Ah, slumber parties. The point in any young girl's life where secrets are revealed, memories shared, and truths reveal themselves.
And as Pinkie Pie munched on a slice of pizza, talking through dough and cheese with a single accusatory finger pointed towards Sunset, she asked the single most important question of the night:
"Whr rrs ur hrm'n guh r'knr?"
Sunset blinked, cocking her head to the side and grimacing as specks of pizza flew from Pinkie's mouth.
"Wha?"
Swallowing the pizza in one gulp, Pinkie repeated the question, "Who was your human gay awakening, Sunset?"
Sunset's eyes widened slightly, a small blush forming on her face, "Uh... can I pass on this one actually? I'll take a double dare, seriously."
"Oooooh, now you HAVE to tell!" Pinkie said, bouncing on the bed in excitement. Rarity smiled mischievously.
"My my, Sunset Shimmer at a loss for confidence? This is quite the scandal~"
"I just don't want to make things too awkward here," Sunset said, trying to brush the question off, "You know, being a sleepover and all."
"Is it someone in this room?"
Sunset's face burned redder, as all her friends drew impishly closer.
"Oh. My. God." Rainbow said. Twilight blinked, her mouth a small "o" as her glasses started to slip from her face.
"Is... is it..?"
Sunset looked over at her girlfriend, her grouchy expression softening, "Sorry, Twilight- as romantic as I wish I could be to you right now, you were a bit of a latecomer to the group."
"Aww," Twilight said, only a little disappointed. Sunset put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Awwwww~," Pinkie grinned, before pointing once more at Sunset, "But cute couple stuff doesn't answer the question! Submit to the tribunal, Sunset! The world must know!'
"If it's any reassurance," Rarity said, twisting a lock of hair in her finger, "I'm in a similar boat as yourself."
"How 'bout we all clear the air here and just say it at the same time," Applejack offered, leaning against the foot of the bed. Everyone looked at each other, murmured various agreements, and collectively took a breath.
"On three?" Sunset asked. Pinkie nodded.
"Okay. One, two, three-"
And, save for the girl herself, everyone in the room chorused "Applejack" at the same time.
Silence hung in the air, and after a moment AJ's shocked expression hardened into a glare she shot over at Rainbow Dash.
"Y'all ain't fuckin' funny."
"Hey!" Dash threw her hands up, "This isn't me! I mean- you already know about that time in fifth grade!"
Applejack held up a finger to argue, but her voiced died quick. She did remember fifth grade- much as she tried to forget it. So much flannel...
Pinkie burst out laughing, hugging a pillow as she kicked at the air.
"Oh my god! Does that mean AJ's the hottest one here then?"
"Hold on, now-"
Rarity nodded, "Her charm may be rugged, but I'm not disinclined to agree."
AJ quickly looked at all her friends, as each of them mulled over their collective origins.
"I mean- you've all seen her working at the Acres, yeah?" Sunset asked. A chorus of agreements met her.
"It... might be one of the reasons I go over to help as often as I do..." Fluttershy meekly admitted, earning a sick high-five from Rainbow Dash and an overly eager nod from Rarity.
"Yeah- first time I was over there before the music showcase was what did it for me," Sunset scratched the back of her head, "She was in the barn lifting a bale of hay, her shirt was all tied up and just... damn."
Sunset's eyes were a mile away, lost in fond memories.
"Is that why you were actin' funny all day?" AJ quirked an eyebrow, "I just thought ya weren't used to physical labor."
"Applejack, AJ, my dude," Sunset reached out and put a firm hand on her shoulder, "Even before we were friends, you had to notice these sick guns," she said, flexing in her pajamas.
"I guess that's a fair point..."
"Applejack," Rarity looked at her, her expression bordering between shocked and disappointed, "Do you honestly think so little of yourself that you wouldn't believe another person would find you to be attractive?"
"I mean, I ain't that dumb," AJ rolled her eyes, "But findin' out you're the reason all your friends seem to have an appreciation for the female form is a might bit shockin'."
"I actually said Gillian Anderson," Twilight piped up, and Sunset patted her on the hand.
"I know, Twilight."
"She's really great in X-Files, Sunset, you'd like her."
"I know, Twilight."