As every Mother would tell you, there was no busier time of day than making sure your children were ready for school in the mornings. But, for Fluttershy at least, things were relatively easy in this regard, given how good Scootaloo usually was in getting prepared for that time. The young filly, making sure her long mane was well-kept and presentable, pulled her saddle-bags onto her belt, all while her adopted Mother looked to her with warmth. Scootaloo regarded her with a similar smile, and the older mare soon held up a lunchbox for her, already prepared, before carefully placing it into the aforementioned saddle-bags. Scootaloo looked to her with thankfulness, and in the silence of the moment, the two embraced one another. But then, to their slight surprise, they heard a knocking upon the door, and turned to it in unison with confusion. Fluttershy stepped forward, opening the door and, once having done so, broke out into a smile.

"Good morning."

Pink lips smiled back to her.

"You too, Flutters."

Pinkie entered the house, and her eyes drifted down to the small filly nearby, after which her smile widened, and she gave her a friendly pat on the head.

"Ready for school, Scoots?"

As ever, Scootaloo said nothing, but nevertheless nodded enthusiastically, prompting Pinkie to let out a small laugh before stepping to one side.

"Well, don't let me get in your way."

Scootaloo looked up to her Mother, who gave her an encouraging smile, after which, she finally set off, happily skipping out of the door and towards the local school, all while the two older mares watched her go. Once the youth was far enough away, however, the door was closed, and Pinkie, now with nopony else watching, stepped forward, gently placing her hoof under Fluttershy's chin.

"Now that we're alone..."

Fluttershy rolled her eyes slightly at the deliberately-amorous tone her friend had said that in, but even so, she played along, and within moments, the two had drawn nearer, their lips coming together in a tender kiss. It lasted only a few moments, but that was all it needed to be, for when they parted, they looked into each others eyes with pure adoration, something that was reflected in Fluttershy's voice as she spoke up.

"You know...we're going to have to tell our friends about this eventually."

Pinkie shrugged her shoulders briefly.

"Maybe, but until then...I rather like having this little secret. Feels...exciting."

Fluttershy giggled to that, then turned, heading for her kitchen, all while Pinkie followed. Once within that room, the latter sat at a table beside the window, and Fluttershy got to work on a pot of tea that had already been prepared some time ago.

"I hope it won't be too much of a shock to my little Scootaloo when we finally come out about this."

But Pinkie waved a hoof at that.

"Nah! The kid loves me! I'm sure she'll be jumping up and down for joy over it! Well...maybe not jumping, knowing her. But she'll be happy."

A warm smile returned to Fluttershy's lips at that notion.

"I certainly hope so."

But then she looked back over to her companion, eyebrow raised.

"And your cousin?"

This one caused Pinkie some pause, but it was short-lived, and as she leaned back into her chair, she came off as fairly relaxed about the situation.

"AJ can be a bit old-fashioned sometimes, but hey, mares and mares getting together isn't exactly new. Truth be told, I think the only thing that'll upset her is how long we kept it a secret from her. We’re usually pretty open with her, even with personal stuff."

Fluttershy nodded.

“True...but I hope she can understand the need for...well...discretion in this particular case.”

Brining over two piping hot cups of tea, Fluttershy set the drinks down upon the table, seeing the smile on Pinkie's face as she gratefully accepted hers, before taking a seat herself.

"I'm actually surprised we haven't been asked about this already."

Pinkie, looking up from her drink, regarded her lover with some confusion.

"What do you mean?"

In response, Fluttershy raised an eyebrow, before speaking in a somewhat sarcastic tone.

"Well...it might have something to do with all those looks you try to give me when we're at the market together. Or all those subtle innuendos you think nopony's going to get. Or, my personal favourite, that moment during your last party where you were hugging me so often that everypony in sight was staring at us."

A look of slight embarrassment came to Pinkie at that, and she chuckled nervously.

"Oh...right...that."

But Fluttershy simply sighed, resuming her earlier smile.

"Well...if anypony has had any suspicions, they've been civil enough not to ask so far."

Taking another sip of her tea, Pinkie then leaned forward, giving a wide grin to Fluttershy.

"I may not be the best when it comes to keeping secrets...but I hope you've at least enjoyed the secret we've been keeping?"

Giggling, Fluttershy nodded to her.

"Oh yes! It's been wonderful! The time we've spent together, it's...it's been good."

Laughing again, Pinkie stared down at her tea for a few moments.

"Yeah...with all the stuff that goes on out there, all the politics, the gossip and rumours on what might happen in future...it's just...nice, you know? Every day, I go out there, and everypony just seems to be all doom and gloom nowadays, even more than the Lunars if I'm being honest. It gets tiring. But this? Coming over to see you, spend time with you, being close to you...it’s really been something special to me."

She looked up once more to Fluttershy, right into her eyes.

“Thanks, Fluttershy...for all of it.”

For a time, neither of them said anything, with Fluttershy in particular looking to her partner with a thoughtful expression. Then, in the midst of that silence, her smile widened a little, and she set her tea down for the time being. Pinkie, to her slight surprise, watched as she got down from her chair, before walking around the table and, without warning, leaned forward and gave her another kiss. As before, it was tender, and made all the more so by the fact that the pegasus now unfurled her wings and wrapped them around the other mare, like a hug. Naturally, Pinkie enjoyed this moment quite a bit, and when their lips finally parted, they yet again looked to one another with warmth and affection.

"What was that for, if I may ask?" Pinkie enquired.

Giggling again, Fluttershy gave the only truly appropriate response.

"...Just for being there for me, that's all."

Chuckling, Pinkie leaned forward slightly, and in an instant, the two had their foreheads resting gently against one another, never moving from this place.

"And I'll be there for you for a while, Angel...you can count on it."

Smirking slightly, Fluttershy spoke back.

“I’ll hold you to that one, Miss Pie.”