Despite living with the Apple Family for a while now (long story), Vignette Valencia never once thought that Apple Bloom, the youngest member of the family, would ask to speak to her in private.
Although, she did think of a few reasons why she'd want to talk to her alone
"I'm… in love with a girl."
That, however, was not one of them.
"Does that…" Apple rubbed her arm. "Does that bother you?"
"Not so much bother me as it confuses me," Vignette raised an eyebrow. "Why would you tell me about this, for example?"
"I wanna hear the opinion of a neutral party," Apple Bloom scratched her head. "Don't get me wrong, I love my family. But sometimes, they can get a little… intense. Applejack in particular."
"Don't remind me," Vignette folded her arms and rolled her eyes. "I still haven't forgotten how much of a chore she made our last camping trip together."
Apple Bloom twiddled her fingers and blushed. "So, what do you think?"
"Well, before I say anything, I want to make it clear that I'm happy for you and the fact you're falling in love for the first time," Vignette paused. "This is the first time you fall in love, right?"
Apple Bloom nodded.
"Okay, great, just wanted to make that clear," Vignette smiled. "And I also want to let you know that, whatever happens next, you have my full support. I don't really know what support I can give you, but you got it anyway."
"Well, think you could help me out with asking her out? I've been meaning to do so, but I don't really know what to do."
"Sure, but before that, I'm curious," Vignette rested her chin on her palm, flashing a teasing smile. "Who's the little cutie who caught your heart, Apple Bloom?"
The redhead took a deep breath, reached for her pockets, and took out a picture depicting two girls.
One had pink skin with white and purple hair with a tiara on top of her head, while the other had grey skin, hair that was two different shades of grey, and blue glasses.
"Apple Bloom, there's two girls here."
"It's the best picture I could find of her," Apple Bloom sighed. "She's almost never seen without her best friend by her side."
"Hmm, I see," Vignette looked back at the picture. "If that's the case, then maybe they're already dating-"
"What?!"
"Just an idea! Just a theory, don't worry!" Vignette waved her hands while laughing nervously. "Still, which one's the one you got a crush on, Apple Bloom?"
The girl looked elsewhere and blushed, scratching the back of her head as her eyes darted practically everywhere.
"Alright, I get it, it's too embarrassing for you to tell me, so I won't force you," Vignette said as she handed back the picture. "Now, let's focus on other things: you were planning to confess to her?"
"Yeah, but I don't want to just confess to her and be done with it, that's boring," Apple Bloom clasped her hands together. "I wanna do a gesture that'll let her know just how much I love her!"
"Hmm, I see…" Vignette smiled. "What'cha got so far?"
Later, at the kitchen, Vignette sat at the table while Apple Bloom finished baking something, taking it out of the oven and letting it rest as she explained:
"The only idea I got for a romantic gesture involves baking her something. I don't know if you've noticed, but cooking's a pretty big part of the Apple Family."
"Oh believe me, I've noticed," Vignette giggled. "You're all pretty darn good cooks. If you opened a restaurant, I bet it'd always be full."
"You're not the only one who says that, hehe," Apple Bloom slowly unveiled her creation with a smile. "I'm gonna need you to give my gift for her a taste test."
Once unveiled, Apple Bloom grabbed the tray it was placed on and put it on the table, right in front of Vignette.
On the tray was a rectangular apple cake, mostly red in color with slight hints of green on the corners.
Vignette licked her lips and cut a piece for herself and Apple Bloom, handing the girl her piece before taking a bite of her own.
"So, what do you think?" Apple Bloom frowned. "Is it good?"
Vignette swallowed… and put her hands on her cheeks as she moaned, stars in her eyes.
"D.B.B.! Delicious Beyond Belief!"
Apple Bloom smiled. "I'm glad you like it. I just hope my crush likes it too-"
"Although."
Apple Bloom paused at Vignette's add-on, frowning as she saw the woman point at her with her fork.
"Depending on what kind of girl your crush is, this might not be necessary."
Apple Bloom blinked. "What do you mean?"
"Well, what do you know about your crush?" Vignette asked matter-of-factly. "Is she the kind of person who could only get the hint with a grand romantic gesture, or could you possibly just ask her out without the theatrics?"
The redhead paused, and lowered her head. "She's… pretty humble and simple. It's her friend who's dense and into theatrics."
"Well then, while I think it wouldn't hurt to share a bit of this delicious cake with them," Vignette took another bite, and swallowed. "You just need to stay calm and ask her out, and everything will be fine."
"You really think so?"
"There's a reason the only difference between a girl friend and a girlfriend is the space between them," Vignette smiled with confidence. "Once you get the courage to cross that space, you'll evolve into the other. Or something like that."
"Hmm, I see. I think I know what you mean," Apple Bloom nodded and began cutting more pieces from the cake. "Alright, guess I'll go meet her and her friend and give them some cake just in case."
"And you better do it quick; otherwise I'm gonna eat all of it."
Apple Bloom laughed warmly. "Nice one, Vignette; you're kidding, right?"
Vignette grabbed the tray and pulled it towards her, flashing a sneaky smile.
"Y-You're kidding, right?"
Later, at the park, Apple Bloom and Vignette stood at the entrance, where they saw the pink girl and grey girl sitting on a bench, the latter looking around the environment while the former looked absolutely bored.
"There they are," Apple Bloom clutched the bag with the cake slices. "So close, yet so far."
"Don't be so dramatic," Vignette said, ruffling Apple Bloom's hair. "Just walk up to her and ask her out."
"Heya, Apple Bloom!"
The redhead flinched and turned around to see the girls waving at her. And with some encouragement from Vignette, Apple Bloom moved forward and met them.
"H-Hi girls, I brought some cake."
The girls nodded and each grabbed a slice, the pink taking a bite out of her own before asking:
"So, you mentioned you had something important to ask. What is it?"
Apple Bloom looked back at Vignette, who flashed a pair of thumbs up with a grin, and Apple Bloom nodded in return.
She turned back to the girls, clenched her fists, and took a deep breath...
"Would you go out with me, Silver Spoon?!"
The grey girl with glasses stood up and adjusted them as she answered.
"I'd love to!"
Both the pink girl and Vignette stood flabbergasted as Apple Bloom and Silver Spoon held hands and walked away, sporting wide smiles on their faces.
While Vignette quickly shook off the shock and smiled proudly, Diamond Tiara walked to her side as she said:
"You know, not gonna lie: I totally thought you were the one she was gonna confess to."
Diamond Tiara pouted. "Me too."
And Vignette petted Diamond Tiara's hair as they both watched the girls walk away in bliss.
Author's Note
Just a cute little interaction between Vignette and Apple Bloom. Nothing more, nothing less.
Oh, and there might be some shipping involved.
