Scootaloo's phone served as her alarm clock, a common trend of the time. Why would she buy another device for the same purpose? There was also one distinct advantage: It could be hooked up to speakers with a powerful enough subwoofer to really drive home the “foghorn” effect. Her phone was loaded with peaceful alarm sounds, like birds chirping and forest breezes. She slept right through them.
“Turn that fucking thing off or I will literally kill you,” said a voice that sounded like crunching leaves and misery. Scootaloo shut off the alarm clock and realized the wall shaking sound was the least of her problems. Sweetie had stayed the night.
Rarity would kill her! Actually, they had sleepovers all the time with Apple Bloom. Maybe it wasn’t such a big deal then. Scootaloo took the first large breath of her morning, refilling her lungs. She started coughing. “Damn, we need a shower.”
“I like the smell… what time is it?” Sweetie's morning voice said.
“Six.”
“Goddamn.” Sweetie got up and rubbed her eyes. Since the Dashes lived in a mansion, Scootaloo had her own bathroom. The couple showered together, too groggy for any fun. Scootaloo realized her girlfriend had been wearing a dress that violated several sections of the school's dress code.
“Sorry, you'll have to go butch,” said Scootaloo as they were getting dressed. Sweetie filed through her clothes.
“Everyone is going to know I spent the night at your place...”
“And?” Scootaloo withdrew her favorite Pegasus tee shirt, black skinny jeans and a blue and every other color plaid over shirt. Sweetie decided to go with the pair of faded and torn blue jeans, A shirt with a joke about a tree, and the paint splotched over shirt. The jeans were a bit too tight, Scootaloo noticed, and she decided to smack Sweetie's rump.
“Not. Before. Coffee.” Scootaloo held up her hands in surrender. Sweetie most definitely wasn’t a morning person. Scootaloo wasn’t either, but she had to get ready sometime.
Scootaloo prepared yogurt while she waited for the coffee to brew, slicing fruits and adding granola. Sweetie was hanging up her dress or something. “Wow, you're hot and you can cook.” Sweetie's voice still hadn't changed. She poured a mug of the regular coffee and added more than enough sugar and milk. “Not quite what I'm used to...”
“I'd hardly call this cooking. I'll have to show you what I can do one day.”
“Well, you're considerate none the less.” Sweetie must have taken a sip of coffee because her voice was already less strained.
They sat across from each other and ate, and Scootaloo thought she could get used to this. They were like a married couple already. The second foghorn sounded, meaning Rainbow was waking up. Within a few minutes her sister joined them, pouring herself a mug and grabbing a bowl of high-protean something or other. “Oh, you're still here.” She glanced at Sweetie. “Congratulations! We should have a party. I'll tell Pinkie to make a cherry pie.” Rainbow grinned deviously.
“I'm going to hurt you.” Scootaloo warned.
“What? You only lose your virginity once. Eh, I didn't celebrate either. Never mind.”
“That's awfully presumptuous of you,” Sweetie said with a mouthful of food.
“I'm a teenager, I know these things. You're both downright glowing. That, and you were louder than you thought.” Sweetie and Scootaloo blushed. “Oh, don't worry about it. Mom and Dad both sleep with earplugs and I'm an insomniac anyway.”
“You weren't like… thinking about it were you?” Scootaloo asked.
“Blah, no, that's just gross.” Rainbow had finished her meal and poured a glass of milk, emptied it, then poured another. “I started reading. I can tune out anything with a good book. If it makes you more comfortable, you can just ask me to leave. Of course you also have a nice, secluded clubhouse.”
“We'll give you some warning next time,” Sweetie said, but Scootaloo didn't really mind. She could trust her sister to not be a total perv. “Or just keep it down.”
Apple Bloom was acting like a giggling school girl when she saw her two friends. “I know I left a cherry pie around here somewhere.” Scootaloo rolled her eyes and flipped her hair.
“What is with you people? It's not that big a deal.” Scootaloo frowned.
“I'm just so happy for you. I remember my first time…” Apple Bloom sighed, remembering something fondly. “Pipsqueak is a misnomer.” Scootaloo frowned deeper. “So how was it?”
“Magical,” Sweetie answered before Scootaloo could shut down the discussion. Scootaloo threw up her hands and decided to play along. She was with her friends, surely they could talk about it maturely.
“Absolutely perfect.”
“Dawwww, you are so cute together...” Apple Bloom clamped her elbows around her friends necks, pulling them in a hug. “Now kith,” She said in the lispy voice she started using because nobody could tell she was being sarcastic otherwise. Sweetie couldn't contain her giggle, which infected Scootaloo and then Apple Bloom.
The happy moment ended too soon, Apple Bloom suddenly taking her arms away. “Uh oh.” Scootaloo and Sweetie looked and saw a storm approaching. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon approached from the East, wearing smiles like snakes. The hallway shook like thunder as even upperclassmen moved out of the way. All too soon, the torrent was upon them.
“Heard you three losers were in the GSA. What's the matter? Couldn't make friends so you pretended to be gay?”
“Who's pretending? No, wait, you should join too.” Scootaloo grinned; she had the perfect line. “That tiara you wear is so gay, it's like a beacon for dykes. But then Silver would get jealous wouldn't she?” The comment seemed to piss off Silver (who looked like a radish at the moment) more than Diamond.
Silver responded. “Well, let's see, Sweetie is wearing your clothes, so that's obvious. Apple Bloom, how does it feel to be the third wheel?”
“I'm happy my friends are happy. And we all still have fun together.”
“So you all,” Silver meshed her fingers together. Apple Bloom turned fire red, burning with a desire to hurt. Scootaloo had once been on the wrong side of that. On instinct, she held out a hand to keep Apple Bloom back.
“Now, there ain't nothing wrong with bein' gay, but I don't think about my two best friends like that!”
“It's OK if you do. It's 2015, nobody cares. You can tell people you're a multi-amorous lesbian. Tell the whole school...” Diamond smirked like a snake, “Put it in the papers.”
“You wouldn't dare!” Now Scootaloo was mad. Tease all you want, but don't socially murder her friends.
“Oh wouldn't I? I'm the chief reporter, and mom is on the school board.” Scootaloo started to move before she felt something grab her hand. Sweetie Belle. She mouthed the word “no.” Scootaloo cooled from a boil to a simmer. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walked off, laughing maniacally.
Behind them, the trio heard clapping and turned to see Luna. “That was a good way to handle it. Well, maybe not the greatest, but it was at least non-violent. If I knew them in my own high school I would have slammed them against a locker. Repeatedly.”
“Ya saw that?”
“All of it. You students really need to be more observant. I recorded the whole thing too. Section Three, Paragraph Three of the rule book. Verbal assault such as that is punishable by five days in school detention for first offenders. Nine days out of school for second, and expulsion on the third. And somehow I doubt Ms. Yearling would be too happy to hear her remarks. She could get kicked off the paper.”
“But her mom's on the school board.” Sweetie sighed.
“Hmmm, We have measures in place. That position doesn't hold as much power as it once did, no matter how much money you have.”
“Wait wait wait, Ms. Yearling is a lesbian too?” Apple Bloom asked.
“We had a fling in college. She's actually bisexual. Oh, before I go, Scootaloo, you do realize the irony of using dyke as an insult like that, right?”
“Calling me that doesn't bother me any, but apparently it bothers them.” Scootaloo shrugged. “I swear though, they're more attached at the hip than me and Sweetie. They're either deep in denial, or just really really good friends.”
“Perhaps. I would refrain from using such an insult though, as you start stooping to their level.”
“Alright, I'll try not to. It was an easy target, but I'll just have to get creative.” The bell rang, announcing it was time for the slaves to start their mental labor.
“I'm sure you can. Run along now.”
The day proceeded as normal. Classes and lunch with a sprinkling of wide-spread depression, and a smidgen of gossip. Rarity caught her sister at lunch. “Dear, I'm not angry,” she said, “But in the future, if you could let me know you weren't killed by an axe murderer I'd greatly appreciate it.”
“Yeah, sorry. We were kind of caught up snuggling in the back of the limo… and then… yeah.” Sweetie turned pink like a rose.
“Yes, well, do try to remember in the future. Sometimes some irrational thought takes hold of you, like you died in a car crash or were murdered in the bathroom or something… I was worried even though I knew you were probably safe.”
“I'll remember.”
Rarity relaxed a bit. “Thank you.”
The second meeting of the GSA began right after classes. Sunset was the first to arrive. Her extensive grooming made itself known. A leader must never arrive after her subjects. The people in the club weren't her subjects, but the principle idea stuck with her. Luna was next. Sunset bowed slightly out of habit. After her reformation she began nodding to her superiors again. It was a friendly gesture, and she needed to display as many of those as she could. Luna returned the nod ever so slightly, and sipped on a large soda. The rest of the six came in, lead by Rainbow Dash. Applejack was carrying a crate of fizzy cider, with her brother carrying two. Sunset briefly wondered about dating him for a minute. He was awfully cute. Pinkie hopped in with a cherry pie. Sunset was completely confused. It couldn’t be a snack, there would hardly be enough for Pinkie, let alone the entire club.
Rainbow leaned on Sunset's desk, giving her a clear view of cleavage—not that there was much to show anyway. “So I was thinking we could see The Thing after this, then head back to your place.”
Sunset nodded. “I hear it's pretty good. I have algebra homework, but that's only like ten minutes. I'd love to.”
Rainbow nodded and perched herself on the big desk up front. She liked to do it because it was violating several rules. The pre-teen trio walked in next, lead by Scootaloo.
“Hey squirt,” Rainbow said, “I got something for you.”
Scootaloo opened her mouth to ask what, but before she could her face made contact with the cherry pie Pinkie brought in. The tin slid off, clattering on the floor. Sunset could swear she saw steam rising from Scootaloo. She was also wondering about the significance of a cherry pie.
Scootaloo's voice was like gravel and hate. “You. Will. Pay.” Scootaloo slammed the door behind her.
Luna was unfazed by this act of aggression that probably violated the rules. In a past life, Sunset would have held it over Rainbow's head for blackmail. “You're going to clean that up, right?”
Rainbow nodded.
“Dashy, pranks are supposed to be fun.” Pinkie reminded.
“Well I thought it was hilarious. She'll be fine, she's tough. I know I’ll have to apologize.”
Scootaloo glared fire at the reflective metal of the paper towel dispenser. Stupid Rainbow Dash. It wasn't a big deal. Scootaloo didn't feel any different, except she felt closer to Sweetie than she thought possible. Nothing had changed. So why the teasing, why the goddamn pie? Scootaloo tried to get her dampened hair back into shape. Ugh, now everyone is going to look at me funny. Her face twisted into an even deeper frown. Rainbow wanted to make it a big deal? It would be a big deal. The biggest deal. Scootaloo rolled up her sleeve. She wasn't going to be pushed around, not by her sister. The time for grinning and bearing it was over. Now was the time for defiance. She rolled up the other. She rolled over to the meeting room like a tornado.
She flung open the door and rushed at her sister, knocking her off the perch with a right hook. Rainbow was agile enough that she landed on her feet, but that just gave Scootaloo a clear target. She gave a right hook, left jab, right jab, left hook. There was no style or pattern to it, just unbridled fury. Rainbow held her hands out to her sides, taking the punishment.
“Aren't we going to stop them?” Sunset asked.
“This is between sisters.” Luna said, remarkably calm. Nothing seemed to shake her at all. “The sooner they do this the better. If they don't do it here, they'll do it at home. I'll end it if it gets too out of hand.”
“Take this!” Scootaloo shouted. “My love!” Scootaloo poured her energy into a left hook, “My anger!” Right. “And all of my sorrow!” Left again, on the side of the jaw. Rainbow stumbled, landing unflatteringly on her butt.
“I could be clever and say I taught you a lesson not to take shit from anybody. But I'm not clever. I just took the joke way too far. I'm sorry.” Scootaloo held out her hand, and Rainbow took it.
“I forgive you. I kind of over reacted too, but I don't know why you're making such a big deal about it.”
“Sometimes sisters tease each other, Scootaloo,” said Luna sagely. “And sometimes you go too far, then something like this happens. It's all part of the sisterly bond.”
“When did you get here?”
“Like twenty minutes ago.”
“Um, should I just leave or...” Scootaloo asked, realizing she technically tore up the rule book.
“Don't worry about it. Like I said, I have a sister. We will still punch each other on occasion. I'll let it slide this time, but I'm in a good mood I guess. I just got out of a meeting with Diamond Tiara's mother. It's so satisfying, putting tyrants in their place.” Luna smirked mysteriously.
Scootaloo smiled. Today was a roller coaster, to be sure, but it ended on a pretty high note.
"Scoots, you can make your own way home, right?" Rainbow said, hooking Sunset Shimmer's arm in hers. "Or you could always go to Sweetie's," she grinned.
"Actually we were both going to Bloom's to get her to help with algebra. She's the only one that halfway gets it."
"Alright. I'll pick you up after our date, OK? We're gonna catch a movie," Rainbow said.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do." Scootaloo smirked.
"Kid, that's a short list." She turned to AJ, "Try and make sure she doesn't punch anything. She hits hard."
"Rest assured, we will not play any pranks on her," said Applejack as Rainbow walked out the door.
"Come along, Fluttershy, we don't want to miss our spa appointment," Rarity beckoned.
"Oh you're right. We scheduled that awful close. I hope Aloe and Lotus don't get mad.
"Of course not dear, it will be fine."
Sunset had Rainbow pinned underneath her. The session had just started, and they were just beginning foreplay. “Before we get to the main event, I have two questions. One, what's up with the cherry pie?”
“Oh that. Well, here on Earth when a girl loses her virginity, we call it popping the cherry. I can show you just what that is after you...”
“One more question.” Her thirst for knowledge must be slaked. “I'm quite familiar with the concept of payback, but I don't think a pie to the face and getting the snot beaten out of you are equivalent. So are you going to make up the remaining debt?”
“What? No. Sure, they aren't the same, not even close. How much do you know about Scootaloo?”
“She's basically your adopted sister, she's gay, dating Sweetie Belle, likes skateboarding. I didn't spend much time trying to manipulate freshmen.”
Sunset moved off of Rainbow and sat on the bed. Rainbow moved herself upright. Rainbow told Sunset about Scootaloo's story, what she knew of it anyway. Her parents were control freaks, and how she would cut her arms, which lead to a discussion about self-harm.
“Why?”
“I don't quite know myself, but Fluttershy told me that you hurt so much inside that it seems like a good idea. Flutters has two little marks on her wrist, Scootaloo has them up to her elbow, and they crisscross.”
“That must be a lot of pain.”
“Being gay can be. I was lucky, my parents loved me. I was a little worried about telling them, but I decided to woman up and do it, but I was so scared before then. Keeping it such a big secret tears at you, like a… rabid animal. Scootaloo's parents… I'm pretty sure they hated her before she told them. And since they were so religious, gay people are evil. So she denied who she was so she could be a 'good' kid. It's kind of like fitting a square peg in a round hole. It's painful. So, throwing that pie hurt her feelings. Being hurt is the last thing she needs. I'm honestly glad she punched me. That means she's not going to put up with being hurt anymore. I just hope she learns to take a joke before I break something.” Rainbow chuckled.
“Well, you obviously know what's going on, so why did you think that would be a good idea in the first place?”
“I thought it would be funny and we'd laugh. I don't think things through that well. I'm just an insensitive jerk.”
“You don't have to stay that way. If I can go from raging she-demon to… mostly normal teenage girl, you can learn to be sensitive. I'll admit, I don't have the greatest sense of empathy, but what helped is I knew how people react to things. I've studied most of the class, yes, I know, creepy. But once you know how she'll react, you can start judging those reactions as positive or negative. You probably already do it, but try to actively think about it before throwing another pie at her.”
“That sounds a lot like manipulation.”
“True, but this time you're using the information to manipulate yourself.” Sunset looked at Rainbow's hand. “This discussion is kind of a mood killer.”
“Yeaaah, could we just cuddle and watch TV or something?”
“You sure? That sounds romantic, coming from you.”
“What, I've cuddled with most of my friends by now. Sometimes you just want to be close to another person...” Rainbow seemed to store an idea away for later.
“Would you like a drink?” They'd probably be here awhile. Rainbow needed a friend, and Sunset was starting to find that she did too.
“Yeah, sure. Got any milk?”
“Yeah.” Sunset got up and started preparing drinks.
“And Sunset, thanks for the advice. I need to start thinking about other people's feelings more.”
“Glad I could help.”
Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle had finished their homework about thirty minutes ago, and had taken to watching a soap opera with Granny. Of course, "watching" meant more "Sitting on the couch with their eyes drooping" than any active activity. And for Granny, she had actually fallen asleep and rocked gently snoring, holding her half-done knitting. Sweetie was nodding off too, into Scootaloo's shoulder.
"Can I ask you guys a question?" Scootaloo asked.
"Of course ya can. We're always here if you wanna talk."
"Do you all believe in God?"
"Well... yes." Apple Bloom said.
"But how..." Scootaloo couldn't fathom how you could believe in God and have a gay friend, let alone two. She had been told all her life that it just couldn't happen. It was like trying to mix oil and water.
"I know what you're thinking. I don't buy into all that Hell and Damnation stuff. Supposedly God sent His son to save us all from that. If you're just a good person to prevent from burning in eternal fire, are you really a good person at heart? And Sis told me that Ma and Pa believed that love doesn't know gender. It wasn't exactly a popular opinion to have at the time. People say God is a god of love. I've read the Old Testament and that's the biggest bunch of bullshit I've ever heard. My personal favorite theory is that God died and was replaced by a more gentle one around the time of the New Testament. The best way I can describe it is I follow my own God, because everyone else seems to be following the wrong one."
"You don't take it very seriously do you?"
"Nah. If God needs my worship he has more vanity issues than Rarity. No offense."
"None taken," Sweetie yawned. "I don't. To answer the question, I don't. I was never very strong in faith, but it kinda crumpled when I realized Christians and others wanted to... hurt me in various ways."
Scootaloo looked at her arms, covered in sleeves. "Apple Bloom, I want to show you something." She rolled up her sleeve and showed Apple Bloom the scarred flesh, causing her to give a small gasp. "I'm not doing this to get you to become an atheist, I just... needed to share it with you. I guess I don't blame God, if he exists, but I've been hurt by his followers."
Apple Bloom was at a loss for words as tears welled in her eyes. She wrapped an arm around Scootaloo's neck and pulled her into a hug. Scootaloo started sobbing, feeling closer to her friends, and letting another burden fall from her shoulders. Sweetie took the other side and they sat and cried for a time. "Why?" Apple Bloom asked, her voice hoarse.
"I... tried to convince myself I wasn't gay. It tore me up inside, and I thought my outsides should match my insides. Don't worry, I haven't in months."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?"
"Well... kinda."
"But nothing, my best friend was hurting and I didn't know to do anything about it. Just... promise me you'll talk to one of us if you need to."
"I promise. Can... can you do me one favor?" It was an absolutely ridiculous request. Rainbow Dash would be laughing if she heard it, or saw it. "Can you both just... hold me for a while." As an answer, the two girls nuzzled Scootaloo's shoulders and wrapped their arms around each other. Scootaloo felt safe, and the reason she cried changed. She was happy. They fell asleep, embracing each other. Nobody wanted to disturb them. Rainbow called Rarity and said they had decided to sleepover at Applejack's and left. Scootaloo needed to know she wasn't completely alone in the world, and if that meant cuddling up with her friends for a bit, then that's what it took. Eventually Scootaloo woke up and gently roused her sleep-mates. She checked her phone and saw a message from Rainbow. I'm not abandoning you, but you all looked so cute, I decided to let you stay over. If you want, I can pick you up. Take care sis. I've told Rarity.
"Hmm, guys, looks like we're having a sleepover."
"But I didn't bring my toothbrush or pajamas. And I'm still wearing your clothes!"
"Don't worry bout that, we've got extra. I got some spare PJ's in my room. Personally I just sleep in the buff." Sweetie and Scootaloo looked at each other, the Apple Bloom, blushing furiously. They took turns changing into Apple Bloom’s pajamas.
“I doubt you'd wanna borrow my clothes, unless the idea of social suicide entertains you.” Apple Bloom said after they had all reconvened.
“Yeah, I’m already wearing Scootaloo’s. If I show up with yours the day after everyone will think I’m a hussy.”
“Or we could both wear Apple Bloom’s clothes and she could wear mine.”
“Why would… oh whatever.” Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “They wouldn’t fit anyway. My PJ’s are nearly falling off you.” Scootaloo blushed and covered the exposed skin on her chest. The top was much too big for her. Sweetie giggled.
“Oh relax, it’s nothing we don’t have. Though in slightly larger amounts.” Apple Bloom chuckled. Scootaloo frowned, turning redder from embarrassment and anger compounding. “Don’t feel too bad hun, I was an early bloomer. Hah, that’s like, a pun.”
“If it means anything, I like your boobs.” Sweetie stuck out her tongue and giggled. Apple Bloom yawned.
“I’m beat after today. Let’s hit the hay.” The full sized bed was kind of cramped, but they did it often enough it was more comfortable than unbearable. Scootaloo slept in the middle, holding on to Sweetie, who also had her arms around her. Apple Bloom took Scootaloo’s back, like they had since they started having sleep overs when they were six. Scootaloo was glad she had friends that felt so comfortable with her. And one of them was her girlfriend. Who could ask for better?
Scootaloo was dreaming about Sweetie Belle, as teenagers often do about their significant other at that age. To say it was pleasant was an understatement. Apple Bloom joined in. Scootaloo figured this was a dream, it was very unlikely that this would happen outside of a fantasy. But then again, they were all here having a sleep over… It could be happening.
Well that didn't last long. Her parents walked in and tied them all to a cross. The townspeople gathered with torches. Scootaloo looked down to see a pile of twigs and straw. This couldn't end well.
"We will let you go if you renounce your sinful ways." Her mother said, standing at the forefront of the crowd.
Sweetie betrayed her before she could draw in enough air to scream the profanity she wanted to. She shifted gears. "FUCK YOU TOO SWEETIE. I HOPE YOU FIND A MAN JUST LIKE MY DAD."
"I'm giving you one last chance daughter."
"Dad, I want you to take that torch and shove it up your ass."
"I'll take that at a no..." Her mother, no wait, father, no wait. It seemed to be both her parents at once. dropped the torch. Flames flicked at her heels, then all at once enveloped her. All she could see was the orange flames. And then they were gone.
She was standing, now clothed, in... high school. Oh fantastic. Apple Bloom was there too. Why didn't she take the offer? She wasn't a lesbian, she had nothing to burn for. "Hey, AB." Apple Bloom looked around, right past Scootaloo. Apple Bloom walked off, muttering something about hearing voices. Scootaloo strode to her, grabbing her friend's wrist, which felt like holding a fistful of razors. She looked at her hand, dripping blood by the gallons and silently screamed.
"What do you want?" Apple Bloom asked.
"It's me, your friend Scootaloo?"
"Sorry, I don't talk to fags." At the mention of the word, the whole student body turned to her, pointed and laughed, repeating the word forever. They all stared at her, beyond her, into her soul, naming her forever. She collapsed on her knees and screamed, but again no sound came. Then she was in front of the only place of safety she knew. She knocked on the door with her good hand. "Oh, hey kid, what's up?" Rainbow asked from the doorway.
"Well, my dad caught me with my girlfriend, then burned me at the stake..." Scootaloo panted, she didn't realize she was so out of breath.
"Whoa whoa, did you just say girlfriend? Get out of here." The door slammed.
Scootaloo bolted upright with a yelp. The light was on, this wasn't her room and she was wearing some apple tree print pajamas. Oh, she was at Apple Bloom's house. But where was everyone else? The door opened, Sweetie walked in. "You OK? You were kicking in your sleep. You woke us both up. I took the opportunity to relieve myself and AB went to get some water." Sweetie rubbed her eyes.
"I... It’s nothing. Just a bad dream.”
“Scoots, every time you say ‘it’s nothing’ I want to punch you. You’re shaking like a cat that’s been soaked. Nothing doesn’t cause that. Something has you scared out of your skin. So tell me about it.”
“Alright. When Apple Bloom gets back.”
…
"Wow," Apple Bloom said. "That's brutal." Scootaloo took the glass of water Bloom carried in and drank it, hands shaking just a little.
"Just remember, we'd never abandon you like that." Sweetie nuzzled Scootaloo's cheek and gave it a small kiss.
Apple Bloom nodded. "Friends don’t abandon friends. I know this is a dumb question, but what's so offensive about fag? It's just a word."
"Well, do you like being called a hick?" Scootaloo huffed.
"I try to not let it bother me. I don't think they realize I'm still in city limits."
"Well, how about slut. You've had like two boyfriends already this year. You've told us you aren't a virgin anymore and we're all so happy for you, goddamn slut." Apple Bloom's face twisted to a frown.
"Scoots..." Sweetie pleaded.
"No, I get what she's doing, proving her point. I get it now."
"I...I don't think you're a slut. That was way over the line, even for me. I just… I don’t know. I’m sorry."
"I forgive you. I know you didn't mean it, but it did hurt for a bit. You aren't a faggot, just gay." Scootaloo chuckled. "And my best friend." Apple Bloom gently punched Scootaloo on the shoulder. Scootaloo gave one of her own. That started a wrestling match, like they used to when they were kids. It ended with Scootaloo huffing on top of Apple Bloom, both blushing furiously and looking into each others eyes. They saw... something. A longing, perhaps—a distant far off feeling. Scootaloo rolled over and started giggling. Apple Bloom joined in, and they only noticed Sweetie's absence when she came back. From the bathroom again, she said. They went to bed again, and Scootaloo had no nightmares.