Chapter 3

Dash found this situation as a whole funny. Even though the tried and true blonde would work in any weather, she was still afraid of those towering storm clouds. The light drizzle and grey skies didn't bother her, but the anticipation of lightning and thunder loomed in the back of AppleJack's mind like a small paraspite that would not go away. So far that morning, no lightning or thunder had made their presence known. If a light drizzle was all that persisted, then AppleJack wouldn't have much worry. Dash however, had spent her whole life around clouds. She grew up in them, lived in them, and even worked with them. Thunder and lightning were common place to her, and today was no different. Unlike AppleJack, she would rather not work if she didn't have to. She was by no means lazy, but there always had to be a certain level of interest in what she did to motivate her. One mare hated storms but loved to work outside. The other mare didn't mind storms at all, but hated to work. That's why Dash couldn't help admire the little irony.

"Would ya'll quit yer yappin' 'n runnin' round!?" AppleJack yelled at the chickens scattering franticly about outside Fluttershy's home. "Ah said ah got yer food here if ya'll just sit still fer uh moment!"

Dash hovered over the ground above her, laughing harder and harder as she watch AppleJack scurry after the crazed birds. "Um, AJ?" she tried to say, "You know they won't go anywhere, right? They're fenced in. Just drop the food on the ground."

"Ah can't do that." She turned around and looked up, clearly annoyed. "If ah do, then all them chickens will be eatin' mud with the seed. They all could get sick."

"Oh relax." Dash shrugged her shoulders as she slowly placed her hooves down in the mud. "I'm sure they're smart enough not to eat the mud."

AppleJack pulled her hat off her head and shook out her mane. The rain had begun to soak through her hat and down onto her back. "Trust me, Rainbow." she nearly growled. "They ain't that bright."

"Ugh." Dash lept back up into the air and began to circle the chicken coop. The faster she flew, the more visible became the rainbow colored trail behind her. The chickens started clucking louder and louder, trying to stay clear of what they all naturally assumed was a dangerous entity. The circle became tighter and tighter, and AppleJack watched above her as Dash zipped by almost too close for comfort. The chickens ran as fast as they could into their little wooden home. Once they were all inside, she shut the door with a grin. "There. Can you feed them now?"

AppleJack scowled at her. "Ya'll couldn't have done that sooner?"

"Yeah, I could've." Dash smirked and stuck her tongue out at her. "But then I couldn't get to see you chasing chickens."

"Rainbow, sometimes ah just feel like takin uh sour apple, 'n makin' ya'll mix it with yer puddin' cup."

"Aw come on." Dash landed next to her and nudged her shoulder. "Lighten up."

"Ah will as soon as ya get serious. We're here tah help out Fluttershy, not make uh mess uh things."

"Fine…" she sighed. "What's next?"

The list she had received from the annoyed Angel bunny wasn't very comprehensive considering it was thrown together last minute, but at least they had a rough idea. "All we gotta do next is help the beavers make sure their dam ain't gonna break from the rain."

Dash groaned. "Seriously?"

"Could ya'll fer one second stop yer belly achin'?" AppleJack get behind Dash and nudged her flank with her nose hard. "The sooner we finish, the sooner ya'll can cozy up 'n get warm."

Thankfully, the beavers a quarter mile away were having the time of their lives. The excess rain had cause the small stream to turn into a little river. The increase flow of water did put a little stress on their home, but it posed no serious problem. With they arrived to check up on the little critters, AppleJack and Rainbow Dash both laughed as they watched the beavers belly flop, cannon ball, and dive into the water.

With all the chores finished, they returned to Fluttershy's home. Once they walked inside, they both shook themselves out to dry off, and Dash began fanning her feathers out while get the last couple of shivers out of her system. Being broken out of his nap, Angel gave them both a glaring eye. "Well, that wasn't too bad." Dash said.

"Yeah…Ah guess not. Woulda gone uh lot smoother if ya'll helped out more 'n complained less." AppleJack put her hat up on a knob next to the door and began smoothing out her mane.

"Are you still on me about that?" Dash sighed. "I helped, didn't I? How long are gonna hold that against…" She trailed off as her gaze began to center on the AppleJack's frame. The glistening long blonde mane trailed down her neck and swayed gently through the air as she tossed her head around a couple of times. Her orange fur coat appeared slightly damp as her most lovely form enveloped Dash's vision. Her wings began to twitch, and she quickly pinned them to her side before looking away.

"What?" AppleJack turned around to see Dash trying to appear nonchalant. "Ah'm sorry, sugarcube. Ah didn't quite catch that."

"Huh?" Dash quickly turned her head back to face her. "Oh, nothing. It's nothing. Forget it."

"Rainbow…" AppleJack approached her. "Are ya'll worried that ah'm mad at ya?"

"No." Dash cleared her throat. "Why would I think that?"

"Cause ah've been hollerin' all mornin' at ya'll tah stop yer yackin." She titled her head and gave Dash a worried look. "Ah didn't mean nothing by it."

"Yeah, I know that, AJ." She cleared her throat one last time. "I didn't either. I was just giving you a hard time.

"Ya sure yer not mad?"

"Geez AJ." Dash walked forward into the living room and sat down on the couch. "I'm not mad." Her ears wouldn't stop burning, and it was really bothering her.

"Alright then. Ah'm gonna make tea. Want any?"

"Tea? Ew, no thanks."

"What's wrong with tea?"

"Nothing. I just think its kind of gross."

AppleJack laughed and walked away into the kitchen. "Yer kinda strange today, Rainbow."

"Whatever…" Once she was gone, Dash laid back on the couch and growled at herself. If she was going to honest with herself, this wasn't the first time AppleJack had made her feel this way, but never would she allow herself to dwell on such whimsical thoughts. It was beneath her. Getting all mushy and weird was just not her style. Totally not cool. Besides, what would everypony think of her if the truth about her came out? The embarressment would just kill her. She growled again at herself and sat back up. Angel was getting very tired of her weird noises and sudden quick motions, so he got up and stormed off into one of the birdhouses right before AppleJack came back into the living room. The mug in her teeth was starting to burn her lips a bit, and she quickly set it down next to couch on a little table. "Hey…AJ."

"What's on yer mind, sugarcube?" AppleJack asked, blowing on the brim of her cup.

"Are you…really going to keep that braid in your mane from last night?" she asked.

"What braid?" she replied, reaching back with her hoof to the top of her neck. "Oh this braid. Ah suppose. Don't see no reason 'n gettin rid of it. Why? Doesn't it look nice?"

"Yeah, it does." Dash grinned a bit.

"Uh, Rainbow..." AppleJack put her mug down again, decided it was probably best to let it cool. "Is somethin' buggin' ya? Ya'll know ah ain't mad, right?"

"Oh my gosh, AJ." Dash groaned, putting her face in her hoof. "I'm not mad, ok? You're not mad, I'm not mad, nopony is mad."

"Ya sure? Cause...ya'll seem kinda mad." She scooted closer to her. "Whatever it is, ah'm sorry."

"Seriously! I'm not mad!"

AppleJack nearly jumped back away from her. "A-Alright..."

Darn. That was so not cool of her. Dash gave herself an inward scowl. "AJ, I am so sorry..."

"No need tah apologize, hun." she replied, giving her a smile. "Ah know we can butt heads now 'n again. If ya'll don't wanna talk about it, then ah get it."

Dash sighed and turned to face her. "No...no, I'm sorry, AJ." she said quietly, looking down. "I can be a real jerk sometimes. I promise. You didn't do anything." She felt extremely frustrated. For a brief moment, she had let herself get carried away emotionally while gazing upon her friend, and now she was taking her anger at herself out on the very pony she cared and felt fondly about.

"Listen, sugarcube." She put a hoof on Dash's shoulder. "Ah know ya'll said ya don't feel like talkin' 'bout it, but ya'll know that if there's anything botherin' ya, feel free tah tell me."

"Thanks…" Dash sighed. Maybe she could say something. It was clear as crystal that she was conflicted, and denying it might make her look like more of a jerk. After having such an angry outburst, maybe they both would feel better if she opened up a little. Then again, maybe it would make it worse. "…but I promise I'm fine."

AppleJack brought her hooves back to her mug and sipped her warm tea again. "Alright. Ah'm here just 'n case." A few moments of silence went by, and Dash watched the floor while nervously pressing her hooves together. For the longest time she wanted to speak her mind to that lovely farming mare on her apple orchard. Some nights, she would curl up in bed and imagine how she would express herself. Usually, she thought of ways to let AppleJack know somepony was interested in her anonymously. Having flowers and chocolates delivered was a possibility, but that still wouldn't bring them any closer together. She had to know it was from her. Maybe if they had a picnic with their pets together or something. Eventually, she would give up on the how and focus more on the what, as in, what would happen next. Would AppleJack be surprised? Yeah, probably. Duh. Would she be scared? Who wouldn't be. Dash already felt scared to the bone. "Uh, hey…Rainbow?" Applejack waved her hoof in front of her face.

"Huh?" Dash broke herself away from her thoughts and faced her. "Sorry, did you say something?"

"No." AppleJack looked worried again. "Are you feelin' alright, hun?"

"Uh…yeah, totally." Dash tried to laugh it off. "Never better. Just maybe cold, or something." Dash felt AppleJack scoot very close to her, and their sides pressed together. Her eyes widened in shock. "H-Hey, AJ what they hay?"

"Ya'll said yer cold, right?" She smiled at her and giggled. "Is this better?"

"Y-Yeah…" Dash quickly turned away again to hide her red face.

"Good." She took another sip and put her now lukewarm tea down. "Ah'm a bit cold mahself."

"W-Well…" Dash wiggled her hoof against her nose. "Glad I could help, I guess."

AppleJack laughed a bit harder and nudged her side. "Don't ya'll worry none. Ah ain't gonna tell nopony yer such uh big softy."

She scowled, her face now bright pink. "Whatever…"

"Me 'n AppleBloom cuddle up together like this all the time when it's cold out." she said. "When we were just lil fillies, Big Mac would let us use 'em as uh big pillow next tah the fire." Dash could sort of imagine it. The three members of the Apple Family all cuddled up together didn't really click in her mind. Something was missing in that metal picture. She began to imagine it was just her by the fire. That was kind of better. Finally, she imagined just the both of them together all huddled up against each other. Now that was a image worth painting of. "Uh, Rainbow? Hello?"

"Huh?" she nearly gasped. "Oh, uh, yeah that sounds pretty cool, I guess…I never really had anyone to curl up with when I was growing up."

"Not even yer parents?"

"Well, yeah sort of. I don't know, maybe. I remember getting in trouble a lot as a filly. That's about it."

AppleJack chuckled. "Ya'll musta been uh real hoof-ful. Ah can just picture it. Lil filly Rainbow Dash goin' round 'n tearin' up the skies."

Dash laughed. "Aw yeah! That was me! I probably broke ever lamp in my parents house trying to do tricks when I was grounded inside"

"Sound's a lot like lil AppleBloom tah me. If ah don't let her play until she's nice 'n tired, then she might make uh big mess 'n the kitchen." she said. "Bet ya'll were just as cute as her too."

Dash blushed again. If AppleJack kept this up, she'd have to sit somewhere else before her ears caught fire. "I guess."

"Aw c'mon now." she said. "Bet ya'll were just the most cutenest thing since puppies 'n uh pile uh hay."

"Whatever…" Dash pulled her wings as tight as she possibly could against her body. The tips of her feathers were on the verge of twitching.

"See, that's where ah don't get ya."

"What do you mean?"

"Ya'll ain't foolin nopony." AppleJack nudged her shoulder. "Fer somepony who likes gettin' compliments, it feel like ya'll just kinda shut down every time ah give ya one."

"What? No I don't." she retorted, sounding defensive. "If anything, you annoy me."

"Well then ya'll sure must like bein' annoyed." she laughed, "Cause yer face is pinker than uh pig 'n uh blanket."

"No it isn't!" she protested, her face growing darker. The visible change in complexion betrayed her words.

"Ah'm just teasin' ya, silly!" AppleJack nudged her shoulder again. With a scowl, Dash turned to face her. She wanted to make it very clear that AppleJack's little game she was playing was bugging her. Instead of being taken back by her evil glare, AppleJack simply leaned forward and rubbed their noses together with an smirk on her face.

As Rainbow Dash sat there stiff as a board with shock, the blond simply picked up her tea again to take sip.

-o0o-

Fluttershy slowly opened her eyes, blissfully content with how warm and cozy she felt underneath her soft blankets. The scenery around her appeared foreign to her, yet very relaxing and visually appealing to the eye. Wherever she was, everything around her looked dazzling. Her face broke into a smile, remembering who's bed she was immensely enjoying. When she looked around the room, she couldn't see her lovely host anywhere. Had she gone out? There were no noises coming from downstairs, so she must have left for a bit. It wasn't until her gaze lowered to the floor that she saw the most beautiful white mare curled up on the floor. She appeared to be sleeping, and Fluttershy felt content enough just to watch her quietly snore.

It dawned on her that Rarity had stayed with her this whole time, never once leaving her side. Immediately she felt bad. Not only did Rarity offer her the bed to herself, but she even stayed with her this entire time while taking great care not to disturb her while she slept. As Fluttershy rustled the blankets to get out of bed, Rarity slowly got up and yawned. Maybe she hadn't been asleep after all. Probably just resting her eyes after a long night.

"Fluttershy?" Rarity smacked her lips once before letting out another yawn. "I'm terribly sorry, dear. Did I wake you?"

She shook her head. "No not at all…I just woke up."

Rarity put a hoof on her shoulder and smiled. "Oh you simply must stay in bed. Please don't feel as if you need to get up. You need your rest."

Fluttershy laid her head back down on the bed and nodded. "Thank you, Rarity."

"Are you comfortable enough?" she asked, "I could fetch another blanket if you would like."

"Oh, I'm alright." she replied, "It's ok. I'm very warm."

Rarity sighed with relief. "Oh thank heavens. I was afraid you may have been cold this entire time. Would you like me to fetch you anything? Some tea? More soup?"

"Oh I couldn't ask for anything more from you…"

"I insist." She smiled at her and gave her a little pat on the head. "At the very least allow me to get you some water."

"Um…well, ok."

"I'll be back in a moment, darling." Rarity trotted out of the room quickly down the stairs, and Fluttershy yawned sleepily before sitting up. As soon as her shoulders left the comforting warmth of the blankets, she shivered a tiny bit, but brushed it off. She hadn't noticed before, but there were a lot of very cute stuffed animals by the foot of the bed. They all looked very welcoming, and she giggled while picking up one of them. The little grey puppy in her hooves was just begging for a hug, and she gave him one.

"I see you've met Diamond." Rarity said, smiling as she came in levitating a small glass of water in front of her.

"He's so cute…" Fluttershy held him up before giving her another hug. "I love him."

"I'm glad. He's my favorite. Well, one of my favorites." Rarity set the glass down on the nightstand and sat down on her haunches by the bed. She put a hoof on Fluttershy's forehead for a second. "You don't seem to have a fever. That's good."

Fluttershy nodded, although she already knew that she probably didn't have one. "Thank goodness."

"You…You look quite…peaceful…when you sleep." Rarity muttered, remembering how she felt the yellow mare hug her hoof as she fell asleep. "Are you feeling any better?"

"A million times better." she replied, setting down Diamond next to her. "I haven't slept that well in a long time. You're bed is amazing."

"Why thank you." Rarity replied. "I made the entire thing myself. I even stuffed the mattress."

"It's the most comfortable bed I've ever slept in. I never want to leave it."

After how adorable Fluttershy looked sleeping in between her blankets, she didn't ever want her to leave either. "Thank you ever so much…" she blushed a bit nervously. "Please feel free to relax for as long as you like."

"Thank you…but…Do you want to sleep in your bed?" she asked, patting down the blankets, "I feel bad seeing you sleep on the floor."

"Oh it's perfectly alright, darling. You needed your rest. I completely understand. There are some days after sewing for hours that I need my rest too. Don't trouble yourself over me."

"Well…if you're sure."

"I am quite sure."

Fluttershy sipped her water, with the help of Rarity's magic, and she smiled up at her. "I really needed that. Thank you."

"My pleasure. Are you sure I can't get you anything else?"

"I'm sure." With Diamond the puppy back next to his friends by the foot of the bed, Fluttershy scanned the animals again. Amongst the white and grey little critters, there was something out of place. Throughout the entire room, the color pallet seemed to match overtones of pail white and pearl satin, but a hint of yellow stuck out like an out of place filly in school. She leaning over to reach for the stuffed animal. Rarity then realized what she was reaching for and panicked. Her heart raced, and she froze in place as Fluttershy pulled out the yellow and pink stuffed animal. She immediately thought it was an oddly shaped duck, but after a second more of closer inspection, she realized with great surprise that it was actually her. The little stuffed animal was her. Even the long mane and tail had been expertly crafted to her likeness. "U-Uh…"

Rarity snatched it away and quickly pushed it under the bed, her white face rosy with pink blush. "T-That's…um…nothing…"

"Was that…me?" Fluttershy asked, nearly at a loss for words.

Rarity looked completely and utterly flustered. "W-Well, perhaps it was…" she cleared her throat and backed up from the bed a little as she pondered whether or not she should lie. Before she could explain herself, she was cut off.

"I like it."

She coughed. "Y-You, like it?"

Fluttershy nodded her head with an innocent smile. "I do. I thought it was really cute."

Rarity laughed nervously. "W-Why thank you…"

"Can I hold it?"

"Um…s-sure…" She slowly brought the stuffed Fluttershy out from under the bed and held it out.

Fluttershy took it with both hooves and giggled. "It's amazing…So lifelike…and adorable!"

Rarity tried with all her might to control her urge to clear her throat rowdily. "I'm…very glad you like it."

"Did you make a stuffed animal out of all the girls?" she asked.

That thought never dawned on her. She had made the stuffed animal as more of a personal keepsake than an artistic product of creativity. The most basic reason behind owning such an object was much too personal for her to admit to anypony. If Fluttershy wasn't so dense about such things, she could have died of sheer embarrassment on the spot. In fact, at that moment she felt like crying. She felt so stupid for leaving it out. After so many nights of sleeping with the little stuffed Fluttershy, she had completely forgot about its presence. "N-No…I haven't…yet." she lied.

Fluttershy gave the little plushy a hug and squealed with delight. "You must really treasure me as a friend for making this."

That wasn't the half of it.

"Y-Yes…I do…" With nerves on edge and face pink as flower petals, Rarity stammered through her words. "Perhaps I should…fetch you some more soup."

Before Fluttershy could protest, Rarity had already trotted out the bedroom door. She was let there in bed to marvel at what she was holding. The stitching that held the stuffed Fluttershy together was completely invisible. This was without a doubt the product of a master craftsmare who put great care and love into her work. The little yellow mare set the plushy down gently next to her and giggled. Whatever her motive was for creating such a lovely masterpiece, it was a very sweet and touching gesture.

When Rarity finally came back upstairs, she frantically placed another bowl of soup on the nightstand, having completely forgotten about the already cold bowl from before. She levitated the stuffed animal back underneath the rest of the little furry friends by the foot of the bed, and sighed with exasperation as she sat down. "There. Out of sight, out of mind. Now please have some soup. It's times like these that ponies much keep their strength up."

Fluttershy nodded and meekly did as she was told. Very carefully, she brought a spoonful up to her lips and blew against the surface of the steaming liquid. When she gulped the soothing liquid, she found it was just as good as before. "Thank you. It's delicious."

Rarity seemed to have calmed a bit. "Good. I'm glad to hear it." The bowl in her hooves became almost too hot to hold, and Fluttershy dropped it on her lap. Rarity tried to snatch it up as quickly as possible, but alas the soup met its demise through the threading of the blanket's fabric. With a very shocked and pained face, Fluttershy sprang up from the bed and yelped. The hot soup was beginning to burn her, and she jumped out of bed so not to ruin any more of the bedding. As she franticly searched the room for something to use as a sponge, Rarity pulled a pillowcase off of one of her pillows. She quickly dabbed it against Fluttershy's tummy. "Oh heavens no! Fluttershy, I am so sorry! So very truly sorry!"

Once the burning sensations had subsided a bit, Fluttershy calmed down. She winced as she said, "It's ok…ow…Oh no! I got it all over your bed!"

"Never mind the bed, darling! Are you alright?" Rarity pressed the pillowcase firmly against her tummy.

She winced again. "Yes…I think so…"

"Fluutershy, I am so so so so so sorry!"

"It's ok. I'm alright." she said, feeling her hooves all over her tummy.

Rarity scorned herself with a huff. "I completely forgot how hot the bowl was."

"Me too…" Fluttershy very gently pushed her hooves away from her tummy. "It's alright…I really am fine." She stopped trying to dry her off and looked up. Fluttershy couldn't help but notice that Rarity had started to tear up. "Rarity?…A-Are you crying?"

She shook her head adamantly. "Heavens no, dear…" she said, making a sniffling noise.

"I think you are…Did the bed mean that much to you?"

Rarity laughed nervously and wiped her face. "No not at all…"

"Then…why are you crying?"

She threw the pillowcase down on the floor and covered her face with her hooves. "I promise, I am doing no such thing." Her tears were from embarrassment over that stupid little plushy and for making a fool of herself in front of the mare she cherished.

Fluttershy felt dreadfully horrible. Was it something she said? Was Rarity lying about being upset about the bed? Was she mad at her? All she wanted to know was why she was crying. "Rarity, please tell me." She put a hoof on her shoulder. Once Rarity felt the gentle touch, her eyes watered even more. "Was it something I did?"

Very quickly and without warning, the now sobbing girl threw her hooves around Fluttershy's shoulders, pulling her into a firm hug. Many years of angst and hidden feelings that had always been knocking on the door of her heart had finally broken free. The crying was the only thing she could do to somewhat control herself. "Forget the bed, Flutttershy. Please just forget the bed…"

She did as she was told, gently squeezing her back. She reveled in the pleasant warmth of her friend's embrace, but was gravely saddened by her lamenting sobs. The feeling of Rarity's heaving shoulders as they held each other was driving the poor and confused Fluttershy to tears as well. "Please don't cry…"

Rarity laughed at herself and sniffled harder while wiping her eyes. "What in Equestia is wrong with me?" she muttered to herself, "I cannot begin to describe how sorry I am for behaving is such an unbecoming manner."

"There there now…" she replied, rubbing her cheek against the sobbing girl's wet chin. "It's ok. Just let it out."

This time, Rarity did as she was told. It took an agonizingly long half minute for her to regain her composure. "For Celestia's sake…" she mumbled. She felt tremendously silly for having such an irrepressible outburst of frenzied emotion. Nothing would give her more joy and happiness if Fluttershy would just kiss her cheek and tell her that everything is ok. It's too bad that hopes and dreams in the moment are mere passing fantasy that almost never come to pass.

"Did something happen?" Fluttershy asked, still very bewildered but determined to cheer up her friend. "Rarity, you're starting to scare me. You act like you have a terminal illness or something."

"Goodness no, dear." she sighed, finally regaining control of herself. "I promise I am not ill."

"Then…" Fluttershy pulled away a bit to look up at her. "Why are you crying?"

She laughed, placing a hoof on her face. "It's silly…"

"But serious enough for you to cry…" she replied, sounding very concerned.

"I feel like such a foolish filly for behaving like this." She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"Why?" she asked, gently placing a hoof on her cheek.

Rarity gasped, feeling Fluttershy's hoof against her burning cheek. Her face visibly turned bright pink while one last tear trickled down her other cheek to her chin. Fluttershy watched and waited patiently for her response while wiping the tear away. Rarity looked like she wanted to say something. She did in facr desperately want to say something, but for the life of her, she could not put the words she needed together. She looked down dejectedly at the floor, thinking hard. When she brought her gaze back up to the yellow mare, she stammered more only to give up and look back down. Fluttershy did not want to push her at all. She just gave her a gentle smile and remained silent. Again Rarity looked up. Her loss for words had made her frustrated and frantic. There were so many things she wanted to say, but no discernable words that could possibly express her strong adoration and affection.

Rarity did the only thing she could possibly think of. She leaned forward, took a deep breath, and braced herself.

She kissed her.