//------------------------------// // Camping's Fun Pt.1 // Story: Rainbow Apple Acres // by MuffinYouSoCrazy //------------------------------// The warm sunlight filtered through the half-closed curtains as the sound of birds chirping hit Applejack's ears. I don't want to get up yet, she thought, burying her face deeper into her pillow. Wow, Twilight's got a comfy bed. It’s so soft. Still half asleep, Applejack noticed something strange about the bed, like it was breathing. Getting confused, Applejack sleepily opened her eyes to find out what was going on. She looked down to see Rainbow Dash lightly snoring with her head resting on Applejack's stomach. Both of the mares’ hind legs were intertwined. While sleeping, she had managed to wrap her forelegs around Dash as well. How am I gonna get out of this? Looking over at Twilight, Applejack was glad to see that she was still asleep. Applejack lifted her forelegs away from the sleeping mare, while managing to pull her hind legs away from Rainbow's. Now how do I get her head off of me without waking her up? Well, I can't really think of a way. She lied back down and tried to sleep for a little while longer. Besides, she thought, I don't mind anyways. Closing her eyes, Applejack didn't see Rainbow Dash give a small grin. --- A few days had passed since the sleepover, and since then Rainbow Dash had been formulating a plan. She asked herself the question soon afterwards, how do I tell her? Being a go-big-or-go-home type of pony, Dash decided that some time alone with Applejack would be the perfect opportunity. Rainbow Dash looked down from the apple tree she had perched on, and saw Applebloom and the other Cutie Mark Crusaders setting up a tent in the middle of the orchard. ”Heh, I bet they're trying to get a camping Cutie Mark or something.” This reminded her of the time she went camping with them plus Rarity, and...Applejack! Yes! I know exactly what to do. Laughing, Rainbow Dash rocketed off of the tree branch and flew in the direction of the farm house. All I need to do is get everything set up and surprise Applejack! Doing a back-flip in midair, she couldn't resist shouting, "This is going to be SO awesome!!" Corkscrewing through the air, she stopped when a small problem entered her head. I sold my tent for the new Daring Do book didn't I? --- Applejack slammed her hind legs into the trunk of the tree with all the strength she could muster. Every single one of the bright red apples fell from the tree. Applejack wiped some sweat from her forehead and sat under the shade of a nearby tree. Only a few more left and then I have a free day tomorrow. Hmm…I wonder what I should do? Apple-bucking demanded quite a lot of her attention, so she was usually bored when it came to relaxing. She was interrupted by a stifled giggle from behind her. Turning around, she saw Rainbow Dash trying not to laugh. "What’s so funny sugarcube?" Applejack glanced around herself and didn't see anything funny. Rainbow Dash calmed down a little and said, "I just thought I'd never see the day that Applejack would laze around instead of working." "Ah was just taking a small break." Blushing a little as she said so. "Hey, aren't ya supposed to be working too?" Applejack said in an accusatory voice. "No, actually Big Mac gave me and you the weekend off." Smiling, she added, "And I know exactly what we’re gonna do. We’re going-" "Wait a minute" Applejack interrupted, "Ah can't leave for two days! Who will help out here?!" Rainbow Dash smirked. "AJ, I got it all figured out. Thanks to my help, we’re ahead of schedule. Big Mac can buck some apples and help out with all the other things. He's cool with it." Seeing that Applejack was not swayed, she decided to explain what they were going to be doing. "Alright, I was gonna make it more of a surprise, but you and me are going camping!" Rainbow Dash said dramatically while pointing at mountains in the distance. "...Camping...just you and me?" Applejack deadpanned. Actually, that's not a bad idea. Some alone time with her would be a good opportunity...for what? I can't just tell her! She lives in my house! Everything would be weird and awkward! She was snapped out of her mini panic by Dash. "Hello? Equestria to AJ? Are you even listening?" She waved a hoof in front of Applejack's face. "Uh...yeah RD, Ah was just thinking. But a camping trip with you sounds great!" Looking at the Ponyville Mountains, "Ah take it that's where we'll be camping?" Rainbow Dash nodded. "Yeah, I got this awesome spot up there! Okay, go pack whatever you need, we’re leaving in 20 minutes!" "Wait! What!?!?" Applejack shouted. Rainbow Dash laughed, and started running to the farmhouse. She yelled behind her, "C'mon slowpoke!" Applejack glared at Rainbow and muttered, "It is on..." before breaking into a sprint trying to catch up with the pegasus. --- The sun was in the middle of the sky by the time the two mares got to their camping spot. Applejack had to hand it to Rainbow Dash, she had picked an amazing spot. It was a small clearing near the top of the mountain. The view stretched on for miles.Plus, there was a nice pond where they could go swimming. "Wow Dash, this is beautiful..." Applejack trailed off, looking down at Ponyville in the distance. "It sure is." Rainbow Dash replied, but she wasn't talking about the scenery. "Okay, I can set up the tent if you'll gather some fire-wood." "Okay, Ah'll be right back RD." Walking into the woods, she smiled; this was going to be fun. After gathering enough sticks to keep a good fire burning for hours, she returned to see that Rainbow had actually done a great job. The tent was set up and there was a log for them to sit on. Rainbow Dash was putting some rocks in a circle for the fire pit. Noticing Applejack, she put the last rock in place. "Okay AJ, put the branches right here." Looking at the sky, she noticed the sun was about to set. "We should start it now; it gets pretty cold this time of year." Applejack nodded, and sat down next to Dash on the log after starting the fire. "How about some marshmallows?" --- "So then Ah had to take her to the hospital, but she was okay." Applejack finished telling Rainbow Dash the story of one of Applebloom’s crusading attempts gone horribly wrong. By now the sun had set and moon was shining brightly overhead. "How did she convince that guy to sell her a hang-glider?!?" Rainbow laughed loudly. "That filly is the biggest trouble-maker of all time!" Applejack started to laugh as well. Applejack grinned. "Ya know, I think she wants to be like you." Seeing Dash's surprised face, she nodded. "Have ya noticed she calls you her sister sometimes? You’re like family now." Dash beamed. "Wow...I didn't think she liked me that much." It was Applejack's turn to be surprised "Why? What’s there not to like about ya? Yer nice, loyal, athletic, pretty..." She trailed of when she noticed Dash staring at her. Blushing, she coughed. "Umm...maybe I went a little overboard...hehehe." "Do you really mean all of that?" Dash looked at Applejack's face slightly illuminated by the flickering flames. Her cheeks were bright red and she was trying to cover her eyes with her Stetson. "Of course Ah do, but-" She was interrupted when she felt somepony's lips on her own. At first her eyes rocketed open, and her face became two shades darker than Big Macintosh’s coat. After the initial shock, she closed her eyes and returned the kiss, much to Rainbow Dash's pleasure. Everything around them faded and all that mattered was Dash's lips against her own. After what could have been minutes, or hours, they broke apart and looked away from each other. Rainbow Dash started stammering almost as fast as Pinkie Pie. "I'm sorry; I know that you probably hate me now. I don't blame you if you don't want to see me ever again. I'm sorry." She flew into the tent and zipped it up, leaving a shocked Applejack behind. Rainbow Dash climbed inside her sleeping bag and curled into a ball. I just lost a best friend, this caused her to tear up a little. Her ears drooped when she heard the door to the tent being unzipped. "If you want, I can go live with somepony else..." There was no answer, only hoof-steps. She heard Applejack finally say something. "Sugarcube, come out. I'm not mad." Rainbow Dash crawled out of the sleeping bag. Her eyes had some tears in them. Applejack sat down next to Rainbow Dash and gave her a hug. "Ah could never hate ya RD." Rainbow Dash let out a relieved sigh. "Thanks AJ, you’re the best. Now let’s put this behind us so everything can go back to normal." She smiled, but her shimmering eyes betrayed her. Applejack frowned. "But I don't want to put this behind us." It was Dash's turn to be surprised. "But Applej-" This time it was Applejack who kissed Rainbow Dash. She didn't hesitate to return it. She leaned into the kiss, pressing back tentatively. Before either of them wanted to end it they broke apart. Rainbow Dash looked at Applejack with hopeful eyes. "Please tell me this means what I think it means." Applejack chuckled. "Ah like ya too Dashie. A lot..." She trailed off, twirling her hooves. Should I? "Applejack, I was wondering...could I use you as a pillow again?" Oh dear Celestia why did I say that!? Applejack smirked. "Ya saying ya want to sleep with me?" Dash's reaction was priceless. "Wha-no, I mean yes-what no! Not like that." Her eyes went wide and her face was a deep shade of red. Unable to contain laughter any longer, Applejack burst into a fit of giggles. "Ya should have seen the look on your face!" "That wasn't funny AJ!" Rainbow looked away from Applejack. Applejack lied down on her sleeping bag. "Well what are ya waiting for?" With a cautious gaze Dash replied, "Are you sure?" Applejack grinned rolling her eyes. "Yes, ya can use me for a pillow." Rainbow Dash climbed into the sleeping bag and put her head on Applejack’s stomach before yawning. "Goodnight AJ." Dash sighed. "Night Sugarcube." She replied sleepily. Rainbow Dash grinned and closed her eyes, but Applejack already asleep. Best camping trip ever! she thought before yawning and falling into the most comfortable sleep she had ever had.