//------------------------------// // Rainityjack - "Three's Allowed" // Story: The Parenting Project // by frenettek314 //------------------------------// Truth be told, Rainbow really didn't mind this project as much as she made her grumbling sound earlier. The chance at getting together with one of her friends and showing them how awesome of a parent she could be sounded thrilling to her. She could prove to everyone that she was "totally radical" at another thing all while hanging out with her best friends - it sounded as good an idea as any other. Unfortunately for her, the close-knit bond Rarity and Applejack were currently sharing challenged things quite a bit, the bitter tomboy trailing behind the more affectionate pair as they carried the baby all the way back to Applejack's farm. "Normally I'd suggest my place, but there are a bunch of sewing objects lying around and I wouldn't want the poor thing to get hurt. Besides, with more space and people at the farm, someone can always be looking after the baby." Rarity explained, tickling the baby with her finger as it gave a soft coo. Despite her earlier skepticisms, Rarity found herself growing attached to the toy as the three began their trek back to the farm. The more it giggled and cooed, the closer the fashionista felt with it - almost as if its actions started sounding more like an actual baby. As she gazed into the figure's painted eyes, she started to imagine the baby take on a familiar form... a form she secretly missed somewhat. "No problem Rares. We've got plenty of room for the night. Ya ok spending the night with us, Dash?" Applejack called back to her sulking friend. Rainbow took a moment to snap out of her trance, realizing she was the one being addressed. "Uh... yeah, of course." she gave her best smile and a reassuring thumbs up before Applejack turned back around to focus on the bundle of joy in Rarity's arms. The rainbow-haired girl was left alone again. "Heh, ya know it's funny." Applejack marveled at the tiny form, "The more I look at it, the more it reminds me of when Apple Bloom was just an infant." Rarity gave a bright smile, turning to her friend. "I know exactly what you mean. I just started thinking about Sweetie Belle when I would watch her as a toddler. She was just the cutest little thing." Rarity gave a bittersweet sigh, looking at the road ahead. "I sort of miss those days sometimes. I mean, Sweetie's growing up and it feels like she just won't stop." Applejack gave a hearty chuckle, patting the girl on her back. "I know the feeling. I look at Apple Bloom and I still see this baby face, but she ain't a baby anymore. I used to be her big sister and caretaker, but now it feels like she's moving on." Rainbow mentally grimaced. "Moving on?!" Rarity agreed. "But they're just pre-teens now, they still have a lot of growing to do, while we..." "...get left in the dust." they both replied in unison, stopping in stunned silence before they found themselves lost in each other's eyes, both ladies smiling as they felt light blushes on their faces. "...left in the dust?" Rainbow's mind replayed, her eyes wincing at the obviously closer pair in front of her. She watched the scene in front of her with slight worry, fearing that they forgot she was there. "Ummm... I feel the same way... about Scootaloo I mean!" she quickly announced her presence, forcing her two friends to turn back towards her in puzzlement. Rarity was the first to object, a sympathetic brow craned in slightly bewilderment. "Darling, while that is a sweet sentiment I'm sure, Scootaloo's not really your sister..." Rainbow felt her head pathetically cast downwards, "...not that there's anything wrong with being an adopted sisterly figure, that's great in fact!" she quickly iterated, "It's just..." Applejack decided to take the initiative to finish. "Well, ya haven't really had to take care of Scoots like we have with our sisters." But all Rainbow heard replaying in her head was a phrase that rocked her soul. "...like we have." Rainbow dejectedly rubbed her shoulder with a hand, looking away from the pair. "Right. I-I guess that's true." The two regarded their normally boisterous and confident friend's change in demeanor with concern. "Darling, are..." But before Rarity could finish, Rainityjack, bundled up in her arms, started crying. "Goodness! I bet that means she's hungry!" "Let's get back to the farm. Dinner'll be coming around shortly ah'm sure." Applejack announced, the two heading in a more fast-paced walk to the acres. "Ya coming Sugarcube?!" she hollered, glancing back at Rainbow in the distance. "Yeah. Coming." Rainbow sighed, still taking her time to catch up to the others. True to her words, once the trio and baby arrived at the farm, supper time arrived shortly after. Rainbow's attitude perked right up at the sound of food. Admittedly, she was starving from her long day at school (containing a period of PE where she wiped the floor with the other kids in soccer, like she always did); plus she knew that Granny Smith's cooking was some of the best culinary experiences she ever witnessed, eager to partake in a meal stuffed with quality masterpieces and a guarantee of a few heavenly desserts to boot. Rainbow quickly took to a seat at the table once dinner was called, anxiously waiting to fill her stomach full of food until she heard the footsteps of the others approaching. "Ah still can't believe you have to pretend to feed that thing." Apple Bloom replied incredulously, gawking at the two older females as she took a place next to her older sister. "It ain't so bad ah guess," Applejack sheepishly stumbled, "Besides, it reminds me of when ah'd cradle you when you were a baby." she smiled, taking joy in the memories (and perhaps enjoying embarrassing her little sister just a tiny bit). As Granny arrived to place generous helpings of turkey, potatoes, and yams on the table, Apple Bloom began hurriedly filling up her plate, a tint of pink displaying on her cheeks. "Sis, not in front of company." she pouted, earning a chuckle from Big Mac, watching his two younger siblings playfully go back and forth. "Not my fault ya'll were the cutest lil' thing." Applejack defended, only making Apple Bloom groan. Rainbow began filling up her plate too, watching the scene with a feeling of awkwardness, though as she looked over at the purple-haired girl, intently watching the conversation, that awkward feeling doubled. Rarity wasn't technically part of this family either, so why did she feel much more comfortable than she herself did? Then Rainbow noticed Rarity absentmindedly clasping Applejack's hand into her own. "Oh. That's why." And suddenly Rainbow was slowly starting to lose her appetite. "Besides Apple Bloom, you may have to do this assignment one day yourself. Who knows - you may even get partnered up with Sweetie Belle." Rarity teased, making the younger girl's face blush even more. "Stop it..." Apple Bloom's bright red face mumbled, earning a chorus of laughter around the table. Seeing how close the two sitting next to each other were and even alluding to the possibility of their younger sisters made Rainbow's mind suddenly dissolve into a tizzy. She could only watch the round of laughs around the dining room with sudden nausea, a gulp slowly crawling her way out of her throat. "What about Scootaloo?!" Rainbow quickly exclaimed, abruptly ceasing any merriment in the room. The cyan girl herself almost didn't realize she had said anything until all eyes made their way towards her, prompting her to retrace her steps. "I mean... what if Apple Bloom got partnered with Scootaloo? Heck, maybe Sweetie Belle gets to be Scootaloo's partner, we don't know." she cautiously explained, focusing on her plate as she casually poked at the yams with her fork. Rarity and Applejack exchanged nervous glances, looking back at Rainbow with eyebrows raised. "Darling, we were just making a joke. Who knows if Apple Bloom even does Home Economics when she's our age?" "Y-Yeah, I know but I'm just saying don't count out certain possibilities if it happens. Maybe all three of them get to be together, who knows?" Rainbow awkwardly blushed, not daring to look up and meet the others' faces. Applejack felt her head tilt ever so slightly, trying to find some form of a crack within their company's demeanor. "Sugarcube, why are ya suddenly so worried about what happens with Scootaloo and this project?" Rainbow looked up at her plate, eyes darting around before they settled on her friend. "Maybe because I don't want her to feel left out." Now Rarity was trying to pick at straws. "Left out how? You've been acting quite strange today Rainbow Dash." Rainbow felt a light tinge warm up her cheeks as she hurriedly refocused on her plate, even if she didn't feel like eating anymore. "N-no I'm not. Everything's fine." Applejack's brow narrowed ever so slightly. "Rainbow, we all know as well as ya'll do that that's a dang lie! Ever since we've got paired up for this project, you've been actin' funnier than Pinkie on Taco Tuesday. What's going on?" Now anyone who knew Rainbow could tell you that when she was placed on the spot in tense situations, she instantly defaulted to her escape emotion of choice - anger. If only everyone currently seated at the table remembered that at this very moment. Rainbow found herself slowly standing up from her chair, her lightly shaking form pointing a finger in the direction of the farmer and the fashionista. "I-I'm not the one who's acting weird! You two are!" Rarity gave a light gasp, putting a hand over her chest as if struck and slightly offended. "Us?! Whatever did we do?!" "Oh, don't even pretend like you don't know!" Rainbow snarled with a roll of her eyes. Now it was Applejack's turn to get up, quietly handing Rainityjack to Rarity. Though she was less hot-headed than Dash, she could get easily flustered when she wanted too. "Now wait just a moment! Don't try to point the finger at us without telling us what's going on! All we've been doing is spending time together taking care of the baby!" "Exactly! That's the problem!" Now Applejack was stumped, but she wasn't backing down either. "What kind of problem are ya having Dash, because no one else seems to be having this problem except for you!" Rainbow felt her shell crack for a split second, shaky palms clenching into fists as she re-glared at her accusatory friend. "Gee, you're right about that! Everyone gets to feel 'super special' except for me!" Rarity felt her sympathies grow even more, wondering what was hurting her friend so much. "Rainbow, what are you talking about?" she asked, genuine concern on her face. Rainbow couldn't take it anymore, feeling bitter tears sting her cheeks. The rest of the family was either engaged in the argument or silently viewing from their seats. "I'm talking about you two laughing together, holding hands, the way you look at each other, you're practically a couple!" Granny and Big Mac gasped in surprise, however, Apple Bloom merely shrugged, having paid close enough attention to her sister to know how she really felt. Applejack paused before her glare reignited. "Well, we haven't exactly been public with this yet, but what if we were?!" "Oh please." Rainbow gruffed, rolling her eyes again. "You two have been as subtle as Twilight's love for nerd stuff." Despite the poor quip, it seemed to hit home, causing Applejack and Rarity to sheepishly retreat for a split second. Meanwhile, Granny and Big Mac both felt embarrassed, having never realized the so-called "obvious" romantic endeavors of their granddaughter and sister. Apple Bloom only silently nodded her head, agreeing with Rainbow. "And what about me?!" Rainbow countered, tears continuing to fall. "What about you?!" Applejack retorted, not too fond of these mind games. "WHAT IF I LOVED YOU BOTH?!" Rainbow roared, fist pounding on the table. Silence met the room for several moments, until the sound of a baby's crying took control of the room. Snapping out of her enraged state, Rainbow anxiously glanced around the room to see everyone simply gawking at her, their mouths hung open in the process. The worst (in her opinion) though was Applejack and Rarity; the farmer simply standing motionless as her eyes widened - while Rarity's eyes began quivering ever so slightly, her mouth gasping several times to speak, yet remaining silent. Rainbow suddenly felt sick to her stomach, realizing she couldn't take those words back. There was no hiding anymore. "I-I need some air. Excuse me." she quickly bolted from the dining room, opening the back door to the fields as she left everyone in a state of shock. Applejack and Rarity finally acknowledged each other, quietly muttering the same thing. "You feel the same way?" Their eyes lit up in sudden realization, their in sync responses catching both girls off guard. Realizing they both indeed had similar thoughts, Rarity politely asked if the three at the table could watch the doll for a few moments; having agreed, the two older girls jogged outside after their friend, hoping she wasn't too far. Thankfully for the two girls who didn't have super speed abilities, they found the third sitting ever so precariously on a wooden fence, watching distantly over the horizon of the fading sun. With slight reassuring smiles, the two nodded in silent unison before making their way over to the tomboy. "Dash? We know something was up earlier. We're sorry we forgot about picking back up on that until just now." Applejack apologized. "We've actually noticed your behavior ever since class earlier. We should've been there for you a lot sooner." Rarity was quick to add on to the apology. Dash simply sighed, not taking her focus off the trees in the distance. "It's not your fault. Dumb old Dash here felt left out but kept trying to play it cool... just like she always does." Both ladies' eyes softened at the self-chastising the usually confident soul was delivering to herself. "Sugarcube, you are not dumb! Ya could've communicated better, but we know how tricky it is for ya sometimes." Applejack stated, before she paused, finding the right way to phrase the million dollar question. "Ya'll really have feelings for the both of us?" Rainbow pathetically nodded. "Yeah. I guess I have for a while, but I know how competitive AJ and I are when we're together and I know how different Rarity and I are - what with her fashion and me with sports and stuff..." Rarity and Applejack each felt a sharp sting of pity for their normally brash friend. They never realized this was hiding. "...I guess I never thought I stood a chance with either one of you. But then, you two started hanging out a lot more together and I kept hearing rumors at school about you two having crushes on each other, and I... I felt jealous." "...but then we get paired up for this project, but I kept trying to hide the truth. I... I'm sorry. I'm happy for you two, I really am!" she genuinely smiled earning slight cheerful looks right back. "...but I guess I was left in the dust." having remembered the line uttered earlier. Applejack propped herself up on the fence right next to Rainbow. "Sugarcube, ya shouldn't have to hide anything from us." Rarity took considerably more effort to hoist herself up, but she eventually took the other side of Rainbow. "Agreed. We can work anything out between us. That's why we're all so close with one another." Rainbow felt a smile building up, before it turned into a skeptical frown. "You mean you two aren't weirded out or anything?" The white-skinned girl offered a roll of her eyes. "Darling, after all the fantastical and magical adventures we've been on, you seriously think this is the thing to turn us off?" Rainbow couldn't help but give a large snort. "Ok. Fair point." The farmer placed a hand on top of the girl's shoulder, laying herself back ever so slightly. "Besides, Rarity and I kind of both realized maybe we have a thing for ya too." The rainbow-haired girl's eyes widened in shock. "Really?! B-but you just said you two..." Rarity offered a courteous giggle. "Rainbow, have you ever heard of polyamorous relationships?" The girl only scratched her head in confusion. "Is that some kind of band?" Applejack shook her head playfully in exasperation. "Ya big goof! It means more than one partner in a relationship." Now Rainbow's eyes sparked in realization. "Wait... but... I..." Rarity decided to step up to the plate, seeing that Rainbow's vocal cords were temporarily on the fritz. "Being in a poly relationship means we have to respect each other and give equal love and attention to each partner. It takes patience and hard work to maintain this sort of relationship, but seeing as we both have feelings for you in return, we'd be more than willing to give things a chance if you are." Rainbow felt her brain ready to explode any moment. This was like a dream come true - like a full-on sports scholarship to a prestigious college - dream. Finally, she found her voice. "This sappy moment never leaves us, but you two are worth it." Before either other girl could ask what that meant, they found themselves cradled in a tight group hug, warm smiles soon appearing on all their faces. "We love ya too ya dork." Applejack teasingly stated. Rainbow brushed her off, though she couldn't hide the pink on her cheeks. "Yeah yeah, I know. But seriously, if you two are willing to try things with me, I'd be happy to do the same." "Then perhaps we're not so different after all." a coy Rarity stated, lightly pecking a burning cyan cheek. "Let me try that." the farmer replied, pecking the other cheek. "Alright, alright! Enough 'tasting the rainbow' for one evening! We've got a baby to take care of!" Rainbow bounced off the fence and back onto the plains below in triumph, before turning back around to view the other two sheepishly. "...that is... if I can help out too?" Rarity smiled, jumping down from the fence as well. "Of course! Rainityjack needs attention too! You can change her diapers!" "...nah, that sounds more like a 'Rarity' thing." Rainbow coolly replied before taking off in a lightning fast sprint towards the house. "Agreed." Applejack quickly stated, jumping down from her perch, running back in the direction of the home as well - albeit nowhere near as fast as Rainbow. "Wh-what?" Rarity sputtered, before realizing she had been had. While she was nowhere near as fast and "in-shape" as the athlete or the country farmer, she wouldn't allow them to make a fool out of her that easily. "Get back here you two!" she hollered as she ran, the two girls ahead of her laughing in the distance. While the group of three seemed to be destined for rough patches when they were first assigned the project, somehow the three teenagers knew they would get through the assignment - and any events that followed - together.