Sweet Cider: An AppleDash Romance
Written by: ImJustAnotherBrony
Requested by: DbzOrDie
Colorful leaves fell from the abundance of apple trees as a chilly breeze rushed between them. A large line of ponies pulled their scarves tighter while they waited anxiously for their turn to receive this season's delicious apple cider. One particularly anxious pegasus fluttered above the crowd and gazed longingly at the stack of barrels that seemed so hopelessly far away, her dry tongue curling at the thought of the most delectable, thirst-quenching substance in existence gracing her pallet.
Then, to the young rainbow-maned mare's greatest disappointment, Applejack made an announcement to the masses. "That's a wrap everypony! We're all outta cider for today, so y'all'll just have to come on back tomorrow. We'll have a fresh batch ready to go first thing in the morning."
Rainbow Dash fluttered into the air and threw her hooves up in detestation. "Are you kidding me?!"
The disappointed mare fell forcefully onto her back, sending up a small plume of dust as she crossed her front hooves and pouted. The rest of the ponies muttered in dissatisfaction as they drooped their ears and slowly staggered away.
"Aw shucks Rainbow. I recon you woulda learned your lesson by now. Why can't you just show up earlier, considerin' just how much you want cider every single cider season." Applejack trotted in circles around her pouting friend, then took a seat next to her on the dirt road.
"I got here as early as I could... Maybe if you didn't sell a thousand barrels to Pinkie Pie every day then there'd be some left for me!" Rainbow grunted and faced away.
"You know, I'm sure Pinkie'd be glad to share if you'd just ask," Applejack winked and stood up, brushing her coat off with her tail. "But I know you got your pride. So get up, stop actin' like a baby, and come with me."
Rainbow reluctantly rose to her hooves and sighed. "Alright, but make it quick. I got things to do."
Applejack chuckled and rolled her eyes as she began a slow-trot towards the old apple barn. She trotted past Big Macintosh as he was rolling the empty barrels towards the apple cellar, and gave him a nod of approval and a tip of her hat. She then gave the front doors of the barn a quick kick, which sent them slowly open. The deep orange sun cast its soft glow through the spaces between the old, worn planks holding the structure together. It illuminated the emptied building with a soft, warm glow.
Rainbow Dash stepped into the barn first as another chilly breeze grazed her back, and Applejack followed close behind.
"Brr, seems like we're gonna get an early winter this year. You pegasi know anything about that?" Applejack widened a questioning eye as she latched the barn door shut.
"Sounds right, I'm not sure though. I don't usually pay much attention to the plans; they just tell me where to push the clouds, and I push em," Rainbow Dash explained as she fluffed her wings. "So are you gonna tell me what this is all about?"
"Sure thing, Sugarcube." The earth pony grinned and trotted up to a barrel propped up in the corner and tapped on the lid. "Grab a mug. I set this barrel aside just for you."
Rainbow Dash's jaw dropped as she eyed the full barrel of mouth-watering, crave-sating cider! In an instant, she dashed over to the barrel, her tongue hanging out as she slammed a mug beneath the tap. Applejack raised an eyebrow and filled the cup with a chuckle.
The pegasus held the cup beneath her nostrils, taking in its sweet aroma as her eyes rolled into the back of her head. "Oh Sweet Celestia, my prayers have been answered!"
Applejack shook her head and filled her own cup. "There's plenty more where that came from, so drink up."
Rainbow Dash pressed the cup to her lips, the sensation she'd been anticipating all year finally within her grasp. The cup tilted back, and the cider met her tongue, its sweet spice washing over her body and senses like an explosion of pleasure in her mouth. With a slight quiver, she swallowed forlornly as the wondrous liquid left her taste buds behind.
"This is the best feeling life has to offer..." Rainbow delicately stroked her mug with starry eyes.
"Well I'm glad you like my cider and all. And Dash, you can come get cider whenever you want. It's one of the perks of being the cider-maker's best friend, ya know?" Applejack winked and bumped her friend's shoulder.
"Really?! You mean... no more lines?! No more, not getting cider?! And you're just now telling me this?!" Rainbow lifted her cup and downed the rest in a single gulp.
Applejack lifted her hooves and smiled sheepishly. "Heh, yeah I guess so. Sorry?"
Rainbow glared and held her cup beneath the tap. "Better late than never I guess..."
Applejack pressed down on the tap and nodded. "Well I am giving you a lot of cider for free right now, so let's call it even?"
"Yeah yeah." Rainbow stared into her friend's eyes with a cold gaze for several moments, then broke into a chuckle. "Ha, I'm not mad at you. This is the best day ever!"
Applejack let out a sigh of relief and lifted her mug to Rainbow's. "Well then here's to a barrel between friends."
The pegasus nodded and bumped cups with her friend. "Thanks for this, AJ. I didn't know you cared."
"Aw it's nothin'. I just hate seein' you so disappointed everyday, and figured it was the least I could do for a friend in need." The orange mare flicked her ear and kicked at the ground as she sipped her cider.
Rainbow Dash glanced up at her friend, quickly spotting the subtle blush growing across her muzzle. "Uh-huh. Well that was nice of you. Kinda weird that you waited all these years do this though, I mean, we have been friends for a really, really long time now and all. Is there some other reason you randomly decided to do something super nice?"
"Huh? No. No other reason, just being friendly, and neighborly. That's all." Applejack smiled wide and nodded rapidly.
"Alright then. I believe it." Rainbow fluttered up next to the mare and poured her own cup of cider.
Applejack respectfully glanced away from her friend's flank as it was temptingly close. Her kindness was short lived as her eyes betrayed her sense of courteousness and drifted along the perfectly fit pegasus' backside. The farm-mare closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"So how've things been lately?"
Rainbow tilted her head away from the barrel and grinned. "So what, we're making small talk now? Uh, okay I guess. You?"
"Yeah, same." Applejack scoffed and kicked the ground again, a small cloud of dust forming beneath her hoof.
Rainbow Dash sipped on her cider and awkwardly glanced around the barn. She slowly trotted around and continually glanced back at her friend, who stayed still, leaning against the barrel and following Rainbow around the room with her deep green eyes.
"So, why so quiet all of a sudden?" Rainbow asked, clearing her throat to break the silence.
"What? Who's quiet? I'm being normal, you're the quiet one." Applejack gulped and took a deep breath. "So maybe I'm bein' a little quiet, is that a problem?"
Rainbow stared in confusion, then scratched her mane. "Uh, should I go?"
"No!" Applejack shouted, then turned away as she squeezed her eyes closed. "I mean, well you can if you want..."
"Sheesh, I just wanna know what's gotten into you." Rainbow fluttered up next to the embarrassed mare and placed a wing over her back.
Applejack took several more deep breaths and shook her head. "I'm sorry Rainbow, I didn't mean get all... eh, crazy or whatever you wanna say. It's nothin' really. I guess I was just a little nervous about askin' ya to come to barn and whatnot."
"Why would you be? You seemed pretty cool about the whole thing if you ask me."
Applejack lowered her ears as her cheeks grew hotter. She looked up into Rainbow Dash's glowing pink eyes as the setting sun sent its beautiful rays falling in a line across her pretty blue face.
"Well, I guess there really is another reason I brought you here today..." Applejack lifted her chin and faced her friend with confidence.
"And what would that be?" Rainbow asked, her eyes locked on Applejack's as she inched closer and closer.
"Oh, nothin' big, just..." She closed her eyes and leaned forward, her lips brushing against Rainbow's.
The pegasus dropped her half-full cup of cider onto the ground and wrapped her forelegs around Applejack's neck. Their lips went from simply touching to interlocking, and the cold autumn air vanished beneath their warm, loving embrace. Each mare kept her eyes closed as they shared a moment of passion and mutual affection.
Rainbow Dash's heart skipped a beat as the subtle sweet taste of cider on Applejack's lips met her tongue. The orange mare's hot breath escaped her nostrils and washed over Rainbow's cheeks as she parted her lips a bit more.
Applejack opened her own lips as her friend's tongue flicked between them. She tilted her head and pressed herself up against the pegasus, causing her to stumble backwards. As Rainbow stepped back, her hoof landed in the center of the spilled cider and it slipped out from beneath her. Applejack, pressed up against her friend, fell directly on top of her and instantly lost her footing as she attempted to scramble to her hooves.
"Ouch..." Each mare fell silent.
A sudden gust of wind shook the barn planks and sent its chill between them. Rainbow Dash chuckled, and Applejack began to laugh. Both mares giggled uncontrollably as they slowly helped one another to their hooves. The slowly dimming sunlight glowed brightly in each mare's eyes and they both let out a simultaneous, woeful sigh.
"So, is that what this was all about?" Rainbow asked, her hot cheeks becoming redder as she stared at her friend.
Applejack turned away and scratched beneath her hat, her coy smile drooping with her ears. "Yeah, pretty much. Sorry to be so... forward about it."
"Heh, yeah, it's okay..." Rainbow lowered her ears and scratched at the dirt floor.
Once again, each mare fell silent and avoided eye contact. The orange sunlight turned dark blue as it fell beneath the horizon and the stars took the sky. Another strong gust hit the barn, causing each mare to jump and shiver.
Applejack placed her hat back on her head and nodded towards the door. "Hey, wanna come inside with me? We can, uh, talk about stuff."
Rainbow Dash shook her head and trotted up next to her friend, tightly wrapping a wing over her back and planting a loving peck on her cheek. "What's to talk about?"
Applejack shrugged and rubbed her muzzle against Rainbow's. "Well then let's just go inside and do whatever it is you wanna do, Sugarcube."
"Sounds good to me."
