After a simple accident, two ponies can't get each other out of their minds. An AppleDash story.
This story has a silly premise taken seriously. It's also my first foray into shipfics, so take it with a grain of salt.
Accidents are not uncommon between Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Considering how physical they often get, it's no surprise that they'd tumble over each other once in a while. However, after one of their intense races, Rainbow can't seem to get over the fact that Applejack's body is so stupidly comfy. Naturally, she turns to her tortoise for help.
The fall breeze swept through the air like a gentle wave. Two friends happily chased each other in a secluded part of the forest, birch trees surrounding them everywhere they looked.
One of them had an orange coat. Her name was Applejack. She worked at the local apple farm at the edge of town; her family’s apples were world famous. No other grower could compete with their agricultural know-how.
The other mare had a blue coat. Her name was Rainbow Dash. She was a dreamer and her dreams were big. She was going to be a Wonderbolt one day and she knew it; everypony knew it. She was just counting down the days.
But for now, their successes were out of mind. The only thing that they were thinking at the moment was beating each other. Orange trailed behind blue as both mares hightailed it through the forest like streaks of lightning, their hooves like thunder on the ground.
“Ah thought ya learned yer lesson when we tied fer last place at the Runnin’ o’ the Leaves marathon two years ago! Ya know ya can’t beat me without yer little wings!”
“Yeah, well you know how stubborn I can be!”
Both mares chuckled but nopony was letting up. Applejack turned on the afterburners and successfully caught up with her winged friend. Side by side, they tore through the forest, curious woodland creatures their only audience.
The cowmare glanced to her left, “Hey, Rainbow! Know what Ah just realized? We haven’t even set up a finish line yet!”
The other mare responded, “Huh, you’re right,” and looked ahead, spotting a lone cloud floating about a mile away, “First pony underneath that cloud wins this!”
Applejack grinned, “Then Ah guess Ah’ll be seein’ ya there!”
“Yeah, right after I beat you to it!”
Rainbow was happy they could have moments like this again. Applejack had been so busy with Applebuck Season that she was practically missing for an entire month. Now that it was over, it seemed that the two of them could start hanging out again for real.
It was then that she noticed she was dragging behind. The cowmare was ten feet away, “What the?!”
“Sorry Rainbow, but Ah guess ya lose!”
“Not if I can help it!”
Rainbow pushed herself to her limit and slowly started catching up with the other mare, berating herself for getting distracted with her own thoughts. Like a jackhammer, her hooves pounded on the ground and pressed her onward, letting her catch up just behind her friend.
“You’re not gonna win this!”
“Ah already have!”
The farm pony was so close. Just a few more yards to go and she would finally beat Rainbow Dash. But, the other pony wasn't just about to give up. With a final burst of adrenaline, she caught up to the cowmare and was beside her before they passed underneath the cloud.
Rainbow was shocked she made it… then tripped and rolled uncontrollably, crashing into Applejack in the process. A mess of hooves tumbled hysterically for an agonizing minute before finally settling down at the edge of a lake hidden in the forest.
As the dust settled, Rainbow found herself on top of Applejack.
The cowmare spoke up, “Phew! Ah thought we’d never get outta that. Ya okay there, pardner?”
“I would be, but one of your hind hooves is kinda digging into my face right now.”
“Oops, hehe! Sorry…”
The two ponies began untangling themselves but they were too out of breath to do much.
“Alright… okay… that’s not working. Why don’t we take a breather for a few seconds and try it again afterwards.”
Applejack gave up as well, “Right… Ah can hardly move any o’ mah muscles after all that runnin’. Ya sure do put up a mighty good race, RD. Ah’ll give ya that.”
“Hey, you’re not so bad yourself! I mean, I totally won this one but you were a close second.”
Applejack lifted her head from the ground, “What?! Ah won that fair and square! Ya only caught up with me after we reached the finish line!”
“No way! I totally passed you at the last second!”
Applejack knocked her head back on the ground and started laughing, “Well, goldarnit! Looks like we both tied again.”
Rainbow couldn’t believe it, “Aw, dang it! Every race we’ve had, we’re always tied! Why can’t I beat you at this? It should be so easy!”
Applejack smirked, “Thanks fer the vote o’ confidence. Ah guess we’re just too evenly matched, Sugarcube.”
“Argh! I guess…”
Both ponies laid in silence for a while, gathering their thoughts while they waited to get control of their limbs back.
“You know, AJ… this is kinda cozy.”
Applejack lifted her head again, “Don’t tell me yer gettin’ used to this position?!”
“Well, you’re kinda soft… like a cloud! Except less poofy and more whiny.”
“Says the pegasus who nods off in mah trees every darn day! Why, compared to those, Ah must be a queen-size mattress to y’all!”
“Well… yeah!”
The cowmare just scoffed, “And Ah ain't whiny either!”
“I’m just saiyin’, AJ…”
Applejack mentally slapped herself, resting for a while before continuing the conversation, “Well don’t get too comfy. Ah’m startin’ to feel mah legs again.”
Right after saying it, she bucked with enough force to throw Rainbow off of her. Surprised, Dash caught herself mid-flight by flapping her wings wildly and landing on all fours.
“Much better! Now Ah can start lookin’ fer mah hat. Ah’m guessin’ it musta slipped off when we had our little tumble back there.”
Rainbow Dash was disappointed. Applejack was super comfy, as if her entire body was one giant pillow. She watched Applejack look around before happily spotting her hat by the lake’s edge.
Dusting it off, the farm pony yelled over to her friend, “Well, at least we can say one good thing about this entire mess! We just found ourselves a new hangin’ out place! Just gotta remember where it is and all!”
Rainbow watched her friend put her hat back on and thought of a brilliant idea. She was going to get her giant pillow back one way or another! She lifted one of her front legs off the ground and began crying out in feigned pain.
“Applejack! Oh Applejack, you gotta help me! I think I sprained my ankle!”
Applejack, worried, hurried off to her friend’s side, “Oh no! Ah’m right awfully sorry this happened to ya, RD. C’mon, let’s get back to Ponyville and get ya to a clinic!”
Applejack began racing off to Rainbow’s confusion, “Um… aren’t you going to carry me there?”
Applejack halted and looked back at her friend, “Aren’t yer wings still okay? Ah saw ya use them after Ah kicked ya off o’ mah body. Ya can fly to the hospital, can’t ya?”
Rainbow just stared at her blankly, mouth agape. It seemed that she didn’t think her brilliant plan all the way through, “Erm… you know what? My ankle’s all fine now! See! Don’t feel a thing anymore. No siree, I’m fantastic.”
“Ya sure? ‘Coz if yer strugglin’ we can still visit the…”
“I’m fine! Really! Let’s… just go.”
Applejack watched as Rainbow walked past her. She looked depressed about something but the cowmare thought better than to bother her about it. Like Rainbow told her earlier, AJ knew Dash was stubborn and trying to grill her about her problems was not going to get her to talk.
The rest of the trip home was spent in silence. Reaching the edge of town, the two mares slowly parted ways, both confused by what just happened between them. Applejack looked back one last time but Rainbow Dash was already gone.
Sighing, she headed home. She needed to get some sleep.
-⊕-
Rainbow arrived back in her cloud home. Dusk had just settled and it bathed her living room in an ethereal orange glow. She quietly called out her return but knew that nopony would answer her back. For the first time in her life, Rainbow Dash felt lonely.
It was only when a magically propelled tortoise came around a corner to greet her did Rainbow crack a smile, “Hey, Tank! I’m real glad to see you.”
Hugging her pet tightly, Rainbow released his shell and went over to the fridge to fetch him and herself a little snack.
She started talking to her tortoise, “You know, Tank, I don’t know how I ever lived without you all these years. Looking around and seeing how empty this place is, I just realized how sad and pathetic it is. Not that I'm sad and pathetic or anything, just the house.”
Once again, Rainbow was grateful for moments like this. Confessing to her pet tortoise gave her an excuse to think out loud and be open about herself, like a diary that nopony else could read. This way, Rainbow could pour her heart out and not worry about ruining her reputation much.
After sifting through her mess of a fridge, she selected a carrot and a Sweet Apple Acres apple for their late afternoon meal, “I mean everypony else seems to have somepony living with them. Twilight’s got Spike, Pinkie’s got the Cakes, Fluttershy’s got all her little animals, heck, even Rarity has Sweetie Belle three times a week. And AJ… don’t get me started on AJ. Her family’s so close knit, you could mistake them for a sweater!”
Her tortoise just slowly blinked in response.
“How about me? What do I get? Just you! Oh, don’t get me wrong, you’re great company. But, it just feels like I’m talking to myself most of the time over here. Know what I’m getting at?”
Tank stared at her blankly.
“Yeah, figures you’d say that…”
She chopped up the carrot for Tank and started nibbling on her apple, solemnly staring at it as she contemplated her lonesomeness. She frowned and put the apple down.
“I’m going to bed… Come in whenever you feel like it.”
She entered her bedroom and plopped down on her cloud bed, grimacing at her bitter mood. She hoped some rest would help get her out of the doldrums but as she tried for the next hour or so, she only ended up frustratingly tossing and turning the entire time.
She whinnied in exasperation and punched the mattress violently, “ARGH! EVEN MY BED ISN'T MAKING ME FEEL BETTER!”
Tears. Rainbow could swear she felt tears going down her face but she quickly wiped them away. No way does Rainbow Dash, the bravest, coolest, and fastest pegasus in all of Equestria, cry for no reason. That’s just ridiculous! But, she was crying… and she didn't know why.
She just pitifully lay there, sniffling every so often, until Tank came up and started nuzzling her. She lifted her head and smiled forlornly at her pet, about to give him a couple of back rubs when she noticed something balancing on his shell.
“You brought AJ’s apple…”
She stared at it for a good minute, gears turning in her heard. She thought back to when all her misery started and it hit her.
“Oh my gosh… Oh my GOSH! This is all Applejack’s fault! Her and her stupid comfy body!”
She rushed out of her house; blink and you would have missed her. Soaring like a bullet, Rainbow reached the Apple family farm in record time.
She tore the first window she could reach open and started yelling at the pony just about to lie down, “THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT, AJ! ALL I COULD THINK ABOUT TONIGHT WAS YOUR STUPID BODY! IF YOU AND I HADN'T ENDED UP IN THAT POSITION, THIS WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE!”
Big McIntosh stared wide-eyed at the crazy mare in confusion. Backing up in a corner, he held his blanket up as his only protection, “Well, Ah don’t mind if the two o’ ya are datin’, but mah sister’s room is next door!”
Rainbow Dash was as pale as a ghost. This wasn't how she planned it to go.
“Now, what in tarnation is goin’ on in here?!”
Applejack barged into the room and spotted her brother and Rainbow looking strangely uneasy about something. She lowered her brows and said in as clam a voice as she could muster, “Am Ah… interruptin’ somethin’ here?”
The pegasus stared dumbfoundedly back at the other mare and just started flailing her hooves in shock, “No! NO! You got it all wrong! Big Mac and I were just talking about your body and…”
“Ya two were WHAT?!!”
“No! Wait! That didn't come out right!”
Applejack looked like she was about to blow a gasket, “Ah don’t care what ya have to say just get outta mah house, Rainbow!”
“Wait! Please! You don’t understand!”
“I SAID GIT!!”
Rainbow was unceremoniously defenestrated from the second story window. Confused for a second, she didn't think of using her wings as she landed flat on the ground.
“… Ow…”
She looked back up at the window she was thrown out of and cringed at the heated voices coming out of it, reduced to only mumbles from where she lied. It wasn't long before she heard a third and fourth voice, obviously coming from Granny Smith and Apple Bloom who were drawn to the commotion she had caused in Big McIntosh’s room.
She could only sit miserably where she had fallen. She knew she had some explaining to do and that she’d better get it done and over with or Applejack’s not gonna stop hounding her down all day tomorrow for it. As embarrassing as it was, she had to be brave and clear Big Mac’s name.
It took a few good minutes until AJ appeared at the front door, scowling at the pegasus, “Ya got some really good explainin’ to do… Ya almost gave Granny Smith a HEART ATTACK!”
“I’m sorry, AJ! I don’t really have a good reason for barging in on your family but I really need to ask you a favor. My sanity depends on it!”
“Oh, Big Mac has filled me in with all the little details. Apparently, all somepony could think about tonight was mah ‘stupid body’. Mind tellin’ me what all this nonsense is about, Rainbow?”
Rainbow felt like crying again. This wasn't how she planned it to go at all.
“AJ… I think… I think I can’t sleep unless… unless I… I… cuddle… with you.”
That snapped the cowmare out of her fury, “… Say what?”
“Applejack, please let me sleep with you… just tonight… I've never felt this lonely before…”
Applejack was frozen in place. Just what the hell was going through that pegasus’ mind?
“Just what the hay is goin’ through that featherbrain o’ yours, Rainbow?! Ya want to cuddle with me?!”
Rainbow just stared back at her in defeat, tears rolling down her cheeks. Applejack was bewildered. Here she was, Rainbow Dash, the most steadfast pony she’s ever known, breaking down in front of her like a two year old craving for her mother. She completely let go of her ire and approached the despondent pony, gripping her in a firm embrace.
Rainbow Dash lost it. She promised herself she would never cry in front of anypony, especially Applejack. But right now, it didn't matter. At that moment, she only wanted to be in Applejack’s arms. She hugged her back and wouldn't let go. Even after the cowmare was done, Rainbow was still hanging onto her tightly.
As much of a troublemaker Rainbow was, AJ knew that there was something much deeper rooted here and she had to get to the bottom of it, “Alright, Rainbow, a-alright… Ah’ll sleep with ya tonight. But, not here… Granny Smith ain't gonna let ya into the farmhouse fer a while after pullin’ off a stunt like that. We obviously can’t go to yer cloud house either on account that… y’know… earth ponies and clouds don’t really mix very well without a little magic.”
Rainbow sniffled and stared worriedly at AJ, fearing that she was implying they were going to sleep outside in the cold autumn air.
“That’s it! ‘MAGIC’! Let’s head on over to Twilight’s house and see if she’ll let us bunker up fer the night. Whaddaya say?”
Since their race this afternoon, Applejack finally saw Rainbow smile. It was a grim smile, but a smile nonetheless. The pegasus nodded and finally let go of the cowmare. Together they headed off into Ponyville proper.
-⊕-
It wasn't long before they reached Twilight’s house. Applejack knocked on the door loud enough to hopefully wake their friend up.
The door opened and revealed the baggy-eyed librarian, “Rainbow? Applejack? What are you girls doing here this late?”
“Long story, Sugarcube. Just give me and Rainbow a bed to sleep in and Ah’ll try to explain everythin’ tomorrow.”
Twilight hesitated for a second but complied anyway, “Alright, I’ll get a bed ready. You girls really seem beat. I hope it’s nothing too serious.”
Applejack looked back at Rainbow who was tuckered out, leaning on her shoulder, “Ah don’t rightly know what’s happenin’ mahself. Ah just hope Dash’ll feel better by tomorrow.”
Twilight nodded before heading back inside. Applejack leaned down and draped the pegasus onto her back, proceeding to carry her into the library. As soon as Rainbow wakes up, Applejack will be ready to help her with whatever it was that was troubling her.
-⊕-
Rainbow dreamed. She dreamed of apple trees and barnyards, of blonde manes and freckled faces, of kissing lips and cuddling bodies.
Orange and blue together as one. Everything was perfect.
Applejack awoke to the songs of tiny lovebirds flittering past an unfamiliar window. It took her a few seconds to remember that she was not in her own bed. Judging by the angle of the sun irritating her eyes, she rightly deduced that it was roughly seven in the morning.
‘Shoot… musta slept in today.’
She proceeded to get up but was kept in place by two unwavering hooves clasped around her midsection. Turning ‘round, she found out Rainbow Dash was the culprit; their faces were uncomfortably close. Applejack tried to quietly shift out of the vicelike grip but Rainbow’s hold was firm.
The pegasus began murmuring in her sleep, “Mmm… Applejack…”
The cowmare was taken aback but her interest was piqued nonetheless. Apparently, her feathered friend was dreaming about her. The farm pony leaned in a little closer to try and discern the rest of her friend’s murmuring but was caught off guard when the pegasus shifted her head forward.
Their lips connected.
Like a firecracker, Applejack launched away in shock, dragging Rainbow off the bed and onto the floor with her.
Now fully awake, Rainbow Dash rose up and started yelling at her awakener, “Hey! What’s the big idea?! I was having an exciting dream!”
Applejack scoffed and answered her rhetorically, “Yeah, Ah’ll bet yer dream was excitin’!”
“What?”
“Oh, you girls are up! That’s great!” Twilight came into the room enthusiastically, oblivious to the awkward moment the two mares just had, “Come on down! Breakfast is ready.”
Applejack was quick to gallop downstairs. Rainbow Dash however remained in place, puzzled as to what just happened between them.
“Did you just see her run? I don’t know what’s up with that mare!”
Twilight was concerned as well, “Did you say or do something to upset her?”
“NO! I was just happily dozing off until she knocked me down to the floor. Then, after I kindly told her how rude she was for doing that, she started yammering sarcastically about how I was having a nice dream. Now, she’s just run off. I’m telling you Twi, AJ must be loopy in the mornings.”
Twilight shook her head, “I don’t think that’s it, Rainbow. Maybe we should go down and talk to her.”
Rainbow vigorously nodded, “Good idea. I need to give her a piece of my mind, anyhow.”
The two mares trotted downstairs but when they looked around, Applejack was nowhere to be seen.
Twilight frowned, “I guess she must have run back home. We should probably head on over there and see what’s up with her.”
Rainbow muttered a, “Yeah,” in response but her belly had other thoughts as it started growling.
Twilight giggled, “Why don’t we eat breakfast first? I’m pretty sure she’ll still be there by the time we finish.”
Rainbow agreed and hungrily flew into the dining area, almost crashing into the dragon within. Twilight just shook her head in amusement and followed the other mare inside.
Ignoring the scrambling pegasus, Twilight took a seat and grinned happily at the stack of pancakes that were presented before her, “These look amazing, Spike! Thanks!”
Spike, the aforementioned dragon, blushed in response, “Aww… It’s no big, Twilight.”
Rainbow, who also received a plate, popped in on the conversation, her mouth half-filled with pancakes, “You kidding me, Spike? These pancakes are awesome! I bet if you were a pony, your cutie mark would be one of those stupid chef’s hats! What do you call those again?”
“They’re called toques and they’re not stupid, Rainbow. Chefs used to wear them to denote rank in the kitchen.”
“Yeah, yeah… just keep those pancakes coming, Spike!”
Twilight frowned at the disinterested mare and crossed her hooves in dejection. She levitated a fork and a knife and started eating her own pancakes all the while thinking idly about what they would do once they got to Applejack’s house.
However, these thoughts brought back the events of the previous night. She put her utensils down and gazed seriously towards the pegasus, coughing once before speaking her mind, “Rainbow, what was up with you and Applejack last night? You looked like you were crying heavily about something.”
Caught off guard, Rainbow was quick to get on the defensive, “I wasn’t crying!”
Twilight shook her head, “Your eyes are still red around the edges, Rainbow. I’m pretty sure you were crying.”
“I wasn’t crying!”
Twilight was about to retort but Rainbow slammed her hoof on the table before she could say anything, “I’m not gonna talk about this!”
The blue mare got up and stomped halfway out the dining room door before she suddenly stopped midstep. Hopeful that she was coming back to apologize, Twilight was disappointed when she saw the pegasus tracking her way back to her unfinished plate, “And I’m taking these with me!”
"What?!" Before Twilight could protest further, the pegasus had already grabbed the dish and stormed out of the library.
Spike stared and scratched his head in confusion, “Did I miss something?”
“I think something happened last night, Spike. I’m gonna head out to Sweet Apple Acres and figure out just what did. Take care of the library for me, will you?”
“Sure thing, Twilight! You can always count on me!”
“Thanks, Spike,” She hugged the dragon tightly then raced on out. It was time to get to the bottom of this.
-⊕-
“She kissed me! That flyin’ bumper car kissed me!”
Applejack frantically paced her living room, her brother standing off to one side as he listened to his sister ramble.
“Calm down, AJ. Tell me what happened?”
“Ah AM tellin’ ya what happened! Rainbow kissed me in her sleep! Yesterday she was hankerin’ fer me to cuddle with her – fer Celestia knows what reason – and today, just as Ah woke up… SHE KISSED ME!”
Big McIntosh shook his head, “Y’know, yer kinda overreactin’ about this. Ponies can’t kiss ya in their sleep. It was an accident.”
Applejack grunted, “Ah know that, Mac!”
“Then why are ya so upset about it?”
“BECAUSE SHE STILL KISSED ME!”
The stallion rolled his eyes, “Kinda sounds like yer obsessin’ over this kiss,” He thought about it for a moment then leaned in closer to Applejack, “Are ya upset ‘coz ya liked it or somethin’?”
“Liked it?! Why Ah oughta…”
There was a knock at the door. Big McIntosh quickly headed over to the front of the house to answer it, “Ah’m gonna see who that is,” and with a cheeky grin, added, “And ya didn’t say no.”
The big red stallion disappeared around the corner before Applejack could pounce him, “When Ah get mah hooves on ya, Ah’m gonna turn ya into apple fertilizer!”
Big McIntosh opened the door, “Oh, howdy Miss Twilight. Ya lookin’ fer Applejack?”
Twilight smiled and nodded, “Yes I am. Is she inside?”
The farm pony chortled then quickly ran outside, “She’s all yers!”
“GET BACK HERE, YA BIG APE!!”
Applejack was about to run after her brother but stopped in her tracks when she saw a perplexed and frightened Twilight at the door. She gritted her teeth and tried to steel herself. Twilight came all this way because she had run out of the library without any justification and she didn't want to be temperamental while she explained herself to the librarian.
“Oh… Hey, Twilight. When Ah catch that no-good… Sorry fer stormin’ outta yer house earlier. Ah had to… do somethin’… A-anyway, come on in!”
Applejack was obviously lying but Twilight let it slide for now. She’ll ask about what happened later when the farm pony decides to open up more, “That’s alright, Applejack. I actually came over to ask about what happened between you and Rainbow Dash last night. You darted off before we could talk about it and you promised to tell me what’s been going on.”
Applejack looked despondently back at her bookish friend, “Ah’m mighty sorry about that, Sugarcube, but there really ain’t much Ah can tell ya,” Twilight and Applejack sauntered into the living room and sat down at the family couch, “Last night, after our little run, Rainbow broke into mah house and started harassin’ mah idiotic brother. When Ah started askin’ her what it was all about, she just broke down in front o’ me. She then told me some nonsense about wantin’ to… um... wantin’ to…”
Applejack was blushing as red as her namesake.
“Wanting to what, Applejack?”
The cowmare stared nervously at her hooves, “… Wantin’ to cuddle with me.”
Twilight’s cheeks started reflecting Applejack’s rosiness, “Oh… well… judging by your arrival last night, I’m guessing you accepted.”
“What was Ah supposed to do!? She was downer than a fallen apple tree! We couldn't stay at mah house; Granny Smith was havin’ a fit after all the ruckus that silly mare had caused last night. We couldn't stay at Rainbow’s either ‘coz it’s, y’know, a cloud!”
Twilight frowned in understanding, “So, you chose to go to my house.”
“Eeyup! Then it gets even more confusin’ when Ah wake up and Rainbow kisses me on the…”
Slap! Her hooves were on her lips. She had run her mouth off too long. Stupid Element of Honesty!
Applejack started sweating, “What Ah mean is…”
“She kissed you?!”
“Okay, she was asleep! She didn’t know what she was doin’! But still, our lips touched, Twilight!”
“That could have been just a coincidence.”
“Lan’ sakes! She was mumblin’ mah name and smilin’ all goofy-like ‘fore she moved in for the kill! Ah think she was dreamin’ o' smotherin' mah face!”
“W-well… What are you saying? Are you implying that Rainbow’s subconsciously infatuated with you?”
Applejack fidgeted with her mane, “Ah don’t know… M-maybe? She seemed just as weirded out as Ah was when she gave her, er, ‘proposition’ last night.”
Twilight put her hoof on AJ’s shoulder, “Then I’m guessing she probably doesn't even know herself. Knowing Rainbow, it makes sense that all of these new and weird emotions are driving her to do drastic things.”
Applejack smirked at the unicorn, “Like yellin’ at mah brother at nine in the evenin’?”
“Exactly.”
Applejack stood up and started pacing. This was enlightening but she couldn't keep her mind focused on their current conversation. Not knowing what else to say, she latched on to the one thing that was bothering her the most, “Ah still can’t believe she kissed me in her sleep!”
Twilight gave her a pensive look, “My guess is that it’s a subconscious reflex. Were you two particularly near each other when she did it?”
Performing her trademark eye roll, Applejack snorted in response, “Ya don’t forget smellin’ mornin’ breath up that close, pardner.”
Twilight could only sigh in resignation, “Then that’s that. The rest is up to you and Rainbow Dash to figure out with one another.”
Applejack finally stopped pacing and whimpered, “Ah was afraid you were gonna say that…”
Seeing the anxiety in her face, Twilight thought she could lift some weight off her friend’s shoulders with a little bit of solace, “Well, if it’s any consolation, if you go for it, I think the two of you would make a great couple!”
“Not helpin’, Twilight!”
Twilight shrank back, “Sorry…”
Applejack immediately regretted the outburst, “W-wait, no. Ah’m sorry, Sugarcube. Ah didn't mean to blow up on ya like that. It’s just… This is a lot to think about.”
Twilight nodded, “I guess I’ll just be on my way then. I’ll try to give you a heads up if I see Rainbow heading towards the farm.”
The cowmare appreciated her friend’s thoughtfulness and smiled, “Thanks, Twilight. Yer a great pal.”
Twilight mirrored her friend’s expression, “Always glad to help.”
The two mares said their goodbyes and Twilight turned to leave. As she opened the door, she spotted Big McIntosh sitting patiently at the porch. He turned his head and smiled sheepishly at the mare. Apparently, he was politely waiting for them to finish their little heart-to-heart.
“Ah’m presumin’ ya and AJ have sorted her feelins’ out?”
Twilight closed the door behind her and replied to the stallion, “More or less, but she’s going to have to really talk to Rainbow Dash about it soon. She hesitates, but I can tell she’s not against the idea. She never really rebuked it; she just simply thought it was overwhelming.”
Big McIntosh smirked, “Figured as much.”
“You’re her brother, Big McIntosh. Maybe you can help her through this.”
The burly stallion finally stood up and gave the unicorn a genuine smile, “Don’t worry ‘bout it, Miss Twilight. Mah sister may be stubborn, but she always figures things through.”
Twilight accepted that answer, “Alright. You know her better than I do. I’ll trust your judgement.”
“’Sides,” Big Mac contemplated, “Ah like Miss Rainbow; she makes mah sister happy. And, when mah sister’s happy, Ah’m happy.”
Twilight admired this side of Big McIntosh. It was rare for the stallion to talk at length, but when he did, he knew exactly what to say.
“She also knows how to get under mah sister’s skin and that makes me laugh mah flank off!”
Twilight was dumbfounded. Apparently, there was more to the stallion than meets the eye.
-⊕-
A raspy voice broke the silence of the meadow. High up above, in her cloudy abode, the rainbow-maned pegasus ranted off to the tortoise on her bed.
“You know, I’ll never fully understand some ponies, Tank. Sometimes, they make plenty of sense and other times, they start acting really weird around you, like as if they were never your best friend this entire time or something!”
She held the plate of pancakes between her hooves. As it slowly sogged away from the excessive syrup, she tried to gather her thoughts and make sense of everything that had been happening between her and Applejack lately.
“I mean, you just sleep with them for one night and suddenly you’re treated like a crazy mare. And Twilight, could you believe her?! She implied that I was crying last night. Crying! SO not cool!”
She continued to fork the doughy delicacy into her mouth. It wasn't often that she’d pig out like this when she was upset – she had a flying figure to maintain after all – but it always seemed to help the characters out in those funny flicks she’d been watching at the new theater lately. And if movie stars did it, she didn't see any reason she couldn't.
“Besides, it’s not like I’m gonna get in bed with AJ again! Those stupid feelings were just a ‘last night’ thing. I’m a grown mare. I can sleep by myself… even if that was the best rest I've had in years… B-but, none of that matters! This entire thing’s behind me. I can just forget about it, move on, and not think about AJ’s awesome body.”
She smiled triumphantly at her pet. He blinked back at her. She smashed her face into the pancakes.
“Oh, who am I kidding, Tank? I can’t get it out of my mind.”
In frustration, she threw the plate at the nearest wall but quickly realized that with a house made of clouds, trying to feel better with property destruction would only be met with uninterrupted detritus falling outside of her walls.
She growled at herself, “I CAN’T EVEN GET ANGRY PROPERLY!”
She was so confused. She didn't know what to do. She had never felt this way before.
She looked outside her window and saw the sun was as radiant as ever, mocking her morning as it happily shone across the kingdom, blanketing the country in its sickeningly cheerful disposition.
“It’s not even noon yet!”
Rainbow usually loved days off. She usually begged for them every time she went to work. Even when she only needed ten simple seconds to finish her job, she grovelled like a starving animal to get a day off. However, of all the times to finally get it, this one came at the worst possible moment.
She had enough, “WHATEVER! I’m not just gonna mope around and waste a free day! That’s not what Rainbow Dash does!”
She turned to her tortoise, “Tank, I’m going out to practice on my flight routines and clear my head of this… this… this stupidness! Feel free to munch on the carpet if you get hungry.”
She sped out of her house, the meadow once again falling into silence. As the gentle winds swept through the grassy field below, soiled pancakes laid somberly among broken dishware. Silently, they lay forgotten as the only evidence of a lonely pegasus’ outrage.
-⊕-
Rainbow soared at death defying speeds, rounding the skies and making mad turns in a show of aerial bravado. This field was a blessing from Celestia. Hardly anypony came out here and there was ample space for lots of exciting maneuvers.
After perfectly executing her Fantastic Filly Flash move, Rainbow decided to drop back down to solid ground. Building up a sweat had been refreshing but as she landed, she realized that she still hadn't gotten her latest obsession out of her mind.
Annoyed, she decided to take a rest and lied down on the luscious field at her hooves. With nothing else to do, she stared at the open sky. What she saw left her speechless.
Focusing on forgetting the incident with Applejack, she hadn't noticed that it was steadily approaching nightfall. The top half of the sky remained its vibrant blue but skimming just above the mountaintops, the sky gradated into a beautiful orange. It was a sight she rarely paid heed to and it captivated her now that she took the time to see it.
She didn't fail to see the allegory. She saw it clear as morning. It was a sign, a message telling her that she shouldn't ignore what she already knew any longer.
Her mind was made. She sped off towards the Apple family home and hoped against hope that she was doing the right thing.
-⊕-
A knock on her window. Applejack was ready for this. Twilight had seen Rainbow Dash soaring towards Sweet Apple Acres and teleported ahead to warn the cowmare of the pegasus’ arrival.
The orange mare approached her windowpane and slid it open, her feathered friend hovering silently before her.
“Ya got some syrup on yer face.”
Rainbow simply shrugged in response, “I need to talk to you, AJ.”
“Save it. Tell me tomorrow.”
Applejack moved aside so the pegasus could get in. Rainbow didn't hesitate as she landed next to the cowmare. Without a word, they both approached the bed and slid under the blanket, wrapping their hooves around each other in a tender hug.
Applejack opened her eyes. Looking past the locks, she could tell it was still dark outside. Brushing the colorful strands out of her face, she sat up and rubbed at her eyes. Turning to her side, she spotted the heinous fiend responsible for her hairy troubles smiling in cataleptic bliss.
She yawned, “Well, at least she ain't suffocatin’ me this time.”
She was still a little hazy from the sleep but she could tell that something was off about the way her friend looked. Turning the bedside lamp on, she silently giggled when she figured out what it was. Rainbow Dash had forgotten to clean the syrup off of her face and now her cerulean fur was pointing at every which direction.
“Oh Celestia, that’s cute.”
Applejack took this moment of serenity to reflect upon how she felt about Rainbow Dash. Ever since Twilight had put the thought in her mind, all sorts of questions began flooding in, ‘Do I like her that way? Does she like me back? What kind of life would we have together?’ With the token mare in question lying right next to her, she felt that now was as good a time as any to make a decision.
She swallowed the lump in her throat, “Well, here goes nothin’…”
Slowly inching down towards the sleeping mare, every part of her being shook and shivered in nervousness. Just a hair’s length away however, she faltered.
“Ah can do this. It’s just one peck. Just one, single peck.”
Inhale. Exhale.
With nothing to lose, she dove in for the kill – more forcefully than she’d intended. The other mare stirred instantly.
Not expecting to wake up lip locked with her best friend, Rainbow was stunned for a second before separating from the cowmare abruptly. Bemused, she couldn't help but snicker at her friend, “Uh, good morning to you too, Applejack.”
“Rainbow! A-Ah’m sorry! Ah didn't mean to… er… Actually, that’s a lie. Ah did mean to… what Ah meant to say waSYRUP! Yer face is still covered in syrup! Ah was just kindly lickin’ it off fer ya; tryin’ to get ya cleaned up! There ain't nothin’ underhanded happenin’ here! Ah swear Ah’m bein’ honest!”
Rainbow stared at the farm pony for a good five seconds, “AJ, that grin is as fake as Rarity’s accent and manestyle.”
Busted.
“Oh…”
“I’ll admit, what you did was really weird and really awkward but I can’t fault you for wanting to do it. I mean, who wouldn't want to kiss the most awesome pony in all of Equestria?”
Applejack was heartbroken, “W-weird? Y’mean ya didn't like it?”
Taken aback, the farm pony ignored the question, “Are ya sayin’ ya didn't come here last night to say that ya have feelins’ for me?”
“Wait, what?! WHOAWhoawhoa! Time out! That is NOT what I came here for last night.”
Applejack felt betrayed and yelled before she could hold herself back, “Then what the hay did ya come back to my house fer, ya clown-maned feather duster!”
Rainbow was bowled over by the earth pony’s sudden rage, “Um, I-I came over last night to officially admit that I’m… that I’m alone, AJ. As much as it sucks to admit it, you and the girls are the only family I really have and I figured that, with how close and nice your family was, you guys wouldn't mind filling the hole a little bit more, y’know? B-but, that doesn't mean I’m, like, in love with you or anything! That’s just crazy!”
Applejack was speechless. She had tortured herself all day yesterday debating whether or not she wanted to spend the rest of her life with this mare but all Rainbow ever really cared about was that Applejack was a quick and convenient cure for her own selfish problems. She never even gave one thought to how this would affect Applejack and her feelings at all. That was not okay to the earth pony. That was not okay, at all!
“Out!”
Uh-oh, “W-wait, don’t throw me out the window again!”
Applejack was simply crying and pointing towards the windowpane, “OUT!”
Rainbow conceded and sped out of the bedroom window before it was violently slammed behind her. Applejack quickly shut the curtains, blocking Rainbow from seeing inside her room. The pegasus hovered there for the next few minutes, tapping at the glass and waiting for a response from the other mare.
“… Applejack? …” Tap, tap, tap, “… Applejack? …”
When the curtains finally separated, she was disappointed that it wasn't Applejack but Big McIntosh who was staring back at her, “Ah think it’s best if ya go away fer a while, Miss Rainbow. Mah sister needs to be alone fer a spell.”
Rainbow felt hurt but she didn't bother arguing with the stallion. She turned to leave and wavered for a bit, deciding to land on the ground; she didn't feel like flying at the moment. Gradually, she began the painful trip back home.
“Awesome way to start the day, Rainbow Dash…”
-⊕-
The sun was out. The walk took much longer than Rainbow wanted, but for the most part, she didn't care. She stared up at her cloud house. Somehow, it seemed even lonelier than the first time.
She was about to rise up and wallow in her grief, something that unfortunately had become a regular occurrence for her, but something shiny had caught her eye on the way up and her interest was piqued. Approaching the mysterious glimmer, she found the plate she had tossed out of her house – well, what was left of it anyway. Ants were now crawling all over the pancakes much to her disgust.
She wasn't a poetic pony, but she couldn't deny that the wasted breakfast kind of summed up her current relationship with Applejack pretty well. Their friendship was probably shattered and irreparable now just like the plate. And, like the ants, she felt like she’d trodden upon the poor mare’s feelings which undoubtedly must be slowly eating away at the cowmare this very moment.
It even felt a little sticky for some reason.
“Oh…”
Rainbow decided to get into her cloud house and wash her face. Not a litter bug, she picked up the pieces of the broken plate so she could throw them away properly. She decided to leave the pancakes, not wanting to get any ants on her hooves.
Opening the front door, she called out into the house and slowly but surely, her pet tortoise came hovering out from behind a corner towards his owner. Rainbow set the broken dishware on the table before reaching out to greet her pet.
Hugging him tightly before releasing him, Rainbow once again spoke her troubles away to the amiable tortoise, “Tank, am I a bad pony?”
She didn't know for sure if her tortoise could really understand her but somehow the reptile’s sordid face managed to look even sadder than it usually did. She could swear she even saw him shake his head in disapproval.
“I think I broke Applejack’s heart today. I’m not sure what to do now,” She groaned under her breath, “And I have to work today too. I am not in the mood for this.”
Tank flew out of her vision for a while and returned with an empty mug hanging from his mouth. Perhaps, in some ways, he did understand her.
“Thanks. I think I do need a drink.”
Grabbing the mug, she walked her way towards her fridge and took the milk out. Opening a cupboard, she got the hot cocoa mix and from a drawer, a spoon. Pouring the milk into the mug, she placed it into the microwave and set an appropriate time. Gradually, the miniature machine sprung to life and her mug started spinning in place.
Rainbow stared at the little packet in her hooves, “This is actually a pretty good idea, Tank. Tiny marshmallows always do cheer me up.”
A clinking noise sounded behind her and she saw her pet tortoise toying around with the broken plate pieces in curiosity.
“Hey, Tank! Get away from there! You could hurt yourself.”
She shooed her pet away and gazed at the shattered plate. She felt bad about the damage she’d done. Maybe she should apologize to Twilight when she gets the chance to.
“Wait a minute…”
*DING*
“Twilight! She'll know what to do about this! She knows everything!”
She turned around and took the milk out of the microwave, pouring it into Tank’s dish bowl instead of drinking it herself, “Sorry for ditching out on you a lot lately, Tank, but this is kinda important.”
She grabbed the shards and shoved them all into a saddlebag. Her spirit reinvigorated, she was gone like the wind.
-⊕-
Knock! Knock! Knock!
“Twilight! Twilight, you in there? I need to speak to you.”
Spike opened the door for her, “Oh! Hi, Rainbow! You wanna come in?”
“Yeah, is Twilight inside?”
“Uh-huh. She’s just trapped in a book right now.”
“Trapped in a book?”
Rainbow walked inside and spotted the unicorn practically boring a hole through the pages of a manuscript with her eyes. She didn't seem to notice her arrival. She didn't even seem to blink.
Spike looked behind the pegasus and noticed she had saddlebags. What he saw sticking out them did not impress him, however, “You broke our plate!”
Rainbow looked back at the youthful dragon and grinned guiltily, “Haha, yeah… sorry about that. I've been having a hard time lately and I kinda used it for stress relief.”
Spike received the plate pieces in incredulity, “Stress relief? What could've been so bad that you had to break an innocent piece of dishware?”
“That’s actually what I’m here to talk to Twilight about.”
Spike sighed, “Fair enough,” Perking up, an impish smile grew on his face, “You want Twilight’s attention? I’ve got just the thing to snap her out of her little trance! You might want to step back a bit.”
Rainbow was about five yards away from Twilight and backing up still sounded like a good idea.
Spike held his breath in and bellowed with fury, “HEY, TWILIGHT! PRINCESS CELESTIA’S HERE FOR YOUR NEW DAILY TONGUE BATH!”
“MY NEW DAILY WHAT?!”
A powerful burst of energy erupted from where Twilight was sitting and when it dissipated, the entire library looked like it was the center of a meteor strike. Rainbow, having stood as far back as possible, was still caught in the blast and was now covered in soot.
“Spike! Don’t do that to me! That is not something to joke about!” Looking behind him, she noticed Rainbow Dash for the first time, “Oh, Rainbow! I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to talk with you.”
Cough, cough “Yeah… Ditto, Twi. Though, perhaps we can go someplace more private and less hazardous to my health.”
“Oh, uh, sorry about that. Um, Spike? Why don’t you dust the shelves while I talk with Rainbow Dash?”
Spike looked around at the carnage then back at Twilight, “Seriously?”
“Don't forget to sweep the insides of the book jackets as well! Okay, why don’t we go into the kitchen? It’ll be much more confidential in there. You want anything to drink?”
“Actually, yeah. You got any hot cocoa – preferably with those tiny marshmallows that float on top of it?”
“I think we do."
Spike slapped a claw to his face and begrudgingly set towards the cabinet to begin the impossible chore.
Twilight walked up towards the cabinets to set everything up for Rainbow, "By the way, you might want to wash up a bit. Your fur’s kind of covered in soot and pointing all over the place.”
“Whatever, that can wait. This is more important.”
Twilight started pouring some milk into a mug, “If you say so,” She popped the milk into the microwave, “Alright, what’s on your mind?”
“Applejack and I…”
Twilight beamed, “Oh, did you two get together?! I’m so happy for you both!”
“What?! NO! Are you in on this too? Did you put some crazy spell on AJ to make her fall in love with me? Don’t lie to me! I know Princess Cadance can do it and she could've taught you how to do it! Hay, maybe she’s in on this too!”
Twilight waved her hooves exasperatedly and blanched at the accusation, “No! No! No! Nothing like that,” She frowned, “Oh, Rainbow… I guess you didn't get together then. That’s a shame.”
Rainbow narrowed her eyes, “What do you mean ‘that’s a shame’?”
The microwave started beeping and Twilight turned back to it, collecting the heated milk and mixing the chocolate powder in.
“Well, I’m not sure if you already know this, but Applejack’s pretty much head over hooves for you, Rainbow.”
Rainbow sighed and sat down, “I know. That’s why I came here. I don’t know what to do about that.”
Twilight frowned at the pegasus and gave her the cocoa, “That’s easy. Give her a chance.”
Rainbow growled at Twilight, slamming the mug on the table and spilling some of her drink, “What makes you think I even like her that way?! Sure, she’s cute! I’ll freely admit that! But I don’t have feelings for her!”
Twilight sighed and levitated a napkin, wiping away at the spill, “You’ll never be sure if you don’t give it a chance.”
“Well, I’m sorry to bust your bubble, Twi, but even if I wanted this, it just ain't happening, okay?!”
“Why not?”
“Because to even have a chance, I’d still need to be friends with AJ!”
Twilight was shocked into silence, the napkin falling from her telekinetic grip. Unable to speak more than a whisper, she uttered, “You girls aren't friends anymore?”
“No… m-maybe… I don’t know.”
Rainbow cradled her face into her hooves, silently weeping at how it all went so wrong so fast.
Twilight kept quiet, afraid that if she said the wrong thing, Rainbow would just lash out at her again. However, she knew she had to say something or else this fiasco will definitely lead to the pegasus’ and the earth pony’s estrangement. She couldn't let that happen, especially not to these two.
“Well, I honestly don’t have any great answers for you, Rainbow. All I can tell you is what I've already told Applejack. The only way you two are going to sort this out is by talking to each other. As much as it may pain you, that’s the only way you two are going to get any sort of closure out of this.”
Rainbow sniffed and looked up at Twilight. Nodding, she wiped away at her tears, “Y-you’re right, Twilight. As always, you’re right. I think I’ll visit her now; get this whole thing done and over with. Oh, and by the way, I’m sorry for breaking your plate. I kind of tossed it off my cloud when I got a bit angry. I hope you’re not mad or anything. Anyways, I gotta go.”
Twilight nodded before backtracking a bit, “Wait, what was that about my plate?” but the pegasus was already gone, the cocoa left untouched.
-⊕-
Applejack kicked at the apple trees but nothing was coming down. She went to the next tree. Kick! Still nothing. Next tree. Hit! Bupkis.
Big McIntosh stood at the front porch of the house, silently watching his sister wretchedly kick away at the empty apple trees. He would stop her but he knew that she needed to vent her anger out and work was always her escape.
It was then that he noticed a vibrant rainbow streak zipping towards the farmhouse. He was disappointed that Rainbow had decided to come back just as Applejack started acting this way but at the same time he was glad. Maybe she can talk some sense into his sister.
Rainbow Dash landed before the stallion, “Hey, Big Mac. AJ ready to talk to me yet?”
The crimson-coated stallion heaved a sigh and shook his head. He took a moment to asses Rainbow’s current appearance and asked out of politeness, “Uh, are ya okay, Miss Rainbow?”
“Never better. Where’s AJ?”
Big McIntosh shrugged and pointed towards the orchard, “She’s right there if ya want to talk her out o’ this madness.”
“What madness?”
Rainbow turned to see what was happening, utterly bewildered by what she was witnessing. Applejack was bucking empty apple trees and it didn't seem like she was going to stop anytime soon.
She quickly hovered towards the orange mare and quietly tried to break her out of her reverie, “Um… Hey, Applejack. How’s it hangin’?”
“Shut it, Sugarcube. Can’t ya see that Ah’m workin’?”
“Uh… yeah… Do you think you could take five for a moment? We really need to talk.”
“Sorry, no can do. It’s Applebuck Season and Ah gotta get all the harvestin’ done before the first snowfall, otherwise the juices in the apples will start freezin’ then they’d be useless fer virtually every reason ya’d need an apple fer. Can’t let that happen or the farm’ll lose money.”
Rainbow was confused. Applebuck Season ended a week ago. She looked back up at the barren leaves to remind herself that Applejack was acting crazy at the moment.
“Right… well, how ‘bout we talk while you buck? Sound cool?”
“Whatever.”
Rainbow mulled over her next words for a while before speaking up, “So, about this morning, you kissed me on the lips…”
Applejack finally looked at Rainbow Dash for the first time since they started talking, “Look, Sugarcube. Ah know what yer gonna say and yer right. Ah know it ain't yer fault that Ah kissed ya. Ah know that ya don’t got no feelins’ fer me. Ah know it was mah own stupid fault to assume all o’ that before ya could explain yerself. It was all me and mah stupid head, alright? Ah get it. Ah’ve been pretty stupid recently. A stupid cowmare on a stupid farm livin’ a stupid life. Stupid, stupid, stupid!”
Applejack began violently kicking one of the trees out of frustration, its bark starting to break off. Rainbow quickly grabbed her friend and shook her violently so as to get her out of this self-inflicted stupor.
“Applejack! Snap out of it! You’re not stupid! There is nothing stupid about your feelings for me! This isn't worth hurting yourself over! Please, you’re scaring me!”
Applejack just started guffawing in Rainbow Dash’s face, “That ain't possible, Rainbow! Nothin’ scares ya! Yer the bravest pony in all o’ Equestria! Yer a silly pony, Dash.”
“No, you’re the silly pony, AJ. It’s silly that you’re going through all this turmoil just because of a little misunderstanding.”
Applejack stared at the pegasus before she started sobbing uncontrollably. Rainbow Dash didn't know what was happening. Applejack had never been this bipolar before, “That’s exactly what this is, Dash! A misunderstandin’! Ah don’t understand why Ah’m hurtin’ so much over this! Ah don’t understand why this is happenin’ to me! But most o’ all, Ah don’t understand why Ah’m so madly in love with ya…”
Rainbow’s heart sunk hearing those words. She was rendered speechless, not knowing how to respond.
Applejack mistook this as hesitation, “So, what now, future Wonderbolt? Ya just gonna stand there and say nothin’? Givin’ up?! Gonna admit that it’s true?! Well guess what, Rainbow? Ah don’t even care anymore! In fact, Ah don’t even love ya anymore! No, Ah HATE YA and Ah hope to Celestia’s sun that Ah NEVER HAVE TO SEE YER FACE AGAIN!”
Rainbow broke down. She couldn't take it anymore. Applejack turned away from her and started running, never once looking back. Rainbow didn't have the willpower to follow her. Her spirit had lost its invigoration.
Big McIntosh watched all this transpire and couldn't help but shed tears for his sister.
“Oh, Applejack…”
-⊕-
It was already late afternoon and much to the towsponies’ confusion, Rainbow Dash was still not done clearing the skies. They knew she was a slacker, but usually by this time, she’d have been done with her job thrice over thrice over. They felt that something was amiss but not one of them had enough gumption to go about confronting the pegasus to ask what the matter was. Instead, they all decided to keep to their blissful ignorance, hoping that somepony else would go over and deal with the situation for them.
And as always, the pony for the job was Twilight Sparkle.
“Rainbow, we have a problem!”
The pegasus looked down from the lonely cloud she was resting upon. From what Twilight could tell, she had bathed some time during the day but decided that that was unimportant. There were far more important matters at hoof.
Rainbow, for her part, snorted at the unicorn. She didn't feel up to doing anything major after her talk with AJ today. But, then again, what kind of Element of Loyalty would she be if she completely ignored Twilight when she needed her?
Rainbow reluctantly spoke up, “What is it, Twilight?”
“Big McIntosh came over by the library a few minutes ago. He said that Applejack hasn't come home yet and her family’s getting worried.”
“What? But she’s been gone since ten! Isn't she at her usual hang out spots?”
Rainbow swooped down to the ground in front of Twilight. No matter what the situation between her and Applejack was, this was something she couldn't ignore. Applejack may have been hurt for all she knew; possibly even worse.
“Is she not at any of the cafés? Sugarcube Corner? Hay, even Rarity’s studio would be a reasonable option!”
Twilight shook her head, “No! Big McIntosh and Apple Bloom have been asking all around town. She isn't anywhere at all! She’s probably hiding someplace that no other pony knows about; a sort of secret sanctuary, if you will.”
Rainbow Dash started panicking but a sudden wave of realization washed over her. Without a word, the pegasus launched into the air towards an indefinite direction. Twilight shouted after her but her words fell on deaf ears. As before, Rainbow Dash had left her in the proverbial dust.
“I hope you know what you’re doing, Rainbow Dash…”
-⊕-
Rainbow Dash landed behind Applejack silently. The orange cowmare was still crying.
“Pretty clever: hiding at the hidden lake. Nopony would have thought of finding you here.”
Applejack spun around in surprise, “Rainbow! What are ya doin’ here?”
“Looking for you. In fact, the whole town’s looking for you. You've been gone for quite some time, AJ.”
Applejack looked around at how dark it was getting and grimaced, “Half past five. Ah guess Ah did stay here a might bit too long…”
There was a brief moment of silence between them before Applejack decided to break it, "Listen, Rainbow. About what Ah told ya earlier..."
Rainbow sat down beside the sorrowful mare, “Zip it. It doesn't matter. Have you been crying this entire time?”
Applejack stiffened and quickly looked away, “No Ah haven’t! What kind of nonsense question is that?!”
“It’s alright, AJ. I wouldn't think you were any less of a mare if you were crying.”
Applejack sniffed and halfheartedly glanced back at Rainbow Dash, “Okay… So, what if Ah was cryin’? There ain't nothin’ ya can say to make me feel better. Even if ya turned against yer word and decided Ah was worth a shot, it would still feel hollow after that first big rejection.”
Rainbow looked towards the ground, “I know, and I’m not gonna patronize you by doing that.”
Applejack nodded solemnly.
Rainbow Dash continued, “I am, however, still talking this out with you. This will just start hurting more and more the further we dodge the subject so I think it’s time we start taking this seriously.”
Applejack nodded a second time, “Yer right, Rainbow. Ah’m plum tuckered out, but Ah need to get this off mah chest. Let’s talk.”
Rainbow grunted in approval and glanced towards the mountaintops, “Applejack, I’d like you to look up at the sky.”
Applejack was confused, “Ah thought ya said we were gonna talk about this seriously.”
“I am serious. Look towards where the sun sets behind the mountains and tell me what you see.”
Applejack looked up towards the sky and saw something that amazed her. It wasn't like anything she had ever seen before. Whenever she looked at it, the sky was always pure blue, warm shades, or dark violet. Never before had she ever seen a mix between the hues and the current gradation from blue to orange was specifically enchanting to the farm pony.
Rainbow spoke up, “When I saw that same exact scene for myself yesterday, I knew that you were going to be important in my life somehow. I mean, if that’s not a sign, I don’t know what is! That’s why I came back to your house last night, AJ. You’re important to me. I guess, in a way, you thought that I was important to you too. We just interpreted it in different ways.”
Applejack finally gave an honest smile, “Rainbow, Ah knew the moment that Twilight suggested Ah may be in love with ya that she was spot on. Ah didn't want to believe it at first but Ah just couldn't lie to mahself. Ah am the Element of Honesty after all, hehe.”
Rainbow smiled at the little joke.
“When ya came to mah window last night, all Ah could think about was bein’ with ya. All Ah wanted was to sleep in yer embrace. Ah wanted ya all to mahself whether ya felt the same way or not… and that was a might bit selfish of me. Ah was so angry when ya said ya only wanted to be with me ‘coz it kept ya sane, never once thinkin’ ‘bout how Ah would feel about that… but, Ah guess that’s just the pot callin’ the kettle black. Ah guess what Ah’m tryin’ to say is, Ah’m sorry. Ah didn't mean fer this to blow up like it did.”
“Don’t be, AJ. You’re allowed to be selfish when you’re in love. If you don’t want somepony all for yourself, then you really can’t say that you’re in love with them, now can you? Besides, I wanted to sleep with you just as much as you wanted to sleep with me. I guess, in the end, I just want to be with you no matter the consequences. I’m not sure if that translates to love yet, but I definitely do like you a lot.”
Applejack smiled at that. She was content with that answer.
“Heh, now that I think about it, not giving you a chance after saying something like that would really be quite cruel of me, huh?” Applejack snickered but Rainbow wasn't done, “Well, if this is gonna happen, I’d have to think about it first. You at least have to give me that.”
Applejack understood, “Ah guess it wouldn't be fair if Ah didn't give ya the chance. Alright, Sugarcube. Ya win. Whatever ya decide, Ah promise Ah’ll respect it.”
“Thank you, AJ. That’s all I ask.”
Their conversation done, they sat in comfortable silence for a while, just admiring the beautiful scenery around them.
“I’m glad we found this spot, AJ. It’s pretty perfect. I guess you could say I’m glad I bumped into you the other day.”
Applejack giggled, “It’s like the perfect first date.”
Rainbow gave Applejack a look, “AJ…”
The cowmare blushed, “Oh, right! Sorry… Still decidin’. Gotcha!”
Rainbow smirked but frowned almost immediately, “We have to get back to town. Everypony’s probably even more worried now that I've disappeared as well.”
Applejack shrunk at the fact and responded to the pegasus diffidently, “Well, can ya tell mah family that Ah’m gonna stay out here fer the night. Ah’m actually still too depressed to show mah face in public.”
Rainbow grinned and lightly punched the cowmare’s shoulder in good fun, “Sure thing, ‘pardner’. I promise I’ll be back as soon as I put their fears to rest.”
“Okay, Sugarcube. Ah’ll be waitin’.”
Rainbow nodded once and sped off like a falcon; her rainbow trail disguised in the orange hues of the darkening sky.
It never failed. Every day of the year, the Apple family would be up bright and early before anypony else in town was. They'd be having breakfast and getting ready for the day just as all the other ponies decided to stir from their slumbers.
Applejack was no exception. Like the previous nights, she had awoken just before the sun was out, the radiant star slowly rising from behind the mountaintops and gradually decorating the sky in an assortment of majestic, golden hues. As she lied on her back, she stared at the wondrous site, mesmerized by the beauty of the transformation. It was a tranquil moment that she wished would last forever.
Looking towards her right, she noted the rainbow-maned pegasus hugging her tightly once again, but she didn't mind this time. In fact, she welcomed it. Rainbow wanted her to be selfish, by Celestia she’ll take all the hugs she can get!
Glancing away from the dozing mare, she let her eyes roam the area. They had slept by the hidden lake, the crash of its waves caressing her ears. The grass at her back was supple, cool, and slightly ticklish. The birch trees surrounding the field felt like protectors hiding them away from prying eyes, keeping them safe and concealed throughout the night.
Rainbow was kind enough to return from Ponyville with two pillows and a blanket. Right now, they were nice and snug together, peacefully enjoying the serenity on this cool Autumn morning. Applejack couldn't have asked for a better start to her day.
Then Rainbow started snoring – well, maybe growling would be more appropriate. It was as if a rift to Tartarus itself had suddenly opened beside the cowmare. Nevertheless, Applejack was highly amused.
'That's Rainbow fer ya…'
Shaking the pegasus awake, the roaring ceased and the cyan pony roused into consciousness. Rainbow opened her eyes and finally noticed Applejack. She smiled.
Click.
“Morning, AJ.”
“Mornin’, Sugarcube," She motioned her hooves towards her midsection, "Mind lettin’ me breathe a bit?”
Rainbow, made aware of what she was doing to the farm mare, grinned slyly and gripped the cowpony even tighter, laying her head on the other pony’s chest before answering, “No way! You’re super warm and comfy. I'm not letting a good pillow go to waste! Besides, you wake me up too early. You don't deserve to leave until I get more sleep.”
Applejack chuckled, “It’d actually do ya some good to not wake up past lunchtime, y’know?”
Rainbow waved her free hoof aloofly, “Bah! It’s not like there’s anything to do before twelve anyways.”
Applejack smirked and rolled her eyes. She would have loved to get up but if that meant more Rainbow Dash hugs, who was she to complain?
“Fine then, swamp breath. Continue bein' lazy.”
Rainbow was quick to glance up and retort, “Hey! It’s not like your morning breath stinks any less!”
“Well, that wouldn't be the case if ya had thought to bring mah toothbrush and some toothpaste while ya were gettin' the pillows now, wouldn't it?”
Rainbow nuzzled back into AJ's chest, “Pfft, I'm not your granny! Just rinse your mouth in the lake or something.”
Applejack was taken aback, “Rainbow, that’s disgustin'! We don’t even know what’s in that lake!”
Rainbow lifted her head from its temporary pillow and looked towards the lake. After a brief moment, she laid her head back and shrugged in response, “Looks clean enough to me.”
Applejack laughed and playfully jabbed the pegasus on the chest, “Rainbow, yer impossible!”
The other mare chuckled back, “Well, you’re the one who fell in love with me.”
The farm mare was taken aback and sighed. She completely separated from Rainbow, eliciting a small moan of disapproval from the pegasus, “Rainbow, Ah gotta know. Have ya given it some thought yet?”
Rainbow frowned and lied back on her actual pillow, “Geez, AJ. I just woke up. Give me some more time.”
Applejack was perplexed, “Ya had all night to think about it!”
“Well… I was busy.”
“Busy? Ya call bein’ cozy with me all night bein' ‘busy’?!”
Click.
Rainbow blushed, “Y-yeah, I do! You got a problem with that?”
Stunned, Applejack couldn't help but chuckle, “Actually, Ah figure Ah don’t," Standing up, she began stretching and cracking all her joints, "Well, since ya ain't ‘busy’ no more, Ah think it's best we start packin’ up and headin’ back into town, don’t ya think?”
Rainbow came out of her embarrassed stupor and nodded in response, getting out of 'bed' as well, “Right. I’ll get the pillows while you wrap the blanket up.”
“Sure thing, pardner.”
Applejack bowed down and started folding the bed sheet up when a clever idea crossed her mind, “Y’know, Rainbow? Ah don’t think there’s much to do on the farm today, seein’ as Applebuck Season just ended. Would ya care to hang out with me fer a spell or somethin’?”
Rainbow smirked as she mounted the first pillow onto her back, “Oh, so we're just ‘hanging out', huh? There’s no ulterior motive behind this idea, none at all?”
It was Applejack’s turn to blush, her voice as soft as a whisper, “That obvious, huh?" She started shifting on her hooves, trying to build up the courage to tell Rainbow Dash the truth, "F-fine, Rainbow. So, um, would ya be so kind as to, uh… as to, um – *gulp* – as to go out on a d-date with me?”
Rainbow Dash shoved her hooves towards her lips as she started snickering uncontrollably much to Applejack’s annoyance, “H-hey! Ah’m pourin’ mah heart over here and yer just makin' fun o' me!”
Rainbow finally stopped her sniggering and brought her hooves back to the ground, “I’m sorry, AJ. You just sound so funny stuttering like that.”
Unamused, Applejack stomped the dirt in anger, “It ain't funny, Rainbow! If ya don't respect me enough that ya make fun o' mah feelins', then Ah don't have to sit around and wait fer yer decision! Ah'm outta here!”
Rainbow quickly put both her hooves on Applejack's shoulders before she could turn away, “H-hold on a minute, AJ! Hold on. Snrk… I'm... I'm sorry, okay? Really, I am. I didn't mean to laugh at you like that."
Applejack made a show of rolling her eyes.
Rainbow was undeterred, "I'm happy you had the guts to ask me. Honest. But, I told you last night that I’d still need time to think about it. You're getting a little too eager for an answer, don't you think? What if I said 'no'?”
Applejack paused at that and frowned, once again conceding to the pegasus. Lifting the folded blanket upon her back, she exhaled wistfully, "Yer right. Ah'm sorry. It's just, now that Ah know how Ah feel about ya, Ah just really want us to be together, y'know?"
Rainbow nodded sympathetically before an idea popped into her head, "Well, why can't we be? What I mean is, we can still 'hang out'. You said it yourself that you really didn't have anything much to do right now. It'd be awesome to spend time with you all day today!"
Click.
Applejack cheered up a bit and smiled bitterly. It was a start, "Ya don't got work today or nothin'?"
Rainbow shooed the thought away, "Nah! Let them put some other pony on the job today! Right now, it's just gonna be you, me, and my awesome body!"
The farm mare scoffed but didn't bother chastising her for the silly joke, "Alright, Sugarcube. Lead the way."
Plopping the last pillow onto her back, Rainbow Dash trotted back towards Ponyville, the cowmare following her intently.
-⊕-
The two mares reached the edge of town. They were about to pass Golden Oaks Library when a thought occurred to Rainbow.
"Y’know, AJ… Maybe lugging bed sheets and pillows around town isn't such a good idea. Ponies would start talking and we both know where gossip always leads to."
Applejack's eyebrows shot up as she glanced towards an unassuming boutique a few yards away, "We should probably leave these at Twilight's house."
"I thought you'd say that."
The two mares briskly walked towards the library door and knocked curtly, waiting for their bookish friend to answer.
Twilight opened the door and beamed happily at the site of her friends, “Rainbow! Applejack! I’m so happy to see you girls. Are you alright?”
Rainbow nodded, “Peachy, Twi. Can we come in? We've got stuff we need to hide in your house for the next few hours.”
“Stuff to hide? Why? Are you girls in trouble?”
“No, no. We’re just carrying pillows and a blanket, nothing too weird. Though, we wouldn't be surprised if a certain fashionista started making up her own ideas about why we’re carrying these all around town.”
Twilight smirked in understanding, “Ah, I see. Alright then, come in. Careful with the books though, you could easily trip on one of them.”
Applejack spoke up, “Trip on one o' 'em? What the hay are ya doin’ in there, Sugarcube?”
Walking inside, Applejack finally noticed the mess from the previous day which was still not cleaned up after all this time, "Hoowee, Twilight! Looks like a twister hit yer library or somethin’!”
“No, it was just Spike scaring me half to death," She took this moment to glare at her draconian assistant, "Which is why he’s currently cleaning up the clutter all by himself!”
Spike grumbled under his breath and slowly filed another book back into its proper shelf.
“Just ignore him. He needs to stay focused so he can finish by nightfall," A second groan, "Would you girls like some breakfast while you're here? I just came back with a fresh bouquet of flowers from the florist shop. I kept your hot cocoa in my fridge, by the way, Rainbow. If you still want it, I could take it out and reheat it for you.”
The blue pony grinned in concurrence, “Cool! I do still have a really good hankering for cocoa and I'm really starving my flank off here.”
Levitating the pillows and the blanket towards the sofa, Twilight led the girls into the kitchen. The table within sat a vase of various alluring flowers. Presenting a loaf of bread to her friends, Twilight encouraged them to make their own sandwiches. Rainbow chose a nice looking marigold while AJ preferred to fill herself up with a simple chamomile flower.
Happy to see her friends digging in to their meals, Twilight proceeded towards the fridge. She took Rainbow’s cooled cocoa out then collected two more mugs from the cupboards. Using her unicorn magic, she duplicated the existing drink and transferred the copies into the other mugs. Rainbow and Applejack were thoroughly amazed.
“Sweet trick, Twilight! You could totally use that spell when AJ runs out of cider!”
Applejack was quick to stop that thought where it stood, “Not in a million years! The Apple family don’t need no magic to run our business! Besides, it wouldn't feel right to take advantage o’ Twilight like that.”
Rainbow tossed her hooves in the air, “Aww, c'mon, AJ! Just once, I’d like to drink your cider fresh from the grinder. Is that so much to ask?!”
Twilight thought it best to quell the incoming argument before it got any worse, “It wouldn't be a problem for you anyway, Applejack. The spell’s too complicated to execute continuously in short periods of time. Why, at the rate your beverage sells on average, I would tire myself out by the tenth or so pony.”
'Disappointed' could not even begin to describe Rainbow Dash, “Aww, man! Some use you are, egghead!”
“Hey! I’m just trying to be factual. Magic doesn't solve everything!”
Begrudgingly, Rainbow settled down whilst staring intensely at the table, silently chewing her sandwich and muttering about how unfair the world was.
Not wanting the conversation to idle in awkward silence, Twilight changed the subject while levitating all three mugs into the microwave and setting a time, “How about we talk about something else? I see you girls seem to be okay with each other now. That’s great! I’m guessing you took my advice then?”
Applejack nodded, “Eeyup. We talked it out last night and we've come to an agreement. RD and Ah will be spendin' some time together and in the end, she'll decide whether or not Ah’m worth fightin’ fer. Obviously, Ah’m hopin’ she chooses to be with me when it's all over.”
Rainbow stuck her tongue out playfully, “We’ll see about that, Applebutt.”
Click.
Twilight was ecstatic, “That's wonderful! So, if I understand this correctly, the two of you are giving each other a chance for this relationship to work depending on the results of Rainbow's ongoing experimentation? This would make a great letter to Princess Celestia!”
Rainbow and Applejack stared at each other bewildered, “Ah guess that’s one way o’…”
“SPIKE! Drop whatever you’re doing and take a letter!” Twilight was gone before they knew it.
The pegasus and the earth pony took this moment to shoot each other a confused glance. The microwave behind them then sounded off, signifying that their drinks were done and ready. Instead of trying to make sense of the situation, Applejack and Rainbow Dash simply shrugged it off as Twilight being Twilight and the cowmare volunteered to get the cocoa out of the appliance.
Approaching the microwave, AJ opened it and was faced with a dilemma. The way that Twilight had inserted the mugs made it close to impossible for the cowmare to maneuver her hooves within the machine’s orifice. With a bit of ingenuity, she'd finally collected one of the mugs but that was a huge misstep on her part.
‘Hot! Hot!! HOT!!’
Her hooves afire, she flung the drink behind her, immediately regretting it when she heard a death defying scream ring through the kitchen. Turning quickly, she caught a glimpse of a blue blur flying towards the freezer’s ice dispenser and activating it, sending a cascade of ice cubes down upon the unfortunate mare's singed body.
“Rainbow! Ah’m mighty sorry! Ah didn't mean to do that!”
Rainbow just respired heavily on the ground, shaking her head as she answered, “It's okay. I'm alright… Heh, WOW! That’s one way to wake up, I guess!”
Applejack would have none of it, “Stay still! Ah’m gonna get some towels to wipe ya off with. Now, where the hay does Twilight keep 'em?”
“I’m fine, AJ. You don’t have to foalsit me. I'm a grown mare. I can take a few measly burns.”
Applejack returned with a hoofful of towels, “Ah shoulda waited fer Twilight to fetch those drinks. Ah’m sorry, Rainbow, Ah’m so sorry.”
“Forget it, Applejack! You don’t need to wipe me up!”
“And the mess… Oh, Twilight’s gonna have a fit.”
Rainbow fell quiet before deciding to speak up candidly, “Well, okay. Even I can’t deny that that was your fault.”
Applejack frowned harder and continued wiping Rainbow much to the pegasus' irritation. Still, she couldn't deny that it was nice to know that Applejack would take care of her unequivocally.
Click.
Applejack proceeded to wrap her hooves around the pegasus mare to reach behind and dry her wings.
“Wait, AJ! What are you – Oh! Ooh… Yeah, just like that…”
Click. Click. Click.
Twilight barged in, “Girls, are you okay?! I heard a couple of noises in here!”
Twilight froze, her left eye twitching rapidly and randomly. From her vantage point, all she saw was two mares hugging on the ground, one of them in complete bliss, whilst a myriad of mysterious liquids were scattered upon her kitchen floor. As her brain went on the fritz, she could only gawk at her two visitors for defiling the sanctity of her home.
Applejack stood up in shock. When the unicorn kept silent, she waved a hoof in her face to try and bring her friend back to reality, “Twilight? Um, are ya okay, Sugarcube?”
No response.
Rainbow, not wanting to stick around to see what would happen next, quietly pointed towards the entrance. The cowmare nodded and they both started tiptoeing around the petrified unicorn. Slowly, the two ponies slid behind their stock-still friend and once out of eyesight, bolted for the door and out of the library.
The last thing they heard was an unintelligible scream. Frankly, it's probably best that they didn't know what she had said.
-⊕-
Rainbow and Applejack halted their galloping and looked hastily around. Thankfully, the librarian was nowhere in site. Relieved, they both plopped down to the ground to try and catch their breaths.
Calming down first, Applejack spoke up, “Phew! Ah thought Twilight woulda been on us like worms on an apple farm!”
Rainbow couldn't agree more, “You said she’d be ticked but I never expected her to lose it!”
“Ah know! Ah swear, if we hadn't run away, Ah’d bet Twilight woulda brought a whole world o’ hurt on us.”
“I don't doubt it. That mare is totally wacko!”
The two mares laughed jovially. Sure, they loved their friend dearly, but everypony in town knew that Twilight could go a little overboard at times whenever something distressed her.
Rainbow put a thoughtful hoof to her chin, “I wonder what Twilight shouted when we bust outta there. She seemed really freaked out when she saw us.”
“Ah’ll bet ya ten bits she cussed at us!”
“Twilight?! Swearing?! Oh, you are so ON!”
A quick spit and a hoof bump, and their wager was set.
Now that they felt secure that they were in the clear, the two mares took a good look around their current location. They hadn't really concentrated on where they were headed, but a quick survey of the area showed that they were just a few yards away from Rainbow's cloud house.
"Hey, would you look at that! Maybe I can grab some more grub from inside. I'm still totally hungry!"
Applejack grunted in agreement and wordlessly followed the mare.
Coming up to the house, something caught their attention – something green and round – and when they saw what it was, they became a little queasy. Tank was on the ground and he was munching away at the ant-infested pancakes. Rainbow was understandably upset.
"Tank! You can't eat that! That's gross!" A realization hit her, "Wait... I didn't feed you yesterday, did I?! Just stay right there, I'm gonna fetch you something real quick!"
Before anypony else could react, the pegasus mare was up in her cloud house and sifting through her refrigerator. It bothered her that there wasn't much left inside but she ignored that fact for later. She settled upon another carrot and quickly flew back down, feeling less frantic about 'leaving her pet hanging'. She landed on the ground with a thud and quickly searched about, trying to remember where she had left her friend and her tortoise.
When she finally spotted them, she was caught off guard by what was happening. Applejack was happily playing along with Tank and the two of them were jumping about trying to catch each other in a crude form of tag. Rainbow didn't know why, but she found some strange sort of joy to this. The two creatures she loved the most were genuinely enjoying each other's company.
Click.
Wait. What did she just think?
Shaking it off, she trotted up to the two and held up the carrot, "Hey, Tank! I've got some food right here. I'm sorry for missing out on feeding you yesterday. I was... kinda occupied."
Applejack smirked.
After snapping the vegetable into bite sized pieces, the pegasus turned back to the cowmare to deliver the bad news, "I'm sorry, AJ. I think I'm running out of food. I'll need to keep my fridge stocked if I'm gonna make it to my next paycheck."
The apple farmer nodded in understanding, "'Salright, Sugarcube. It ain't the end o' the world. There's more chow at the farm if yer willin' to eat with the family."
Rainbow grinned and flashed a determined look in her eyes, "Sounds good to me! Let's race… there?" Applejack was already running, "Hey! That's not fair!"
The pegasus was quick to follow but Applejack had too great of a head start and was simply chortling back at her friend, "Not as fun at the other end, is it, Rainbow?!"
"You're not gonna win that easy, farm pony!"
Their hooves trampled on the ground at breakneck speeds. Rainbow was slowly creeping up to the cowmare but she knew she wouldn't be able to catch up fast enough. The blonde tail swishing about in front of her didn't help either as it blocked her from moving around the other pony. She actually had a good mind to just yank her competition back with it so she could get ahead.
'Wait a minute. That's not a bad idea!'
After a few missed attempts, her teeth finally met its mark. With her mouth firmly locked down on the appendage, she yanked hard and produced a yip from the leading cowmare. The farm pony slowed down, blushing, giving the pegasus time to rush ahead and take a good lead. Applejack was steamed and began chasing after her rainbow-maned friend.
"Th-that's cheatin', Rainbow!"
Rainbow was happy to banter with the cowmare, "What? You do that to me all the time! It's only fair that I get to do it to you at least once!"
"Not while we're racin', ya varmint!"
Rainbow broke out into laughter. She was a good distance from the cowpony so she let her mind wander a bit. She hearkened back to her thoughts three days ago, during the race that started it all. It was just like this, wasn't it? They were both just spending some quality time together and having the time of their lives.
It was somewhat different now, though. Rainbow knew how the other pony felt about her. She actually appreciated that though this was the case, the farm pony didn't feel any need to let her emotions get in the way of their competitive friendship. Applejack was still being Applejack and that was admirable to the stuntmare.
Thinking further back, Rainbow realized that there had only been a few times when they'd had this much fun together, one of them being that eventful Running of the Leaves marathon just two years ago. In fact, now that she thought about it, Rainbow wouldn't mind if there were more instances like these in the not-so-distant future.
Click.
Looking ahead, she saw the cowmare leaving her behind in the dust, "What?! Oh, COME ON!"
The farm pony guffawed, "Ya gotta keep yer head outta them clouds, RD! Yer losin' yer edge!"
Rainbow couldn't believe she'd made the same mistake twice, "I'll show you who's losing what!"
Spreading her wings, the blue pegasus shot forward and crashed into her friend, the two ponies rolling unceremoniously through the dirt path and landing flatly near the farmhouse's front porch. They weren't tangled this time but they reacted the same way as any other friends would in their situation. They laughed.
They laughed cheerily and wept in elation, hugging each other in an effort to get control of their breaths. Sweaty and exhausted, it was really all they could do at the moment.
Big McIntosh stepped outside after hearing the commotion. He spotted his sister and Rainbow Dash laughing it out and happily rushed towards them, lifting the two ponies off the ground and into a fierce bear hug, "AJ! Where have ya been?!"
Applejack struggled to respond through the crimson pony's death grip, "Hey, Big Mac! Ah was just… around…"
Rainbow looked bluer than usual, "Please let go…"
Embarrassed, the burly stallion let go of the mares, both of them lightheaded and gasping for air. Apologetically, he waited for them to calm down a bit before he'd start speaking again. He really didn't know his own strength at times and he had to be careful before he really hurt somepony.
Once satisfied that they were okay, he spoke up again but in a much grimmer tone, "Ah'm happy yer back and all, AJ, but ya worried Granny Smith sick! Ya better come in and apologize to her face."
Applejack nodded when the spots had finally left her vision, "Alright, Ah'm comin' in."
The three ponies made their way inside the farmhouse. There, in the kitchen, they spotted Granny Smith taking out a fresh, new apple pie and placing it upon the table.
"Hey, Granny! Ah'm home."
The older mare spun around and beamed brightly. Slowly but surely she made her way towards her granddaughter and gave her a big hug, "Applejack! Ah didn't think Ah'd ever see ya again!"
"Ah'm sorry Ah didn't tell ya Ah was stayin' out fer the night, Granny, but Ah had some stuff that Ah really needed to sort out before Ah did anythin' else. Ah'm in a pretty rough spot right now."
"Aww, that's okay, dear. C'mon, come closer. Ah wanna give ya somethin' special to make ya feel better."
Applejack obediently obliged and was whacked on the head with a hoof, "OW! What was that fer?!"
"That's fer gettin' me worried, little missy! Where the hay did you go last night?!"
"Ah was with Rainbow! Oww…"
"Rainbow?! That little whippersnapper that broke little Mackie's heart?! Where is she?!"
The pegasus swallowed the lump in her throat and started shifting behind 'little Mackie' hoping to hide away from the livid mare before she spotted her.
Unfortunately, she wasn't that lucky, "Hold on a minute, Ah see ya scootin' back there! Hidin' behind yer boyfriend ain't gonna save ya now, ya little rascal!"
"Wait, boyfriend?!"
The Apple matriarch wasn't so sure who had shouted that question, but all three ponies just suddenly started waving their hooves and protesting loudly at the elderly mare.
Once they had quieted down a bit, it was Big McIntosh who spoke up first, "We ain't datin', Granny! She's just an acquaintance!"
Granny Smith wasn't convinced. She was old but she was still sharp as a tack. They were hiding something from her.
"Well, if ya ain't datin' her, then why was she in yer room the other night?"
A cacophony of 'ums' rang around the kitchen. Her suspicion was right and she was set to get to the bottom of this.
"Well, if that's all yer gonna say about it then none o' ya are gettin' any o' mah pie! Ah'll give it all to little Apple Bloom when she comes home from school later."
The three ponies' bellies somehow growled in harmony. This was torture.
After a few grueling seconds, Rainbow eventually caved in. This standoff just wasn't worth her hunger pangs. There was real apple pie at stake and she'd be a fool not to capitalize on it.
"I thought he was AJ, okay?! I burst into his window thinking he was AJ!"
Granny Smith was confused by that, "AJ? What's she gotta do with this?"
Rainbow began to sweat. She played with her front hooves for a moment before she decided upon an answer, "She and I are kind of… in the middle of something."
Click.
"Middle o' what?! Ah'm too old fer ya to beat around the bush, little lady! Just spit it out already!"
This was it. The moment of truth. If she didn't admit Applejack's secret to the elderly mare right now, she would never have a chance at getting a slice of that delectable, aromatic pie.
… Wait.
Rainbow was dumbstruck, she realized just how idiotic she'd been acting right now, 'Was I really going to just blab out AJ's secret all for pie? Pie that I could probably get from AJ at any other time if I really wanted it? I'm… I'm a terrible pony!'
Looking to her side, Rainbow focused entirely on Applejack. She was shaking; afraid that she was gonna be outed by the pegasus before she was ready to tell her granny. She believed that Rainbow was willing to break her trust all for the sake of pie and that frightened the cowmare gravely.
It broke Rainbow's heart to see that in her eyes and it sickened her to her stomach.
'Applejack thinks I'd choose a pie over her?! She must be nuts or something! How could she ever think I'd ever do that?! Doesn't she trust me?! That's just so STUPID of her! Just how the heck did I ever fall in love with this pony?!'
Click.
There it was again, that one subconscious thought trying to force its way through and get itself noticed. Rainbow Dash had heard it clicking in her head all day long and it was time to put a stop to it. Its message was clear and it was time for her to make a decision.
Turning back to the Apple family matriarch, she steeled herself and spoke in full conviction. The truth needed to be outed and she'd be the one to do it, "Granny Smith, there's something I need to ask you and I hope you say 'yes'."
The older mare was listening.
"Would it be alright with you if I took Applejack out for a date?"
Applejack felt like the air had been stolen from her lungs. She dreaded that Rainbow would reveal the truth so bluntly but she didn't expect that she'd reveal it like that. Her grin was so wide, it threatened to split her face into two.
The older pony was stunned as well. For a good while, she gave no inkling as to what was going through her mind, but there was the smallest sliver of a smile coming onto her face that made the other two mares very optimistic. However, they were't about to leave anything up to chance and they'd celebrate only once they'd gotten her verbal seal of approval.
Unfortunately though, the elder mare suddenly frowned crossly and whacked the pegasus on the head, "Yow!"
The Apple grandmother was furious, “So, yer datin’ mah granddaughter while havin’ a fling with her brother on the side?! Why, Ah’ve got half a mind to give ya a good paddlin’ right about now!”
Applejack was quick to rush over and stood between the pegasus and her grandmother, "No Granny, It's nothing like that! It's just the two o' us! Big Mac ain't involved! Tell her, Mac!"
Big McIntosh, no longer being ignored, answered his sister hastily, not wanting to get hit as well, "Eeyup!"
The older mare was still skeptical but her body started to relax. The tenseness in the air started dissipating until it was all but a distant memory, "Well… alright then. Ah'm just glad we've gotten past all these silly little shenanigans of yers. It really wasn't necessary, y'know? It ain't that big o' a deal to me. Ah'm just glad that ya found yerself somepony who makes ya happy, Applejack. And if she's truly worth her salt, Ah'm sure she'll make a fine addition to the Apple family."
Applejack could've cried right there. She quickly ran up to her granny and gave her a tender hug, "Thank ya so much, Granny! Ya can't believe how amazin' it is to hear ya say that."
"Aww, it's nothin', little Jackie. In fact, Ah'd like to congratulate yer little filly friend as well. Where is she?"
Rainbow Dash quietly sauntered towards the aging mare, smiling hopefully about the prospect of her newfound relationship with Applejack.
"Ah, there she is! Come over here, child. Ah'd like to have a word with ya."
Rainbow paused. Seeing Granny Smith already pull this shtick off with Applejack, the pegasus made sure to stay a good distance away from the older mare so that her hooves wouldn't be able to reach her. Though she was technically safe from getting hit, there was still a nagging dread in the back of her mind telling her that this might actually be worse.
Once the pegasus sat down, Granny Smith's face fell and took on a malevolent, threatening demeanor. Rainbow was scared for her life.
"Yer gonna take good care o' mah granddaughter and that ain't a request. That's an order. It's the only order Ah'm givin' ya and if ya don't follow it. Ah'll make sure there ain't gonna be a single feather left on yer pretty little wings. Do Ah make mahself clear?"
Sweet, merciful Celestia, it was worse, "Y-yes, ma'am…"
Glaring for a few more seconds, Granny Smith immediately perked up and grabbed the attention of her grandchildren, "Good! Now, Ah've had just about enough chatterin' to last me fer the whole entire week! How 'bout we all settle down and chow down on mah pie to celebrate the new, lovely couple?"
Finally at ease with the older mare, the three ponies gave a victorious cheer. The Apple family members started setting up the table and Rainbow was happy to lend a helping hoof in whatever way she could.
Applejack glanced at Rainbow Dash. She had done it. She wasn't sure how, but the pegasus pony was hers. So, it didn't surprise her much that when the pegasus looked her way, she had dove in for a passionate kiss. Surprised, Rainbow quickly reciprocated and ecstatically locked lips with the farm mare, a smile creeping along the edges of her mouth.
As quickly as it started, their kiss had ended.
Click! Click! Click! Click! Click!
"Oh, yeah… I can get used to this."
Applejack laughed and hurried the pegasus towards the table. They seated themselves down and took up their own savory slices.
