Fluttershy trotted through sunny Ponyville, listening to the town’s noises and smelling the fresh summer air. She was headed for the spa for her weekly appointment with Rarity. It was a beautiful day to share with a friend; the sun was spreading warm golden light, and all the flowers in town were in bloom. Perhaps she and Rarity could go out for lunch. At that thought, Fluttershy suddenly found a happiness she couldn’t explain, a warmth that had nothing to do with the sun. She was very happy, and couldn’t wait to get the spa.
“Hello, Fluttershy! Isn’t it a wonderful day?” The ivory unicorn greeted her from outside the shop.
“Oh, yes! It’s simply amazing!” Fluttershy replied, smiling gently at her friend.
“Fluttershy?”
“Yes, Rarity?”
“Why are you blushing?”
The question made Fluttershy blush even more, making her look more like Big Mac than the gentle yellow pegasus she was. “Am I blushing?”
“My dear, I could see you all the way down the street! Is something wrong?” Maybe she shouldn’t have pointed it out. She hated to see her friend embarrassed or upset. What if something horrible had happened, and she was bringing up unwanted memories? What if Fluttershy was simply sunburnt from feeding her outdoor animals, and she had just pointed it out in public? Oh, she should really learn to keep her big mouth shut!
“Oh, no. Everything is just fine!” Fluttershy replied with a smile, her pastel color returning. Just fine. Especially now that I’m spending the day with you…
Fluttershy frowned for a moment. Where had that last thought come from?
Oh dear, she’s frowning and looking thoughtful! Does she even want to be here? Did I interrupt something? She didn’t say anything when we made plans, but you know how shy she is! Stupid Rarity! Silly old fool! You should be more considerate of your friends!
Fluttershy’s frown lasted only a brief moment, and then she smiled again.
“Are we going to go inside, or are we going to stand here like the silly ponies we are?” she asked with a look.
A look that melted Rarity’s insides. Oh, that look! It was so… different of Fluttershy! So… seductive!
No! She scolded herself. It was just Fluttershy’s way of telling her it was a joke. You musn’t think of your friends that way, Rarity!
“Of course!” she replied, holding the door for her yellow friend.
“The usual, please.” Rarity said as she approached the counter.
“Of course, Miss Rarity.” Aloe replied.
Fluttershy and Rarity sat in the bath, trying to avoid each other’s eyes.
“So, dear… how are the animals?” Rarity asked trying to make small talk. What a stupid thing to ask. She couldn’t possibly want to talk about her work. Why do I even try?
Fluttershy perked up. “Do you really want to know?”
No. “Of course, dear! I want to know all about your day. You are a good friend, and I want you to be able to tell me anything!”
She really wants to talk to me! She really wants to hear about my day! Fluttershy launched into a detailed description of the day-to-day care of each woodland animal.
Phew. Dodged a bullet there. Rarity thought to herself. I should really try not to be so sappy. Her friendship means a lot to me, but there’s no reason to go overboard telling her about it.
“…and then Angel reminded me that I was supposed to meet with you!” Fluttershy closed.
“That sounds wonderful, dear.” Rarity lied.
As they wore mud masks and got massages, Rarity found herself peeking around her cucumbers. She was looking at that sweet, innocent face. That cute, dainty little smile. Her beautiful little Pegasus wings. Her beautiful cutie mark… that succulent, curvy flank…
No! I must have some sort of restraint! I can’t just go looking around at my friends’… features!
But she wasn’t looking at her friends. She was looking at her friend. THE friend.
Little did Rarity know, Fluttershy was taking peeks of her own.
Rarity had the most beautiful horn. It looked so velvety and smooth. It was centered in her head at just the right place. And her mane! Don’t even get Fluttershy started on her mane! Even her tail was completely beautiful. She had an elegance about her that Fluttershy adored. Her body was curved in all of the right places, there wasn’t a blemish on her, and her pelt was always brushed and well-kempt. There was nothing about Rarity that Fluttershy didn’t like, except perhaps the way that her business forced her to stay secluded for extended periods of time. She missed the marshmallow pony sometimes, and her knowledge of sewing could help Rarity if she would just unlock the door. Perhap they could even have a sleep over or something...
The two ponies sat in the sauna. Rarity was determined to keep her eyes shut so as not to tempt herself, but Fluttershy was looking her all over. She admired Rarity’s grace, her poise, her sophisticated beauty. There was nopony quite like Rarity, and Fluttershy was determined to take it all in.
It was now or never.
“Rarity?”
Rarity almost opened her eyes instinctively, but her willpower was too strong. “Yes, Fluttershy?”
“Are you doing anything today? Do you have any dresses to make or anything?”
This sounded suspiciously like…”No, I don’t believe so, why?”
“I was wondering if you wanted to go get a bite to eat.”
Did Fluttershy just ask her… on a date? Rarity was speechless. If she hadn't had years of practice with poise and dignity, her jaw might have dropped through the floor.
Oh no, she’s going to refuse! I moved too quickly! Oh, I should have known no good would come of this when I first decided it would be a good day! Now I’ve ruined our friendship forever! I came on too strong, and now Rarity probably hates me.
“Rarity, I-“
“Fluttershy, I’d love to.”
“You would?” Fluttershy was so shocked, she almost slid right into the hot coals.
“I would. In fact, let’s go now. I think I’ve had enough of this steam.”
“Oh- Okay.”
“And Fluttershy?”
“Yes?”
“You should really cross your legs.” Rarity walked away, smirking.
Rarity and Fluttershy walked up to a small bistro in the middle of of town, with a patio surrounded by grape vines. The patio had a small crowd, but the two mares were able to easily get a seat. Fluttershy ordered a strawberry-spinach salad with a Granita, while Rarity had a radish salad with a Margarita.
Rarity watched Fluttershy nibble at her salad. She took such tiny, dainty bites. Almost timid. On the other hand, everything Fluttershy did was timid. Perhaps that was what made her so cute. Maybe it was her soft, gentle voice. Maybe it was a lot of things put together that made Fluttershy so adorable on the outside, and gorgeous on the inside. She took a sip of her Margarita, savoring the lime-y taste. Subconsciously, she began to twirl the cocktail stick around with her tongue. She looked up at Fluttershy, who was staring at her tongue intently, starting to blush.
"Fluttershy dear, what is it?" Rarity asked, although she suspected the answer.
"Oh, um... nothing. I was just, ah.. lost in thought. Sorry." she said, turning very red and looking at the table.
Rarity could always tell when her friend was lying, but decided for both their sakes to let the subject die.
"No need to apologize, dear."
"Oh, sorry."
Rarity fought the urge to facehoof. The two ponies looked at- well, more like around and in the general direction of- each other for a few seconds. Then they both laughed, Fluttershy's color mellowing considerably.
As they ate, they slowly became more and more comfortable with each other; but their eyes were like two like-charged magnets. Their quick glances of eye contact with each other were as fast as the darting away their pupils did.
After finishing the meal, which Fluttershy insisted on paying for, they walked back towards the Boutique.
“Today was wonderful, Fluttershy. I really enjoyed myself.” Not too strong, it’s just our first date. Rarity reminded herself.
“Can I walk you home?”
“Oh, um… of course!” What did she have in mind when they got there?
The rest of the walk was fairly quiet, but the two ponies enjoyed the fresh air and sky, which Rainbow Dash had been busy keeping clear of all but just a few fluffy clouds.
When they arrived at the boutique, Fluttershy stopped at the door.
“Well, I’d better get going. I had a lot of fun today. Maybe we could do something again tomorrow?”
What? Already? “Aren’t you going to come inside?” Rarity asked, a touch of longing in her voice. She would have to remember to suppress that if she were to continue their friendship normally.
“Oh, well, I hate to impose, and…” Fluttershy said, bowing her head low and blushing.
“Nonsense! You come inside right now, and have tea with me!” Rarity commanded.
“Well, if you want me to...”
“Of course, I do! You’re always welcome in this shop, anytime day or night!” she paused for a moment. Is this the direction I want to head in? Yes. “In fact, underneath the flowerpot there’s a key. If I’m not home, or I don’t seem to want visitors, you come right ahead in.”
“Oh… okay.”
Rarity ushered her friend into her shop, and sat her down on the couch. She returned a few minutes later with tea.
They slowly and awkwardly sipped at their tea, both pony's hooves shaking considerably. After a few strange minutes, they put their tea down at the same time.
Come on, Fluttershy. This is the best day ever. Don’t screw it up now. All you have to do is say it. It can’t be that hard…
Alright, you stupid unicorn. Try to do something right today. Just tell her.
“Rarity, I-“
“Fluttershy, I-“
“You go first.” They said together.
“No, after you.” They both urged.
“I love you!” they blurted at the same time.
Both ponies were so shocked that they froze and nearly fell over.
Fluttershy was the first to make a move. She reached for Rarity with her hoof, putting it on her shoulder slowly, and suddenly pulling her close.
“Oh Rarity! I was so nervous! I thought you would be angry, or disgusted, or upset! I didn’t even think you liked mares!” she hugged her white unicorn friend, holding her close.
Rarity nibbled her ear and kissed her tenderly on the lips. “Neither did I.” she whispered into her pegasus’s ear.
Fluttershy grabbed Rarity by the back of the head and pulled her in for a kiss. It seemed to last hours, or months. Lips met lips and scents were inhaled. Rarity gently prodded her tongue into the yellow pony’s mouth, and was met with the same reaction. They glided together, sliding and prodding each other. It was like there was an elegant dance in their mouths, slow and sensual. Fluttershy tasted of strawberries and cream, and her scent was flowery, like every nice-smelling plant had spread its scent on her.
Fluttershy thought the same of Rarity. She tasted like roses, and smelled like she had spent the day in Fluttershy’s garden. She could discern lavender, lilac, and tulips. The kiss was wonderful, and Fluttershy was in heaven. She was so happy, in fact, she started to tear up.
“Fluttershy! What’s wrong, dear? Why are you crying?” Rarity was very concerned.What have you done now, you silly pony? I knew I should never have gotten into romance. I'm just not cut out for it, it's a nice thought, but I just can't...
“I’m so happy with you; I just love you so much.” Fluttershy smiled.
Two sets of sparkly blue eyes met each other, radiating love and devotion at each other.
And Rarity started to cry.
“I love you more than you can possibly imagine, you wonderful Pegasus!” She leaned in and started another kiss, filled with slow passion.
They held each other for a long time, crying and kissing in a tight embrace.
Rarity glanced at the window and realised that it was getting dark. “Fluttershy, would you spend the night?”
“Oh, I couldn’t. I have to feed my animals, and-“ Rarity interrupted her with a kiss.
“Oh. Well, I suppose Angel could take care of it.” She said, smiling.