One Night (a.k.a A taste of an Apple)

Applejack left the party early, she excused herself from her friends saying she had to go home and work but all she did when she reached that farmhouse was head to her room and destroy her bed, anger making her break out as she didn't want to remember what she heard.

For what was told to her at the party was something that nearly broke her heart, something that would ruin her life if she admitted the same.

That Rainbow Dash actually loved her.

She had been so blind, but she did not want to see. Didn't want to accept what they had as more than what it was.

"How can she love me?" she asked herself quietly in tears as she looked at the feathers that had been released from the pillow she had bucked in anger, "What could I possibly give her…?"

She couldn't give Rainbow Dash a future, Twilight had said two mares together would only end in tragedy.

But her life was spiralling out of control even when she tried to avoid the Pegasus.

And what she felt back… it couldn't give sadness… the only sadness in denying it.

But her brother… h-her family? Why couldn't they understand, why did Big Mac think Dash would hurt her… why all these obstacles for a love that felt like it had always been there, hidden?

She only ended up in tears on her messed up bed. Terrified that she couldn't get those words out of her head.

"She said she loves me…" she whispered in a cry, hugging her blanket weakly "She said… she loves me,"

XXXX

Rainbow Dash hit the ground in anger, heartache at yet another rejection. She just couldn't keep doing this. Putting herself out there just to be constantly hurt.

The alcohol was what hit her lips though, as she drank to forget, drank to get rid of the hurt, ponies laughing around her, dancing, music, until she couldn't take it anymore and everything went black.

It was so dark when she regained consciousness, finding herself in a familiar room. It was pink and she blinked her eyes slowly waking up, as she realized she was in a friend's room.

She knew which mare it was, and as she stood up, she pressed her hoof to her head groaning, her head in pain and her hoofs sticking into a soft mattress, realising she was on a bed.

She could hear no loud noise, the party seeming a distant memory and could see the moonlight shining in the window, showing the interior and how it was covered in streamers.

She got out of the bed and stumbled over to the light switch, turning it on but halted when she saw the door open and in come Pinkie.

"Pinkie," she said, still in ache from the hangover, "What am I doing in your room?"

"Don't you remember?" Pinkie asked confused "You had too much to drink and smashed into the roof when you tried to take flight."

"Really…?" Dash said, now understanding why her head hurt so much and Pinkie led her to sit down on the bed, Dash still feeling terrible, her heart and also her body from the toxins.

"I'm guessing I made a fool of myself…?" she said quietly and Pinkie giggled softly.

"Only a little."

"I guess every party needs a clown…"

"You had a right to be drunk but," Pinkie said slowly and Rainbow dash looked at her confused "You were upset…"

She nodded her head; still feeling like this was all a dream but felt Pinkie put her hoof around her shoulders as she said quietly.

"I saw what happened between you and Applejack."

Dash looked up at her in hearing this… looking into Pinkie's eyes slowly… did she know?

"Yeah… I guess I had too much to drink,"

"What she did was so mean,"

"Well I did kiss her…"

Pinkie looked at her slowly, nodding, and Dash smiled, glad to be getting some comfort.

She didn't know how much Pinkie knew, or discovered by herself, but it was good to have one friend knowing this now.

But talking about it only reminded her of the cold rejection Applejack had given. And maybe Dash had to accept it. Maybe her love… would never be returned.

"You like Applejack."

She blinked coming back to reality as she saw Pinkie's eyes looking at her warmly and she nodded her head.

"I do…"

"Why?" Pinkie asked quietly.

"The way she acts… the way she talks… she's perfect."

"But she hurt you," Pinkie said weakly. Dash didn't understand why Pinkie was talking about this, but a tear fell from her pink eyes as she nodded hurt from the event hours ago, "I would never hurt you."

Dash's tears held back suddenly lost… as if she had missed something and she looked into Pinkie's longing eyes confused.

"Pinkie what are you talking about?"

"I love you Rainbow Dash," she said shyly "But I thought you weren't like me… that you went for colts. But I saw you kiss Applejack, she was so cruel… but I wouldn't do that."

Rainbow dash couldn't believe her ears… how could she have missed this? How could she have never seen the looks Pinkie had given her? But she was so confused… she loved Applejack, but that farm pony didn't want to be with her… didn't love her and all she had caused Dash was pain.

But before she could really think things over she suddenly felt Pinkie kiss her, the pink lips intertwining with her own and all she wanted was to be loved. She kissed Pinkie back, pressing against her longingly as Pinkie pushed her slowly over on the bed, going on top of Dash and kissing her deeply.

It was soft, it was different to Applejack… but it was with someone who wanted her. Someone who wasn't afraid and Dash let it continue, the kissing and caressing becoming more evasive, more out of control as she felt her still slightly drunken self give into the lust, Pinkie grinding herself against Rainbow dash as she whispered,

"I love you so much Rainbow,"

Dash only groaning in pleasure, but the night seemed almost like a dream… an event that she only seemed to understand for its reality as she woke up the next day, Pinkie holding her close in her hoofs, Dash's eyes looking around confused.

And then she saw Pinkie. Not knowing how she felt but knowing one thing.

Pinkie wasn't ashamed of it. Pinkie wasn't afraid.

And that maybe she had to move on from that country pony… even if it was forced.

XXXX

Applejack didn't talk much to her family the next day, not bringing up the fact of the noise she had made in her room last night and the mess she had left behind.

But Big Mac and Applebloom still had worried faces on as they ate awkwardly before the young filly finally asked.

"Applejack? What were you doin' in your room last night?"

"I was…" Applejack said, only chewing her hay quietly not knowing how she could explain how she felt… knowing it wouldn't be understood, "I was just redecorating…"

"Cool!" Applebloom said cheerfully "Can I redecorate too?"

"I don't think so Applebloom…" AJ said quietly, her eyes just drifting sadly down and Big Mac looked at his sister afraid, he had never seen her this withdrawn.

"You want us to help you clean your room, sis?" he asked trying to be helpful… but knew somehow this was his fault the way she was feeling.

"No… don't worry, I'll do it later…" Applejack said quietly with a sigh, and the room fell silent again until a knock was heard at the front door and before anyone else could get up, AJ was already heading to answer it, getting away from those judgemental eyes.

When she opened it she blinked finally becoming present in the moment as she saw Buckweed there with a smile on his face.

"Oh… you from the party," Applejack said looking at him confused.

"Yes Miss Applejack, I just dropped by to know if you and your family had decided on allowing me to stay?"

"Shoot, I forgot to bring it up…" she admitted biting her lip awkwardly, but froze when she felt Big Mac approach her and look at the young colt confused.

"What's goin' on Applejack?"

"Oh, this is Buckweed," she said quickly looking to Big Mac nervous "He's a farm horse from away and he was wondering if we had some work and room here for him to stay."

Big Mac looked at the young stallion with a wondering eye, but just shrugged, smiling at the colt saying kindly "I guess we could use a helping hoof. He could take the guest room."

"Oh thank you Mister…"

"Big Macintosh."

"We just call him Big Mac," Applejack said quietly and Buckweed nodded his head. The three stood there not knowing where to go from that so Big Mac just said to his sister,

"Show him to the guest room,"

"Fine..." Applejack said a little tired from everything, she didn't want to have to deal with making a new horse feel comfortable in their home at the moment but she couldn't be rude and nodded her head up the stairs, leading Buckweed away.

"You hav' a mighty fine house Miss Applejack."

"You don't need to say Miss, Buckweed." Applejack said as they reached the top of the stairs "We're all equals."

"Sorry…" he said with a nervous laugh "Mah parents brought me up strict you see."

"Yeah, I know how it is…" Applejack said with a sigh and opened the door, showing him the spare room, "We usually use this room for relatives, but you can sleep here I guess for now."

"Very much obliged."

"You want something to eat or drink?" Applejack asked trying to be hospitable and Buckweed shook his head with a chuckle.

"No thanks Ma'm… Applejack… I'd just like to get to work really."

Applejack looked at him questioning… but she knew the young colt had come to this area for experience and just said "Well, we'll be starting work in about half an hour, You can wander around the house if ya like, and we'll call you when we begin."

"Err… okay?" Buckweed said nervously with a smile, "You sure you folks don't mind me in your home?"

"Well Granny Smith might wonder who the stranger is, but it won't be a big problem."

"Thank you Applejack." Buckweed said slowly looking uncertainly at the orange country pony "I really appreciate what you and your family here has done for me."

"It's… alright," she said feeling slightly awkward from his declaration, "Anyway, I gotta go… my room needs… a cleanin'"

He nodded with a smile and she left feeling slightly on edge, it was going to be hard getting used to another horse being in her home, and she had already too much going on in her head.

When she arrived back in her room she only sighed at the mess. She still couldn't believe that Rainbow's feelings for her were so much deeper than what she thought. But no one wanted them to be… Big Mac had made it clear… but had he really…? What Rainbow Dash felt for her was real… but she couldn't betray her family. She couldn't go forward in anything when she still didn't understand her own emotions.

She was just so afraid… afraid of being with that Pegasus… afraid of letting her own heart get hurt by Dash's recklessness if she ever did choose her. She always thought she was so brave but in the last few weeks all she had done was cower at the strangeness of this feeling... love… if that was even what that was.

She looked at her room… she had been thinking too much, been in too much distress and it could show with the mess in front of her eyes.

Before she knew what to do she had to first clean up her room… and clean up her mind.