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The summer after graduation, everyone found their place, it seemed.
Fluttershy bought a house in the mountains, Pinkie moved to the city to run a bakery. Rarity went off to fashion school and Twilight studies forensics out of state. And Dash- well, she followed her dreams.
Applejack found herself in the same routine she’s always been. And she didn’t mind it, because she loved the farm, the horses and cider season, the sunsets over autumn leaves. She even loved her chores, most days, mainly because it was a heavy enough distraction.
The past few months had been the first fall without her friends in town. It was hard, at first, and then it became even harder- it made her sick, she won’t admit, when birthdays would come and go and when holidays were just another work day- but she kept on. She made acquaintances with farm folk and coworkers, yet as nice as they were, it was never the same.
Her friends’ belongings that she never returned were placed about her house, sweaters on hooks and bags sitting at the bottom of stairs. It’s a nice reminder of them, at least she pretends, it’s not like they’re gone for good but it definitely hurts when she picks up traces of their perfumes. Their town still looks the same, the square is just as lively and the shops are just as busy, she might miss them sometimes but she knows they’re happy- she likes it here and she’s happy too, she tells herself- because she knew she’d see them again. And the day came sooner than she realized.
Winter break had approached and the dying group chat sprang into action. Flights were booked and gift ideas were shared, and before she knew it, everyone was sitting around her table. They ice skated in the park, raced each other down store aisles, made a hot chocolate bar and had movie nights and suddenly the house wasn’t so cold. Applejack hosted Christmas dinner and her heart was full again, everything was back to the way it used to be- it was a wonderful few weeks, but she knew somewhere buried in her chest, all good things must come to an end.
It was now that strange week between Christmas and New Year’s, where no one had any plans and there was nothing to do except wait for the next holiday. The one week of the year when time seemed to freeze yet speed up at the same time, the time when decorations came down and when people went back home- to their new homes, that is.
She had already made it through the goodbyes, watched her friends’ backs disappear into the doorway of the airport, even survived the lonely drive home. It wasn’t as harsh of a goodbye this time around, but mainly, she knew there was someone still in town.
Dash was staying a week longer. And it was a little confusing, since she was here while her family lived in a neighboring city. She had already gone to see them, she claimed- yet Applejack couldn’t help but smile at the thought of being first pick.
This year, Dash had gone off to flight school. Finally fulfilling her dreams of being a wonderbolt, something she had talked about since day one and something she had already proven her loyalty to. Of course, Applejack was happy for her. But that didn’t make it any easier.
She remembers the day Dash had run up her driveway while waving around that damn acceptance letter. She had held a smile on her lips tighter than the paper she grasped, hooting and hollering like it was a check for a million dollars. Applejack’s face had fallen before she could’ve caught it, and when Rainbow questioned her, she couldn’t admit that it was the worst day of her life.
As much as she wanted to, of course she could never ask her to stay. That’d be the same thing as cutting off a gamer’s wifi, or something- she couldn’t keep Rainbow from following her dreams, even if it meant being left behind. Asking your girlfriend to stay is one thing, but they were just friends, so… it’s not like she could’ve given a good enough reason.
Now here’s the thing. Rainbow and Applejack have always been those friends. Best friends, yet way too best and way too light on the friend side. Too connected, too competitive, too obsessed with getting in each other’s faces. Not friendly enough and yet way too close.
They claimed all of the main stereotypes- or warning signs- of being a little too close, like the lingering touches, the stolen glances, the lasting eye contact and the constant texting. They did everything together and saw each other in everything, and being the group’s inside joke of secretly dating, it was too ‘funny’ not to think about.
Dash thought it was hilarious, and Applejack thought it was funny too, for a while- but eventually she knew it was real. Those feelings, those glances, that skip in her heartbeat that only occurred when she was nearby. She accepted the crush, learned to dwell in it, and trained herself to push it away. It wasn’t too painful, she decided after one too many breakdowns- it was manageable, and if not saying it meant Dash would stick around, then so be it.
Applejack never asked if she felt the same. Never admitted to it, never brought it up. Just watched her expression for too long before her staring was obvious enough, and just watched her walk away the day she left town. She’ll never forget the way Rainbow didn’t turn back for one last glance.
But they still talked almost every day. They played online games on weekends, told each other goodnight 6 out of 7 days of the week, called until their phone bills grew expensive. Applejack loved all her friends the same yet her and Rainbow’s snapchat streak was much higher than anyone else’s- and probably the only one she’d actually get upset over if she had lost it. It’s the little things.
Now, they were completely alone, for the next few days. Rainbow was staying at her house since her parents didn’t live here- Applejack still questions why she had chosen that- and she couldn’t be more nervous. They had never been awkward, Rainbow had never been too much, but Applejack didn’t know how much longer she could pretend she didn’t feel this way.
And in this moment, as she sat on her couch waiting for Rainbow to return, Applejack couldn’t dry her sweating palms. It was their first night alone and she was too awake for midnight.
Her living room was only lit by the fireplace that had been burning for too long, accompanied by the overly-decorated Christmas tree in the corner. The mix of warm fire and off-white lights was soothing but in the homesick way, even though this was home, it was barely so, when the people that used to inhabit it were rarely around. Applejack held her legs to her chest even though she wasn’t very cold- the nerves in her stomach were warm enough.
A random ass hallmark movie was paused on the TV before her. She hadn’t grasped the plot yet, partly because it had just started, but mainly because of who she was watching it with. Rainbow had claimed they required popcorn and ran off to make it, and Applejack was too distracted with her feelings to realize she probably shouldn’t leave Dash alone in the kitchen.
She smiled at the idea of Rainbow knowing her house well enough to be able to find things in the pantry. It reminded her of all the horrid baking extravaganzas they’ve had, usually because Rainbow added too much flour- her smile dropped abruptly, remembering she wasn’t around often anymore. Dammit, she needs to get a serious grip.
As the smell of fresh popcorn wafted into the living room, Applejack heard the beeping of the microwave followed by shuffling steps. Rainbow appeared, in the dim light of the Christmas tree, and Applejack tried not to glance over too fast.
She approached with a big metal bowl, wearing a sweatshirt and snowflake pajama pants. Her hair was messy after having the hood up, and the oversized bowl in her arms made her look small. Her socked feet slid across the floor and Applejack suddenly felt a wave of nostalgia, realizing this was one of the last nights she’d be around in her stupid pajamas and stupid fuzzy socks.
Rainbow placed the bowl on the couch before sitting- well, crashing- down beside her. Applejack flinched and rapidly grabbed the bowl, a few pieces of popcorn spilling over the edge from the cannonball whiplash.
“Jesus,” she cursed as she looked to the fallen popcorn, then shot her eyes over to throw an irritated glance.
Rainbow scoffed and reached down to grab the stray pieces. “Relax, I didn’t spill all of it,” she muttered, then threw a handful in her mouth.
Applejack sighed at her indecency. “Y’didn’t have to eat it off the ground,” she retorted, eyebrows falling short with disgust. She passed the bowl over and gestured to it, as if Rainbow hadn’t made it.
“C’mon, you act like you don’t work on a farm. The floor is clean,” she replied as she took the bowl and looked to the screen, where she couldn’t see Applejack’s returning eyeroll.
She searched for the remote for a moment, realized she was sitting on it and laughed while she hit play. Applejack suppressed her own laugh as she found the screen, but her mind wandered soon after.
She swore her presence was like a radio tower sending signals straight to her brain. Rainbow didn’t always make her feel so intimidated, yet now, Applejack seriously felt like she was under the spotlight at all times just because she had become so scared. So scared of doing something wrong, she thinks, or scared of being too obvious- doesn’t matter the reason, she just knows she’s nervous and she didn’t use to be. Rainbow, however, was completely normal, a little too laid back, per usual. It honestly made her a little frustrated.
“Wait, is he cheating on her?” Dash piped up through a mouthful, pointing to the TV at a basic ass man. Applejack blinked a few times, even though her eyes were on the screen her mind definitely wasn’t, and she looked over, cocking an eyebrow.
“I don’t think these hallmark movies usually involve cheatin’,” she replied quickly, hoping that she hadn’t just missed the big plot point.
Rainbow frowned, narrowing her eyes at the screen. “I don’t trust him. I hate men,” she grumbled.
Applejack scoffed yet held down another laugh, trying not to let her know she was pretty funny sometimes. Not like Dash needed anymore ego boosting… so she went quiet and tried to focus on the movie.
It didn’t last long, though. Her eyes ended up trailing over before she could catch them and she didn’t really give a shit. Mostly because Rainbow was so dense, quite unaware of most things, and she smiled a little, starting to catch her microexpressions- how she furrowed her eyebrows at stupid lines and pursed her lips when the plot didn’t make sense. Applejack couldn’t care less about the movie, no offense to the one who picked it, but… she was too distracted by someone more interesting.
There was nearly a foot between them, and it was a relatively big couch, yet a foot of space was just too much room for her heavy heart. It was already close enough for friends but she wanted to sit closer, and of course she couldn’t bring herself to scoot any further, but she stared down at the gap like it killed her family. Her arm found the back of the couch and she pulled her knees up under her, facing toward Dash as if she was the TV instead.
Rainbow didn’t notice the movement and continued to stare at the screen like an iPad kid. She sat criss-cross like she was young again, and that horrid gamer posture and massive bowl in her lap made it bittersweet. She was nearly drowning in her sweatshirt and it was just so damn cute that Applejack felt a lump form in her throat. She wanted to look away but she just couldn’t, knowing that this wasn’t going to last much lo-
“Why are you looking at me like that…”
Oops.
Applejack didn’t even try to glance away and instead met her eyes. She froze for a prolonged moment or two, before pursing her lips like nothing was wrong.
“Uh, I-”
“If you wanted some popcorn, just tell me dumbass,” Rainbow replied with a disapproving glance, a smile finding her lips afterward as she passed the bowl over.
Applejack nearly flinched as she took it. “Yea, uh, thanks,” she muttered, wondering how Rainbow didn’t see how she had basically been admiring her.
But now, Dash seemed to notice she hadn’t been wanting the popcorn. She ticked her head, eyes flicking from her hands to her face, “Is that not what you were asking for..?”
“No, yeah, it was,” Applejack cleared her throat, head shooting toward the TV. God, if only she could just find her grip…
“You sure?” Rainbow pushed, as always, “You seem… off.”
Applejack looked back to her. “Er, why,” she said, eyes trained somewhere behind her head, “all good.”
“Mmkay,” she replied, brushing it off per usual, “you’re so funny.”
Funny, Applejack echoed as she internally kicked herself, rolling her eyes back toward the screen. She decided this was going to be an awful few nights if she couldn’t get her head in the game. Or get her head out of the game, maybe, or just get her head screwed all the way on, for Christ’s-
“I knew he was cheating!” Rainbow blurted out, and Applejack actually zoned into the movie for once, then soon regretted it.
Her eyes nearly jumped out of their sockets as a not-so-family-friendly sex scene began to play. She shot her gaze to Rainbow, whose jaw was dropped open, eyes staring blankly with some sort of disgusted surprise. Just like everything else, she seemed to find it funny.
Applejack winced, her hand flying up to cover her eyes. “Why’d you pick an R-rated Christmas movie?!” she scolded, only hiding her vision because there was a man on the screen, “They make these? I don’t wanna see that shit, I thought these were lovey-dovey.”
Rainbow laughed, face falling just as her voice did, “Just look at the girl instead,” she suggested, and Applejack’s eyes shot even wider as her hand fell from her face, then she bust out laughing like Dash really was the funniest person on the planet.
“What!” Rainbow choked, confused as if she hadn’t just said the gayest thing in the world, “I’m gay, you’re gay, come on, that’s what we always do,”
“We?” Applejack nearly coughed in her face, “That’s crazy talk, you whore.”
Rainbow pursed her lips like she just committed a crime. “Psh, pf- me? Okay, don’t start saying you’ve never done that. I didn’t say porn, I meant watched the girl instead of-”
“Alright, alright, stop talkin’, you’re done-”
“I’m being honest! I thought honesty was your thing!”
Applejack deadpanned, her face a bewildered shade of red. Rainbow was flustered but she was also quite amused, probably enjoying this a little too much.
“Shut up. Watch the movie,” was the only thing Applejack could say, her eyes returning to the screen once the scene changed. “Thank god that’s over,” she muttered out her relief.
She tried to let a heavy breath cool her down but it didn’t seem to work. She sat so tensely, as if the couch was made of ice, in complete contrast from the one beside her who acted like this was everyday talk. Rainbow was collected and casual and Applejack just wasn’t, she just couldn’t seem to let her weight sink and couldn’t seem to understand why Rainbow just wasn’t affected.
The most basic holiday music began to play over the movie and Applejack tried to let the silence-filler relax her limbs, but it just didn’t help. She nearly found the energy to lean against the back of the couch, but any sense of calm she might’ve found was cut short when Rainbow opened her damn mouth again.
“If they were both girls, I bet you would’ve liked it.”
Alright, Applejack was officially done trying to watch the screen.
Her head turned, meeting that damn signature expression. Perked eyebrows and narrowed eyes, Rainbow’s classic look that just might’ve copied the devil’s daughter. Then that familiar sly smile came about, and Applejack was just screwed.
All she could do was roll her eyes until they hurt. “You’re despicable,” she groaned, her heart beginning to race. She tried to play it off but Rainbow knew too damn well.
“You didn’t deny it,” Dash tilted her head, her attention straying from the TV as well, “you should admit it.”
“Admit it?” she breathed, “That I like girls?”
“Yeah.”
Applejack returned the narrowed gaze.
“Or what.”
“Or…”
Rainbow tsked, and her eyes retreated to the ground. Applejack dwelled in the pride of catching her off guard for a fast heartbeat or two, before Rainbow’s eyes shot back to her like the flash of a camera.
“Or I’ll make you prove it.”
Make you?
Applejack tried to make her gasp silent. “Prove it,” she repeated, starting to lose the plot, “prove how?”
Rainbow shrugged, dismissively. Her eyebrows ticked up again like a thought crossed her mind but she didn’t speak it.
The movie seemed to gain her attention once more and the conversation dwindled out. Applejack’s question went unanswered but her eyes didn’t leave that head of dyed hair.
Something warm spread throughout her chest. It was familiar, but not comfortable- and she decided, in the few minutes that the movie continued, that the only way to put it out was to fuel it further.
The air seemed much hotter than it was. Applejack still couldn’t keep her eyes near the screen- she watched Rainbow sink deeper into the couch, her legs stretching out like a cat that had just awoken from a nap. She slouched like she had nothing to lose and it was infuriating. She looked a little pleased, as if she had won the argument that didn’t really exist- her face was neutral, apart from hooded eyes, still holding a lingering trace of intensity. Applejack couldn’t rest her gaze on any part of her for too long.
“Quit it,” Rainbow mumbled, eyes still on the TV yet probably not paying attention, since she seemed to notice the stare burning into her skin. The corner of her lips curved up like she was enjoying every second of this and Applejack was getting horribly flustered.
She swallowed her nerves. “Prove it how,” she persisted, and this time, Rainbow’s focus shifted.
“Oh,” she murmured, and their gazes met strikingly, “you’re still stuck on that?”
Applejack narrowed her eyes as if she was zooming in. “Yea,” she breathed, “you idiot, what does that mean.”
And the kicker is, this wasn’t an unusual encounter for these two. Borderline flirting, but not quite- mostly joking, yet not really- and leaning heavily into the tension in the air while not mentioning it at all. It was their game and sometimes it felt like it played them more than they played it, but Applejack didn’t want to lose this time.
Except Rainbow snickered like she was winning. Almost scoffing at how Applejack hadn’t let it go yet- it was slightly humiliating, but it only spurred her on.
“That’s for me to know,” Dash replied, glancing away once more.
Applejack tensed her jaw at the loss of eye contact. As she said before, they were never awkward, and no matter how much time passed they were always the same, and yet, the only thing that seemed to shift was the feeling. Stronger by the month and more evident each time they met, Applejack was getting sick of it but she always tried to get the final word anyway.
“You’re all bark ‘n no bite.”
Rainbow’s interest seemed to peak.
“Hm?”
She sat up straighter, now. The movie had gone forgotten- Rainbow looked at her like she was the only entertainment around.
Applejack sighed, unable to keep the tension in. Her heavy breath filled the space between them but it didn’t ease the stitch in her chest. All she could do was let her eyes dance around Rainbow’s thick gaze, thick with what, she couldn’t tell- and she took the time to think out the right words before she let her nerves get the best of her.
Rainbow made her nervous, but Applejack knew how to work around it. Her tongue might twist on itself sometimes and she might stutter every few words, but she knew the only way to get in that pea-sized and dye-ruined brain of hers was to insult. Jokingly, as always- as everything their relationship seemed to be. A joke.
“What I mean,” Applejack finally found the guts to lean a little closer, “is that you’re always bluffin’,” she said, her voice low but softened with tease. “Y’just like to talk, but y’never make a move to back it up,” she smiled, “it’s all bullshit.”
She knew Rainbow hated any shots at her ego- yet, Applejack also knew her own accent would thicken when she grew flustered. She managed to keep her voice level, but deep down, she assumed Dash knew her better than that.
Like clockwork, Rainbow’s eyes darkened. “You’re country again,” she read her mind slowly, “we both know what that means.”
Her reply came too fast. “And what’s it mean?”
“Mm, that’s for me to know.”
“Quit it,” Applejack stole her words from earlier, “that’s not a comeback.”
Rainbow smiled, too quickly. “Why not?”
“It.. it ticks me off,” she snapped, aware she was fighting a losing game. Rainbow was too smug for her own good and Applejack just couldn’t help but feed into it.
“Ticks you off?” Rainbow laughed, and her eyes narrowed to slits again, “so what are you gonna do about it?”
The warmth in Applejack's chest was now boiling up to her throat. They never usually went this far.
She forced herself to look down, anywhere other than her eyes. Her gaze landed on her own legs, and she unfortunately noticed that her knee was barely an inch or two from Rainbow’s thigh. She had to swallow her surprise, unsure as to when she had moved so close.
Heated tension started to crawl under her skin. It’s like Dash was radiating warmth and Applejack was going to suffocate in it- the heat of closeness was too much to bear, yet they weren’t even touching.
A sinister thought crossed her racing mind as she looked back up.
Her hand found the couch, putting her weight on it to lean forward. Dash didn’t move back.
“You hate bein’ tickled, right?”
That familiar gaze dropped into one of horror. Rainbow’s eyes widened to an unnatural stare, but, she didn’t flinch backward.
Applejack hadn’t moved either, yet. Dash froze in expectancy, obviously ready to defend herself if she were to launch at her, but she didn’t.
“I’ll do it, unless y’tell me how I’m ‘posed to prove it,” she offered quietly, and did not miss the way Rainbow’s gaze flickered downward.
“I don’t trust you,” Rainbow breathed, her posture still straight up on high alert but she still made no effort to move away.
Her hand found Applejack’s chest, forming some sort of barrier, as if that’d do anything to push her away since she put no force behind it. Applejack prayed she couldn’t feel her racing heart, but that wasn’t enough to stop her. She rode the wave of growing confidence and let a disrespectful laugh fall from her lips.
“You said honesty was my thing.”
She caught the way Rainbow grit her teeth. Maybe they were at a tie, now?
Applejack took the silence as a green light, so she asked again, directly, “Tell me how to prove it.”
Rainbow’s breath was shaky. She didn’t speak, and instead, her hand against Applejack’s chest formed into a fist, twisting the fabric of her shirt into her palm.
The motion forced Applejack forward. It was gentle, but fast enough for her reaction time to fizz out, and she let herself be pulled close enough for their foreheads to brush.
But, that was the only move Rainbow made.
Their heads were too close to hold eye contact. So, all Applejack could do was glance down at her lips, and unfortunately noticed how they were parted and practically begging, yet no words came. Only short, shared breaths of hesitation- it seemed neither of them wanted to do it first, or, neither of them wanted to lose.
Because giving in was the first sign of defeat. Right?
If they were to end it here, laugh and pretend nothing happened, that would probably be worse than continuing. Right?
At least, those were the final thoughts in Applejack’s mind, before she tried one last time to get her to ask for it.
“Prove it how?”
Her voice was muffled from the proximity. It was barely a whisper, barely even a question, wouldn’t have been audible if she wasn’t right in front of her.
Applejack became critically aware of her position. Her head against hers, the hand twisted in her shirt, the way Rainbow leaned back to let her lean over. And sometime in the past few moments of growing closer, Applejack’s leg had wedged between her thighs- she noticed with another hiccup in her breath- and that tidbit of information was enough to give her way too many ideas.
Rainbow’s grip tightened. Her jaw tensed and her breath cut short.
“Do it.”
She spoke through gritted teeth, as if everything about this was pissing her off, or, maybe just riling her up too much. Her tone was rough, almost angry, like she had been locked in a tower waiting for years.
Applejack hadn’t given up yet. “Do what.”
Honestly, this whole encounter wasn’t even the surprising part. The shocking thing was, Rainbow seemed to be melting away from her typical ego-centric demeanor. As if her usual snobby self was just a layer of snake skin, and this was the real her that laid underneath. Needy, flustered, impatient, a bit of a coward, and just… well, pathetic.
Applejack smiled, criminally, at the thought of it. She could smell the victory- even though, it wasn’t really about winning, anymore. Whatever happened, here on out… she’d consider a win.
“You know.”
Rainbow’s statement rushed out in one quick exhale. Her limbs were tense with that familiar agitation, yet something told Applejack it was a different kind of frustration.
“Hm. Don’t think I do.”
She was having way too much fun and Rainbow was acting like she was left out of it. Applejack couldn’t see her face very well from this angle, and yet, she could tell her eyebrows were sewn together with a thread of tightened tension. Nerves, or impatience, or, fuck, maybe arousal. Either way, it was entertaining and Applejack wasn’t ready for the show to be over.
“You said you wanna prove it,” Rainbow said, eyes trained on her lips like there was nowhere better to look, “I’m giving you a chance to.”
Applejack let go of every nervous fiber in her body. The heat of the moment consumed her actions, and she moved her knee, just slightly higher.
“But you’re not sayin’ it.”
Rainbow twitched. “You want me to ask for it?”
“Mhmm.”
The scoff that came from Dash must’ve been painful. Her head arrogantly ticked to the side, creating enough space for her to glance downward.
“Just do it,” she muttered. “You’re a pussy.”
Applejack found that flattering.
“You want me to touch yours?”
Well shit, she couldn’t even control her own mouth.
Rainbow’s gasp was silent, but it spoke tremendous volumes, telling by the little hiccup and skip in her breath that followed- she might’ve actually forgotten how to breathe, seeing how red her face turned, but… when you can’t breathe, doesn’t your face turn blue?
Applejack wasn’t done. She needed to stretch it out just a little longer. Rainbow had to break.
“Would that prove it, then?”
Some sort of muffled grunt echoed in Rainbow’s throat. Her grip on her shirt grew even tighter, her knuckles painted white with a certain type of starvation.
Applejack couldn’t digest her pride anymore. She had flipped the script so fast it had given her whiplash and she couldn’t tell if she was dizzy from the proximity or her own thoughts. Didn’t matter. She was just waiting for her to say the word.
“Kissin’ you would prove I like girls,” Applejack pretended to debate, “or would it prove that you do?”
The reply came fast. “I know I do.”
Blonde eyebrows raised to a satisfied height. Not like she didn’t know that, because look at her… but it felt good to hear it. And if she could just get some proof…
“Then maybe you need to prove it.”
“I will.”
“Then do it.”
…
Silence prolonged and Applejack found her anxiety again.
“Do y’not want me to kiss you?”
Rainbow’s grip released. Applejack felt her heart strike her in the rib as she started to think she had gone too far. She leaned back, enough to see her face, but Rainbow’s hand hadn’t fallen completely from her chest yet, still keeping her close.
“I’m afraid of ruining this. Us.”
Oh, they haven’t kissed yet and they’re already talking about it. Jeez.
Applejack didn’t realize she worried about shit like that. She thought she had been alone with the feelings.
A small smile etched onto her lips. Applejack knew this couldn’t ruin them- before, she believed her own actions might’ve, but now, knowing that Rainbow had similar intentions…
“You’ve already ruined me.”
The statement came quietly. Genuine, and somewhat sweet. Applejack almost didn’t say it but she had nothing left to lose.
Rainbow glanced up, face shadowed and eyes wide. Her hand on Applejack’s chest still lingered, simply holding onto the fabric instead of twisting it like she previously had. Like she was afraid to pull her in, but more afraid of letting go.
Her voice was heavy. “Is that a good thing?”
Applejack watched her expression dip. Need shone through her gaze, but that trace of nostalgia, wistfulness, still tied itself along the colors of her eyes. Applejack considered her own gaze probably looked the same way.
She leaned forward. Returning to where she was moments ago, their foreheads touching gently, the soft brush of breath on her skin. Before she could do anything else, Rainbow’s hand twisted in her shirt again.
As she pulled her in, in the dim light of the Christmas tree and the ambient noise of the movie they abandoned, Applejack let one more statement slip.
“You can ruin me a little bit more.”
Well, Rainbow didn’t end up asking for it. But Applejack didn’t do it first- guess you could call it a tie.
And when their lips met, it wasn’t as… intense, as Applejack had expected.
She had over-prepared herself. She had expected something fast, something near aggressive, had believed Rainbow would’ve come crashing down to smash their mouths together like the fucking hulk- she thought it’d be something too deep, too hot, yet would’ve ended too quick, too indifferently, a connection that might’ve left her too empty.
She had imagined a kiss so feverish, feverishly sickening, the way you miss something before it’s even over- something hot-blooded and fiery and a bit too lustful, something that would boil over until it evaporated before she could put the fire out. She believed it’d be something that would keep her from sleeping at night, and while it was something she’d lose sleep over, it was in the good way.
It just… threw her off a bit, because it wasn’t as competitive as she thought it’d be.
Which, is not a bad thing. At all.
She thought they’d be at each other’s throats. The way they always were- thinking they would’ve been fighting through the kiss or insisting on getting the upper hand… instead, they seemed to meet in the middle, and- god, Applejack had expected the heat but she wasn’t ready for it to be so warm.
It was the opposite in the best possible way. Soft, and- almost kind, hesitant enough for both of them to ease into it, hesitant enough to let themselves melt. It was strong enough to get her heated but it was gentle enough to cool her off and holy shit, she’s really in for it this time.
Once Rainbow had admitted she was afraid of ruining their friendship, the kiss had strayed from Applejack’s initial daydream. They eased into each other’s hold, softly, due to their fear of touching more than they already were, it was almost too sweet and too lovely while still being everything but friendly.
And when Rainbow pulled her close enough for their chests to finally graze, Applejack knew there was no going back.
Fuck friendship.
Rainbow’s hand found the back of her neck, nervously, quiet and slow, Applejack could feel the hesitation in her spine but it just made it all the more better. And finally when her palm breached her humid skin, it flipped a switch inside her sauntering stomach and her thoughts ran free. She pulled her closer until Applejack couldn’t hold herself up anymore and it was hot, her mouth was warm and her skin was on fire but the hand on her neck was blistering, it tangled in blonde hair and soothed every pining ache in her body and left her only wanting more.
Rainbow tugged at her bottom lip like she was reading her mind. Applejack wished she could look at her while they kissed because jesus christ what she wouldn’t give to see her face right now. She wondered if her cheeks were red or if her eyebrows were still drawn together with that damn irritation, wondered if she felt like she lost or if she called this a win, wondered until her mind just wandered to all the things she could do now.
She thought the air had been hot before but now it was suffocating, the same way it’s hard to breathe after running through a field but it was freeing. It’s like the idea of Rainbow also wanting this for god knows how long was enough to get Applejack almost too ecstatic, giddy like it was Christmas Eve but instead it was the night they let themselves go, let themselves feel it and let all their past tension dissipate as they gave into their own daydreams.
Applejack needed to be closer even though they were already at the physical limit. Her hands found a place on either side of Rainbow’s head because if she didn’t support herself she’d fucking melt, melt the line between friendship and far gone, and she realized as Rainbow gripped her hair that the line had always been blurred.
This wasn’t just to prove something. Her whole ‘how do I prove it’ scheme was just a gimmick, something Applejack took and ran with the moment it was suggested- again, just the unspoken game they always played. There were never any set rules and there was never a correct way to play, meaning there was no such thing as too far, when you play with fire the way they were. Applejack knew, somewhere in the twist of her shirt where Rainbow’s other hand hadn’t strayed- this was something both of them had been waiting for and maybe they had both been too pussy to fully cross the blurred line.
Her eyes shot open when Rainbow pulled back. She was looking up at her, dark eyes hazy and hooded, and that smile broke across her face like she had won the fucking lottery and Applejack would’ve believed it because she just looked so satisfied.
Rainbow’s hand didn’t leave her neck. “Get closer,” she muttered, and didn’t wait for a reply as she found her lips again.
Applejack couldn’t hold back her returning smile when she heard she wasn’t alone in her wishing. And well, she could think of a few ways to get closer, but she didn’t want to move too fast. She didn’t want to scare her, or herself, with the knowledge of her own imagination.
Her heart jumped when Rainbow let go of her shirt, and it probably skipped a few beats when her hand gripped her leg. It was only for a moment, as she pulled Applejack’s leg over her own thighs, forcing her to a straddle without divorcing their lips.
Applejack let her weight fall onto her lap. Rainbow’s move had only enhanced her confidence, and she finally let her own hands explore, one sliding up to tangle dyed hair and the other finding her jaw in an effort to get her that much closer. And by god, when her rough hand met her skin Rainbow groaned, like she had been trying to keep it in and just couldn’t, and if Applejack wasn’t sucking her face off, she’d probably reprimand her for it.
She’d tease her for it but she wouldn’t admit it turned her on, as if she wasn’t already, but when Rainbow pushed her off to tug at her own sweatshirt, gazing up at her with red cheeks and swollen lips, Applejack was downright fucked.
“You’re so- I mean, it’s, so hot,” Rainbow stuttered, ripping her sweatshirt over her head and tossing it to the ground. Applejack tried to keep her eyes on her face but they went astray anyway.
Rainbow’s shoulders came to light and her tank top had ridden up, one of the straps was sliding off her shoulder and Applejack made it her mission to get the other one to fall sooner rather than later. Rainbow pulled her back before she could stare long enough, she was still fully clothed but it was just so intimate it was hard not to appreciate, and their hands found their previous places as their lips reconnected like they had never parted.
It felt like holes had burned through her shirt from the room’s rising temperature. Rainbow’s bare skin was on fire, Applejack soon discovered once her hands couldn’t stay in one area, her arms were hot and her shoulders were red and her touch was searing, there might’ve been third degree burns at this point but even if Applejack’s hair was on fire she wouldn’t have pulled away.
She couldn’t get enough and she couldn’t believe it had taken this long- also couldn’t believe Rainbow felt the same and that they took it this far. Well, she was ready to go even farther but she tried to keep it tame- but once her lips found Rainbow’s empty neck, she wasn’t going to let her leave without a physical memory or two.
Both of her hands found blonde hair as Applejack sucked on her neck, not only tangling her braid apart but forcing her head closer like she wanted the world to see the marks she’d leave. Applejack’s legs naturally spread further as she snuck to the sensitive sites of her skin, finding them easily since Rainbow was just so reactive. Applejack didn’t even have to ask, Rainbow was just so loud about it- her breath hitching and legs twitching when she sucked a special spot.
Rainbow’s head twisted to the side in an effort to give her more space to explore and it was too easy. Applejack had expected her to be somewhat compliant, maybe a little spineless but not like this. Her dyed hair dug into the side of the couch, her legs sprawled out like she was putting everything on display and her face contorted with a certain kind of satisfaction, the look only given by an emotion so confidential, an expression so personal that only Applejack got to see now. Knitted brows and squinched eyes that expressed nothing but her thoughts, and it only told Applejack to carry on.
Yet she had to tease her. It wouldn’t be fair- well, it wouldn’t be fun if she just gave her what she wanted, right?
Applejack pulled back and straightened her posture, wiping spit off her lip with her thumb. Her hands found the armrest of the couch beside Rainbow’s head to look down at her.
Dash opened her eyes and realigned her head, slowly, struggling to find reality once she had stopped decorating her neck. She blinked, lips parting in a decree but nothing came out. She looked a little lost and it just made Applejack laugh.
“Didn’t realize you were that easy.”
The words seemed to snap Dash back into it. She scoffed.
“Am not.”
Her eyes darted away, followed by a heavy breath. Applejack just couldn’t hold the smile back.
“Yea you are. You’re so loud.”
Deep red flushed Rainbow’s upper chest. Like her entire body was blushing, or maybe it had just gotten her that heated- it was obvious it affected her more than either of them had expected.
“Am not.”
“That your favorite sentence?”
Rainbow met her gaze, eyes narrowed once more with an angry kind of glare, yet there was nothing angry about her expression. Angry red blush, maybe. Just a little frustrated.
She crossed her arms over her chest, as if she had just become aware she had stripped her sweatshirt off. She stared up impatiently.
“What are you waiting for?”
They spoke at the same time.
Applejack broke into laughter and glanced away. Rainbow didn’t seem to find it funny, for once, how the tables have turned- too twisted in her own abashment. She humphed something irritated, still too stuck up to ask for anything.
Applejack snickered as her eyes wandered across her skin. “I can’t stand you.”
There was a pause, and her heart fluttered when Rainbow’s smirk made a reappearance.
“Then sit on me.”
Her eyebrows shot up, head tilting to the side. “Oh,” she said, voice dropping at a rate faster than her spinning imagination. She glanced down at her legs that still straddled her. “I already am.”
Rainbow licked her lips. Her eyes drew downward from her face and landed where their hips met.
“You can do it better.”
Something pulled in Applejack’s tight chest. Her heartstrings straining, or maybe a pre-heart attack symptom, it attached to the bubbling sensation in her gut and spurred her to lean forward once more.
She took a hand down from beside Rainbow’s head and found her chin. Her fingers clamped over her jawline in a forceful attempt to meet her eyes.
Rainbow’s breath hitched once their skin made contact and she met her gaze quickly, pupils blowing wide to desperation and it spoke all the thoughts behind her empty gaze. Applejack watched her emotions flow for a moment or two as her own stomach did backflips.
“Kiss me again,” Rainbow whispered. “You haven’t proven it yet.”
Applejack’s grip went white.
“So you do know how to ask.”
A smile broke over her swollen lips and Rainbow just frowned. It was a look that Applejack might pity if she wasn’t aware of the situation. It was cute, and it was kissable, and since she asked so nicely…
“We’re not done,” Rainbow said, and it wasn’t really a demand, but it definitely wasn’t just a suggestion. Not like Applejack was going to disagree.
Rainbow’s eyes traced around her expression as if she was finding more words.
“I have things to prove to you too.”
Oh?
“What’s that mean,” Applejack replied, still critically reading the swimming responses in her dark eyes. She turned her chin, and Dash complied, her neck almost limp in her grasp.
Rainbow shrugged weakly. Applejack fixed her grip again, and her eyes widened, slowly learning she actually had to speak to get what she wanted.
“Kiss me again and you’ll find out.”
An eyeroll crossed Applejack’s gaze as she found her lips once more. Maybe they were both too easy, she thought as her tongue slipped in her mouth, but who really fucking cares, when her lips were just that tempting and when their bodies just seemed to fit together like the last two pieces of a puzzle. Or maybe, they weren't easy, but this entire thing had been easier than either of them thought- it seemed too natural, maybe years of flirting teases had prepared them enough, but whatever reason, Applejack wasn’t complaining. She’d say she had her wrapped around her finger but it seemed to go both ways.
This time around wasn’t as hesitant. Applejack let her hands move to places they wanted and Rainbow didn’t hold hers back either. The nerves were settling and the heat was rising, impossibly higher, and just as Applejack considered she should probably put the fireplace out, Rainbow’s hands grabbed at her chest in ways she wasn’t ready for.
Now who the fuck would wear a bra at midnight, so of course Rainbow had easy access to slip up her shirt before she could even comprehend it. A noise slipped past her lips once hands met warm skin, and this time Dash smiled into the kiss once Applejack’s sound muffled against her mouth.
The kiss grew more desperate by the second as planned movements became sloppy. Applejack fully sunk her knees into the cushions as Rainbow’s legs spread under her, letting her weight push down against her enough to feel her back arch. She hummed into the kiss and Rainbow nearly harmonized, hands grazing under her shirt as one found her hip and the other reached higher.
Applejack decided two could play that game. Her hand slipped downward between their bodies and Rainbow gasped like she’d never been touched before.
She found her waistband without looking down and the kiss broke. Their heads didn’t part, lips still brushed as they breathed, but they paused while the rustling of fabric filled the silence.
Applejack lifted her head just enough to catch her gaze. Rainbow’s hands slipped out from under her shirt, settling her arms around her neck. They held a stare, smiles growing as her hand slid further down, and when she pulled back her waistband, Rainbow’s mouth fell open like it really was the first time.
Applejack froze.
“So what do you want?”
Rainbow’s arms tightened around her neck. Her eyebrows fell bitterly.
“The fuck do you mean, what do I want.”
Her arms released as Applejack began to slide herself down her body, slowly. An audible smile cracked on her face.
“Y’want my fingers or my mouth?”
Rainbow’s returning gasp nearly echoed against the walls. An aroused sound seemed to fight its way out of her throat but she shut her lips and sighed instead.
“Both.”
A fond look grew in green eyes. Her eyebrows heightened, yet not the shocked kind, more so just startled that she was still able to find that snark in her tone, while in a position like this. On her back with her legs spread and she still thought she could demand like that. Cute.
“Hm,” Applejack droned, putting off her statement as if she wasn’t going to listen. Of course she was but she didn’t need to know that yet.
She was only halfway down her body, hands on the couch by her hips, eyes landing on the small section of skin where her tank top had raised. She looked to her, catching a glimpse of the newfound shadows on one side of her neck. Well, those weren’t going anywhere.
“We’ll start easy,” Applejack said, eyes skipping over her face. Her hand traced the edge of her pants and she couldn’t help but watch Rainbow’s expression unfold into impatience.
She seemed to disagree. “I don’t want easy,” she muttered, and her hand found the top of Applejack’s, pushing past her waistband.
Stunned eyes met grey boxers as Rainbow pulled the fabric down for her. Unkissed thighs nearly glistened in the tree light yet Applejack couldn’t dwell on it for too long. She had to tease.
She crawled back toward her head, one hand supporting herself beside Rainbow’s head again and the other still lingering near her waistband. She grew closer to her face again and Rainbow looked up at her as she gnawed on her swollen lip.
Applejack shook her head, almost in disapproval. “You wear boxers?”
Rainbow grumbled something unintelligible. She twisted her hand in her shirt again and pulled her forward.
“Shut up and kiss me.”
Applejack resisted her attempt to pull her in. Rainbow’s eyes danced around her face in surprise, lips parting with disappointment.
Her grip grew tighter. “Don’t make me ask for it again.”
“I’m not. Jus’ thought you wanted me to touch you.”
Rainbow pulled her in quick enough so she couldn’t react, pecking her lips for a split second before she let her fall back.
“You can do both.”
Applejack scoffed at her confidence.
“Don’t tell me what to do.”
Messy dyed hair covered half of her face and Rainbow made no attempt to push it back. Maybe it was purposeful so she didn’t have to look at her dead on.
“But,” Applejack continued, now moving her hand that had idled on her waistband, “You’re lucky I want to.”
She dropped her head to Rainbow’s neck before she could reply. Her lips found unmarked skin as her hand pushed downward, and Rainbow’s only reaction was to grip the back of her head and slap her hand over her own mouth.
Teeth dug into sensitive skin and warm hands found even warmer places and Dash just wouldn’t shut up. Her head fell to the side as her hair covered her face and she let Applejack press against her like a broken panic button that just wouldn’t push. Rainbow moaned and holy shit she was loud but Applejack felt her tense, after a bite too hard, maybe, so she transitioned to softer kisses along her collarbones that might’ve tickled more than pleased her.
Her body didn’t relax like it had before. Her breath hitched, too much, and the hand in blonde hair released.
“Applejack, wait…”
She stopped, the moment Rainbow’s voice dropped into something serious.
Her head pulled away from the crook of her neck and she met glossy eyes for the dozenth time that night. Not teary but definitely not innocent, instead glossed over with so much emotion it was hard to read which one was most prominent.
Applejack blinked at her as her hand pulled away from between her legs.
“You alright?”
Rainbow seemed to swallow her words. The hand that previously tangled in her hair fell to Applejack’s cheek, her thumb gliding once over her skin before she dropped it completely.
“I’m… I think- uh, I’m…”
She paused. Applejack waited for a beat or two until her stuttering emptied out.
“...not ready for this?”
She finished her sentence, but Rainbow shook her head, eyes darting somewhere behind her.
“No, I- I want this, you, but you’re…” her hand found Applejack’s arm and landed on it softly. “I don’t want this to be it.”
Applejack felt her eyebrows fall from worry to condolence. “It won’t be.”
Rainbow ticked her head.
“I mean… you really think I want to do this now and never again?”
Dash tsked, eyes drawing to her face. “Maybe..”
Applejack leaned back, one hand slipping Rainbow’s pants fully up with one swoop. Then her hands rested beside her head again as she stared straight down at her.
“Let me ask you somethin’. How long have you wanted this?”
Rainbow seemed a little startled, face still bright red. She bit the inside of her cheek for a moment and her eyes ran away to the floor again.
“Years.”
Applejack couldn’t suppress the surprised hiccup. Her eyes went a little wide and Rainbow seemed a little pleased, but Applejack soon copied her expression and felt a smile grow.
“Do I win if I say a decade?”
Rainbow slapped her on the arm where her hand had previously rested. She grunted something frustrated.
“We were like- ten,” she started, eyebrows muddling on her forehead, “I doubt you knew what sex was.”
Applejack scoffed at the absurd line. “Not just that,” she defended quickly, eyes rolling to the side.
She paused, wondering if she should go on. Rainbow waited for a beat and she decided there was no reason not to say it.
“I meant… I meant you.”
Rainbow seemed to stop breathing, eyes glistening in the dim light.
“You’ve had a crush on me since we were kids?”
Applejack grumbled and knew that heat was rushing to her face. “Don’t say it like that, just- maybe, I don’t know-”
“So you’re in love with me?”
“I didn’t say that-”
“You are,” Rainbow cut her off with confirmation, her smirk returning like it always did, “you’re in love with me~”
“Quit it,” Applejack reprimanded, “you were the one beggin’ me to kiss you a minute ago.”
Dash pursed her lips as her head rolled against the side of the couch. “Eh,” she dwindled, “that didn’t happen.”
Applejack scoffed once more and poked her in the side. “I hate you,” she smiled, a sentence that was never said with a smile, “you’re so annoyin’.”
“But you like me,” Rainbow continued, and her hands slid up to hold the back of her neck, “and I miiight like you too.”
Applejack almost didn’t know how to reply, even though that was kind of already proven at this point- it was just so weird to hear. She didn’t know if she could have ever called it a crush or love but she knew it was always there, just something that always jabbed her in the side of the brain whenever Rainbow sat too close.
She almost leaned down to kiss her again but something in Rainbow’s expression told her to keep hovering. She looked like she was about to speak and her amusement seemed to fall.
“Shit,” Dash said, seeming to remember something. Her eyes drew to the wall.
“I would’ve done this a lot earlier if I hadn’t planned to leave.”
Fuck.
Applejack felt her face twist at the thought of it. The thought of her leaving again, and this not being able to exist in the real world- all the things she worried over earlier before they had kissed. The nostalgia of her being around, the lingering idea of her presence being temporary.
“Then why’d you leave?”
The sentence left swollen lips before Applejack could swallow it.
Rainbow seemed to hold back a flinch. Her pupils were still blown wide but the heat had drained from the color of her eyes. Her stare seemed far away, like she was thinking back to what her new life was like, the place where Applejack wasn’t.
“When… well, when I got into flight school, I…”
She stopped. Applejack felt her arms grow weak.
“...I took that as a sign you didn’t like me too. I thought, well, if I’m meant to go, then I’m not meant to be with you.”
Gay people suck. What the fuck is with the angst and the pining and the longing.
Applejack felt cold again, like she was when they had first started the movie. Rainbow was right under her but they didn’t share the heat anymore, like the mention of her leaving had opened a window and let a draft in.
“Doesn’t matter what I thought then,” Rainbow added quickly, seeming to notice Applejack’s draining color, “now I know it’s… mutual. I don’t… well, I don’t wanna let go of you.”
A little smile found her lips and Applejack couldn’t help but return it.
“We still have a handful of days, before you go,” she said, gaze flicking to her lips, “you’re not gone yet.”
“Yeah,” Rainbow nodded, and her arms tightened around her neck, “I’ll always come back.”
Applejack rolled her eyes at the cliche line from every movie villain ever. Rainbow laughed at her own words and she pulled her head closer, studying litters of freckles across flushed skin.
“Let’s worry about it later,” Dash suggested, her hips moving under her restlessly.
“There was something you were about to do…”