Sparkling Apples

It would be a week since Twilight had asked Applejack out on a date at a local Hay Burger for a first date. It had been a while since both ponies had been in any form of relationship, being busy with either work on the farm or in the library. "Wonder where that mare is," Applejack asks as she looks around while she waits outside of the Hay Burger restaurant in Ponyville. "Didn't we say about this time?” She looks around the restaurant, biting her tongue, feeling her heart race as she anxiously awaits for Twilight to show up at the restaurant. “AJ?” a familiar voice interrupts AJ’s train of thought.

Applejack turns around and sees Twilight standing behind her, dressed in an outfit that Rarity had made her for her birthday in Canterlot a few years ago. "A dress? Really?" She asks teasingly.

“Well, I thought it’d be appropriate, even though it’s only the Hay Burger. Do you think I’m overdressed? I read in a book that the outfit is important to a successful first date,” Twilight asks the farm pony, blushing a bit.

Applejack pushes her hat back a little and then shakes her head. "Looks good Twilight.”

“Thanks. So, shall we um… enjoy ourselves then?”

"Yeah," Applejack says and then pushes the door open. "After you?”

Twilight nods to her and enters the restaurant, having some customers in it, enjoying their meals.

"Looks like we chose the right day ta come here. Not too busy.”

“No. Not at all. Also, I got this covered AJ. Don’t worry about it,” Twilight says, levitating a small bit purse near her.

"Ya know ya don't have to... Ah could've covered it.”

“I know AJ, but I figured I could save you a few bits since you earn every bit you work for,” the Alicorn grins and nuzzles the goldenrod earth pony.

"Thank ya Twilight," Applejack replies with a smile.

Twilight nods and trots over to the counter and looks over the menu briefly. “I’ll have a double cheese hay burger with hot sauce, mustard and barbecue sauce, a large fry, to share, and a drink please,” she says, placing her order to the cashier.

"Ah'll have the same, minus the fries.”

“Well, that was easy enough,” Twilight grins and lays two ten bit pieces for their meal. “Keep the change.”

"Thank you, Your Highness." The cashier says with a happy smile as she slides the bits into the register and hands her the receipt. "We'll have it out soon.”

Twilight nods back with a warm grin and levitates the cups for the two of them and heads over to the soda machine. “What would you like, Applejack?”

"Just tea please. It's good enough for me.”

“Sweet tea?”

"Yes please.”

The Alicorn nods and fills her cup with ice then sweet tea and sets it aside as she does the same for her own cup, but filling it with Colta Cola instead. She them puts the lids on them with a straw and sets them down at a table nearby.

"So how has yer week been Twilight?" Applejack asks as they take their seats at the table.

“Oh uh, pretty well, I guess, thanks for asking,” she replies, sipping her soda. “I’ve just been reorganizing part of my massive library by alphabetical order. I tried it by year of publication, but I figured it was a bit confusing, so I took them all out and redid it!”

"Just like ya to try organizin' some books like that," Applejack replies with a giggle and then sips at her tea.

“Yeah. You can tell I’m a bookworm, huh?”

"Ah've known that since I first saw yer home before the castle," Applejack giggles a little.

Twilight blushes a bit, giggling with a cute snort.

"Ah never knew ya snorted when ya giggled," Applejack says with a bigger smile at hearing her giggle.

“Really? You never have?”

"No, never heard ya giggle in such a way," She replies and then enjoys a little of her sweet tea.

Twilight blushes softly, giggling with another soft snort before hearing their order being called.

"Ah'll get it," Applejack replies as she slides out of her seat and trots over to the counter and slides the tray of their food onto her back.

“Enjoy your meal you two!” the cashier grins to Applejack.

"Thank ya kindly," Applejack gives her a smile and then turns back and trots slowly toward their table.

Twilight uses her magic to take the burgers and look at the sticker on them to see whose was who’s burger, according to the receipt. After placing their burgers in front of them, she dumps the fries that were in a cup into the bag and tears a portion of it off so the fries would be easier to get for them.

"Thanks Twilight," Applejack says as she slides back up into her seat and then looks down at their food. "This all looks real good!”

“I know! It’s been ages since I’ve had a burger since becoming Princess of Friendship,” Twilight adds.

"Wasn't the last time when Applebloom and her friends used ya to become popular?”

“True, but that was awhile ago I believe, wasn’t it?”

"About half a year ago?" Applejack asks as she unwraps her burger and looks down at it. "Looks really good!”

“Give or take,” Twilight nods before unwrapping her burger, looking down at it. “Oh Celestia, I can’t wait to taste this!”

"You and me both.”

“Let’s dig in!” Twilight grins, lifting her burger with her aura and taking a bite out of it, letting out a soft moan as the flavors cover her tongue and fill her mouth.

Applejack leans down and begins nibbling at her burger and then moans happily. "Darn tootin'! Best burger Ah've ever had!”

Twilight nods in reply, swallowing what was in her mouth before taking another delicious bite.

Applejack swallows her bite of food and then smiles. "Ya got a little something..." She says and points with a hoof to Twilight's right cheek.

“I do?” she replies and takes a napkin, after setting her burger down and wipes her cheek. “Did I get it?”

"For the most part," Applejack giggles and looks at the spot that Twilight had missed.

The Alicorn continues to wipe her cheek with the napkin, thinking she cleaned it up. “Did I get it now?”

"Now ya did," Applejack says and leans back down to bite her burger.

“Thanks!” Twilight grins as she gathers a few fries from the bag to put it near her, lifting some of them towards her mouth, biting down on them.

"Ya know... Ah've lived in Ponyville all of my life and Ah've hardly eaten here.”

“Really AJ?” The princess asks curiously, cocking an eyebrow as she takes a sip of her drink.

"Ah guess it's because Ah'm always busy at the farm and things always pile up.”

“Maybe and you usually eat at home, right?”

"Eeyep," Applejack replies and then bites into a few of her fries.

“Definitely some of the best fries around, huh?” Twilight grins, enjoying some more fries.

Applejack nods her head, not wanting to be rude and talk with her muzzle full.

—

"So... how's the family been doin’?” Applejack asks, having finished her meal, sipping on her drink.

“Well, Shining has been enjoying the Crystal Empire with Cadance, so no complaints there,” Twilight replies, sipping her soda. “My parents have been doing well also, last time I checked in with them anyway.”

"That's good to hear," Applejack replies with a smile and then slides the wrappers of her food away.

“How did Big Mac do with helping Braeburn out in Appleloosa?”

"He did very well, thank ya for askin'. Ah actually was glad that Ah had the home to myself for a while.”

“Why do you say that, AJ?”

"Ah just look forward to some alone time every now and then.”

“Even without Applebloom or Granny Smith around, huh?”

"Yeah, don't get me wrong, Ah love my family but Ah gotta have some alone time every now and then.”

“Hmm, true. Everypony need some alone time every now and then. When Spike goes to Canterlot to help Celestia, I usually read about two to three good books a day until he returns, since I have all the free time in the world then.”

"Since ya really don't have much to do right?”

Twilight nods, sipping her drink. “Pretty much, other than inform whomever the map calls from time to time.”

"Yeah. Doesn't it seem odd that it hasn't called us away on something lately?”

“You mean in the past few weeks? Yeah, kinda. Usually it’s at least once a week for some pony. Maybe it needs to be updated or something?” Twilight shrugs with a grin.

"Ah don't know but Ah'm kinda glad.”

“I’m not minding at all. It gives all of us more time to ourselves, or in our case, together,” Twilight smiles happily at Applejack.

Applejack smiles back at Twilight and then giggles a little.

The Alicorn sips on her drink before she finishes the last few sips that were left in her cup. “Hmm, that was refreshing.”

"Eeyep. Wanna get going?" Applejack asks. "Ah'm sure we're done here.”

“Sure. Let’s go. This was much needed, I think,” Twilight grins, putting their trash in the bag, carrying it to a nearby trash can and throwing it all away.

"So is there anything else you wanna do for our date?" Applejack asks as she trots ahead and holds the door open for Twilight.

“Well, I didn’t have anything planned for the rest of the night. Did you… wanna just walk me home possibly?”

"Actually... that sounds good. Ah gotta get up early tomorrow to help Big Mac with some harvesting.”

“Okay. I’ll lead the way,” Twilight says as she exits the restaurant.

Applejack nods and follows Twilight as hey walk toward the castle each of the two having many thoughts running through their heads.

As the two ponies make their way through town, the two look at each other from time to time, with deep blushes on their faces, trying to think of what the other is thinking to themselves.

'Ah wonder what Twilight's thinkin' about. Maybe it's about somethin' that she thinks she did wrong during our date... or maybe somethin' else entirely.’

‘Did I do everything right according to the book? Was the dress too much for Hay Burger? What does the book say for what happens AFTER the date is over?’ Twilight thinks to herself, wondering if the date went okay, at least according to Applejack anyway, not showing any worried emotions on her face.

As soon as they arrive at the castle, Applejack stops and looks up at it. "Sill can't believe we got this after beatin' Tirek.”

“Yeah, I know right? It’s quite something isn’t it? I also appreciate making this castle more… homey with the addition of the roots from Golden Oaks. That really made it special for me,” Twilight grins warmly at her friend.

"You're welcome Twilight," Applejack replies and then grins. "Ah should be off so good night Twilight. Sweet dreams.”

“W-Wait, before you go AJ. I um… want to give… something to you…”

"Yes Twilight? What is it?" She asks as she turns back to face her friend.

The Alicorn bites her lip and is silent for a few seconds before shutting her eyes and lunging forward suddenly to plant an unexpected kiss on AJ’s lips, not knowing how she would react.

Applejack's eyes widen from the sudden move from Twilight as well from the feeling of her lips against hers. For the longest moment, all she could do is stare at her friend with wide eyed wonder before slowly closing her eyes and kisses her back.

Feeling that the kiss had lasted longer than she had thought, Twilight continues the kiss for several more seconds before slowly breaking it, slowly opening her eyes, looking into her friend’s eyes as well with a deep blush on her face.

Applejack stares back and then after a few more wordless seconds, is able to speak what was on her mind. "Twilight... that was... unexpected. But... Ah liked it.”

“Y-You did?”

"Yes... it was... unexpected at first. But Ah think Ah really enjoyed it.”

Twilight blushes deeply. “I… I uh… did too AJ. I… I just thought about it and acted upon it.”

"Ah'm glad you did..."

"You... You did?”

“Yes."

“Well, I… I’m glad you enjoyed it and uh… uh I hope we can… do this again… sometime soon,” Twilight says softly, blushing a deep red while speaking.

"Ah hope so too," Applejack replies and then pushes her hat forward, hiding her eyes.

“Well, um… I… guess I will see you soon, AJ?”

"Yeah... see ya later," She replies and then turns away and walks back toward her home.

Twilight nods and enters her massive castle before closing the massive door behind her, letting out a high pitched squeal of delight, happy to know the date was a success and would be anxious to do something like this again with Applejack.