The Shy Apple

Applejack trotted through town with a happy bounce to her step. Today was the day, she was determined to spend more time with Fluttershy. The shy pegasus would be at the Carousal Boutique today and she was hoping to catch her before she got there so she could have a chance to talk to her. She sped up a little as the boutique came into sight. She could see Fluttershy making her way towards the building and called out to her.

"Fluttershy!"

Applejack's heart skipped a beat as Fluttershy turned her beautiful turquoise eyes towards her.

"Oh. Hello Applejack" Fluttershy greeted as Applejack slowed to a stop in front of her. "What brings you here today?"

"Well, Ah actually came to find you" Applejack said softly as she scraped her hoof on the ground nervously.

Fluttershy tipped her head to the side a little, "Really? Is there something I can help you with Applejack?"

"Well....a-actually ah was wonderin'.... if maybe ya'll would like ta.... hang out?"

Fluttershy blinked a few times, and then a smile spread across her muzzle, "I'd love to spend some time with you Applejack. I promised Rarity that I would help her but as soon as I'm finished we can go do something"

Applejack smiled and a light blush spread over her cheeks. "A-All right. Ah'll just... Ah'll be around Sugar Cube Corner. Just uh... come find me when yer done okay?"

Fluttershy nodded, "I'll come find you once I'm done. I'll see you later Applejack"

"See ya"

Fluttershy walked past Applejack and pushed her way into the boutique. Applejack watched her go and let out a small sigh. She turned and made her way towards Sugar Cube Corner, hoping that Pinkie was there.

When Applejack arrived at Sugar Cube Corner she heard a loud crash and looked up just in time to see Pinkie come flying out the front door. Alarmed Applejack reared up and Pinkie clung to the orange pony.

"Applejack! What are you doing here? Are you here for some sweets!? OH! I JUST made some apple cakes! Come on!"

Pinkie continued to ramble about sweets and cupcakes and how happy she was to see Applejack as she forcefully drug Applejack into the store. Pinkie forced Applejack to sit down at one of the tables and darted back into the kitchen. Before Applejack could do or say anything Pinkie was back with a plate of apple cakes.

"Here you are!" Pinkie announced loudly.

Giggling excitedly Pinkie puts the plate on the table in front of Applejack and bounces up and down a few times.

"Trythemtrythemtrythem!" Pinkie chanted giggling.

Applejack rolled her eyes slightly and took one of the apple cakes to make the bubbly pink earth pony happy. She slowly chewed it and let out a content sound as the delicious flavors spread over her tongue.

"mmm, these are REALLY good Pinkie." Applejack admitted slowly.

"YAY! I'm sooooooooo glad you like them!" Pinkie squealed happily, "So Applejack! What are you doing today?"

"Well actually ah'm gonna spend the day with Fluttershy. Once she's finished helpin' Rarity"

"ooohhh whatcha gonna do hmm?" Pinkie stopped bouncing and looked at Applejack curiously with a slight tilt to her head.

Applejack let out a sigh, "Honestly? Ah don't know. Ah'm thinkin' we'll go see her critters in the forest. Or maybe we'll just wander around." Applejack shrugged. "Ah'm good with whatever Fluttershy wants to do"

The bell at the door jingled signaling another pony was entering the building. Applejack turned to look and her stomach did a flip as her eyes landed on Fluttershy.

"Hi Fluttershy!" Pinkie greeted happily.

"Hello Pinkie." Fluttershy greeted silently as she made her way to the table. "Sorry it took so long Applejack"

"Nah, don't worry about it. Ah barely noticed any time went by" Applejack reassured her.

Fluttershy smiled. "Good. I wouldn't want to keep you waiting."

Applejack shook her head, "Nah its fine. Any idea's what ya wanna do?"

Fluttershy was silent for a moment, ".... I'd like to go to the lake. I haven't been there in a while and I feel like going swimming."

"Well then the lake it is." Applejack confirmed with a nod.

Fluttershy smiled and stepped back from the table. Applejack turned towards the door and started heading out.

"Thanks fer the apple cake Pinkie!" Applejack called back as she walked towards the door with Fluttershy at her side.

"No problem Applejack! Have fun!"

Applejack and Fluttershy make their way towards the lake, making small talk on the way.

"So how have yer critter's been?" Applejack asked.

"Oh they've been fine. I've had a few sprained paws or broken claws but no one's gotten hurt or sick" Fluttershy replied softly.

"Well that's good. Don't want them critters gettin' sick on ya"

"No. That would be bad. What about you Applejack? How have you been?" Fluttershy asked.

"Mh... well nothin's changed much. Macintosh has been actin' a bit funny lately but other than that nothin's changed" Applejack explained briefly, glancing at the soft yellow pegasus.

Fluttershy nodded and her eyes brightened as the lake came into view.

"Where here!" She exclaimed happily, her voice louder than her normal soft tones.

Applejack let out a small chuckle, "Yup. We're here."

Fluttershy trotted over to the edge of the water.

"I love it here" she sighed happily as she took a deep breath, "it's always so calming and quiet here."

Applejack watched as the light from the sun reflected off the surface of the water and surrounded Fluttershy in a soft golden glow. She looked beautiful, Applejack wanted to go over there and tell her just that, but she knew she couldn't, not yet. Fluttershy was too shy for that kind of approach. When Fluttershy lifted a hoof to walk into the water Applejack raced forward and tackled Fluttershy playfully into the water. Fluttershy let out a surprised squeak and the two spluttered in the water until they were both standing back on their hooves. Fluttershy looked a little flushed and she still had a shocked look in her eye.

Applejack laughed, "S-Sorry Fluttershy. I just couldn't help myself."

Fluttershy let out a small giggle, a blush spreading across her cheeks. "It's okay Applejack. I don't mind."

Applejack grinned, she was definitely going to start spending a LOT more time with this shy pegasus.