A week later, life seemed to go on as per usual. Despite the thoughts festering within her mind, even Fluttershy managed to get back into her routine without trouble. No one suspected a thing, while Twilight and Ascentia both kept their silence. All the while making fun of them if the two were in the same vicinity as them.

Everything was just fine.

At least until tonight.

Fluttershy lay in her bed, it was about six-thirty in the evening, and she had nothing to do. Twilight was gone, Ascentia was too, Pinkie was looking after the Cake Twins while the Cakes were out of town, Rarity was in Canterlot for the weekend, and the Apples were making a special delivery out of town for a day or two.

The sad part about this evening, also, was that Fluttershy felt horny. Very horny.

She lay there, on her bed, hand down her pants and trying all she could to pleasure herself. But with no success. Her thoughts didn’t help and her hand felt as if it were unable to perform the necessary tasks.

Groaning, but in frustration, Fluttershy got up from her bed and wiped her hands on moist towelettes.

“I hope Rainbow’s still around… She won’t mind…”

Resolve set, she went downstairs to put on her winter gear before heading out.

Later on, she arrived at Rainbow’s grand home, reaching her doorstep and knocking on the door.

Rainbow opened the door, wiping her eyes as she blinked in the winter darkness, “Fluttershy? What is it?”

“Hi…” Fluttershy hugged herself a bit from the cold, “I just wanted to see you… And I’m...oh, well I…”

“What?” Rainbow asked, leaning on the doorway, “You’re what?”

Looking down, Fluttershy blushed, but not from the cold, “...I’m really horny. I need you.”

Rainbow smirked and invited her in, “So, demure little Shy wants it bad, eh?”

“...Yes… Yes, I do…” Fluttershy confessed, coming inside and taking off her coat, “Even if Mac was around… I don’t know… I feel like you satisfy me a little more. No, a lot more...”

Rainbow grinned, feeling like toying with the horny girl, “Well, maybe I’m not really in the mood. What do you think about that?”

“...I’m sorry,” Fluttershy stepped back, “I’m really sorry.. I wasn’t thinking! It’s okay, I’m not about to keel over and die… I’ll be okay… Maybe some company will help me feel better and not think of it. Oh, I’m sorry… I’m being selfish, aren’t I? Just because we’re friends with benefits doesn’t mean I have the right to just barge in and force you to help me. Oh, what was I thinking? I’m sorry…” She turned away in shame, hanging her head.

“Oh lighten up, Shy, I’m just teasing. Besides, being Friends with Benefits means you can just walk in and ask for a fuck,” Rainbow laughed, winking, “I’ll help you, but you’re gonna have to work for it.”

Embarrassed, Fluttershy turned back around, twiddling her fingers, “...Okay, but what do I have to do?”

Rainbow opened her shorts and let get length flop out, dangling before her, “Get on your knees and get to work.”

“Oh!” Fluttershy realized, blushing a bit. She paused, “Wait… wouldn’t you rather sit down? I wouldn’t want you to collapse…”

“Nah, I want you kneeling before me,” Rainbow smirked, “Now chop chop, sweetie.”

Nodding, Fluttershy obliged and got down onto her knees. Taking hold of the limp shaft and gently stroking it. Just enough to get it erect, leveling with her lips. Once it stood to attention, Fluttershy all too eagerly latched her lips onto the tip and proceeded to suckle and lick along it. Rainbow’s hands found her hair, her nails digging into her scalp as she leaned her head back, groaning as Fluttershy worked her over.

“Ooooooh yeah, that’s the spot,” she groaned.

Humming around the length, Fluttershy continued to stroke her hand up and down the base. She brought her hand up, reaching into her shorts to fondle her scrotum.

Shivering, Rainbow curled her fingers in Fluttershy’s hair, “Oooooooo fuck, Shy. That’s so good. You love this, don’t you? You love sucking me off in the middle of the front hall, don’t you?”

Pulling back ever slightly to talk, Fluttershy smiled, “You’re my best friend and you’re a perfect size. What’s not to love?” She latched her lips around the tip again, humming louder.

Rainbow smiled, “That’s a good girl,” she cooed, running her fingers through her hair as she stood with her legs open, her stance wide as she watched Shy’s head bobbing back and forth on her.

“Mm-mm...mmm…” Fluttershy moaned around Rainbow’s length, grasping it harder. She bobbed a little faster, letting her hands fall. They trailed up her legs and clutched at her hips, holding her to the wall and for more support.

Rainbow groaned as she tapped Fluttershy’s cheek, “Alright, take it out, and get upstairs. Time for some real fun.”

Pulling away, Fluttershy blinked as she stood up, “N-Now? Don’t you want me to finish you off?”

Rainbow winked and pointed upstairs, “In time, sweetcheeks. For now get your pretty little plot upstairs.”

“Okay,” Fluttershy stood up straight, wobbling slightly, and turned to go up the stairs.

Rainbow followed behind her, giving her ass a slap as she went. When they got to her bedroom, Rainbow gave her a quick shove and sent her toppling onto her bed.

“Ooh!” Fluttershy giggled, rolling onto her back, “What do you have in mind, Dashie?”

“Pants off, turn over, and put those hips in the air,” she smirked, reaching down and stroking herself, “You wanted a rut, you’re getting a rut.”

Giggling, Fluttershy pulled down her pants, then rolled over, clutching a pillow, “You’re in luck. I’m not wearing any panties… I may as well never wear them around you anymore…” She winked playfully.

Rainbow planted her hands on Shy’s rear, squeezing her cheeks, “Probably not. This ass is mine, now. Just a skirt will do, something you can flip up for easy access,” she didn’t wait for her go ahead, and just pushed herself forward, sinking herself as deep into her warmth as she could go.

Not the least bit pained, Fluttershy moaned loudly and squealed, utterly blissed, “YAY! Oh Dashie, rut me hard! Rut me until I can’t move! Give me it all, you sexy wonder!”

Rainbow laughed as she pulled out and thrust back into her, squeezing her butt playfully and giving it a flew slaps, “Well if you insist.”

“Oooh Rainbow…” Fluttershy moaned, angling and raising her hips a bit in time to her thrusting. She buried her face in the pillow, muffling her squeals and cries of pure ecstasy.

“That’s right, sweetheart,” Rainbow smiled, slamming into her and whipping her hand across her ass, “Scream for me.”

Yelping, Fluttershy turned her head against the pillow and moaned, “Oh Rainbow Dash! Yes! Yes! Oh, fuck me hard! Yes! YES!” She cried out, not even realizing her crude language.

Rainbow leaned over her and thrust harder, reaching under to pinch her clit as she pounded away at her best friend, feeling the first inklings of her own climax, but this time determined to get Shy off before it overtook her.

The further stimulation drove Fluttershy over the edge, to which she raised her head completely and screamed loudly. A strangled but emotional version of her best friend’s name escaped her before she collapsed, panting heavily as she rode out her intense climax. Rainbow slowly pulled out of her, smiling.

“Feel better?” she asked, patting her butt gently.

“So much better…” Fluttershy cooed, a pleased and enraptured smile on her face, “You’re amazing…”

Smiling, Rainbow shook her shorts off and patted Shy’s butt, turning to leave, “Rest up there if you want, I’m going back to reading.”

Pouting, Fluttershy rolled over, “But you didn’t get to finish-twice! That’s not fair to you…”

“Well, I still want to finish my book,” Rainbow smirked, “If you wanna come suck me dry while I do that, that’s fine with me.”

Smiling, Fluttershy got up to follow her, not even bothering to put her pants back on, “Of course I will. I wouldn’t feel right being the only one getting pleasured.. Lead the way.”

Rainbow stopped and turned around, “Shy, do you like sucking me off, or do you think of it as something you should do as some kind of payback?”

“I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t like it,” she said firmly, “But I also don’t feel right about taking everything and not giving any back.”

“Yeah Shy, but what I mean is you shouldn’t think of it as some kind of obligation,” Rainbow said, “If you’re going to suck my cock, do it because you like sucking it. If you don’t want to in the moment, just say so. I’m alright with just giving once in a while if that’s what you need. Sometimes I may ask you do so me a favor and not feel like reciprocating. You get what I’m saying?”

Taken aback slightly, Fluttershy took a step back. But she nodded and wrung her fingers together nervously, “I… I see what you mean. I’m sorry… You’re… You’re right. Sometimes even I want to do something for someone and not make them feel they have to repay me somehow. ...But I do really want to right now, I didn’t mean to make you think otherwise.”

Rainbow reached over and stroked her cheek, “Then just say it that way. So I’ll ask again. You wanna come suck me while I read?”

A little blush coated Fluttershy’s cheeks at the tender gesture, to which she smiled with relief. “Yes. I would like to suck you off while you read.”

Rainbow turned back around and continued down to the living room, hopping into a desk chair and leaning back as she propped her book back open, flicking the desk light as her eyes began scanning the pages.

Getting onto her knees, Fluttershy crawled over, kneeling in front of the desk chair. She took hold of Rainbow’s still erect length, proceeding to gently lick it. Tasting a bit of herself still on there, she giggled and closed her mouth around the tip, humming.

Rainbow absently reached a hand down to stroke Fluttershy’s ear, “Good girl,” she sighed happily.

Giggling around the tip, Fluttershy engulfed her deeper, running her tongue along the skin rapidly.

Rainbow groaned as she turned the page, “Ooooh, I should just strap you to my hips all day.”

Had her mouth been free, Fluttershy would’ve made a usual response about how silly she was being. Nonetheless, she giggled and proceeded to bob her head up and down a little faster. All while her hands came up grasp her hips tightly, moaning against her shaft.

Reaching one hand down, she pressed down on Fluttershy’s head to push her deeper into her mouth, “Oh god yes, suck it harder!”

“Mmph!” Fluttershy faltered for a brief second. She regained herself, digging her fingers into the skin of Rainbow’s hips as she suckled harder. Her head bobbed furiously, her tongue waggled along violently, and even her teeth grazed the tip lightly.

Rainbow’s book dropped out of her hand as she fisted her fingers in her hair, “Fuuuuuuuuuck me, that’s the spot. I’m close, Shy. You want my cum?”

“Mm-hmm,” Fluttershy managed in the way of saying yes.

Rainbow grabbed her head and pulled her up and off of her. Taking her length in her hand, she furiously pumped it as she held tight to Shy’s chin. As she was nearing her climax, she pushed the head past Fluttershy’s lips, keeping her face still as she groaned and spilled several spurts of cum into Shy’s waiting mouth. After a few seconds of milking herself, she let go of Shy’s chin and fell back, panting.

Pulling back to breathe and swallow, Fluttershy took a few breaths to get her breathing back to normal. Once having regained herself, she stood up, then leaned over to plant a tender kiss on her friend’s lips.

“How was that?” She asked sweetly.

“That was great,” she smiled, “I think I have a new favorite place to put that thing.”

Fluttershy giggled and sat on her lap, snuggling her, “Wonderful.”

“We should totally hang out more,” Rainbow said as she wrapped her arms around Shy.

“You read my mind,” Fluttershy nuzzled into her neck and kissed the skin.

“Are you gonna spend the night here?” Rainbow asked, “Or are you going home?”

Fluttershy blushed a little, raising her head, “I wasn’t sure… I didn’t think of that before. But I’d love to stay with you… if that’s all right.”

“Alright, but there’s a rule in my house. Fluttershy isn’t allowed to wear her clothes,” Rainbow smirked, patting Shy’s bare butt.

“Ooh,” Fluttershy laughed, giving a playful smirk. She then removed her sweater, having not been wearing a bra, either. “Now there’s a rule I wouldn’t dream of ever breaking…”

Rainbow looked her over, “Mmm, I could get used to this.”

“Mm-hmm… And what about you?” Fluttershy slipped her hand up her shirt, gently groping her bosom.

“My house, my rules,” Rainbow smirked, licking Fluttershy’s neck.

“Fair enough,” Fluttershy slipped both her hands up her shirt now, laughing a bit.

Rainbow chuckled as she watched Fluttershy fondle her, “Having fun?”

“Hee hee… I never realized fondling breasts was so… nice,” Fluttershy cooed, nuzzling noses with her, “They’re so… soft and squishy…”

“Yeah, when they first came in, I couldn’t keep my hands off them,” Rainbow chuckled, “Mom used to yell at me to stop fondling my own tits.”

“Aww…” Fluttershy pouted sympathetically. She giggled then, “I remember when I first bloomed. You were always looking at them. I never understood why… In fact, I remember reading that fondling them was a great feeling. Every time I tried… I didn’t feel a thing. It was like they were programmed to do nothing.”

“Hey, I’m not feeling anything either,” Rainbow smirked, “Besides hands on my tits at least.”

“Oh… Am I not doing good? Here, let me try this… the books always say to fondle our nipples…” Fluttershy experimented doing just that, even angling her head to look beneath her shirt, “Ooh, they’re hard… Is that good? Do you feel something?”

“No, it’s not an erogenous zone for me,” Rainbow smiled, “You’re not doing anything wrong, I just don’t get pleasured there.”

“Oh. Me either,” Fluttershy giggled, “Mac’s tried… but it never helps. Oh well.. I can still have fun squeezing them… It’s nice… I don’t know why, it’s just so pleasant…”

“Shy likes boobies!” Rainbow teased, lifting her shirt over her head and throwing it aside, “Shy likes boobies!”

Fluttershy blushed, burying her face against her collarbone, giggling. “Oh, come on… I find yours appealing and nice to touch…”

“Fine, come out when you’re ready,” Rainbow laughed, squeezing her ass.

Licking the skin, the pinkette rose back up, “Fine, I’ll admit it. I do like breasts…”

“Told ya,” Rainbow grinned, her growing erection brushing against Shy’s thigh, “Never question me, I’m always right.”

“Oh, don’t challenge that… You know what happens when you do. But all right then, you lady of wisdom… What else do you know?” Fluttershy leaned her head down to lick along her breasts. Erogenous or not, she was still curious to what that was like.

“Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day. Beat a man senseless with a fish and he’ll never eat fish again,” Rainbow quipped.

“Silly,” Fluttershy giggled, shaking her head as she gently closed her lips around one nipple, gently suckling.

Rainbow smiled and petted Shy’s head, “You’re like a nursing baby.”

“Hee… I guess I am a Flutterbaby,” Fluttershy cooed, continuing to suckle. “Mmm…”

“Does that make me a pedophile?” Rainbow asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh, stop it,” Fluttershy stuck her tongue out as she switched bosoms. She reached down, gently fondling her friend’s hardening length.

“Shame, Scootaloo was always pretty cute,” Rainbow laughed, “Oh, I’m going to hell for that.”

“Dashie, I love you, but please be quiet now,” Fluttershy whispered, poking her side.

“Oh fine, I’ll just sit here in my mind with imaginary adult Scootaloo,” Rainbow pouted, turning her head away.

“How lovely… A naked woman in your lap and you imagine you’re with someone else.”

“Says the woman pretending her boyfriend is another woman with a dick when she sleeps with him.”

Fluttershy laughed, “You got me there.”

“Wait, what? You actually do that?” Rainbow turned her head back, wide-eyed.

Blushing, Fluttershy pulled back a bit and nodded, “...Yes. I do, now.”

“Well then I’m not gonna feel guilty about imagining someone else,” Rainbow said, then her eyes went wide, “Oooooh, Fluttershy and adult Scootaloo threeway!”

“Hmm, I can go with that,” Fluttershy poked her nose, stroking her friend’s hardened shaft.

“If she could hear us right now, she’d probably be bursting with joy,” Rainbow laughed, “She’s got such a crush on me and here I am talking about nailing her.”

“Not if Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle get her first,” the pinkette snickered.

“Well, the girl is… what, 13?” Rainbow asked, “Of course they’d get her first.”

“Apple Bloom came to me the other day, she was asking for some advice,” Fluttershy smiled, “She’d said that Sweetie Belle had a crush on her and she didn’t know what to do. I asked her a few questions, which are the questions you ask yourself if you’re not sure you’re in love with someone.”

“Wow, Sweetie Belle’s gay? I never would have thought it,” Rainbow said, smiling, “Nice for Apple Bloom.”

“Yes, that was the first thing Apple Bloom informed me of. I will admit, I didn’t see it coming, either.”

“Nice. So what happened?” Rainbow asked.

“Well, after I asked her the questions, all of which she answered yes to… I told her that she still had to at least talk to Sweetie Belle about it. After all, she left the poor girl hanging because of how unexpected the confession was. Sweetie came over that day, before they went up to her room to talk. When I went to check on them later, I found the two little angels asleep on the couch in Apple Bloom’s room. It was so adorable! I also saw that Apple Bloom had smeared lip gloss on, the same one Sweetie was wearing,” Fluttershy giggled at the memory.

“Awwwwwwwwwwwww!” Rainbow cooed, “That’s adorable!”

“Oh, I know! The cutest little thing!” Fluttershy gushed, beaming, “They’re so sweet together!”

Rainbow pulled Shy into a hug, smiling, “I hope Scoots finds someone too.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt she will,” Fluttershy smiled, returning it. “I think it’s true that they say you never expect who the right person for you will be.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow sighed, “It’s getting late. We should turn in.”

Nodding, Fluttershy got up, stretching, “Good idea. I was really beginning to miss falling asleep with you…”

Rainbow took her hand and dragged her upstairs, shutting the door behind her as she threw Shy into her bed.

Sleep was the last thing on their minds.

As the night grew later, Fluttershy lay against Rainbow as the latter of the two had since fallen fast asleep. Fluttershy couldn’t sleep at the moment, her mind was reeling with a jumble of thoughts. None moreso than a little discovery having been made.

‘It’s funny… I asked myself those same questions I did Apple Bloom...’ Fluttershy thought, gazing upon her friend’s sleeping face. She reached over, gently parting her bangs, ‘I answered yes to all five… without hesitation… That can’t be… We’re friends… What we have is lust… We’re not in love… I’m not in love… Oh, I think their teasing is just getting to me and I’m overthinking it. It’s nothing… Sure, she satisfies me, we have a good time together and we work well with each other… But why does it always have to be love? Can’t a strong friendship and sexual relationship drive on that?’

Exhaling softly, Fluttershy planted a little kiss on her forehead, before nuzzling against her neck.

“No matter what, I’ll always be there for you…” Fluttershy whispered, despite that she was not heard. She closed her eyes, managing to relax in her lover’s embrace, remembering why she enjoyed their sleepy, naked cuddling.

Awake and refreshed, Fluttershy was downstairs in the kitchen preparing some breakfast the following morning. She flipped some pancakes, danced a little to songs on the radio, occasionally humming or singing along. It was a quiet, mild winter morning, with snowflakes gently falling outside along the snowy landscape.

‘I could get used to this...’ Fluttershy thought to herself with a smile, placing some freshly made pancakes onto a plate sitting next to the stove. She whistled, proceeding to pour some more batter onto the pan.

A thumping sound came from upstairs, along with a groan indicating that Rainbow had rolled out of bed and onto the floor. A few minutes later, she was stumbling down the stairs, her hair a mess and her clothes hanging off her like socks on a rooster.

“Morning Shy,” she groaned, smacking her face down onto the table.

“Good morning,” Fluttershy turned around, trying not to laugh at how dishelved she looked, “Oh dear. Would you like some coffee? I have some freshly brewed.”

She mumbled a yes, reaching her hand out and scrabbling at the air, “Give me stimulants. Must have delicious drug of life!”

Giggling with amusement, Fluttershy poured her some coffee, along with the usual choices of additives Rainbow liked. She placed the mug onto the table, giving her hair a playful ruffle.

“Here you go, Dashie. Breakfast is almost ready.”

“Mmmm,” she groaned as she took sips of her coffee, “Thanks Shy…”

Fluttershy smiled as she turned back to the stove, “You’re very welcome, Rainbow. Anytime.”

Once she had everything ready, she placed the pancakes and a side of buttered toast onto a couple of plates. With some orange juice for herself to drink, Fluttershy set it all onto the table and sat down across from her friend.

“Hope you’re hungry,” Fluttershy said in a sing-song tone, winking at her.

Rainbow nodded, taking a fork and tearing off a piece of a pancake, stuffing it into her mouth. Almost at once her eyes snapped wide open as the taste filled her mouth, “Oh… my… god…” she hungrily tore into the rest of them, moaning as she ate.

Fluttershy laughed at her wolfish display, “I take it they’re to your liking?”

“Ooooooh yeah,” she said between bites, gulping down her coffee, “This is sooooo fucking good!”

“Thank you, I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” Fluttershy beamed, flattered.

Rainbow wolfed down her pancakes, leaning back as she finished and groaning, “Oh, I haven’t had breakfast like that in years.”

“It’s not much, it’s just my homemade pancake recipe, and some real maple syrup from up north,” Fluttershy smiled brightly, “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

Rainbow hiccupped as she tried to speak, “Ow… shouldn’t be eating so fast… So what are your plans for today?”

“Um… I don’t know, I don’t believe I have any plans,” Fluttershy replied, thinking for a few moments, “No, no I have nothing going on today.”

“So what do you wanna do?” Rainbow asked, pushing her empty mug around the table.

Giving a shrug, Fluttershy finished her own breakfast, “Mm, I don’t know… is there something you want to do?”

“Yeah, but should probably cut back on it,” Rainbow laughed, “I’m starting to chafe.”

“What do you-oh! Oh…” Fluttershy blushed at the implication, giggling, “...Are you really? Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Rainbow smirked, “Just gotta cut back for a little bit.”

Fluttershy nodded in understanding, drinking some more orange juice, “That’s okay, I think we can still make the best of hanging out. Ooh! I know! Why don’t we spend the day together? Just you and I, we’ll do some things. Kind of like the old days, you know? It’ll be fun!” She clapped her hands delightedly, resembling an excited child.

“I thought you were going to the Apple Family Reunion?” Rainbow asked, “You’ve been talking about it for weeks.”

“...What?” Fluttershy’s colour drained, “What?! Oh, no! I completely forgot! Oh, no no no… this is not good… This is the first they invited me to and I… oh, no…” She slumped over the table, burying her face in her hands, “I’m a despicable person…”

Rainbow looked at her watch, “Relax Shy, it’s only 6:45 in the morning. You’ve got a few hours before they get there. Do you really think Big Mac expects you to be up this early on a Sunday?”

“No, he doesn’t…” Fluttershy moaned, sitting back up, “I just can’t believe I forgot.”

“Shy, I think forgetting something like this isn’t going to rattle them all that much,” Rainbow said with a smirk, “At least, not as much as spending half the night with your lips around someone else’s dick.”

A blush settled on her cheeks, “Point taken. At least I’m not showing up a few hours late, I guess.”

“Yeah, in fact I think you have a few hours until everything starts,” Rainbow smiled, “So what’dya wanna do until then?”

“Yes, it starts at two,” Fluttershy smiled a bit, “We can still spend some time just you and I… Just for a few hours less than intended.”

“Sounds good,” Rainbow smiled, reaching out for a hug.

“Yay,” Fluttershy’s smile grew as she came around the table and hugged her.

Rainbow smiled as she wrapped her arms around Shy’s back, “I see you’re following my ‘No Clothes on Flutters’ rule.”

“It’s fun, liberating, and I know you like that. Besides, I just had to make sure I wasn’t preparing bacon,” Fluttershy quipped, giggling.

Rainbow’s smile grew wider as she cupped Fluttershy’s butt, “I think we might be addicts, Shy.”

“Oh, the horror,” Fluttershy laughed delightedly as she ran her hands along Rainbow’s shoulder blades and going lower, “What a habit I’d hate to kick…”

They shared a laugh together, holding each other closer in their embrace. Fluttershy nuzzled into her friend’s neck, closing her eyes as she savoured the sweet feeling. Although the Apple Family Reunion reminders rang in her mind, at this moment, there was nowhere she would rather be than right here.

Kissing Rainbow’s neck sweetly, Fluttershy giggled, “I love you.”

“Heh, I love you too, pal,” Rainbow chuckled, stroking her hair.

‘I can’t believe I’m doing this… But I have to... I just have to get everything straight.’

Fluttershy sat in the waiting room of the local clinic, awaiting her turn to see the couple’s counselor. She squirmed skittishly in her seat, hoping no one sat too close to her, looked at her, or anything. Every now and then she hid her face behind an outdated magazine, despite not reading it.

“Miss Fluttershy?” the secretary called out, “Dr Firebrand will see you now.”

Mumbling a thank-you as she passed, Fluttershy all but hurried to the assigned room. She slowly entered, nervous as ever, but did all she could to keep calm. It was a simple psychology session, not an interrogation.

‘It’s fine… He’s a professional. Patient information is confidential, he won’t judge, he’s here to help… I can do this...’

“Hello, doctor…” She said upon entering the office.

“Good afternoon, Ms Fluttershy,” he said, writing on a pad, “What can I do for you today?”

“Well…” Fluttershy sat down on a chair, swallowing nervously, “I have some… relationship… complications.”

“I’d assumed as much,” he said with a soft smile, “What sort of relationship problems?”

Wringing her fingers in her lap, Fluttershy exhaled, “In the first place… I do have a boyfriend. He’s a good man, I do care about him and we’ve had good times… but lately, I’ve been feeling… I don’t know, so… unsatisfied.”

“In the sexual sense, or the entire relationship?” Dr Firebrand asked.

“Kind of...both. Sexually, it’s more that my body enjoys it by default, but I end up lying there and thinking about getting it over with,” Fluttershy admitted shamefully, “The thing is, he’s a good lover. He’s very understanding, helpful, pleasant, romantic, even… and I end up feeling...bored.”

“Do you love him?” Firebrand asked, writing on his pad as Fluttershy spoke.

Fluttershy nodded, “Of course I love him. I care about him very much.”

“Then why do you think you’re so bored with the relationship?” Firebrand asked.

“I’m not sure, I just… figured we were in a rut. I do feel a bit better these days, but I don’t know. Um, at the same time… I… have gotten into...becoming friends with benefits...with my best friend…” Fluttershy looked away shamefully.

“Male or Female?” Firebrand asked, writing this new information on his pad.

“Female. Um… I-I won’t give her name,” Fluttershy mumbled, “She also has a… defect with her genetalia, and I figured it was part of it. The thing is, with her and I… we’re friends and we...are sexually attracted to each other. She also… satisfies me, a lot.”

“You mentioned a genital defect?” Firebrand asked, “What sort of defect?”

“She’s female, but she has male genetalia. I had assumed she was a hermaphrodite, but no. She has a fully functioning penis...and the rest of her is female. It’s kind of funny, I’m straight, and she’s female.. Yet she turns me on so much. It’s almost perfect, strangely. But… anyway…” Fluttershy wrung her fingers nervously again, “Between her and I, it’s lust. It’s all big and exciting… a new kind of bond. I think that’s why I’ve felt a lot less bored lately.”

“Well, Fluttershy, all new relationships carry a sort of ‘spark’ with them. It’s like an adrenaline rush, where two or more people feel a sort of heat between them that feel inexhaustible,” Firebrand explained, “However, it always fades. Relationships always seem like they are getting stale, and that is due to contentment. You may simply be going through this with your boyfriend, and I can certainly say this would happen with your friend if you continued this for a long enough period of time. Or it may be time to end your relationship if you feel it is not making you happy.”

Nodding sadly, Fluttershy leaned back and looked up at the ceiling, “That’s true… It has crossed my mind. It’s just easier said than done. R-... I mean, my friend and I have more of an understanding, so at least there isn’t much to worry with that. With my boyfriend, well, I suppose maybe I should if it comes to that. I think I should talk to him, if nothing else. What we have now isn’t awful, but I could stand for a little more spark… I just have to find a way to create one. To try something new and exciting! Kind of like my best friend and I did. Funny, friends of ours made fun of us, saying we were in love… But that’s silly. What my friend I have is lust… excitement for doing something like that together, that’s all. We’re not in love.”

“That is what they all say, Ms Fluttershy,” Firebrand smiled, “Most of the time that ends up not being the case.”

“I-I know… but… we can’t! I can’t, anyway…” Fluttershy shook a bit, “If I fall in love with her, I’ll end up breaking up with my boyfriend to be with her… but she won’t love me… She can’t possibly love me. I just know she’d take one look at me and tell me to hit the road. And it… oh no, that hurts. It’s hard to think about because she means a lot to me, and I’d hate to ruin what we have, especially now. I-I can’t love her, I just can’t.”

“You say you can’t love her,” Firebrand said, “But do you?”

“No! No! I mean, I love her, but I’m not in love with her…” Fluttershy shook her head.

“You may not like to hear it, but I know denial when I see it,” Firebrand replied, writing on his pad, “Are you certain about how Ms Dash feels about you?”

As much as Fluttershy wanted to ask how he knew who she was talking about, she just couldn’t. It was her worst fears realized. Denial had been what she figured was the truth. Part of her mind convinced her it was true, she was in love, whether she accepted it or not. The other half said it was only lust.

“I don’t know…” Fluttershy murmured tearfully, sniffling, “Oh no… I think… you’re right. I love her… This is not good! Oh, those questions I asked myself, I said yes to all of them… I crave our intimacy… I enjoy just being with her… She makes me laugh, she makes me smile, she brings out the best in me… She is who she is, but I accept that, I just love her… And I… oh no, no no no! This was not supposed to happen! I can’t be in love with her! I can’t!”

“Calm down, Fluttershy,” Firebrand said softly, putting a hand on her shoulder, “It’s fine, people fall in love all the time. What is important is you need to decide if you’re going to confess to her, or bury your feelings.”

“I have to bury them… I have to stop seeing her… even though I don’t want to…” Fluttershy sniffled, wiping her eyes. “I can’t do this… I can’t do this while in love with her. I’m going to hurt her, myself, and even M-Mac… I have to make a choice. I just have to stop this before it gets to be too out of hand. Friends with benefits are not supposed to fall in love! That’s the point of it, to share these things without the emotional attachment. No, she won’t want me in love with her… I can’t be. I have to stop seeing her…”

“She will want an explanation as to why,” Firebrand said, “She will likely not appreciate being cut loose for no reason.”

Cringing, Fluttershy knew too well that he was right, “I know… I know. I… suppose simply saying I don’t want to anymore isn’t going to cut it, will it? I should… just tell her the truth…”

“If you’re going to break it off anyway, you may as well,” Firebrand said, writing on his pad.

“At least she’ll see why I had to…” Fluttershy wiped her eyes again, sniffling, “I just… feel like my chest hurts at the idea of it. But I should… for her sake, for mine, for Mac too… I didn’t want it to get this hard. I figured we would be lusty for a while, then we’d be friends again after… without falling in love.”

“You see Fluttershy, the idea of Friends with Benefits is a flawed one,” Firebrand explained, “Explain to me the logic behind having sex with no emotional attachment with your friend? A friend being someone you would logically have an emotional attachment to?”

A sad, rueful smile came to the pinkette’s lips, “A couple of our friends said the same thing… I just didn’t listen… I didn’t realize how right they were until now.”

“It is one thing to hear about a flaw in your own thinking,” Firebrand said, “It is another thing entirely to come to the conclusion yourself.”

“...I suppose so…” Fluttershy murmured, exhaling loudly, “I’d better do something to stop this, then… before I fall in any deeper.”

“Is that all you wished to discuss?” Firebrand asked, “Or was there something else troubling you?”

“Can we discuss something else?” Fluttershy asked, “I’ve never been to therapy before.”

“It’s up to you, Fluttershy,” Firebrand replied, “You paid for the full hour.”

Faltering slightly, Fluttershy bit her lip, “I’m sure I’ll think of something…”

Although relieved from her therapy session, it still begged the question. What next? How to do it? This was what Fluttershy was wondering as she sat alone in her cottage, curled up on the couch with a book, with a rainstorm raging outside. No clear answer came to mind. Being direct to Rainbow about it all was the objective, but getting to that point was not exactly the easy execution.

A knocking on the door snapped her out of her stupor.

“Shy! Let me in!” came Ascentia’s voice from outside, “It’s pouring out here and I’ve only got one good arm!”

‘That woman has a broken anything every time I see her now...’ Fluttershy thought. She went to the door, opening it up and letting her in. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize it was locked.”

Ascentia ducked inside, her hair sopping and her arm in a sling, “Thanks. I was on my way home when the rainstorm started. Your place was the closest.”

“Oh, it’s okay. I can understand that,” Fluttershy gave a little smile, “Would you like some tea?”

“Ooooh, yes! Earl Grey if you have it,” Ascentia smiled, reaching her good arm around to hug her.

Fluttershy returned it, giggling slightly, “All right, then. I do have some. Make yourself at home.”

Ascentia smiled and flopped down onto the sofa, “Ahhhhh, thanks Shy.”

Preparing some tea for them both, Fluttershy returned to the living room and gave the other woman a mug. She sat down on an easy chair, making herself comfortable.

“So what’s up with you?” Ascentia asked, sipping her tea and moaning at the taste.

“I’m not doing well at all,” Fluttershy admitted, looking away.

“Aw, what’s wrong?” Ascentia asked, sitting forward, “What’s gotten my favorite BFF so down?”

Fluttershy hesitated, then sipped her tea, “Will you please promise to hold back the laughter and jokes about it, please? I’m not the in the mood.”

“Cross my heart and hope to fly,” Ascentia said, “Stick a rusty knife in this agonizing arm of mine.”

Fluttershy visibly cringed at the implication, but moved on, “I went to see a psychologist yesterday. I realized… I am in love with Rainbow…” She sipped her tea again and looked down into the mug.

She expected gloating. She expected an ‘I told you so.’ She expected to see a smug grin on the woman’s face when she looked up.

What she didn’t expect, and therefore got, was a soft “Awwwwwwwww, that’s sweet.”

“... I know, I appreciate the sentiment…” Fluttershy murmured, shaking her head, “But that’s why I have to stop seeing her. I can’t let it get out of hand… Even though I don’t want to…”

“Why not just take it to the next level with her?” Ascentia asked.

“Because she doesn’t love me! If I left Mac to be with her, it’d be a waste of time because I know she doesn’t think of me that way. She’s sexually attracted to me, that’s it! If I wanted to be with her, I know she’d say no,” Fluttershy whimpered.

Ascentia’s expression was flat, “...Seriously? We’re gonna do this again?”

“Do what? I can’t do this. I was not supposed to feel this way about her! I never should’ve done this in the first place… I-I don’t regret it, not a single second, but…” Fluttershy sipped her tea again to calm her nerves, “I have to stop it before anything else happens.”

“You know Fluttershy, for someone with a Ph.D in Veterinary Physicism, you’re surprisingly dense,” Ascentia smirked.

“Will you stop it?” Fluttershy moaned, blindly reaching over to attempt at smacking her shoulder, “I am not in the mood for-”

Having not been looking, Fluttershy felt her hand strike something hard, and pulled back upon the impact.

“Sorry…” Fluttershy pulled her hand back, “But please stop saying things like that. This is serious.”

Ascentia’s face was locked in a mixture of shock and horror as she felt the pain running up her arm, “Ahhhhhhhhhh…..” she squeaked, “That’s… cheating… okay, I call no shots to broken limbs.”

“I didn’t mean to,” Fluttershy groaned, pulling her hand further away, “I mean it though, this is not the time to joke. I just need to figure out how to go about this.”

“I think you should confess your love to Rainbow Dash, then she’ll confess to you, and you’ll break up with Big Mac and the two of you will become star crossed lovers, get married, and have beautiful babies,” Ascentia smiled, popping a tablet into her mouth from her pocket and sighing, “God Bless Vicodin.”

“I wish it were that easy,” Fluttershy sighed, “But even in the best case scenario, I don’t know if breaking up with Mac will be that easy.”

“Mac, it’s over. I’m in love with my BFFF,” Ascentia said in a high pitched voice, “See, it’s easy.”

“But… that’s not fair… he should still have a say in the matter… And I can tell he wants things to work between us… What if I’m rushing things? What if I’m ending things before they could get better? What if… I end up in the same situation with Rainbow? I-I don’t know if I could ever do that to her…”

“Shy, all I’m hearing is Fear Fear Fear Fear Fear,” Ascentia said flatly, “You’ll see eventually that they can’t hurt you. Just laugh and make them disappear.”

Fluttershy wasn’t sure she was comfortable hearing a phrase like that from her. Nonetheless, she sipped her tea again to calm her nerves, “Fine. The first thing I have to do either way is to tell Rainbow the truth.”

“Yay!” Ascentia cooed, trying to clap but finding it difficult with one hand, “We’re getting closer to our adorable Flutterdash!”

“Flutterdash?”

“Combination of your names. All the kids on the Equestranet are doing it,” Ascentia smiled, “I think the painkillers are starting to kick in…”

Flutteshy snorted, “Clearly they are. You’re out of your mind.”

“My mind is fine! I’m normal, the rest of the world’s crazy,” Ascentia giggled, “And you’re looking surprisingly adorable tonight.”

Fluttershy scooted her chair further away, “I’m getting more tea.”

“Okey dokes,” Ascentia grinned, “Hate to see ya go, but I love to watch you leave!”

“You’re not making any sense!”

“You’re hot! If I wasn’t married, I’d do you!” Ascentia smiled, “Am I clear now, bubblegum head?”

“I’m not interested and no you’re not, just sit there and don’t do anything!” Fluttershy called back. ‘I’m losing my mind...’ Next Chapter: P.S. We're Out Of Carrots Estimated time remaining: 10 Hours, 15 Minutes