This is going to be the best date yet! Sweetie Belle told herself as she stirred a pot of what she hoped would be vegetable soup. She had taken extra care to follow the recipe exactly. So far the filly could see everything was turning out as it should. It actually looked edible and smelled amazing. This of course was the practice round. The date she planned wasn't until tomorrow night.
Sweetie Belle was hoping this date was going to be better than the last one. Sure, The Wonderbolts were awesome but Scootaloo was so absorbed in the show she didn't pay her date much attention. Scootaloo also seemed a little nervous letting Sweetie Belle sit really close to her or even hold her hoof. She wouldn't let Sweetie Belle rest her head on her shoulder or do just about anything that would indicate they were dating. As heartbroken as Sweetie Belle was she figured Scootaloo wasn't the type to do the whole couple thing in front of other ponies. Still, she got a goodnight kiss from her when she walked Sweetie Belle back to the Carousel Boutique. The night wasn't a total disaster but she did wish Scootaloo would be more affectionate toward her in public.
Sweetie Belle returned her attention to the cookbook on the counter. She read each line carefully two times. Bring to simmer, then add carrots. Sure, easy enough. Sweetie turned to the cutting board where she had been chopping vegetables to get the carrots only to find that she hasn't chopped them up yet. Annoyed she used her magic to lift the knife and chop as fast as she could. She wasn't bad at it but she certainly lacked the technique Rarity had. In a matter of minutes she had the carrots chopped up, slightly unevenly. Whatever, it will taste the same once it's cooked.
In the time it took Sweetie Belle to chop up the carrots the kitchen began to fill with smoke. Sweetie Belle forgot one important step... bringing it to a simmer. Sweetie Belle turned to the horror in front of her. The big stainless steel pot of lovely smelling soup was emitting a large plume of black smoke. The smell of char filled her nose. The filly began to cough, her eyes began to burn from the smoke.
Sweetie Belle did the only thing she could think of. Run.
"Oomf!" Sweetie Belle had collided with a solid pair of pearly-white legs.
"Sweetie Belle! What in Equestria are you doing in here!" Rarity shouted half angry half scared her home was about to burn to the ground.
"Cooking." Sweetie Belle said sheepishly.
Rarity needed no more explanation as she rushed into the kitchen. Using her magic she turned the stove off and opened the kitchen window. With some concentration she pushed the smoke out the window, clearing the air inside.
Rarity could now see there wasn't any damage done to her kitchen, she inspected the contents of the pot. She peered inside to see a black tar like substance. She couldn't identify it and she figured even Twilight would spends a few months analysing it before she could make a guess as to what is was too.
"I'm sorry." Came a nervous little squeak. "It was going perfectly then I turned my head to chop those carrots and yeah... that happened."
"There, there Sweetums, it was an accident. No damage done. See?" Rarity stepped aside to show the kitchen was undamaged and still surprisingly clean. "Try again dear but this time make sure all of the ingredients are ready before you start."
"Okay, thanks sis." Sweetie Belle said relieved to find out that she wasn't in any trouble.
"No problem, I know this date is important to you darling." Rarity said as she left the kitchen. "Oh and Sweetie?" Rarity stuck her head back in the kitchen.
"Yes?"
"You might want to use a different pot on your next attempt. Whatever you were making seems to have fused to the metal." Sweetie Belle's ears went back after hearing that.
Surely she must be joking. Afraid to find out Sweetie Belle levitated the pot to the sink then retrieved another from the pantry. Okay... no mistakes this time. Scootaloo is going to get an amazing romantic – Her thoughts were interrupted by the door bell. Probably one of Rarity's customers. She turned her attention back to the cookbook. "Hmm."
"Sweetie! A certain somepony is here for you!" Rarity's voice rang through the Boutique.
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. Ever since she had told Rarity about dating Scootaloo, Rarity has been over joyed. It was getting annoying to hear how cute it was every time Scootaloo was mentioned.
Sweetie Belle made her way to the front door. She felt her face heat up immediately upon seeing the cute pegasus standing in her doorway. She too was blushing a little.
Rarity walked away beaming. She went into the kitchen the stuck her head out a little as possible so she could watch in secret and gush.
Sweetie Belle happily hugged Scootaloo tightly. Scootaloo kissed her cheek before they broke apart.
"Hey Sweetie, I thought I'd stop by and say that I love you." Scootaloo blushed a little then kissed Sweetie Belle on the cheek.
"I love you too, Scoots." She beamed back. "Our date is tomorrow though, silly."
"I know... I don't need it to be a date to say I love you. I also wanted to say sorry for the last date. I was so nervous. I hope I didn't ruin it too badly."
Sweetie Belle's heart ached a little at her fillyfriend's words. She smiled back at her. "I'm sorry too. I was moving too fast, you weren't ready. It was only our second date as it was. But tomorrow's is going to be perfect!" Sweetie Belle smiled as she saw Scootaloo wings buzz in excitement.
"So do you want to go crusading? Apple Bloom saw me do this cool new trick this morning and now she wants to try. She thinks she might get a stunt pony Cutie Mark."
Sweetie Belle could see a bunch of problems with this idea but she kept them to herself as a new feeling roused inside her. She suddenly felt annoyed that Apple Bloom saw her doing something on her scooter and ever more annoyed – no mad that she was going to let Apple Bloom ride her scooter.
Sweetie Belle gritted her teeth. She was about to say something when her eyes met with Scootaloo's. She looked at that cute face with a big open mouthed grin and the feelings vanished. She shook the thoughts from her head. "I can't. I'm – um helping Rarity today."
"Well, okay then. But you are missing out... We both know Apple Bloom has no balance and will probably crash." Scootaloo giggled a little. "I'll see you tomorrow Sweetie!" Scootaloo smooched Sweetie Belle on the lips.
Sweetie Belle watched Scootaloo get on her scooter and ride off. After closing the door she heard a strange cooing sound. Sweetie Belle frowned as she followed it to the kitchen...
"Rarity!" Sweetie Belle shouted, her suspicions being confirmed.
"You two are just so freakin cute!"
"Were you spying on me the whole time?" Sweetie Belle demanded.
"Spying? Me? No, a lady would never spy on her own sister. I was just um – um getting a snack." Rarity then used her magic to put all of the carrots Sweetie Belle had chopped on a plate. "See." Sweetie Belle pursed her lips in response.
"Rarity, I need those – never mind." She said annoyed after Rarity hastily began to eat the carrots. Annoyed she pushed past her sister and into the kitchen. "I guess I can make something else. Soup isn't romantic enough anyways."
Sweetie Belle propped the cookbook up against the pot as she rested her chin the the counter. When did Apple Bloom care about scooters? Ugh she thinks she's so pretty with that perfectly toned body, amazing red mane and that cute bow – come on she didn't do anything. Get a grip. Using her magic, Sweetie Belle flipped through the pages of the cookbook looking for the perfect dish. It seemed hopeless until she came across the pasta section. She had almost given up until she saw the spaghetti. It's simple and Rarity has all the stuff here to make it.
Images flooded Sweetie Belle's mind of her and Scootaloo sitting in a candle lit room at a small table with a big plate of spaghetti in the middle. Her and Scootaloo would be holding each other's hooves, staring deeply into each other's eyes. She would then lean across the table and kiss Scootaloo gently on the lips. Suddenly they weren't hungry as their lips locked in a passionate kiss. Scootaloo would move her hoof to gently hold her head, the other hoof would caress her softly.
Sweetie Belle shook the fantasy from her head feeling a bit hot. Spaghetti seems like a really good idea. She got the noodles out of the pantry then filled the pot with water and turned the stove on. This is going to be easy. Boil the water, add the noodles. Let them boil until they are soft then drain the water and add the sauce and cheese and basil. Even I can't screw this up.
No sooner had that thought left her head did Sweetie Belle realize she had made a serious mistake. She left the cookbook propped against the pot that was on the burner which was now on full. She reached out a hoof to swat the book away but she was too late. The second she extended her foreleg the book ignited into fiery blaze. The fire burned hot and spread rapidly engulfing the entire pot and setting the pantry above on fire.
Terrified the filly let out a scream and ran out of the kitchen at full speed. "Rarity! Rarity! Help! HELLLLLP!"
"Sweetie Belle, what is all this racket you –" Rarity's eyes went wide with fear as she smelled smoke and could see the flicker of fire coming from the kitchen.
Sweetie Belle watched in horror as Rarity ran into the kitchen and screamed. She heard several loud crashes and slashes of water. Not to mention less than lady like words shouted in both English and French.
After what seemed like forever Rarity came back out of the kitchen panting. Her pure white coat had a shade of grey to it from the suit and smoke. Her perfectly kept mane was frayed and massy.
"My kitchen is ruined! Ruined I tell you!" Her fainting couch came sliding across the floor, it stopped right behind her and she fell into it. She pounded her hooves into the couch. "Why?"
Sweetie Belle decided it was a good time to get out of there before Rarity remembered it was her that set the kitchen on fire. She moved away ever so quietly. She was almost to the stairs when...
"You!" Sweetie Belle cowered on the spot. Rarity was glaring daggers at her. "You are not allowed to cook anything anymore, you are banned from the kitchen!"
"But, but Rarity! My date!"
"No!" Rarity shouted. She regretted it almost immediately seeing Sweetie Belle in tears. She knew it was an accident and she probably over reacted. She got off the couch and walked over to Sweetie Belle who cowered even lower. Rarity put a hoof on Sweetie Belle's shoulder. "I'm sorry deary. I didn't mean to shout. Did you get hurt in the fire?" Sweetie Belle shook her heard still crying. "I know this date was important to you. Why don't you take her out to a nice restaurant? I'll give you some bits to take her out." Rarity hugged Sweetie Belle tightly.
"I wanted to do something nice for her."
Rarity sighed. "Well, I do have something you can make for her... it's um not anything fancy but it's the gesture that matters I suppose."
"Are you sure? I already ruined two things. I can't even boil water without setting something on fire." Sweetie Belle pouted.
"Yes darling. Come I'll show you." Rarity walked back into the kitchen followed by Sweetie Belle. The damage wasn't too bad, the stove was blackened a little, the pantry above was destroyed but that was the extent of the damage.
Rarity went into the undamaged pantry and came back with a thin square package. "Now the first thing you do is boil some water. Um... I'll do this part. You just sit over there, I will bring it over when it's ready." Rarity then put a tea kettle on the stove and turned it on. Once the water was boiling she brought the kettle over with a bowl.
"This is Top Raman, a noodle like soup. So go ahead and open this." Sweetie Belle quickly opened the package and pulled a brick of dried noodles out. As she did a small silver package fell out as well. "That's the seasoning dear. Now put the noodles in the bowl and add hot water." Sweetie Belle grabbed the tea kettle with her magic and poured hot water on top of the noodles. She held her breath half expected something to explode, but when nothing happened she relaxed. "Now just open this and add the seasoning and you are done." Sweetie Belle dumped a powdery substance out on top of the noodles. Then she stared at Rarity. "Stir it around with the fork Sweetie then try it." Sweetie Belle did as instructed. She put the fork to her mouth and tasted it. To her surprise it was actually kind of good.
"I did it! I actually made something somepony can eat." Sweetie Belle said excitedly.
"Nothing to it, now you are ready for your date tomorrow with Scootaloo."
Sweetie Belle hung her head low feeling sad. "I'm sorry about the kitchen. I just can't cook."
"There, there Sweetie. I think you can be a wonderful cook, you just need supervision and proper instruction. Which I'd be glad to offer so you can make those romantic meals for Scootaloo."
"You'd do that for me? Really?"
"Of course dear. It will have to wait, I'm very busy with some V.I.P. orders but as soon as those are done..." Rarity hugged Sweetie Belle tightly. "Now go get ready for bed. You have an important day tomorrow." Rarity kissed Sweetie Belle's forehead.
"Night sis and thank you."
"Goodnight deary." Rarity released Sweetie Belle and returned to her inspiration room.
It was late and an exhausted Sweetie Belle nestled into her warm bed. It didn't take all but five minutes to fall asleep.
It was day and Sweetie Belle was in her room with Scootaloo. Both were lying in her bed kissing each other passionately. Scootaloo's forelegs were rubbing all over Sweetie Belle's body. Sweetie Belle moaned into the kiss as she reached out and ran her limbs down Scootaloo's back. Sweetie Belle was warm and tingly her breathing was heavy and the feeling was heavenly.
The room faded and Sweetie Belle found herself at Sweet Apple Acres. She was alone but she could sense somepony was near. She called out but there was no answer. She heard a noise from inside the barn. She called out again but no pony answered. Annoyed, Sweetie Belle decided to enter the barn. As the door swung open her heart dropped. There in the middle was Apple Bloom with her forelegs wrapped around Scootaloo as they kissed each other with lust. They broke apart as the door opened.
"Hi Sweetie. Scoots n' Ah were jus' haven some fun." Apple Bloom taunted as she ran her tongue down the pegasus' neck. Scootaloo moaned and kissed Apple Bloom on the lips pushing her tongue into the farm filly's mouth.
"Sc-scoots, I – I thought we..." Sweetie Belle couldn't finish her sentence as she began to cry.
"Guess I forgot to tell you that I wanted to breakup and be with Apple Bloom." Scootaloo said harshly.
"But - I thought you loved me?"
"I don't love you anymore. How could I when Apple Bloom's got that amazing flank."
Sweetie Belle backed away, tears falling down her face. "No! How could you –"
"Take ya drama els wheres, we are gonna keep kissin' 'n all and maybe some other things. Ya can stay n' watch. Stay n' watch me do things to her ya only wish you could have done –"
"NOOOOO!" Sweetie Belle woke in a cold sweat, she was panting hard. "It was only a dream, only a dream. A terrible dream."
Sweetie Belle's door exploded open and Rarity charged in. "Sweetie! Are you okay? What happened?" Rarity ran to the window to make it was still closed and no pony tried to break in.
"I'm fine. It was just a nightmare." Sweetie Belle said pulling the covers over herself.
"Oh you poor thing. It must have been dreadful to make you scream like that." Rarity sat on the edge of the bed. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Sweetie Belle burst into tears sobbing loudly, recalling the dream was too terrifying. Rarity comforted the filly best she could. It took some time but soon Sweetie Belle was calm enough to talk about it. "It – it was horrible." Sweetie Belle launched into recalling her dream between the sobs. When she finished Rarity was holding her tightly.
"Oh Sweetie, that's just horrible."
"I know Apple Bloom would never do that but the dream felt so real."
"I think you fear losing her. You let your imagination and negative emotions get the better of you. You care very deeply for this filly, the emotions on both sides of the spectrum are very powerful. Just remember to embrace love and don't let fear run you. And remember Scootaloo cares for you deeply too. I can see it. She may not be the best with words but she truly cares for you Sweetie." Rarity nuzzled Sweetie Belle gently, she could see the filly starting to relax. She beamed down fondly at her sister. "Now, do you need some hot coco or do you think you can sleep now?"
"I – I can sleep. Thanks Rarity. You are a good sister. Even if you do spy on me and Scoots." Sweetie Belle flashed a weak smile before closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.
Rarity decided to stay by her sister's side just incase. She figured her work could afford a slight delay. She would have to work all day tomorrow and all through the night but she didn't mind, Sweetie Belle was more important to her. She snuggled up close to Sweetie Belle, sleeping soundly. Rarity smiled to herself, it has been a long time since she got to comfort and snuggle with her sister after a nightmare.
Just like when she was very little. Rarity mused before dozing off.
The table was set, the candles were lit and the soup was out on the table. Rarity had helped set the table and boil the water before locking herself in her inspiration room demanding no interruptions unless it was an emergency.
Sweetie Belle paced the room impatiently. Where is she? Scootaloo was ten minutes late, adding to Sweetie Belle's anxiety. Maybe she forgot? Dread fell over Sweetie Belle as the minutes went by. She better have a good reason... could my dream be true? No! must not think about that.
Another five minutes went by and Sweetie Belle was about to give up and go up to her room and cry the night away when there was a knock on the door. Sweetie Belle took her time to get to the door and open it. She only half expected it to be her date. Knowing my luck it's one of Rarity's dumb clients. She opened the door to a winded out of breath Scootaloo.
"Sweetie, sorry I'm late. I crashed my scooter trying to get here." Scootaloo said breathlessly.
All the annoyance and hurt Sweetie Belle was feeling vanished as she noticed Scootaloo's knees were scraped up. "I was worried you forgot. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, it's just a scratch." Scootaloo said shrugging it off. She hugged Sweetie Belle then walked in. She followed Sweetie Belle into the dinning room where she saw a small table with a candle.
"Have a seat." Sweetie gestured to the table. Scootaloo sat down her eyes focused on the food.
"Ah my favorite! Sweetie you're the best!" Scootaloo waited until Sweetie joined her at the table before plunging her snout into the bowl of noodles and started slurping loudly.
Sweetie Belle watched in horror as her fillyfriend literally inhaled her food. "Well this is romantic." She muttered under her breath.
"Waf you fay?" Scootaloo said with a mouth fool of noodles.
"Nothing." Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. This is not at all what I had hoped for. As annoyed as she was, Sweetie Belle decided to start a conversation with her in hope to slow Scootaloo's food intake down. "So what happened with your scooter?"
Scootaloo swallowed hard before speaking. "Well it all started yesterday... Apple Bloom tried to ride my scooter. She actually didn't do too bad at first. She did crash really bad though – she's fine but the scooter was wrecked pretty badly. It's a good thing both of us are pretty good with tools. We were able to fix it up but we had stayed up all night. So I slept in her room all day. Then I got up and tried to ride it here but the front wheel fell off before I even got twenty feet. So I left it with her and ran here."
As Sweetie Belle listened to her friend's story she couldn't help felling jealous. She couldn't stop images of Scootaloo and Apple Bloom kissing passionately over her scooter laying on a work bench.
Suddenly Sweetie Belle wasn't hungry as fire raged through her body. Without a word she stormed out of the room. She stomped her way up to her room and slammed herself face first onto her bed. She let her tears go, crying softy.
"Was it something I said?" A bewildered Scootaloo asked the room. She was taken aback by Sweetie Belle sudden change of attitude. What happened? Why is she all upset? I didn't do anything. Scootaloo figured she's go upstairs and see what was wrong.
Scootaloo stood in Sweetie Belle's doorway, she could she the distraught unicorn facedown on her bed. "Sweetie? What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong." Sweetie Belle replied in a hoarse voice.
"Come on Sweetie, let's have dinner and talk about it."
"Why don't you go have dinner with Apple Bloom!" Came Sweetie Belle's muffled voice.
"Huh? Sweetie Belle, what are you talking about? Why would I go eat with her? This is supposed to be a date with the filly I love..." Scootaloo trailed off thinking she might know what the problem was. She walked in the room and sat at the end of Sweetie Belle's bed. She is totally jealous. Apple Bloom is good looking sure, even Sweetie has to admit that, but still the farm filly is no Sweetie Belle.
"You don't love me, you're just saying that." Sweetie Belle said, her voice muffled from still being facedown on the bed. She twitched a little as Scootaloo ran her hoof down Sweetie Belle's back.
"It sounds like somepony is a little jealous." Scootaloo teased. Sweetie Belle's head shot up. She was glaring daggers at Scootaloo.
"I'm not jealous!"
"It's okay if you are. I think it's kinda cute to see you get mad after I've been hanging around another filly." Sweetie Belle pinned her ears back at Scootaloo's remarks.
"I love you, Sweetie. You should know that. Apple Bloom is our best friend and she wouldn't mess up our relationship by getting between us. Besides, if Rainbow Dash is about loyalty than so am I." Scootaloo put her foreleg around Sweetie Belle and kissed her cheek.
"I – I know. I'm sorry. I guess I can't help being afraid of losing you." Sweetie Belle said leaning into Scootaloo. "I'm still not happy with you though."
"What did I do?"
"Well, I was trying to make a nice romantic dinner for us. Then you come in, late, and start eating like some starving animal."
Scootaloo looked down at the bedspread. Oh... yeah. "I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to ruin it for you. That's how I eat Top Raman, especially when I'm really hungry." Sweetie Belle sighed rolling her eyes. She released herself from Scootaloo's embrace and laid down on the bed.
"That's okay. I'm glad you liked it. It's the only thing Rarity will let me cook now. I kind of set the kitchen on fire yesterday." Sweetie Belle could hear Scootaloo laugh a little.
"Your food is still down there, if you want to continue that romantic dinner."
"Not really hungry now. I'm sorry this whole date was just bad. It was worse than the last one. I ruined it." Sweetie Belle pouted.
Scootaloo laid down next to Sweetie Belle. "We aren't very good at the dating thing are we? But at least we get to cuddle at the end of them." Scootaloo said as she pulled Sweetie Belle close to her. "You know... I think this date is only just starting." Scootaloo gave Sweetie Belle a quick peck on the lips.
"Snuggling with you is my favorite thing to do." Sweetie Belle wrapped her forelegs around Scootaloo, pulling her in as much as she could. Their lips met in a passionate kiss that seemed to last forever. They broke apart gazing into each other's eyes. Scootaloo peppered Sweetie Belle's neck with tiny kisses. "Scootaloo, there's something I need to tell you."
"What's that?" Scootaloo asked then kissed her forehead.
"I love you."
"I love you too Sweetie."
The two of them snuggled in silence. There was the occasional tightening of a foreleg or nuzzle as they enjoyed each other's warmth. Sweetie Belle ran her hoof through Scootaloo's soft magenta mane. She loved everything about it, the softness, the smell and that goofy tomcoltish cut.
"I'm sorry I get jealous." Sweetie Belle said softly. "It started yesterday when you were going to let Apple Bloom ride your scooter. Then I had this dream and it was just awful." A couple of tears ran down her cheek. "I dreamed that you didn't love me anymore and wanted to be with Apple –"
Scootaloo pushed her lips over Sweetie Belle's silencing her. "Shhh, it's okay. I'm not going to leave you."
"I – I know. It's just me being silly. I know Apple Bloom would never mess up what we got. She's too good of a friend to do that. It just seems that sometimes you two have more in common."
"Well, you gotta admit Apple Bloom is pretty good looking. Nice toned body." Scootaloo felt Sweetie Belle tense up a little. "We both know how to fix things, sure. But me and you have more in common. We both had no friends before we met. You were my only friend... we have a deeper connection than best friends, even more than fillyfriends... it just feels like there's something more there. I don't know what it is but I feel it in my chest every time I'm around you."
"I think that's love Scoots. I feel it too." Sweetie Belle tightened up on Scootaloo. Their eyes met and they locked lips in another passionate kiss. She felt Scootaloo's tongue push forward into her mouth. Sweetie Belle pushed her tongue back into Scootaloo's. Their tongues danced around each other's as their passion took over. None of them wanted the moment to pass.
After several moments of pure bliss they broke apart, a stand saliva still connected between the two of them. They were gazing into each other's eyes breathing heavily. No words needed to be said as they knew exactly what the other was thinking. It was that special moment when time seemed to stop and the physical world around vanished.
Scootaloo loved feeling close to Sweetie Belle as she pushed herself in closer to her. She nuzzled her neck tenderly, giving a couple of kisses. "Good night love." She kissed her lover on the cheek before letting herself drift into sleep.
Sweetie Belle smiled as she looked at the sleeping pegasus snuggled up close to her. She always did love it when they got to have sleepovers. Even though Rarity doesn't know about this one... Sweetie Belle shrugged and told herself it was still worth it. Sweetie Belle had never felt closer to Scootaloo than right now. Maybe a little twinge of jealousy was what she needed to bring them closer together and to get Scootaloo to open up a little. Still, Sweetie Belle wondered if she would ever get that magical romantic date she wanted. She wondered if there was some way where she could feel even closer to her lover as she drifted asleep; snuggled up tightly with her lover.