AppleDash Group Collab

by DbzOrDie

Stress - MintyJoy

Rainbow wiped her forehead and gritted her teeth with frustration as she glared at the sketch papers below her. Circles and crosses dotted the crinkled sheets, making her head swim. She had been asked to choreograph the Wonderbolts’ next performance, as she was the captain now.

She had no idea it would be this hard.

As she wrestled with the complicated turns and daring dives in her brain, a gentle knock was heard at the door.

“Come in,” she grumbled softly.

The door opened almost silently, and the sound of four hooves tip-toeing into the room came from behind her. Dash already knew who it was without turning around. She bit down on her pencil as she tried to concentrate. Maybe I should have Fleetfoot turn left instead of loop right…

Two sunset orange hooves draped themselves over her shoulders, and a gentle kiss placed itself on her cheek.

“Hey sugarcube,” Applejack’s voice cut through her thoughts. “How’s it comin’?”

Dash, not wanting her partner to worry, tried to dismiss the truth.

“Fine, but I’m kinda busy. Do you think you could—”

Applejack saw right through her lie as she glanced at the wastebin, full of useless flight plans.

“Rainbow,” Applejack interrupted, concern in her voice, “maybe you should take a break?”

A break sounded nice to Dash’s tired eyes, but she knew she had to get this done in good time if the team was going to have enough time to practice it and work out the kinks. No, she had to keep working.

“No, I got this. Thanks though.” She turned back to the papers, with no desire to continue.

“Alright,” Applejack stepped back, and slowly headed for the door. She was tired, and although her warm bed sounded like a nice idea, it didn’t seem right without Rainbow. If only she could help.

She looked back at the tired pegasus. Her eyelids were drooping, and her teeth were making marks in the pencil they were holding as she scribbled out another paper. There was no way that Rainbow could think straight in this condition. She needed sleep, but she couldn’t afford it. However, Applejack could settle with giving her the next best thing.

Rainbow felt a sudden jerk on her shoulders as she was swiftly turned around to face Applejack. She looked upon her partner with tired eyes, ready to protest the next invitation to go to bed.

But she received no such invitation.

Applejack leaned forward with earnest, kissing her lover with all that she had left in her that day. Rainbow almost jumped back in surprise, but then welcomed the loving gesture. As Applejack transferred her love and energy across the kiss, Rainbow felt all the stress and fogginess in her mind melt away, only to be replaced with happiness and clarity. As the kiss broke, Rainbow opened her eyes with renewed resolve, and smiled.

“Ah want to stay up with you,” Applejack almost declared.

“Are you sure?” Rainbow asked, her eyes still sparkling from the kiss. “This could take a while.”

“Ah don’t mind,” Applejack shrugged with a grin, “Ah want to help.”

Rainbow pulled over another chair for her partner and sat down.

“Thanks,” she blushed sheepishly, “I think I could use your help.”

“Ah noticed,” Applejack gave Rainbow a peck, and then looked down at the paper.

“What if you moved Soarin’ here?”

Rainbow followed Applejack’s hoof, and smiled.

“Yeah, that’s much better! AJ, you’re a genius!”

As the two continued to work throughout the night, Appejack couldn’t help but smile at the success of her little plan. Perhaps Rainbow couldn’t afford sleep, but she could afford a loving kiss and a helping hoof. All this stress and worrying about not getting what she needed when all she really needed was…

…a little bit of Applejack.

Comments

[HopelessRomanetic]

A dash of Apple?

[Fury of the Tempest]

Hmmm, wonder why AJ can actually help, even though she's a farmer... then again, suppose she could of got into the shows via RD...