Applejack has always had feelings for Rainbow Dash, but once she decides it's time to tell her it may be too late.
Applejack tells a concerned Rainbow Dash that she should just see if she and Soarin would be a good couple once she becomes a Wonderbolt, much to her regret for having feelings towards the rainbow maned pegasus.
Applejack realizes that time goes by fast, and that it was a blink of an eye since she met Rainbow Dash until the time her best friend became a Wonderbolt. Now, all the farm pony wishes is that she could go back and tell her feelings.
Maybe, just maybe, things will work out for Applejack though..
Applejack groaned as she opened her eyes sleepily. She blinked to get her eyes adjusted to the light, which seemed a lot brighter this morning.. Had she left her window open?
Than she shrieked as she saw that she was lying on a cloud bed, with a concerned Dash eyeing her.
"What in tarnation!? How in the hay did ah get up here?" Applejack said, glaring at her friend. The farm pony had feelings for her, but sometimes even she had to question the pegasus.
Rainbow Dash sighed and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "Relax, AJ.. I was coming to see you earlier and you were bucking apples, and well, you must've been angry or something because you kicked to hard and your leg barely slipped and.. you kinda broke it and passed out when a bunch of apples hit your head.."
Applejack held back a chuckle seeing her friend was trying not to smile at the last part. She looked away realizing why she had been so angry and bucked the tree. It wasn't unusual for thoughts of the rainbow maned pony to come to her mind while she worked. It suddenly came back..
Why in tarnation do yah have to love her!? Applejack thought, bucking a tree angrily without aiming like normal. Her leg slipped, roughly scraping the bark and landing on a large rock. Her leg was already injured from where she had sprained it, but she didn't feel like resting like her family had suggested before leaving. "Damn it!" She cried out, noticing it was broken. Suddenly a few apples came down, and than it all went fuzzy and black.
"...and your family is gone on business, so I kinda just took you to the doctor and than you were just starting to stir when I was on my way up to Cloudsdale." Rainbow Dash finished her run on sentence.
AJ rolled her eyes. "Yes, because anypony can sleep perfectly when bein' carried on the back of a pegasus straight intah Cloudsdale!" But despite the aggravated tone she smiled, and couldn't help the urge to reach over and wrap her orange arms around the cyan pony's neck, hugging her tightly. "Thank ya, though."
Rainbow Dash smiled and hugged her back. "You don't have to thank me."
Applejack sighed and lied her head back down. So this was what a cloud bed felt like. It was very soft and comfortable. The orange mare let her green eyes gaze around the room, at all the various wonderbolt items. She smiled and than looked over as Rainbow Dash sat down next to her.
"You must sleep well at night." Applejack chuckled a bit.
Rainbow Dash shrugged and let her eyes wander to the side. "Well, um, yeah. Most of the time. Lately I'm just really stressed with a lot of thoughts."
Applejack frowned. "So ah'm not the only one. If ya ever need me sugarcube, ah'm right here."
Rainbow Dash looked down at her. "And the same goes for you."
AJ looked up and smiled softly. "Ah will when ah'm ready."
You will, won't you?
They sat a moment in silence, and than Rainbow Dash woke up. "Say, we've been to a couple of Wonderbolt shows, right?"
"Why of course.. we've had fun and all."
"What do you think of Soarin? I mean.. just out of curiousity.." Rainbow Dash looked to the side, many emotions Applejack couldn't read in her eyes. She sighed and bit back her dissapointment about the pegasus asking about the stallion. She was the element of honesty, and she wouldn't tell a lie to her best friend to start with.
"Ah think he's nice, from what we've seen an' heard about 'em." She paused, and than spoke once more, "Why do ya ask, sugarcube?"
Rainbow Dash sighed and laid back next to her friend, resting her head on the pillow beside her's.
"We met at Shining and Cadance's wedding, and he even told me he really liked me.. and, I got accepted to the Wonderbolts academy, and we've been talking a lot.. but.. even though he's great and all.. I kinda have feelings for somepony else. I just don't think they feel the same way." Rainbow Dash closed her eyes, and Applejack felt her throat closing and her eyes stinging with the threat of a few tears at seeing the one she loved so sad and stressed.
"Ah think you should tell him how you feel, sugarcube." Applejack let the words come out of her mouth, although she felt as if she were committing suicide, slowly suffocating as each word came out.
Rainbow Dash opened her eyes and shifted over to look over at her. "I dunno Applejack.."
Applejack thought for a moment, racking her brain for an answer through the sea of doubts.
"When do they choose who becomes a wonderbolt?"
"Soon.." The pegasus paused. "Why?"
"If you get in, which ah'm sure you will, sugarcube.. maybe you should tell him than."
And maybe ah should be as close to you as ah can get until than. What's goin' ta happen ta us?
Rainbow sighed. "For you, yes. I promise."
Applejack looked at her, hiding the sadness in her green eyes. "Good, sugarcube.."
The farm pony looked at her closely, noticing her struggling to keep her puffy eyes open.
"Ah can tell you haven't slept in ah while.. go to sleep, sugarcube."
"But -"
"Ah'll be fine, Rainbow. Just go to sleep.. for me."
Rainbow Dash sighed and closed her eyes. It didn't take long for sleep to overcome her, the pegasus breathing in and out softly. Applejack carefully shifted closer on her leg and brushed her rainbow colored mane away from her face.
"Ah love you, sugarcube.. ah always will.."
She felt a single tear trickle down her strong, straight face as she pressed herself against Dash's back when she shifted over to her other side, and found herself falling asleep as well feeling the fluffy cyan warmth, and the steady beat of her heart.
As the pegasus showed Applejack her cool new blue and yellow uniform, Applejack smiled at her excitement.. but she felt empty inside. It felt like just yesterday she had fallen in love.. and this day was here much too soon for her liking.
It was only a few months ago Rainbow Dash had taken her home when Applejack broke her leg, and they had a conversation about Soarin's feelings for Dash.
Applejack closed her eyes for a moment as Rainbow Dash talked to their other friends, and she opened them to see Pinkie Pie squeezing the life out of the mare, and Twilight having to use her magic to pull her away.
Applejack chuckled softly, and than pulled Rainbow Dash slightly to the side. "Now, sugarcube, you know our promise." She mumbled for just the two of them to hear.
Rainbow's eyes looked a little scared, and Applejack could tell because she had memorized her facial expressions.
"Don't worry, Dash.. you'll be fine."
Applejack was taken back as Rainbow Dash gave her the tightest hug anypony's ever given her, knocking her hat off of her head.
She sighed and returned the hug as Rainbow opened her mouth to speak.
"Applejack, you're my best friend.. I'm going to miss you.. a lot.. Thank you for everything."
AJ knew that Rainbow was being sincere, and this tugged at her heart strings for a moment as Rainbow finally let her go, her other friends becoming a little sad at the sight of them slowly growing farther apart.
"If you ever need me, ah'm here." She promised Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow sighed, smiled softly, and nodded as she went to say her final goodbyes to everypony else.
"You can always visit me if you can get your wings off the ground, okay?" She said smiling to Fluttershy, hugging her softly and than moving over to Twilight.
"Twilight, you're not that much of an egg head as I thought you were.. and I'm glad we all met you."
Twilight Sparkle smiled sweetly. "Oh Rainbow Dash.. we were all connected by you before we even met."
Applejack smiled, fond of the reminder that none of the ponies would have their cutie marks if it wasn't for the little filly Rainbow Dash's first sonic rainboom.
Rainbow Dash smiled a bit as well, before looking over to Rarity. "We have our differences, but we set them aside. I'm glad we did, because, we're great friends."
Rarity, a bit emotional, hugged the cyan pegasus. "Oh Rainbow, do visit Ponyville anytime you get the chance." She pulled back, and Rainbow Dash nodded. "I will. I promise."
Before it was even her turn, Pinkie Pie grasped Rainbow Dash in another hug. "Rainbow Dash! I'm so super excited and happy for you! This has always been your biggest, most gigantic dream! Please, please, PLEASEEEEEE don't forget about us!" She looked into Rainbow's eyes, a bit of fear in the blue orbs.
Rainbow sighed and pushed her gently off of her. "I'd never forget, Pinkie Pie." She gave Pinkie a light hug around her neck, in danger of being gripped again.
And than Rainbow Dash turned around and looked to Applejack, who was quietly looking at the ground away from the others. She looked back up and they shared a long, painful glance.
"This is goodbye for now, Applejack.. but it's not as bad as you think it'll be.. I swear."
And than she flew off, and AJ sighed. "Ah think I'll be goin' home. Ah need to catch up on some work.."
Her five.. no, four friends looked at her and nodded, understanding.
A month later..
Applejack was lying on her back in her bed, unable to sleep like she had wanted to. but it's been like this for a while now. She sighed, and pulled herself up, feeling sick to her stomach. Something wasn't right about not telling Rainbow Dash how she felt when she left.
She and Rainbow Dash had been writing letters, and Applejack had debated telling her, but pushed it aside. Not only was she scared, but, she should have enough courage to tell her in person.
But when in the world would she be able to see her anytime soon? The Wonderbolts wouldn't be taking a break for a while. They had spent the last month preparing for their summer shows. Rainbow Dash would have more time in the fall and winter and a good portion of Spring, but on sunny days, that's when the Wonderbolts were always booked.
And today was only the start of the Summer.
Applejack realized she was silently crying, missing her more than ever. All of her other friends were used to the loss, even Pinkie Pie, but she wasn't. AJ didn't want them to notice her feelings of love for the pegasus, so whenever someone mentioned Rainbow Dash, she stayed quiet. She remembered the time she almost let it slip, telling them all about an exciting letter about her first show, how they were all invited, and than her tone dropped as she read over the news of her being in a relationship with Soarin, thanks to her.
She put on a smile though before all of her friends stopped chattering to eachother and looked back to her, but deep down inside she wished she wouldn't have been so honest with her, telling Rainbow that Soarin was a good guy.
Sometimes her element wasn't that much of a power, but more of a weakness. If it wasn't for her absolute honesty Rainbow Dash might not be with the wonderbolt now.
Applejack looked over and saw the sun slowly rising, and she checked her clock, it was time for breakfest. She groaned at her very small amount of sleep, and than drug herself to the kitchen and took her normal place in front of Big Macintosh, as he was pouring coffee into her mug.
"Morning, sis.." He said, somewhat quietly as he narrowed his eyes gently at her and handed her the mug, as Applejack murmured her thanks.
They sat in silence as they ate their usual apple pancakes, Applejack eating tiny bits of her food, not seeing hungry as she was every morning. Big Macintosh had been noticing this for awhile.
"Applejack.. ah'm not trying to intrude or anythin', but.. you're not actin' yourself.. Maybe you should fix it. Ah miss seein' you happy." Big Macintosh didn't mention it, but all he could think about was her pegasus friend's recent departure, and he wondered if this had anything to do with his sister's major depression that had hit her at about the same time.
Applejack, frustrated at this point, slammed her fork down and opened her mouth to speak, but than, slowly forced it shut. She sighed and closed her eyes, looking down. "Ah know Big Macintosh... ah know."
This took the red stallion by surprise that his sister didn't automatically start a fight about all of this, but he waited for her to go on.
"Ah'm just scared.." She said quietly, slowly looking back up.
Big Macintosh was actually a pretty shy stallion, but, for his sister he would dare to question her. "Um.. Applejack.. Ah'm just curious, and ah know you can't tell a lie.. does this have anythin' to do with Miss Dash leavin' to be a wonder whatever?"
Applejack felt her face grow hot from embarassment of her brother picking this up, and of the sudden snap she felt at how he had put this. "She's a wonderbolt Big Mac!" She snapped, and the stallion didn't even flinch. She let out a small huff. "W-what does it matter to ya?" She said, turning her head away to avoid eye contact.
"Applejack, you're mah sister. Ah'd be a terrible brother if it didn't matter to me."
The mare sighed and found herself struggling for a retort, but she couldn't find anything.
"Yes, it does." She said, looking into her brother's eyes with a sharp, confident intensity. "Be brave, ask away." Applejack's voice sounded cold, but her overall expression softened as she saw her brother's concern still there. Big Macintosh and Granny Smith were all Applejack had growing up, and she had a very close relationship with him. She started to feel bad for making him worry.
Big Macintosh sighed though, and than spoke up. "Why are you takin' it so much harder than yer friends?" He asked, a stern tone in his voice, sending a slight shiver down Applejack's spine. She didn't want this to form into an argument, so she swallowed and tried to keep calm.
"Big Mac, ah'm pretty sure that you have your assumptions." Applejack said, not sure of how to state her love for the pegasus. She had visited the farm often, and Big Macintosh had to have taken notice of how differently Applejack treated the cyan mare.
"But ah wanna hear from you. The honest truth. Now sis, aren't you tha element of harmony?"
Applejack looked at him for a moment and than sighed. "Yes. And that's exactly why Rainbow Dash is probably smoochin' on a stallion in Cloudsdale right now!" She said, her blood boiling with jealousy.
Mac stared at her for a moment, processing his thoughts. "Ah see. Why does it bother ya? You do want her to be happy, right?"
Applejack wasn't even thinking, but just blurting out everything she thought and felt, breaking out into a stubborn yell at how Big Mac kept pushing her instead of being straight forward to the point. "BECAUSE BIG MACINTOSH, AH LOVE HER. AH WANT HER TO BE HAPPY BUT ALL IT'S DOIN' IS MAKING ME A LIVING MESS!"
They sat in silence for a few moments, Applejack felt numb at what just occurred.
"Applejack, ah'm not completely sure if Miss Dash is the right pony for ya.. but.."
Applejack felt anger spread over her. "Hold on just a darn second, Big Macintosh! What in the hay are you talkin' about?" She glared at him.
"Ah mean ponies like her don't really care much for a long relationship. All full of herself and what not. Your friend Fluttershy is a much kinder pony."
"When did this become about Fluttershy?" Applejack looked at him sternly. "Ah think we need to talk about that, but now there's a whole other issue at hoof! Rainbow Dash isn't the element of loyalty for nothin', Big Macintosh... and I believe in her. She has good qualities to ease her bad ones!"
Applejack sighed and took a deep breath, thinking carefully about her words.
"She would NEVER do anything to intentionally hurt a friend in need. Dash has a sweet side, but ah have been there to witness it, not you! She's opened up to me, she has emotions and feelings just like any other pony. She was bullied as a filly, so it's no wonder she wants to take her talents a bit too far! She wants to prove everyone wrong, and now she has. She may be a bit too confident, but she's got reason. And just because she likes to live life free and fun and full, DOES NOT mean she can't be serious. Ah've seen just about every emotion of her's, and ah can read her perfectly. She's just as good as little miss Fluttershy! In fact, if you apparently have some sort of a crush on her, why don't you just tell her?"
Big Macintosh stared at her with wide eyes at how serious she had gotten on the topic of Rainbow Dash. The last sentence made him also a bit frustrated. He calmly stated, "If you love Rainbow, than why don't YOU just tell HER?"
Applejack looked at him. "WHEN WOULD I EVER GET THE CHANCE? No time soon! If you haven't noticed, ah'm not a pegasus, and the wonderbolt season is just startin'! And if ah'm going to tell her, it's going to be in person!"
Big Macintosh looked at her and frrowned. "Doesn't Twilight have some sorta fancy spell that can overcome that?"
Applejack had forgotten about the spell to let her walk on clouds.
"Ah gotta go big brother."
And with that she raced out of the house, her stomach twisting and turning. What in the hay was she thinking about doing?
She ran through to Ponyville, ignoring Rarity's call and wave, and Pinkie Pie excitedly bouncing towards her. This was important.
Applejack stopped and took a long breath at Twilight's door step before knocking on the door of the library loudly.
"Twilight?" She called, silently praying the unicorn was home.
Applejack's face softened into an expression of relief as she heard hooves clatter. "Applejack? Hold on! I'm coming!"
The purple mare opened the door. "What has you up and about this early? I thought you had apple bucking to attend to."
The orange mare took a deep breath. "Listen Twi, if it ain't much to ask, ah need you to give me the spell to walk on clouds, and ah need to get to Cloudsdale and fast."
"Cloudsdale? What business do you have there?" Twilight stared at Applejack with a dumbfounded expression before glancing over to invite her inside, Applejack shutting the door behind her.
"Well Twilight, ah need to see Rainbow Dash before she goes off ta practice. Ah really need to have a word with her in person.. it's important." Applejack felt numb with nervousness, hoping her friend wouldn't ask her anymore questions.
Twilight looked at her with wide, curious eyes, and than just placed a hoof on her strong orange shoulder. "Don't worry Applejack, I'll cast the spell and than you can take my balloon to Cloudsdale."
Applejack let out a deep sigh. "Thank ya kindly Twilight."
The cowpony watched as Twilight's horn grew a pink magic field around it, and in a flash of an eye it was over with.
Twilight showed Applejack to the balloon which was currently tied up behind the library, and she hopped in quickly and thanked her once more, setting off into the clouds.
Applejack took in a deep breath. Heights weren't really her thing and she was relieved to see the first post possible, a few feet in front of Rainbow Dash's cloud home. She sighed, quickly jumping out and tying it to the post tightly, feeling dizzy.
Applejack felt her legs shake as she worked up her courage the best that she could. She fixed her hat, held her head high, and walked towards the door. She stood at the doorstep and knocked loudly, in the moment of her courage.
She gulped as she saw the door knob turn, and a sleepy pegasus with a puffy mane looked at her. "Who in the hay woke me up thirty minutes early?"
She rubbed her magenta eyes and as the focused, she saw the orange pony.
"Applejack?" She said, confused, but than grinned. "Applejack!" She jumped onto the pony, giving her a tight hug and knocking her onto the cloud ground below. "Boy, am I glad to see you! What are you doing here?"
Applejack looked up at the blue pegasus laying down on top of her and blushed a bit, chuckling nervously. "Someone sure is darn happy to see me."
Rainbow Dash looked down and than flew back up. "Heh, sorry. I did really miss you though. Letters aren't the same." She flew back down and helped her friend up.
"So why are you here?"
Applejack closed her eyes shut tight. This was the moment of truth. The biggest thing she would ever be honest about.
"Listen, Dash.. before you left, ah had something to tell you.. but ah was a bit too scared." She started out slowly, opening her eyes to look into her's.
"Scared? But you're a tough pony! And we're really close! You could tell me anything!" Rainbow Dash walked over to her and put her arm over her shoulder, sitting down. "It must be pretty serious. Tell Dashie all about it." She chuckled a bit, and although Applejack would usually smile and roll her eyes, she was too deathly afraid at the moment.
Rainbow Dash flinched feeling the earth pony shivering in the slightest bit, and than her expression became much more concerned.
"Ah know ah told you.. that you should give Soarin a thought and all.. but.. ah... ah didn't really want to. It was just mah element talkin'."
"W-what are you talking about? You didn't want me to date Soarin?" Rainbow Dash asked, a confused tone in her voice.
"No Rainbow.. ah.. ah knew he was a good pony, but.. something made me regret it."
She took a deep breath.
"Rainbow Dash, ah always thought you were a good pony. A great pony. But ever since we started hanging out a bit more after we met Twilight, ah kinda... realized ah felt something... more.."
Applejack felt her blood turning to ice as Rainbow Dash's face dropped in a bit of a shock. "So you mean.."
The cowpony sighed. "Rainbow, ah mean that ah'm a fool! Ah let myself fall, fall so damn hard, and now ah'm in love with a pony ah could only dream of deserving. That pony is you. Ah haven't gotten any sleep since you left, ah've been a wreck."
The thing that scared Applejack the most after this was the long moment of silence.
"Let's just say my leg wasn't the only thing broken that day sugarcube."
Applejack sighed and was about to give up and walk back to Twilight's balloon, but she stopped as the cyan pony pulled her into a tight embrace.
"AJ.. I don't know what to say.."
Dash pulled back from the hug, her hooves on the farm pony's shoulders as she looked into the green eyes that were filled with emotion.
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Applejack mumbled quietly, looking down a bit, not sure whether to get lost in those stunning eyes or not.
"It's.. an amazing thing.." Rainbow Dash grinned as Applejack gave her a look of complete shock.
"Dash.." Applejack mumbled quietly.
Rainbow sighed, releasing her hooves from Applejack's shoulders. "I've been feeling something since our Iron Pony competition AJ, I can't believe you've felt that way so long though.. I feel like a jerk."
"Don't sugarcube, it's my fault for not telling you.."
They sat in silence for a few more moments.
Rainbow Dash motioned with her head towards her home. "C'mon AJ, I think we need to talk.."
Applejack awkwardly set down on Rainbow Dash's fluffy couch as she watched the pegasus struggle to find a brush for her messy mane.
When Rainbow did find a brush, she quickly brushed it over her rainbow colored mane and tail to give it that rough, careless look as always, and she nearly flew over to sit next to Applejack.
"Sorry AJ, I have practice later.. I might take one of my days I'm allowed off though, because.. I don't think Soarin is going to be too happy training with me after I tell him.." She trailed off, but she slowly grew a soft smile on her face as she looked at Applejack with a little laugh, and although she felt bad for Soarin, she had to smile back. Rainbow Dash loved her, not Soarin.
Rainbow Dash took in a deep breath. "Wow, huh, I dunno where to begin.." She sat in silence for a moment before looking back up from the ground to Applejack. "I can tell you that I've never felt this way before.. so.. don't tell anypony! They think just because I've dated a lot of ponies in my past means I've felt this way but.."
Applejack couldn't help but to chuckle a little bit about the pegasus thinking about her reputation. "Aw, don't worry sugarcube. Ah think it's kinda.. cute." The farm pony smirked as Dash rolled her eyes and smiled. "You're the only one allowed to call me cute, got it, cowpony?"
AJ laughed a bit and looked at Rainbow with a soft expression in her eyes. She loved how comfortable and happy she felt with the winged pony, it just felt natural, despite them being on a cloud.
"Besides Rainbow, ah've only been with a few colts from when ah was in high school.. and ah've never felt anything close to what ah feel now."
Rainbow had an expression that made her look like she was probing her mind for something else to say as she looked at Applejack with eyes full of emotion, but than she spoke. "You know, I really noticed how awesome you were until the day of the Iron Pony competition. We were hanging out and I loved being around you and all, and I guess it kind of got to my head that I might have met an earth pony who could be my match.. but after it, I swear, I was just so stubborn headed to impress you.. and to keep my reputation a little."
Before Applejack could reply, Rainbow Dash scooted closer to her and threw her arm around Applejack's neck. "Anyways, who in the hay would be dumb enough to let someone as awesome and as.. as beautiful as you go anyways? I'd rip them apart if I saw them around town, I'll tell you that!"
Rainbow thought about how she's always wanted to be called beautiful rather than some of the other compliments she had gotten from stallions and maybe one or two mares in her life. She thought Applejack would appreciate that, despite it being a bit cheesy.
Applejack blushed slightly as she laughed. "Rainbow, ah'm nothing special.."
"Nothing special?" Rainbow Dash looked over at her and rolled her eyes. "You serious?"
It was the farm pony's turn to roll her eyes and scoff. "Of course ah am. Ah'm just your run of the mill farm pony."
Rainbow Dash scooted closer to her and her arm tightened around the orange neck. "AJ, you're so much more special than that! You're the element of honesty, you're beautiful, you can kick flank, I mean, you're one of the only ponies who can give me a run for my money. No, the only one without wings that can."
Applejack smiled very softly, but she decided she wouldn't argue with Rainbow about anymore personal opinions. "Thanks sugarcube."
Rainbow Dash let her grip a little bit more loose and let her gaze soften. "So, what made you realize you were in actual love with an awesome pony like me?" She grinned and Applejack smirked, rolling her eyes.
"Well ah.. ah don't know Dash. It's one of those things where, it just happens. Ah guess it was when we started hanging out at the farm, and well.. when were we up in the loft.. ah felt somethin' special with ya."
Rainbow Dash slowly nodded. "Yeah, I remember.."
"You know, you really are fun to be around, AJ. I should visit the farm more often!" Rainbow Dash grinned as they both smiled and looked out of the loft, the sun setting ever so slowly.
Applejack smiled. "Well of course sugarcube, it sure is fun having ya out here. Ah've never really had a friend like you before.."
Rainbow smirked. "Of course you haven't!" When the pegasus looked into the pony's green eyes, and find herself reading them, with some sort of emotion. She wasn't too good at reading faces, but she scooted closer to Applejack, knowing it was much more than that by her silence. "But if it's not just that, than well, talk to me."
The orange mare looked over at Rainbow in surprise, never really taking her for the type to talk about feelings. She nodded very slowly. "Alright than, Dash. Ah trust you."
She took in a deep breath. "When ah was a school filly, ah didn't really have a lot of friends.. well, any, if you want me to be honest.. well, shoot, of course you would.. anyways.. ah had Big Macintosh, and.. my mother after my dad passed.. but even that didn't last long.."
Rainbow Dash felt her heart ache at the sight of the mare. Applejack had closed her eyes and sighed, finding it hard to go on.
"Hey, AJ, I know how you feel on that one.." Rainbow said, hitting a soft spot she wouldn't dare touch for anypony else at this moment.
She saw her orange eyelids blink a few times, and she carefully scooted closer using a hoof to brush the very edge of her eyes for tiny tears. "You don't have to act tough all the time, cowpony." Rainbow grinned as she looked into her green eyes. The pegasus had to admit they were one of the most beautiful pair of eyes she'd ever seen. Realizing that she had just thought this, she awkwardly moved her head back towards the direction of the farm outside and stared up at the clouds.
"Me and her.. we were really close.. but, one day I asked her if we could go flying, and she warned me about the upcoming storm, but, I was just a stupid little filly.. All hell ended up breaking out, and, after the storm was over, I haven't seen my mom since. They did find her body though, but, I was so heart broken.. I just couldn't.." Rainbow sighed, taking a long pause to breathe in deeply so she could continue clearly.
"And than my dad decided to blame his little filly for his wife's death.. but.. I can see why.. And ever since than, I've been flying. Trying to show everyone all I had. I was bullied as a filly too, Applejack. They were all so cruel. I never told them about my mother.. I didn't want to seem.. weak."
Applejack stared at her in shock. "Ah'm so sorry, Dash.." She wrapped her hoof around Rainbow's shoulder. "You'll show em, trust me. But ya gotta come to terms, it's not your fault. Ah wish ah could've jumped in to save my dad, and it haunted me forever until Big Mac had to come to terms and tell me that if ah would've, we both woulda been gone."
As Rainbow Dash found herself struggling not to get lost in those eyes again, she felt her face get hot.
Damn it Dash, she's your friend. Don't think of her that way. Keep thinking and you might..
Dash looked over at her wings, not even wanting to think about what would happen if she started thinking about anything other than AJ's eyes.
"So, if it's not.. too personal.. how did your parents.. pass on?" Rainbow Dash looked at Applejack and spoke softly.
Applejack sighed, looking at her hooves now. "My mom passed of cancer not long after Apple Bloom came, and mah dad got into an accident at the rodeo with a bull.. ah was there watchin', so ah rather not talk about how horrible it was."
Rainbow Dash saw Applejack try to fight back tears again, and she gingerly placed her hoof on top of her's, scooted over, and rested her downy blue feathers on the orange pony's back. "Don't worry Applejack, I won't make fun of you.." She mumbled softly into her ear, sending chills down Applejack's spine. "Even I have to let out tears every once in a while." Applejack was painfully aware of how Dash's touch made her stomach twist and turn in the silliest way.
Oh Applejack, you're just bein' silly.
Applejack lied her head down on the hay, releasing a few silent tears before looking back up and smiling softly as Rainbow wiped her tears away once more.
Rainbow awkwardly made half eye contact.
"Thank ya sugarcube.. as a filly ah was bullied.. ah didn't really have friends like Sweetie and Scootaloo like Apple Bloom does. Some ponies can just be rude but, ah know you'll always be loyal to me."
"What can I say, I'm the element of loyalty! And I know you'll always be honest to me." They both grinned, but Applejack's blood froze as Rainbow nuzzled her cheek lightly. Applejack could sense some sort of.. affection, maybe? The earth pony studied her gaze, but it was more of a friendly affection despite how it might not look like it.
Oh, so now you're reading her expressions?
Applejack actually thought it would be quite.. interesting to learn a pony like Dash this way. She took note that maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea.
Rainbow laughed nervously at the earth pony's soft pink cheeks. "Sorry, I'm used to nuzzling my mother like that, and since it was on the brain..."
"Nah, it's cute." Applejack chuckled softly as Rainbow Dash removed her wing. She took notice how her hoof still lied in place, and she couldn't take the giddy feeling this gave her.
But than Dash shoved her shoulder softly with her other hoof. "Hey, I'm not cute!"
"Whatever you say.. Dashie." She smirked as Rainbow laughed nervously at Pinkie's nickname, which sounded more like a pet name more and more each day.
As the sunset progressed they talked about more happy things, such as their new found friends and such.
Applejack was talking about the upcoming zap apple harvest, but stopped as she heard a loud yawn and a half asleep pegasus pony rest her head on her shoulder. Applejack chuckled and noticed that every time a cold gust of wind came through, the pony who was now fully asleep flicked her ears and pulled them back.
She held back an immature giggle at how cute she found this, and she placed her hat on top of her rainbow mane as she started to doze off herself.
Applejack was painfully aware of these newfound feelings, but for now, she could watch Rainbow sleep like this for the rest of the night.
She yawned and snuggled closer to her friend, and ignored the slight warmth in her cheeks as Rainbow Dash's head rested on her neck and her cyan hooves over her back.
This would be pretty awkward when they woke up.
Rainbow Dash chuckled a bit. "I was having some thoughts, but I guess I pushed them away. That was a few weeks before our Iron Pony competition, after all." She grinned as if she also had a story to bring back up, but she heard a knock at the door.
"That's Soarin.." Dash looked up at the clock. "He's here to pick me up for practice.. I.. let me go talk to him.."
Applejack nodded understandingly as she watched the pegasus pony walk outside. Sweet Celestia let that stallion understand.
Rainbow Dash took a deep breath as she stepped outside, shutting the door behind her as she forced herself to smile a little bit. "Hey, Soarin.."
"Hey Dash!" The blue pegasus grinned, planting a kiss on her cheek. "You ready for practice?"
Rainbow Dash looked into his eyes and sighed softly. "Actually Soarin, I think it's best if I don't go, because, I have something to talk to you about.."
Soarin's face dropped a bit. "Oh, are you okay Rainbow?"
"Oh, I'm actually great but.. this pony.. this pony I really love confessed her feelings to me.. she's the one who pushed me towards dating you, but it actually broke her heart.. Soarin, I really like you, but more as a friend.. I really love this pony." Rainbow Dash stood her ground and remained strong.
The stallion's green eyes had a bit of hurt in them, but than confusement. "Did you say her? And she? I mean.. not that there's a problem with it, you're not the only Wonderbolt who would.. y'know.. I was just wondering.."
Rainbow placed her hoof over his mouth. "Yes, Soarin.. she's an earth pony from Ponyville. But for the love of Celestia, if you tell ANYBODY, you're sure in for one hell of a flank kicking. We haven't discussed those kind of details yet. Understood?"
The stallion slowly nodded and moved her hoof from his muzzle. "But.. I thought we had something special Dash, I really did.."
Rainbow frowned at his dissapointment, and felt bad for him at this moment. Rainbow thought with an aching pain how she'd feel if Applejack had broken her heart like this for some stallion or whatever. That is, if they were going to date, which Rainbow could only assume. She shook her head clear, that was a matter resolved for later.
"Listen Soarin, you're a great pony, and you're going to find an awesome mare. I really did like being with you, but, you have no idea how guilty I felt because of my feelings for another pony.. I really still want to be friends, but, I understand if you don't.." Rainbow looked down as she scraped a hoof on the fluffy cloud.
She was taken back as she saw a navy blue blur from Soarin's mane and looked up to see the stallion giving her a friendly hug. Rainbow sighed a sigh of relief and gave him a quick hug back.
"I understand Dash.. It'll take me awhile to get over it.. but.. between you and me.. I think Spitfire was a little jealous." Rainbow's jaw dropped. It was a possibility that she had taken Spitifre's lifetime friend or maybe even love away from her. Maybe it was for the best that she let him go, and Soarin might realize there's another mare that has been right in front of him this whole time.
"W-well.. tell her she doesn't have to worry anymore, okay Soarin?"
The stallion nodded. "I assume you have things to discuss with this mare you told me about, so, I'll tell them you were sick, okay?"
"You don't have to lie for me." Rainbow Dash said, imagining the dissaproving green eyes of her favorite mare right now.
"Hey, what are friends for?"
Both the ponies grinned at eachother, and she sighed as Soarin flied off. He really was a great guy.
But nothing compared to her cowpony waiting inside for her.
Rainbow Dash walked inside quietly.
"How'd it go?" Applejack questioned.
"He actually took it pretty well." Rainbow smiled as she walked over to Applejack. "Say, how about we keep this conversation going on during breakfest in Ponyville?"
The farm pony grinned. "Ah'd like that. It's beautiful up here, but ah prefer the ground."
Rainbow chuckled. "There are some things you'd like here. I should show you around more sometime, but for now, I wouldn't mind walking a bit myself."
The orange mare smiled. "Alright.." She paused for a moment as they got up.
"Say, RD?"
"Hm?" Rainbow turned around to look at her.
"Ah was just wonderin'.. does this mean we're.."
"Dating?" Dash finished her sentence, feeling like lifting a little bit off the ground at the thought of something so great.
"Uh, yeah."
The cyan pegasus walked over to stand beside Applejack. "Well, if you wanna give it a go, I wouldn't want to be with anypony else."
Applejack grinned. "Okay, just call me your marefriend."
As they started to walk again, it was Rainbow's turn to ask questions.
"Should we tell our friends right away?" She asked quietly, hoping not to sound like she was ashamed. She just didn't know how they'd respond.
Applejack looked at her marefriend's face and smiled softly. "Ah understand, sugarcube. Ah think we should just keep it on the down low for a little while myself."
Dash nodded slowly. "Alright. That seems fair enough."
They walked outside and hopped into the hot air balloon.
"Besides Dash, we'll know when the time is right."
