Rainbow Apple Acres

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were running through the woods together. After the Running of the Leaves incident they both frequently raced through this area. Each one was neck and neck, running as fast as they could, neither passing the other. The trail gave away to a small clearing, where both ponies collapsed panting. Applejack looked at the pony laying down beside her. Her mane was disheveled, there was dirt all over her, but Applejack still thought she looked beautiful. Rainbow Dash glanced to her right and noticed Applejack staring at her. "Uh, why are you staring at me AJ?"

Applejack didn't hear what the pegasus was saying, she just stared into Rainbows magenta eyes. How come I haven't noticed how pretty she looked before?

Rainbow Dash was getting a little worried when Applejack just stared directly into her eyes with a strange look on her face. Getting up, Rainbow walked over to her gawking friend until her face was directly over Applejack's. "Hey Applejack? Are you okay?"

Seeing Rainbow Dash's face only a couple of inches above her own, her instincts kicked in. Not fully aware of what she was doing, Applejack closed the distance between them, and then pressed her lips against Rainbow's. Rainbow Dash's eyes shot open when she felt Applejack's soft lips on her own. Hesitant at first, Rainbow closed her eyes and returned the kiss. The world seemed to melt away, and all that remained was the sensation of kissing Applejack.

Rainbow Dash shot up in bed. She was sweating a little and looked confused. Realizing that it was all just a dream she sighed disappointingly. Looking outside she saw that it was still night. I need to tell Applejack that I like her, but what if she hates me? There were many "fillyfoolers" (as most called them) in Equestria, but that didn't mean ponies were okay with it. Besides, it could ruin our friendship. Flopping her head down on the pillow, she groaned. I need advice...but who to ask? Applejack was obviously out of the question. Pinkie would probably throw a party, and Rarity would most likely disapprove of the "uncouth" crush. Fluttershy would pass out at best after hearing the development. Then it would have to be Twilight. That egghead knew everything about everything, so she must have a way to help me. Closing her eyes Rainbow Dash fell back to sleep with a smile on her face. No doubt to a certain orange mare gracing her dreams.

Applejack woke up to the sound of a rooster cawing outside. She looked into the mirror and noticed bags under her eyes. No wonder, I was up half the night. Going to sleep had been easy. But her dreams had been plagued with Rainbow Dash and herself doing, as Rarity would put it, very unladylike things. Waking up from the... nightmare? She wasn't as shocked about what the dream entailed, but that she was almost sad when she woke up. That was what ashamed her the most. You shouldn't be having these weird thoughts! Thoughts raced through her head for along time before she fell into a dreamless sleep, a mere hour ago. Could I like her? Getting out of bed, Applejack knew she needed advice.

Throughout her life, Applejack always told her brother if anything was bothering her. She trusted Big Macintosh completely, but was hesitant to tell him what was wrong this time. Sighing, Applejack went into her bathroom and turned on the shower. Do I like Dash? We are close and all, plus were both strong athletes. Sure we fight a lot but we never do it seriously. Stepping into the shower, she tried to tune out her thoughts and tried to figure out how to break the news to her brother. Coming up with nothing she decided to just tell him when Rainbow wasn't around.

Drying herself off, Applejack put her towel away and trotted down the stairs feeling a little bit better. Walking into the kitchen she met Rainbow Dash eating an apple, reminding her of the dream. Looking up, Rainbow saw Applejack and looked away hastily. Both mares faces were slowly turning beet red, as they remembered their fantasies.

Eyes darting around the room Rainbow Dash tried to casually say, "hey AJ, how ya doing?" but it came out in a nervous squeak, causing her to blush even more.

Applejack still trying to avoid Rainbow's eyes she just asked in a slightly higher tone than usual "Um... fine... have ya seen Big Mac anywhere? Ah need ta talk to him..." she trailed off.

Rainbow Dash said in her normal tone of voice now, "I think he's out in the barn." Still not meeting Applejack's eyes she didn't notice the bags under her eyes.

Applejack quickly exited the house muttering a quick "thank you," before leaving the awkward situation. It didn't seem to cross her mind that Rainbow Dash was up before her, not to mention noon.

As soon as she was outside of the kitchen both mares gave sighs of relief.

Applejack thought that Big Mac would probably be counting inventory in the barn. She cracked the door open and peered inside. When she saw the red stallion Applejack felt some of the fear abate. Hearing the door creak open Big Macintosh turned around and grinned at his sister, but immediately knew something was amiss. Big Macintosh cared for both of his sisters and always could tell how they were feeling.

"Is there something on yer mind, lil sis?" Big Mac asked.

Applejack sighed inwardly. Great...what a way to tell if my brother has anything against fillyfooling. "Actually Big Mac, there is something on my mind."

The older stallion said nothing and waited for Applejack to tell him on her own.

Applejack started "Well... ya see Ah have a crush on... somepony." She purposely left out Rainbow Dash's name until she could see his reaction.

Of all the things he expected, this was not one of them. "So, who's the stallion?" he enquired.

Closing her eyes and preparing for the worst, she said "that's just it though... she's not a stallion." Expecting to get yelled at she kept her eyes closed so she didn't see her brother come up to her, until he pulled his sister in for a hug. Applejack buried her face into Big Macintosh's shoulder and began to cry. The emotional turmoil had gotten to her. Big Macintosh just patted his sisters back and whispered "Its okay Applejack. It must have been hard to admit this to yerself, and me as well."

Applejack felt her tears subside. She looked up at her brother with shining eyes, and gave a big hug "Yer the best brother ever, ya know that?" Letting go of the stallion, Applejack wiped a stray tear off of her face.

Glad that she stopped crying, Big Macintosh rephrased his earlier question. "So who's the lucky mare?"

Applejack frowned a little. "Ah think its Rainbow Dash. But what if she doesn't like me back? It'll ruin our friendship!"

Big Mac thought a moment before answering. "Sis, this going ta eat ya up inside if ya don't tell her. Who knows, maybe she likes ya in... that... way too." He wasn't too sure about the fact his sister had a crush on a girl who was living across the hallway.

"Yeah, yer right, Big Mac." Applejack got up and trotted to the door. "Ah know Ah can always trust ya." Now, she told herself, its time to find that pegasus.

Big Macintosh was moved by his sisters words. It must have been hard to admit those feelings, but she still trusted me enough to tell me. Putting away the last of the apples he knew that he would stand by whatever choice his sister made.