Chapters Prologue: Applejack's little problem
Applejack paced back and forth around her room. Her orange pelt glowing with a pale light in the early morning sun. Macintosh was making her take the day off today, so she was extremely restless and woke up earlier than she normally does. A sigh escaped her lips as she continued to pace. She could hear the others starting to wake up for their day. Applebloom would be heading off to school after eating breakfast, Macintosh would be bucking apples all day and Granny Smith...well... she'll just do what she always does.
Applejack let out another long sigh and decided to go downstairs. As soon as Macintosh saw her he raised an eyebrow as though to say "I though I told you to take the day off?"
Applejack rolled her eyes. "Don't ya worry Mac. I just couldn't stay asleep any longer. Ah won't do any applebuckin' if yah really don't need me."
Macintosh nodded and turned back to his breakfast with Applebloom.
"Applebloom if ya like I could walk ya to school" Applejack offered.
"Nah. It's okay. Scootaloo and SweetieBelle are comin' and we're gonna walk to school together" Applebloom explained excitedly.
"Ah see. Alraight'y then. I'm gonna go fer a walk" Applejack sighed.
She slowly made her way out of the house and off towards town. If she couldn't do any work on the farm today there was no way she was going to spend her day there. Not when it meant watching the others do their jobs while she just lazed about.
Once Applejack arrived in town she decided to go see if any of her friends were free. If she couldn't spend the day working or at the farm she might as well see if she could spend the day with her friends.
She moved forward at a quick trot towards Twilight's Library. Maybe the purple unicorn was free for the day, unless she was studying, which is something she does a lot. Applejack trotted up to the door of the library and raised a hoof. She pulled it back to knock but before her hoof could touch the door it opened.
"Applejack? What are you doing here"
Twilight was standing there with a traveling cloak around her shoulders and a bag tied around her middle.
"Ah-Ah I was just comin' ta see if ya'll were free fer the day..." Applejack mumbled.
"Oh. Sorry Applejack, I'm going to Canterlot for a few days. Princess Celestia said that she found something interesting and wanted to share her discovery with me"
"Oh. Okay. Ah'll leave ya alone then"
Applejack turned and started walking away. Twilight suddenly called out to her.
"Oh wait! Applejack! If you're looking for someone to spend the day with why don't you go see Fluttershy? She's free today"
Applejack nodded, "All right. See ya'll later"
'Fluttershy huh?" Applejack thought to herself.
Applejack had always been a little intrigued with the shy pegasus. There was something about her that made Applejack's stomach flutter.
She made her way out of town and off towards Fluttershy's cottage. About half way there she heard somepony singing. Her ear's twitched and angled towards the sound. Who was singing out here? She followed the sound to a clearing in the middle of a well forested area. When she got to the clearing what she saw made her gasp.
She watched in awe as Fluttershy walked around the clearing singing clearly and beautifully with some birds who were sitting in a small tree. There were other critters around as well, all singing along following the tone of Fluttershy's beautiful voice.
Applejack felt the butterflies in her stomach fly around like wildfire and she could feel her cheeks growing warm. Right then and there, Applejack decided, she wanted to get closer to this beautiful shy pegasus, and if Fluttershy let her get close enough, she wanted to be with her.
Chapter 1: Getting closer
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.
Chapter 2: asking questions
Applejack walked towards Fluttershy's cottage with a smile on her face. Her and Fluttershy had been spending a lot of time together this past month and Applejack has a few questions that she wants to ask.
When she approached the cottage she could hear Fluttershy singing to her birds inside. Applejack smiled as a warm bubbly feeling spread through her stomach. She loved it was Fluttershy sang. Fluttershy's singing is what made Applejack realize that she wanted to be with the shy pegasus in the first place.
Applejack raised a hoof and knocked on the door. The singing stopped and she heard a small voice call out to her telling her to let herself in. Applejack pushed the door open and trotted into the room. Fluttershy was flying in front of one of the birdhouses feeding a few of her birds.
"Hello Applejack!" She greeted as she put the basket down and landed softly in front of her.
"Hey sugarcube" Applejack greeted back. "How are you today?"
"Oh I'm fine. A few of the birds have been complaining about stomach ache's so I was just giving them some special seed" Fluttershy explained.
"Ah see. Well that's good. At least they all know you'll take good care of 'em"
Fluttershy nodded and smiled shyly at Applejack. Applejack returned the smile and shuffled her hooves nervously.
"So uh... Fluttershy....we've been spending a lot of time together this past month... and Ah was wonderin'....."
"Yes?"
"Ah-Ah was wonderin'... if I could ask you a few questions. Y'know cuz...we've been spending a lot of time together but....we don't actually know all that much about each other."
"Oh." Fluttershy looked a little disappointed with Applejack's questions, "Sure. I'll get us some tea. Make yourself at home."
Fluttershy trotted into her kitchen to get the tea and Applejack sat down on Fluttershy's couch to wait. She felt so stupid, she had been so close to asking the pegasus pony out and she chickened out at the last moment. Its not like Fluttershy would say yes anyway... why would a pony like that, like a pony like her?
Applejack looked around the cozy little cottage while letting her mind wander. She really didn't think that Fluttershy would be interested in her. Sure they had been spending a lot of time together, but that would just make them good friends. Fluttershy probably didn't want anything more.
Applejack jumped slightly as a tray of tea and cookies was placed in front of her. Fluttershy sat down on the couch beside her and looked at her curiously.
"So. What do you want to know?"
"U-Uh" Applejack stuttered trying to think of something to ask, "A-Are you... i-into anypony?"
Fluttershy tipped her head to the side slightly considering her answer. After a moment she replied, "Yes... but I doubt this pony is interested"
Applejack's ear twitched slightly, "A pony not being interested in you? Ah doubt that its even POSSIBLE for a pony not to like you."
"Yes well... I don't think somepony as brave or honest as they are would like someone as shy and self conscious as me....."
Applejack stared into Fluttershy's turquoise eyes and spoke softly, "Ah am."
Fluttershy's eyes widened and she looked straight into Applejack's eyes. A light blush spread across her cheeks. "R-Really?"
Applejack stuttered. "W-Well yeah.... Ah mean....that's why Ah've been spendin' so much time with you.... Ah've been tryin' to get to know you so Ah could ask you out without it seemin'....weird...."
"....Why me?" Fluttershy asked. "A pony as brave and beautiful as you shouldn't like somepony like me...."
Applejack shook her head fiercely. "Don't say that Fluttershy. Yer perfect. Ah'm the one that nopony like you should be interested in."
"Why not? Your confident and nice, you always do your best to help other ponies. No matter what happens you're always there for your friends."
"And so are you Fluttershy." Applejack interrupted, "That's what friends do."
Fluttershy smiled. They fell silent for a while and just stared into each other's eyes. Trying to figure out who was going to make the next move and when.
"So.... Fluttershy... would you like to.... go out.... on a date..... with me?" Applejack asked getting quieter with each word.
Fluttershy let out a soft giggle. "Of course I'll go on a date with you. This past month has almost seemed like we...WERE dating...you know?"
Applejack nodded, "Yeah. But Ah wanna take you out on a REAL date."
Fluttershy smiled. "How about the day after tomorrow? We can do see a movie and eat dinner at one of the restaurants."
Applejack considered it for a moment, "How about, instead of a fancy dinner at a restaurant. You can come over to Sweet Apple Acre's and Ah'll make you a proper meal?"
Fluttershy grinned. "Okay."
Applejack nodded and slowly got up. "Ah should go. Ah've got a lot of chores to do. Ah just wanted to come over here and ask..."
Fluttershy got up and quickly kissed Applejack on the cheek. Applejack blushed and stared at Fluttershy shocked. Fluttershy was blushing as well and she let out a nervous giggle.
"I'll see you later Applejack"
"S-See ya"
Applejack walked over to the door and slowly pushed it open. She pushed it closed behind her and sat down against the door. She lifted a hoof and touched it to the spot that Fluttershy had just kissed moments before. Applejack blushed again and a grin spread across her muzzle. She jumped to her hooves and ran off towards Sweet Apple Acre's whooping with glee. She had finally done it! She had asked Fluttershy out and Fluttershy didn't reject her! They were having there first date in just a few days and Applejack decided she was going to make it the perfect date, a date that neither of them would ever forget!
Chapter 3: The first date
Applejack paced nervously around the Carousal Boutique as Rarity busily worked on the final touches of her dress. Normally Applejack would have never resorted to coming to Rarity but she was desperate, she wanted to look nice for her date with Fluttershy tonight.
"Applejack darling I still don't understand who you're going on a date with" Rarity suddenly exclaimed as she put the final touch on the dress. "Who could possibly be so important to you that you actually want ME to make YOU look nice?"
"Ah already told you Rarity. Ah don't want to tell ya'll 'till Ah know whether this relationship's gonna work out" Applejack explained with a sigh as she stopped pacing and turned to face the unicorn.
"Oh I know you said that. I'm just curious" Rarity mused, "Especially since you pretty much refuse to ever look nice. This pony must be very important to you if you want to look nice for them"
Applejack's mind drifted to the beautiful pegasus she would be taking out tonight. Fluttershy was important to her, and yes she wanted to look nice. It was only because she was scared that if this date didn't end up being perfect that Fluttershy would never want to go out with her again.
"Alright Applejack." Rarity sighed, "Come on. I'll get your hair done. I already know you don't want to wear makeup or anything really girly so I'll just start with the basics"
Applejack followed Rarity to a corner of the boutique where she had some chair set up in front of some large mirrors.
"Do you have anything in mind? Or would you just like a master like me to do whatever will look good?"
"Uh... you can just.... do whatever. Just as long as you don't make me look too girly."
"I know." Rarity said with a small pout, "I really wish you weren't so stubborn. If you weren't covered in dust and dirt all the time you would actually look really good."
Applejack hopped up onto the chair and Rarity levitated a large piece of fabric to her and fixed it around her neck. She then levitated Applejack's hat off her head and placed it on the table in front of the mirror. Rarity pulled Applejack's mane and tail out of their ponytails and started brushing out all the knots.
"Oh hun you have so many knots" Rarity commented slightly disturbed.
"Well uh... Ah don't really get a lot of time to brush mah mane...."
Rarity frowned a little but continued to brush the knots out of Applejack's mane and tail. Once all the knots were out of Applejack's mane and tail Rarity carefully braided the mane into one long braid and put the ponytail around it to make sure it stays. She then carefully braided different sections of Applejack's tail and tied them all at the tip with the other ponytail. She styled Applejack's bangs to the side and placed an apple shaped clip to keep it in place. She turned the chair so Applejack could see.
Applejack's eyes widened a little. "It looks amazin' Rarity"
"I know" Rarity grinned.
Applejack watched as Rarity levitated her hat back over to her and placed it gently over her carefully styled mane and removed the cloth from around her neck. She then tied a red ribbon around the base of the hat and placed an apple shaped clip on it.
"There. Your hair is finished, and because I know you don't want to wear anything really frilly I though instead of dressing you up I can just add some accessories to your hat."
Applejack admired herself in the mirror for a moment, "Thanks a lot Rarity"
Rarity smiled, "Anytime Applejack. If the date goes well let me know!"
Applejack laughed, "Ah will. Don't you worry 'bout that."
Applejack thanked Rarity one more time and made her way to the entrance. She pushed the door open and walked out into the early afternoon sun. Applejack took a calming breath and started making her way towards Sugar Cube Corner. There were a few things that she needed to pick up from Pinkie before heading back to Sweet Apple Acre's to start on the meal. She trotted over to the entrance to Sugar Cube Corner and pushed the door open. The bell above the door jingled and Pinkie dashed out of the kitchen to greet her guest.
"Applejack!? Ooooohhh! You look nice! What's the occasion?" Pinkie squealed excitedly as she bounced up and down in front of Applejack.
"Ah'm goin' on a date" Applejack replied with a small laugh, "and Ah was wonderin' if you had anymore o' them applecakes?"
"Ooohhh I get it! Your gonna try to seduce your date with some delicious apple cakes!"
"Not exactly. Ah'm makin' dinner for the two of us and Ah just wanna make sure the meal is perfect." Applejack explained. "Ah just though that yer apple cakes would be a good desert."
Pinkie let out a little giggle. "I get it. I've still got lots of apple cakes too!"
Pinkie dashed back into the kitchen and walked back out a few minuted later with a large container of apple cakes balanced on her head.
"Here you go!"
Applejack smiled, "Thanks"
"No problem!" Pinkie gently placed the container on Applejack's back. "Be careful not to drop it!"
"Ah wont drop it Pinkie." Applejack reassured as she started heading to the exit, "Thanks again Pinkie!"
"Have fun on your date!"
Applejack smiled to herself as she pushed her way out of the bakery and started heading back to Sweet Apple Acres. Humming to herself she looked around at the peaceful scenery around her, everything seemed so much more beautiful today.
When she arrived at Sweet Apple Acres she pushed open the door and made her way to the kitchen carefully balancing the container of apple cakes.
"APPLEJACK!"
Applejack jumped and managed to get the container on the table before it fell off her back. Applebloom raced into the kitchen.
"Applebloom what in the hay?" Applejack asked started.
Applebloom stopped and stared at her sister in awe, "Ah was just gonna ask where you've been all day. What's with the fancy hair?"
"It's none of yer business Applebloom."
Applebloom was about to reply angrily when Macintosh walked into the room.
"Macintosh! Just the pony ah wanted t' see!" Applejack greeted turning to her brother. "Can you do me a huge favor?"
Macintosh just stared silently at Applejack, she took that as a yes.
"Could you take Applebloom and Granny Smith into Ponyville fer a few hours?" Applejack asked.
"Eeyup" Macintosh answered, "Why though?"
"Well.... uh.... Ah've got a date tonight and uh... well... I'm... bringin 'em here." Applejack replied slowly, "Ah just... don't want nopony interruptin' us."
Macintosh nodded, "Okay. C'mon Applebloom. Let's get Granny Smith and we'll go to town fer awhile."
Applebloom nodded slowly, "Okay."
When the two left the kitchen Applejack opened the container of applecakes and put them onto a large plate. She trotted over to the fridge and took out the salad that she had made before going to Rarity. She placed it on the table and went to the counter to make the daffodil sandwiches. Once the sandwiches were done she placed them on a plate and put it beside the salad and the applecakes on the table. Applejack smiled to herself, it wasn't the most romantic meal, but it would be delicious.
Fluttershy trotted towards Sweet Apple Acre's from Rarity's boutique. She had stopped by there to get her mane styled so she would look nice for Applejack. Rarity had asked a lot of questions but Fluttershy only told her that she was eating out with a friend of hers and wanted to looks nice. It was partly true, but Fluttershy wasn't sure whether Applejack wanted other ponies to know about them yet. Especially when they hadn't even had their first date yet, better not to tell the others when the relationship had barely started.
As soon as she arrived at Sweet Apple Acres she could smell the delicious meal waiting for her. Her ears perked up slightly and she sped up a little until she arrived at the door. She raised a hoof and knocked on the door.
She didn't have to wait long and the door opened to reveal Applejack. Fluttershy let out a small gasp. She looked beautiful, she must have went to see Rarity.
"Hello Applejack"
"H-Hey Fluttershy, w-why dontcha come in?" Applejack greeted nervously and awkwardly stepped back to give Fluttershy room to walk into the house.
Fluttershy dipped her head in thanks and walked into the house. She smiled as the scents of the food reached her once again.
"It smells delicious." Fluttershy stated.
"Ah-Ah hope so" Applejack stuttered slightly, "Ah worked hard on it."
Fluttershy smiled and nuzzled Applejack's neck. Applejack blushed and nodded towards the kitchen.
"c'mon, lets go eat"
Applejack tried to focus on the conversation with Fluttershy, but she was so distracted. She knew she was going to be nervous, this being her first date with the pegasus, but she wasn't expecting it to be this bad. She was nervous, and at the same time in awe of Fluttershy's beauty. Rarity had obviously worked very hard on the shy pegasus. Her man was styled back into a loose ponytail and was loosely curled. There were a few flowers and butterflies arranged in her mane but what really caught Applejack's eye were the sparkles in her mane. They caught the light and made Fluttershy look even more beautiful than Applejack already knew she was.
"Applejack?"
Applejack jolted slightly, Fluttershy was looking at her with large curious eyes.
"W-what?"
Fluttershy giggled a little, "I was just telling you that the food is delicious. You must have spent a lot of time on it."
"O-Oh. t'was nothin'." Applejack replied.
Fluttershy smiled, "Well I'm glad. I don't want to trouble you too much."
"It was no trouble makin' this. As long as your happy Ah'll do anything."
Fluttershy smiled again and fluttered her wings a little, "I'm always so happy when I'm with you Applejack."
"Ah'm happy when ah'm with you too Fluttershy."
Applejack walked beside Fluttershy back to her cottage. She had decided to walk the pegasus home after they had eaten and went to see a movie at the theater. It had taken them a while to pick a movie but they eventually settled on a romantic comedy. It had been a really good movie, but it was getting late and it was about time that they went to bed.
Fluttershy was being really quiet. Applejack was worried that she had ruined the date somehow, Fluttershy probably didn't want to ever go out with her again. It was making Applejack a little depressed. She hoped Fluttershy enjoyed herself as much as she had.
When they arrived at Fluttershy's cottage Fluttershy stopped in front of the door and turned towards Applejack.
Fluttershy smiled and mumbled, "I had a great time Applejack."
Applejack shuffled her hooves awkwardly. "Ah don't see why.... Ah was so nervous... Ah did everything wrong... it was probably a really bad date.... Ah'm sorry."
"What? No Applejack, I had a great time. Really I did. You weren't the only one nervous."
"...truly?" Applejack asked.
Fluttershy smiled, "Cross my heart and hope to fly."
Applejack laughed relieved. "Thanks Fluttershy. Ah'm glad you had a good time. Ah should probably go though, It was a long night and we both need to rest."
Fluttershy nodded and quickly leaned forward to place a gentle kiss on Applejack's cheek.
"Goodnight."
The pegasus turned and walked into her cabin. The door slowly closing once she was inside. Applejack stood rooted to the spot for a moment until a grin spread across her muzzle. She turned and started heading back to Sweet Apple Acres. The date had been a success, they definitely needed to go out again soon.
