My Little Pony: Friendship is Dirty Afterstory

Wine helped everything. I had practically chugged my first glass, and Rarity had given me a look that said she understood why I needed it, but I could be a little more ladylike about it. I was trying to be more conscientious about my second one. This was a fairly high-end restaurant, after all, and we were supposed to be on our best behavior. I was starting to feel the buzz, though, my chest radiating a heat that steadied my nerves and made conversation flow more easily.

“And then, right as I think I've gotten all of'em, I found one hangin' from the rafters in the barn!” It was obvious the alcohol was helping Applejack relax as well.

“You're joking.” Rarity's jaw dropped.

“Wish I was! It took me almost an hour to figure out how to climb up there n' get it without anyone noticing.”

“How does someone get a bra up there anyways?” Rarity covered a smile with her hand, suppressing her giggles.

“Haven't the foggiest. I'm just glad I noticed it before the family arrived.” AJ shook her head. “Though I'm pretty sure Caramel got a little action in there anyways before the night was done.”

“Really? At a family reunion?” My eyes went wide.

“Twilight, are we really in any position to judge, all things considered?” Despite Rarity's statement, her cheeks flushed and she glanced away. I don't think there was a single one of us who hadn't engaged in some form of familial relations at some point since The Sleepover, so yes, we weren't in a position to judge, but it was still a tad sensitive. We shattered taboos left and right, but some were broken with less enthusiasm than others.

“N-no, not, I just meant... Well it's weird enough for us, most normal people consider it basically unthinkable, right? I mean I definitely did before...” I gestured vaguely below the table with one hand, then took a sip of my wine.

“I don't think it was with anyone else in the family... can't say for sure, just heard her voice moanin' when I was takin' everything in after dinner.” Applejack took a long drink of her cider and glanced away. “But... yeah, like y'all said, I ain't gonna throw no stones while I'm livin' in a glass house.”

I was trying to be surreptitious about my alcohol consumption, but I did need more of it to get properly relaxed with this whole situation. I imagined even a normal date could be mentally taxing, exhausting, even. Having to pay direct and meaningful attention to someone for the entire evening sounded difficult. I had to balance it between two people at once, making sure I was giving them both enough attention, but trying not to favor one over the other or ignore either of their needs while also participating in the conversation and being interesting about it to boot.

“I can't wait for the next one. I've always enjoyed your reunions as a friend, but as a member of the family? Now that will be fun.” Rarity scooted herself a little closer to Applejack and put a hand on the farmgirl's thigh. I saw AJ tense at that, though, and she clammed up a little.

“Speaking of, Rarity, how did your parents react to the, uh... news?” I said, realizing as soon as I said it that I hadn't actually steered the conversation to a different topic as I had intended. I knew Applejack was already the most uncertain about the polyamory idea, so mentioning all five of her girlfriends being considered 'members of the family' was probably uncomfortable to just drop as though it was to be taken for granted.

“They were confused by it at first, but when I told mama that it had the potential to give her more grandchildren than she knew what to do with, She seemed not to care any more. I think that's all she's ever cared about with regards to my love life, honestly.” Rarity glanced over to AJ, who seemed simultaneously more and less comfortable with the conversation now that potential offspring were on the table. I knew she was family oriented and wanted kids, but this was definitely moving too quickly for her.

I reached a hand over and wrapped my fingers around Applejack's hand, giving her a reassuring squeeze. Honestly, for all the decorum and social grace Rarity cultivated, she could be as oblivious as any of us when it came to certain topics.

“What about you, Twilight? I'm sure Cadance was thrilled at the idea.”

“Weeellll...” I said, gnawing at my lower lip, “I think she was okay with it after she picked her jaw up off the floor.” We all giggled, “She was the one who introduced me to this idea in the first place, after, uh... Shiny...” I rolled my shoulders and glanced away. My former brother had gotten the same treatment as Spike. “Couldn't exactly keep the secret after my brother woke up with boobs one morning, so I explained everything to her, and she was really understanding. Way moreso than Shiny was. But I think she expected me to like... date two of you at once, not go with 'the Hexagon of Girlfriends' right out of the gate.” That was the name we had given to the situation, all six of us in one big group relationship. “She cautioned me that it was going to be even harder than I think it will be, and I believe her, but...”

“It can't be any other way.” Applejack said quietly, squeezing my fingers and placing a hand on Rarity's shoulder. Exactly: It just couldn't be any other way.

I leaned in, resting my head on her arm. I wrapped both hands around the bulging, rippling muscles and stroked gently up and down. She was so solid and warm. Despite all her nerves and confusion, she was a bulwark of stability that nobody else could imitate.

Rarity made a similar gesture on Applejack's opposite side, and underneath the table, I felt toes brush against my calf. I looked over and saw Rarity smiling at me as she hugged AJ's other arm.

“Rarityyyy~” I whined, pouting and glancing away “We agreed, no teasing until we're back home!” We couldn't afford any wardrobe malfunctions out in public. The toes against my leg gave me a little poke, but retreated afterwards.

“I'm sorry, darling, but you're just so adorable hugging on Applejack like that. What kind of date would it be without a little game of footsies under the table?” She grinned.

“I don't know what ye're worried about, Twi. You ain't the one with two sexy ladies hangin' all over her arms all night.” I glanced up at Applejack, whose cheeks were flushed red, glancing between the two of us. I then glanced down and saw a distinctive shape making itself visible among the folds of her dress where she sat.

“R-right, sorry...” I swallowed, sitting back up and scooting away. “We're gonna have to find a way to deal with all this. Never getting aroused at all while anyone else is around doesn't exactly seem sustainable...”

“I'm sure you could ask Luna. She specializes in illusions, right?” Rarity sipped from her wine, equally bashful.

“R-right, I'll see if we can... come up with something.” If I could stop her from jumping my bones every time I get within fifty feet of her. A thousand years of sexual repression did a number on one's libido. Getting actual research done with her around was... difficult.