Chapter Twenty-Eight:
Friendship Means Family
Twilight opened her eyes looking up at the dark web of tent folds above her. She could see the soft glow of the lanterns outside. The thump of the music playing somewhere in the distance. There were voices outside, happy voices and laughter. Twilight sat up from her cot, the sheet that covered her fell into a pile in her lap. Like and emotional train wreck, she pushed her face into her hands crying to herself. Hearing the voices outside brought so many emotions that she could hold back the tears any longer. Her whole body was soaked with sweat and trembling from her stress racked body. It took her a few long moments to gather her composure again.
When she finally calmed down she got to her feet. Her legs aching, her shoulders were tense, even her head throbbed along with the music from outside. Winding around the fabric walls took some time to navigate, but when she found the front flap she paused. It wasn't until she heard the familiar laugh of Applejack that she finally stepped out into the night.
The first thing she noticed when she stepped out of the tent was Braeburn hiked up on Big Mac's back, swatting at Rainbow Dash who was riding Shining Armor's back. The pair were jousting with a set of pool noodles, while Applejack cheered them on. Twilight stifled her giggle, trying to keep from drawing attention to herself. She wanted to just observe her friends in all their glory. There was something beautiful about seeing them all together again, laughing and having a good time.
Fluttershy was braiding Sweetie Belle's hair, while Rarity was putting make-up on Scootaloo's face. Maude and Apple Bloom were taking turns playing fetch with Maude's pet rock. Pinkie Pie and Spike were having a contest of how many pieces of kettle corn they could toss up into their mouths. Pinkie Pie hitting herself in he eye with the piece of popcorn was enough to to cause Twilight to laugh out loud.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at her. Twilight smiled giving them a little wave, trying as hard as they could too keep her composure. Shining Armor let Rainbow Dash slip down from his back, a smiles tracing his lips. “Hey Twily, you've been in there of almost ten minutes. We were starting to worry about you, How was it?”
Twilight ran as fast as she could to her brother, throwing her arms around his neck, embracing him so tight that he coughed. “You're all right, all of you.”
Twilight could feel the awkward looks from her friends as they shifted from her to each other and then back to her again. Applejack was the first to walk up to her, resting her hand on Twilight's shoulder. Twilight's reaction was the same, she threw herself into the tall filly's arms, hugging her tightly around the neck.
Applejack giggled pushing her face into Twilight's neck. “So Sugar Cube, were you able to find the true meaning of friendship?”
“I did...It's...when you have a friend, you've got to be willing to do whatever you can to keep them safe from harm and keep them feeling optimistic even in the face of all else.” Twilight's eyes traced from each and every one of her friends. When her gaze fell upon them, they smiled in turn.
“Remember Twilight, you have to love your friends.”
Discord's voice echoed in Twilight's head for a moment, then she felt something give her a push from behind, she fell into Applejack in such a way that their lips touched in a soft peck. It felt like a lightening bolt rolling through her prickling every nerve. When she pulled away Applejack's mouth hung open, her face was bright red. Twilight's face matched the same hue as Applejack's. They shared and awkward silence.
“I...ah...” Applejack started to say, but Twilight gripped Applejack's collar and pulled her into a deep, clumsy kiss, but one that was fueled with passion from every good deed that Applejack had done for her, both in the dream world and in the real world.
Shining Armor blushed, gasping. “Twily.”
“Oh can it, darling, this is positively the best thing I've ever seen.” Rarity's giddy tone, broke their kiss into a fit of nervous giggles.
Applejack slipped her hat back on, rubbing the back of her hand against her heated cheeks. Twilight's chin dipped as she kept her eyes locked with the filly, ignoring the gaping looks from the rest of her friends, who now made a circle around them. “I dunno about you...” Applejack's drawl shuttered uneasily with her own swelling embarrassment. “but I think this kinda thing makes us closer than friends, Sugar Cube.”
Twilight giggled. “Yeah, it makes us a family.” Twilight let her fingers drift down the hem of Applejack's jacket sleeves. “I just wanted to say thank you for everything you've done.” Twilight cast her gaze around once again looking to all her friends. “All of you. I wouldn't be the pony I am today if it wasn't for you all.”
There was an 'aw' from all around before they all gathered tighter around Twilight into a group hug. “I really wish I had super long arms to hug all of you.”
“Ugh, I'm kinda glad you don't, this is starting to border on the corner of gross and nauseating street.” Rainbow Dash struggled against the mass of bodies. There was a spattering of laughter as they slowly separated. Twilight could all of her friends had questions about what she'd under gone in that tent and one day, she would tell each and everyone of them about it, but that wasn't going to happen tonight. Tonight was meant to celebrate friends and family and by the goddesses she was going to.
“Now, let's go have some fun.” Braeburn hollered a yeehaw and the group joined in, making quite a ruckus, before they all spread out through the festival grounds.
As they went along the group got separated doing the stuff that they enjoyed to do. Twilight didn't mind, she enjoyed hanging back, watching her friends enjoy the things they loved. Braeburn, Big Mac, and Rainbow Dash were hanging around the Flim Flam Hard Cider Stand, drinking there bits away. Pinkie, Maude, and Fluttershy were dancing to a hip beat that DJ Pon3 was laying down. Spike, Rarity, and Shining Armor were all gorging themselves on candies and cakes at the Sugarcube Cake Stand. The Cutie Mark Crusaders battled it out with balloon swords they'd received from Clown Hut. No matter how much Twilight watched them, she could help, but get overwhelmed by seeing them.
Warm arms wrapped across Twilight's stomach, soft lips touching her neck, causing the fur on her body to bristle. “Do you reckon you'll ever tell me about what went on in that tent.” Applejack's breath tickled across Twilight's neck causing the warmth to radiate from within her.
Twilight ran her fingers slowly along Applejack's hands, before taking them. “I'm certain. I'll tell you all about it someday. I just didn't want to waste any more of the evening.”
“Spending time with you is never a waste hon.”
Twilight giggled, pusher her head against Applejack's, knocking her hat eschewed. “Take a walk with me?” Applejack whispered before stepping away.
Twilight caught up with her a little ways down the path. They looked back and forth at each other in silence. Applejack laced her fingers with Twilight's, smiling when she saw the blush it caused on the princess' cheeks. They walked for a while without speaking, just enjoying each others company. Suddenly Applejack pulled her into a photo booth, so that they could be alone. Even in the pale light, Applejack's smile caused Twilight to swoon.
“I've been trying so hard to get you to notice me, all these years...this is like a dream come true.” Applejack whispered keeping her voice down. Her honesty was enough to catch Twilight's breath in her chest. She knew the romantic words weren't the easiest for her to say, by the way she chewed at her bottom lip and fidgeted with the hem of her jacket.
Twilight knew it, even though the dream was brought on by a potion, her subconscious mind was strong enough to tell her mind how Applejack felt about her. “To be honest with you, I think I've always known. I was just too afraid that it would ruin our friendship.”
Applejack paused for a long moment, staring deeply into Twilight's eyes. “Well, you just say the word. If you think this is gonna mess stuff up, then I don't even want to try. I'd rather never try and get to see you everyday as a friend, Then take a chance and never get to see you again.”
Twilight pushes her lips against Applejack's, her fingers lacing through the larger pony's blond braid. This time the kiss was more calculated, but still clumsy. Twilight pulled from the kiss, pushing the side of her forehead against Applejack's cheek. “I hope that was enough of an answer for you.”
“Yeehaw.” Applejack whispered back as they both break down into a giggle, clinging onto each other. When they shuffled out of the photo booth they were swallowed up by the festivities spending the rest of their evening wrapped in the love of friendship and family.
