I Kissed a Mare and Liked It
“Aaaaa, Rarity stop it, that tickles!” Twilight groaned, half asleep feeling a light nibble along the side of her neck, just under her right ear. She flailed her hoof towards her, hoping the sensation would cease. Then, in the next moment she felt a playful bite to her ear, and she gasped aloud, her entire body feeling an electric jolt that jostled her awake. Hearing her giggle, she scowled down at her marefriend.
“I knew that would wake you up, dearie,” Rarity chuckled and rolled to her own hooves on the bed. “Don’t you remember what we need to do this morning?”
Twilight smacked her lips and let out a jaw-cracking yawn, then wrapped a wing around Rarity. She snuggled close to her warm, velvety-white fur, and pulled the blankets over the two of them again. “Nope, too early, too cold, I need more sleep. We can get up once Princess Celestia raises the sun.”
It was at that moment Twilight heard a rooster crow somewhere outside their window. With a little help from Rarity, the blankets were pulled off once more and Twilight cringed as the warm, bright, rays of the sun hit her face. “AAAAAAAHHH!,” she grumbled.
“That wasn’t a very princess-like way to act,” Rarity gasped and booped her on the muzzle.
“Gaaahhh!” She squawked and rubbed her muzzle. “Ugh, I’m up,” she groaned sluggishly, ruffling her hooves through her bedmane, making it as neat and tidy as she could. Crawling out of bed, she looked in the mirror quickly and took a step back.
“That’s my Princess,” Rarity cooed and kissed Twilight. “Who comes first?”
Twilight lit her horn, grabbing out three scrolls, some quills, and a bottle of ink from her bedside drawer. Unrolling one, she read through it quickly and gulped. “Your parents.”
Twilight paused, eyes closed, her whole body shaking. She felt a hoof on her shoulder, and suddenly the world came to a pause.
“Oooo they are going to love this!” Rarity squeed and rushed toward the door. “Hurry, darling, we mustn’t delay!”
Twilight nodded in agreement and grabbed her saddlebags perched on the bottom bedpost. She levitated her previous items into them and trotted after Rarity.
“That’s the spirit, darling!” Rarity hummed as she wrapped a scarf around each of their necks, a teal one for Twilight and a lavender for herself.
Twilight nuzzled Rarity’s cheek and hugged her close. “Thanks. I’m going to need you. Everything must be perfect for when our families arrive!”
“I couldn’t agree more!”
They had changed the placement of the staircase wreaths at least a dozen times and flipped through more colors of tinsel to wrap around the banister than Twilight cared to name, but she was happy to make the colors just right and marked the last thing off her fifth revised list. With a pop, all the wreaths came tumbling down on top of Twilight, falling perfectly to wrap around her and turn her into a Twilight shaped wreath. She felt Rarity levitate them off of her and place them to the side.
“Are you okay, darling?” Rarity asked as she brushed some stray strands of pine needles from her marefriend’s back. Twilight nodded and gave herself a little shake, her fur and feathers poofing out.
“Y-yeah, I’m fine.” She glanced up at the clock, laden with golden crystal shaped like the Crystal Empire’s castle- a birthday gift from Cadence last year- and gasped. Where had the time gone? She paced in place and let out a little whine, before she raced around the room to fix things once more. She raced to the tree, found herself going just a little too fast and yelped as she ran into it, knocking the eight-foot beauty down and on top of herself.
“Twilight!” Rarity yelled as she hurried over and lifted the tree up off Twilight. “Be careful!” She put the tree back in its place and brushed more needles off of Twilight’s back.
“Are you sure we got everything now?” Twilight asked, levitating all her lists in her magic as she checked them for the umpteenth time and tried to ignore the sharp scent of pine sticking to her, and the sap stuck behind one ear. “I swear there is still something we missed…especially with everything falling apart on us!”
“Yes, dearie,” Rarity said as she pushed the lists away, rolled them up and set them aside on a nearby table. “My family will be here when they get here. I think Sweetie is bringing one of her friends too.”
“Right, friends, heh. We got this,” Twilight took in a few deep breaths, “Do you think-”
“Hush,” Rarity tutted and shook a hoof. “We must think positively. They know you, things will be just fine dearie, have no fear.”
Both mares looked toward the door as there were two, short raps of a hoof against it. “Ah, that must be them.” Twilight gulped and took in a deep breath. “You can do this, you can do this,” she murmured to herself as she trotted over to answer the door.
Hondo Flanks and Cookie Crumbles, Rarity’s parents, along with her sister, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, smiled at them as she opened the door. “Happy Hearth’s Warming!” They yelled.
Twilight smiled warmly at them, her left eye twitching just slightly, and opened the doors wider to let them in. “Happy Hearth’s Warming,” she said and held out a wing toward the inside of the castle. “I hope your trip was safe?”
“I plowed our way here through the snow!” Scootaloo boasted and buzzed her wings behind her. “These bad colts are 20% more awesome for getting us through that deep snow!”
“She did um… very well with that,” Hondo chuckled and shook a layer of snow from his back, then swept a layer of the icy stuff from his wool hat as well. “Where is my sweet filly?”
“Father,” Rarity huffed as she trotted over to greet them.
Hondo put a hoof to her cheek and smiled warmly. “You’ll always be my sweet, little, filly, Rarity, no matter how old you are.”
Rarity shook her head with a half-amused chuckle. “If you say so, father.”
“I hope you're hungry. Sweetie, Scoots and I made you some scrumptious treats!” Cookie beamed and levitated over a covered plate.
Rarity carefully uncovered it to find some gingerbread cookies that were only half-burnt, though the frosting was a charred, ashy gray. “Oh, thank you, we will be sure to have these for later,” Rarity said, a little hesitantly, as the three of them beamed.
“Shall you all come inside and get warm by the fire?” Twilight asked as she closed the door behind them. “I have milk heating on the stove for some hot coco, and a freshly made bowl of popcorn to string and put up on the tree. Oh! Fluttershy sent over some cranberries to go with the popcorn and asked us to string some up in a tree outside as well for the animals.”
“That sounds lovely!” Cookie said as she stood at the head of the group.
“Can we eat the popcorn too?” Sweetie asked.
“Of course, darling, just save enough for the trees and critters.” Rarity patted her sister on the head and with Twilight by her side, led the way to a cozy living room just off the main entranceway.
She opened the doors with her magic, revealing a cozy fire, stockings hung before it and Hearth’s Warming dolls of both her and Twilight on the mantel. Fresh evergreen branches with red bows lined the rest of the fireplace. Matching red couches and lounge pillows circled it, and a royal purple rug between them all pulled the whole setting together. At least disaster hadn’t striked here, yet.
Behind the couches and to the side of the fireplace, a magnificent evergreen tree graced the corner. Multicolored lights twinkled on its branches, while boxes of ornaments lay around it, and upon a table nearby, was a huge bowl of popcorn, another of cranberries, and a delicately placed pile of string. Thankfully this tree had an extra sturdy tree stand. Twilight eyed it as they all piled into the room almost daring it to make things go awry.
“Well, just wow,’ Hondo said as he took it all in. “You’ve outdone yourselves.” Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo dove for the popcorn, nearly knocking it over if Twilight hadn’t caught it in her magic.
“Not today! We’ve had enough problems.” Twilight thought as she watched the two fillies out of the corner of her eye.
“Why, thanks Mr. Flanks,” Twilight said with a small grin.
“Please, call me Hondo. Mr. Flanks is my father,” he chuckled and led his wife over to one of the couches and sat down. “Is your family coming too, Princess?”
“Oh, please, just Twilight,” she said with a blush. “And yes, they should be here anytime now.” She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “C-could you excuse Rarity and I for a moment?” When he nodded, she grabbed Rarity in her magic and teleported them from the room.
“Oof,” Rarity exclaimed as they appeared upstairs back in their bedroom. “Did you have to teleport us, Darling? You know it makes me queasy.” Rarity held a hoof to her muzzle, cheeks tinged green.
“Sorry, sorry, my love. I just… I can’t… I can’t tell them! What will they think of me? Of us? They’ll think I’ve turned you to the dark side with an evil plan to make sure they never get any grandfoals. And that cute blonde stallion with the blue eyes that just makes all the straight mares purr and a little hamster named Mareinette Loneliness−”
Rarity hugged Twilight close.
“Shhh, it’s okay.” She rubbed a hoof up and down Twilight’s back and nuzzled against her. “My parents aren’t like that, dearie. They’ll accept you. We’ve been dating for six months now; don’t you think it's time to let those we care about most know?” She smirked. “Also, Mareinette Loneliness? Isn’t that a bit of a mouthful?”
Twilight blushed a little, “Soo I got a little carried away. It could still happen though!” Twilight snuggled closer into the hug, her hooves clinging to her marefriend. “I... yes, it is, just… I’m scared, Rarity. You are the only one who knows I am a… lesbian.”
“Oh, Twi, it's okay. This kind of thing is far more normal than it was when we were fillies. I mean look at Lyra and BonBon, they got engaged the other day, and nopony batted an eye about it.”
“But I’m a princess, I’m supposed to set an example-”
“And you are.” Rarity said. “You are showing all those fillies and colts out there who think they should be ashamed of such feelings that it is okay.” She pulled out of the hug and put a hoof to Twilight’s shoulder, then stared her straight in the eyes. “You are normal, there is nothing wrong with how you feel. My parents will understand.”
Twilight took in a deep breath and spread her wings, then nodded. “Okay. I got this. We got this.”
Twilight jumped as their bedroom door opened and Spike poked his head in. “Twilight? Mom and Dad just arrived, along with Shining and Princess Cadence and Flurry.”
“Ponyfeathers, everypony is here,” she gulped and wrapped her wings around her head, breathing heavily. “I didn’t realize everypony was coming!” She collapsed against the bed and held a hoof to her chest.
“You okay, Twi?” Spike asked, to which Rarity waved a hoof at him.
“It’s okay Spike, I got this. You go get everyone comfortable, okay? Can you serve the hot chocolate for me, please?” Rarity fluttered her eyelashes at the young drake.
“Sure Rarity, anything for you,” he gushed and closed the door.
“He is still crazy about you,” Twilight chuckled as she peeked out behind one wing. “Think he will take it hard when I tell him? I mean sure he probably already suspects but−”
“Perhaps, but that is just how things go. Also, yes, and he really is such a sweet dragon. He doesn’t know about us though hmm? Yes, he probably knows.” She tapped a hoof to her chin in thought for a moment. “And that went just fine.” Rarity said,
Twilight pulled Rarity into a double hug, with both wings and hooves. “Thanks, Rarity. What did I ever do to deserve a special somepony as wonderful as you?”
“Equestria may never know.” Rarity pulled her in for a deep and sensual kiss.
Twilight returned the kiss, lighting her horn. “Okay, I’m ready. Also, I’ll add an anti-nausea spell into my teleport spell to help you.” Before Rarity could reply, Twilight teleported them to right outside the living room door.
“Well, that… that actually worked,” Rarity said. “I don’t feel an ounce of nausea. You're wonderful, Twilight.” She hugged the mare next to her. “Maybe I’ll have you teach me that one? Would be nice to be able to teleport on my own. Celestia only knows how much more I could get done that way!”
“Of course, I’d be happy to teach you,” Twilight said and pecked Rarity on the lips. “Thank you,” she said with a beam. She looked back to the door and gulped.
“Remember, no matter what they say, I am right beside you. Forever.” Rarity whispered.
“Okay, thank you, love. Let’s do this!” Twilight opened the door and jumped as Cadence jumped out from behind the door with Flurry flying beside her.
“Happy Hearth’s Warming!” Cadence yelled. Flurry Heart burbled a greeting as well, then blew a raspberry at Twilight.
“Happy Hearth’s Warming,” Twilight said softly. She let out a grunt as Flurry clamped onto her head and wrapped her wings around her aunt in an adorable foal hug. “Heh, nice to see you too, Flurry.” She said as she plucked the foal from her muzzle and held her in one hoof.
“Did you all have a safe trip?” Rarity asked as she rubbed a hoof up and down Flurry’s back.
“Yep, no problems at all. Did you two shovel the walk already?” Cadence asked.
“Nope, that was me!” Scootaloo smirked. “My wings are good for more than just going fast. Cutie mark crusader snow removal!” she cheered.
“We already have our marks, Scoots,” Sweetie groaned, then stuffed another piece of popcorn into her mouth.
“I know, doesn’t mean I can’t have fun with our old cutie mark adventures though?” Scootaloo pouted.
“We can’t have them without Apple Bloom, it's the CMC law.” Sweetie declared.
“Well, it’s not my fault her family went to the Pie’s this year. Come ooon, we need to have fun too!”
“Ugh, fine, but I’m not getting my coat soaked in dirty snow again.” Sweetie shuddered.
“Well, we really appreciate it,” Nightlight said and rubbed his hoof against Scoots mane with a chuckle.
“So, shall we begin?” Twilight Velvet asked and held up a bag full of gifts. A Hearth’s Warming doll that looked like Shining Armor hung out of the top, one hoof dangled to and fro.
Twilight looked up at the newly decorated tree, it sparkled with silver and gold ornaments, along with strands of popcorn and cranberries twirling around the tree. Presents of every shape, size, and color lay scattered beneath the tree, ready to be opened in the morning.
Cadence and Shining Armor had just led a tired Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and an entirely passed out Flurry Heart, upstairs to tuck them into bed. The only light in the room now was the glowing fire, as it crackled and snapped beneath the stockings and Hearth’s Warming Dolls.
“This has been so much fun, Twilight,” Nightlight said softly as he held Twilight Velvet close, who nodded in agreement.
“I do say that I agree,” Hondo said with a chuckle. “Why, I don’t think I’ve had as swell of a holiday in years. Right, Cookie?”
“Yes, you girls did an amazing job. I bet you can’t wait to see what we got you!” She giggled and winked.
“I think what we have for you will be even better,” Rarity said and gestured to Twilight to come closer. The mare gulped but nodded as the two of them stood before their parents. “We have some very important news for you.”
Both sets of parents leaned forward and waited.
Twilight looked to Rarity, who nodded encouragingly to her. She then looked back at their parents and after she took a deep breath, she let it all out. “Mom, Dad, Hondo and Cookie; Rarity and I… HIC!” Twilight put a hoof to her muzzle as she hiccupped. She cleared her throat and continued.
“Rarity and I− HIC! HIC! HIC!”
“Rarity− HIC! HIC!”
“Rar− HIC! HIC! HIC! HIC!”
“Oh, sweet Celestia.” Rarity shook her head as Twilight continued to hiccup, getting so bad as to send Twilight lifting about a hoof’s length into the air with each one. She grabbed a cup of hot coco on a table nearby and tried to pass it to Twilight, only for the poor hiccupping princess to knock right into it and spill the offending liquid all over Rarity.
She glanced down at her soiled coat for a brief moment, then with a grin she bent down, wiggling her flank in a very catlike -and very improper mare like- and tackled Twilight.
The two rolled over a full rotation, stopping with Rarity on top, who leaned down to place a firm, long kiss onto her marefriends lips. When the two finally parted, Twilight lay gasping beneath her, the hiccups abated, and her full face a bright red.
Rarity rolled over and stood, holding out a hoof for Twilight. Her marefriend took it and shivered a little as she stood up next to Rarity. “Now, as Twilight was saying,” Rarity began before giving Twilight a little peck on the cheek.
“We’re dating,” Twilight squeaked. “Have been dating for a while now and really care about each other and I know it might sound strange but−”
She paused when her father held up a hoof. “Twilight, it’s okay.”
“WHatttza?” Twilight bumbled, tripping over her tongue. Her face grew an even brighter red if possible.
“Yes, we’ve known you like mares over stallions for some time.” Twilight Velvet nodded.
“Gahhh?” Twilight blinked rapidly, at a loss for words. Her left eye twitched, her right ear snapped back and forth and around erratically, and with a little snap, she fell back to the floor in a dead faint.
“Well, I didn’t expect her to take it that strongly,” Twilight Velvet chuckled. “Oh, my poor, sweet, filly. Isn’t she adorable?”
“Just one of the things that make her irresistibly loveable and irritating at the same time,” Rarity said as she lay down beside her comatose marefriend. “I know just the thing to wake her up,” she said with a devilish gleam in her eyes.
She leaned over and licked Twilight’s throat under her right cheekbone, then began to nibble down her throat. Twilight moved a little beneath her. Rarity continued; her ears twitched toward their parents when she heard one of them chuckle. She moved back up Twilight’s neck, then paused for a moment when Twilight groaned. Swiftly, she reached the last few inches up and gave Twilight’s ear a playful nip.
“GAH!” Twilight yelped and pulled the two of them to their hooves as she jumped up.
Cookie burst into laughter, rolling onto her side. Rarity winked at her mother, straddling her slightly taller marefriend with a very catlike smirk, as Twilight Velvet and their fathers joined in the laughter.
“You are just so cute, my dear,” Rarity crooned and reached down to boop Twilight on the muzzle. “Now, where were we?”
Twilight scrunched her muzzle as Rarity backed off of her back and stood beside her. “H-how did you know?” she asked. She waited a moment while their parents recovered from their laughter, then looked to her father as he spoke.
“Don’t you remember your first crush as a filly? You aimed very high back then,” Nightlight chuckled and grinned at her. “You told us you loved Princess Celestia. Of course, this was before you became her student, and I think you moved on before you even started school, but it’s true.”
Twilight plopped down on the nearest lounge pillow. How could she have forgotten something like that? Rarity nestled down next to her. “Mother, father?” Rarity asked.
“Why now, I think that is just amazing! You two are just the cutest together.” Hondo beamed and clopped his hooves together. “What about you, dear Cookie?”
“Well, I did always think you were more for stallions, Rarity dear, with that crush you had on Prince Blueblood for the longest time.”
“Oh pish-posh, that? I’ve been over that for ages,” Rarity snorted.
“Oh, I know, I know, you silly goose,” Cookie chuckled. “And you know what dear? Well now, I think it just dandy you two fell in love. Love is special, and I can see it in your eyes.” She sat up a little straighter in her seat. “And with that adorable display just now, HA!” she leaned forward as she giggled. "Plus, wow, a Princess?” she held her hooves up above her head. “That is just amazing! Not that you wouldn’t be amazing otherwise, dear,” she said as she looked at Twilight, a deep blush on her cheeks.
Twilight sat there for a moment, jaw agape as she stared at the four ponies in front of her. They were fine with it all, everything was going to be okay! She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, a grin finally forming on her muzzle. “T-thank you,” she finally said, wiping a tear from her eye. “You don’t know how good it is to hear that. How much I’ve worried.”
“Far too much it seems, my dear,” Rarity crooned and hugged her marefriend close. “I knew it would all be okay.”
“It helps that we see first hoof how much you care,” Nightlight pointed out. “I hope you can help our dear Twilight feel more at ease.”
“That is certainly one of my goals,” Rarity said. “Though I do find it charming how much she panics sometimes,” she said and winked at Twilight.
“Ya know, I don’t even need to open any gifts tomorrow,” Hondo said, “you two have just given me the best gift ever! Knowing my little marshmallow will be taken care of and loved is all any father can ask for.” He sniffed and wiped away a tear of his own.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Twilight Velvet said. “I wish you two all the happiness in the world.”
“With all the crazy hijinks life has to offer!” Nightlight said as he raised a forehoof to the air. “They are what make life fun after all.”
Twilight nodded her thanks, thinking back about how their day had gone. Sure, it hadn’t been the perfect day she was hoping for, what with all the mishaps, but overall, it hadn’t been as bad as she thought it would. She took Rarity in her hooves and gave her a chaste kiss on the muzzle. “Happy Hearth’s Warming, my love.”
“Happy Hearth’s Warming,” Rarity murmured around the kiss. “To this year, and many years to come.”
