But moments like these were also too rare for her taste.
Sapphire and Sandstone's trek from the street to this lookout had been long. And quiet. Sandstone was the one who led the way of course, and Sapphire had followed behind with only her sense of trust for encouragement. Because it was only fair that she follow, right? Every choice today had been hers, and look where they'd led. To a mess at the cafe. To a premature flight from that tour right before Sandstone made a new friend. To a owl she'd been brainless enough to laugh about. Every mishap today had come from Sapphire's fumbling flights of fancy.
Sapphire leaned further into Sandstone's chest fluff, hoping she didn't see her bite her lip in frustration. Why did Sandstone put up with her? She was such a selfish excuse for a lover. Inconsiderate. Fickle. More of a babysitting project than a companion.
By Faust, Sapphire wasn't good with silences like these. She wasn't cool and controlled like Sandstone. Right now she was actively forcing herself to stay quiet because if she opened her mouth, it'd be all over. She'd spill what they both knew, but didn't want to say: that Sapphire Oasis is a bad marefrien-
"Saph, am I a bad coltfriend?"
Sapphire Oasis gasped at the blasphemy she'd just heard. She wasn't big enough to properly hug Sandstone, but in an instant she was on her hinds pawing at his broad shoulders anyway.
"Never!" Sapphire babbled. "Never ever! How could you even think that?"
She felt Sandstone patting her back. She wanted so badly to smile, to broadcast that she was happy simply being near him. But truthfully, she worried he didn't like her habit of smiling. Did he consider her airheaded when she did it? The Utterly embarrassing to be around? He never smiled back at her, after all.
The patting on her back faded. Sapphire sighed. "How could you even think you're a bad coltfriend?" she repeated in a dull mumble.*
Exert from:
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/513206/4/hot-and-cold-in-the-capital-city/talk-at-towns-topside