Author's Note

Well, that "only" took 2 or 3 months.
Sorry to those who are actually waiting. Hope you are still reading, more is coming.

Ch. 7 - Busted!

Applejack looks at the cracked display of his ancient cellphone. A message from Butterscotch. A short, vague explanation that he left early and that he needs Applejack to come over to his place, as soon as possible. Butterscotch also states adamantly, as stern as caps lock makes anything, that he must be alone.

Applejack dismisses the message as it just being typical Butterscotch. He won't instantly rush over there but he is definitely a bit irked over the stranger-than-usual behaviour of his shy friend. Not the particularly curious type, Applejack replies to his friend and tells him he will make it over once he has settled what his evening holds for him. He does not mention Aria, Butterscotch seemed bothered last time she showed up. No need to upset him further.

Long, slow school hours have crawled by. The day may have been shorter than usual but it felt twice as long. Applejack slowly strolls down the busy hallway. The last class he had was some kind of science or something. He zoned out in the very beginning and does not even feel bad about it. Not hearing a peep from his friends all day does not bother him either. He feels good on his little cloud, it has been a while since he had fun like this. Just as he told Aria, she is the most interesting thing to happen in a long while.

A good few curious gazes follows him. He notices a bit of murmuring as he passes. A strange feeling, he has never really been the target of gossip before. It does not feel particularly good but it is at least a little exciting. Mainly because those that talk know nothing. That is definitely part of the excitement. Everyone that are so interested in something that is not their business will have to wait and see what happens. Applejack opens the front door and exits the school. Standing on the steps outside in the afternoon sun, he scans about the area until his eyes fall on who he wanted to find. Aria stands leaned against a wall not far off. She looks incredibly bored, staring off into the distance.

Applejack walks over without saying anything. She stands as if frozen until he enters her field of vision. The second she lays eyes on him, an evil smirk replaces her bored apathy. She steps away from the wall and instantly brushes up against Applejack, like a kitten looking for affection. He sweeps one arm around her and just smiles at her in silence. She wastes no more time and reaches up to give him a quick kiss before speaking.

"So, what are we in for, cowboy?"

Applejack absent-mindedly fondles her behind while going over things in his head.

"I'm not quite sure, sugar. Butterscotch was actin' real strange. I mean... More than usual. I think I should drop by an' see what's eatin' him. I could come by y'all's place after. Maybe we'll busy ourselves with not watching another movie."

His groping hand is distraction enough to help soften the irritation Aria feels. He did not offer much thought before he chose to go to Butterscotch rather than simply staying with her. She will have to work harder. Also, would that little scaredy-cat blab to Applejack right away? Would it matter? Perhaps she should be there to steer it all in the right direction. Or perhaps in the wrong direction, as it were.

"I'll come along to soothe your friend."

Applejack's first hand on her butt is joined by a second one. He looks deep into her eyes with a thoughtful expression. He hesitates, Aria notices right away. As he remains silent for a moment, she finds her window to make her move. She has to convince him before he has a chance to overthink anything.

"I won't get in the way. I'll even pretend to be nice."

Her words soon have Applejack chuckling softly. She has intrigued him yet again. The fact that she is more or less impossible to read as serious or merely jesting makes her statement a thing of uncertainty. She is like a mystery machine, just wind her up and watch her go. Anything could happen and he is not entirely certain he has a problem with however things go. She is a refreshingly bad influence. He dares not even think about how his boring afternoon would be like without her.

Oh, right. The so-called boring afternoon is supposed to kick off with him coming to the aid of a clearly distraught Butterscotch. His head feels fuzzy after trying to put all factors of the situation into their correct mental compartments. Taking a good long look of Aria's dainty visage soothes his jumbled brain. She is something to focus on. Having her along will keep him sharp.

She could wait in the car, stroll around, hells, she could even just wait outside Butterscotch's door. Applejack has dealt with plenty of freakouts from the pink-haired boy and he has yet to face one he could not manage.

Applejack breathes in deep through his nose, finally settling his thoughts on a plan. His hands reluctantly let go of Aria's behind while he smiles for her.

"Let's go see what's agitatin' Butterscotch. Y'all're gonna have to play real nice. That boy's more spring-loaded than an unbroken pony."

Aria sticks very close to Applejack and holds back a sinister snicker by putting on a sharp, evil grin. If only Applejack knew... Well, he might. He will. He should. Just not yet, right? What will she do if Butterscotch goes off rambling? Deny it? That is not a very good fix for the long-game.

With everything in motion, she will have to roll with the punches. Delightfully exciting and horribly tricky. She clings to Applejack's arm and begins to form whatever contingency-plans she can in her head.

As they enter the parking lot, Aria spots something up ahead. The undeniable shape and colour of Adagio. She is standing at the edge of the lot with someone. As Aria and Applejack draw closer, she makes out who Adagio is with. Sundown Glare. The wild-card. Of course Adagio went for him as soon as Aria showed off her lead with Applejack. Stupid Adagio, she's not only full of herself, she is lazy too. Sundown is an instant route into the minds of pretty much all the Rainbooms, even if he is not officially part of their group. He is outcast, uncertain around just about anyone. Not in the same shy, twitchy way as Butterscotch but more or less like a beat dog. Aria cannot hear what is being said between the two but it does seem like Adagio has already snaked her way to his full attention. He actually looks genuinely interested in what she is going on about. Whatever vile trash that could possibly be.

Squeezing Applejack's arm a bit, Aria gets his attention as they reach his truck. She reaches up and puts her hand against his face. Applejack watches calmly as her face distorts in a mixture of thought, annoyance and barely contained spite. He raises a brow and is just about to question her when he notices her eyes. While she is close to him, her eyes flit almost constantly to another couple, down the way. Applejack follows her glance with his own and spots Adagio and Sundown. So she is eyeing her sister hitting on the fire-haired boy. Why does it seem to annoy her? Applejack sets his analysis of the situation aside for later and leans down to focus Aria with a quick peck on her cheek. Just as she fully focuses back on him, he cannot resist commenting.

"Y'all bothered by ya sis' gettin' some?"

Aria's eyes flash, her cheeks flaring up in an instant. This simply cements Applejack's suspicion, even though he does not yet know the full story. She slaps both hands against his chest and looks to the side while sighing. She has to play this one cool, there is still the issue of going to Butterscotch's. When she looks back to his face, she is wearing a strong, neglecting look.

"No, I've got you. Wrapped around my finger."

She reaches up to cling around his neck with both arms while looking deep into his spring-green eyes.

"Screw her."

With that, Aria quickly spins and flings open the door to the truck. Applejack's eyes follow her lithe movements as she climbs up and sits down. She soon gives him a relaxed pose and smirk.

"Come on now, cowboy, let's leave this dreadful place."

He nods slowly a few times and wastes no time entering the truck and getting it rolling. The drive to Butterscotch's place is not all that long. However, for Aria it feels like an eternity and the blink of an eye at the same time. She is deeply lost in thought. Her being quieter than usual even has Applejack react, turn down the ever-present music and ask.

"Somethin' troublin' ya, sugar?"

Aria looks to him and blinks. Words form from her subconscious.

"I didn't do anything... What?"

She tilts her head to the side and puts on a thoughtful furrow of the brow. Another crack in her facade. If this keeps up, she is going to have to be knee-deep in bad excuses. She gives Applejack no additional time to ponder and fills in.

"Don't worry about it, cowboy. I'll be fine once we get some more sweet, sweet alone-time."

Applejack raises a brow but nods. He is not sure he is going to enjoy dragging something out of her, so he will not. All of this started off with secrets, why not continue in the same way? Honesty always triumphs in the end and he is patient. Especially when things are as interesting as they are now. With all that, they roll up the quaint wooded road to Butterscotch's homey little cottage-slash-animal shelter.

The gigantic engine rumbles to a stop, both driver and passenger get out at the same time. Applejack hesitates for a second, then just shrugs it off with a short comment.

"Will y'all please jus' keep in the background, I'm gonna assess the damage."

Aria forces herself to answer with a cute face rather than a snide snicker. Applejack walks over to the door to knock while she hovers in the background, leaned against a fence-post. She sees the door open but Applejack's massive frame blocks out the rest of the view. Images flash by in Aria's mind, the adorable, lost look on Butterscotch's face, his lips slick with semen.

A little shudder goes through her just as she notices Applejack entering the cottage. She looks for a sign to follow but finds none. Both of the boys are inside but the door was never closed. Her curiosity piqued, she slowly approaches.

A small number of steps closer and Aria can see inside. Applejack is clearly talking to someone, being rather animated. Wasn't Butterscotch the one in need of consolation? She creeps closer until suddenly, Applejack sharply positions his arm in a pointing motion, towards outside. To her? Aria freezes mid-creep and composes herself. If she is indeed the object of attention right now, she wants a lead-in of looking at least partially innocent. She observes in silence as Applejack turns to her and sees she is closer than he expected. He does not react to that little fact and raises his voice enough for her to hear.

"Would y'all come here, sugar? There's a lil' issue I think y'all can be the judge of."

Aria has managed to compose herself well enough to give a fairly casual first answer. While she takes only parts of a moment to attempt to figure the situation out, she steps closer to the door.

"Is that so?"

She sounds relaxed enough, yet her mind is racing a mile a second. All and any preparations she made in her head does not help as she is walking into a completely unknown question. The thrill and terror are the same. She takes a deep breath before stepping inside of the door-frame.

Well inside, she is met by a regularly nervous Butterscotch and a strangely hard-to-read Applejack. The cowboy is wearing his usual calm, smoulderingly sexy smile. There is just something. Like a silent annoyance. She stands still and quiet, expectant for what comes next.

Butterscotch fixes his eyes on Applejack. For a few seconds, the silence is deafening. Finally, Applejack speaks again.

"So, Butterscotch is feelin' y'all "Dazzlings" ain't whatcha' say y'are."

Aria tenses up but plays it off. How is this reveal going to go and who is going to get embarrassed? She is feeling safe enough in that Butterscotch spun some evasive story. He probably just attempted to play a spiced-up "they are evil" card and ended up explaining it badly. Then again, she could be walking into a trap. She sucks on her lower lip for a moment of thought while swaying a bit to and fro on the spot. Then she inches closer to Applejack and alternates her point of focus between the two boys.

"Well then, Butterscotch, what is it that irks you so?"

A faint blush creeps onto the shy boy's face and he looks down for a moment. Aria quickly glances at Applejack but the musclebound behemoth stands still and silent. Perhaps a part of dealing with Butterscotch's delusions? He did say this happens every now and then.

Just as Aria starts doubting, Butterscotch answers, wide-eyed and flustered.

"You know full well what, Aria Blaze! You-"

He interrupts himself in the middle of a burst of words. His wild-eyed gaze strays to the side. He is visibly shaking. A single pearl of sweat trickles down the side of his face. Aria puts on a smug grin. She feels the intense sting of excitement, the rush of uncertainty. She stops herself from taking a step closer to the shy boy. She would very much like to poke and prod him a bit, assert some more dominance. Just as she debates with herself, she notices Butterscotch taking a deep breath. He turns to Applejack, a crazed defiance on his face.

"She's got a dick, Applejack! I don't care if you know... Or whatever that implies... Just... She..."

His breath vains, his short burst of rage giving way to something that is more than likely regret. Regret that he spoke out to begin with. Applejack stands still and silent, although he is pretty easy to read. His brow is furrowed and his eyes are locked on Aria. Applejack's targeted annoyance calms Butterscotch down just enough to keep him from running off or hiding. The air is thick with confusion. Aria notices Applejack and bites her lip briefly. Butterscotch spots another way in and manages to croak out more words.

"She... She forced me to..."

He trails off again and Applejack's stern eyes start to feel like they are burning the side of Aria's head.

"What's he referrin' to, sugar?"

Aria's head flutters high in the fumes over some toxic lake. She was so certain this specific scenario would not happen, all she can do is stare dumbly at Applejack's handsome face. After a short moment of paralysis, she manages what she always does and collects herself for a sharp little grin and a dismissive expression.

"Oh, you mean our little incident earlier... Where you accused me even more than just now? I admit, some of those things are true... I think you've got the rest twisted up though."

None of them specifying details, none of them giving a straight answer. Aria may keep a decently cool exterior and Butterscotch might have conjured a thimble of courage but it all boils down to a now visibly upset Applejack.

"Aria. Y'all need ta get more specific. Now."

Aria swallows hard but plays it off the best she can. She puts on the most innocent face she can muster and creeps even closer to Applejack.

"Fine. I was minding my own business, waiting for you. Then oh-so shy-boy here took it on himself to chat me up, talking about secrets. Talking about how I'm bad for you..."

Aria trails off while placing a hand against the cowboy's chest, seeking some manner of response. She needs to know where she is going with this lie. So far, fortunately, Butterscotch has not interjected. Although Applejack still remains full-on annoyed and says nothing. Aria continues.

"Lured by talk of secrets, we ended up in a closet..."

Butterscotch looks like his entire being is blushing. He really does not want to talk or hear about any more of this. He fidgets anxiously while Aria continues.

"He's been watching me, Applejack. Creeping or something... I don't know. He started talking about... Well, you know."

She looks down while placing her other hand against his chest. When she looks up again, it is with intense sad puppy eyes.

"One thing led to another... A burst of... Emotions... So close in that little room. Can't say he looked displeased with the entire thing."

The living blush formerly known as Butterscotch lets out a hoarse little squeak. Applejack's stern look has given way for a good amount of confusion. He takes one of Aria's hands in his and sighs deeply. He gives little to no indication of how he feels about the entire situation, besides his obvious disappointment. Or is it fatigue? Helplessness? Aria feels an odd sensation, an icy tingle down her spine.

His large, warm hand around hers gives her hope. He has not rejected her, he will not reject her. She shudders in anticipation for what is to come next. Applejack takes half a step to get close enough to Butterscotch to lay his free hand on the shy boy's shoulder. The pink-haired one looks up with silent panic in his eyes. Applejack offers him a small smile.

"I haven't the slightest idea 'bout this lil'... Issue we have on our hands. As y'all seem rather reluctant to go into details, I'm gonna have to figure this hen-house hoopla out mahself."

Applejack only remains silent for a brief moment after speaking, enough time to lock eyes with both of them and finish with a light squeeze of Butterscotch's shoulder. He then continues, knowing he has their undivided attention.

"I'm gonna figure y'all out. First step is a drink in mah hand. Butterscotch, I know ya keep cider around the house... If ya'll could fetch some, please, I jus' need a few breaths of fresh air with mah sugar belle."

Butterscotch quickly scampers off without a word. Clearly relieved to get out of the situation, if but for a moment. Applejack slips an arm around Aria and ushers her along outside. He makes sure they take a few steps away from the door before speaking.

"Now, sugar, I don't like playin' games like these. I ain't one ta judge, I learned that the hard way. I jus' need ta know enough ta calm Butterscotch down."

Aria looks up to him with an expression best described as hopeful. Sinister cynicism dances around her brain. He isn't mad at her? Can he even get mad at her? Is he allowed to?

She exhales slowly while her eyes flit about his features for a moment. He is annoyingly perfect in his calmth and kindness. Perhaps she should not poke a bear that sleeps. Perhaps she actually has more to lose than just another corrupted heart of an enemy underheel.

No. With all that has happened, what in all the multiverse is she thinking? She can't fall for his poisonous niceties. Lapping up too much of such would ruin her very being. A sharp, bitchy smile cuts into her soft, pretty face.

"Okay, cowboy. Here's the thing..."

She tilts her head to the side while pointing a long, sleek finger at herself.

"I'm extremely high maintenance. Some would take that as an insult or a turn-off, me, I just accept it as the truth."

She makes a little gesture with her hand to end the pointing and takes a very small step closer. She lets her voice drop down a bit, husky, sensual. It crosses Applejack's mind how she has never for a second even sounded boyish.

"Butterscotch really did approach me, told me I was no good for you. I guess we just had it out for each other..."

She presses herself up against the blonde hulk and finally gets some manner of response from him. A short, ragged breath. She looks up to him and lets the vile bitchiness drop from her face.

"He didn't like me... I didn't like him. So, I changed that."

Applejack lets one hand crawl up her back and stay there. Their eyes lock for a long moment, it is as if she can see words attempting to form behind those emerald orbs of his.

"So y'all done gone fucked him?"

Aria freezes up for a moment, this time not at all from nerves. A coy smile plays on her lips as she reaches up to touch the side of his face.

"What if I did, cowboy? Would you leave me...?"

She does not want the answer to that question but teasing for it and getting a little feel is too good to pass up. She quickly fills in.

"You needn't worry, what actually happened is a bit... Stranger."

The wheels of Applejack's mind turn frantically without finding any traction. Aria notices and purrs with satisfaction. She leans in close, reaches up and stands on her toes to get a proper hold of him. She lets her breath tickle his ear a short while before whispering.

"I wasn't the girl in that little fling."