Twilight kept her head held high on the way to Sweet Apple Acres. She walked at a brisk pace, because if she didn't she was liable to turn back around, but she needed to do this. She knew Cadance's advice was good, but it never hurt to have a second opinion. Sunset may have had more dates than Twilight, but they had all gone badly, and Spike had given her the unconditional love and acceptance he always did, but obviously she wasn't about to go to him for relationship advice unless she decided the best way to win over Fluttershy was to follow her around like a lost puppy. So, she needed Applejack's advice. In truth she was scared, but she told herself everything would be fine. So far nopony cared, and Applejack was her friend, not to mention one of the most supportive ponies she knew. Logically speaking there was nothing to worry about, and what was she if not a pony driven by logic? So she kept on, forcing herself to keep moving forward and to not dwell on how this could go wrong. Better yet, don't think of anything. So she cleared her mind as best she could of all her troubles and focused on the rhythmic sound of her hooves against the packed dirt.

Before she knew it she was approaching the farm house. She had expected to find Applejack working on something around the farm, but instead she was standing back watching in amusement as a Pinkie dashed around the barn, displaying a level of hyperactivity only she could possess. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves Twilight approached her friend. 'Well, I guess it'll be two with one stone.'

"Good morning, Applejack. What's going on here?"

"Hey there Twi. I told Pinkie she could throw Cheerilee's party here and she said she needed to plan the decorations. Don't rightly know why though, it's not like she ain't thrown half a dozen parties here already. I'll never understand that one." Applejack smiled, clearly enjoying watching the pink blur.

"That's Pinkie alright."

"Well of course it's me!" Twilight jumped back. She could have sworn Pinkie was across the yard a second ago, but here she was standing right next to them. If the pink pony noticed Twilight's shock she didn't show it. "I mean, I've known Applejack a long time, Twilight. I'm pretty sure you don't have to tell her who I am."

Twilight laughed "I'll keep that in mind."

"So is this a social visit, or is there something I can do for ya?" Applejack asked.

"Well, actually there is something I wanted to talk to you about." Twilight said. She cast her glance down. Was it too late to turn back? She wasn't sure she still wanted to do this.

"What's eatin' at ya, sugarcube?" Applejack wrapped a foreleg around Twilight's shoulders. Twilight looked at her friends, Applejack was frowning slightly in concern, while Pinkie smiled encouragingly. She was being ridiculous. She could trust her friends.

"Well, the thing is, there's somepony that I've had bit of a crush on for a while." She blushed and brushed her mane back. "Well, more than a bit, actually."

Applejack broke into a grin. "Aw shucks, you had me worried there for a second. Relationships ain't so hard, Twi. Knowing you ya probably haven't talked to him 'bout it, but really that's all there is to it. So, who is the lucky stallion?"

Of course Applejack would think it was a stallion. Why wouldn't she? Twilight had been doing her best to keep it secret for years. Still, Twilight winced at how naturally the assumption came.

Meanwhile Pinkie's smile was so big her face was scrunched up. She nodded and inclined her head slightly towards Twilight.

"Well, the thing is…" Twilight bit her lip, willing herself to finish the sentence.

"Shucks Twi, ya don't got to tell us. Wasn't tryin' to be nosey." Applejack said.

Pinkie threw her foreleg around Twilight's other shoulder so she was in the middle of a group hug. "Aww, it's okay Twilight. You just got to talk to them, everything will work out."

"It's not that easy." Twilight said.

"You're making a mountain out of a molehill." Applejack said, shrugging as she broke away from the others. "Okay, so you don't want to say who it is. Fair enough, but can you tell us a little about him? Maybe we can help ya out."

Him. Another reminder. Twilight was sure she was reading too much into it. A few days ago she would have been upset if Applejack hadn't assumed it was a stallion. But every passive reminder that she was expected to date a stallion was changing her mind more and more.

"Well, uhm…" Twilight took a deep breath. She was doing this one way or another. She would tell Fluttershy how she felt.

"Hmm… I bet the pony Twilight would love would be really sensitive. Somepony kind." Pinkie said. "I bet it's somepony who appreciates nature. Sort of quiet, and you know, shy." Was Twilight imagining it, or did Pinkie wink on that last word?

"Well… yes." Twilight said. She stared at the pink pony, then shook her head. 'Come on, this is just Pinkie being Pinkie. There's no way she knows.'

Applejack's eyes went wide as she realized something, and her smile turned into a grin which turned into a laugh. Twilight smiled nervously while she waited for Applejack to compose herself. "So ya don't want to tell us who it is, which means it's probably somepony we know. I get that much about right?"

"Well, yes. You do." Twilight said.

"And then everything Pinkie just said." Applejack shook her head and looked like she might burst out laughing again at any moment. "Twilight, be honest with me. Is it Big Mac?"

"What? No, it's not Big Mac." Twilight shook her head.

"Really? 'Cause Pinkie pretty much just described Big Mac." Applejack said. "If you're worried about me, then you should know better than that. I don't have any problems with you dating my brother, shoot I'd love to have you as part of the Apple clan!"

"That's, uh, good to know Applejack, but it's really not Big Mac." Twilight said. Applejack looked a little disappointed. Pinkie seemed amused by the misunderstanding.

"That boy's never gonna get a marefriend." Applejack muttered to herself. She shook her head. "Well, anyway, I suppose I can see why you're having trouble. If he's half as shy as Big Mac that could make talking a bit difficult."

"That's not really the problem." Twilight closed her eyes and shook her head. "The problem is, well… it's not a stallion."

When she opened her eyes Applejack's head was tilted in confusion, while Pinkie just grabbed Twilight in another hug, tighter than the last. "Silly Twilight, that's not a problem."

"I'm, uh, not sure I follow." Applejack said.

Twilight had already committed by now, she might as well clear the confusion. "Applejack, Pinkie Pie… I'm a lesbian. The pony I have a crush on is, well, a mare."

Applejack arched an eyebrow. "A mare?"

"Good for you Twilight!" Pinkie said. "But that's no reason not to talk to her about it!"

"But what am I supposed to say?" Twilight asked. She looked to Applejack but the farm pony seemed to still be processing. 'I didn't think I hid it that well.'

"Well, do you know if she likes mares?" Pinkie asked.

"Yeah, but only couple weeks ago she was rejected by the mare she has feelings for. I want to tell her but I don't know if I should. I mean, she obviously doesn't feel the same way about me."

Pinkie laughed. "Twilight, you can like more than one pony you know."

"I don't really think she's like that. And besides, I don't want her to think I'm just trying to get her on the rebound."

"Aw, she won't think that. She's your friend, she knows that you'd never do anything like that!"

"Pinkie, I haven't even told you who it is." Twilight said.

"Oh Twilight." Pinkie smiled and shook her head. "So predictable."

Twilight frowned. She was never going to understand Pinkie. She turned instead to Applejack. "What do you think?"

"Hmm? Oh, I don't know Twi. I don't reckon I'd know much 'bout that type of thing." Applejack looked off to the side.

"Well, what would you do if you were in my place?" Twilight asked. "Cadance said I should tell her anyway, but I'm not really sure."

"I reckon Cadance knows what she's talking about." Applejack said, fidgeting with her hat.

"If the princess of love tells you to talk to somepony I think you should do it Twilight." Pinkie said, deathly serious all of a sudden. "If you don't do what she says she might throw you in her love dungeon, and I don't think Shining Armor would be too happy about that!"

Twilight facehoofed. She wondered if Pinkie even realized everything wrong with that sentence. Choosing not to dwell on it Twilight turned back to Applejack. She realized she never should have mentioned anything about Rarity. She couldn't tell them it was Fluttershy now, it wouldn't be right for Twilight to let them know she was gay. "I guess if it was me I'd like to know." she said. "It's only fair I let her decide for herself."

"Well, sounds like ya got everything figured out then." Applejack said. "I guess I'll leave you to it, I got a heap of chores to do."

Twilight's ears fell. "Is… something wrong?"

"Course not, I just figure all that's left to do is for you to talk to her." Applejack's smile was unconvincing, and it faltered a bit when she said 'her.'

Twilight couldn't believe it. Applejack was the most dependable pony she knew, there was no way she wouldn't stand by Twilight now. "Does it... bother you that I like mares?"

Applejack hesitated a moment before answering. She wouldn't meet Twilight's eyes as she spoke. "Well, I suppose you're still the same Twilight as always."

Twilight shook her head. "That doesn't answer my question though. You were happy to help when you thought it was a stallion, but once I said it's a mare you began acting different. Just tell me, what do you really think?"

"I, uh, reckon it's none of my business, really." Applejack took a step towards her orchard, away from Twilight.

"Of course it's your business! We're friends, and the pony I love is kind of a big deal to me." Twilight took a step closer to the fidgeting pony.

"Look, Twi, don't get it the wrong way. Of course we're friends and of course I want you to be happy. But this whole thing is just, well... You can do whatever you want, but I don't see what I can do for you."

This couldn't be happening. She had thought she was prepared for this, she was always acutely aware how badly ponies could react, but Applejack had always stood by her. Didn't she realize how important this was? "So, what then? If I do talk to her and things go well, what am I supposed to do, pretend this isn't a thing whenever I'm around you? I'm not talking about some one night stand, I think... I think I might be in love with her. She could be my marefriend. How is that not something you care about?"

"I never said I don't care about it, I just, well, I'm not sure what you want me to say, Twi." Applejack idly kicked at the ground.

Twilight just stared at Applejack, unable to say anything. Even when a pair hooves wrapped around her she barely found the will to turn away. Pinkie's mane had deflated somewhat and her ears were folded down. Even though she hardly felt like it she smiled for her friend. "Thank you Pinkie. I think... I'd like to head home now."

Pinkie looked like she was going to argue, but eventually just sighed and let go of her. "Okay Twilight."

Twilight took a few steps away and looked back. Pinkie waved sadly while Applejack didn't acknowledge her leaving at all. Turning away, she launched herself into the air where the earth ponies couldn't follow her. As she flew she couldn't stop thinking about the ponies she left behind and what would happen now. Pinkie had looked so distraught, but at least she seemed okay with everything. Applejack... She wasn't sure what would happen with Applejack. Negative thoughts clouding her judgement she recklessly ignored her surroundings as she flew.

She barely felt anything when she crashed into a cloud. But as she came out the other side she spiraled to the ground, which was much less pliable. Panicking she forgot to use her wings and flailed her hooves around wildly as she quickly fell towards the ground. She closed her eyes and her mind went blank, the next thing she was aware of was a crash, except it was from the wrong side. When she opened her eyes she was still falling, but much slower and at an angle. She still hit the ground hard but she was able to roll with it instead of crashing headfirst, reducing the damage.

Initially she just laid on the ground, reveling the solid earth despite her whole body being in pain. "What the buck was that about?" Opening her eyes Twilight saw Rainbow Dash. She was clearly roughed up but was already pushing herself into a sitting position. Either she hit the ground softer than Twilight or the athletic pegasus was simply more used to crash landings.

"I wasn't looking where I was going. I hit a cloud and spun out of control." She forced herself to sit up and did a quick survey of her limbs. Nothing seemed to be broken. She couldn't believe her stupidity. She could have saved herself with either her wings or her magic. Now her friend was probably hurt too. "Are you okay?"

Rainbow raised an eye skeptically and ignored her question. "So you just decided to try stunt flying, huh?"

Twilight was torn. Part of her wanted to tell Rainbow what happened, but she didn't want to cause problems between Rainbow and Applejack, remembering how Rainbow had acted when she thought Twilight didn't accept Fluttershy. "I was just practicing. Guess I'm still not very good at flying yet."

"Nope. Not buying it. Either tell me why I had to save you from a free fall or at least come up with a better excuse than that." Rainbow said, an agitated expression on her face.

Twilight gingerly stretched her neck, which hurt quite a bit. "I'm fine, really. Thank you, by the way."

Rainbow sighed. "Look, I get that you don't want to talk about it, and okay, that's your business. But then you're gonna bottle it up, until it's this whole big thing. Eventually you'll tell everyone anyway and we'll all hug and stuff. You'll be all 'I shouldn't have kept secrets and you're the best friends ever' and we'll probably sing a song about it. And that sappy stuff is okay once in a while but we just did all that with Fluttershy. So can we just skip it this time?"

Twilight was annoyed at how accurate that was. "Fine. I was over at Sweet Apple Acres and I… well, I told Applejack I'm a lesbian."

To her surprise Rainbow smirked. "And she probably was dumbfounded and said something stupid. Come on Twilight, Applejack's great and all but do you realize how old-fashioned her family is? How did you think she'd react?"

Twilight threw her hooves into the air, an action she immediately regretted. "So what, I should've just kept hiding it from her?"

"Not what I'm saying. But you should have known she'd need some time."

Twilight rubbed her temple. She wasn't sure if her headache was because the fall or Rainbow's lack of empathy. "Why weren't you this calm when you thought I was the bigot?"

Rainbow's smirk was replaced with a slight glare. "That was different. You made Fluttershy cry. Wait, why didn't you tell us then? It would of meant a lot to her, you know."

Twilight looked away, feeling ashamed. "I know, I should have. But, well, Fluttershy isn't the only pony who's scared to talk about it, you know. Actually, it's because of her that I decided to come out. I think it'll be easier for both of us knowing we're not the only one. I guess I should have picked somepony else to start with though."

Rainbow walked over and sat next to Twilight. "Listen, I'll talk to AJ about it. I know she'll come around, just give it time."

"You'll talk to her? Like you 'talked' to me?" Twilight said, grinning.

"That was different."

Twilight just shook her head. All things considered she did feel a little better. "Oh, by the way, Rainbow?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm a lesbian."

Rainbow covered her mouth in mock horror. "What? And you never told me?" She narrowed her eyes. "I don't think I want you around Scootaloo anymore."

Twilight snickered, then they were both laughing. Out of all her friends Twilight would have probably gone to Rainbow last for comfort, but she had to admit she had underestimated her friend.

All of a sudden Rainbow sat straight up. Twilight could practically hear the gears in her head turning. "So Twilight… Fluttershy?"

Twilight was not ready for this talk. Had she guessed? Twilight wasn't prepared to ask Rainbow to keep a secret from Fluttershy, she knew how close they were. "What about her?" Twilight tried to smile as innocently as possible.

"Would you… maybe you could, I don't know, ask her out?"

Well that was unexpected. She didn't know what to say so while her mind tried to catch up she played dumb. "Ask her out, like, on a date?"

Rainbow shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah. Look, Fluttershy is great and all but she's kind of…" She moved her hooves around trying and failing to wordlessly say what was on her mind. Twilight just furrowed her brow and watched. "I think she'd be happier with a marefriend, but other ponies would, well… I know you wouldn't push her into doing anything she didn't want to."

Twilight was confused for a moment more before it clicked. "Wait, are you talking about s-"

"Besides!" Rainbow interrupted loudly. "You two could probably spend hours walking through flowers and looking at clouds and stuff. You're perfect for each other." Again, the accuracy was kind of annoying.

"Well, first thing's first, I have to finish coming out to everypony. Then, who knows?" Even if Rainbow did keep her feelings a secret she had a feeling if she actually told her how much she wanted to do just that she wouldn't have a moment's peace until she did. She had to do this in her own time. Still, it was nice to know she had Rainbow's approval. She was the closest thing Fluttershy had to family.

"Yeah, I know. Just… think about it." Without waiting for an answer she flew off towards Sweet Apple Acres, leaving a rainbow stream in her wake.

All that was left then was Rarity. She had seen firsthoof that Rarity wouldn't have a problem with her, so she knew she should have nothing to worry about. But even though she wasn't worried she still wasn't looking forward to it. She was sore, tired, and emotionally drained. 'All the more reason to get this over with.' Breathing deep she pulled herself up and grudgingly made her way to the Carousel Boutique.

The entire way she wondered how Rainbow had managed to fly away so soon after their fall. Athlete or not, she had to be just as hurt as Twilight was, and every step for her was a reminder to never take her hooves off the ground. She must look a mess too, judging by the stares she got when she made it into town, but she hardly paid them any attention. 'Just tell Rarity, then I can go home.'

As soon as she walked into the Carousel Boutique she regretted it. There were several mirrors around the entrance, all of which showed a pony Rarity would be appalled at the state of. The last thing she wanted right now was for the fashionista to make a huge fuss over her.

"Just a moment!" Rarity called from the next room. Twilight took advantage of it and ran a hoof through her mane and tail, trying to her best to make it look presentable, if not exactly good.

"So sorry about that, I was-" Rarity stopped dramatically when she caught sight of Twilight. "Twilight, darling, whatever happened? Are you alright?"

Twilight put on her best reassuring smile, which given her day so far and her reservations about telling Rarity the truth was likely not very reassuring. "Is 'Rainbow Dash' an acceptable answer?"

Rarity scowled at the absent pony. "I swear, that pony…"

Twilight realized she couldn't leave it at that. Rainbow had actually saved her from a much worse injury. "Actually, I wasn't looking where I was going during flight practice and took a fall. Rainbow saw and tried to catch me, but ended up as bad as me. Which, uh, isn't as bad as it looks." She hoped since Rarity hadn't witnessed the accident she'd be more likely to believe the excuse than Rainbow had been.

"Not as bad as it looks? Well, I should hope not. Darling, have you seen a mirror? No, we simply must fix this!"

Rarity was already levitating several beauty appliances towards them. "No, really, I'm fine. I just wanted to tell you something then I'd really like to get home."

Rarity pouted but put everything back to wherever she had pulled them out from. "Well, if you insist. What is it you'd like to talk about?"

'Okay, let's do this one right.' Twilight thought carefully about what to say next. She had to properly word it so Rarity would know it was an important and difficult decision to talk about it, but not make it sound like too big of a deal so she'd know nothing was actually changing. "I'm a lesbian." Or she could just shut down the brain to mouth filter and blurt it out…

Rarity remained composed, but Twilight did notice her eyes widen slightly. "Oh? Well congratulations on deciding to come out with this. Of course I fully support you, and this changes nothing between us, so please don't take this question the wrong way but, well… Is there anything else? That is to say, is there a reason you came here to talk to me? Specifically?"

Twilight blinked and tilted her head to the side wondering what she meant. Wasn't this news big enough? "No, I just… Oh" Twilight couldn't help but smile when she realized what she was trying to say. "No, I'm not here to confess any hidden feelings for you."

Rarity smiled and nodded. "Of course," she said, "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be presumptuous. It's just that I had a similar conversation with a friend of mine recently, and I wanted to make sure we were on the same page."

Twilight smiled. "You mean Fluttershy. I already know. I sort of found out by accident. I was surprised when she said she actually told you though." Twilight felt guilty remembering how happy she was to hear Rarity had turned down the pegasus.

"Well that makes things a bit simpler. I just don't want any more awkwardness between our little circle of friends. Not that I find Fluttershy's affections awkward, I really am flattered, but I fear it has been causing her trouble. Do you know I practically had to drag her to our weekly spa day? She seems to think I don't want to be alone with her anymore, which is of course ridiculous."

"I'll talk to her about it. I still haven't come out to her, we'll probably have a lot to talk about, actually."

"Oh, I'm sorry darling, here I am going on, and this is such an important day for you! So, if I may ask, what did make you decide it was time? A certain somepony perhaps?" Rarity grinned expectantly.

Twilight had seen this coming. She had already decided she wouldn't involve Rarity in her romance with Fluttershy, but she supposed simply telling her wouldn't be too bad. After the day's failures she was actually kind of looking forward to telling somepony. "Well, yes, actually."

Rarity clapped her hooves excitedly and practically skipped over to Twilight as she pulled out two chairs. "Ooh! Do tell darling! And while we're talking perhaps you'd allow me to…" She levitated a brush over.

Twilight rolled her eyes, but she realized this was much less than the full makeover the unicorn must want to do. "Fine." She relented.

Rarity began working out the knots in Twilight's mane. "Now, don't spare any of the details."

Something about Rarity's enthusiasm made it hard for Twilight to refuse. She looked at Rarity, who was leaning forward and almost literally on the edge of her seat. "Well…" Twilight looked away, blushing. "It's Fluttershy."

"Fluttershy?" Rarity lit up. "Yes, yes, I see it. Oh, you two would be simply adorable together! And no wonder you've decided to come out now. Oh, I do hope I haven't caused any problems in this… No matter, we shall simply have to come up with a plan for you! Now normally we'd want to go extravagant, all the better to win a fair lady's heart, but I'm afraid dear Fluttershy is too easily overwhelmed." Apparently satisfied with Twilight's mane she put down the brush. In its place she levitated a notepad and quill over and began furiously taking notes. "I believe the proper setting will be the key aspect of your courtship. Something romantic, simple yet elegant, secluded goes without saying. Maybe… oh now there's an idea."

"Rarity, thank you, but please don't worry about it. I'll talk to Fluttershy and tell her…" What would she tell her? After telling all her other friends the idea of coming out to Fluttershy was definitely easier, but asking her out? She had no idea how she could manage.

"Oh nonsense. Nothing could be better than to play a role in two of my closest friends finding happiness in each other. Trust me darling, with the two of us putting our heads together on this dear Fluttershy won't be able to resist you!"

Twilight hesitated. She hadn't wanted to involve Rarity in this, but it was undeniable that the socialite was more knowledgeable on romance than she was. "Alright." Twilight said at last. "What should I do?"

Rarity clapped her hooves and started going over ideas with Twilight, who was giving her full attention. She would learn everything she could in order to win Fluttershy's heart. She was going to make this perfect.

Author's Note: So these frequent (potentially daily) updates might be temporary. The story's already written (currently it's seventeen chapters and an epilogue) and I'm posting the edited versions here. Editing takes a lot less time than writing and I have a deadline to be finished by the time Friendship Games comes out later this month, so I'm trying to do a chapter a day. However there's a couple places I might write a new chapter or two, so if that happens it'll be like a week or so in between updates.

In any event, I want to thank you for reading! Hope you're enjoying it, and if so consider leaving a review ;p Hell, even if you're not enjoying it consider leaving a review, I have no problem with people telling me they think I suck as long as they can tell me why they think I suck.