Applejack stared at the ceiling fan as she laid on her bed with her hands behind her head. If she focused on the blades hard enough, her mind would clear for a moment before the flurry of thoughts returned again. Her mind kept replaying what had happened at Pinkie Pie's a week ago. Since then, she hadn't left the farm to see her friends; She didn't know how to face Rarity after embarrassing herself like that and before she knew it, one day became a full week and now it was even harder to face her. In the silence of the room, her phone on the bedside table buzzed for the millionth time that week before she heard the short tone of a songbird. A text from Fluttershy this time. She was again reminded of the night scene between Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Applejack found that it still caused her to blush, and she shifted her eyes from the fan to her hat on the bedpost at the foot of the bed. She sighed as she realized that even her stetson reminded her of Rarity.
She recalled the time she had volunteered to help the drama club put on a play for the community. She had offered to help clean up and fix the public stage in Canterlot park. By the end of the two weeks, her hat was in tatters as a result of it constantly falling off. Usually, it would fall where she was working, and would take the place of the metal she was cutting, or the wood she was sawing. Rarity had come by often to help with costume and stage design and had seen the progress of damage to her hat. Once the play had finished opening night, Applejack found herself at a picnic bench, her eyes downcast as she tried to hold back tears. She had put down her hat before the show in order to finish last minute stage work that once again required tools deemed a hazard for her hat. When she had gone to retrieve it, it was gone. After asking around for a while, she had figured someone saw the battered headwear and threw it out. She was surprised when Rarity came up to her, hands behind her back. She remembered Rarity's smile as she moved her hands from behind her back, revealing her stetson, repaired and looking like new.
Her reminiscing was put on pause when there was a quiet knock at her door before it opened slightly to reveal her little sister. Apple Bloom had a concerned look on her face as she spoke. "You alright, big sis? Other than to do your chores, you've barely left your room."
Sitting up, Applejack smiled before responding. "Don't worry Apple Bloom, I'm okay. Just enjoying some good ol' relaxin'."
Apple Bloom looked at her doubtfully. "Well, okay. Um, Rainbow Dash is here to see ya." Thinking Rainbow Dash was still outside the house, Applejack was about to tell her sister to tell Rainbow Dash she was sleeping, but Apple Bloom stepped back into the hall and Rainbow Dash walked in immediately. Apple Bloom saw her sister's face and decided to close the door before walking away.
Rainbow Dash stood at the foot of the bed with her arms crossed, and a slightly expectant look on her face. Realizing that Applejack wasn't going to speak, she began instead. "So… You wanna tell me why you disappeared on us?"
Applejack looked at her hands before responding. "I haven't. I just….had a lot of chores to get done lately." Applejack looked back at Rainbow Dash, hoping that she sounded believable.
Rainbow Dash simply raised an eyebrow. "Bzzt! Try again."
Turning in the bed so her feet dangled off the side, she sighed, before she spoke again, "Really, Rainbow, I'm fine, just felt like having some alone time."
Rainbow Dash moved around to the side of the bed and sat down beside Applejack. "Okay. We both know you're terrible at lying. Something is obviously bothering you, and you're trying to keep it to yourself. What's wrong?" Applejack sighed; Her friends knew her well enough to spot her lies before she even said them. As she debated talking to Rainbow Dash about the sleepover, Rainbow Dash spoke up again. "Look, I may not get whatever is bugging you, but I am willing to listen."
Applejack chuckled slightly. "Actually, ya'll might get it very well." Applejack saw the confused look on Rainbow Dash's face and sighed internally. Might as well, I reckon. "Okay, um, I'll be honest with you, but ya have to be honest with me, alright?"
Rainbow Dash's eyes furrowed further. "M-me? Why do I-" she stopped as she saw the pleading look on Applejack's face. "O-okay, I guess?"
Applejack took in a breath before she spoke. "Well, before we went ta Pinkie Pie's last week, I pinched my hand on a mic stand." As if to prove her point, she showed Rainbow Dash her left hand, where the injured area was now a small dark spot with a fading bruise. "Anyway, I had put ice on it that evening, and then later in the night I woke up and went into Pinkie's kitchen ta change it." Applejack stopped for a moment, as Rainbow Dash's face had changed. She was unblinking, and had paled slightly, and Applejack realized she knew where this was going. "When I finished, I was gonna go back ta bed, but I heard some…ah, noises from the dining room. I went to check, and saw, well...you…an' Fluttershy."
It was quiet and for a moment and Applejack felt her ears buzz with the silence. She looked over at Rainbow Dash, and saw her face was now bright red. the athlete cleared her throat and spoke slowly. "Did that…uh, is that why you were avoiding us?" As she asked the question, she couldn't help the look of hurt that began to form. "Look, I know Fluttershy and I are both girls, but I don't think that-"
Seeing her face, Applejack shook her head and spoke up. "No, no! That ain't it! There's more to this." Applejack waited for Rainbow Dash to nod before she continued. "If anything, y'all helped me to be…more honest with myself." Rainbow gave a look of surprise, and Applejack would have thought her string of emotions to be funny, if it was any other situation. Sighing again, she looked down at her hands. "When I went back to the living room I was shocked for a bit, but I started to think about…romantic relationships in general. And then, I began to think about…Rarity."
Applejack stopped, and Rainbow Dash watched as she played with her hands in her lap again. She saw Applejack was hesitant, so she said what she knew was coming next. "You realized you like her, didn't you? Like, more than a friend, right?" Applejack nodded, then proceeded to tell her about the next morning after the sleepover. Rainbow Dash couldn't help a small chuckle before she responded. "Damn, you got it bad, AJ."
Applejack rolled her eyes, before giving Rainbow Dash a light shove. "Shut up. Honestly, I'm so embarrassed, I don't know what to do."
Rainbow Dash gave a small smile before responding. "I know it's hard, but sometimes you gotta follow your heart. And trust me, it can be scary. It was the same with me." Applejack raised a disbelieving eyebrow, and Rainbow Dash's smile grew as she thought back to five months ago.
A few days after the Friendship Games, everything, except Pinkie Pie, had begun to calm down. One Friday, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had been assigned to classroom duty and were cleaning the classroom after school. They moved to either end of the classroom, fixing the last few things as they finished up. As they met in the middle, Fluttershy accidentally bumped into Rainbow Dash. "Ohmigosh," she began, "I am so sorry Rainbow. I-I wasn't really watching where I was going." As she was apologizing, she unknowingly backed up until her back was against the window.
Rainbow Dash chuckled and moved to stand in front of her. "It's fine Fluttershy. You don't need to apologize."
Shaking her head, Fluttershy looked down and her shoes. "But I really am sorry, I should have been more careful. I don't know why I didn't-" She stopped when she saw Rainbow Dash move closer.
"Seriously," Rainbow began, "it's fine, I'm fine. You really don't have to keep apologizing." Not moving, Rainbow Dash waited for Fluttershy to look up at her. Once she did, Rainbow gave her closest friend a smirk before speaking again. "See? Fine."
Rainbow Dash saw Fluttershy relax and give a shy smile of her own. Rainbow stood in place, and her smirk became a smile as violet eyes locked onto teal. She didn't realize she was considering it, but before she knew it, she leaned down, and her lips had met with Fluttershy's. Rainbow was shocked by her own movement but realized that Fluttershy hadn't pulled away. She began to kiss her tentatively, and for a second, Fluttershy responded. As soon as she did, she stopped, and suddenly Rainbow felt herself being pushed back. They stared at each other with wide eyes and flushed faces. Rainbow Dash moved to speak, but Fluttershy quickly stepped around her. Without saying anything, she grabbed her bag, leaving the athlete alone in the empty classroom.
It took a moment for Rainbow Dash to compose herself, but by the time she did, Fluttershy was long gone. After she went home, she had spent the majority of the weekend, trying to contact Fluttershy, but she wouldn't respond, and she was never around when Rainbow went to look for her.
Before she realized it, Rainbow Dash found herself in her room Sunday evening, lying in bed and staring at her phone. Opening her messages, she decided to text Fluttershy one last time:
"Hey Fluttershy, I really am sorry about Friday. I know you must be mad, but I am going to be honest. I was going to tell you this personally, but I haven't seen you all weekend.
Fluttershy, I don't regret what happened. Although I didn't want you to find out like this, I was hoping to explain it or talk to you about it when a better chance arrived, but…
I like you, Fluttershy. More than a friend should. I've liked you since we were 12.
You chose to be my friend out of the kindness of your heart. At that time, I never had friends who were loyal to me. They just hung out with me 'cuz they knew I would take the fall for them if anything happened. They took advantage of my loyalty. They never got to know me. They were never there when my tough times came around.
But you were different. You began to talk to me, even when I tried avoiding everyone around me, your compassion broke through the wall I began to build. You were kind, caring, and liked me for me. And I began to like you. A lot. At first, I didn't think much of it. I just thought it was because you were my first real friend. But then we met the others in high school. I learned quickly that what I feel for you is different than what I feel for them.
I'm sorry for telling you like this, but I don't want to lose you. I promise to never bring it up or mention it again, just…please don't ignore me."
Looking at the sent message on her phone one last time, she sighed before putting it on its docking station, and turning on her playlist. She closed her eyes and engrossed herself in the music. She could probably get a chance to talk to Fluttershy before class on Monday.
She opened her eyes when she heard insistent knocking on her door. Looking at the clock, saw it was 8:00 in the night, and realized she had dozed off for about an hour. The knocking continued and Rainbow Dash turned down the music before getting off the bed. As she walked to the door, she assumed it would be her dad and wondered why he hadn't yet left for work.
She began to speak as she opened the door. "Dad, you know you're going to be late for-" Rainbow Dash was abruptly cut off. As soon as she opened the door, a set of hands grabbed at her blue t-shirt, and began pushing her back into the room. It took Rainbow Dash a second to realize it was Fluttershy, but before she could react or say anything, Fluttershy tugged on her shirt, bringing Rainbow's lips over her own.
Rainbow Dash's head began to spin. As she attempted to process what was happening, she felt her body move on its own; her hands moving to Fluttershy's waist as she returned the kiss. The kiss was fervent and eager, and Fluttershy continued to pull on Rainbow Dash's shirt, trying to bring her closer. It was another moment before Rainbow's brain seemed to catch finally up, and she moved her hands to Fluttershy's shoulder. She managed to pull back, pushing the small girl lightly until she took a step back, but still kept a hold on her shirt.
"Fluttershy, wha—I-I don't….Huh!?"
Fluttershy locked eyes with Rainbow Dash as she caught her breath. When she spoke, it was with a confidence that sent a shiver down Rainbow's spine. "I like you too." Rainbow was about to speak, but Fluttershy shook her head. "I thought it was just me. When you kissed me Friday, it was literally a dream come true. But I panicked and thought that you somehow found out about my feelings, and that kiss was because you felt sorry for me or something. I felt so embarrassed, I just left. I didn't want you to reject me, so I avoided you. But that text earlier, when you said you like me, I was so happy, I couldn't help it. I found myself in front of your house just as your dad was leaving, and he let me in. I wanted to see you. I wanted to hear you say those words in person. I wanted you to know that I like you more than a friend too."
By the time she finished, she was breathless and flustered again. Rainbow Dash couldn't help but smile at Fluttershy. She had never seen such intensity from the usually quiet girl in front of her. Stepping back closer, Rainbow Dash moved her hands to Fluttershy's side and looked her in the eyes as she spoke. "I like you, Fluttershy. I really, really like you. I know I joke around a lot, and rarely take things seriously, but I want to be serious about you. We may have some tough times, but I don't think I can see myself with anyone else but you. So, I guess, what I'm saying is, if you want, I really would like to be your girlfriend."
Fluttershy smiled widely and nodded before responding. "And I really want to be your girlfriend, too." Rainbow Dash couldn't help the smile as she looked at Fluttershy. Giving a quick nod of her own, Rainbow Dash leaned down and met Fluttershy's lips once more.
Applejack watched as Rainbow Dash told her story. She saw the smile as she talked, and the affection in her voice. Once she had finished, she wore a goofy smile that caused Applejack to chuckle. "Look who's got it bad now. Never pegged you for the smitten type, Rainbow."
Mimicking Applejack's earlier actions, Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes as she shoved the farmer, but the smile was still on her face. "Shut it. But seriously, I took a chance, and every day since then has been awesome. For all you know, Rarity might like you too." She watched as Applejack moved her eyes past her and to her stetson on the bedpost behind her. For a second, Applejack had a look of hope, but it passed, and she looked back down at her hands.
"I don't know, Rainbow. I'm just a simple farm girl. Someone like Rarity…I don't think she'd like someone like me. Even if she did, I reckon I blew it with the way I ran off last week." She sighed, and Rainbow Dash could hear the conflict in her voice.
"Okay, first, your anything but 'simple'; especially with our magic. And even without magic, I doubt anyone would think that, Rarity or otherwise. Also, I don't think Rarity is the type of person to let something like what happened last week affect her. She'll probably hear you out if you go and talk to her. Just be honest with her, AJ."
Even though Rarity was nowhere in the vicinity, Applejack couldn't stop her nerves from fraying. "What if I tell her how I feel, and she rejects me because I'm…well…" Applejack finally unlaced her hands and wrapped her arms around her torso as she finished the thought in her head.
Rainbow understood where she was going and smiled sympathetically. "You know, I thought the same thing once. I admit, I can be a bit…much sometimes, and it made me think that a kind and sweet girl like Fluttershy would never be into someone like me, let alone another girl. After what happened in the classroom that day, I realized I wasn't doing either of us a favour. Fluttershy is my best friend above all, and I knew I could be honest with her. As long as I did that, whether we ended up together or not, I knew we'd be alright."
Applejack thought about it, and after a moment, she finally let a small smile colour her features. "You're right Rainbow. I reckon I should just be honest with my friend. Whatever happens, we'll be alright." Applejack sighed, feeling herself getting stronger as she became more resolute in her decision to talk to Rarity.
Rainbow Dash nodded at Applejack. "You'll be fine. You both will." She smiled as she continued. "I guess I'll leave you for now, but don't stay here forever. We miss you." As Applejack nodded, Rainbow Dash gave her a quick hug before standing up. As she headed for the door, she stopped and turned back to face Applejack. "You know, you made me realize something else; It's not just Fluttershy or Rarity. Pinkie, Twilight and Sunset are our friends as well. We can be honest with them too."
Applejack was about to question her, but she saw as Rainbow seemingly nodded to herself, as if she decided on something. Catching on, Applejack smiled again. "You're right. If you tell them, I'm sure they'll listen to what you two have to say." Applejack saw the excited look on Rainbow's face as she thought about it. Waving one last goodbye, Rainbow left the room, leaving the door slightly open behind her.
Laying back down after a moment, Applejack let her thoughts run freely like she did a week ago. She knew keeping her feelings hidden wasn't working as well as it used to. She had to tell Rarity how she felt. As the face of her best friend began to circulate in her head, Applejack let out a happy sigh just as Apple Bloom stuck her head through the door. "Sis, are you feeling better? I just saw Rainbow leave in a hurry."
Laughing for the first time in several days Applejack sat up again and motioned for her little sister to come sit beside her. As Apple Bloom sat down, Applejack immediately grabbed her into a bear hug. "I'm just fine sugarcube. Don't you worry a thing about me." Applejack continued to hug her sister, laughing as Apple Bloom began to make mock choking sounds. It wasn't long before the two were tangled in a wrestling match on the bed. Having quickly pinned her little sister below her, she stopped long enough to catch her breath and speak. "A'right Apple Bloom, I'll call a truce, if you help me. We'll see if we can get the jump on Big Mac downstairs." Applejack watched as her sister nodded, out of breath and eyes wild in excitement from seeing her sister in a better mood.
Rolling off of Apple Bloom, Applejack told her the plan before sending Apple Bloom on her way. Following closely behind her sister, Applejack covered her ears as Apple Bloom began to yell.
"Biiiiiiigg Maaaaaaaaaaccc!"
Rarity looked in at her sleeping little sister with a sad smile. She had spent the last week trying to cheer Sweetie Belle up after picking her up from Scootaloo's. Rarity's heart almost broke at the beginning as Sweetie Belle refused to go anywhere or do anything without her sister beside her. This was only the second night that Sweetie Belle was able to fall asleep on her own. Rarity felt her hands clench at her sides as she thought about how little her parents cared. Turning off the light and closing the door, Rarity closed her eyes and sighed, calming herself before walking to her room.
As she walked in, she looked at her phone on her nightstand, and smiled slightly. Her friends had checked in with her throughout the week, making sure she and her sister were okay. Her smile faded as she remembered the fact that Applejack was the only one who hadn't messaged her. Apparently, Applejack hadn't talked to anyone else either, as the others began asking Rarity if she had heard from her since the sleepover.
At that thought, Rarity couldn't help herself; She thought back to last week and kept replaying what had happened in her head; Applejack had called her beautiful. As she thought back, a wave of emotions coursed through her. The look on Applejack's face as she said it was what made Rarity stop and stare at her. She had looked so sincere and open, Rarity had to stop herself from reaching for Applejack, unsure of what she might have done if she had. At the same time, Rarity remembered Applejack's face before she walked out of Pinkie's house; The look of regret and sadness stung every time she thought about it. Rarity wanted to know what it all meant and she had tried sending a couple texts during the week, to no avail; She would reach for her phone to ask, only to put it down again, afraid of the answer.
Leaving the door slightly open, in case her sister woke up, Rarity walked towards her bed. Kicking off her bed slippers, she got into her bed before picking up her phone. Seeing one unread message from Rainbow Dash, Rarity unlocked her phone to read it.
"Hey Rarity. We're all planning to meet at Fluttershy's tomorrow evening. We'd really like for you to come, if you can make it…Applejack will be there."
Rarity looked at Applejack's name and felt her heart give a slight squeeze. She had wanted to talk to her, and now a chance had presented itself. Looking at her phone again, she began to wonder why Rainbow had specifically pointed out that Applejack would be there. As she thought about it, she heard a small knock on her door before it moved, revealing her little sister. Putting her phone away, she sat up in the bed and looked at Sweetie Belle.
"Sweetie, are you alright? Did you have a bad dream?" she watched as Sweetie Belle shook her head slowly, not moving from her spot by the door.
"I, um, I just came to say thank you." Rarity looked at her little sister, confused as Sweetie kept her eyes on the floor.
"'Thank you'? Whatever for Sweetie?"
Looking up at her older sister, Sweetie gave her a small smile before responding. "Just, for always being there when I need you. I am really glad I have you for a big sister."
Rarity watched as Sweetie Belle shuffled in place, a blush colouring her small face. Smiling widely, she motioned for Sweetie Belle to join her in the bed. As soon as Sweetie climbed in, Rarity pulled her into a tight hug. "Aww, Sweetie Belle! You know I love you, and I will always be there for you. I do it because I want to. You don't have to thank me."
"I know, and I love you too Rarity, but I still want to say it. Just knowing you're always here makes me feel better." Snuggling deeper into her sister's hug, she sighed happily before, continuing. "I know you didn't say anything, but I know you never got to see your friends this week. I'm sorry about that."
Rarity simply shook her head. "Oh, you don't need to be sorry. You always come first. And besides, I had a lot of fun with you this week." Pulling back slightly, she looked Sweetie Belle in the eyes. "I mean it."
"I know, but still...if you want, you can go see them."
Rarity gave her sister a concerned look. "What do you mean? I have no problem staying here with you. You don't have to force yourself for my sake."
"I'll be fine Rarity. I…was actually thinking of calling Apple Bloom and Scootaloo to ask them to come over tomorrow. To be honest, I'm starting to miss them, so I figured you must be missing your friends too."
Giving Sweetie a long look, Rarity sighed. "Okay, if you really want to. But, were still going out for brunch first, just the two of us!"
Laughing as she climbed out of her sister's bed, Sweetie Belle nodded as she walked towards the door, "That's fine. Just don't take forever to get ready tomorrow!" Laughing again, Sweetie Belle left, closing the door behind her.
Rarity smiled, happy to hear her sister laughing again. It was another second before she caught on to what her sister had said before she left. "Honestly, why does everybody think I take forever to get dressed!?"