The Apple(Bloom) Of Her Eye

by Snow Quill


A Date

Diamond hummed to herself as she trotted down the main street of Ponyville on her way to work. It was a clear Monday morning and looked to be a beautiful day. 

Saturday was amazing. The pool party was a great success and everyone had a good time at Sugarcube Corner after. 

The night ended with little fanfare and Diamond found she was grateful for it. There was a bit of underlying tension between her and Apple Bloom sure, especially since they sat next to each other, but it went okay. Everyone had backed off on teasing about relationships and focused on other, normal young adult things like work, school and the future. 

After gorging on sweets and shakes, everyone went home. Diamond wasn’t sure how long she should wait before trying to ask Apple Bloom out again, but figured she would at least give her a week. Just because they had fun didn’t mean she would be ready right away for a date. 

Diamond sighed. It was a hard thought, but one she had to accept all the same. 

“Mornin’ Diamond Tiara!”

She stumbled, whipping her head to the side. She recovered with a small smile as she trotted to the apple stand. “Good morning Apple Bloom, Big Mac. How are you?”

“Doin’ good Diamond. Ya headed off to work?”

“Yup. I’m opening this morning. Say, doesn’t Applejack normally work the apple stall?”

Big Mac nodded. “Eyup.”

“Sis was feeling a mite sick this morning. Big Mac was gonna go to Barnyard Bargains to pick up some medicine and head on home to take care of her.”

“Oh! Um, do you want to walk with me Big Mac? Opening doesn’t take too long, and that way you can get back to Applejack quickly.”

He shrugged and looked at Apple Bloom. “That’s a great idea Diamond! Yeah, you go on ahead with her Big Mac, ah can watch the stall.”

Big Mac nodded, “Alright Apple Bloom. Ah’ll see you at home.” 

“Eyup!”

Diamond smiled and waved a goodbye to Apple Bloom before continuing on her walk, this time with Big Mac following. 

Diamond wasn’t quite sure what to make of the stallion. He was quiet, a stallion of few words. One might even call him ‘stoic’. For Diamond, she found him intimidating, especially knowing he was Apple Bloom’s older brother.

Despite being an only child, she’d heard stories and saw movies with overprotective big brothers who threatened anyone who dated their younger sibling to make sure they treated them right. Especially if it was a younger sister. 

But, they were just walking, almost onto the store actually. With each step Diamond relaxed, thinking instead to the day ahead. 

As they approached the store front, Diamond brought her keys out, humming as she unlocked the door and pushed it open. She flipped on the light switch and headed over to the register. “Go ahead and pick out the medicine you want, I’ll be up here.”

Big Mac wordlessly walked off as Diamond began her opening duties of checking the register and running through notes left by the closing shift. 

“Ah! Celestia dammit…”

Diamond cursed softly as she knocked over a cup of pens, kneeling under the counter to pick them all up. The sound of a throat being cleared startled her and she jumped, smacking her head. “Ah! Ow…”

She grumbled and rubbed her head as she carefully stood up, glancing on the countertop to see Big Mac had made his selection. She picked the boxes up and tallied the total, “Alright, that will be… 5 bits. Would you like a bag?”

“Nope.”

He slid a stack of bits over and she deposited them in the register. “Would you like the receipt?”

“Nope.”

“Alright then, you are all set. I hope you have a good day and that Applejack gets well soon.”

Normally, the customer would already be halfway out the door by the time she bid them well. Instead, Big Mac stood there and stared at her. 

She gulped and shuffled on her hooves. “Is uh, is there anything else I can do for you?”

He waited a moment longer. “Stay good fer her Diamond. You’ve come a long way.”

He picked up the medicine and left, leaving her confused. 

That was it? 

The movies and rumors always made it seem so scary. Heck, Diamond was expecting to be scared. Instead, he almost sounded...proud? Proud that she had changed and was a better pony, most of the time anyways. That she had become someone who deserved Apple Bloom.

She realized with a start he didn’t need to threaten her, because the idea of losing Apple Bloom was threat enough. 

Suddenly, she had a deeper appreciation and respect for the red stallion.  

She shook her head to clear it. Right now she had to work, she could think about personal matters later.

~~

“Alright, I’m heading out Bon Bon, you got the store?”

“Yup! Have a good day Diamond.”

“You too!”

Diamond sighed in content as she waved goodbye to Bon Bon and walked out of the store. She really enjoyed opening shifts, as it meant she still had most of the afternoon and evening to do whatever she wanted. 

She made a mental note to talk to Daddy about getting Bon Bon a promotion, that mare had really proven herself to be a good worker over the last six months and she felt she really deserved a reward. 

Spirits high, she trotted past the market stalls, noting the apple stall was gone. She wasn’t too surprised, they normally sold out about noon and it was just past 2 now. 

She was a little disappointed she wouldn’t be able to talk to Apple Bloom, but oh well. With Applejack sick, she and Big Mac would probably have their hooves full with chores. 

Hmm, maybe I should make a care package for Applejack. Big Mac got medicine of course, but maybe I can make some soup?’

She paused for a moment to ponder if that might be seen as trying to ‘buy’ Applejack’s blessing, and if that was what she was trying to do. 

Sure, it would probably be a good thing if both Applejack and Big Mac gave their blessing, but in the end only Apple Bloom could decide if she loved her.

Diamond shrugged off the possible negative implications. If there was anyone who could see the purity behind her intentions, it would be Applejack. 

With that thought, she turned back to the market to buy some fresh herbs and vegetables. 

~~

The evening was young as Diamond Tiara knocked on the front door of the Apple family house. She hadn’t intended on taking so long, but she figured the end product would be worth it. In addition to the soup, she brought a thermos of ginger lemon tea and baked some ginger snap cookies. 

The door opened and she was surprised to see Applejack’s face poking out. “Oh, howdy there Diamond Tiara. What brings you here?”

“Oh, Applejack! Um, Apple Bloom mentioned you were feeling sick so I Uh…”

Diamond blushed and held up the basket. “I made some soup and tea. And some cookies.”

Applejack chuckled. “Well butter my biscuits! That’s mighty kind of ya Diamond. As ya can see, ah’m feeling alright now, was just a little stomach bug.”

“Oh that’s good to hear. So, I, I guess I should go back home then. Tell Apple Bloom I said hi.”

“Why don’t you go tell her yerself? She’s on the hill over yonder to look at the stars.”

Diamond looked where Applejack was pointing, trying not to perk up too much. “Thank you Applejack.”

“Go git her Diamond.”

Diamond blushed again and whipped her head back around to stare wide eyed at Applejack. “Oh come on now, ya didn’t think Apple Bloom would tell her big sister y’all was gonna court? Shoot, we talk about everything.”

She smiled softly. “Ah’ve seen you grow from a nasty little filly into an amazing mare Diamond. Ah’m proud of ya and will support your relationship. Now go on, ah know she’ll appreciate the company.”

It took incredible effort for Diamond to not go running off and squealing like a filly, but she just managed to trot off with quiet glee towards the hill. 

She found Apple Bloom sitting on a blanket, a few books and charts spread in front of her. 

Diamond chuckled. “And here I thought Sweetie Belle was the egghead.”

“Ah!”

Apple Bloom cried out in surprise, looking over her shoulder at Diamond as a blush reddened her cheeks. She stared at the ground and rubbed her shoulder, muttering, “Ah like stars...”

Diamond sat beside her and glanced over the materials. “Clearly. This is quite an impressive spread. What are you doing?”

Apple Bloom cleared her throat and pointed at a chart. “There’s supposed to be some rare stars and constellations visible tonight. Starswirl’s Beard is the one ah’m most looking forward to.”

She gestured at a scroll, which featured crude illustrations of the constellations and some notes scribbled besides them. “Ah’ve been drawing them when ah find them.”

“Why not just draw from the chart?”

Apple Bloom shrugged. “Ah don’t like drawing from others art, it would be like cheating on a test.”

Diamond nodded. “Well that makes sense. Your drawings look pretty good, you can really see the effort put into it.”

“Would look better if Ah was a unicorn or even a pegasus…”

Diamond bit her lip, resisting the urge to lean over and nuzzle her. She chose her words carefully, knowing it was a hard topic. “I like you as an earth pony Apple Bloom. Unicorns may have magic, and pegasi flight, but we earth ponies are special all on our own.”

Apple Bloom leaned into her and sighed, taking no notice of Diamond’s sudden stiffening. “Ah know, Ah know. But Ah still can’t help but dream about it.”

Diamond very carefully wrapped a hoof around Apple Bloom, relaxing when she didn’t seem to have a problem with it. She looked up at the sky. “I know what you mean. I dream about it sometimes too. Mostly being a unicorn. Having magic seems it would be really convenient just for everyday life. Brushing my mane, cooking, stocking the shelves at work…”

Apple Bloom snuggled closer into her side and looked up as well. “Ah dream of being a pegasus, flying through the air, walking on clouds, it seems so...Freeing.”

“Weelllll, I might not be able to get you wings but, my Daddy does own a hot air balloon, or I could even take you on an open air cruise. There’s one that goes from Canterlot to Mt. Eris and the views are absolutely breathtaking.”

“You, you would really do that fer me?”

Diamond looked down at her and nodded. “But of course. Any...friend… of mine is more than welcome on a luxury vacation.”

Apple Bloom frowned at ‘friend’ and gently pushed away from her, making Diamond regret her words. “Wait! I’m sorry Apple Bloom, I just, I don’t want to scare you off by using words you may not be ready to use.”

Apple Bloom seemed to be fighting with herself over something, finally coming to a decision as she leaned forward and kissed Diamond. 

It was a bit awkward and clumsy, as most first kisses are, but neither of them cared. 

Diamond found herself crying as she wrapped her hooves around Apple Bloom and pulled her closer. The mare of her dreams, the filly she had been chasing for years, and now they were finally together. 

It was Apple Bloom who broke the kiss, sniffling as happy tears of her own rolled down her cheeks. “N-now what do ya gotta say to that?”

Diamond giggled and pecked her nose. “I say it’s about damn time.”

Apple Bloom wiped her face, giggling as well. “Would... would you like to stay and look at the stars with me?”

“I would love to.”

Apple Bloom squeed quietly and hugged her tight, Diamond nuzzling the top of her head. “You know, for all the ideas I had for a first date, I never expected this.”

Apple Bloom blushed and chuckled self consciously. “This, this is a date, ain’t it? Ah’ll be darned if Ah didn’t think our first date would be going out to eat at a fancy restaurant.”

“Well, it might not be 3 Hoof cuisine but…”

Diamond gently untangled herself from Apple Bloom and reached over to the basket, pulling out the tray of cookies. “I made ginger snaps.”

Apple Bloom furrowed her brows. “Diamond, Ah would love a cookie, but I got a couple questions.”

Diamond set the tray in front of them and removed the cover. “After work I went to the market to get stuff to make Applejack some soup since she wasn’t feeling well. There was a great deal on ginger and I got inspired.”

She shrugs, rubbing the back of her neck. “I have some ginger lemon tea too if you are thirsty.”

“Now Ah don’t mean to offend ya Diamond, but Ah didn’t think you could cook.”

Diamond laughed, grabbing a cookie and considering it. “I don’t know how to do much. I learned the basics from our chef, Rosemary, and she still gives me cooking lessons occasionally. Our schedules don’t always line up though.”

She shrugs again and takes a bite of the cookie. 

Apple Bloom smiled and took a bite of her own. “Well it tastes good. If ya wanted, Applejack an’ Ah could teach ya how to cook the Apple Family way.”

“You know, I would love to cook with you Apple Bloom.”

They sat there for a while in a comfortable silence, munching on cookies and watching the sky turn dark as the stars came out. 

“Hey Diamond?”

“Yeah?”

“When did ya first figure you liked me?”

Diamond choked on her cookie, coughing and thumping her chest as Apple Bloom sat up in alarm. She soothingly rubbed her back, desperately searching the basket for the earlier mentioned tea. She took the thermos out and opened it, Diamond shakily taking it and sipping on the warm tea. 

“Ahh! Ahem, whew. You sure know how to make a mare choke up Apple Bloom.”

Apple Bloom shook her head but couldn’t stop her smile. “Well maybe you should be more careful.”

Diamond took another sip and sighed. “Fair enough. Um, okay, so, when I first developed my crush huh? To be completely honest, at my cutecenara.”

“But ah thought you said you always picked on me cause you liked me? You were a bully before the party.”

“Well, yes, but before that it was just general teasing. You were a blank flank and I already had my cutie mark, you were an easy target. Not to mention your accent…”

Apple Bloom deadpanned. “Gee thanks.”

Diamond winced, “Sorry, that, that came out wrong. My mom always talked about how I needed to make a good impression on ‘high society’ ponies and make sure they knew I wasn’t friends with anyone...not.”

She cringed back further, one again slapped in the face with how terrible her mom was. “She lectured me before the first day of school, about your family and how while they may have a good relationship with Barnyard Bargains, the rest of the world didn’t need to know that.”

Apple Bloom snorted angrily. “Yer mother is a real piece of work.”

Diamond nodded, heaving a heavy sigh. “I know. The worst part is, I want to hate her, or, or at least not feel like she’s my mom. But I just can’t. I don’t want anything to do with her now of course, but…”

“But ya still love her.”

Apple Bloom nuzzled her. “It’s okay Diamond, Ah promise. And, if one day, you want to introduce me to her as yer mare friend, Ah’ll go along with it. Ah never got to know my ma, all Ah got are stories, but, if there’s one thing Ah know, it’s that family is important.”

“Even family who treats you horribly and tries to turn you into them?”

Apple Bloom gently turned Diamond’s face to look at her. “Wanna hear the other thing Ah know?”

“Huh?”

Apple Bloom pecked her lips. “Ponies can change. You grew up and broke the cycle Diamond. Maybe yer ma can do the same someday.”

Diamond sniffled and pressed her forehead to Apple Bloom’s. “What did I do to deserve you?”

“You let out the good pony that was inside ya all along.”

Diamond smiled. “Heh, I did do that, didn’t I?”

“Well look at y’all, all snuggled up like love birds already.”

Diamond and Apple Bloom jumped apart, letting out soft shrieks of surprise as Applejack walked up. Bright blushes burned their faces as they suddenly found the ground very interesting, Diamond in particular wishing she could dig herself into a hole. 

“Well shucks, Ah know Apple Bloom’s grown now, but y’all are still young enough to need a chaperone. From the looks of things Ah got here just in time.”

Apple Bloom groaned and fell face forward onto the blanket, hiding her face in her hooves. “Siiiiiiiiiiis…”

“Now none of that Apple Bloom, Ah’m still yer big sister and Ah ain’t ready for you to be that grown yet. Ah’ll be over by the tree, so you can just pretend Ah ain’t here. But know that Ah will be.”

Applejack kept to her word and walked off a few feet and sat at the base of an apple tree, adjusting herself so she could keep an eye of them out of the corner of her eye. 

Diamond sat up stiffly, squirming under the watchful side eye of Applejack. She gulped and hesitantly poked Apple Bloom’s side. “Hey um, should, should we look for those stars you wanted to draw?” 

Apple Bloom let out an exasperated sigh and pushed herself onto her hooves. “Ah suppose we should. According to this chart here, Starswirl’s Beard should be visible most the night, so Ah pretty sure we ain’t missed it yet.”

Diamond nodded and offered her a cookie as she straightened the chart and her scroll of drawings. Apple Bloom smiled and grabbed it with her mouth, humming happily as she dug through a bag. 

Finally, she brought out a rolled piece of canvas and a small inkwell, unrolling the canvas to reveal her collection of pens and what looked like a quill wrapped in plastic.

At Diamond’s quizzical glance, Apple Bloom transferred the cookie in her hoof and explained. “Pens are okay to draw with, but Ah really like the quill, except Ah used to end up with a mouth of feathers of course. So, whenever Ah need to buy a new one, Ah use leftover wrappers to make it easier to hold!”

“Apple Bloom that’s, that’s amazing!”

“Aww, shucks Diamond…”

“I really mean it.”

“Ah know.”

They smiled at each other. It had been a rough road to get to this point, but now that they were there, it was looking to be a lot smoother.