//------------------------------//
// Pardon - HazardPony 
// Story: AppleDash Group Collab 
// by DbzOrDie 
//------------------------------//

The handful of candles scattered across the room lit Rainbow’s face up with a healthy warm glow, but it was the deliciously cold light of the moon flooding through the open window that really made this evening special to Applejack.

Her plate, scrubbed clean, sat in front of her, only a small pile of lettuce remaining along the edges. Rainbow had polished her own dish so much that it shone, any sign of food forgotten.

The restaurant was quiet, as if the whole building suddenly revolved around them.

Rainbow’s mouth twitched hesitantly. Applejack already knew what was coming: she had been waiting for this all evening: no, all month. All noise from around them died out as Rainbow Dash began forming three very special words.

“Mrph lrph ur,” she grumbled. Applejack grinned sadistically.

“You ain’t getting’ out of it that easy,” she said. “I said it a while back, now it’s your turn.”

“Mmph urvl yrr!”

“Beg ‘pardon?”

“Mmh oph yuh?”

Applejack took another sip of wine, enjoying watching Rainbow’s bluster do battle against what the Pegasus would call ‘mush’.

“Be-eee-eg ‘pardon?” she asked again. Rainbow furrowed her brow, fighting against every cool bone in her body.

“Do I have to? You know it, I know it… do I really have to—“

“Yup. It’s our anniversary, and I want to hear you say it. So go on.”

Rainbow Dash struggled. Her every fiber refused to accept that she had been lowered to the level of spouting sap in the candlelight. Oh, how the mighty had fallen. It was time for a diversionary tactic.

“Would you like apple souffle for desert?” she asked. Applejack snorted.

“Nice try. Say it.”

Rainbow scowled, and her face twisted under the effort of articulation. She eventually managed to produce a small sound.

“I love you.”

Applejack grinned and leaned over the table to kiss her blushing Rainbow Dash.

“That’ll do.”