Accidental Pseudo-Romanceby PonyThunderChaptersThe Beginning of An Interesting NightTwo Ponies Around The CampfireA Game of Truth or DareThe Beginning of An Interesting Night"Soooo," said Rainbow Dash, "you're saying you want me to go on a camping trip with you...just the two of us? Together? Alone in the wilderness?" Applejack nodded in agreement, seeing nothing odd about the invitation. She needed somepony to accompany her on her trip to deliver a shipment of pies to a far-off town, and she needed somepony tough. Applejack knew that she would probably be alright making the journey herself, but she wasn't about to let her pride get in the way of her safety. Normally, Big Mac would fill that role, but he was busy with other errands, and out of all the other ponies fit for the job, Rainbow Dash seemed like the best option. Applejack thought nothing more of the invitation. "Yup, it'll just be us two. I need somepony to accompany me for safety's sake." Rainbow Dash gave Applejack a contemplative look, slightly raising one eyebrow as if trying to read her mind. "Alright," she replied hesitantly, "I'll go with you." Applejack smiled. "Thanks, RD, I really appreciate it. You know how someponies are. Normally I'd go myself, but I wouldn't hear the end of it if I didn't get somepony to go with me. Granny Smith would have me tied up like a hog in a hog-tyin' competition." "Yeah, yeah, no problem," Rainbow Dash replied nonchalantly. She wasn't about to let her odd suspicions of Applejack's romantic feelings for her get in the way of remaining loyal to her friend. She would, of course, remain reserved and watch how things panned out. She still wondered why Applejack chose her for the job, though. Out of all the other ponies she knows, she chose me as her first option? "Well, alright then! I'll get everything packed up within the hour. You can meet me at my home then." "Sure thing, AJ. Do I need to pack anything?" "Not much. Make sure you bring a cozy blanket or two for us though. The nights can get awful cold out there." A cozy blanket? Cold nights? thought Rainbow Dash. There's definitely something up with Applejack... "Okay," Rainbow Dash replied. "Is there anything else I should bring?" "Nope," she replied with a grin. "I've got everything else covered. You just rest up while I get ready." The ponies said their salutations and went their separate ways. Applejack, happy to have found somepony to go with her on this journey, trotted home contentedly. If she didn't find somepony on such short notice, the entire delivery of pies would go to waste. She was just thankful to have such a loyal friend to be there for her. Alone in her home in Cloudsdale, Rainbow dash paced nervously. "Okay, okay..." she said to herself. "Applejack just needed somepony to help her out, that's all. She said it herself: Big Mac is busy, and I was her first choice after that. Nothing more to it...right?" Rainbow Dash wasn't entirely convinced with herself and stopped her pacing. Big Mac...busy with other things? Does he do anything else besides work on the farm with his family? Rainbow Dash thought contemplatively for a few moments trying to think of the things Big Mac does with his free time. "...Okay, I've got nothing..." she said to herself with an exasperated sigh. "Maybe he is busy with something else. How in the hay should I know? He isn't exactly the most talkative or social type...but...why was I her first choice after Mac?" The nervous pacing once again started up. "Why not Pinkie Pie? Or Twilight?" The thought of Fluttershy or Rarity accompanying Applejack on her perilous journey didn't even cross her mind. Those ponies wouldn't last a single night without having some sort of major freakout. But, Twilight had powerful magic on her side, and for Pinkie Pie...well...she was just Pinkie Pie. If anything bad happened to them, Rainbow Dash was sure Pinkie Pie would find some crazy way of getting out of it. But Applejack didn't choose them. She chose Rainbow Dash. I mean, I am awesome and all...but I'm not exactly the camping type... she thought to herself. True, she had gone on camping trips before, but not like this. This was going to be work. She'd have to carry a bag slumped across her back that would be too heavy to allow her to fly. "Ughhh," Rainbow Dash sighed. She hadn't realized upon accepting the invitation that she wouldn't be able to fly. She thought momentarily about making up an excuse for why she couldn't go, but there was no turning back now. Sometimes Rainbow Dash wished she wasn't so dang loyal all the time. She had accepted her friend's request and there was no way in Equestria that would get her to take it back. Not even a sneaking suspicion of undesired romantic feelings from her completely platonic friend... It was early afternoon when the two ponies had begun the long trek away from Ponyville and towards the region south of the Hayseed Swamps. Applejack towed a large wooden cart behind herself, seemingly with ease even though it looked extremely heavy. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash carried a small pack with bags hanging off each side, filled to the brim with supplies they would need for the journey. It felt extremely heavy to Rainbow Dash, even after just a couple hours of walking, but there was no way she was going to ask for less weight. Especially not to Applejack. But she was dying of exhaustion, and hatched a plan. "Hey...Applejack?" "Yeah, RD?" she replied. "I've...gotta say, it's pretty impressive that you can carry so much weight behind you like that. You earth ponies are tougher than you look." "You sayin' we earth ponies don't look tough?" Applejack said with a raised eyebrow. "No no no," Rainbow Dash quickly replied, "I'm just saying...it's impressive, is all." Applejack gave her a perplexing look. Rainbow Dash, givin' me compliments? "Thanks," she replied flatly, surprised at the sudden compliment from her highly competitive friend. But Rainbow Dash had a good reason for going against her normal self. She didn't go out giving compliments to anypony without a really good reason, and this time, she really did. Although it didn't seem to have worked. She had hoped that Applejack would have taken the compliment as a challenge and offered to take some more weight off her back, but apparently she had not. Instead, Applejack was left wondering: Is Rainbow Dash hitting on me? Applejack shuddered inwardly at the thought. Not out of disgust or anything, just in surprise. She didn't pin Rainbow Dash as the type of pony to swing that way. Although...she was rather tomcoltish. And so am I... Applejack suddenly realized, and a look of shock appeared on her face momentarily. Did Rainbow Dash really have feelings for her? Do I have feelings for Rainbow Dash? she thought, immediately answering herself with a no. Or do I... Rainbow Dash, looking sullen and dead tired, trotted tiredly alongside Applejack as they continued on their long journey into the Hayseed Swamp as the sun began to set behind them. Rainbow Dash put aside her seemingly unlimited desire for competition and stopped moving. "Should we look for a place to hit the hay?" "Sure," Applejack replied. She wasn't exactly that tired yet, but she could see the pegasus was starting to grow a little weary. Or was she just pretending to be tired to get some extra daylight hours in to spend alone with her instead of going straight to sleep? What are you thinking, Applejack thought to herself. Rainbow Dash, pretending to be tired? There wasn't a thing in the world that would get Rainbow Dash to look tired short of...well...actually being tired. Still, it wasn't even that late yet. The sun was a ways above the horizon, but Applejack gave her the benefit of the doubt. It would be nice to rest and talk awhile as friends in the peaceful, quiet wilderness surrounding them. Rainbow Dash began unpacking her bags next to a medium sized boulder, taking out a single Wonderbolts blanket. Applejack eyed her worriedly. "Hey...RD?" "Yeah, Applejack?" she replied, pulling out a pillow, also branded with Wonderbolt imagery. "Where's my blanket?" "What do you mean, you told me to pack my own stuff." "You didn't pack me a blanket?" "No." "I told you to pack us some blankets." "Well, I heard you tell me I just needed to pack for myself. What's a pony to do?" Applejack momentarily had a desire to get angry at her friend, but decided against it and sighed. "Well, it ain't gonna do us any good arguing over who said what. Looks like we'll be sharing." Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow. Yup, she definitely didn't tell me to pack two blankets, knowing I'd only pack one and this would happen. She's definitely got some feelings for me... "I guess so," she said with a sigh. Applejack definitely had a plan in mind when she picked Rainbow Dash, so it seemed. It was going to be an interesting night. Two Ponies Around The CampfireApplejack carefully unpacked their supplies for the night and ensured the pie cart was properly hidden away in a nearby bush. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash was off collecting some firewood for the campfire they'd be making shortly. She noticed the cold air was already starting to get fairly nippy as a particularly strong breeze ruffled her wings, sending a shiver down her spine. Yep, it's going to be a cold night, thought Rainbow Dash, Just the way you wanted it... Rainbow Dash was almost certain she had heard Applejack tell her to bring just single blanket. And with all of the other seemingly random happenstances that were occurring, the idea that Applejack was attempting to play cupid with herself and Rainbow Dash seemed all the more likely. And then there was more. "Thanks for gatherin' firewood, sugarcube," said Applejack as she was pitching up a very small, green tent. "Sugarcube?" asked Rainbow Dash worriedly. "Oh that's nothin'. I call everyponyy sugarcube, darlin'. Where've you been all these years?" "Darlin'?" Dash asked again in surprise. "That's just the way I talk, Rainbow Dash," Applejack chuckled. "A'int nothing more to it than that." She continued as she hammered a stake into the ground through the end of a rope into a small loop, thinking about their conversation. Has Rainbow Dash really not noticed I call everypony sugarcube? Applejack pondered as she pounded the stake another time. The thought occurred to her that, perhaps, Rainbow Dash did notice all of these years. Was it possible she's been interpreting it as...Applejack shook herself out of it. She called everypony by those names, so it's not like she gave anypony any special treatment. Although now, Applejack was going to remain cautiously skeptical and try not to call her those anymore. It wasn't honest to lead somepony on when the feelings weren't mutual. "Isn't that tent kind of small?" Rainbow Dash asked Applejack as she finished pounding the stake firmly into the ground. "Sorry 'bout that, sugar...Rainbow Dash," Applejack corrected herself, "but this was the only tent I had. Our bigger one has a big 'ol hole right in the side of it and it's pretty beat up." "I could've brought my tent, you know." "No offense, darl--Dash...but your tent is a bit too flashy for bein' out here in the swamps. We need a tent that blends in with the surroundings so as not t' attract any monsters." The dominoes are all falling right into place, thought Rainbow Dash with a roll of her eyes. Come on, monsters? Really? Since when was Applejack concerned about monsters out to get her? They didn't stop her when she made deliveries in the past. Although, Dash realized, Big Macintosh also made the journeys with her. Still, it didn't seem like Applejack to be that concerned for her own safety. For the pony who was supposed to be the embodiment of honesty, Applejack sure was going on a roundabout way of expressing her apparent feelings for Rainbow Dash. Applejack took out some supplies for starting a campfire and had it going in just a couple minutes. With the sun just now starting to creep below the horizon, the two ponies sat together awkwardly beside the fire. The ground all around it was moist and dirty, so Rainbow Dash went off and came back, pushing a rather short log into place a couple of feet from the fire. Short enough to force the two ponies to sit within a couple inches of each other. "Is that the biggest log you could find?" asked Applejack. "There's not a whole lot of logs around here that aren't moldy or falling apart. Trust me, this was the best one." Sure it was, sugarcube. You only spent all of two minutes lookin' fer one. And this one is gonna be nice and cozy, just like sleepin' tonight's gonna be... Applejack winced inwardly and bit her lip. "Alright then." Rainbow Dash sat quietly with her hooves beneath her hindquarters, and Applejack timidly sitting with her forehooves resting on her criss-crossed legs. Resting silently on the log in front of the crackling campfire as the sky began to turn dark, the two ponies stared awkwardly around desperately looking for something to talk about. A cricket chirped amidst the silence. "Soooo..." said Rainbow Dash, shifting uncomfortably, "nice night, isn't it?" "...eyup.." replied Applejack, absentmindedly mimicking her beloved brother's response to most things. "It definitely is cold though," Rainbow Dash continued awkwardly. "......eyup..." Okay Applejack, thought Rainbow Dash. Enough with the indecisiveness. Just go out and say it. They'd been sitting there in silence for more than a few minutes, and it was obvious that Applejack was trying to contemplate how to bring up the awkward topic. Rainbow Dash was still uncomfortable with the idea that Applejack had feelings for her, but she wasn't going to let that get in the way of their friendship. And if Applejack did have feelings for her, she was going to get her to get them out. It just wasn't healthy to keep those kinds of things bottled up, so Rainbow Dash decided in that moment to make it her mission to expedite that process. It was the loyal thing to do, and she was going to go beyond the call of duty to do it. Shifting hesitantly closer to Applejack, Rainbow Dash let out a fake cough into her right hoof, allowing her to inconspicuously sit slightly towards the right. Applejack could feel the warmth from her body radiating onto hers, and stared directly ahead with eyes wide open. Oh no, it's happening, she thought. What do I do, what do I do? Applejack panicked. Rainbow Dash was making a move on her already? This completely sealed any doubts she had about Dash's romantic feelings towards her. It was incredibly obvious now that Rainbow Dash was going to do something, and Applejack just knew she had to stop it from happening. "The fire's gettin' a little small," Applejack quickly blurted out as she sprung forth off the log like a jackrabbit. "I'm going to go get some more firewood!" Applejack left in a hurry into the trees leaving Rainbow Dash sitting alone on the log. "Pfft," Rainbow Dash audibly snorted, "this is going to be harder than I thought." She wondered why Applejack avoided her advances, but reasoned that she was probably just extremely timid and needed an extra push. She probably didn't know the first thing when it came to romance. In fact, Rainbow Dash wasn't sure Applejack had ever had any romantic experience. Rainbow Dash chuckled a bit at the thought of Fluttershy being more courageous than Applejack when it came to those kinds of feelings. Applejack was a hardened shell of a pony with a soft, inner center, and Rainbow Dash was dead set on exposing the truth within. In a few moments of thought and clarity, the entire ordeal became more than just a camping trip with her friend to Rainbow Dash. It became a game, and she was determined to win. Applejack came back in a couple minutes with a few pieces of firewood on her back, only to see Rainbow Dash's body sprawled out over most of the log with her hooves stretched comfortably outwards towards the cracking campfire. "Hey," she greeted her with a soft, deep voice and a devilish grin. Dropping the firewood and stopping in her tracks, Applejack's expression grew even more concerned. A Game of Truth or DareOkay, Applejack. Calm down. You can handle this. After all, she's your friend and you should be there for her. Applejack pondered for a moment on what to do to avoid the seemingly inevitable. Rainbow Dash had a suave, sly act going on and it made her very uncomfortable, although what kind of uncomfortable she couldn't quite pin down. If Applejack could help it, she would avoid the subject as best she could. So long as Rainbow Dash didn't directly ask her a question, she wouldn't be forced to answer with honesty thanks to her sometimes inconvenient personality trait. But Rainbow Dash wasn't going to make this easy for her. "So, AJ, wanna play truth or dare?" she asked with another sly grin as Applejack picked up the pile of firewood she had just dropped. "Isn't that game just for fillies?" Applejack replied, hoping Rainbow Dash would be off-put by the mention of something being childish. "Aw, who cares if it's just for fillies," said Rainbow Dash, "it's just us out here anyways. Nopony has to know." Applejack had no retort, possibly because her mind was already racing through all of the dares that Rainbow Dash might ask her to do. Or any of the truths. "I'm not really one for fun 'n games, Dash, you know me." "Aw, come on Applejack," whined Rainbow Dash, "don't be such a chicken." Applejack's reputation was suddenly on the line. She would never hear the end of it from Rainbow Dash if she refused now, and that was all that was needed to push Applejack over the edge and accept the invitation. She wasn't arrogant and in constant need to win, but she was prideful. She wasn't going to let Rainbow Dash get away with calling her a coward and replied sternly. "Alright, I'll play." And there's that extra push you needed, thought Rainbow Dash menacingly. She knew exactly how to push Applejack's buttons, and that was a knowledge that only a close friend would have. Rainbow Dash knew Applejack wasn't going to admit her feelings easily, but in one move, she had just gotten through one more layer of her tough skin. Applejack tossed the firewood into the fire and the flame crackled and sizzled for a few moments. She shuffled over to the log that Rainbow Dash was sprawled out comfortably on and sat gingerly on the very edge. "Okay," started Rainbow Dash, "you first. Truth or dare." "Uhh..." As much as Applejack wanted to deny it, she'd rather go with a dare than a truth. She couldn't lie even if she wanted to, without looking like a sweaty fool at least. "...dare" she replied hesitantly. Rainbow Dash smiled. "Okay, I dare you to tell me your deepest secret." Rainbow Dash wasn't wasting any time apparently. Applejack raised a suspicious eyebrow. "Now I a'int familiar with the rules and nuances of this game on account of I've never played it before, but isn't it cheatin' for that t' be a dare?" "It's legal, trust me. I've played this tons of times. I mean, if you want to forfeit..." "Alright, alright. I'll take yer word for it." Applejack sat in contemplation for several long moments. Meanwhile, Dash eyed her with anticipation. She was actually really enjoying this, she started to realize. It was fun pretending to be really into Applejack, and it wasn't as if they didn't have a lot in common. They were practically best friends. There really was a lot Rainbow Dash admired about the pony. Her hard-working attitude, her pragmatic approach to dealing with problems, and of course, her similar attitude towards competition. Nopony else humored Dash's competitive nature like her. Applejack was also a lot like Rainbow Dash in that they both didn't care much for fashion or anything fancy. They were both simple ponies with simple desires. Catching herself by surprise, Rainbow Dash found herself thinking fondly of her friend for a few moments. Oh no, Rainbow Dash thought. Am I...no, I'm just getting really into character... Meanwhile, Applejack wasn't thinking about Dash's so-called dare at all. Every few moments, she darted her eyes over to the pegasus, only to see her grinning from ear to ear with a seductive expression on her face. She had never seen that face appear on her friend before, and it terrified her. Or did it? Maybe I should just humor the poor gal, thought Applejack. After all, she was her friend, and if Rainbow Dash was in her place, she'd probably be loyal enough to accept her feelings for her. But how could she lie to her friend? Why should she? It wasn't honest to say something you didn't mean even if it would make them happy. But Applejack felt oddly confused, and decided to give it a try anyways. Consarn it, Applejack cursed inwardly. She was going to have to lie. "RD..." "Yes, AJ?" she replied and raised her eyebrows twice in quick succession. "I...uh...well, ya see...I...hmm..." "Just spit it out already, it's getting colder out here." Applejack felt short of breath. Could she lie and say she had feelings for Rainbow Dash if it meant making her happy? Any time Applejack lied, anypony could tell without a second glance. Rainbow Dash would surely see through it...wouldn't she? What was that question again? Applejack thought. Feeling a bead of sweat roll down her face, Applejack took a big sigh and let it out slowly. "Rainbow Dash, I love you." That came out surprisingly easy, Applejack thought to herself. In fact, it came out smooth as butter. Under literally every other circumstance when she lied, Applejack would have broken down immediately, but she felt nothing of the sort. Applejack's thoughts raced in her mind. That would mean that I actually... "YES, I KNEW IT!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed excitedly, jumping into the air and hovering with her wings like a hyperactive hummingbird before finally coming down and settling on the ground. "Wait..." said Applejack. "What do you mean, you knew it?" "I could tell you had special feelings ever since you invited me on this camping trip," Dash replied with her hooves crossed. "The whole thing about accidentally forgetting to tell me to pack two blankets, calling me sugarcube and darlin," Rainbow Dash said the two petnames with an odd southern accent. "Rainbow Dash, those were just coincidences. And I call everypony sugarcube," she replied. "And the tent? What's wrong with my tent?" "I told you, I just thought it'd be safer to have a tent that blends in more than one that has pictures of Wonderbolts plastered all over it." "Alright, alright," Rainbow Dash replied. "I'll accept that one. But you just told me you loved me," she replied. Oh...yeah, thought Applejack. Rainbow Dash's accusal of her having feelings for her caught her off guard so much she forgot what she had just said. Did I really say that? "I...I don't know what I was thinkin' sugarcube--" "--There you go again!" Applejack was starting to get flustered and her cheeks turned almost as red as the apples on her cutie mark. "Well I was sure pickin' up a lot of signals from you today!" "What? Come on, don't project your own feelings onto me." "What was all that complimentin' about earlier? I don't think I've ever heard y'all complimentin' anypony so nice and proper before. And what about just a few minutes ago, you sittin' pretty next to me givin' me googly eyes like some sort of schoolpony. If anypony here's attracted to somepony, it's you." Rainbow Dash was suddenly confused. She had been reading signals from Applejack all night, but now she was acting like she didn't have any at all, but just a minute ago, she had confessed her love for her. "Me, attracted to you? Come on, if anypony's like that it's Pinkie Pie. That mare's a total mixed bag, there's no telling what kind of stuff she's into." But Rainbow Dash hadn't convinced even herself, let alone Applejack. Just minutes ago, she caught herself thinking fondly about her friend, and she couldn't deny that fact. "Applejack," said Rainbow Dash, "what in the hay is going on?" Applejack snorted, "Beats me. I thought you were the one fixin' t' get with me and not the other way 'round." "Then why would you say something like that?" she asked and paused for a moment. "Come to think of it, how could you say something like that if you didn't mean it?" "I said it 'cause I thought it would make you happy. I don't know...I...usually I wouldn't be able t' say somethin'...like that without it being the truth." "So..." "--But it a'int! It can't be, RD! I don't think I really feel that way. You don't feel that way 'bout me, do you?" "No way!" Rainbow Dash replied instantly. "Well...I dunno. I mean, you're basically my best friend. It's not like we don't have a lot in common..." Applejack sighed. "This must just be all in our heads, Dash. We've both been pickin' up signals where there weren't any in the first place. My mind's runnin' a million miles an hour and I can't even think straight." Rainbow Dash paused for a moment before continuing the conversation. "Well...there is one way we could find out for sure..." Applejack looked at her with a mixture of shock on worry on her face. "You don't mean..." "Yeah...I do..." "Oh, come on, Rainbow Dash. That's crazy talk. We're two grown mares, for Celestia's sake. Don'tcha think we'd know if we were like...that...by now?" "I'd think so. But have you ever actually tried it before? I haven't." Rainbow Dash was acting oddly serious and unlike her normal self, Applejack realized. Rainbow Dash was being completely serious about this. "No, but..." "It'll just be a little peck. Nothing more. Believe me, I don't want to do this just as much as you." "Well..." Applejack paused for several seconds, "...alright." Rainbow Dash leaned in closer to Applejack's face only to be stopped by a hoof. "But nopony else can know! Ever." "I Pinkie Promise," said Rainbow Dash, moving in closer. But she was stopped again. "And what if somepony asks me about any of this?" Applejack queried. "You know I can't lie." "Well," said Rainbow Dash, "if it turns out you don't like it, then that shouldn't be a problem then." "I suppose..." Rainbow Dash and Applejack inched closer and could feel each other's warmth radiating onto the other's face. Applejack winced, trying her hardest to keep herself from pulling back. Rainbow Dash had closed her eyes and seemed to be closing in like a slow-moving cloud. Applejack closed her eyes in preparation for the dreaded moment. This has got to be one of the most ridiculous things I've ever done, thought Applejack. With a determination to push through her restraint, Applejack thrust her face forward into Rainbow Dash's, completely missing the target and bonking heads painfully. Rainbow Dash opened her eyes with a look of bewilderment on her face. "What in the hay was that? You call that a kiss?" Applejack was too dazed to say anything other than a jumble of incoherent words. "Oh, gimme a break," said Rainbow Dash as she put her hoof around the pony, pulled her in, planted a kiss and let her go all in one swift motion. Applejack came immediately to her senses and her mind became clear as crystal. She now knew definitively how she felt about Rainbow Dash, without a doubt in her mind. The pony's lips tasted like a sugary soft drink, her breath smelled like she hadn't brushed her teeth in weeks, and Applejack felt nothing more than the physical pressure of the pegasus' lips on her own. All of the feelings she had thought she felt before washed away. After a few moments, Rainbow Dash broke the silence. "So...what are you thinking?" "Sorry, RD, I definitely don't feel that way. I know now fer sure." Rainbow Dash looked somewhat taken aback, but quickly stifled her immediate response before Applejack could notice. "Yeah, me too," she replied. "You sure?" "Yeah, I'm sure. And would it kill you to use some chapstick every once and awhile? That felt like kissing a wrinkly piece of paper." Applejack chuckled nervously, still trying to compose herself. "Sure thing, sugarcube. As long as you start brushin' your teeth more often." The two ponies laughed off the awkwardness around the slowly dying campfire and began to set themselves up for the night. Applejack went off towards the tent to go to bed, but Rainbow Dash stayed behind sitting on the log, watching the fire slowly burn out just like the receding romance between them. But the embers of the campfire stuck around, smoldering intensely, just like Rainbow Dash's newfound romantic feelings for her best friend.
The Beginning of An Interesting Night"Soooo," said Rainbow Dash, "you're saying you want me to go on a camping trip with you...just the two of us? Together? Alone in the wilderness?" Applejack nodded in agreement, seeing nothing odd about the invitation. She needed somepony to accompany her on her trip to deliver a shipment of pies to a far-off town, and she needed somepony tough. Applejack knew that she would probably be alright making the journey herself, but she wasn't about to let her pride get in the way of her safety. Normally, Big Mac would fill that role, but he was busy with other errands, and out of all the other ponies fit for the job, Rainbow Dash seemed like the best option. Applejack thought nothing more of the invitation. "Yup, it'll just be us two. I need somepony to accompany me for safety's sake." Rainbow Dash gave Applejack a contemplative look, slightly raising one eyebrow as if trying to read her mind. "Alright," she replied hesitantly, "I'll go with you." Applejack smiled. "Thanks, RD, I really appreciate it. You know how someponies are. Normally I'd go myself, but I wouldn't hear the end of it if I didn't get somepony to go with me. Granny Smith would have me tied up like a hog in a hog-tyin' competition." "Yeah, yeah, no problem," Rainbow Dash replied nonchalantly. She wasn't about to let her odd suspicions of Applejack's romantic feelings for her get in the way of remaining loyal to her friend. She would, of course, remain reserved and watch how things panned out. She still wondered why Applejack chose her for the job, though. Out of all the other ponies she knows, she chose me as her first option? "Well, alright then! I'll get everything packed up within the hour. You can meet me at my home then." "Sure thing, AJ. Do I need to pack anything?" "Not much. Make sure you bring a cozy blanket or two for us though. The nights can get awful cold out there." A cozy blanket? Cold nights? thought Rainbow Dash. There's definitely something up with Applejack... "Okay," Rainbow Dash replied. "Is there anything else I should bring?" "Nope," she replied with a grin. "I've got everything else covered. You just rest up while I get ready." The ponies said their salutations and went their separate ways. Applejack, happy to have found somepony to go with her on this journey, trotted home contentedly. If she didn't find somepony on such short notice, the entire delivery of pies would go to waste. She was just thankful to have such a loyal friend to be there for her. Alone in her home in Cloudsdale, Rainbow dash paced nervously. "Okay, okay..." she said to herself. "Applejack just needed somepony to help her out, that's all. She said it herself: Big Mac is busy, and I was her first choice after that. Nothing more to it...right?" Rainbow Dash wasn't entirely convinced with herself and stopped her pacing. Big Mac...busy with other things? Does he do anything else besides work on the farm with his family? Rainbow Dash thought contemplatively for a few moments trying to think of the things Big Mac does with his free time. "...Okay, I've got nothing..." she said to herself with an exasperated sigh. "Maybe he is busy with something else. How in the hay should I know? He isn't exactly the most talkative or social type...but...why was I her first choice after Mac?" The nervous pacing once again started up. "Why not Pinkie Pie? Or Twilight?" The thought of Fluttershy or Rarity accompanying Applejack on her perilous journey didn't even cross her mind. Those ponies wouldn't last a single night without having some sort of major freakout. But, Twilight had powerful magic on her side, and for Pinkie Pie...well...she was just Pinkie Pie. If anything bad happened to them, Rainbow Dash was sure Pinkie Pie would find some crazy way of getting out of it. But Applejack didn't choose them. She chose Rainbow Dash. I mean, I am awesome and all...but I'm not exactly the camping type... she thought to herself. True, she had gone on camping trips before, but not like this. This was going to be work. She'd have to carry a bag slumped across her back that would be too heavy to allow her to fly. "Ughhh," Rainbow Dash sighed. She hadn't realized upon accepting the invitation that she wouldn't be able to fly. She thought momentarily about making up an excuse for why she couldn't go, but there was no turning back now. Sometimes Rainbow Dash wished she wasn't so dang loyal all the time. She had accepted her friend's request and there was no way in Equestria that would get her to take it back. Not even a sneaking suspicion of undesired romantic feelings from her completely platonic friend... It was early afternoon when the two ponies had begun the long trek away from Ponyville and towards the region south of the Hayseed Swamps. Applejack towed a large wooden cart behind herself, seemingly with ease even though it looked extremely heavy. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash carried a small pack with bags hanging off each side, filled to the brim with supplies they would need for the journey. It felt extremely heavy to Rainbow Dash, even after just a couple hours of walking, but there was no way she was going to ask for less weight. Especially not to Applejack. But she was dying of exhaustion, and hatched a plan. "Hey...Applejack?" "Yeah, RD?" she replied. "I've...gotta say, it's pretty impressive that you can carry so much weight behind you like that. You earth ponies are tougher than you look." "You sayin' we earth ponies don't look tough?" Applejack said with a raised eyebrow. "No no no," Rainbow Dash quickly replied, "I'm just saying...it's impressive, is all." Applejack gave her a perplexing look. Rainbow Dash, givin' me compliments? "Thanks," she replied flatly, surprised at the sudden compliment from her highly competitive friend. But Rainbow Dash had a good reason for going against her normal self. She didn't go out giving compliments to anypony without a really good reason, and this time, she really did. Although it didn't seem to have worked. She had hoped that Applejack would have taken the compliment as a challenge and offered to take some more weight off her back, but apparently she had not. Instead, Applejack was left wondering: Is Rainbow Dash hitting on me? Applejack shuddered inwardly at the thought. Not out of disgust or anything, just in surprise. She didn't pin Rainbow Dash as the type of pony to swing that way. Although...she was rather tomcoltish. And so am I... Applejack suddenly realized, and a look of shock appeared on her face momentarily. Did Rainbow Dash really have feelings for her? Do I have feelings for Rainbow Dash? she thought, immediately answering herself with a no. Or do I... Rainbow Dash, looking sullen and dead tired, trotted tiredly alongside Applejack as they continued on their long journey into the Hayseed Swamp as the sun began to set behind them. Rainbow Dash put aside her seemingly unlimited desire for competition and stopped moving. "Should we look for a place to hit the hay?" "Sure," Applejack replied. She wasn't exactly that tired yet, but she could see the pegasus was starting to grow a little weary. Or was she just pretending to be tired to get some extra daylight hours in to spend alone with her instead of going straight to sleep? What are you thinking, Applejack thought to herself. Rainbow Dash, pretending to be tired? There wasn't a thing in the world that would get Rainbow Dash to look tired short of...well...actually being tired. Still, it wasn't even that late yet. The sun was a ways above the horizon, but Applejack gave her the benefit of the doubt. It would be nice to rest and talk awhile as friends in the peaceful, quiet wilderness surrounding them. Rainbow Dash began unpacking her bags next to a medium sized boulder, taking out a single Wonderbolts blanket. Applejack eyed her worriedly. "Hey...RD?" "Yeah, Applejack?" she replied, pulling out a pillow, also branded with Wonderbolt imagery. "Where's my blanket?" "What do you mean, you told me to pack my own stuff." "You didn't pack me a blanket?" "No." "I told you to pack us some blankets." "Well, I heard you tell me I just needed to pack for myself. What's a pony to do?" Applejack momentarily had a desire to get angry at her friend, but decided against it and sighed. "Well, it ain't gonna do us any good arguing over who said what. Looks like we'll be sharing." Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow. Yup, she definitely didn't tell me to pack two blankets, knowing I'd only pack one and this would happen. She's definitely got some feelings for me... "I guess so," she said with a sigh. Applejack definitely had a plan in mind when she picked Rainbow Dash, so it seemed. It was going to be an interesting night.
Two Ponies Around The CampfireApplejack carefully unpacked their supplies for the night and ensured the pie cart was properly hidden away in a nearby bush. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash was off collecting some firewood for the campfire they'd be making shortly. She noticed the cold air was already starting to get fairly nippy as a particularly strong breeze ruffled her wings, sending a shiver down her spine. Yep, it's going to be a cold night, thought Rainbow Dash, Just the way you wanted it... Rainbow Dash was almost certain she had heard Applejack tell her to bring just single blanket. And with all of the other seemingly random happenstances that were occurring, the idea that Applejack was attempting to play cupid with herself and Rainbow Dash seemed all the more likely. And then there was more. "Thanks for gatherin' firewood, sugarcube," said Applejack as she was pitching up a very small, green tent. "Sugarcube?" asked Rainbow Dash worriedly. "Oh that's nothin'. I call everyponyy sugarcube, darlin'. Where've you been all these years?" "Darlin'?" Dash asked again in surprise. "That's just the way I talk, Rainbow Dash," Applejack chuckled. "A'int nothing more to it than that." She continued as she hammered a stake into the ground through the end of a rope into a small loop, thinking about their conversation. Has Rainbow Dash really not noticed I call everypony sugarcube? Applejack pondered as she pounded the stake another time. The thought occurred to her that, perhaps, Rainbow Dash did notice all of these years. Was it possible she's been interpreting it as...Applejack shook herself out of it. She called everypony by those names, so it's not like she gave anypony any special treatment. Although now, Applejack was going to remain cautiously skeptical and try not to call her those anymore. It wasn't honest to lead somepony on when the feelings weren't mutual. "Isn't that tent kind of small?" Rainbow Dash asked Applejack as she finished pounding the stake firmly into the ground. "Sorry 'bout that, sugar...Rainbow Dash," Applejack corrected herself, "but this was the only tent I had. Our bigger one has a big 'ol hole right in the side of it and it's pretty beat up." "I could've brought my tent, you know." "No offense, darl--Dash...but your tent is a bit too flashy for bein' out here in the swamps. We need a tent that blends in with the surroundings so as not t' attract any monsters." The dominoes are all falling right into place, thought Rainbow Dash with a roll of her eyes. Come on, monsters? Really? Since when was Applejack concerned about monsters out to get her? They didn't stop her when she made deliveries in the past. Although, Dash realized, Big Macintosh also made the journeys with her. Still, it didn't seem like Applejack to be that concerned for her own safety. For the pony who was supposed to be the embodiment of honesty, Applejack sure was going on a roundabout way of expressing her apparent feelings for Rainbow Dash. Applejack took out some supplies for starting a campfire and had it going in just a couple minutes. With the sun just now starting to creep below the horizon, the two ponies sat together awkwardly beside the fire. The ground all around it was moist and dirty, so Rainbow Dash went off and came back, pushing a rather short log into place a couple of feet from the fire. Short enough to force the two ponies to sit within a couple inches of each other. "Is that the biggest log you could find?" asked Applejack. "There's not a whole lot of logs around here that aren't moldy or falling apart. Trust me, this was the best one." Sure it was, sugarcube. You only spent all of two minutes lookin' fer one. And this one is gonna be nice and cozy, just like sleepin' tonight's gonna be... Applejack winced inwardly and bit her lip. "Alright then." Rainbow Dash sat quietly with her hooves beneath her hindquarters, and Applejack timidly sitting with her forehooves resting on her criss-crossed legs. Resting silently on the log in front of the crackling campfire as the sky began to turn dark, the two ponies stared awkwardly around desperately looking for something to talk about. A cricket chirped amidst the silence. "Soooo..." said Rainbow Dash, shifting uncomfortably, "nice night, isn't it?" "...eyup.." replied Applejack, absentmindedly mimicking her beloved brother's response to most things. "It definitely is cold though," Rainbow Dash continued awkwardly. "......eyup..." Okay Applejack, thought Rainbow Dash. Enough with the indecisiveness. Just go out and say it. They'd been sitting there in silence for more than a few minutes, and it was obvious that Applejack was trying to contemplate how to bring up the awkward topic. Rainbow Dash was still uncomfortable with the idea that Applejack had feelings for her, but she wasn't going to let that get in the way of their friendship. And if Applejack did have feelings for her, she was going to get her to get them out. It just wasn't healthy to keep those kinds of things bottled up, so Rainbow Dash decided in that moment to make it her mission to expedite that process. It was the loyal thing to do, and she was going to go beyond the call of duty to do it. Shifting hesitantly closer to Applejack, Rainbow Dash let out a fake cough into her right hoof, allowing her to inconspicuously sit slightly towards the right. Applejack could feel the warmth from her body radiating onto hers, and stared directly ahead with eyes wide open. Oh no, it's happening, she thought. What do I do, what do I do? Applejack panicked. Rainbow Dash was making a move on her already? This completely sealed any doubts she had about Dash's romantic feelings towards her. It was incredibly obvious now that Rainbow Dash was going to do something, and Applejack just knew she had to stop it from happening. "The fire's gettin' a little small," Applejack quickly blurted out as she sprung forth off the log like a jackrabbit. "I'm going to go get some more firewood!" Applejack left in a hurry into the trees leaving Rainbow Dash sitting alone on the log. "Pfft," Rainbow Dash audibly snorted, "this is going to be harder than I thought." She wondered why Applejack avoided her advances, but reasoned that she was probably just extremely timid and needed an extra push. She probably didn't know the first thing when it came to romance. In fact, Rainbow Dash wasn't sure Applejack had ever had any romantic experience. Rainbow Dash chuckled a bit at the thought of Fluttershy being more courageous than Applejack when it came to those kinds of feelings. Applejack was a hardened shell of a pony with a soft, inner center, and Rainbow Dash was dead set on exposing the truth within. In a few moments of thought and clarity, the entire ordeal became more than just a camping trip with her friend to Rainbow Dash. It became a game, and she was determined to win. Applejack came back in a couple minutes with a few pieces of firewood on her back, only to see Rainbow Dash's body sprawled out over most of the log with her hooves stretched comfortably outwards towards the cracking campfire. "Hey," she greeted her with a soft, deep voice and a devilish grin. Dropping the firewood and stopping in her tracks, Applejack's expression grew even more concerned.
A Game of Truth or DareOkay, Applejack. Calm down. You can handle this. After all, she's your friend and you should be there for her. Applejack pondered for a moment on what to do to avoid the seemingly inevitable. Rainbow Dash had a suave, sly act going on and it made her very uncomfortable, although what kind of uncomfortable she couldn't quite pin down. If Applejack could help it, she would avoid the subject as best she could. So long as Rainbow Dash didn't directly ask her a question, she wouldn't be forced to answer with honesty thanks to her sometimes inconvenient personality trait. But Rainbow Dash wasn't going to make this easy for her. "So, AJ, wanna play truth or dare?" she asked with another sly grin as Applejack picked up the pile of firewood she had just dropped. "Isn't that game just for fillies?" Applejack replied, hoping Rainbow Dash would be off-put by the mention of something being childish. "Aw, who cares if it's just for fillies," said Rainbow Dash, "it's just us out here anyways. Nopony has to know." Applejack had no retort, possibly because her mind was already racing through all of the dares that Rainbow Dash might ask her to do. Or any of the truths. "I'm not really one for fun 'n games, Dash, you know me." "Aw, come on Applejack," whined Rainbow Dash, "don't be such a chicken." Applejack's reputation was suddenly on the line. She would never hear the end of it from Rainbow Dash if she refused now, and that was all that was needed to push Applejack over the edge and accept the invitation. She wasn't arrogant and in constant need to win, but she was prideful. She wasn't going to let Rainbow Dash get away with calling her a coward and replied sternly. "Alright, I'll play." And there's that extra push you needed, thought Rainbow Dash menacingly. She knew exactly how to push Applejack's buttons, and that was a knowledge that only a close friend would have. Rainbow Dash knew Applejack wasn't going to admit her feelings easily, but in one move, she had just gotten through one more layer of her tough skin. Applejack tossed the firewood into the fire and the flame crackled and sizzled for a few moments. She shuffled over to the log that Rainbow Dash was sprawled out comfortably on and sat gingerly on the very edge. "Okay," started Rainbow Dash, "you first. Truth or dare." "Uhh..." As much as Applejack wanted to deny it, she'd rather go with a dare than a truth. She couldn't lie even if she wanted to, without looking like a sweaty fool at least. "...dare" she replied hesitantly. Rainbow Dash smiled. "Okay, I dare you to tell me your deepest secret." Rainbow Dash wasn't wasting any time apparently. Applejack raised a suspicious eyebrow. "Now I a'int familiar with the rules and nuances of this game on account of I've never played it before, but isn't it cheatin' for that t' be a dare?" "It's legal, trust me. I've played this tons of times. I mean, if you want to forfeit..." "Alright, alright. I'll take yer word for it." Applejack sat in contemplation for several long moments. Meanwhile, Dash eyed her with anticipation. She was actually really enjoying this, she started to realize. It was fun pretending to be really into Applejack, and it wasn't as if they didn't have a lot in common. They were practically best friends. There really was a lot Rainbow Dash admired about the pony. Her hard-working attitude, her pragmatic approach to dealing with problems, and of course, her similar attitude towards competition. Nopony else humored Dash's competitive nature like her. Applejack was also a lot like Rainbow Dash in that they both didn't care much for fashion or anything fancy. They were both simple ponies with simple desires. Catching herself by surprise, Rainbow Dash found herself thinking fondly of her friend for a few moments. Oh no, Rainbow Dash thought. Am I...no, I'm just getting really into character... Meanwhile, Applejack wasn't thinking about Dash's so-called dare at all. Every few moments, she darted her eyes over to the pegasus, only to see her grinning from ear to ear with a seductive expression on her face. She had never seen that face appear on her friend before, and it terrified her. Or did it? Maybe I should just humor the poor gal, thought Applejack. After all, she was her friend, and if Rainbow Dash was in her place, she'd probably be loyal enough to accept her feelings for her. But how could she lie to her friend? Why should she? It wasn't honest to say something you didn't mean even if it would make them happy. But Applejack felt oddly confused, and decided to give it a try anyways. Consarn it, Applejack cursed inwardly. She was going to have to lie. "RD..." "Yes, AJ?" she replied and raised her eyebrows twice in quick succession. "I...uh...well, ya see...I...hmm..." "Just spit it out already, it's getting colder out here." Applejack felt short of breath. Could she lie and say she had feelings for Rainbow Dash if it meant making her happy? Any time Applejack lied, anypony could tell without a second glance. Rainbow Dash would surely see through it...wouldn't she? What was that question again? Applejack thought. Feeling a bead of sweat roll down her face, Applejack took a big sigh and let it out slowly. "Rainbow Dash, I love you." That came out surprisingly easy, Applejack thought to herself. In fact, it came out smooth as butter. Under literally every other circumstance when she lied, Applejack would have broken down immediately, but she felt nothing of the sort. Applejack's thoughts raced in her mind. That would mean that I actually... "YES, I KNEW IT!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed excitedly, jumping into the air and hovering with her wings like a hyperactive hummingbird before finally coming down and settling on the ground. "Wait..." said Applejack. "What do you mean, you knew it?" "I could tell you had special feelings ever since you invited me on this camping trip," Dash replied with her hooves crossed. "The whole thing about accidentally forgetting to tell me to pack two blankets, calling me sugarcube and darlin," Rainbow Dash said the two petnames with an odd southern accent. "Rainbow Dash, those were just coincidences. And I call everypony sugarcube," she replied. "And the tent? What's wrong with my tent?" "I told you, I just thought it'd be safer to have a tent that blends in more than one that has pictures of Wonderbolts plastered all over it." "Alright, alright," Rainbow Dash replied. "I'll accept that one. But you just told me you loved me," she replied. Oh...yeah, thought Applejack. Rainbow Dash's accusal of her having feelings for her caught her off guard so much she forgot what she had just said. Did I really say that? "I...I don't know what I was thinkin' sugarcube--" "--There you go again!" Applejack was starting to get flustered and her cheeks turned almost as red as the apples on her cutie mark. "Well I was sure pickin' up a lot of signals from you today!" "What? Come on, don't project your own feelings onto me." "What was all that complimentin' about earlier? I don't think I've ever heard y'all complimentin' anypony so nice and proper before. And what about just a few minutes ago, you sittin' pretty next to me givin' me googly eyes like some sort of schoolpony. If anypony here's attracted to somepony, it's you." Rainbow Dash was suddenly confused. She had been reading signals from Applejack all night, but now she was acting like she didn't have any at all, but just a minute ago, she had confessed her love for her. "Me, attracted to you? Come on, if anypony's like that it's Pinkie Pie. That mare's a total mixed bag, there's no telling what kind of stuff she's into." But Rainbow Dash hadn't convinced even herself, let alone Applejack. Just minutes ago, she caught herself thinking fondly about her friend, and she couldn't deny that fact. "Applejack," said Rainbow Dash, "what in the hay is going on?" Applejack snorted, "Beats me. I thought you were the one fixin' t' get with me and not the other way 'round." "Then why would you say something like that?" she asked and paused for a moment. "Come to think of it, how could you say something like that if you didn't mean it?" "I said it 'cause I thought it would make you happy. I don't know...I...usually I wouldn't be able t' say somethin'...like that without it being the truth." "So..." "--But it a'int! It can't be, RD! I don't think I really feel that way. You don't feel that way 'bout me, do you?" "No way!" Rainbow Dash replied instantly. "Well...I dunno. I mean, you're basically my best friend. It's not like we don't have a lot in common..." Applejack sighed. "This must just be all in our heads, Dash. We've both been pickin' up signals where there weren't any in the first place. My mind's runnin' a million miles an hour and I can't even think straight." Rainbow Dash paused for a moment before continuing the conversation. "Well...there is one way we could find out for sure..." Applejack looked at her with a mixture of shock on worry on her face. "You don't mean..." "Yeah...I do..." "Oh, come on, Rainbow Dash. That's crazy talk. We're two grown mares, for Celestia's sake. Don'tcha think we'd know if we were like...that...by now?" "I'd think so. But have you ever actually tried it before? I haven't." Rainbow Dash was acting oddly serious and unlike her normal self, Applejack realized. Rainbow Dash was being completely serious about this. "No, but..." "It'll just be a little peck. Nothing more. Believe me, I don't want to do this just as much as you." "Well..." Applejack paused for several seconds, "...alright." Rainbow Dash leaned in closer to Applejack's face only to be stopped by a hoof. "But nopony else can know! Ever." "I Pinkie Promise," said Rainbow Dash, moving in closer. But she was stopped again. "And what if somepony asks me about any of this?" Applejack queried. "You know I can't lie." "Well," said Rainbow Dash, "if it turns out you don't like it, then that shouldn't be a problem then." "I suppose..." Rainbow Dash and Applejack inched closer and could feel each other's warmth radiating onto the other's face. Applejack winced, trying her hardest to keep herself from pulling back. Rainbow Dash had closed her eyes and seemed to be closing in like a slow-moving cloud. Applejack closed her eyes in preparation for the dreaded moment. This has got to be one of the most ridiculous things I've ever done, thought Applejack. With a determination to push through her restraint, Applejack thrust her face forward into Rainbow Dash's, completely missing the target and bonking heads painfully. Rainbow Dash opened her eyes with a look of bewilderment on her face. "What in the hay was that? You call that a kiss?" Applejack was too dazed to say anything other than a jumble of incoherent words. "Oh, gimme a break," said Rainbow Dash as she put her hoof around the pony, pulled her in, planted a kiss and let her go all in one swift motion. Applejack came immediately to her senses and her mind became clear as crystal. She now knew definitively how she felt about Rainbow Dash, without a doubt in her mind. The pony's lips tasted like a sugary soft drink, her breath smelled like she hadn't brushed her teeth in weeks, and Applejack felt nothing more than the physical pressure of the pegasus' lips on her own. All of the feelings she had thought she felt before washed away. After a few moments, Rainbow Dash broke the silence. "So...what are you thinking?" "Sorry, RD, I definitely don't feel that way. I know now fer sure." Rainbow Dash looked somewhat taken aback, but quickly stifled her immediate response before Applejack could notice. "Yeah, me too," she replied. "You sure?" "Yeah, I'm sure. And would it kill you to use some chapstick every once and awhile? That felt like kissing a wrinkly piece of paper." Applejack chuckled nervously, still trying to compose herself. "Sure thing, sugarcube. As long as you start brushin' your teeth more often." The two ponies laughed off the awkwardness around the slowly dying campfire and began to set themselves up for the night. Applejack went off towards the tent to go to bed, but Rainbow Dash stayed behind sitting on the log, watching the fire slowly burn out just like the receding romance between them. But the embers of the campfire stuck around, smoldering intensely, just like Rainbow Dash's newfound romantic feelings for her best friend.
