Sleepy Secrets - An Appledash Short Story
A beautiful orange mare named Applejack slowly walked out of the barn next to her home. She smiled happily at the hard labor she had done today, alongside her elder brother, a stallion named Big Macintosh. Applejack knew it was a long time since sundown, only Celestia knows how long it took to bring in their large supply of freshly bucked apples from the far sides of the Apple family orchards. But, was mattered most now, was that she was done, and felt satisfied at the amount of work she got done. It was a cool night, a light breeze flung strands of her blond mane in every direction. Applejack, with a deep breath, trotted inside of the warm barn. Applejack moved quietly and slowly, knowing her younger sister, a little filly named Applebloom, was asleep. Granny Smith, the care taker of Applejack and her siblings, was also in a deep slumber. Applejack loved coming in from a hard day at work, for her marefriend, a Pegasus called Rainbow Dash, would be waiting for her in her room, usually asleep. But her being asleep never bothered the earth pony, Applejack still appreciated that Rainbow was here, and she had never missed a day since the night they fell in love.
Applejack slowly reached the top of the staircase, a small smile formed when she saw her door opened, although you could only see through a narrow crack. Applejack moved slowly and opened the door with concern that the loud sound of the old doors, would awaken the cyan Pegasus. But, it didn't have to at all. At the window side of the bed, sat Rainbow Dash. She shook, as if she were scared. Applejack could see tearstains on the mare's cheeks when the rainbow maned pony turned around to face her. But, even though Rainbow looked like a mess, she wore a smile on her face, hoping Applejack would buy the fake expression. Possibly, Rainbow had forgotten about what Applejack's element of harmony stood for.
"Hey, Apples," Rainbow said, showing no emotion, "How was your day?"
Applejack, concerned, walked over to the Pegasus. Applejack looked into the mares magenta eyes, noticing them glossed with tears. Applejack frowned. What was wrong with Rainbow?
"Dash," Applejack sat next to Rainbow, "What's wrong, hun?"
Rainbow shook her head, "What are you talking about, AJ, I'm always fine."
"I know that ain't true, sugar." Applejack wrapped her hoof around the emotionless Pegasus who sat beside her. Applejack felt her tense up in shock. It was dark and all, so Rainbow Dash couldn't see Applejack wrap her hoof around her.
"It's nothing, okay? I'm okay, don't worry about it." Rainbow said, again, with an emotionless tone. Applejack knew that Rainbow was trying to hide something. In this case, she couldn't put her hoof on it, when usually, Applejack always knew what was going on with the mare. Rainbow was most definitely one of the most stubborn ponies to ever walk Equestria, but Applejack loved that about her, and knew how to maintain it very well. Applejack was told by Fluttershy, since they have been friends since they were fillies, that Rainbow was a softie when she wanted to, and that was true. Rainbow could be one of the most adorable ponies ever when she wanted to. She rarely let that side of her show when she was out with more than one pony. But, whenever she was with Applejack, she showed that side 120% of the time. Applejack was the only pony to have seen this side of her more than once or twice. But Applejack was the only pony who could tell what was bothering the Pegasus. But this time, she just couldn't.
"Rainbow, I'm goin' to worry about it anyway, so you might as well just tell me what's botherin' ya." Applejack tightened her grip on the cyan mare. Rainbow let out one of the saddest, most melancholy, most distressed sighs Applejack had ever heard from not only Rainbow, but from anypony. Applejack, however, still could not see what was bothering her.
"Well.." Rainbow lowered her head, "Maybe something's bothering me.."
Applejack chuckled, "Care to tell me?"
Rainbow shook her head stubbornly. This is what Applejack had expected to happen even before she asked the Pegasus to explain what was the matter. Because, again, Rainbow Dash is one of the most stubborn ponies to ever live.
"You know, Dash, you can tell me anythin' you want. You don't have to hide anythin' from me." Applejack stroked the multi-colored mane of Rainbow's. Rainbow sighed once more, and didn't speak for a long time. Minutes passed and she said nothing. All she did was let Applejack stroke her mane softly.
"I wanna tell you, Apples.." Rainbow sighed, "But.. I'm just scared you'll hate me if I tell you.."
Applejack's mouth widened. How could she ever hate somepony like Rainbow Dash?! Who couldn't love her? Who would have the guts to hate a pony like Rainbow Dash?
"Rainbow, sweetie," Applejack forced the frowning mare to look at her, both green and magenta eyes meeting, "I could never hate you, ever. You are everythin' to me, ya hear? No matter what it is, I'll love you. I love you no matter what, got it?"
Rainbow nuzzled the orange earth pony softly. Applejack returned it.
"Applejack.. I.. I.." Rainbow Dash struggled to say it, "I'm... scared.."
Applejack didn't show it, but inside she was stunned! Rainbow Dash was scared? What of? She had never seen her scared in her life, what could she possibly be scared of now?
"Of what, Dash?" Applejack softly said. She felt Rainbow tense up as the curtains surrounding the open window started to sway. A gush of wind hit the two ponies.
"T-That.." Rainbow nuzzled into the shocked Applejack. The Pegasus who worked with weather, was scared of it?
"The wind?" Applejack held the mare close, her hooves held her tightly and securely, hoping that she as letting Rainbow know she was safe. She then felt Rainbow nod slowly.
"Aww," Applejack somehow smiled at the frightened Pegasus, "You know I still can tell that you're lyin' to me."
"Aw, c'mon!" Rainbow groaned. Applejack laughed. Rainbow still clutched onto her like she would die if she wasn't holding onto somepony. Applejack didn't mind, though.
"Fine.." Rainbow took a breath, "When I was a filly, like before I even had my cutie mark.. when my grandma was still around.. my dad said he always wanted me to grow up independent, and follow my own path.. never let somepony I love get in the way with my life.." The Pegasus was drowning in her own tears, just seeing her marefriend like this, it made Applejack feel her heart break, "And I'm scared that when I tell him about us... he won't let me stay with you.. Applejack I can't loose you!! I just can't!!"
"Rainbow.. you ain't gonna loose me. I'm always goin' to be right here no matter what, okay?" Applejack whipped a tear from the mares cheek, but it being worthless, for it was replaced not long after with new tears.
"It's... been scaring me.. me so.. so much.. I can't.. sleep... and.. and.. it gives me... thoughts... I.. I.. don't wanna think.. about.. I.. I... I'm scared to sleep... because.. if.. something.. happens.. happens to us.. I.. wouldn't be able.. to.. to.. live.. with.. myself.." Rainbow was barely able to stutter out the words she said. It was a bit confusing to Applejack, but the earth pony was able to catch what she was talking about.
"Rainbow," Applejack said, "It ain't his life, it's yours. Don't you ever try to follow in somepony in what they tell you to do. Even if he's your pa, that doesn't mean he's right."
Rainbow took another breath, "But I love my dad, AJ.. what if I loose him..."
"It's not up to you what happens once ya tell him, baby.. it's up to him." Applejack soothingly said the quivering Pegasus. Applejack could not believe what she was hearing, although she knew it was true. Applejack had also struggled to tell the Apple family about her and Rainbow, but they were so accepting after. It's almost been a year and Rainbow cannot find the courage in her to at least tell her mom. She hasn't even told Scootaloo.
"Ya know what, Dash," Applejack came up with an idea, "Tomorrow we're goin' to tell your ma and pa 'bout us, okay?"
Rainbow Dash. Went. Nuts.
"AJ! AJ! AJ! No, no, no, no, no! We can't- I can't! They won't let me stay with you, I can't.. no, no, no, no!!" Rainbow silently whined, hoping she would be able to annoy Applejack enough for the farm pony to take her side. But, it didn't work. For anypony else, it would've, but for Applejack, she was just cute.
"Nope. Tomorrow, g'night." Applejack grinned at the now annoyed Pegasus, Applejack laughed. Rainbow snuggled onto the earth pony, drifting to sleep. Maybe deep down, Rainbow knew she would be alright, and that she would always get to be with her.
Applejack smiled, even though Rainbow can be a stubborn, and a scared little foal, she loved her for her.
Author's Note
Hello, bronies and pegasisters:)
I hope you enjoyed my second short story. If you haven't read 'I like that about you.' please, go check it out!
Thanks for reading, and as always, if you find something wrong, mispelled, etc, please comment down below so I can fix it :D
~ Mal Dash