//------------------------------// // 7.Sleepover // Story: Sparkle // by Inactive Pone //------------------------------// It’s Hearts and Hooves Day. You and Twilight have met for almost a year at this point of time and are already super open to each other. Prior to this day of celebrating love, even though you refer to yourselves as only ‘Best Friends’, both you and Twilight already made the guess that the other has a crush on you because you wrote handwritten letters to each other asking to hang out. However, you’ve been asked about this several times both by your other pony friends in real life or your fans on YouTube due to rumors, and even then, both of you deny the fact you were in a relationship. And it’s true- You remain as best friends that may or may not hang out one-on-one from time to time just for fun. That night, after getting your parents’ permission, of course (Since you’re only 15 and turning 16 soon), you sneak through the portal to Equestria and got teleported straight into Twilight’s room. Sadly, she was nowhere to be seen. You were confused at first, but you realize it’s literally nine at night so you made the guess she’s preparing for bed. After all, she usually sleeps early. You sit down on her bed and starts reading a book you’ve brought over to read to Twilight as a bedtime story. It’s more of a fan fiction that you’ve written. About ten minutes after you came over, your buddy opens the door and her look catches your attention. You’ve gotten used to the fact clothes aren’t that practical for ponies, but you still get the sense of, Oh god, why is everypony missing something... kind of thought in your head. Twilight came in with her mane just dried and she was wearing some adorable pink socks with purple stripes. “Hey, Ash,” Twilight winks at you. “Do... Do I look okay?” “Y-Yeah, you’re fine, Twi,” You reply. She comes over onto the bed and tucks herself in. She looks at you and tilts her head as she gets up. “What’s the matter?” You blush as she tries to slide over, and sit next to you. She puts a wing around your body. “Nothing,” You say. “Are you... Are you sure you want to do this, Twilight?” “Why not?” “Because... Well...” You stutter shyly, “I-I just have this... Assumption, that cuddling and sleeping together and all that is for lovers. But we aren’t. I know we’re best friends and we’re open but...” She smiles and leans on your right shoulder. “Ash, come on,” Twilight says, “I’m hoping to experience doing this with a human. And I couldn’t find anypony else to do this with because they all feel weird about snuggling with me, so... *squee* Please?” Twilight flashes you an adorable smile, begging for your affection (as a friend, of course). You don’t know what to do- You are so embarrassed. This is the first time you’re hugging someone in your sleep since you’re a kid. You have written fan fictions about cuddling, but never have you done cuddling with anyone. “I’m not familiar with hugs at all, actually...” “Oh, please?” Twilight begs, “I can tell you’re holding back just because people tease you for it.” After a few nudges and giggling and little slap-fights, you finally give in. “Okay, okay. You invited me for a reason anyway.” Twilight claps her hooves and rolls over to let you sleep next to her. You both sleep on your side as you look at each other deep in the eyes. She nuzzles your cheek for a second before speaking. “You need any help?” “Yeah, sure.” Twilight grins and wraps your neck with a hoof. “It’s simple. Do whatever you think it’s natural. As long you don’t insult me too much, I will be okay with you snuggling with me.” “O-Okay... Where do I start?” “Hug me like you always do.” You hesitate before bringing an arm over to hug your friend. She starts to pat your shoulder and run her hoof down your arm to soothe the tension and nervousness you’re having. It does work, too- Because you start to feel more comfortable. You try to squeeze her tighter in your embrace like a plushie. “Better?” “Mhmm. You... sure you don’t want to back out of hugging me?” “Haha, what? No!” She gives you a little tug. “Okay, then,” You reply, before giving her head a gentle nuzzle. She enjoys your petting very much, especially because she’s feeling the fingers on her head. She lowers herself a bit to give your heads a bit of room to work with. A minute later, you tried to give a few belly rubs. She found it ticklish and wiggled a bit in the hug, but she soon gets used to the rhythm and allows herself to relax. “You’re not bad for someone who’s never cuddled with anyone besides their parents,” Twilight comments, giving a giggle. “Really?” “Yeah. Okay, my turn.” The princess slowly purrs and snuggles against your chest. You feel it was a bit awkward, but since she’s a pony, you won’t question it. She allows herself to lie down even closer to you. A hoof from her shoots shots of tenderness into your heart. She gently rubs your cheeks as you give a playful tug back. You both let out a blissful sigh. “So, Ash...” “Yeah?” She squeezes you just a tiny bit. “You promised me you’ll read me one of your stories tonight.” “Mmm, Indeed I did. I found a shorter one from my collection of fan fiction I’ve written. It’s about a student and his favourite princess.” “Is it us, by any chance?” “Something like that. The princess is you but the student is different.” “I see,” She gladly helps you levitate your book over. “Oh, actually, can we flip over so the book lays on the pillows? That way I think we can read it more easily.” You nod. Both of you Unwillingly break the embrace and flip yourselves over to read the book, resting on some kind of stand from the pillows. The princess lays her head softly against yours, giving a nuzzle. You smile and start reading. ****10 minutes later**** “Twi?” You finish reading, but not before you find out Twilight is already in sleep mode. She hums in a cute way as you put your book away and flip her over to proper sleeping position. You pull the blankets up, and allow your forehead to touch hers. You pull her into a hug, and though you were shy on doing so, but you started to wiggle around and nuzzle her very affectionately. That jostled her awake. “Hmm?” She moans blissfully. “Sorry, I wasn’t listening. But... Were you cuddling me?” “O-Oh... Uhh...” “*chuckles* Awww, Don’t be shy, come here!” She reels you in and cuddles you. She crosses her hooves with your legs, then forcefully nuzzles your nose as you nuzzle back. This turns into a very awkward and playful fight of you and her pushing your noses together. You eventually break apart and begin to laugh. Something tells you that... Your friend really enjoys your company. But you aren’t sure. “Twi... Do you enjoy this?” “Me? Of course I do. I love spending time with my friends. I know, I’m a princess and I still can’t fit into the modern human world and all, but... It doesn’t matter. What matters was that we go through some experiences together, you know what I mean? The real reward of friendship is memories you spend with your buddies.” You agree. “Yeah...” “What’s on your mind, Ash?” “*sigh* Well... Sometimes I feel like... Whenever I’m not really spending a lot of time and connecting with others as much as I used to, I start to feel like... *sniff* We’re becoming less of friends. And, truthfully... Ever since this school year started, I’ve been feeling that way.” “Why?” “Why?” You replied, “Because the public exams are in just 2 years and I am feeling the pressure already. That’s why I wrote that story I read to you. I... I feel bad, for not talking to you and spending time with you girls, especially you, more. *sigh* I even... Yelled at you, this one time.” On a weekend morning, you were studying for the test of one of your weakest subjects. You already did tell your friends about you less frequent visits to Equestria, but that doesn’t stop them from coming to you. You were studying when Twilight came. “Hey, Ash? You look... Stressed about the whole test thing...” You sigh. “You want to take a break, or something? And come hang out?” “No...” “I-I was only trying to help... I feel bad for you spending so much time on just studying and nothing else.” “I said no!” BANG Startled by your table slam, Twilight gasps and looks down. “What’s the problem with that?” Twilight asked kindly. “Now that I’m getting more busy... And we don’t spend as much time together anymore... I-I couldn’t help but feel... We’re getting drifted apart.” “What? Why?” You touch her cheek warmly as you hug her tight. “I always have this... worry, in my heart, that... *sigh* When I don’t spend enough quality time with my friends, we start to act normal. Basically, we still have this thought we’re friends but we don’t actually get along too much. I’m just scared that would happen to us. Sometimes I feel bad for not responding to you when you send me interesting things over on the phone. I don’t want our friendship to stay at that state. I want it to progress and get even better.” Twilight hums softly and nuzzles you. “I wouldn’t ever stop being your friend.” “I acknowledge that, Twi. I just... Don’t want us to fight all of a sudden because, well... We don’t know each other enough. I guess we both need some time apart, just to appreciate each other being there when we need it, right?” “Mhmm.” She lets go and presses her cheek onto yours. You do the same. “There are ups and downs in friendship,” Twilight explains, “But they won’t change. Your true friends are always going to be around to help you, care about you, and they always love each other. You and I have a few playful fights from time to time too, don’t we?” You chuckle. “Yeah, Yeah. But I still love you all the same.” She blushes with a laugh and holds your hand. You gasp at the contact, but you just smiled anyway. “I’m glad I met you. You give me something I wouldn’t trade anything for.” You tell her. “I’m glad to give that to you too.” You and Twilight share a nuzzle on the nose and a blissful hug. She wraps you in her wings as your foreheads pressed together. You take a moment to suck up her beautiful scent- And sigh as she puts a hoof on your head. You slide your hand on Twilight’s back- Absolutely soft and soothing. Then, without thinking, you kissed her cheek. She gasps. “Ash?” You smile as she blushed harder and harder. “Happy Hearts And Hooves Day, Twi.” She touches her cheek with her hoof. The more she tried to recall it, the more she grinned and the more she seemed interested in you. You try to turn away and turn off the lights, but you couldn’t- Twilight forcefully pulls you back and locks in a kiss on the lips. You wanted to gasp and bail off, but you don’t want to hurt her feelings. You leaned into the contact while tugging her body. Both of you closed your eyes, holding each other, and adorable sounds were heard as you hum while still in the kiss. Both of you felt frisky, and started rolling around the bed with each other. A minute later and you both were wrapped in a large blanket together, before you finally release the kiss. Both of you blush and look away before saying anything. “Yeah,” Twilight giggles, “Happy Hearts And Hooves Day.” As you drift off to sleep, she kisses your forehead once more.