Sweet Antagonisms

by Harmony Split


Applebucking

Sweet Antagonisms Chapter three: Applebucking


        

        Apple Fritter felt warm, laying on something soft. Her mind couldn’t understand it, being sure that she had fallen asleep in the forest without any cover. Her mind still groggy, she tried to figure it out and soon she felt something else. She was covered in something, and there was a soft, tingling feeling over her muzzle.

        As she opened her eyes, Fritter only saw purple. Blinking the sleep out of her eyes, she saw that it were purple feathers and her mind went crazy. She jumped up, but the blankets that she were covered with hindered her movement, causing her to fall onto the ground snout first.

        Fritter looked up and saw Twilight, laying on the edge of her bed, right wing stretched over a place that seemed to be where she had been laying. She felt heat rising in her cheeks and a question appear in her mind that she couldn’t answer. Why did she do this?

        The lavender mare stirred and stretched her limbs a bit, causing Fritter to jump up in fear that she woke her up. Thankfully, she relaxed again and the light-yellow mare released her breath, unaware of even holding it. She had no clue what she should do now.

        Deciding to freshen up, she snuck out of the bedroom in search for the bathroom. She closed the door quietly, careful to not wake Twilight up. She turned around and found herself in a long corridor with various doors. How would she find the bathroom here?

        While she tried to get oriented, a sweet smell filled her nostrils, causing her stomach to grumble. She followed the scent downstairs, reaching the kitchen to find Spike preparing some pancakes.

        He looked up and smiled. “Good morning Apple Fritter. How are you feeling today? We were really worried about you.”

        “I don’t know.” she replied. “What happened after I left?”

        “You’ll have to ask Twilight that. I just saw her carrying you to her bedroom last night.” he replied before pointing to the pancakes. “Hungry?”

        Fritter’s stomach grumbled again, causing her to blush slightly. “Very, but I should take a shower first. Can I use the bathroom?”

        The dragon smiled. “Of course. It’s the second door on the right after Twilight’s bedroom.”

        With a quick thanks, Fritter rushed up the stairs, passing the bedroom and reaching the bathroom, opening the door and entering it. It was quite big, a shower big enough for two ponies and a bathtub that looked more like a giant whirlpool made out of crystal in it.

        Fritter sighed and went under the shower, turning it on and setting the valve on hot. The water immediately heated and she enjoyed the warm trickle on her coat. She guessed it worked with some kind of magic to heat up that quickly.

        The light-yellow mare shuddered as the water dripping from her coat turned dark. She slept dirty like that in Twilight’s bed. Looking around she found some shower-gel. It smelled like oranges, decent, but still nice and recognizable. Smiling, she used it, enjoying the feeling of it over her coat as she felt all dirt washing off of her.

        Once Fritter was satisfied she turned the shower off and stepped out, dripping on the floor. She was making a mess and quickly looked for a towel, which she found on a small closet. After rubbing her coat, mane and tail dry she left the bathroom, heading downstairs again.

        Spike was nowhere to be seen, but at the table two plates were prepared, both with a stack of pancakes on, and a glass of juice next to it. Fritter sat down and took a bite, savouring the taste. They were delicious! While she ate her pancakes, Fritter heard some hoofsteps and her heart froze immediately. She was deeply afraid of turning around.

***

Twilight woke up, blinking against the light that made it’s way into her bedroom. She wasn’t really rested, the nightly trip to the Everfree and the flight taking it’s tribute. As she slowly fought against her fatigue, she was aware of something.  The breath she’d felt against her right wing whole night over was gone. Shocked, Twilight quickly lifted her wing just to find nothing.

        Trying to calm down, the lavender mare spoke to herself. “She just went back to the farm I guess.” and with that she made her way into her bathroom.

        Looking around, she found the floor really wet and she cursed Spike for his long bubble-baths. She went for her shower and noticed the bathtub being dry, while the glass of the shower was wet. There were also wet hoofmarks leading from it to the door.

        Twilight’s mind rumbled. Spike never showered, he only took bubble-baths. Also he had claws and feet, no hooves. Confused, she continued her way and found a wet towel hanging on the shower door and her shower-gel open. Maybe it was Fritter?

        Her heart jumped slightly and she quickly went into the shower to get done, eager to see the light-yellow mare again. She enjoyed the warm water before stepping out and drying her coat with a new towel. As she went to the door a quick spell washed over the room, leaving everything dry and cleaned behind her.

        Twilight went down the stairs, the smell of pancakes meeting her half-way. It smelled like Spike prepared a good breakfast and she quickly made her way to the kitchen. As she walked in, a familiar light-yellow pony sat on the table, eagerly eating some pancakes. Twilight’s heart jumped, but also froze slightly. She spotted the mare tensing a bit, so she walked forward and sat down next to her.

        As Twilight started to eat, Fritter turned around towards her, tears shining in her eyes. “Twilight, I’m sorry about-” she started, but was stopped by a lavender hoof.

        “Don’t be, Fritter. My reaction wasn’t quite the best response, so it’s only my fault.” Twilight said, her ears folding back.

        Fritter wanted to argue about that, but instead she asked, “What happened last night?”

        The lavender mare gulped, slowly answering. “Well, you ran into the everfree forest. I went after you and found you near hypothermia in an opening. I brought you back and kept you warm.” she blushed a bit while explaining.

        Fritter couldn’t quite follow everything, but her heart felt warm at the thought of sleeping all night under Twilight’s wings. “Hypo-what now?” she asked.

        Twilight stared into her eyes, and Fritter thought seeing some tears but it could also been imagination. “You nearly froze to death, Fritter. I searched far and wide for over an hour for you.” she finally said, her voice shaking.

        “Y...you saved me?.” It was barely a whisper and Twilight nodded.

        Fritter didn’t know what to say anymore, so she did the dumbest and maybe smartest thing in her life. She leaned in and pressed her lips on Twilights, softly pushing forwards. To her surprise Twilight didn’t resist, the lavender mares lips slowly brushing against hers. It was an incredible moment, both mares felt happy like never before.

        It seemed like an endless moment, but it was destroyed by Fritter’s fear. Twilight was a princess, she just couldn’t be with her. As her mind rumbled, the light-yellow mare broke away, leaving Twilight gasping.

        “I...I’m sorry Twilight.” Fritter started and she thought for a moment that Twilight looked hurt. “We better should get going, Applejack will be waitin’ at the farm and we lost some time.” with that she stood up and slowly walked to the door.

        Twilight just looked before following her, a small tear dropping from her muzzle, unseen and alone.

***

        “Cousin, Twilight! About time you two get here! ah’ve been waiting for several minutes now. What took ya so long?” Applejack yelled from the orchard as she saw the two walking towards her

        Both mares walked in and looked around, finding Big Macintosh and Granny Smith already preparing everything. The machine they’d used at the cider-challenge with the flimflam brothers stood ready.

        “Breakfast took longer than expected Applejack. Nothing to be concerned about.” Twilight said, smiling awkwardly.

        “Twilight? You’re nearly as bad of a liar as I am.” Applejack replied, looking sceptically at her.

        Fritter was already at the machine and out of hearing range, so Twilight leaned in “Fritter kissed me. And I liked it… very much.” she whispered, blushing slightly.

        “Whoa nelly! Who would’ve thought of that? I’m happy for ya Twil-” Applejack cheered, but was soon stopped by a wing.

        “She broke the kiss and apologized… I even leaned into the kiss and she still seems unsure.” Twilight said, her ears folding back.

        Applejack put a hoof around her friend, nuzzling her friendly. “Twilight, Fritter is afraid! She’s liked you since the first day and never got the courage to ask you out. Now that you are a princess it seems like an impassable barrier for her.” she explained.

        “B-but what can I do? I never felt something like that before! Is there a book I should read about love and relationships?” she asked, panic starting to drip in her voice.

        “Twilight! Calm down! Just do what yer heart tells ya, alright?” the orange mare said, snickering. “Always tryin’ ta find the answer in a book. You’ll never change Twilight!

        The lavender mare blushed, looking at the orchard where Big Macintosh just took his goggles on. “Oh they’re about to start, let’s go Applejack.”

        Both mares walked to the others and they started their work, bucking the Apples and putting them into the machine to pour them into cider. It took them the whole day to produce cider from all of the Apples in the west orchard, but in the end they all sat together, exhausted but happy.

        After some rest, Twilight helped Applejack and Big Macintosh store the barrels in their apple cellar so they would stay fresh until it would be served. Once they were done, Twilight spotted Fritter laying under a big tree, looking up into the sky. The lavender mare looked to Applejack who smirked and nodded. Shuddering, Twilight made her way to the tree and laid down besides Fritter.

        “Fritter?” she asked, but no reply. “What are you afraid of?” Twilight continued, although she knew the answer.

        Silence for a few minutes, then Fritter looked up, locking their gazes and Twilight lost herself in those emerald eyes. Just as she wanted to leaned in, Fritter answered.

        “You are a princess. I’m not good enough for you.” she nearly cried, tears appearing in her eyes.

        “Fritter?” Twilight asked, softly wiping the tears away.

        “Y-yes?”

        Instead of talking, Twilight leaned in and closed the gap between them, lips pushing against lips. Fritter gasped in surprise, but quickly melted into the kiss, enjoying it deeply.

        As they broke Twilight smiled and whispered softly in her ear. “Don’t be so stupid, you’re wonderful!”

        At that moment, Fritter felt like the whole world could end, as long as she was with Twilight. The sun was slowly going down and Twilight watched it for a bit, before turning back to Fritter, smiling.

        “How about we try stargazing again tonight?” she asked, nuzzling Fritter softly.

        “I would love to Twilight.” came the cooed response, followed by another deep kiss.

        They laid there until the moon went up and the stars appeared, everything shining brightly, as they would celebrate this inconvenient love. As they walked back to the library, they did it head on head, coat on coat. Together was everything that counted at that moment.