The TwiJack Project

by Jake R

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Romance, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Slice of Life
Length: 5484

Twilight and Applejack's romance as told through the show.

The TwiJack project is a series of short fics attached to various episodes, detailing a relationship between Twilight Sparkle and Applejack behind the scenes. The stories take place sometime during or shortly after the indicated episode.

The concept is inspired by several of the previous projects:
The AppleDash Project (Part 1 and Part 2) by bookplayer
The TwiDash Project by bats and Subsolar Drift
The RariDash Project by Jake R

Note: The TwiJack Project does not take place alongside The RariDash Project. They are of two separate continuities.

Prereading by bookplayer and bats

Published 2014-05-14 18:50:06 UTC
Last updated 2014-05-16 18:23:31 UTC

A Little Cocky (Friendship is Magic)

At last, the day had been won. With the reawakening of the Elements of Harmony, Nightmare Moon was excised from Princess Luna, who returned to her rightful place on the throne alongside Celestia.

There was much rejoicing, and as was in Ponyville, when there was cause for celebration, Pinkie Pie worked her magic.

Her exuberant, exhausting, party-hardy magic.

By the time Celestia and Luna departed for home, the entirety of Ponyville was rendered utterly worn out from the day of festivities, with most of the town’s denizens stumbling off toward their homes. However, Twilight Sparkle remained up and ready.

She had a lot of moving ahead of her, after all.

“Twiliiiiiiight,” Spike bemoaned through a yawn. “I’m so tired. Can we please wait until tomorrow to do this?”

“Spike,” Twilight admonished, double-checking her clipboard. “Do you honestly expect me to go to sleep without having made sure all of the books in this library have been shelved under the proper system? For goodness’ sake, who knows how long these poor things have been organized simply by alphabetical title? It’s savagery.” After putting down the clipboard, she hovered over a marker and one of the of boxes of books that had been taken off the shelves.

“And these will be our Reference section, for now. I need to write to the princess tomorrow and see if we can have my old encyclopedias shipped over here ASAP. The fact that this library doesn’t even have a complete, leatherbound record of patents throughout Equestrian history is almost sickening.” She lifted the box over to her assistant, smiling. “Spike, be a sport, and–”

Spike rolled his tired eyes as he sighed. “Yeah, yeah, I gotcha.” He cracked his fingers before attempting to lift the heavy box, grunting and digging his feet into the floorboards as his efforts proved fruitless. The young drake collapsed to the floor in a puffing, sweaty mess. “Uh... Twilight?”

Twilight giggled. “Okay, I give in. I’ll handle the rest of this. You can go on to bed.”

Spike beamed as he leaped from the floor. “Really?! Thanks, Twilight.” As he scampered for the stairs, he turned around. “You sure you got this? After everything you’ve been through the past few days, you’re not even a little tired?”

“Are you kidding?” Twilight proceeded to lift all the stacked books, floating them to various shelves. “This has been the most exciting time of my life! I not only rescued a princess and rediscover a lost magic, but... I’ve actually made friends.” She giggled at the prospect. “I can’t believe that’s something I would say about myself. Not even a friend I made through Shining like Cadance was. I, Twilight Sparkle, have made my own friends. And I love it!”

Spike gave a warm smile. “Well, that’s the spirit, Twilight. It’s good you finally came to your senses about this sort of thing.” As he ascended the stairs backwards, he gave a bow. “And with that, this strapping lad who was right all along shall bid you a good–”

There came a knock at the door.

Twilight smiled as she looked to Spike. “Could you?”

“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled as he returned downstairs. Twilight refocused her attention on the task of shelving, not paying attention to who was at the door at this hour.

“Hey, Twilight,” Spike poked at Twilight, causing her to drop several books on the floor, much to her annoyance.

She turned with a glare. “Really, Spike?”

“It’s uh... whatsherface, Applejack, that’s it. She’s wondering if she can come inside.”

Twilight’s eyes widened. “Applejack? Yes. Yes of course she can come in.”

Spike looked to the doorway and motioned her to come in, and sure enough, there stood Twilight’s new friend, sporting an inviting grin.

“Howdya do, Twilight?” Applejack tipped her stetson.

Twilight grinned as she stepped forward. “Oh, uh, fine, Applejack. What brings you here?” She reached out a hoof, but was thrown off when Applejack pulled her into a friendly hug. “Oh!” She stifled a giggle. “I guess you’re really happy to see me,” she chuckled before reciprocating the hug.

“Aw, shucks. I’m always happy to see a good friend," AJ relplied, giving Twilight a warm pat on the back. "Just came to see that you 'n Spike're nice 'n settled." Her hoof seemed to linger on her back, not seeming to want to stop rubbing.

Twilight blushed as she let go. "That's really sweet of you, Applejack. I must say, aside from Pinkie Pie, you've been just the most welcoming pony I've met. I really appreciate it."

"Ain't nothin' to it," Applejack relplied as she shook her head. "Not too often we get some excitement in these parts, and dagnabbit if you ain't a big ball o'excitement."

Twilight turned and tried to refocus on her task at her hoof. "Oh, please. I'm honestly pretty ordinary... boring, really." She lifted the fallen books and proceeded reshelving.

"You kiddin'?" Applejack trotted next to Twilight as she worked, standing only inches away. "I was just walkin' Fluttershy home, and she couldn't stop talkin' 'bout Spike. Gotta say, it's the giddiest I've ever seen that girl."

Twilight snorted as she rolled her eyes. “So the fact that a baby dragon–not I, mind you, but my dragon–lives in this town, that somehow makes me interesting?”

“I reckon that’s quite a conversation starter.” Applejack nudged at Twilight’s shoulder. “I mean, shoot, we’re talkin’ ‘bout it, right now.”

Twilight had trouble concealing her mirth. “You’re just the most straightforward pony, aren’t you?”

Applejack gave a meek smile. “I reckon that’s just how I was raised.”

The books that had been picked up had all been moved to their proper shelves. Twilight sighed as she wiped away a bead of sweat from her brow and smiled to her new friend. “Well, let me just say, you were raised right.”

The blush on Applejack’s face was immediate. “Aw shucks, you’re too much, Twi.” She looked away. “It ain’t nothin’.”

Twilight’s eyes widened. “Nothing? Applejack, you practically saved my life. It was your heartfelt honesty that encouraged me to let go of you at that rockslide.” She grinned while placing a hoof on Applejack’s shoulder, causing the two to make eye contact.

“There’s just this... sincerity to you. I’ve just met you and the girls, but already, I’ve found so much to admire.”

Applejack couldn’t help but snort as she blushed yet again, placing her hooves on Twilight’s shoulders. “Well heck, look at you. Dang if we hadn’t even known each other two days, and already, you’re sayin’ all this sweet talk. If we wanna talk about sincere ponies, let’s talk about you for a sec.”

Twilight shook her head as she turned to check the still unmarked boxes of books. “That’s different. I have to realize that I have such sentiments inside of me, but you? You just seem to... ooze sincerity.” When she reached the boxes, she inspected the contents and hovered the marker over for proper labeling. “Aaand, that’s Science Fiction and Pulp.” Twilight felt a twinge of fatigue as she stretched out her forelegs and let out a yawn.

Scratching her mane, she continued, “I guess I can decide the shelves for these tomorrow.” Another yawn came. “Ugh, now I have to move these boxes to the closet.”

“Say no more,” Applejack interjected, briskly trotting over to Twilight and her boxes.

Twilight rapidly shook her head. “No, no, no, Applejack, I couldn’t, please, it’s really–”

“Ain’t a big deal in the slightest,” she replied with a confident grin.

Twilight beamed. “Look at you, Applejack. You’re sincere, helpful, you have a really great accent–”

“Accent,” Applejack interrupted, giving a snort. “Now what the hay does that gotta do with anythin’?”

“I’m not sure,” Twilight giggled. “I just think it’s nice, okay? Maybe it’s because I never get to hear it back in Canterlot.”

“Heh. Well, I guess you can get used to it, then.” Applejack took a short breath, and with but a stamp to the ground, both boxes of books jumped up into the air, sending a shockwave that tingled the bottom of Twilight’s hooves. With an arch of her back, Applejack effortlessly caught both boxes and trotted over to the closet door.

“Ooh, and you’re incredibly strong, too,” Twilight continued, giving her friend a round of applause while opening the closet door as Applejack approached. As she stepped away from the door, Twilight also made a subconscious mental note of the way Applejack’s hind legs flexed just from trotting. This was clearly a mare who got results.

“Honestly, with such impressive credentials, I’d swear you’d be cocky like Rainbow Dash.”

Applejack tossed the boxes into the closet as she scoffed. “Hoo-nelly, that’d be somethin’. Truth be told, Twi, I always thought that Dash was the flakiest mare this side of Equestria. Imagine two of us runnin’ around.” She laughed, shaking her head and trotting back to Twilight. “But naw, I try not to show off, honestly.”

“Well, maybe you should show off every now and then. Applejack, I must say, I’ve never met a pony with as much to offer others be so... humble about it. You really don’t give yourself enough credit.”

Applejack grinned, shaking her head. “Look at you. You’re a student of the princess, and ya just saved all o’Equestria, and yet, you’re still heapin’ praise on lil’ ol’ me. Seems to me like if anypony’s gotta learn how to be a little cocky every now ‘n again, it’s you.”

“Pfft.” Was Twilight’s initial reaction. “Applejack, I couldn’t have saved anypony had it not been for you girls. It was because you all of you that I learned the secret behind the elements of harmony and the magic of friendship. Please don’t pretend like I was the only reason we succeeded.”

Applejack sighed. “Alright then. I won’t do that... but I’ll tell ya this much, Twi. I may be a friendly pony, but I can’t honestly say I was friends with those girls before ya showed up.”

Twilight’s head tilted ever-so slightly.

“Heh, it’s true. I mean, I knew these girls, and we were friendly ‘n whatnot. But ever since you’ve shown up and shown us how we’re connected, this is the first time I can say sure as sugar that y’all are my friends.” Applejack brought brought Twilight in for another hug and whispered, “Thanks for that, Twi.”

Twilight gulped as she pulled away and gave a nervous smile. “I’m really going to love getting to know you girls. This is the best change in life I could ever ask for, just...” she sighed. “Thank you.”

Applejack tipped her stetson. “Ain’t nothin’ to it.”

“No!” Twilight stamped her hoof. “There you go, again! For goodness’ sake, Applejack, be just a little bit cocky, I beg of you.” Twilight’s yelling descended into incredulous giggling.

Applejack shook her head. “Well, how ‘bout this? I start bein’ cocky when you act a little cocky, yourself?”

“Never,” she laughed.

With a smug grin, Applejack replied, “Well, shoot. I guess you’re outta luck, then.”

Twilight blew a raspberry, causing Applejack to simply giggle.

“Well, this has been a load o’fun, Twi, but I best be gettin’ back home. Got a lotta buckin’ to do in the mornin’.”

“Oh, of course.” Twilight walked toward the door, opening it for Applejack. “I really appreciate your hospitality, Applejack. Let’s not let this be the only time we have a talk like this.”

“Couldn’t have said it better, myself. Just remember, Sweet Apple Acres is a welcoming place, anytime.” Applejack proclaimed, as she trotted out the door. As she stepped outside, she turned to the doorway to give Twilight one more hug. “Have a good night, Twi. Welcome to Ponyville.”

Twilight eagerly returned the hug, lightly nuzzling her friend. “Thank you, Applejack. Thank you for being my friend.”

She could feel Applejack’s cheekbone from her grin as she replied, “My pleasure, Twi. My pleasure.”

The two said their final goodbyes as Twilight waved off Applejack into the darkness of Ponyville before looking up at the sky and smiling at the blanket of night. Luna’s first moon in a thousand years shone over the town with a sense of renewal: a feeling that there was but a bright future ahead for herself and her new friends.

Or perhaps, Twilight was just being overly sentimental from sleep deprivation, that was indeed a possibility. Either way, Twilight realized she needed to get some sleep.

As she trotted up the stairs and into her room, all Twilight could think about was Applejack. If she was any indication, Twilight knew she was going to have the best friends a pony could ask for.

Still, something seemed different with Applejack, but Twilight couldn’t put her hoof on it. For some odd reason, there had been several stray observations made about Applejack that she had yet to make about her other friends.

Why did Twilight compliment Applejack’s accent? It wasn’t like it was an accomplishment on Applejack’s part.

Still though, Twilight couldn’t deny it was nice to hear it.

It was also nice to see Applejack, to be around her. Really, for Twilight, it was nice to just think about her as she was drifting to sleep.

Yeah. Applejack’s gonna be a... very good friend. At last, Twilight finally slept.

As Good a Time as Any (Applebuck Season)

Applejack breathed a heavy sigh of relief as she sat down at her picnic table. She looked around and made sure nobody was in the distance before she brought out the mug and bottle. Her friends were gone, the apples were all bucked, the sun was going down, and she was plum tired.

It was as good a time as any for a stiff one.

The liquor streamed out of the bottle as Applejack filled her mug halfway, licking her lips all the while. She gripped the mug and quickly lifted it to her lips, downing her drink as she let it sting and burn her throat and stomach to satisfaction. Her body shivered at the sensation while a satisfied grin adorned her lips as she watched the sun go down in the distance. The sweet solitude couldn’t be beat, as far as Applejack was concerned.

“Do you mind if I join you?”

Well, okay, maybe one thing could beat it.

Applejack turned and saw that it was Twilight, and her smile remained unaltered. It seemed she wasn’t even curious how Twilight snuck up on her, for she pat down on the seat next to her. “Darn tootin’.”

Twilight smiled–gosh, it was a cute smile–and she hopped in next to her friend, grabbing the bottle to inspect it before chuckling. “So you drink... Applejack?”

“Eeyup,” she replied proudly. “It was my daddy’s favorite drink in the world.”

A snort followed immediately. “Don’t tell me your father named you after his favorite kind of alcohol.”

Applejack shrugged. “Hey, why not? It was one of his favorite things in the world, and I’d like to think I was one of his favorite ponies. It’s the name I was given, and I’m proud of that.”

Twilight giggled. “Alright, fair enough.” Her horn flashed a bolt of magic before a coffee mug materialized in a flash. As she raised the mug, she batted her eyes. “Mind if I...”

How could Applejack refuse? She simply nodded before Twilight helped herself to her liquor.

A chuckle came to her. “So, ya came here just to mooch off my hooch?”

Twilight snorted. “That was a forced rhyme if I’ve ever heard it.”

“That ain’t an answer to my question, Twi. Gotta say, didn’t take you for much of a drinkin’ type.” She watched Twilight take a swig from her mug, seeing that her body jolted with the same kind of goosebumps she herself got from drinking Applejack.

Twilight sighed as she licked her lips clean, beaming at the liquid in her body. “Back in Canterlot, when you’ve been studying for over a week to make sure you pass all of your final exams with flying colors, it’s as good a time as any for a stiff drink.”

Applejack grinned ear to ear. “Atta filly,” she proclaimed, giving Twilight a light punch to the foreleg, causing Twilight to nearly fall over.

“Applejack,” she blurted out in laughter, before hiccuping. “Stop it!”

“Heh, sorry, Twi. I just gotta admit, it’s quite a sight to see ya tip back some liquor all casual like. Usually, you unicorn types’re too high class for that sorta thing... ya know I don’t mean anythin’ hurtful when I say that, right?”

Twilight waved a hoof. “I get you, really. I’ve spent my whole life around Canterlot unicorns, and I know darn well how they act and see others.” She sighed as a smile came to her face again. “I must say, it’s been really nice to have this change of scenery. The ponies around here are less pretentious. Even Rarity has a sort of authenticity I never saw back in Canterlot.” She placed a hoof on Applejack’s shoulder–mercy, her hoof was soft–and beamed. “I’d say you have a good influence on them.”

Applejack could feel the heat rise in her cheeks. “Aw, shucks, Twi, you’re too much. I guess it just might have somethin’ to do with the earth pony way. It might just affect the way we look at the whole world. I know that sounds kinda cocky, so I don’t actually say that out lou–”

“Nonono.” Twilight stammered, shaking her head. “You don’t understand. I think that’s fascinating. And you’re right, really. Earth ponies tend to be more connected to the natural world than unicorns, and in addition, their magic manifests in their nurturing and tending of the earth rather than spells. There might actually be something to the ‘earth pony way’, and I’d, frankly, like to learn more about it.”

Applejack grinned, brimming with a growing pride. “Well, shucks, just wait until Winter Wrap-Up comes around. You’ll really get a taste of what the earth pony way is like.”

Twilight’s eyes shot open. “Winter Wrap-Up? That’s real?” She inched closer to Applejack until their noses touched. “You do everything by hoof? No spells?”

Applejack’s mouth quivered. “Heh. Yeah, no spells.”

Twilight squeed as she grabbed the bottle and poured more into Applejack’s mug. “Tell me more, please!”

Applejack laughed, taking the mug to her lips and tipping back for a long swig. She might as well oblige, she thought. After all, how could she refuse when a pretty mare poured her a drink?

By the time the sun was fully down, and Luna’s sky twinkled in its majesty, the bottle of Applejack was completely empty. Twilight and Applejack had spent the whole evening drinking and regaling each other with one miscellaneous topic after another. Whatever it was they discussed didn’t seem to matter, as time trickled away all the same.

Applejack bobbed herself back and forth, feeling a little lightheaded. “Twi, I gotta tell ya–”

“I like that you call me Twiiii,” Twilight slurred. Obviously, she was a bit more of a lightweight than Applejack.

Applejack snickered. “If ya say so. But anyway, Twi, I gotta say... thanks fer bein’ so stubborn with me when I was so stubborn.”

Twilight cocked an eyebrow, unsure how to respond.

“L-like, I was so durn sure that I could buck every apple on Sweet Apple Acres, but ya saw right through me and wouldn’t let up.” She placed a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “Ya told me what I needed to hear.”

“Ohhhhhhh,” Twilight replied, her eyes widened. She laughed, shaking off AJ’s hoof. “Y-y-you don’t give yerself any credit, AJ–”

“I like when ya call me AJ, baby,” Applejack interjected with a smug grin.

“W-was that genuine, or are you just teasing?”

“A little’a column A and a little of column B.” Applejack was glad Twilight didn’t bring up ‘baby.’ Either one pony was getting too drunk to filter, or the other was getting too drunk to notice such sloppy flirting. Applejack had to control herself.

Twilight shook her head. “Okay, AJ,” she giggled. “What I was saying is that you only decided to ask for help because you realized you needed–hic–it. Ooh–hic–excuse me. But yeah, you’re a lot smarter than you think you are.”

Applejack grinned like a dope. “Ya say the nicest dang things, Twi.”

Twilight dopily grinned back. “I mean the nicest dang things, AJ. Because you make me mean them.”

The two stared back at each other in silence for the longest time. What was this, Applejack thought. They couldn’t possibly get this friendly with each other in such a short amount of time. Now what were they doing? Flirting?

Twilight obviously wasn’t flirting, AJ thought. She was too sweet and innocent for that. The filly had spent her whole life in books, there wasn’t any way she would know how to flirt.

This couldn’t happen. They had to be just friends. Even if Applejack thought Twilight was an incredibly smart, pretty, genuine, affectionate, hot piece of ass–dear Luna, she was sauced, wasn’t she? The point being, no matter how much Twilight was courting material, Applejack wouldn’t make things awkward by making a pass.

This was it. She was gonna tell Twilight she was tired, and they would go their separate ways, ready to take tomorrow on as friends. Friends and nothing more...

Twilight’s lips tasted like the Applejack they had been drinking. It was odd, but hot at the same time.

At once, both sets of eyes shot open as they realized what they were doing. And yet, despite the awareness, neither seemed willing to be the first to part from the kiss. Who was the first one to make the move? Was Applejack so buzzed, she couldn’t keep herself from controlling herself while deep in thought? It was possible, she guessed, but... Applejack realized, as she felt the warm, honest connection with her friend continue, that none of that really mattered, right now.

She closed her eyes and, feeling daring, wrapped her forelegs around Twilight’s neck, bringing her closer until their torsos touched. It was then that Twilight finally broke the kiss, whispering, “...like apples.”

“Eh?” Applejack cocked an eyebrow.

“Y-you taste like apples... it’s amazing!”

Applejack snorted. “It’s the Applejack, honey.”

“Oh, is it ever,” Twilight swooned as she shot a sultry look at her friend.

“Naw, Twi, I mean the Applejack. Ya know, what we were just drinkin’ for the last hour?”

Twilight’s face shut. “...Oh. Y-yeah, yeah, I’m drunk.”

Applejack could barely contain her laughter before motioning Twilight to come into a hug, to which Twilight obliged. The two sighed as they held each other in silence for as a long a time as they merely stared at each other.

“...Ya want me to take ya home?” Applejack finally asked.

Twilight broke from the hug, breathing a heavy sigh. “How about we–hic–keep kissing instead, hmm?”

Applejack grinned. In their haze, when it came to kissing, it was as good a time as any.

Author's Note

I've held off on this for a while, mainly because I've already got a sorely neglected project with RariDash, and thus, I held out hope that some other writer would heed the call of a TwiJack Project. However, so far, nothing has come as a result of waiting, and like my granny used to say back in her tar paper shack on Montego Bay, 'if you want an episodic chronicle of lesbian cartoon horses, you've got to do it yourself'.

But yeah, like the projects that precede it, expect a sporadic update schedule, wherin I'll write and update if the inspiration strikes me. That said, however, I'm willing to open things up by giving episodes to authors that I trust and am on good terms with. The idea isn't set in stone, but the TwiJack Project is something other writers have wanted to see for a long time, so who knows?

I'll Be There (Griffon The Brush Off)

Pinkie Pie’s party eventually spread outside of Sugarcube Corner into the the town square. Twilight contented herself to pony-watching at a nearby bench, smiling at the site of Pinkie and Rainbow Dash tearing it up with the rest of the town as the music blared throughout every street corner while fireworks went off in the distant sky. With the misfortune that was Gilda gone from memory, it seemed the minds of everyone at the party were clear and carefree.

Well... almost everyone.

Twilight had these nagging thoughts that bothered her to no end in the back of her mind. It had been a week since she had seen Applejack... and she’d be lying if she said that was an accident.

Nothing more had come from that night at the picnic table than some rounds of heavy kissing, but such an event had never been more confusing for Twilight. Was that what alcohol did to her when a pony she thought was attractive was around? Celestia knows what would have happened if Twilight had found this out about herself back in Canterlot after a grueling exam. What if she had stumbled into that really nice-looking colt from the Royal Guard ROTC she used to glance at every now and again? Twilight shuddered at the thought. She wouldn't have been able to show her face around Canterlot again!

However, it wasn’t some stranger from school or a high-ranking aristocrat... it was Applejack, and Applejack seemed to like it.... she seemed to like it while drunk.

Twilight groaned internally at the mess she had made. There was no way in Equestria that Applejack had thought a thing of what had a happened. If Twilight were to ask her about it, there's no doubt she would shrug it off and call it a one time thing.

That's not to say Applejack was a bad pony or anything, but... there just wasn't any possibility of anything serious coming out of that.

Twilight, in resolve, took a breath. All that was left to do was put what happened behind her and continue to be a good friend, and after a while, she could look at Applejack the same way she looked at all of her fr—

“Well, howdy, Twi. Crazy party, huh?” Applejack chuckled as she found a spot on the bench next to Twilight, whose heart immediately began palpitating. She never got any luck, did she?

Twilight gulped, forcing a grin. “Heh. Yeah, it certainly is, um... I haven’t seen you around—” She immediately clamped her mouth shut, reprimanding herself. Bad, bad move, Twilight.

“Well, I’ll be danged if you ain’t right,” Applejack beamed. “You’re a sight for sore eyes, I must say.” She took a sip from the cup she was holding, and held it up to Twilight’s face. “Care for a drink?”

Twilight’s felt her cheeks heat up as eye twitched at the memory. “Uh...”

Applejack merely giggled. “It’s just punch, sugar. I ain’t some kinda lush or nothin’.”

Twilight gulped, relieved it wasn’t something that would make her act a fool... okay she might spill it all over herself, but her levitation wasn't that clumsy when she was nervous.

She smacked her lips after taking a refreshing sip. "It's good..." Twilight smirked. "It's just not quite like Applejack."

Applejack chuckled. “Yeah, not quite. That’s some good stuff.”

Twilight nodded, twisting her mouth slightly before blurting, “I never thought you had a problem with alcohol.”

Applejack stared back at Twilight as she stammered before Applejack placed a hoof on her mouth.

And it was at that moment that Twilight couldn’t help but notice just how gentle, yet firm, her hoof was. Dear Luna, she was intoxicating.

Applejack smirked. “Heh. Most ponies ‘round here wouldn’t be surprised if I did. I am my daddy’s daughter.”

Twilight’s insides cringed. She didn’t want to ask, but... “So,” she gulped. “W-was he...”

Applejack sighed. “Yeah, yeah. He was a good stallion, but we all got our weaknesses. His weakness consumed him, and it took him from us a bit before Apple Bloom was born. Wasn’t too long ‘fore Momma went, too.”

“I’m... so sorry, Applejack,” Twilight whispered, putting a hoof on Applejack’s shoulder.

Applejack steeled herself. “Don’t be. It happens to all of us, and frankly, all it did was make me stronger than I would’ve been.”

Twilight sighed, scooting in closer to give her a warm hug and forgetting her previous nerves. “...I’m still sorry,” she whispered. “A-and I guess I don’t really have anything else to say, but... I wish I did. A solution or something.”

“Heh,” AJ replied, moving in to nuzzle Twilight. “You’re a good pony to talk to about this kinda thing, Twi. I know ya wanna help any way ya can, but... sometimes, it’s nice to just have a pony in your corner, ya know?”

Twilight smiled against Applejack’s neck. “I can always be that,” she whispered.

Applejack sighed, which Twilight felt and leaned back as a result. “What’re we doin’, Twi?”

“...I don’t know, to be honest. What are we doing? What are we?”

Twilight felt the grip of Applejack’s hooves on her own. She gulped, looking up and see the most straightforward expression she had ever seen in a pony’s eyes.

“I won’t sugarcoat it, Twi. I... I like ya.” A wry smile came on her lips. “See, I said it and I ain’t even drunk. I must say, I thought you were nice ‘n pretty when ya came around, but that night at the picnic table, ya got me mighty smitten. Whatever ya wanna do with that is up to ya, but... I would never lie to ya or string you along.”

Twilight’s gulped as she breathed rapidly through her nose. Ultimately, she breathed a heavy sigh and gripped Applejack’s hooves tighter. “I know you’re not lying...” she smiled. “You ooze sincerity, after all.”

Applejack snorted. “How’s that for runin’ a moment?”

“Oh, I did not!” Twilight giggled while waving a hoof.

“Yeah, I reckon ya did,” Applejack chuckled. Twilight was then taken off guard when Applejack leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. “...I still like ya, though.”

As much as Twilight couldn’t deny how much she was enjoying it, she still moved away from Applejack. “I’m sorry, I’m just... confused.”

Applejack sighed. “Believe me, Twi, I don’t blame ya, but...” she beamed. “My folks raised me right, and they’d tell me to court a girl proper. I like ya, and... well, can I treat ya to a picnic, sometime?”

Twilight looked away, trying to figure out a coherent response. “I... I don’t know.”

Applejack looked crestfallen as she cleared her throat. “Uh... beg your pardon?”

“I’m sorry, Applejack, it’s just...” she gulped again. “I’ve never really had a group of friends before, let alone a relationship. Believe me, I like you a whole lot as well, I just... I still don’t know how to be a truly good friend yet, and I’m worried I’d ruin my first relationship by my own naivete.”

“Twi, I–”

“I didn’t say no,” Twilight blurted. “I just... need some time to figure things out. Give me... I don’t know, a little while to decide if I’m willing to take the jump.” She blinked looking for some moticum of understanding from Applejack.

She certainly looked disappointed, that was for sure. Applejack sighed and closed her eyes. “I getcha.” A smile came on her face as her eyes opened. “Twi, you take all the time in the world. Far be it from me to push ya into something you’re not ready for, and whatever choice ya make, I’ll still be here and still your friend.”

Twilight’s heart lurched as she grinned ear to ear, jumping to tackle Applejack in a hug. “Thank you. Thank you so much. I knew you would understand, and I really hate to make things complicated, but–”

Applejack gently rubbed Twilight’s back. “Don’t worry your mind, Twi. You’re a good friend, and that’s the most important thing.”

“And your friendship is the most important thing to me, too,” Twilight returned, backing from the hug with a grin still on her face. “Come on,” she proclaimed as jumped off the bench and pointed to the still-raging party. “We shouldn’t save all the fun for Pinkie and Dash, now should we?”

Applejack grinned, adjusting her stetson with a determined cock of the brow. “Heck naw. Let’s tear it up, girl!”

The two galloped together into the procession, throwing caution to the wind as they danced and cavorted with their friends late into the night. Twilight felt nothing that night but jubilation, her mind, for the moment, clear and carefree. Although she had many questions to answer about herself and Applejack... her friend’s encouraging words assured her whatever would happen wouldn’t matter in the end.

Applejack would always be there.

Author's Note

Yep, I'm an evil sonofabitch. Deal widdit.