> Winter Secrets > by bluebuzz2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The Invatation > --------------------------------------------------------------------------     Applejack's mane fluttered in the cold night wind. Her deep emerald eyes reflected the twinkling stars. She took a slight step backwards, her feet crunching the withered grass. Although the step was slight, it was enough to back her into an apple tree. A lavender mare took another step forward, closing the distance between the two ponies. Twilight looked at Applejack, then leaned forward and tried to kiss her.      "Twi? Ya alright sugarcube?" The orange workhorse asked, looking down at the sleeping unicorn. Twilight Sparkle woke up from her nap with a shiver. "I knew that fixin' a whole barn would be tricky, but not that hard!"     "Duplicating a whole barn isn't something just anyone can do." The duplication spell she knew wasnt that hard, but she couldnt stay awake for ling after that kind of magic. She mumbled, trying to get up. She had been sprawled out on the ground, her open jaw allowing drool to slide down her cheek. She squirmed as she struggled to sit up, then finally was able to lift her body. "The grass was just so cozy…"      "Ah'm sorry, Twilight, if Ah'd known that dulicatin' mah barn was so hard, Ah would've called Rarity over to help ya."      "It's fine AJ, really. I mean, you can't help it if you're barn gets burned down." Applejack looked slightly upset, so Twilight decided to drop the subject. This is my chance. I just know it, my only real chance… "Hey Applejack, how would you like to sleep over at my house tonight?" She asked hopefully.      "Ah'd love that Twi! All six of us just havin' a party together, Ah'll go get ready." Twilight just smiled untill Applejack left.      "But it was going to be just us…" She whispered to the wind.      A few months ago, she wouldnt have felt uncomforatable telling Applejack that she wanted the sleepover to be just them. A few months ago, she wouldn't have even needed to tell Applejack that. The only reason she had planned this sleepover was because she wanted to tell Applejack about how she felt. Now she would have to confess her feelings in front of her friends. Don't panic, I can just get Applejack alone tonight. Her mind made up, she set off in search of the other four ponies she needed to find and invite. ---------- Rarity walked through the main street of Ponyville, making sure all eyes were on her. She had worked hard on a new fashion line the night before and was ready to show it off. Her flashy red hat looked like a campfire in the middle of the night, and was just as eye-opening. She triumphantly paraded into Sugarcube Corner, she had successfully advertised her new fashion line. Rarity looked around. Sugarcube Corner was filled with giant cakes and delicate pastries. They all looked delectable to her, but she knew now was not the time to admire such treats. The floor had been freshly swept and the counter tops were sparkling clean that must mean... "Haiya Rarity! Wow, that's a bright new hat you got!" Squeaked a very energetic Pinkie Pie. "what's the occasion?" she asked. "Well darling, the occasion was actually to come and talk to you. You see, Sweetie Belle's birthday is next week, and I need you to plan her suprise party." She explained.      "I love surprises! Of course I'll plan her birthday party! We can have cake and balloons and streamers and then we're going to play pin the tail on the pony and then open presents and oh my gosh she'll sooo surprised and then-"      "Hey girls!" Interrupted Twilight. She had heard Pinkie Pie's incredibly long sentence and decided to interrupt her before Rarity lost her patience. "I'm having a sleepover tonight, do you two want to come?" She asked.      "I would simply love to! I'll definitely come." She answered in  a sweet, sophisticated voice.      "Well, you know how I love parties! I'll be there. Who else is coming?" Twilight thought about what to say for a moment.        "Applejack. I still have to invite Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, though.      "I can ask Fluttershy for you. I have to get going to our scheduled spa treatment. Ta ta!" with that, Rarity was out the door and ready to be pampered. Once again, she had the undivided attention of most of the ponies there, her attention-demanding hat making her extremely noticeable.      "I can go find Dashie for you!" She said. She bounced out of the bakery and in a random direction, no doubt looking for the cyan mare.      Twight walked off. There, everyone had been invited just like Applejack had wanted, and this sleepover was sure to be amazing. Just not quite like how Twight Sparkle had planned. Oh well, She thought. I'll just have to make this work. She sighed and set off for the library, she needed to get there early to get it ready for the sleepover.   > The Party > --------------------------------------------------------------------------     Applejack stuffed her pillow and some apples into a larger saddlebag. She had taken one of Big Macimtosh's saddlebags so she could fit everything she needed for the sleepover. She was so excited, she couldn't believe her luck!       The timing of Twilight Sparkle's party couldn't have been better, she had been having some strange feelings lately. She had fallen for one of her best friends, and now she had the chance to talk to her about it at this sleepover. She hoped Twilight wouldn't mind that she was using her sleepover to confess her feelings for Fluttershy. If she were a good, true friend she would be happy for her, despite the fact that she would be coming out of the closet as a Filly Fooler.      With her mind made up, she bounded out of the door, hoping to get to Twilight Sparkle's treehouse early. Nothing could stop her now from telling Fluttershy that she loved her.  ----------     "Punch, check. Pillows, check.  Sleeping bags, check." Twilight Sparkle had been mumbling to herself about what she needed for the sleepover for a while now. "I guess I'm finally ready." she announced.      Right on time, Applejack arrived. She set her saddlebags down in a corner and walked over to greet Twilight.      "Hey Twi! How's it goin?" She asked politley. It was hard for her to keep the excitement out of her voice.      "Um, great! Just great. I wanted to tell you something…" before she could finish, Rainbow Dash burst in the door, followed by Pinkie Pie.      "I found Dashie for you!" Squeaked Pinkie Pie. Her eyes were brighter and happier than normal and she seemed anxious to start the games and fun. Soon enough, Rarity and Fluttershy arrived and it was time to start the sleepover.      "Hey, I have an idea!" hollered Rainbow Dash. "Let's do a pillow fight!" Rarity gave her a  look that let them know she would not participate.      "I refuse to be brutally beaten by five other ponies while I stand alone. I say we should divide into teams!" The other ponies agreed and they split into teams. "I would like to be on Rainbow Dash's team seeing as she is so eager to jump into the fight."     "Nah, Rarity just already knows that I'm the best at pillow fighting here. She's afraid to challenge me." The rainbow maned-pony boasted.      "Ah'm not afraid to challenge ya, RD. Ah want Twi on mah team with her fancy levitatin' spells and whatnot." Applejack said. She trotted over to stand next to the lavender unicorn. Twilight was glad that Applejack had picked her, but she had to try hard not to blush.      "That means you're with me, Fluttershy." Said an excited Pinkie Pie.      With all the teams settled, the pillowfight started. Twilight sparkle could hardly focus, she was lost in the clouds like a Pegasus, Applejack wanted Twilight on her side. In that moment, Twilight silently promised her that she would always be there, right by Applejack's side.  > The Truth > --------------------------------------------------------------------------    Pillows sailed through the air, all aimed at different ponies. Manes were messes up, pillows were flung, and wars started. Twilight and Applejack were sending pillow after pillow at the other teams, hoping that one would give up. Rainbow Dash was flying over head and dropping cushy bombs of feathers and fabric while Rarity used her magic to fling pillows in every direction. Pinkie Pie was scrambling and dodging the hail of pillows while Fluttershy cowered in a corner.      After a while of this, the three groups gave up and decided to maintain peace for the rest of the night. Exhausted from the intense battle they had all endured, the young mares fell into their sleeping bags and turned off almost all of the lights. However, one pink earth pony found it hard to stay still.      "Hey, who wants to play truth or dare?" She suggested. Every only agreed almost instantly, but one decided not to participate.      "Excuse me, I'm going to sit over here and not play, if you don't mind..." Fluttershy whispered as she cowered in the corner.      "Oh come on darling, it's just a harmless game, you're secrets are safe with us." Coaxed an excited Rarity.      "Oh, alright." Murmered the yellow mare. She trotted over to join the circle of friends laying on the floor.     "Rainbow Dash, truth or dare?" Asked Pinkie Pie. The cyan Pegasus scoffed.      "Dare! Duh! What did you think o was going to do?" She leaned forward, anticipating the possibilities of her dare. Pinkie ran over to her saddle bags. She opened one to be shot in the face with a spray of confetti. She quickly brought out a pie and dragged it over to Rainbow Dash.      "Shove your face in this!" She helped excitedly. The Pegasus inspected the pie for a minute before diving into it. She brought her face up for the rest of the giggling girls to see. They rolled on the floor with laughter when she plunged her face into the pie again and started to eat the rest of it.      "Mmmuuummpphhh!" Her mouth and tounge were blocked by the delicious pie, and she didn't stop eating long to say anything understandable.      After Rainbow finished her snack and the rest of the ponies settled down, their game continued.      "My turn!" Commanded the rainbow-maned pony. "Twilight! Truth or dare?" She asked with a grin.     "Truth." the lavender mare answered.      "out of all of Ponyville, who do you think seems the most like a filly fooler?" Her eyes looked almost scared for the answer.      "Hang on a minute, Rainbow. That's just personal. She ain't gonna answer that!" cried Appleack. Rainbow Dash sighed.      "I guess you're right. Twilight will just have to not go by the book…" Rainbow casually stroked her mane. Twilight's eyes widened in horror.      "Well..." her eyes filicked back and forth nervously. "Lyra and Bon-Bon seem like an item." The lavender unicorn said honestly. Twilight looked around the room to see who to ask next.       "Rarity! Truth or Dare?" Shouted Twilight, her face aglow with a mischevious smile.      "I have nothing to hide from my dear friends, ask what you will." She said. Twilight looked at her hard. It had seemed like she didn't even believe herself… She shook her head to rid her mind of the seemingly unimportant thought.      "Who do you like?" She almost whispered, making all the other ponies lean in close to hear her. Rarity's face turned a violent shade of red.      "I like almost everypony, except those who are hard to get along with and refuse to have any respect for fashion." The white mare answered in a nervous tone. Applejack couldn't help but roll her eyes at the last comment. Typical Rarity.      "No, I mean LIKE like." Twilight whispered, making Rarity's face turn a deeper shade of crimson.      "I-I I can't do it! I just can't say it in front of Applejack, I can't!" She screamed. Applejack looked completely taken aback, shock twisting her features. "I'm in love with-" Applejack decided to cut her off there.      "It's okay, I noticed." The workhorse answered. She stood up and shut herself in the bathroom. Rarity's eyes were brimming with tears, she couldn't believe what she had just done!      "Rarity, I wish you luck with Applejack, I'm no competition for you." Whispered Twilight Sparkle. She hung her head to hide her tears. Rarity looked at her like she had sprouted a second head.      "What are you talking about Twilight. I'm in love with Big Macintosh." Answered the unicorn fashionista.      The whole room fell silent. The other ponies stared at the two unicorns in the room. Twilight was so mortified that she almost burst into tears. No one noticed that Fluttershy had disappeared. No one noticed that she was in the bathroom with Applejack.  > The Kiss > --------------------------------------------------------------------------     "Did anypony notice ya?" Whispered the orange workhorse.      "No, they're all talking in there." Responded the quiet Pegasus.      "Whew! Ah've been so scared that they'dve figgerd us out by now." Applejack's eyes glimmered, even in the bad lighting of the bathroom.      She had told Fluttershy about the way she felt on the way to the sleepover. They decided not to let anypony know about their secret relationship untill they were ready. Applejack was glad for the company after her shocking suspicions were confirmed. Even in such an akward setting, both mares could feel the love that was almost radiating off of them.      Hardly able to control herself, Applejack leaned in a little closer to Fluttershy, causing the yellow pony to even take a small step towards her. Soon enough, their bodies were pressed together and they were nuzzling eachother lovingly. Suddenly, Fluttershy picked her head up and kissesd Applejack on the lips, tired of hiding everything from her. Applejack almost pulled away at first, but then started kissing back softly.      There was an akward science hanging in the room. Nobody dared say a word, afraid that they might offend Twilight Sparkle because if her sexuality.      "Y-you're a filly fooler." stuttered Rainbow Dash. It was more of a statement than a question. Twilight glared at her, obviously she did not want to talk about it.      "I'm going to go talk to AJ." The lavender unicorn said bitterly. The three mares watched her walk towards the bathroom.      Pinkie suddenly noticed that something was wrong.      "Hey, Where's Fluttershy?"      Twilight walked into the bathroom, pushing the door open with her magic. What she saw paralyzed her, mouth agape watching the two. By now, Fluttershy and Applejack were passionately making out, and were completely oblivious to the rest of the world. Emotions flowed through Twilight Sparkle like n angry river. Anger, sadness, lust, jealousy, and confusion was blown around in her mind like a whirlwind. Unsure of what to do, she walked out and slammed the door behind her, and also kicking it for good measure.      "Is everything alright?" Rarity asked gently. Twilight turned to her and smiled sweetly.      "Yes, just fine. Where were we in the sleepovr again?"       "What was that?" Gasped Applejack, panting from kissing Fluttershy so long.      "Oh my goodness oh my goodness! Someone saw us! I think we made them angry, what if she tells everypony!" Fluttershy was gasping as well, but she was closer to hyperventilating.      "Calm down, sugarcube. Nopony here would do that. Let's go and rejoin the sleepover." With that, the two ponies trotted out of the bathroom.      "Lights out! It's time to go to bed now." Crooned the purple pony in a sweet tone. Oddly, everypony obliged and went to their sleeping bags.      "Aw shucks, Twi! Ah thought we were only just gettin' started!" Complained the orange mare. Twilight turned around slowly.      "I thought we were too, Applejack. But maybe I was wrong." Leaving Applejcak with a dumbstruck look, she climbed into her bed and turned off her light.      Applejack and Fluttershy positioned their sleeping bags next to eachother and climbed in them. After a few moments of silence, Applejack felt somepony put their hoof in hers. She squeezed it softly, knowing it was Fluttershy. For once, Fluttershy had the courage to squeeze back.     Twilight layed awake all night, pondering her options. How did I feel when I saw them together? She asked herself. What emotion hit me the hardest? She realized something odd. I just felt jealous! Twilight smiled evilly to herself. I just have to make Applejack feel that. I have to start kissing another mare. Somepony that will make her green with envy. Pretty soon, I'll have her away from Fluttershy and right in the palm of my hoof. And I know just the mare that will never really know why I'm dating her. I know just the mare...