the equation everything just got thrown all helter-skelter.

“Splendid!” Rarity exclaimed. “We’ll see each other in just a few minutes!”

She closed the door and turned to Sunset. “Well, darling, I must say that though you look absolutely stunning in white, this particular suit seems more suited for someone... less endowed.”

“You think?” The former pony asked, sarcastically, as she pinched at the tiny fabric and pulled down slightly. “If this got even the slightest bit wet it would totally sag down enough so you could see my nipples!” She shrugged, snapping it back. “Not that I care, but I know that Twilight would probably have an aneurysm. Why are girl nipples even a problem, anyway? Guys can go shirtless, why can't we?”

Rarity shrugged as she pulled the rear knot free on her bandeau. “It's a long story involving deeply set misogyny, scientific misunderstandings about what constitutes sexual organs, and I believe some religious conflicts from a few centuries ago.”

“Really?” Sunset asked, pulling her own knots free. “Oh hey, I got it first try! I can kind of get the sexism thing, even though it's kind of opposite in Equestria, and Twilight told me about the whole sex organ thing when I asked how these things are different from equine teats. But what’s this about a religious conflict?”

Rarity pulled off the purple bottom and set it on the bench next to the top before readjusting her underwear. “Well I can't say I know the full story, but- well, how much art do you know?” She bent down to grab a hanger with a yellow set, pulling the metal clips off of the fabric.

“You mean like modern art or...” Sunset attempted to pull down the white but the strings got caught so she yanked on them but they wouldn't budge. “Hey, little help here?”

Rarity placed her second suit on the bench before kneeling down to work at the knots. “I mean more classical art. Renaissance paintings. The ancient cultures. Older paintings that were more free with depicting nudity. Gods and goddesses, that kind of thing? There we are! Oh wow, I didn't even notice the lace on this, that's pretty.”

“Thanks Rare, you're a lifesaver,” Sunset muttered, tossing the bottom to the side before picking up a red set. “And yeah, I never really got lace when I had my fur, but now that I don't have it anymore it feels nice. So yeah, I think I know what you mean. Is religion really why humans aren't okay with breasts anymore?”

Rarity turned and presented her back. “Tie this for me? Thank you. There's a long and complicated story behind that, but... it's part of it. It all started when one group translated some holy texts into one language badly, then another... it was all a mess. Like the world's worst game of telephone. Eventually people got it in their heads that things like modesty and lust were something other than what they were originally intended, and those ideals got so ingrained we now have people protesting things like public breastfeeding, of all things.”

“Yikes. Is this tight enough?”

Rarity worked her arms. “Yes, darling, I do believe so. You're a quick learner. Anyway, I’m sure it's not the only reason, but there are cultures all around the world that are indiscriminate about nudity taboo among sexes that haven't so much as been touched by organized religion.” She slipped her fingers underneath the top and pulled it down a little, analyzing it in the mirror. “It's called correlation and causation, but it would make a lot of sense.”

“Thanks,” Sunset replied, shrugging as she reached for the red pieces. “I try. But, uh, I can't reach around.”

Rarity nodded. “I've got you.”

“How do you know all this?”

“I...” The fashionista bit her lip as she worked at it. “History intrigues me. Particularly when it comes to art and religion. With parents like mine, one sort of has to become accustomed to an interest. And I have spoken about this with Twilight before. But regardless of why, breasts are sexualised by society so we girls must cover up for modesty’s sake, else we be ridiculed or worse. There we go, this should be right.”

“Well that's dumb... but, whatever. Back home, the pegasi have to be careful about how they hug other ponies because we have a huge thing about touching wings to cutie marks, feathermarking. Yeah, this fits way better. I kinda like the color but it's just... I like the blue one better. What do you think?”

Rarity pulled the yellow article up her legs and settled it over her panties, slipping two fingers between the suit and her skin. “If you like the blue one better, then get the blue one. But that scarlet fits you well. It's a very good color with your goldenrod complexion. And this one certainly fits you much better!”

Sunset cupped her breasts which were now much more covered and supported. “Yeah, way better.” She cast a glance to the lower piece. “You know, I have another question. I know that lace and stuff shouldn't touch water, but shouldn't there be some kind of underwear you can wear in the water too? It seems silly to have to have two different things when guys can just put on a pair of trunks and jump in.”

“Well, guys don't usually have vaginas, Sunset.” Rarity winked. “But regardless, I understand. However, when it comes to gynecological health, there are very many complications. Menstruation and infections and such aside, wet underwear, especially with raw sea water, can leave a terrible rash. Trust me, you don't want your lady bits to itch... especially at a wedding. Or worse, a funeral. Trust me.”

“How is a funeral worse than a wedding?” Sunset asked, slipping the bikini over her underwear.

“It just is, darling,” Rarity said, admiring herself in the mirror. “Oh, don't we look just fabulous?” She asked.

Sunset shrugged. “We look like we’re wearing our underwear. I honestly just wish we would just be able to go swim without wearing anything. Ugh,” she slumped her shoulders. “I hate your society sometimes!”

“Well don't worry, you definitely look nice by human standards. And you don't just have to take my word for it anymore, you know.”

Sunset smiled. “Right... thanks again, Rarity,” she said, hugging her from behind. “I can't believe just how many people are being so nice about those pictures. We’re still on next weekend for another session, right?”

“Of course, dear,” Rarity replied, placing her hands over Sunset’s on her stomach. “And I think I have something just perfect in mind. Now come on, let's go see what the others have!”

Meanwhile in another cubicle...

“I'm surprised you even put on one of the tiny ones,” Rainbow remarked, stripping off her bra and tossing the phone that was slipped inside of it onto the bench. “Ah, I can breathe again!”

“As if I had much of a choice... she changed my diapers, it shouldn't be a big deal...”

“You grumbling about Miss Cake?”

Applejack harrumphed as she pulled off both articles at once, flinging them across the room. “I was hopin’ only you girls were gonna see me like this...”

Rainbow raised an eyebrow at the blonde’s slight blush as she balled a second blue set into her fist. “Hey, uh... not to pry, but you don't exactly seem like you're being a hundred percent truthful. Did you, uh...” she slyly indicated. “...want someone else to see you?”

“Drop it, Dash!” She snapped, rapidly standing up.

Rainbow’s eyes shot wide open as she put her hands up in a defensive position. “Whoa, alright! I'm just teasing, I didn't think you actually did-”

“An’ who says I did!?”

Rainbow sighed. “Nobody, alright? I didn't mean to trod on any sore topics. I just wanna try on suits, I didn't mean to make you upset.”

Applejack breathed for a little bit before she relaxed her posture and returned to her seat. “Y'all didn't make me upset. I'm just takin’ it out on you, an’ I'm sorry. I shouldn'a done that.”

“AJ, look, it's cool. I'm not mad. I just won't talk about whatever’s got you... affected.” Rainbow took her black suit in hand and stared down at it for a moment. “But... if you wanna talk about it, I can listen.”

Applejack sighed and hit the back of her head on the wall. “I didn't want anyone to see me in a suit like this who ordinarily wouldn’t have an issue with it. Any... women.”

Rainbow set a comforting hand on Applejack’s knee as she awaited continuation.

“Girls are... y'all are obligated to compliment each other. Whether it's true or not. When you're friends or family or friends of family or whatever, you just say you look nice. You don't gotta mean it, it's just what ya say. An’ I’m not saying I want friends to lie to each other or nothin’, I just would rather avoid a situation where someone has to lie to me.”

Rainbow grimaced in confusion. “What would someone lie to you about?”

Applejack motioned for a bit, unable to find the right words. Or the courage to say them.

“AJ, are you... insecure?”

“No!”

Rainbow pulled her legs up and crossed them underneath her. “So... you don't want girls to lie to you about being pretty when you're wearing a bikini... Well, what about boys?”

Applejack huffed.

“Or...” Rainbow changed tacks. “Boy... singular?”

Applejack blushed.

“Oh my god, AJ, do... do you have a crush on someone?”

She crossed her arms and looked off to the side, blushing furiously. “Yeah, yeah, whatever, laugh it up, Dash...”

Silence.

“I'm not gonna laugh at you for that. If I do it'll be because of who you like.” Rainbow put a hand over her mouth as she looked up in thought. “Now, I have no idea what guys are desirable at the school other than your brother and obviously it's not him. Do I know him?”

“He's...” she mumbled something.

“Fluttershy, is that you?”

“He’s sitting right outside the changing room...”

Rainbow’s mouth couldn't have opened more if she unhinged her jaw like a snake

“Holy shit.”

“Y'all can laugh now...”

“Bro, AJ, I’m not going to laugh at you about that! As far as dudes go he's pretty cool, I guess. How long have you liked him for?”

She shrugged. “Less time than I’ve met Princess Twilight... more time than I’ve known the other Twilight for.”

Rainbow leaned back. “Jesus AJ, that's... years...”

“He likes Juniper, Juniper likes him, I ain't gonna mess with that. But if I wanted anyone to see me like this, it'd be him...”

“You care about his opinion of you that much?”

“Look, ya don't like guys so I can't explain it to ya.”

“Sure you can, is it really that different than liking girls?”

“I don't know, okay!” Applejack took her hat off. “I don't know...”

“Hey...” Rainbow ran through her options before thinking ‘fuck it’ and going through what she instinctively knew would be the best bet, and leaned in for a hug. She slipped her arms around the thick corded muscle of her best friend and pulled her in close, resting her head on her shoulder. “You don't have to know... Dating and feelings and romance and all this junk is gonna come hard for people our age.”

Applejack turned her body and pulled Rainbow closer to her as she took in a few shaky breaths. Rainbow’s eye twitched as their chests made contact but she pat her friend’s shoulder as she heaved the sads out. Luckily she wasn't a crier, at least not a wet one.

“Thanks, Dash...” she said after a few moments before pulling away. “I needed that.”

“Feel better?”

Applejack nodded. “Yeah, I just... needed to get that off my chest. Nobody else knows. And I plan to keep it that way.”

“Yup, understood. No telling anybody. Cross my heart, hope to fly, yadda yadda. Now come on, let's get these suits on! Unless... heh, unless you don't wanna.”

“Y'all see me naked every time we shower after the gym, can ya calm down a spell?”

“I see the sunrise every day, doesn't mean I’m tired of it!”

AJ rolled her eyes. “Sap. Now come on, help me tie this thing then I'll do you.”

“Will you, really!?”

There was a loud *whap* sound.

“Varmint.”

In the third room...

Twilight sat in the corner looking everywhere except for her two companions, who in turn were exchanging looks of concern. After a minute of silence, Pinkie and Fluttershy nodded at each other and sat on either end of their mutual friend.

“Twilight...” Fluttershy gently almost-whispered. “You don't have to do or see anything you don't want to.”

“Yeah, Twi-Twi!” Pinkie loudly exclaimed from her other side. “We aren't gonna be mad at you if you wanna leave and get dressed by yourself.”

Twilight stood up and walked to the door, placing her hand on the knob. She ruminated on the choice. Leave and wait for Mrs Cake to get out so she could have her own room- which would be fine considering she was slender and agile enough she would have no problem whatsoever putting on the bikini- it couldn't be that hard- or stay here and be fine with showing her breasts to her friends.

Technically either option would have the same end result. Sure, Fluttershy had dated girls before, Pinkie had sex with girls before, and both bore attractions towards women, but they had both been nude around other women before, as well as seen other women nude. Twilight hadn't. Well, except for that time she saw Pinkie, but that didn't count.

It wouldn't be weird for them. Twilight was fairly sure she wouldn't gawk. Unless she would gawk and make them uncomfortable and ruin everything and-

No.

No, no, no, this is stupid! If Applejack was fine with Rainbow seeing her despite her sexuality, then  Fluttershy would, and certainly Pinkie would.

And while Twilight definitely thought that Fluttershy and Pinkie were attractive, she didn't harbor any romantic desires for them. She didn't want to date them. She didn't want to make out with them. In fact, she didn't even really want to have sex with them either. Sure, it would be nice, but sex with any girl would be nice. And if either of them had propositioned her for sex, who was she to say no? Hypothetically speaking, of course. There was at least one reason why that was off the table for a while yet.

But in all honesty, just cuddling would be great. As if she would be able to explain that, or convince them that it was the truth if she was given two weeks to compile empirical evidence in an essay. But it was still true. Pinkie was big and soft and warm and cuddly, and Fluttershy smelled nice and was a constant envelope of positive energy. They were clearly the best cuddlers of the whole group, sans a stoned Sunset, who only came in first because she was willing.

But they wouldn't be cuddling in here. They would be taking their clothes off. Twilight could almost hear the cheesy slow saxophone music in the background. And as if she could cuddle with other girls without it being automatically sexual, especially considering...

But wait.

They'd be keeping their panties on so that wasn't a problem. Right?

Since it would be a major health risk to try on a bikini bottom directly in a store, they had to wear underwear underneath while they were trying it on. Swimsuits expanded by a couple inches when they got wet anyway. So if they kept their genitals covered, it could still be innocent. Breasts weren't sex organs, after all. Could this work?

Twilight moved her hand and balled it into a fist.

*
Yes... yes it could.

She placed the suit on the bench before reaching for the hem of her shirt and, with no hesitation, pulled it up her body and over her head, leaving her standing in the changing room in her bra.

“Are you sure about this, Twilight?” Fluttershy asked, hands neatly folded in her lap. “You don't have to do anything you don't want to.”

“I want to.” She stated, readjusting her glasses. They had come askew because she had forgotten to remove them. No surprise, as her thoughts were elsewhere. “I want this to be normal to me. I don't want my sexuality and my anxiety and all this... bullshit to rule my life.”

Pinkie and Fluttershy exchanged yet another glance as the words hit far too close to home.

Twilight fumbled with the button to her pants and unzipped them fully, quickly pulling them down her legs. Until she got to her ankles and started to slowly fall down. She flailed her arms out and fell over, finding herself in strong and capable arms.

“I, uh... forgot about my shoes.”

The combined might of the pink-haired duo was in no way sizeable, but they were enough to carry the lavender toothpick to the bench. She fumbled with the shoelaces before removing the last obstacle for her clothes, and slipping her feet through the denim.

“Thanks, girls...” she stood up, sliding the capris across the floor. “Now, uh...” Twilight took a deep breath and, before fear paralyzed her from moving any further, she unclasped her bra in one quick movement before tossing it into the pile with the rest of her clothing. “Okay, I’m ready. I'm... cold. I’m na- oh dear, I'm regretting my decision. I'm not- oh god, what did I just do!?”

“Twilight-”

“No, nonono don't look at me!” She lurched for the pile of clothes, hands shaking. “I'm sorry, I’m just gonna wait in the other room, I have no idea what just came over me there, why can't I pick this up, fuck me everything is terrible!”

Twilight felt two slender hands on her shoulders and a soothing, melodious voice in her ears.

“Twilight, relax,” Fluttershy whispered, rubbing her fingers into the tense knots in the panicking teen’s back. “Breathe in, okay? Can you do that? Can you try to count to eight breathing in?”

She shook her head to either side before pressing her palms over her glasses. “One, tw- one, t- I'm sorry, I can't do this! I need to get out of here!”

Fluttershy moved her arms around Twilight’s stomach and pulled her into an embrace as Pinkie came around and sat on her knees, taking Twilight’s hands in her own. She leaned in to kiss the top of Twilight’s head, and rubbed her thumbs over the lavender knuckles.

“What are you... doing...”

The trio sat for a minute as Twilight’s breathing slowed, her pulse returned to normal, and her eyes dried up. Pinkie eventually let go of her hands. Fluttershy moved back so she was fully on her knees, and pulled Twilight’s head into her lap.

“Twilight, can you please listen to us?”

She nodded, grasping the pale yellow fingers that reached out for her own. She instinctively pulled her knees up, peaking them in the air, but she felt every other muscle in her body relax, one by one.

“Twilight, what is your biggest concern right now?”

“I...” she shuddered once as she breathed, but immediately took control back. “I don't want you to feel uncomfortable because of me... like this.”

Fluttershy looked away and whispered something before turning her maternal, compassionate gaze upon her charge. “Neither of us are uncomfortable. What bothers us is seeing you so upset. Can you tell us why you're crying?”

Twilight gripped harder. “Because I... all I'm wearing is...”

“And why is that all you're wearing?”

“...because we’re trying on swimsuits...” Twilight let go of Fluttershy’s hands, removed her glasses, and dug her palms into her eyes. “Ugh, and I let my stupid emotions make me overreact again!”

She felt movement above her and opened her eyes. Fluttershy seemed more yellow than usual.

“Uh... I'm gonna leave my glasses off for a sex. UH, I- SEC. A sec. One second. Until you, uh... put something. On.”

“Twilight, if you're worried about your body, there isn't any shame in that. We’ve both been in your position. So if Pinkie and I take our tops off too-”

“That's not what I'm afraid of!” She cried. “I just... I don't want to feel like I’m... you know. I don't know. I feel like it's wrong for me to be like this in front of you guys, or you to me. Like I'm, you know, being creepy. Or like I’m being... slutty... and pervy.”

Somebody sighed. “Twi-Twi,” it was Pinkie. “We’re not gonna think that you're creepy for taking off your bra in front of us when all of us are doing it. And you didn't do it to come onto us, you did it to try on a bikini. And before you say anything about it, no, we aren't worried that you're gonna do or say anything weird to us when we take our tops off.”

“But!” Twilight sputtered, sitting up and waving her arms. “But, I... but what about- but I’m gay!”

“Me too!” She cried in exasperation. “You have a really cute booty, I can freely admit that. Does that creep you out?”

“I...” she blushed. “N... no.”

“Well how about your boobs. They're nice too. What about that?”

“Uh, I... not really...”

“Okay, so if I can do it and it isn't a problem, then why can't you do it without it being a problem?”

“Because I-!” Twilight stood up. “Ugh, you don't... it's different!”

“How is it different!?” Pinkie cried, this time in utter confusion, following her up. “Why is it so bad that you take off your shirt in front of us, or see us with our shirts off, just because you're a lesbian?”

“You- because- I’m physically attracted to you! To you, to both of you, to Rainbow and Applejack and Rarity, and... and Sunset! You're all so pretty and, and sexy, and... I wanna cuddle you girls, and kiss you, and hold hands and hug and see you all half naked and stuff. I want to. I wanna do all that, so I shouldn't get to! I don't deserve to! I shouldn't be like this to my friends...” she sat down on the bench. “It's sick, it's predatory, it's voyeuristic... I didn't even wanna go on this stupid shopping trip! I only came because I didn't want Rainbow to think I was avoiding her just because she dumped me...”

The room’s other occupants held a silent conversation with their eyebrows and hands for a moment before they just stared at Twilight.

“Twilight...” Fluttershy murmured, sitting down next to her. “Can you talk about your attraction to me? Please? I promise you, no judgment. I'm not mad, not at all, but I want to understand your feelings better. So, can you please put your glasses on, look at me, and tell me what you see?”

Pinkie took her other side. “Me too, I wanna know too!”

Twilight shook her head. “Don't you get it?” She asked, standing up. “Flash Sentry is attracted to all of us too. You might as well have him in here too!”

“He's a boy! And what about Dashie!?” Pinkie cried. “She and I have had sex, actual sex!”

“Wait, you...” Fluttershy leaned back. “What?”

“Long story, Flutterbutter. But what about Dashie? I think she’s made it really clear how she feels about every single one of us!”

“Rainbow would date anybody!” Twilight cried. “She has the standards of a starving bohemian rifling through a garbage can!”

“Whoa there Twilight, you-”

“She dated me!” Twilight placed a hand on the opposite wall. “She’d date anybody... but I... my standards are really high. Fluttershy, you’re a literal former supermodel. Your legs are so long and shapely, god I wish I had legs like yours. And your butt is, like, the perfect shape! You're just made of gentle sloping curves, and hugging you is always great because your breasts are really nice! Not to mention you’re one of the few girls in school who have a flat belly, and you don't even do anything for it! And your hair, oh my god, it's so long and beautiful, I just wanna run my fingers through it all day. Plus you eyes are gorgeous, and I've always wondered what it would be like to kiss you. And your singing voice is just delightful. It's like butter. I've always wanted to just fall asleep to you singing a lullaby, and... and yeah, I wanna know what you look like naked. A lot. But since I feel this way about you, I should earn it! Right? The only reason I even know you is because my clone is friends with your clone, and from what I know from Sunset, they only know each other because of a fluke! If it wasn't for Sunset’s mistake and coming here, I would still be all alone back at Crystal Prep! I only know you because of the magic. I didn't do anything to deserve your friendship, I just... I just got lucky...

“And Pinkie Pie, you... you're like on the complete opposite end of things. You've always been a friend to me, always good for a hug and holding hands and just affection in general. And I love it. I love touching and being touched. With you it can be innocent. But you're also really really cute, too. You’ve got the best boobs in school, so says everyone, and they're all right! And sure, you're thick, but nobody ever said that was a bad thing! It's just more of you to love. And you're just so warm and inviting, and your smile is infectious, almost as much as your singing. Whenever you burst into song, I wanna be there. You're just so happy, and friendly, and I wish I'd always known you. And on my worst days, you can always bring me back up again... and you always smell good. I could tell you all about Rainbow, and Applejack, and Rarity, and... and Sunset, I could talk about her for hours. You're all so beautiful and amazing in your own ways... and it's only you girls. Rainbow has fucked dozens if not hundreds of girls, but me, I’m still a virgin, and I've only dated her. I only have these feelings for you six...”

“Twilight...” Fluttershy growled. “That's nice and all, but are you insinuating that Rainbow has low standards because she dated you?”

Fear gripped Twilight’s heart as she fumbled to put her glasses back on and turned around to see a shadow over Fluttershy’s face.

“No, that's not- I didn't mean- what I meant was, that... I didn't intend to imply anything negative about Rainbow! I just meant that... she... are you crying?”

She let out a sob and stepped forward, pulling Twilight to her. “Oh, Twilight...”

Over her shoulder, Pinkie was staring at the wall in thought.

“Fluttershy, you... what’s going on?”

“Rainbow Dash does not have low standards.” She sniffed and took a step back before crossing her arms. “She may have a lot of sex with a lot of girls, but very few of them does she talk to afterwards. Even less does she see a second time. And far, far less of them can be considered to have dated her. Twilight, can you even tell me the names of any of her other exes?”

“Uh... I...” She racked her brains looking for an affirmative answer but found nothing. “...no?”

“Because she has none!” Fluttershy wiped her eyes. “You're the only girl she’s ever been in an actual relationship with. She's gone on dates before but we never met any of them. And her eyes never lit up when she talked about them. But you... you made her so happy, for so long! She loves you, even if not romantically. You are so, so much more than you seem to think you are. You are not low standards. Is... is that what this is all about? Do you really think that little of yourself?”

Twilight sat down again. “...I guess... but that doesn't even matter right now.”

“Of course it matters, Twi Twi!” Pinkie shouted, stamping her foot. “You said that Rainbow would date anybody, because I told you that Dashie is attracted to us, which is the exact same reason you gave about why you shouldn't ‘get to’ go bikini shopping with us like any other girl!”

“Who said anything about shopping!?” Twilight yelled. “I'll go shopping with you girls all damn day, that's not the problem! It's the...” she shook her hands before swinging them down and back up to grip her hair. “It's the you! And the- the- naked!” She started chopping her hands through the air. “Why can't we all just go in one at a time behind closed doors, or- or- or better yet, just fucking wear a one piece that doesn't show off your everything! It's driving me nuts!”

Pinkie stepped forward and eased the neurotic mess down back into a sitting position. “Okay, calm down. Let's think about this logically, okay? Dashie has a normal amount of standards. You're a good catch who would make any girl happy to be with you. Dashie is attracted to us. Dashie can go bikini shopping with the, what did you say, with the naked? We’re fine with that. I’m attracted to us, I can go bikini shopping with the naked. And you're attracted to us. So, if all the... uh... the very a bowl something are all the same, why shouldn't you be able to do this with us normally? What's so much different with you than with me or Dashie?”

Twilight ground her teeth. “...nothing...”

Fluttershy sat on Twilight’s other side. “Twilight, would you be more comfortable wearing a one piece?”

She shrugged.

“Or going one at a time?”

Twilight sighed and leaned back. “Not really... ugh, I’m being a control freak again... I only said that because if I had my way, that's how we would all do it, and I wouldn't have to get over all my stupid shit on my own. But you girls wanna wear bikinis and pairing up makes it easier to try them on and it logically makes more sense, but... but I have to deal with the fact that I feel the way I do around you girls...”

“...do you, though?” Fluttershy asked.

“What?” Asked Pinkie and Twilight at the same time.

She shrugged. “I don't really understand what the problem is. Twilight, you want to have sex with us among other things, and us wearing swimsuits makes you aroused, and your arousal makes you feel like you’re being perverted when really all you're doing is admiring the aesthetic beauty of the female form in a perfectly natural sexual manner, and your biggest problem here seems to be with making us feel uncomfortable... am I right so far?”

“Y... yeah?”

Fluttershy looked down and back up again. “Well, all three of us are just wearing panties, and you don't seem preoccupied enough with our nudity to be making me uncomfortable. Pinkie Pie, are you uncomfortable?”

She glanced between the two girls. “Uh... no?”

“Well, then, what's the problem?”

Twilight’s eyes glazed over before she lurched forward. “Wait a minute!” She cried. “You two are-”

“Yes.”

Twilight slowly stood up and was followed by the others. She glanced down and back up before looking between the two girls. “How the hell...?”

The pink-haired duo stepped back and smiled.

“Well now, Twilight,” Fluttershy giggled. “It sure seems like you were making a big deal out of nothing this whole time.”

“How long have you...?”

“Since you got up from the floor.”

“But- but that was-”

“Several minutes ago, yes.”

Twilight just stood and blinked for a short while. “So, uh...” she eventually began, before shrugging and sighing. “I guess let's try on some swimsuits?”

“That sounds like a great idea,” Fluttershy supplied.

“Already on it!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Or, uh... already in it.”

Twilight and Fluttershy did a double take as they saw that Pinkie was already in a hot pink flounce top and matching skirted boyshorts.

“How the-”

“Don't ask.”

Twilight lightly sighed before ambling over to her own lighter pink ensemble. “Okay so, uh... Fluttershy?”

“Yes Twilight?”

She turned the hanger upside down. “How do I... take this off?”

Fluttershy reached over and undid a knot before opening a clamp and pulling the entire fabric out of the apparatus. She set in in Twilight’s other waiting hand. “Practice. Here, I'll help you tie it. Are you sure you're okay?”

Twilight tried not to look at Fluttershy’s breasts and so locked her own eyes with the teal orbs, rather than the yellow ones. Peripheral vision still existed and she would admit to her subconscious mind looking, but was surprised by how much will she had over her neck and ocular muscles. They were, of course, very aesthetically pleasing, and Twilight would be lying if she said she didn't want to touch them, but she just nodded her head. “I think so.”

The two girls then proceeded to securely fasten their tops in place before they turned back around to compare. Fluttershy’s was a simple dark green triangle top. Twilight’s was a bit more complicated than that.

The lower trapezoid on either side stretched from the bottom of her breast to well over the nipple, and an interior string traveled around, providing support. Another string connected the two separate pieces before coming around to tie in the back. A gap showed around a square inch of skin on the upper half of the tissue, and a triangle of mesh connected the strings on either side, consolidating them into one. It went around the back of her neck and lead to the other cup.

“I sure know how to pick ‘em, huh?”

“That's really intricate...” Fluttershy muttered. “It isn't too loose, or... too tight?”

“N-no, it... feels... perfect.”

“Good!”

Twilight smiled as she looked down at herself, then into the mirror. She lightly jutted her chest forward and her butt back, turning slightly in either direction.

“You look good!” Pinkie encouraged.

“...thank you.”

“No biggie!”

“No, I mean... thank you both...”

“What for?” Fluttershy asked. “You're our friend. You just happen to like girls. This is nothing that I haven't dealt with before with some of Dashie’s friends. It's normal for gay girls to have a lot of the fears and anxieties that you're having right now. Pinkie?”

She nodded. “It was a little easier for me when I came out because the first time I did it was with Dashie, but I was still scared for when I told the rest of you. I was scared that I'd never get to hug you again without you thinking that maybe I was just trying to feel you up, but it was fine. You girls are all really accepting of people who are different. Once I realized there was nothing to worry about, I stopped worrying!”

Twilight bit her lip. She of course knew about the fear of appearing predatory. Experienced it. But they just didn't get it. It was different. She just... couldn't explain why. Not yet. That day was so far off in the future she hoped the natural heat death of the universe would occur sooner. But they didn't have to know that. She looked down. She could keep it secret. She could pretend.

“Okay... but I can still be thankful for your kindness and acceptance, right?” She joked with a fake smile.

“Of course you can,” Fluttershy whispered, hugging her again. This time Twilight was acutely aware of every square inch of soft butter-yellow skin pressing into her stomach and chest. Warmth welled up from her belly and spread up to the back of her neck. Fluttershy’s hair smelled lightly of coffee beans. Which was weird because she was a tea drinker. “You deserve it.”

Pinkie came in from behind, sandwiching Twilight. “Yeah, Twi Twi, we’re your friends!” And now she could add her back and shoulders to the equation. “Nothing could keep that from happening!”

Twilight froze for a second before placing her arms around Fluttershy in front of her. She was tense at first, but slowly relaxed herself, and leaned into the hug. This was nice. She rested one hand on the back of Fluttershy’s shoulder and the other on her hip, and she did the same in return.

They stood like that for a minute. Half of Twilight wondered what the girl in her arms used in terms of body wash and exfoliating scrub to get her skin that soft. The other half wondered what she would feel like while applying it, until the first half rolled up a newspaper and hit the second half in the head with it.

“Thanks girls...” she muttered. “I was so scared of what would happen if I saw you in bikinis, but... I was freaking out over nothing this whole time. This is nice, and...” she swallowed. “And I honestly don't feel bad or weird or anything right now. It just feels like any hug with you girls, just...”

“Nicer?” Fluttershy asked, giggling.

“Hugging is better the less clothes you're wearing!” Pinkie exclaimed. “It's a science fact! More oxycontin!”

Twilight snorted. “Pinkie, it’s oxytocin. Oxycontin is a painkiller. But... you're right.” Her eyes snapped open. “Wait, you're right! Skin contact really does increase oxytocin production! How did you know that?”

“I have approximate knowledge of many things.”

“She’s Pinkie,” Fluttershy said. “I'm pretty sure she knows everything there is to know about partying, hugging, and confectionaries.”

“That's not true,” she said, pulling away. “I'm always learning about new ways to put together baked goods. Just last week I thought about putting together peanut butter and jelly and guacamole together into a cupcake and I did but then Applejack tried it out and she said that it was too many flavors going on at once so I learned that I shouldn't try to just throw together too many things at once because some people aren't as adventurous as I am with my taste buds which I mean makes sense because I really like hot sauce in my cupcakes but the whole sweet and spicy thing hasn't really taken off yet. Hey, are you two trying to go for the world record of world’s longest hug?”

Twilight and Fluttershy snapped their eyes opened and realized that they were still embracing, and quickly pulled away from each other. Twilight could have sworn that she had seen blushing but merely attributed it to a trick of the light.

“Sorry!” They both uttered.

“Wait, what?” Twilight asked. “Why are you sorry?”

“I didn't pull away because you didn't and I didn't want to pull away sooner than you wanted to but then I thought that maybe you were doing the same thing so I apologized to make sure that you knew that I didn't mean to do whatever it was I did that you didn't like!”

Twilight blinked. “Oh. Well... then, apology not necessary. You didn't do anything wrong. I, uh...” she chuckled nervously. “I could honestly have sat there for a few hours...”

“When's the last time you did that?”

Twilight cocked an eyebrow. “Did what?”

“Hugged someone for a few hours?”

“Oh...” she shrugged. “I don't know. Never? The longest I ever did was... well, with Sunset, when we... smoke.”

The expression on Fluttershy’s face was unreadable. Pinkie stepped between the two.

“Speaking of smoke, are you guys ready to show off those smokin’ hot bods?” She asked.

“Uhh...” the two simultaneously emoted.

“Good!” She cried, flinging the door open. Across the room, two other doors opened at much lower velocities, revealing the rest of the friend group.

“Twilight, my goodness!” Rarity exclaimed, throwing a hand in front of her mouth. “Where on earth did you find that piece? It's magnificent!”

“Dashie, you look so cool!” Pinkie cried.

Twilight’s eyes zeroed in on Sunset’s suit. She forced herself to bring her eyes up further, and gave a thumbs up to cover up the brief moment of thirst.

The girls all remarked on each other’s choices and talked up a storm. Just outside, Flash sighed and hit his head on the wall before resting his chin in his hand and scanning the surroundings.

“Man, guard duty is so boring... I could never do this for a living...”

Suddenly his phone buzzed. He glanced down and saw he got a Snapgab message from Rainbow. He raised an eyebrow and glanced at the door to the changing room before returning his gaze to the phone.

“O...kay?”

He swiped it open to see “(1) picture message” in the text. He tapped the message and blinked, before his face turned red. “Oh.”

She had taken a selfie in her suit, two fingers on one hand making a V shape and her tongue out. On it was a small text box that read ‘sorry I smashed into you’ in multicolored lettering that was also on fire.

“Well, uh... alright then.” He exited the app and stared at his home screen. To be more specific he stared at the girl in the picture. She was dressed in a Daring Do cosplay and, off the screen behind the crop, she was standing next to AK Yearling herself. She was positively beaming.

Flash grinned to himself before returning to the app.

‘I mean I’d already forgiven you, but you look nice.’ Was his only reply before he put his phone away in his pocket