Fluttershy took a delicate sip of the fragrant tea in her hooves. Her special someponies really knew how to brew it to her liking. Releasing a sigh, she focused her attention on the two mares before her.
“... And she gave me quite a look, you know. She’s quite perceptive, that mare,” Rarity said, fussing over a dress she was fitting onto Twilight. The princess lifted different legs at Rarity’s nudging, and the seamstress examined how the clothes moved.
Without a break in her work, Rarity continued, “I swear to you that Raven knew I had subtly nudged Lord Blusterhorn into supporting an end to the tax loophole he took advantage of without him realizing. Of course, she said nothing, and with a gaze, and a wink from me, it became our little secret.”
Twilight laughed lightly. “And, as I was about to say back when this was my story, Raven came to me blushing and saying she thinks you might be interested in her. You need to be careful with those winks.”
Rarity gave a pleased smirk. “Alas, I have to say I’m quite satisfied with my current partner in Canterlot.” She turned to Fluttershy. “And my current partner in Ponyville, of course.”
Rarity winked, and Fluttershy’s face turned red. She giggled and hid behind a wing.
“Hmm, perhaps I’ve been putting too much charm in my winks after all,” Rarity said, tapping her chin. She turned back to Twilight. “Alright, dear, I just have to see how it fits around the neck.”
Rarity examined the back of her neck, humming, then softly bit on a tuft of Twilight’s fur, making her squeak. “Rarity!” Twilight half yelled and half laughed, with a bright red blush across her cheeks.
As Rarity nuzzled the princess in apology, Fluttershy lifted a hoof away from her cup to touch the back of her own neck. As much as she loved and trusted Rarity, the idea of her approaching from behind and doing something so intimate felt uncomfortable. And Rarity wouldn’t do that to her. She knew for sure that Rarity was cognizant of what would make her uncomfortable; same with Twilight.
Fluttershy looked at the loving smiles on the faces of her partners, and sighed wistfully. This was just another sign today that her relationship with Rarity and Twilight couldn’t be as strong at their relationship with each other.
Fluttershy took in a deep breath of the early morning autumn air as she trotted along the path. The falling orange leaves made for a gorgeous view, but her eyes were drawn to the far more lovely pony accompanying her. Rarity had her mane in a ponytail and wore a pink top with black shorts. Despite how early their jog together was, Fluttershy admired how radiant the unicorn looked. She was sure Rarity would say the same to her, though it really wasn’t the same thing, despite Rarity’s insistence.
Rarity strode confidently, practically with her eyes closed. “And I swear to you, Fluttershy, he sounded exactly like one of Pinkie’s gruff pirate voices! Honestly!”
Fluttershy giggled. These morning jogs were always a highlight of Fluttershy’s day. Somehow Rarity always had a new story to tell, even if Fluttershy had been with her all the previous day.
“So as it happens, because of his own faulty memory, he had to delay his suit picking and today was the only day available. It’s like he didn’t realize today was Twilight’s visit!”
Fluttershy tilted her head. “Well, it’s not like Twilight advertises her private visits.”
Rarity humphed. “Princess visits are hardly private. If he was anywhere near as important as he pretends, he’d have known he was getting between a princess and her loves.” She sighed. “I’m really happy you’ll still be able to go to the spa with Twilight while I deal with him.”
“Plus there’s still her dress fitting after.”
Rarity smiled warmly. “Yes, I fully intend to have the boutique cleared out of pirate ponies by the time your spa trip is done, so finally all three of us will be together again. And there’s still dinner after.” She frowned and looked at Fluttershy. “Are you really sure you don’t want to stay the night with us?”
Fluttershy waved a wing. “It’s fine, I have some errands with the vampire fruit bats on Applejack’s farm.”
Rarity pouted. “But you weren’t there after our last dinner date either. You can tell me if there’s something wrong.”
She shook her head. “No, sorry, it’s just bad timing.”
The unicorn snorted. “I really must have a word with Applejack if she’ll keep stealing you like this.”
“I’m pretty sure she won’t need any more help after this.”
“Well, fine, I’ll spare her then. But we barely get to act like a ménage à trois.”
Fluttershy smiled meekly. “I’ll try to make up for it next time.”
Fluttershy slowly stepped into the spa pool after Twilight, feeling the hot water wash over her fur. A floral fragrance filled the air, and there were flower petals scattered around them. The princess especially enjoyed this, floating on her back with her eyes closed, releasing a long sigh.
“Wow, this feels amazing after that trip,” Twilight said. She opened her eyes narrowly to look at Fluttershy, who passively stood on the pool floor. “The company is great too.”
“I’m sorry Rarity wasn’t able to make it,” Fluttershy said quickly. “I know you were looking forward to this spa visit being for all three of us.”
“Well, I’ll be able to see her later. You, on the other hand, I don’t see nearly enough of.” Twilight spun upright in the water, and with a winsome smile, used magic to move wet strands of hair out of her face. “Anything interesting happen recently?”
Fluttershy hummed. “Well, there was this entire incident with Starlight and an imposter and—oh, but Rarity tells the story much better than me,” she said, waving her hooves.
Twilight raised an eyebrow. “An imposter? Maybe both of you can tell me what happened, because I really want to know what that’s about. Well, if you want to wait, how about I tell you what happened a couple days ago?”
“Oh? You aren’t going to wait until we meet up with Rarity?”
“Do you really think Rarity will let me finish this story?”
Fluttershy giggled. “I suppose not.”
Twilight waved her hoof, lightly splashing the water. “Well, I was spending my break time researching mathemagical eigenvalues for the Hundred Old Spells—which I should mention are really just Twenty-Three Old Spells once you understand how many can be considered variants of each other—when…”
Fluttershy closed her eyes and let the princess’s voice wash over her. The key to handling one of Twilight’s stories is that you weren’t supposed to actually pay attention to the details. There were feelings behind those factoids, and Fluttershy’s ears were clearly tuned in to them.
“... and thus, that’s another step toward demolishing capitalism.” Twilight grinned. “So, where do you think Rarity would interrupt me with her own story?”
Fluttershy hummed. “Let’s say ‘eigenvalue’.”
“That sounds right. She’d go on a tangent about a rude customer, and then she’d say, ‘Anyway, you were saying, dear?’ and it’d be time for us to go to dinner.” Twilight touched her cheek. “Actually, that reminds me, are you going to stay over tonight this time?”
Fluttershy frowned and shook her head. “I’m sorry, not this time either. Animal duties, and all that.”
Twilight looked down at her reflection. “That’s a shame. Well, we should make the most of our time here then.”
The princess recommended a science fiction story she read while Fluttershy looked at her own reflection.
Fluttershy really did enjoy the time they spent together, but nights were always uncomfortable for her. Not because of anything they did, of course. Fluttershy was asexual, and her friends knew that.
During Rarity and Twilight’s first dates with her, they all had a good time drinking wine and swapping stories—well, that’s more what Rarity and Twilight did. Fluttershy slowly sipped from her glass and listened while they talked. But, it was… nice. This was clearly an intimate moment for them, yet they quickly adapted to the pegasus’s presence. However, as the night went on, Rarity and Twilight became increasingly flirty, and Fluttershy felt less and less comfortable.
Fluttershy didn’t think they’d suddenly start making out in front of her. Even buzzed, they were far too considerate of her to do that. No, the issue was that they felt the need to do that. As the dates went on, she became increasingly conscious of how her partners were clearly holding back their affection around her.
She couldn’t be the one to ruin things for them.
“Flutter-dear, what’s the matter?”
Fluttershy looked up to see both Twilight and Rarity looking at her, having just finished the dress fitting. It was only then that she realized she had a frown on her face.
“Oh, it’s n—”
Fluttershy paused. Keeping this bottled up couldn’t be the right thing. Especially when talking to ponies she cared so much about.
She sighed. “I was just thinking. Are you sure you two made the right choice?” She had to force the next part out, knowing it could lead to an uncomfortable outcome. “Having me as part of your relationship I mean?”
Twilight’s response came right away. “Of course we made the right choice, Fluttershy.” She walked to her with her brows furrowed. “What brought this on?”
Fluttershy instinctively sank a bit. “It’s just, I was thinking about what we were doing today. I just listened to you talk, and barely spoke myself. We didn’t even touch that much, we just each hugged once or twice. We didn’t even kiss. It’s like we’re just friends.”
Rarity stood close to her and lifted a hoof. “But that’s the level of affection you like, isn’t it? Were we mistaken?”
Fluttershy quickly shook her head. “No, that’s right, that is what I prefer. But you two. You’ve been so affectionate with each other here, while I’ve just been sitting with my tea. I feel like…” She looked down. “I guess one way to put it is, I feel like I’m not pulling my weight in this relationship.”
Rarity gasped and put a hoof to her chest. “Darling! Why on earth would you think you need to pull your weight?”
Fluttershy tilted her head, but kept looking down. “It’s just…” The words hung in the air for a few seconds.
Twilight put a hoof on Rarity’s shoulder and they looked into each other’s eyes briefly. Twilight then looked to Fluttershy and said, “I understand what you mean. With all the time I’ve spent in Canterlot, I’ve been really worried about pulling my weight too.”
Fluttershy looked up. “You have?”
Of course she has. She was Twilight, after all. This would be exactly the sort of thing she’d worry about. But…
“But even so, you and Rarity have a relationship on a different level than me and either of you. You’ve been dating longer, and…” Her eyes turned away. “You can do things together that I can’t.”
Twilight paused for a moment to consider this, then her lips curved up. “Fluttershy, do you remember when I first asked you out?”
Fluttershy nodded. “I do. When you asked me to stay while everypony else left the Council of Friendship meeting, I thought for sure you were giving me a friendship mission or something.” She couldn’t help but smile sunnily. “I was pretty surprised when you invited me on a date with you and Rarity.”
Twilight’s smile broadened upon seeing Fluttershy’s. “The funny thing about that is I wasn’t supposed to be the one to ask you out. Rarity was supposed to broach the topic a month before then, but she was way too scared and kept putting it off.”
Fluttershy’s eyes widened. “What? Rarity was scared? Of me?”
Rarity blushed deeply. “Twilight! That was supposed to be our secret!”
Twilight continued. “Both of us were scared. It was a silly fear, since we knew you’d never treat us worse as friends after turning us down, but the idea of losing out on your love was honestly terrifying. Rarity kept saying she’d ease you into it by going on a date with you alone, but then she’d conveniently fail to mention it was a romantic date, or keep inviting other ponies for a friendly outing.”
Fluttershy tapped her chin, then put her hooves on the ground. “Wait, is that why had me come on so many spa dates that month?”
Rarity laughed lightly. “Yes, yes, the key word there was date. Silly me thought you’d be able to piece it together just from that.”
Twilight grinned mischievously. “Rarity is shockingly bad at actually asking ponies out. Do I need to remind you how she and I started dating?”
Rarity hid her red face behind her hooves. “Darling, no, please!”
With almost too much glee, Twilight added, “Sometimes my ribs still ache when I think about it.”
Fluttershy giggled as Rarity burrowed her face further and made an embarrassed squeak, but then her smile faded. “So, what I’m getting is that you had high expectations for me.”
“And you more than met them,” Twilight said quickly. “Fluttershy, we knew going in that we weren’t going to have a physical relationship with you. That has no bearing on why we love you.” She tilted her head and gazed at her warmly. “Tell me, when we’re together, just hanging out, what do you feel?”
Fluttershy looked up. “Well, when I’m not feeling self-conscious like I am now…” She smiled. “Warmth. I feel a warmth in my heart that I just can’t get enough of. Just knowing I’m dating one of you, let alone both of you—the idea that you’d even consider me—it just feels amazing.” She blushed. “I’m being too cheesy.”
Rarity darted forward. “Cheesy is good, darling! When I’m with you…” She lifted Fluttershy's chin, making her blush intensify, and they looked into each other’s eyes. “I imagine a vast flower garden, with a beautiful stream flowing through it. I lay down and look up at the oh-so-blue sky, watching fluffy clouds lazily pass by and listening to the calm waters. The peace and tranquility of nature surrounds me and comforts me, and a cool breeze scatters petals and the scent of flowers.” Rarity stepped back a bit and scrunched her face. “There’s also pollen sometimes, but a sneeze every once in a while isn’t so bad in a place like that. Ooh, and the flowers are a nice snack when I’m feeling peckish.”
Fluttershy’s mouth twisted. “I’m afraid you lost me a bit at the end.”
Rarity waved her hoof. “Well, the point is, you—” she poked Fluttershy’s nose, making her squeak “—are a fabulous mare and I couldn’t be more blessed having you as a special somepony.”
Twilight stepped forward. “Fluttershy, that warmth you feel. Both of us feel the same warmth around you. How could we not?” She nuzzled against Fluttershy’s neck, making her take a sharp breath in, then sigh in comfort. Twilight continued, “You’re you, and you’re amazing.”
Fluttershy couldn’t help but laugh in delight as Twilight pulled away. “Wow. Hearing both of you talk about me like that, I feel really silly for questioning us.”
“It’s valid for you to feel concerned about that,” Twilight said. “I’ve talked to Rarity about similar feelings before, especially about me being trans, and she’s shared her own feelings with me. Sometimes there were adjustments we needed to make. Sometimes we tried new things, and sometimes they didn’t work out, but sometimes they did.” She laughed nervously. “I’ll spare you the details. But the point is, as far as we’re concerned, you don’t have to change anything about how you act with us.” She raised an eyebrow. “But, if there’s anything you want to change, you should tell us. There must be some need we aren’t filling.”
Fluttershy waved her hooves. “Oh, I couldn’t possibly—” She paused. No, this was a time to seriously consider what she wants. She tapped her chin, and her eyes widened. “Cuddles.” She closed her eyes and nodded. “I would like to cuddle with both of you just a bit more often.”
Before she could add more, Rarity tackled her to the ground. “Consider it done!” she declared with a wide smile, then wrapped her hooves around the pegasus and pressed her head into the crook of her neck.
Fluttershy gasped in response, but quickly beamed and nuzzled Rarity back.
“You’re so soft,” Rarity said, rubbing against Fluttershy’s neck again. “That spa trip did wonders for you. And this smell. No wonder I was thinking of flowers.”
Twilight smiled. “Hey make room for me too.”
Rarity lifted her hoof accusingly. “Wait just a moment, missy! Did you forget what you’re wearing?”
Twilight blinked and looked down. She was still wearing the dress Rarity was making for her.
“Cuddle session or not, I will not allow you to make a mess of your dress. Take it off, then you can join.”
Playfully rolling her eyes, Twilight gathered magic in her horn and teleported it onto a mannequin.
“Honestly, Twilight!” Rarity exclaimed with partially, but not entirely, mock offense. “Are you a barbarian? There are gentler ways to remove a dress.”
Twilight fell into the cuddle pile, entangled with both of her marefriends.
“Oh my, your coat’s soft too,” Rarity said. “Between the two of you, I don’t think—” she yawned “—I’ve ever felt so comfy.”
Twilight looked to Rarity and wiggled her eyebrows. She then extended her wings.
Rarity laughed. “Twilight, no! If you do that, then I’ll definitely—”
Twilight covered Rarity in one of her wings.
“—Fall…” Rarity yawned and smacked her lips. She pressed her head further into Fluttershy and her eyes fell closed. “Mmm, lavender.”
Fluttershy whispered. “Did you just make her fall asleep?”
“It’s a good trick for days like this when she’s working hard,” Twilight said in a low but above-whisper tone. “How is this for you? Is this what you wanted?”
Fluttershy nodded, and looked to the sleeping unicorn with loving eyes. “Yes. Yes it is.” She turned to Twilight. “Though, there’s one more request.” Her cheeks reddened as she said, “I wouldn’t mind more kisses.”
Twilight kissed her on the cheek without hesitation. “Like that?”
Fluttershy bashfully laughed. “On the lips too.”
Twilight had to adjust her position a bit, but eventually their gazes met. Then they both closed their eyes and pressed their lips together. They stayed locked in bliss for unending seconds, before they parted. They looked at each other, before they both fell into giggling fits.
Twilight brought both of her marefriends into a tight hug. Rarity opened her eyes briefly, but then closed them and gave herself to the embrace. “Well,” Twilight said, “I can’t say I have any complaints about this.”
Fluttershy nodded, and sighed in total comfort. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be so bad after all.