[Author's note: Cold in Gardez wrote these. Blame him.]

“Go ahead. I’m not going to bite.” Chrysalis grinned and waited for Twilight to step closer before adding in a sultry whisper, “Unless you’d like me to, of course.”

Twilight blushed again and swallowed audibly, but pushed ahead regardless. She flicked her tail back and forth in agitation and bent forward, nose so close to Chrysalis’s hind leg that her breath left foggy after-shadows on the glossy chitin.

“Oh... it’s uh... wow,” Twilight said. Her voice seemed to catch in her throat.

“What’s wrong?” Chrysalis purred. The admiration evident in Twilight’s voice was like necter to her. “More than you expected?”

“Yes. Much more.” Twilight let out a quiet breath and backed away. “It’s larger than I thought it would be. It’s even bigger than Celestia’s!”

Chrysalis chuckled. “Well, everything about me is impressive.” A pause. “Wait.”

“Go ahead. I’m not going to bite.” Chrysalis grinned and waited for Twilight to step closer before adding in a sultry whisper, “You’re a scientist, correct? Why don’t you just think of this as... oh, research? Field notes on Changeling reproductive behavior?”

She meant it as a joke. By Twilight’s reaction, though, it was anything but. The unicorn winced at her words and withdrew a few paces, her head turned to the side as though embarrassed.

“Er... no?” Chrysalis raised an eyebrow.

“Sorry, long story.” Twilight shook her head. “Where were we?”

“I know what you want,” Chrysalis said in a hoarse whisper, finding it difficult to smooth out the anticipation in her voice—even her self restraint had limits. “I know what you need.”

“Yes,” Twilight said, but her voice was oddly flat. Almost toneless.

The hollow response threw Chrysalis for a loop, and her steady rhythm broke for a moment. “Uh, I know what you, uhm, need,” Chrysalis repeated, “and I’m not going to... I’m sorry, is something wrong?”

“No, it’s fine.” Twilight’s body was tense beneath her.

Chrysalis was a master of deception; she knew a lie when she heard it, and Twilight Sparkle was a terrible liar. “It’s not fine. What’s wrong? Isn’t this what you wanted?”

“Oh, I do.” Twilight looked up at her. Unshed tears turned her eyes to glittering diamonds in the dimness. “I want this. I really want this.”

“So what’s wrong?” Chrysalis asked.

“Nothing. It’s silly.”

“It’s not silly. Tell me.”

“Okay.” Twilight let out a long breath. “It’s just... well, we’re not in the field.”

Chrysalis stared at her, completely lost. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Field notes. We’re not in the field,” Twilight’s voice came faster as she warmed to the topic. “How am I supposed to take field notes on Changeling reproductive behavior if we’re not in the field? It just doesn’t make any sense.”

Are you serious? It took her several seconds to remember what Twilight was talking about. “Twilight, that was just a joke.”

“Well, it was a bad joke,” Twilight snapped.

Not even sex was worth this much trouble. Chrysalis sighed as quietly as possible. “Okay, look. How about we call it, uh...” What was that term they used in college? She wracked her brain, trying to remember centuries ago when she’d attended Canterlot University. “Original research. Pretend this is, uh, Original Research on Changeling Reproductive Behavior.”

Twilight was still. “Really? That’s... that’s okay with you?”

“Of course.”

“Well... alright then! Original research!” Twilight’s smile spread from ear to ear, and her body practically shook with excitement. “Let’s do this!”

“That’s the spirit!” Chrysalis gave a little thrust, just to tease her partner.

“Yes! I’m going to research the shit out of you!”

Uh. Chrysalis nearly stumbled, but kept moving. “That’s, uh... I mean, beg! Beg for it!”

“Fuck you!” Twilight snarled. “Research subjects don’t talk back to faculty!”

Whoa. This was getting a bit out of hand. A slim worm of fear began winding around her heart. “What? I mean, um, beg... please? please beg for it?”

“No!” Twilight roared. She tried to turn, but was pinned in place on Chrysalis’ cock. Flecks of foam decorated her muzzle. “Give it to me! Give me your hot, original research! Fill me! FILL ME!”

Chrysalis gawked at her, frozen. After a few moments of panting, Twilight seemed to realize she was the only one of them still actively attempting to have sex. She craned her head around, a sheepish expression on her face. “Er, sorry. I, uh... I got a bit carried away there.”

“Jesus. What is wrong with you?”

In reply, Chrysalis draped one leg over Twilight, laid her head down, and closed her eyes.

A moment later, her eyes opened again. A hot pang of guilt poked at the back of her skull, refusing to let her sleep unheard. She sighed and gave Twilight a little nuzzle.

“Mmm... hm?” Twilight twisted her head around and looked at her with happy, unfocused eyes.

“Twilight, I... I have a confession,” Chrysalis said.

“A confession...?” The focus returned rapidly to Twilight’s eyes.

“Yes. I’m sorry. I... well, I misled you these past few weeks.” Chrysalis turned her head away, unable to meet Twilight’s innocent gaze. “I thought this might happen. I hoped this might happen.”

“Oh.” Twilight was quiet for a moment. “Well, since we’re being honest, I have a confession as well.”

Chrysalis blinked. What could Twilight possibly have to confess to? “Twilight, trust me, there’s nothing you could have done worse than I. Please, speak and do not be afraid.”

“Right.” Twilight gulped. “Well, it’s... remember when I came to see you, all those weeks ago? For my ‘research’?”

“I do.”

“I... I also thought this might happen.” Twilight blushed. “I wanted it to happen.”

Chrysalis let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “So... I guess we’re both a bit guilty, then?” She gave Twilight a weak grin.

Twilight smiled back. “I guess we are. Nothing to be ashamed of, then?”

So, just like that. All her worries were gone. Chrysalis closed her eyes and set her head back on her forelegs, content with the warm weight against her side.

“Oh, and, uh...” Twilight’s voice came in the darkness.

“Hm? It’s fine, go ahead.”

“Well, Celestia actually pardoned you several weeks ago.” Twilight said. “I was supposed to come and release you. But hey, all’s well that ends well, right?”