Morning! That glorious time of day when the sun rises, the birds sing, and the sweet scent of stale bile, cider, and partially digested shepherd’s pie suffuses the air. Now lucid and repulsed by her habitual descent into the uncouth, Rarity again found herself worried over Fluttershy’s absence. True, it must be simply dreadful having so many suitors, but that is simply no reason to bail on one’s friends. Besides, Fluttershy had proven herself more than capable of standing up for herself, and there was no justifiable cause as to why she should have missed her little sister’s dazzling performance the night before. It would be greater still if she could remember the last half, but such thoughts were inconsistent with forward progress or the taming of her bedmane, so she pulled herself out of bed, cleaned up the floor, and let her minor annoyances melt away with her stress, standing under a cool shower and muttering dark threats against the lingering nausea and drum solo pounding in her cranium.

Crimson had a slightly cheerier awakening, feeling content, rested, and quite comfortable in the arms of her stallion. Despite the trepidation that was attempting to prompt her out of bed, she directed its attention to her stallion’s words earlier that morning, laughed as it sullenly stomped away, and snuggled closer to Big Mac. Now, she didn’t let anypony see it save her husband, but she hadn’t entirely forsaken her past persona, and given that such intimacy now actually meant something, she craved it all the more.

Despite the new trend being to conceive shortly after becoming active, Crimson had made it clear that, while she wouldn’t mind a foal or two in the future, she wanted some time to recover from her past and enjoy the present, and luckily their unprotected activity hadn’t resulted in conception. At her request, shortly after discovering how meaningful a good midnight romp actually could be, Twilight taught her the spell for temporary stallion infertility, an invaluable ability that had become something of a signal for her Big Mac. While eager when things started, he was a little hesitant to ask for anything, being somewhat shy about the subject. His eyes snapped open as the tingling sensation faded, and he found himself face to face with a grinning, beautiful, and all too willing Crimson.

“Mornin’, darlin’. Ah think ah know where yer mind’s at.”

“Oh, do you now? Well, I should hope a big, strong stallion like you would know how to handle that.”

“Handle? Beg yer pardon, miss, but ah believe that’s yer job.”

“Job? Oh, but that makes it sound like such a chore.” Big Mac had time for one more rational thought before devoting his attention to his wife, just as she silently asked that Fluttershy excuse her for showing up late.

Ah sure am glad Applebloom fixed the walls.

Being a light sleeper, always ready to dash away at a moment’s notice, Whisper woke before Fluttershy’s choir of birds sang their rousing wake up call. He nearly spooked, being wrapped in another pony’s arms, but then he saw the tranquility, the peace, and the unspoken gladness that tilted the corners of her mouth into a gentle smile. He didn’t want to ruin the moment, and simply watched her for a time, taking in the sights and sensations that seemed to be one of the only things that could ease his troubles. With every breath, her chest rose and fell against his own, and ever soft snore was a gentle breeze against his neck.

That strange tugging in my chest is coming back. I... her lips look... so soft. Having no framework with which to identify what is and is not acceptable, and since Fluttershy had nervously skipped out on her thorough explanation of arousal, attraction, and boundaries, he at first felt little need to resist, even glowing as his horn was at the mere thought of such a thing. And yet, there was something, some nagging doubt that warned him against such an act. It was faint, but recalling her reaction the other day when he had explored her wings, he settled for something he knew, beyond a doubt, that she enjoyed.

Fluttershy awoke to a warmth on her cheek, and cracked her eyes open to see Whisper... smiling? It filled her with joy indescribable, seeing the stallion’s sheepish grin. Shy, innocent, and bashful: Fluttershy saw herself reflected in his shining, scarlet eyes, and felt the fire in her chest ignite as she pulled back, holding his hoof in place a moment before returning the motion.

I wonder if maybe... maybe it would be ok, just a little one. But what would my friends think? I haven’t known him very long, but I... I love seeing him smile. She edged her muzzle just a little closer. Oh my goodness, am I really going to do this? I feel like I’m on fire, but... but it feels... Whisper made no attempt to move, curious as to why she was breathing so rapidly and moving closer. It was then that his original thought before placing a hoof on her cheek crossed his mind, and he found himself transfixed by her gaze and similarly short on breath. Whisper closed his eyes and waited, but what came wasn’t pressure to his lips but the very tip of his nose, lasting only for a second or two before the mare gave an embarrassed squeak and rolled away. I can’t... believe I just... missed. Oooh, I was so nervous! But it was actually kinda nice. At least to me.

Not having heard, or rather seen, any response from Whisper, she brought her hooves away from her face just enough to chance a glance back at him. He was blushing too, staring at her with wonder while holding his muzzle where her lips had graced his snout, completely unable to describe what was going on in his heart. Having noticed the form of butterflies on her flank the day prior, he had to assume that she had somehow transferred some living ones into his stomach, which, while not entirely unenjoyable, was a strange sensation all the same.

“That made my tummy go all funny. Was that magic?”

This is it. I’m gonna do it. This is totally the day I’m going to ask... er, chat... talk to... gah, Bangles, you even mess up my thoughts! Freefall shook his head as he approached the library, assuming that’s where Bangles would be. After nearly being brained with an encyclopedia for speaking out of turn and interrupting Cerulean’s child, he was informed that she was staying in the spare room of the tavern. It was a great stroke of luck, as he was less likely to make an idiot of himself without an audience. Well, less likely to be seen. Given how jumbled my thoughts are, I think me being stupid is a given. Dang, this is going to be rough. As he approached the tavern, he let himself in quietly only to hear voices, and was dismayed to hear Snowdrift call out to him from across the tavern.

“Hey, Freefall! What are you doing here?”

“Me? What about you?” he shouted back, using the opportunity to turn his thoughts away and give them a chance to cease tying themselves in knots.

“Having a drink with Berry, obviously. Come over here, Bangles may still be asleep.” An image of Freefall ramming his hoof into his face began to play on repeat for his mistake as he trotted over, sitting down opposite the couple and staring sullenly at the table. Berry and Snowdrift found it amusing seeing the womanizing stallion brought low by the mere mention of the mare, though Berry shushed him after letting him have a good laugh or two, seeing Freefall’s cloud of depression darken a little more.

“Come on, Freefall. Have some cider and calm down,” Berry offered, motioning to the casks lining the wall.

“No... I want to be level headed when I talk to her.”

“Level-headed?” Snowdrift mused. “Is such a thing even possible?”

“Snow, be nice,” Berry chided, making an effort herself not to laugh.

“Sorry, Berry. Look, Freefall, I’m sorry for ragging on you so much. It’s just so strange seeing you serious for once in your life.” The stallion simply nodded, nothing more. Oh man, this is worse than I thought. “Do you want us to put a good word in for you?”

“Like what?” He glanced up to see both ponies staring back, unsure of what to say. “Exactly. I don’t have anything to offer her, Snowdrift. The one thing I do have is a silver tongue, which unfortunately has been melted. Somehow, I don’t think “he can juggle onions” is going to get me very far.”

Sweet Celestia, she’s causing him to experience self-awareness? Finally! “Freefall, for what it’s worth, I’m glad to be your friend.”

“Why, because I make you feel smart? The world needs a moron here and there, doesn’t it...” Where once his hapless friend’s trepidation was cause for mirth, that last comment proved that, against all appearances and all odds, there was some depth buried within. But now, genuine concern came into play, and shooting Berry an apologetic glance before breaching his usually well-tamed table manners, climbed across to the other side, plopped down beside Freefall, and lent him a hoof.

“Freefall, you’re acting more awesome now than any other time I’ve seen you. You’re being real, and that’s hard to find.”

“That might be because it sucks.”

“I’m going to be honest, Freefall. I felt exactly the same when I spoke to Berry. I’m almost backed out of it, I was so nervous. I had no idea what the hay I was doing, but,” he paused, shooting her a grateful smile, “she found it in her heart to make room for me. You may be a bit more of a tail chaser, but we’re not that far apart, really.” Confidence rekindled, slowly smoldering back to life as Snowdrift’s words sparked all his many memories from Cloudspire. When there was trouble, they were always in on it together.

I guess if Snowdrift can find somepony, then so can I. Well, somepony who will stay with me, anyways. “Thanks, Snow. Now get offa me, I don’t like colts.” Berry couldn’t help but take one last jab, mostly because it was directed at Snow too.

“Really? I seem to recall being told that you were quite pleasantly lip-locked with my stallion not too long ago.”

“Thank you, Snow. I feel smarter now. Why the hay would you tell her about that?” Freefall prodded, shooting his friend a smirk while ignoring the implications towards himself.

“Because she asked what one of the most embarrassing things I’d done was! It’s not like I just up and threw it out into the open.” Freefall chuckled, standing up and feeling the confidence drain away much faster than it had built.

“Whatever. Wish me luck, I’m... gonna, um...”

“Who knows, maybe she’ll think stammering is cute.”

“Shut... up.” Stalking away from the table and finding it useless to try calming himself, Freefall stopped at the stairs and stared. On the off chance their noise hadn’t woke her, he ascended as quietly as he could, standing in front of her door for a full two minutes before finally gaining the courage to knock. Alright, here goes nothing. A gentle voice bid him enter, and after fumbling with the handle and acquiring a more severe case of the shakes, the door eased open and he found himself in her room. Unprepared, inarticulate, and entranced, he found himself unable to tear his gaze away from the soft, emerald eyes that stared back at him. I’m bo sucked... bucked, I mean, so bucked! Gah!

“So, you really did put butterflies inside me?” Fluttershy, in her bashful state, was having trouble explaining the concept of “butterflies in the stomach” to somepony when this was the first time she had experienced it herself.

“Um, well, you see... when, um...” This is too embarrassing! I’m glad Angel is still outside, he’d give me the what for, hesitating like this. “When... when you really like another pony, and you... do things together, it can cause all sorts of funny feelings, I think.” He seemed to drift off into thought at this, which gave Fluttershy time to calm herself and him time to contemplate the mystery of the non-existent winged miscreants who were still happily doing laps inside his stomach.

When you really like somepony... so, I guess, I like Fluttershy? That makes sense, she so nice. I don’t mind if she makes me feel funny again. “So I’m not really full of butterflies?”

“Nope, no butterflies.”

“Dragonflies then?”

“Whisper, there aren’t any animals inside your stomach. Just...” Wait, how is all that caused? I wish Twilight were here. I bet she’d know why it happens. “It just means you’re really happy, Whisper.” He thought for just moment more before he broke into a grin, scooting over and holding her close just like she’d taught him.

“That means you make me really happy, Fluttershy. Thank you.” Fluttershy slowly returned the motion, squeezing gently at first and then just a little tighter.

“You... make me really happy too, Whisper. I...” It’s so soon, should I say it? Wait, why does it matter if it’s soon? If it’s real, then why should I wait? “I really like you, Whisper. I’m glad we met. Now,” she continued, releasing him and easing herself out of bed, “I’m going to take a shower, then we’ll take care of your mane, ok? Feel free to help yourself to any of the food in the fridge. Oh yeah, um, please don’t run away while I’m gone, ok?”

“Ok, I’ll stay here for now.” Fridge? Shower? More words that he didn’t understand but felt like he should know. No matter, it was time to do more exploring! He examined everything around him thoroughly and soon became so fascinated by everything that he failed to hear the sound of running water. Sniffing around, he detected the scent of food behind some kind of white box. It looked like it had a handle of some sort, and a gentle tug revealed a fantastic array for fresh fruits and vegetables. This, clearly, was the legendary “fridge,” and he set about satisfying his gnawing hunger before a beauteous sound pierced through his revery.

“What is this place, filled with so many wonders~!” The words seemed to dance through his soul as he closed his eyes, focusing intently on the melody. It stirred the magic within, and just as he could sense intense sadness in the forest when she had been crying out to him, he now sensed an overflowing joy and happiness. He was powerless to resist the draw as she wove a spell within his heart, and without hesitation, he nudged open the door and sat down to watch. Had Fluttershy just been singing, this would have been no cause for alarm. However, as he watched through the glass, more indescribable feelings bombarded his senses. What anypony with a shred of awareness would have immediately identified as “arousal” was simply labled as a different strain of “curiosity,” to which he yielded without restraint.

“I’d have come here sooner, and never leave!
Yes, I... love...”

At this point she twirled, opened her eyes, and stopped breathing. He’s... watching me... shower? Her mind threw up a white flag and made for sunnier pastures, leaving her to fend for herself. After a few false starts that escaped as soft squeaks, she managed simply to name the stallion who, only vaguely aware of her discomfort, continued to wait eagerly for her to say what exactly it was that she loved. “W... w... Whisper?”

She... loves me?

The door gently closed behind Freefall, signalling his committal to the coming humiliation. Not able to recall a single instance where he was so thoroughly shaken simply by the sight of a mare, he had no experience to draw upon, and he summoned what little courage he had and took the plunge, every moment of eye contact an epic struggle not to bolt out the door and call it quits.

“Hey there.” Oh man, nailed it! I’ve so got this!

“Hi.”

Nope, I’m bucked. I’ve got nothin’. “Um...” Come on, something, anything!

“I don’t think we’ve met. May I ask who you are?”

“Nope.” Buckin’... what’s that look supposed to mean?

“No, I can’t know your name?”

Pull it together! “It’s, um...” Free-freaking-fall, just say it!

He must know... somepony must have put him up to this, as he is clearly afraid of me... “You must have heard all about me. If you’re that afraid, just go. You don’t need to torture yourself on my account.”

“I’m not afraid of you! It’s just you’re smoking hot and I want to ask you out but you make me really nervous ‘cause you’re too sexy and I just can’t think enough to even say my bucking name because just the sight of you fries my freaking tiny brain!” I said that. I said that really loud. I said that loud enough for Snowdrift and Berry to have heard. “I’ll be leaving now,” Freefall whispered, bolting out the door without giving her a chance to respond. Bangles sat staring at the place he had been standing just moments ago with utter confusion at how anypony could see her as anything other than a threat. But that pony, whose name she still didn’t know, was so enamored with her that he called her...

“Smoking... hot?”

“Whisper, what... what are you doing in here?” Fluttershy was again grateful to her mane’s ability to cloak her face, not daring to look at Whisper for fear of blushing harder, if that were possible. Doesn’t he know any better? What kind of pony would...

“Watching. And listening.” It was so blunt, so nonchalant, so devoid of sensuality that Fluttershy’s thoughts were proved false; he clearly didn’t know better. It didn’t do much to minimize her mortification, and she slowly sank to her haunches. “Oh, is this a game?” It was impressive to Whisper how the mare could manage to shrink herself so small, being entirely invisible after dropping down below the rim of the bathtub. “Are we hiding? I’ll play too!”

Fluttershy heard his hoofbeats dart outside the bathroom and clatter around the house. Not lifting herself, she snaked out a hoof and turned off the flow, determining that somepony was going to talk to that stallion sooner rather than later. She couldn’t bring herself to be angry with him, and after drying off and returning to her room, she found him crammed under her bed with most all of his tail sticking out. Any lingering trepidation was banished as she sat down, examining the silky fibers still strewn with twigs and leaves.

“You know, if you’re going to hide, you really need to keep better track of this,” she giggled, giving his tail a light tug and letting him know the game was up. “Come on out, and let’s get that mane taken care of.” The daylight flooding the house revealed the task was to be a monumental undertaking. Especially with no magic to aid her, just getting most of the foliage out took a good hour. Whisper sat patiently, enjoying the special treatment but wishing for something a little more.

I know that she’s already being really nice, but... “Fluttershy?”

“Yes, Whisper? What is it?”

“Could you... maybe... sing some more?” The brush paused for just a moment before continuing to work out the knots, and Whisper closed his eyes as a different kind of warmth filled his soul, her wondrous voice filling him with awe. And yet, his joy was tinged with sadness as a single thought rose from the stirring in his heart. I wish... I could sing with her. I shouldn’t be selfish, though. She still gives me butterflies, and that’s really nice.