Feel the Music

Chapter 7: The Awkward Question

Rainbow's POV

"AJ! AJ!" I yelled as I approached the orchard. "AJ!" My search began to seem like a lost cause until finally I found her, bucking the red delicious trees at the edge of the acres.

She hadn't noticed me yet, so I quit my hollering and took a minute to...appreciate the scenery. I'd never realized how...well, sexy Applejack looked when she was apple bucking. Her muscles rippled with every kick. She was dripping with sweat, but that only made her glistening coat even more attractive. The amount of concentration she was putting into her work was inspiring (don't tell her I said that; she might try to get me to help her, and I'd much rather watch). And her face? Don't even get me started. She was panting, her tongue sticking out on one side. Her hat was unsurprisingly still on her head, hanging just above her eyes. Her awesome emerald eyes...

That just locked with mine.

Shit.

Luckily, she didn't seem to notice I'd been staring at her. At least, I assumed she didn't because she smiled at me.

"Well, howdy, RD!" she said happily. "How long you been flyin' up there?"

Her grin was so wide it was contagious, so I sheepishly returned it, trying (and failing) to fend off the heat rising to my face. "N-no, I, um, I just got here...heh..."

Her smile somehow widened and she looked almost proud of something. That's weird. "Just got here, huh?" I nodded. "Right. You wasn't starin' at me or nothin', were ya, Sugar Cube?"

She winked. Oh, god. Did she just act super sexy because she saw me watching? Dammit, now she's gonna know everything! Out of pure fear, I started stammering. "W-what, I-I-I-"

"Shoot, girl, I'm jus' teasin' ya! Ah'm almost scared to ask what's got ya so worked up. Now, whatcha here fer?"

The breath that I didn't realize I'd been holding slowly left my mouth. "Oh, yeah! Check this out!"

My wings carried me down to her and I started ransacking my saddlebag in search of the flier. Ireallyneed to clean this thing out more often. Eventually, the flier revealed itself and I pulled it out, holding it with my teeth for her to read.

She read it over, her eyes growing. "Well ah'll be! You thinkin' o' doin' this, Dash?"

"Yup!" I nodded, grinning. "And guess who I'm taking to dinner if I win?"

She scratched her head, puzzled. "Uhm...Fluttershy?" I smiled and shook my head. "Twi?"

I huffed and rolled my eyes. "No way! I don't wanna have dinner with an egghead! Boring! No, the pony I'm taking is actually cool. Almost as cool as me!"

She looked let down all of the sudden. "Oh. Then who is it?"

I gave her a crooked smile. "I'll give you hint. Works on a farm...orange..."

"Carrot Top?"

My hoof connected with my face. "Ouch... You, AJ. You!"

Her eyes widened in shock. "Really?"

"Of course! You know me better than anypony! Even Fluttershy! 'Sides, you're my best friend."

She smiled softly. "Gee, RD. Thank ya. Same goes fer you, Sugar." She leaned in and hugged me around my neck. I wrapped my forelegs around her, my breath catching in my throat. My face was buried in her mane, and I hoped she couldn't hear my heart trying to jump out of my chest. I didn't want to pull away, but I knew I had to if I wanted to avoid suspicion. I did so, full of regret.

She didn't let me pull back far. Her face was only a few inches from mine. I couldn't help a small smirk from creeping onto my face, which she seemed glad to return.

When I finally spoke, my voice was tender, and conveyed way more emotion than I wanted to. "Hey, AJ?"

"Yeah, Sugar Cube?" The sultry tone of her voice made me gulp. What is she playing at? Oh, whatever. Why don't I just tell her now?

"W-will you come help me with the music for the song I'm gonna do in the show?" Dammit. Never mind.

Applejack's smile didn't waver. "Sure as sugar will."

I grinned. "Awesome."

Before I knew it, I began to lean in as I stared into her eyes. They sparkled as she did the same. Come on, Dash. You got this!

"Applejack!"

I jumped back in shock as Apple Bloom bounded up to us. What is happening right now? Did she want to kiss me, too? Nah.

Fighting my instinct to fly away, I leaned coolly against a tree, giving Apple Bloom a chill nod. AJ was frowning, still leaning forward with wide eyes. Her lips seemed to be half-puckered. So shewasabout to kiss me! What is she playing at?

"Applejack! Ah need ta talk - oh. Howdy, Rainbow Dash."

I cleared my throat, trying to act cool. "Hey, kid. What's up?"

She looked down at the ground. "Oh, uh, I just needed to ask Applejack something."

Applejack finally snapped out of it. "Well, hurry up and ask, Apple Bloom. Ah'm tryin' ta work here!"

The filly began prodding at the ground with her forehoof. "Ah just...ah was jus' curious about somethin'."

Applejack's face softened. "Go 'head, little sis. " Apple Bloom remained quiet, eyeing me. Applejack was oblivious to this. "Go on, Sugar. Ah'm sure me and Dash'll have no trouble answerin' yer question."

Apple Bloom seemed hesitant, but she tore her gaze away from me and took a deep breath regardless. "Okay..."

Apple Bloom's POV

Beads of sweat rolled down my neck. If I didn't word this right, I'd be in huge trouble. The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to say them.

Ah, screw it. Just breathe, Apple Bloom. With another deep breath, the words were forced out of my mouth. "Ah know."

Applejack's brows furrowed. "Ya know what?"

"Er...the Crusaders and ah...kinda...listenedinonyouinthelibrary!"

Rainbow Dash growled, deciphering my quick speaking immediately. "I knew it!"

My ears pressed back against my head. Applejack looked as though she was struggling not to explode. "An' you have a...problem with what you heard?" At least she didn't ask about the closet!

"No!" I said quickly. "No, ah was just wonderin' how ya figured out that you, ya know, like mares."

Over Applejack's shoulder, Rainbow's eyes popped open, and my face fell. If Rainbow Dash was shocked by my question, I didn't even want to think about Applejack's head dropped at the silence, taking it as a bad sign. To my surprise and relief, a strong foreleg wrapped around my withers. I pressed my face into the crook of my sister's neck.

Thankfully, after another minute or so of silence, she finally answered me. "Well, fer me, it wasn't somethin' ah ever really considered. Ah guess ah just...realized it one day."

"But how did ya know?" I pressed, my voice muffled by her orange coat.

"Well," she started, "Ah never thought about it 'til ah realized ah was havin', ahem, feelin's for a certain somepony..."

She trailed off, as if she regretted what she'd just said. I took a peek over her shoulder and realized why. Rainbow was no longer leaning against the tree and trying to look cool. She was standing stiffly straight, eyes wide and ears perked up, face flushed. Grinning, I put my face close to Applejack's ear.

"You really should try an' tell her soon, sis'. Ah don't think yer gonna regret it one bit." Leaning back, I spoke more loudly. "What kinda feelin's?"

She huffed. "Never you mind. What's the matter, Sugar? Why are ya takin' such an interest?"

Before I could say anything, Rainbow Dash butted in. "Oh, come off it, AJ! Isn't it obvious? Who's the lucky mare, kid?"

I froze in shock, pulling away from my sister. "Er, no one! Ah don't know what yer talking 'bout, Rainbow Dash! Ah gotta go!"

I ran off toward the barn. Behind me, I heard Applejack say, "Ah better go an' see what's up with that little filly. Sorry, RD, but it looks like our plans is cancelled. Good luck with yer song!"

Horseapples!