The morning sun broke over the treetops of Sweet Apple Acres. A month earlier, the grounds on the edge of the orchards had been filled with competitors and spectators for the Sisterhooves Social. That morning it was all but deserted save for two ponies, who trudged across its grounds in the direction of the treeline. In the distance a rooster called, but the residents of the farm were already awake.
"What did you way-" Rainbow yawned, "-Wake me up so early for?"
"Gotta get an early start or there won't be 'nough time, Sugar," Applejack replied, though her own hooves dragged as she walked too, "'Sides, maybe Rares won't know it's applebuckin' time."
"Gosh, I hope so," Rainbow ran a hoof through her mane. She hadn't bothered getting cleaned up at AJ's advice, so her mane felt thick and matted, "I had forgotten about the whole thing until you showed up this morning."
"Yer welcome."
"Hmpf," Rainbow frowned, "Well at least I can consider this my workout."
"And yer helpin' a good friend," AJ raised an eyebrow at her, "Right?"
"Chyeah," Rainbow grinned and rolled her eyes, "That goes without saying."
"Good."
They continued past a few copses until they reached where half barrels had been set up. Rainbow wondered if Applejack had set the barrels in place the day before or if Big Mac had done it that morning. Unsure of how to proceed, she looked over to Applejack for guidance and found she had already started some stretches. Rainbow followed suit.
"Y'know," Rainbow stated as she stretched her hind legs, "It's really nice out here."
"Yep," AJ replied, "Good day fer buckin'."
"Well, sure," Rainbow chuckled, "But I mean that it has a nice feel to it, and it smells nice."
"Glad ya appreciate it."
"Um..." Rainbow rubbed her shins, "It's been like a year since I did this, can you show me what to do again?"
"Oh yeah, sure, lemme show ya how it's done." Applejack lazily walked up to the closest tree and patted a hoof to its trunk. "Y'see, each tree's gotta be bucked just right. Too weak and ya gotta waste yer energy buckin' it a few more times t'get all the apples. Too strong and ya risk hurtin' the tree."
She gave the tree a good solid kick with a single hoof. Branches and leaves rattled -even the trunk vibrated a little- but more importantly every apple fell to the ground or in a barrel. Rainbow noted the strength she used in the kick, and noticed that the tree also showed no wear.
"Easy peasy!" Rainbow said with a smirk.
"Alright, give 'er a go," Applejack replied and waved a hoof to a nearby tree.
Rainbow cracked her neck on either side and glared at her new challenger. Alright tree, she thought, time to show you who's boss! She took a few quick steps and gathered up her strength, then at the last moment, spun around and bucked both hooves straight into her target. She proudly jutted her chin into the air, but when she heard nothing but the sway of leaves, her jaw fell open.
"What the-" Rainbow said and looked incredulously at the tree, "But I kicked it just like you did!"
"Almost, Sugarcube," AJ tried to stifle a giggle, "Try a 'lil higher and stronger with Applebert."
"Okay." Rainbow frowned and ignored the pet name, for the moment. She kicked again as instructed. That time, she heard the thuds of success and when she looked up, barely any apples still clung to Applebert.
"There y'go! Good job!" AJ cheered and swung her hat around, "Knew ya had it in ya!"
"I don't understand," Rainbow scrunched her face at her friend, "I barely changed my kick, but it was such a huge difference."
"That's 'cause every tree's got a sweet spot," Applejack plunked her hat back onto her head and smiled, "Ya just gotta learn 'em all."
"AJ," Rainbow said, wide-eyed, "There are thousands of trees here."
"Yep!" Applejack crossed her legs, proudly.
"You know how to buck every single one of them?"
"Almost. Helps if ya get to know 'em," Applejack replied and headed to the next tree, "Ain't that right, Sugaroots?"
Rainbow worriedly watched her friend go a moment, before she shook her head and continued to her next challenge. She wondered what its name might be, briefly, but decided she'd rather not know who she was going to kick.
After a few dozen trees, Rainbow felt like she was getting the hang of it. Occasionally, she'd only have to strike a tree once and she felt victorious every time. When she heard a call come from the distance, she paused and noticed the burn in her legs. I don't know if I can do this all day, she thought, how does AJ do it? Her train of thought derailed once she saw who had called her.
"Rainbow Dash!" Rarity exclaimed as she approached with Fluttershy, Pinkie and Twilight behind her, "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised you would try to renege on your own bet!" Rainbow noticed Rarity was carrying saddlebags and muttered something under her breath.
"I'm not rene-whatever-ing anything!" Rainbow defended herself and brought a foreleg to her chest, "We're just getting an early start! Were you going to wake up before dawn?"
"Oh, well, I suppose not," Rarity conceded, "Nonetheless, where is Applejack?"
"Here!" Applejack called and stumbled when she saw all her friends, "Land sakes, ya brought everypony for this?"
"Yes I did, now we may begin." Rarity's smiled thinly, her eyes dangerous.
"Do you have any idea what's going on?" Twilight whispered to Fluttershy.
"Oh, gosh, I don't," Fluttershy whispered back, "But I'm glad I'm not the only one."
"I think it's a party!" Pinkie whispered loud enough for everyone to hear.
Rarity opened her bags and pulled two dresses out with her magic. Rainbow and Applejack cringed as the dresses were unfolded and presented, then cocked their heads to the side.
"They look pretty darn good, Rares," Applejack appraised.
"Yeah," Rainbow scratched her mane with a hoof, "I thought you were going to make something awful for us to wear."
"Rainbow," Rarity flipped her hair in contempt, "I would never intentionally create 'something awful', I do have morals."
Rainbow rolled her eyes, but she smiled despite herself. Applejack chuckled and shared a relieved glance with Rainbow.
"Enough dallying now," Rarity hovered the dresses to them, "Put them on."
Rainbow's dress was light blue like the sky, without sleeve or shoulder, and sported a sash around the waist that matched her mane colors. Applejack's was similar, but had a brown ruffled collar instead of a sash, and was dyed light green to red. Both dresses stopped at the knee, which allowed them to buck freely.
They took one last glance at each other, then shrugged, and slipped their dresses on. Rarity nodded appreciatively.
"I guess I was worri-" started Rainbow.
"Now!" Rarity yelled. Sweetie Belle burst from her cover behind a tree, a 'borrowed' camera from school in hoof. Rainbow and AJ screamed in horror as Sweetie Belle took picture after picture.
"H-Hey!" Rainbow yelled and tried to cover herself with her hooves as a blush swelled in her cheeks from her friends' laughter. "What's the big idea? I'd better not see this in any newspapers!" Applejack quietly hid her face behind her hat.
"Don't worry," teased Rarity, "I keep a portfolio of all my creations." Her eye twinkled mischievously.
"What did I ever do to you, Rarity?" Rainbow nearly sobbed and she gave up trying to hide from the camera.
"You really want to know, do you?" Rarity stamped a hoof, "Dodge Junction! Both you and Applejack wouldn't stop your little chase, and left me with Pinkie to make our way back home! No offense Pinkie."
"Heehee! Cherry-Changa Kumquat!" Sang Pinkie repeatedly while her friends carried on their conversation.
"Ah'm sorry, Rarity," Applejack brought her hat to her chest, "It was my fault all that happened."
"No..." Rainbow sighed, "It was my fault, I'm the one who said to leave you behind. Sorry."
A moment went by as Rarity watched the two of them with their heads bowed in shame. She cleared her throat.
"Apology accepted," Rarity smiled warmly that time, "That's all I wanted to hear. You can keep the dresses if you'd like, and I'd understand if you wanted to take them off for your work."
"Thanks, Rarity, they really are very nice." Applejack put her hat back on and tipped it to her, "We'd better get back to work, though, dress 'n all." Rarity nodded.
"Come girls, we've had our fun, let's leave them to their work." Rarity turned to leave and Sweetie Belle followed. Twilight shrugged, bewildered at the scene that just played out, but she and the others left as well.
Rainbow sighed and went back to work for a while. The dress wasn't anything like she had imagined and it hadn't interfered with the last few trees she bucked. I think I might actually wear this again sometime, it's nice. Looks like everything turned out alright.
The rest of that day consisted of hard labor with meals and breaks interspersed throughout. They had made significant progress on the first day, and AJ had thanked her many times. When the sun turned a reddish-orange and touched the treetops of the orchard, AJ called the work day over.
Rainbow fell to the grass and panted heavily. Her dress had soaked through with sweat long ago and she hoped she hadn't ruined it already. The burn in her legs had caught up to her hours ago, but she had pushed on regardless. I don't think I'm able to walk anymore, she thought, what am I going to do tomorrow?
Applejack finished off the last tree of the orchard they were in and made her way to Rainbow. Unable to stop her, Applejack lifted Rainbow carefully by the shoulders and propped her against the shaded side of a tree.
"Ah'll be right back, Sugarcube." Applejack said and gathered up the last barrels onto the cart, then made her way back to the barn. Rainbow mumbled something and made a half nod.
Several minutes passed and Rainbow regained her composure, though she knew that it'd be a while before she could stand. Luckily she hadn't used her wings at all that day, and she entertained the idea that she could fly into bed. Warm, soft, bed. A cold, hard object tapped against her cheek and left it wet. Rainbow woke from her daydream and found Applejack was handing her two bottles of fizzy apple cider.
"Oh my gosh," Rainbow grabbed them and immediately opened one, "Oh my gosh," she brought it to her lips and chugged it down. It burned her throat but she ignored it. She gasped then grimaced in pain, "Oh my gosh, I could kiss you right now."
"Ever the sweet-talker," Applejack chuckled and coolly sipped her own fizzy cider as she sat next to Rainbow.
They sat in silence and enjoyed their drinks under the sun. Rainbow closed her eyes, a half finished bottle in her hoof at her side, and listened to the leaves rustle. The orchard was a great place for naps, she decided. She stole a peek at Applejack after some time and noticed she was restless.
"Hey, what's up?" asked Rainbow softly. Applejack's shoulders jumped, then she sighed.
"Ah dunno, got a lot on mah mind, ah guess."
"Spill it, I'm not going to Dodge Junction again."
"Hehe, well..." Applejack sighed, "I was talkin' to Granny a few months back, and she said ah'm about the age where i should be lookin' fer somepony."
"Like a special somepony?"
"Y-yeah..." Applejack took a sip, "But ah don't know how to go about it."
"Well..." Rainbow furrowed her brow in thought, "What kind of pony are you looking for?"
"What, like, describe 'em?" Applejack's voice wavered. Rainbow took a sip and Mm-hummed. Applejack took a moment to answer, "Uh, they'd need to be honest, hard workin', loyal, dependable, polite-" Rainbow burst out laughing, "-What?"
"You pretty much just described yourself, AJ," Rainbow replied once she had calmed back down.
"This ain't easy for me!" Applejack raised her voice and blushed, "Why don't you try instead of makin' fun of me."
"Sure, alright..." Rainbow agreed and thought a moment, "I'd probably go for somepony who's as awesome and talented as I am. Somepony who's fearless, who never backs down from a challenge. Somepony who can keep up with me... Like one of the Wonderbolts!"
"Oh..." Applejack looked away, "So yer looking fer a Pegasus who's just like you, huh?" Rainbow laughed.
"Yeah, I guess it isn't easy to describe your special somepony, is it?" Rainbow blushed, "I've never really thought about it much until now."
"Y-yeah, me neither..." Applejack stood suddenly, "Welp. Ah'm gonna turn in, can ya make it back home on yer own?"
"Pff!" Rainbow waved a hoof, "I'm fine, just..." She tried to stand but every time she put weight on her legs, they fell out underneath her. Instead, she used her wings and brought herself to a hover. "Uh, yeah I think I'll manage." She smiled.
"Alright," Applejack smiled back, "I'll see ya tomorrow, bright 'n early."
"You got it, boss!"
"Oh, RD?" Applejack pointed to Rainbow, "Make sure ya get cleaned up before goin' to bed or you'll regret it."
"Heh, Right."
The following morning had not been a good one for Rainbow Dash, though she was surprised that she was still up and on her hooves. It had taken all of her mettle to get out of bed before dawn and make her way to the farm. When she arrived she found Big Mac and got directions to which orchard she and Applejack were to clear that day. Out of curiosity, she asked Big Mac what he was doing that day and he pointed to another orchard.
"By yourself?" Rainbow asked. Big Mac just blinked slowly at her once, then turned and left. "I guess that's a 'yup'."
Rainbow found Applejack a few minutes later, who had already started the first few trees of the orchard. Like her, she had opted to leave the dress behind today. They greeted each other sleepily, then Rainbow stretched aching muscles.
"Ah was gonna let ya sleep in today, RD," Applejack bucked another tree and frowned when a few apples remained, "Surprised to see ya walkin' and early."
"Can't let my best friend down," Rainbow said in a strained voice as she stretched, "It's just a few sore muscles. I am pretty impressed with you and Big Mac though, you guys are tough."
"Thanks."
For the rest of the week Rainbow fared a little better physically. As AJ had told her on many occasions, it really was hard but rewarding work. Her part time job as a weather pony never took very long and suited her talents better, she found.
Something disturbed Rainbow though; as they had neared the end of applebuck season, Applejack had talked to her less and less. They had barely spoken during work or break and when they had shared drinks at the end of the day, they had done so in silence.
She needed to know why.
Rainbow pushed herself steadily through the remainder of the last day, focused on getting finished early. When the last tree was freed of its fruit, Rainbow checked the sun. It was low but there was still plenty of time. As before, she found a good place to rest and Applejack brought them some refreshments; apple juice that time. Awkward silence ensued, but Rainbow was determined to stop it.
"So, AJ," Rainbow said casually, "What's going on?"
"Relaxin'" Applejack took a sip and kept her gaze away from her. Rainbow frowned.
"Everything okay?"
"Eeyup."
"Okay, that's it," Rainbow got up and sat in front of Applejack, "What is really going on, AJ?"
"Ah said ah'm fine," Applejack shared an annoyed glance with Rainbow, then continued to ignore her.
"...Liar." Rainbow tested and when Applejack appeared guilty instead of angry, she knew she was right. "AJ, why won't you talk to me? Did I do something wrong?"
"No... Ah'm..." Applejack sighed, "Ah'm just a coward..."
"What?"
"When we talked about what... what we wanted in our special somepony..." Applejack's bottom lip quivered and she breathed hard, "Ah lied. Ah've been lyin' about everythin'."
"You... don't want an honest, hard worker?" Rainbow scrunched her face.
"No, Rainbow." Applejack paused a moment then looked her in the eye, "I do want an honest, hard workin', loyal, dependable pony. A-Ah found her." She smiled weakly.
"Her?" Rainbow asked a bit shocked. Applejack looked at her best friend intently and smiled hopefully. Rainbow swallowed hard, "Y-you mean m-me?"
"Honestly, ah do," Applejack appeared flushed, "Ah might not be a Wonderbolt... but... W-Will ya be mah special somepony?"
"I-I..." Rainbow stammered and she also went flush, "I... don't, k-know..."
"Oh..." Applejack looked at the grass between them a moment, then stood. "Ah'm sorry, ah'd better get on home." She hurriedly galloped away.
"W-Wait!" Rainbow called but when Applejack showed no sign of stopping, she took flight. In a split second, Rainbow landed in a blur of colors in front of Applejack, who skidded to a halt and hid her face behind her hat. "Please, don't go... I..." Rainbow couldn't think of what to say, so many emotions ran through her and her heart pounded in her chest, "I w-wasn't prepared for that, I'm sorry. AJ... I-I need some time to think. You're my best friend and I like you a lot, I've just never thought about anypony in that way before..."
Rainbow noticed teardrops fell below the cover of Applejack's stetson and her heart ached, but she continued, "I'm sorry... please give me some time... please."
Applejack nodded behind her stetson but said nothing. Rainbow apologized once more before she flew quickly home, the image of her friend crying seared into her mind the entire time.
Home provided no comfort nor solace from her thoughts. Rainbow unconsciously got cleaned up and readied for bed, but laid there for several more hours with her mind elsewhere. She replayed the conversation repeatedly in her mind, thought of what she said, what she could have said, what she should have said. Eventually, she couldn't even remember the majority of the conversation properly. Whenever she replayed the moment she caught Applejack crying, her heart leaped into her throat and she teared up herself. It pained her to think she had caused that, but she had been caught by surprise.
AJ loves me, she thought and she got flushed all over again, She loves me... but... do I love her? Rainbow turned over in bed and teared up again for the dozenth time, Oh Celestia, why don't I know?
She flipped the covers off of her and sat up. The cold nipped at her extremities, but she felt like she deserved it. I need to talk to somepony about this, she decided and looked outside. It had become night. Twilight it is.
Rainbow jumped out her open window and flew with urgency to Twilight's new library, but stopped in midair when she noticed her outside the ruins of the Golden Oak. Cautiously, she glided down next to Twilight, who turned her way briefly then gazed back at her old home.
"Hey, Rainbow," Twilight said softly, "What are you still doing up?"
"Couldn't sleep," Rainbow replied, "You alright?"
"Yeah," Twilight turned and looked her over, "Just lost in nostalgia. But let's head back inside the library, you look like something's troubling you."
"Y-yeah..."
They headed back to Twilight's room and Twilight shut the door behind them softly. Once candles were lit magically, Rainbow looked about the room for the first time. It wasn't so much a bedroom as it was a study with a bed in it, which brought a smile to Rainbow for a moment. She checked the room for any other occupants as Twilight walked to the fireplace and lit it.
"Spike has his own room now," Twilight rolled her eyes and she levitated some pillows to the mantle of the fireplace, "It's a mess of comic books and gems. Come and sit down, would you like some tea?"
"No thanks," Rainbow sat on a pillow and let the heat wrap her like a warm blanket.
"Alright," Twilight sat down next to her, "What's the matter?"
"When... How can you tell when you love somepony?" Rainbow asked sorrowfully.
"Oh dear," Twilight glanced at her writing podium where she wrote letters to the other princesses, but dismissed it, "That is a tough question to answer, may I ask what brought this on?"
"J-Just curious..." Rainbow scratched the back of her head with a hoof.
"Well..." Twilight cleared her throat, "I don't have a lot of experience in love, but it's when the relationship between two ponies grows past just being friends. When their thoughts are always with the other and they can't live without them. Love can be dangerous, and for some ponies it's hard for them to tell when they're in love. For others, like my brother for instance," She rolled her eyes again, "It comes easily."
"I think I understand..." Rainbow replied quietly.
"Also," Twilight raised a hoof and placed it on Rainbow's chest, "They'll feel it in here, when the time comes." Rainbow nodded solemnly. "Does that answer your question?"
"Yeah," Rainbow replied, she felt slightly better, "Thanks, Twilight. I'd better get to bed."
"Alright." Twilight rose with Rainbow and escorted her out, "Have a good night, Rainbow. Feel free to come by anytime to talk, okay?"
"Okay, have a good night." Rainbow gave her a hug and flew home.
When she slipped under the covers of her bed that time, it felt much more welcoming. She sighed, the talk with Twilight had helped calm her nerves enough to rest. She vowed she would sort out her feelings and confront Applejack with an answer as soon as she could.
When her thoughts drifted to Applejack, she remembered all the happy moments they had shared together for the past few years since they became friends. How Applejack was always there for her, how she always tried to best her. Applejack really is an amazing pony, she thought, Anypony would be lucky to call her their special somepony. She smiled in bed and brought the covers closer to her. The pressure against her front reminded her of their tumble during the race. She recalled Applejack's smell and how strong she had felt against her. She breathed in deep and nuzzled the covers before sleep finally claimed her.