Twilight Sparkle usually found some degree of solace or comfort in science. Charts, graphs, measurements, math and science didn’t lie. Sure her blind reliance on science nearly destroyed Canterlot High AND all the girls that were now her friends but that was beside the point. Instead all science was giving her was a massive case of anxiety as she saw her family staring at her with her notes, prepared speech, and even several of her graphs falling off the presentation board to the floor. It was like the presentation of her nightmares! If it weren’t for how she was in fact dressed with her tie snug at the collar of her shirt, it would be a dead ringer for such.
Her dad sat there with a raised eyebrow at the panicked look on his daughter’s face while her mother seemed to be just waiting for her to get to the point after nearly an hour of random blathering with figures and diagrams that still didn’t seem to add up to any real point. Neither parent knew what to make of their daughter in this state. Her mother consoled herself with scratching Spike on his stomach. Her family had taken the talking dog rather well. Made it easier to know when he needed to be let out. Shining Armor stood nearby obviously impatient as the rest, but did his best to smile supportively and patiently.
Twilight Sparkle had no idea what to do! She knew her expression had to show it as she started to play a little with one of her curly bangs, feeling as if somehow a huge spotlight was on her. She didn’t know what to do or say! Finally, some part of her that seemed perhaps smarter than the rest connected with her mouth and got it out. “I’m gay and I’ve secretly been dating Rainbow Dash!” She winced a little and offered a shaky smile at her family. Everything seemed so silent as she counted in her head. Each slow tick of the clock chiming as she waited for the big explosion. It never happened.
Her whole family seemed almost under-whelmed. Night Light, her father, looking at the charts and his daughter. He opened his mouth as if about to say something before closing, thinking better of it. Her brother merely tapped his arm as if still waiting for the bomb to drop. Her mother, Twilight Velvet, though seemed to get at least part of what her daughter expected and gasped! “O-Oh my! Twilight! We-oh! You…oh my, we never knew…oh my this is so surprising…” her tone was clearly placating though and a look from the men of the family stopped her as she rolled her eyes, “Really, sweetie? That’s what you had us sitting here for an hour while you talked about birth rate ratios and politics?”
Twilight saw the absolutely underwhelmed look on all of her family’s face with Spike pointing out, “Told you they probably already knew.” Her family all nodded in silent agreement with Spike, “Starting to wonder why I even talk when you still don’t listen,” his tone though was more teasing than anything else as he smirked. He was enjoying the tummy scratch her mother was giving him, tail wagging in obvious delight.
Twilight asked a bit meekly how long they’d known. Her dad answered quite flatly, “When you were ten and seemed so giddy that Moon Dancer had given you a Valentines Card and gushed that you were going to get married. Didn’t know about Rainbow Dash, I thought it was Applejack.”
“Applejack? Really? With our sweet smart Twilight?” Her mother questioned as if shocked at her father’s assumption. “I mean I knew about Rainbow Dash when you mentioned popping by to watch her practice recently, and all of the different colored hairs I’ve found while doing laundry. But I still never would have thought you’d go for the more jock type of girl. I would have sworn you and that Fluttershy girl would have made the cutest couple.”
Twilight Sparkle’s mouth couldn’t have gone any wider less her entire jaw dislocated and her face became elastic. But Shining Armor sure pushed it as he added, “Yeah, my money was on Pinkie Pie. I mean cute nerd and the party girl. Opposites attract, am I right?” His dad nodded, apparently seeing what his son meant.
“Wait wait wait!” Twilight finally managed to find her voice as she stammered that one word at her family. “Wait! So not only did you all know I was gay,” she paused for emphasis. Her family nodded between each other, “But you were shipping me with everyone EXCEPT my actual girlfriend?” She felt a mixture of relieved and mortified. “What made any of you even think me and the others besides Rainbow Dash would…you know, be like that?” Twilight almost immediately regretted asking that question.
Shining Armor at least cut in first, but what he said didn’t make this any better, “Someone DID figure it’d be Rainbow Dash…Vice Principal Luna. Cadence matched you and Sunset Shimmer and Principal Celestia pegged Rarity…speaking of, I owe Luna twenty bucks.” Twilight gestured a little upset at her brother for not only pairing her wrong but for BETTING on it!
Her mother thankfully frowned, “Now Shining Armor, it’s one thing to make a guess at your sister’s girlfriend and another to make a wager on it.” Twilight felt relieved at least her brother was being properly admonished for something. Even if he did think she was dating Pinkie Pie of all people. “As far as what made me think it was Fluttershy, until I found those hairs, it always seemed so sweet and romantic in my head.” Her mother began.
Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy both were rather socially awkward girls. One preferring the company of animals while the other had books and science, in addition to an animal they both adored. Fluttershy helped at the shelter grooming people’s pets and primping the animals there in the hopes of adoption every other Saturday. Twilight had started taking Spike there and each weekend they’d enjoy the peace away from anyone else besides each other and the animals. Their hands might touch now and again in brief embarrassing touches as they worked together on Spike. They’d get a little soap and shampoo on each other and laugh together. Chatting away about whatever topic might come to fill the silence.
Nothing would really happen at first, but one time Fluttershy deciding to be a bit more playful would wipe a bit of soap on Twilight’s nose and give the sweetest most charming giggle. Spike would merely quietly watch on with a knowing expression as Twilight returns the gesture wiping her hand against Fluttershy’s jaw, stroking a little against her face. Their touches growing more and more intimate with one another. No one around to disturb them in their little paradise except the gentle contented noise of the animals surrounding them as at last both girls felt their defenses lower and move towards one another in a brief chaste yet loving kiss…
“No offense, but next time you start talking about Twilight in your slash fanfiction, would you mind leaving me out of it?” Spike questioned up at Twilight Velvet from her lap even as the woman giggled, gently lowering the dog to the ground where he’d move to stand beside Twilight who looked at her mother almost too embarrassed to think of what to say next. “Earth to Twilight? You okay in there?” Spike questioned up at her as she stood there seemingly lost in her own head.
Her mother went on for a little longer about how cute she imagined the two of them together, only making Twilight even more uncomfortable. It sounded more like some sweet sparkly girl-girl anime. Father and son exchanged brief looks and quiet gestures over how sappy and overly mushy mom’s story was. She was almost hoping the catastrophic odds were in her favor and she was just hit with a meteor right then to end her embarrassed suffering.
Her mom finally finished, with her dad finally clearing his throat to get some attention. “As sweet and darling as your idea is, it’s clear given Twilight is dating Rainbow Dash that she’s not as interested in a cute wallflower like herself.” Twilight was thankful at her dad’s acknowledgement of that, but all too quickly he ruined it, “I mean we both know neither of them would ever have the courage to make a first move. It would be the friend zone to end all friend zones…that’s why I suspected Applejack. She’d probably charm the pants right off of her…just an expression sweetie, not saying anything about your love life that I don’t want any details on,” he insisted firmly! She loved her dad but he could go overboard just as badly as her mom. Probably worse.
It was likely just any old day on the farm. Applejack had invited Twilight over to meet the ‘Apple Clan’ more intimately. Probably be some mild confusion given the whole ‘other Twilight’ thing but that was hardly the big topic. No, what mattered was Applejack had gotten Twilight to come out with her at all to the vast orchard her family worked to see it for herself. Her sister, Apple Bloom, keeping Spike out of the way for the farm girl to invite her out and let her watch her work.
Twilight watching on fascinatedly as Applejack would kick or shake a tree to loosen the apples free. Flaunting her athletic prowess as she’d catch them with all the precision of a juggler. Twilight would get to watch her friend’s muscles flex and tense as she showed off to impress her. Showing a strength rivaled only by that brother of hers, with him thankfully too far out to risk showing her up. Eventually Twilight, being the helpful well-meaning girl she was, would ask to try.
She’d of course fall flat on her butt but Applejack would help her back up and gently coax her. Like someone helping teach their partner a golf swing or how to throw out the ball while bowling with an arm on hers, front to her back. Applejack would get to enjoy gently touching Twilight’s leg as she helped the girl get a weak yet solid kick. Time would go on and the two would be sweaty from a day’s work. Applejack would invite her back to the house to wash up.
The two arrived and entered the bathroom. Twilight was about to strip only for Applejack grab her and press her up against the cool tile of the shower. Smirking at her winsomely, she held her tightly as the shower steam surrounded them. Their clothes grew drenched, “Ya’ know, Sugarcube, a bit of free labor ain’t the only reason ah called you out here.”
Shining Armor had fallen over laughing while Twilight Sparkle and Twilight Velvet both saw the man of the house look at them both as if he knew he were somehow in trouble. “Really? Not only was that the WORST country accent I ever heard, that sounds like the plot to a bad porn movie…and about your own daughter no less,” Her glaring mother insisted. “At least I kept mine family appropriate.”
Twilight Sparkle face palmed and groaned into her hand in only growing shame over her family and their failure to realize how bad they all were. “Maybe, but I got my point across. Twilight would need someone stronger to balance out her more…sweet nerdiness,” he insisted. “And someone who’d make the first move, and Applejack fits the bill of a girl I think would be honest and up front.” He crossed his arms as if this were some silly argument even as he huffed. Her parents both chuckled, showing there at least was some humor in it for them, though it was lost on the subject of ridicule.
“And what exactly is your excuse, Shining? I’d think my brother would know better than to pair me with the loudest most unscientific girl at school. I tried once to discover how she appears and disappears and my lab equipment almost blew up on me,” she pointed out to her brother as if somehow that alone invalidated any theory on how she or Pinkie Pie would get together.
Shining merely grinned, looking to get his breathing under control. “I get that, I really do, Twilie, just-aha-aha, just hear me out,” he pleaded as he stood there. “I mean truth be told, that’s part of why I think you two would make such a great couple. Like dad said, balancing each other out. We all know you need to learn how to cut loose a little more,” he pointed out. Her parents begrudgingly nodded as if somehow seeing the logic. Not that Twilight could argue on that point either.
“He’s got you there, Twilight,” Spike pointed out, choosing to rub salt in the wound just a little. The way he smiled helped put her at least a little at ease. “Take it away then, Shining Armor, I’ve gotta hear how you explain Twilight and Pinkie Pie getting together. Though like your mom said, can we stick to the PG version?” He gestured with a paw at twilight velvet. Everyone of course looked at Night Light next as if to further taunt him for that before Shining Armor began.
Twilight spent almost all her time either at the library, at some lab doing work, or with her small group of friends in a group. She literally almost never got out. Anybody with half a brain could see Twilight needed a bit more fun in her life. Luckily she had somebody who did; and would go to any lengths she could to help her see it. Everyone’s favorite party girl; Pinkemina Diane Pie.
Twilight was not a social butterfly. But if her friends were there, she hadn’t thought anything of showing up to just one of Pinkie’s random parties. But almost ten minutes into the party she found the loud music and noisy guests to be more than she could handle. Everyone dancing wildly and excitedly while she hung out near the wall. Even Spike was having the time of his life. It wasn’t as if Twilight could help herself.
Even if her fellow Crystal Preppers, back at the eponymous academy, had loosened up at such an event, it just wasn’t really the place for her. She couldn’t bring herself to just cut and run though after all of Pinkie’s hard work. But in the end that was what it came to as she finally chose to excuse herself. It wasn’t as if she was socializing much to begin with. She’d only barely make it out the door though when she was ambushed by a certain cotton candy colored girl. “Hi Twilight! Enjoying the party?” She’d ask in that oh so sweet ‘I just have to know or I’m gonna blow up’ tone.
Twilight would reach to rub at her neck nervously as she peered at the door behind her, “Well…” she saw that hopeful look in Pinkie’s eyes. A part of her so dearly wanted to just make her smile by saying yes. But she didn’t have it in her to go through with a lie like that. Not just for the party but lying to the cute girl who clearly cared enough to catch her like this. “Not really…sorry. I mean, everyone seems to be having a lot of fun but this really just doesn’t feel like the place for me.”
She’d half expect some explosive happy go lucky insistence that she wasn’t giving it a chance or looking at it the right way. But she HAD looked at it almost every perceivable way possible. From a chance to study her peers in a social setting to social economics to every other sciencey way she could think of to make it fun for herself. But she’d failed. She similarly failed to predict what Pinkie would say, “Oh…I’m sorry to hear that.”
Twilight would look to see the pink party girl looking almost deflated upon hearing that. Rubbing one arm sadly as she nods, “It’s okay, really Twilight. I understand. It’s just not really the place for you. Should have figured, really. I just…really hoped maybe this time I’d get it right.” Pinkie Pie would nod, “It’s okay, really. Here,” she’d reach into her hair and pull out Twilight’s laptop. How she got it was a question she wouldn’t want the answer to, “I brought this. I kind of had a feeling it might go like this.”
Twilight couldn’t really help it. Even if she could, she wouldn’t. Pinkie was her friend, and no matter how much her actions showed she did understand, Twilight couldn’t leave it when SHE didn’t understand. “What exactly was it that you hoped you’d get right?” A direct and to the heart of the matter question.
“I just…wanted to find out what it takes to make you smile,” Pinkie admitted. Twilight started to try and answer insisting that being around her friends was all that she needed, but Pinkie continued to explain, “Not like that. I mean…a smile just for me. Just because I know that perfect way to brighten up your day and make you happy. I don’t know what it is about you, but your smile…getting to see you smile just for me. I guess that’s what I wanted. I like you, Twilight. Probably more than I should…I’ll get out of your way. I have a party to run after all.” She started to walk passed her.
Twilight would stop her though, not letting her dumbstruck state over the confession stop her from acting. She’d nearly drop her laptop in her confused state, “You…like me? I mean…me. Boring, nerdy, awkward, confusing, weak little me? I mean just…why me?”
Pinkie of course smiled at Twilight. Emboldened perhaps more than her line of questioning should have made her. “Because you’re smart. You’re driven and totally laser focused. You’re already so amazing and everything you try so hard at just makes you even more amazing-er,” she paused. Twilight briefly corrected her that that wasn’t proper grammar, or a real word. “See what I mean!” She announced excitedly, “But you also seem really lonely sometimes. Even if we’re all friends now, I see it. I notice when you’re not around…more than anyone else. I notice when you’re not there.
“I like you, Twilight. More than all the quintuple decker super mega fudge mondo swirl ice cream sundaes topped with mountains of whipped cream, chocolate frosting, sprinkles and cherries than I could eat in my whole entire life. Being around you makes me happier than I really know how to say…so, I guess maybe the best way I can do it is by not saying it.” Twilight already expected the pink girl to burst into song or something, already wincing over it. But instead there was no song. No big flashy dance. No cancan dress.
She kissed her. Pinkie Pie flat out kissed her on the mouth. It was a soft yet lingering kiss with the pink girl smiling, “I really do need to get back to the party, but…I’ll see you around hopefully. Pleasedon’thatemeforstealingakiss,” she rambled off the last sentence as though it were one word before rushing back into the party. Twilight was left standing there, touching her lips; still warm with the rather over sweet taste of Pinkie’s mouth on hers lingering as a small smile formed.
Twilight Sparkle didn’t think it was possible to be anymore embarrassed. She really was starting to think she could go numb to it. Then her brother came out with that. Her parents both seemed thoughtful over it, as if somehow they bought the story! “First off, Pinkie Pie and I are JUST good friends! Same with Fluttershy and Applejack and all of them EXCEPT Rainbow Dash! Secondly, what makes you think Pinkie Pie’s mouth tastes SWEET? Let alone that it would be stuck to my lips? And lastly what does that have to do with me needing to ‘cut loose’?”
“Her diet consists of ice cream, sugar, candy, and cake. Believe that answers the first two questions,” he pointed out. Her mother offered a slight wince at her daughter as if in apology. Her brother evidently winning out on THAT point of the argument. He was about to answer the last one when a rather nice aria started to play seemingly out of nowhere. It took little time to recognize it was Dean Cadence’s voice coming from Shining’s cell phone. “Uh, let me get that,” he quickly answered it with a sheepish blush across his face. “What? Really? You’re where-?” The Doorbell rang.
Twilight didn’t even need to answer it to know who it was. Not only from the way her brother reacted to the call with an obviously personalized ringtone, but just how today was shaping up. Today seemed almost perfectly geared towards humiliating her and since her family already had their turns, it was obvious what was next.