I watch as the moon slowly makes its way across the sky, laying in the slightly damp, cool grass with her right beside me. It's nice, being able to relax with her instead of dreading whether or not she's gonna snap at me and kick me out. I feel like that time has passed, and I'm no longer in danger of her anger. I smile a little, remembering the old days. Back when we'd do something similar to this, but in the middle of the day. Honestly, this feels oddly romantic, but I pay it no mind. I'm probably just enjoying it too much. I let out a happy sigh, and my eyes slowly turn to Applejack... and she's staring right at me.
I look at her eyes, and notice that she's looking me up and down repeatedly.
"Uh, hey AJ," I stammer out.
"Evenin', Rainbow," she replies.
"It's a nice night, isn't it?" I say, looking back at the sky.
"Sure is," she says, and I can hear her rustling beside me. I pay it no mind until I feel her leg wrap around my chest from beside me, and I feel her torso press against my right side. I turn to look at her, and see that she's curled up beside me, her head resting on my shoulder. I have no clue what to make of this, and I can feel my cheeks burning as a deep red blush takes over my face. I look at her, and she looks kinda cute all cuddled up to me like that. I don't want to move her, but it also doesn't feel right. I'm the one who ruined our friendship, so why is she acting like this? It's so confusing but it feels so good. Might as well just let it happen. Before long, my eyelids start feeling heavy, and I feel myself slowly falling asleep with her cuddled up next to me.
When I open my eyes, it's to the sound of barking in my ear. Slowly, my eyes flutter open, and I can feel Winona licking my left cheek repeatedly before backing away and barking some more. I sit up, finding that Applejack had disappeared to work in the orchard. I feel disappointed, but it doesn't bother me that much. Hell, she let me sleep in. I scratch Winona's head with a hoof, and the little dog runs off when I stand up. I flap my wings a little, and find that the sleep on the ground did nothing good for the muscles. They ache like hell, and I decide to leave them folded at my sides until I can ease the tension.
It doesn't help that Pegasus wings are ridiculously sensitive to touch, and when I say sensitive, I mean in the good way. I make my way to the farmhouse, and while on my way I notice Applejack alone in the orchard, bucking trees and causing apples to tumble down into the buckets below. I watch as she balances on her front legs, curving her strong, toned hind legs before slamming her hooves against the trunk of the tree. The resulting vibrations knocking the apples from their branches and letting gravity decide their fate. It feels... oddly good watching her work. Seeing the muscles in her flank and legs tensing up with each kick. I swear it's almost arousing.
Wait, what?
Is she seriously turning me on? I notice my wings are slightly spread, and there's no pain in the action. So holy shit, Applejack is turning me on. Why? I don't like her that way... do I? I know we've been getting closer, but am I really starting to get a crush on her? And a better question: is that why she's been giving me all kinds of looks lately? Does she actually like me as more than a friend? I mean, I know I'm awesome and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't sexy as hell, but enough to attract even the hard working, I'm at least ninety nine percent sure she's straight, Applejack? Seriously?
This feels like a little too much. I mean, love is... all cute and kissy and mushy, and I know for a fact that neither AJ or myself are ones for that kind of thing. But maybe it is true. The looks she's been giving me are enough to scream that she at least feels something the more that I think about it; and I guess that over the last two weeks, maybe she wanted to get even closer than we were before. We sure as hell did, anyway.
I don't know what's going on... I need to think, and I guess I have a lot of time to do it.
"Howdy, Dash."
I shake my head as I realize that she's standing right in front of me. I must have been really lost in thought for her to sneak up on me like that.
"Hey, AJ," I respond, making eye contact. She looks like she has something on her mind, and I have no doubt I looked the same way when she walked up to me.
"Can I talk to ya, private like?" she asks.
"I don't see anyone around," I respond. "So yeah, shoot."
"Alright," she says. "Dash... I've come to the conclusion that I forgive ya."
That catches me a little bit off guard, but I know she was gonna say it eventually anyway. "Really?"
She nods. "Yep, and there's... somethin' else I want to tell you," she seems a little nervous. Was I right?
"Go ahead, I'm listening," I say, and she looks me in the eyes in a way she has never looked at me before.
"Rainbow, I... oh shoot, how do I put it?"
Oh my goddess, I was right.
"Dash, well... I've kinda started to, well... like ya," she says it somewhat quickly, but I still catch every word. I was right.
I was fucking right.
I... I don't know how I feel about this.
"Uh..." I stammer, at a total loss for words.
"I understand if ya don't feel the same," she says, looking away from me, "I just wanted you to know."
It hurts me to see her like that, but I have no idea what to say. I mean, I don't even know if I like girls, let alone my best friend. Well, I guess the first part isn't true. I was clearly getting aroused by watching her work, so I guess I do like girls at least a little bit. But enough to start a relationship? I don't have a clue.
"AJ I..." I say. "I have no idea what to say... I swear I don't think any less of you, but I don't even know if I like girls..." I know I'm repeating my thoughts, but it's all I can think to say.
"I understand, Rainbow," she looks at me and gives me the saddest smile. "I just wanted to tell you."
I nod. "For you, I'll think about it," I say quietly. "Is it okay if I come back tomorrow?"
"Go ahead," she nods a little. "I'll be here."