//------------------------------//
// 4- The Last Pie 
// Story: A Recipe for Rainbows 
// by SnowOriole 
//------------------------------//

“Rainbow!” Applejack called up to the floating cloud home. “Ya get down here right now!”

About two seconds later, a blue shape launched from one of the windows and plummeted. Rainbow Dash came to an halt abruptly before impact, remaining in a hovering position. “Yeah?”

Applejack rolled her eyes, fighting the tremble of anticipation in her hooves. “You said you wanted a chance to not be chicken. So un-chicken yourself.”

“Um,” Rainbow’s ears folded and her eyes darted from side to side anxiously. "I'm not sure if I can say it."

Something in Applejack softened. She came closer, remembering Rarity's words. "It's okay. I promise I won't judge."

Rainbow blinked. Then, her tight expression relaxed, and she floated slowly to the ground.

"I have a crush on you, AJ." She began rapidly. Her whole face flushed at that, but she continued. "And it's huge. I like you a lot and I wanna go out with you and stuff but if you don't wanna I totally understand. I hope you at least liked the Froot Loops. Yup."

With that, Rainbow promptly dove into the nearest bush. It was at times like this when Applejack should have been wondering why she had fallen for such an idiot, but now? She was too gosh-darn smitten to care.

She pulled herself together and trotted over. "I can't believe you just confessed to me with Froot Loops."

The magenta eyes peeking out from the bush crinkled. "Look-"

"Let me show you how a proper confession is done," Applejack smirked and revealed the apple pie beneath the hat with a flourish.  “I don’t have a moving speech planned, but I figured I should let my baking speak for itself.”

Rainbow’s eyes widened. She flew out of the bush, her wings flapping at such a frenetic pace Applejack was worried they’d snap off. “Wait. You. Did you just-”

“Eeyup.” Applejack tried not to look like she was about to explode with either frustration or sheer happiness.

Rainbow looked at the pie. Looked at her. Looked back at the pie.

“Forgive me,” she finally said, as if having just made a very difficult decision. “I think your pie will have to wait.” And then Rainbow kissed her.

It was sugary, sugary sweet. Like cotton candy, but warmer and a whole lot softer. When Rainbow pulled away bashfully, as sudden as she had begun, Applejack just had to laugh.

She leaned in to kiss her again, and the recipe was complete.



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Epilogue


“Thank goodness yer back!” Granny scrutinized Applejack’s giddy smile. “Are you making pies again today? ‘Cuz I’m beginning to think you got a pie addiction or somethin’!”

“No more pies, Granny.” Applejack laughed merrily as Rainbow swooped down from the clouds to land beside her. “I’ve got all I need.”