Chapter Text
The loud laughter grated on Rainbow Dash's ears, and she frowned in irritation before sipping her juice.
The hangover from the night before was giving her a terrible headache and the girls around her wouldn't stop talking.
Maybe it was her fault.
No one had forced her to be there, she went of her own free will, when she found out that her teammates had called Applejack for lunch at the dorm, she was forced to go, because she didn't want to leave the blonde alone.
But in the end, she was the one who was alone.
Applejack was very happy talking to the girls.
And for some reason, this made Rainbow's sour mood even worse.
There had been a lot of parties going on lately, leading up to the upcoming Equestria Women's Soccer Cup.
It had been a few days since... She was... Worried? Yeah, that's the right word, worried about the kind of people Applejack was talking to at these parties.
After she saw her talking to Rara, the player completely lost the desire to invite her to parties, something she didn't do, but apparently, her teammates now felt they had the right to invite the blonde at any time.
Seriously, Applejack didn't even tell her she was coming!
Rainbow just woke up, knew of her presence, got ready and went down for lunch, but no one there seemed to notice her presence.
Everyone was distracted talking to Applejack.
- Seriously, you're a copy of Sprinkle Tripe! You could replace her in some game and no one would notice! - Misty Fly says, showing the photo of her friend who was on vacation.
Applejack laughed, shaking her head.
They really were very similar, with the exception of the pink streaks in the player's hair.
- I would ruin the game, for sure. I'm a soccer's lover, not a player. - She joked, smiling at them.
- That's true, Rainbow already said that you know how to make reports about the matches better than our coach. - Sunshower says and that makes the blonde remember her friend.
She looks up, looking for her, and finds her in the corner of the yard, frowning, looking at them.
Apparently she hadn't woken up in a good mood.
She flashed a smile at the player, who blinked, stunned by her sudden attention, forcing a smile to greet her.
She blamed herself for not being able to open up to something more truthful, something the blonde deserved, but she really was a bit grumpy today.
- Of course, you seem to be doing something much better than chasing a ball. - Fleetfoot jokes, pointing to the table.
The dessert Applejack had brought today was a large apple pie.
Some of them were able to resist the urge to eat a slice, others gave up lunch to try the pie first.
- It's one of the house specials. - She says, winking at them, which made Blaze look at her in admiration.
Rainbow's mouth watered when she saw what the candy was, as she had eaten it before, but she took a deep breath when she saw Blaze's look.
Her friends sometimes seemed like vultures after a beautiful woman and it sucked.
-"House specials", oh please, Applejack! Do you have to say it in that voice that made everything you said sound appealing?
Rainbow sank deeper into her chair, sulking.
- We have a sweet maker in our group too. You two are quite a good match. - Spitfire said, with mischief, which her colleagues understood, but Applejack looked around, curious to know who was like her.
One of the players raised her hand, a smile on her lips, as Applejack glanced over her.
The blonde smiled, impressed.
- Sunrise? - She said, looking at the goalkeeper with interest. - Do you also make sweets?
- My name is a big sign. - She replied jokingly. Her first name was Strawberry. - My family tried to make me follow the family heritage, but I ended up stopping here.
- Good. This team needs to thank you on their knees. - Was the quick reply that Applejack gave, which made everyone laugh out loud.
- I'd love to show you how I can need to be thanked on knees for other things too. - She replied and everyone around held their breath. They chose the redhead to flirt with the blonde for a reason.
She was the most shameless one there.
- Do you like strawberries? - Sunrise asked, looking at her with interest.
- I have a certain prejudice against sour fruits, but for you I would give it a chance. - She assured with a sideways smile, but certain that nothing would beat a good apple jam.
- I would make you fall in love, have no doubts. - She assured and was about to get up to go to the blonde, when someone was faster and got up, going to the coffee table and slamming her empty glass there, so that they could see her arrival.
Rainbow glanced casually at the table, as if she hadn't come there on purpose.
She cut a large slice of apple pie, before looking at Applejack.
- Can we talk? - She asked calmly, leaving her anger to be vented after Applejack was out of there.
The blonde didn't see any problems and accompanied her to the front of the dormitory, where Rainbow leaned against the wall, putting a piece of pie in her mouth, needing it to calm down.
Once she felt satisfied, she looked up at the other.
- Didn't you say you had an appointment today? - She asked, because she had talked to the blonde the night before, when she missed her and sent her messages during the night.
- I do. - She answered simply, before looking at her watch. - In two hours.
- I think you better go now. - Rainbow suggested, which made Applejack's eyes widen.
- Are you kicking me out? - She asked, offended and with a hurt tone.
- No! - She exclaimed, dropping the pie on the fence, before turning to Applejack. - I just don't think it's good if you're late. - Yeah, she dared to give a shitty excuse.
- Yeah, you're kicking me out. - Applejack said, before crossing her arms, looking at her intrigued and serious. - Is everything okay?
- I'm fine, just a little tired. - She replied, rubbing her eyes. Her mood was probably changing so much due to the upcoming games that were messing with her psychology. - It's just that my coach will be here in a few minutes to talk to us and I don't know if he'll like seeing someone he doesn't know. - It wasn't a lie. He said he'd come after lunch, but Rainbow was sure he wouldn't mind Applejack, since she was clearly a Wonderbolts fan. (He had suspicions about those who didn't admit which team they rooted for immediately and proudly. Well, that wouldn't be the case with Applejack. It was more likely that he loved the blonde)
Applejack soon seemed to understand the situation.
- I wouldn't let someone outside see the game strategies I share either. He's absolutely right. - She agreed, nodding. She smiled at her friend. - See you at next week's game. - She promised, before her smile grew as she looked to the side. - I thought I would be able to talk to you, but apparently I have to leave it for later. - She laughed, anxious, seeing that she would only tell Twilight, since she wouldn't have time to tell the news to the player.
And... It would be weird to talk to her about something like that, probably.
They were friends, but... Maybe... Friends who didn't talk about that kind of thing?
Yeah. She didn't know why she wanted to tell Rainbow that, anyway.
- Good training these days. Don't stress yourself too much, Dash. - Applejack asked, before waving, walking away towards the gate. - Say goodbye to the girls for me! - She exclaimed before disappearing.
Rainbow sighed, saddened.
She also wanted to talk to Applejack, if... And that was what made her angry once again, if her teammates hadn't decided to act like jerks from one moment to the next!
Remembering this made her go back inside, even forgetting about her slice of pie that was there, arriving where they were with an irritated frown.
- I told you she would make her go away. - Spitfire says, smiling confidently and some laughed around, while others complained.
Yes, they had made a bet.
The colorful girl's brow furrowed as she approached the table.
- Can you explain to me what the fuck just happened here? Sunrise, what the hell were you trying to do to Applejack?? - She asked, nervously and quickly.
The one mentioned looked at her calmly.
- Flirting with a beautiful woman, is there a problem? - She asked sarcastically.
- Several. - Rainbow replied seriously.
- Tell me one. - She challenged, raising an eyebrow.
- She's not someone to fall for your stupid chatter. Don't try to lure her into another one of your traps. - She said, through gritted teeth, looking at her irritated.
- None of the women I've been with have complained about this trap. - She mocked and that boiled the other's blood.
- That doesn't suit Applejack! Stay away from her, I'm warning you. - She pointed at the other, harshly.
- Why are you so upset about this, anyway? You never cared about the women I'm interested in, unless you also had your eye on her. - Sunrise says, already fed up with that "senseless" anger. - Are you interested in Applejack?
- She's my friend! - She dismissed the idea, frowning just because the other thought it.
- Then there's no problem with what Sunrise is doing. - Spitfire says, before eating what was on her plate. - Applejack is a great catch, she's pretty and knows how to cook, why do you think that wouldn't catch our attention?
Rainbow's expression hardened, looking at the group's captain.
- Applejack isn't just "pretty and knows how to cook" to serve as a discount for your fake interests. She's much more than that, so if this little show is to embarrass her and not promise anything serious, you better stop. - She intimidated and Spitfire smiled, uncontrollably, at the other's reaction.
- I would really try to win her over. - Sunrise says, wronged, because she had really liked the blonde, from what little she had seen.
- Sunrise, go fuck yourself. - Rainbow says, tired.
- So you're saying we can't try to be with her because we don't really know her? - Night Glider asked skeptically.
- Exactly! - Rainbow exclaimed, happy that at least one of them had understood.
- If even we, who know little about her, already think she's a good match, what are you, who already know her much better, doing standing still? - Fleetfoot asked seriously.
Rainbow blinked, not thinking she understood correctly.
- What? - She mumbled awkwardly.
- You know we prefer one-night stands, everyone likes soccer's players, so this is very convenient for us. - She replied mischievously and the others agreed with some laughter. - But when we find someone worth it, I don't think we should let them go for anything in the world.
The colorful one looked at her in shock.
She was assuming that... That she and Applejack...
- I... Me and Applejack didn't-
- Because of your own idiocy. I think you better realize how much you're falling for that blonde before you lose her to another woman, because I don't think it would be difficult. - Spitfire cut her off, before she could continue, with a warning.
Rainbow laughed.
- We're not like that. I'm not in love with her and she already put those feelings aside. - She justified herself, suddenly nervous.
- "She already"...? - One of the players repeated, but left the sentence hanging in the air, in disbelief.
Spitfire laughed, looking at her in disbelief.
- Did she like you? - She asked slowly.
- A little? I don't know, we haven't talked about it. - Rainbow replied, confused, starting to feel anxious with those questions.
- Holy shit, you already lost. - The captain commented, shaking her head. - But for you, that was never an impediment to trying again. - She took a deep breath, before looking at her firmly. - If I were you, I would hold on to Applejack while I have time. She won't last long alone.
- We're friends. I don't like her like this. - She reaffirmed and Spitfire let her brow furrow even more, impatient.
- Are you sure? Because no shitty friendship would be a reason for your reaction here today. You clearly don't want her romantically with anyone. Is that your friendly instinct? - She teased. - I think you should rethink your feelings.
And before the other could respond, the coach walked through the door, greeting everyone.
Rainbow never brought up the subject again after that day, but it was obvious that it had stuck in her mind.
The week that followed was preparation for the opening of the cup, in which they would face the Shadowbolts, an annoying team that tried to copy their techniques, but always managed to be inept even at that.
They could beat other weaker teams, but they?
Only by a miracle.
And starting the cup with a win was a good boost to continue in the competition with a good few points ahead.
So the Wonderbolts were determined to win.
Rainbow had barely had time to talk to Applejack these past few days, though that wasn't to say she hadn't been thinking about her.
Because she thought a lot.
And she came to the conclusion that: she wouldn't try to have something more with the blonde, because it didn't make sense!
She didn't feel like she was falling in love with Applejack, quite the opposite, she just depended a little too much on her words of affection, her smiles and hugs!
It was nothing major.
Look at that! She managed to go a week without talking to the blonde.
Which, by the way, ate away at her completely, but she didn't dare send any message, except for the blonde's ticket for tomorrow's game.
The match was as she had imagined: stressful, but victory was already guaranteed.
And as soon as the whistle blew at the end of the match, the celebration was immense.
They won, so they were already first in group B, with 3 goals to their name.
Catching up with them to get them out of the last 16 would be difficult.
The celebration on the field and the interviews didn't allow Rainbow to go out to greet Applejack.
Not that she was looking forward to it, because what Spitfire said messed with her head, so she wasn't sure what she would do if she met the blonde's smile.
And the player was very pleased with her game. Nothing Applejack could say could make it any better.
Holy shit, what the fuck was she talking about?? She was dying to know what the blonde thought of her that day.
But she was testing her self-control and so far it was going very well.
After interrupting some of her colleagues' interviews by making faces for the cameras, she went inside the stadium, walking through the corridors to her team's room.
She was laughing at Spitfire, who was cursing her in the worst possible ways for interrupting her serious explanation about the team.
- I was about to tell you how we would really try when the quarterfinals came, but then you ruined it with that idiotic face of yours! - She exclaimed, annoyed, which only made the colorful girl laugh even more, feeling her stomach hurt.
- I did you a favor, then. What kind of captain announces the game she's going to play? - She mocked and the captain turned red and had a murderous look.
- Rainbow Dash, go to the fuck home! - She yelled, before running after the attacker through the busy hallway.
Rainbow ran away, wiping the tears from her face, dodging people and, as soon as she could, she hid, making Spitfire lose sight of her.
She leaned against the wall, sighing happily.
- Spitfire must not know you are here. - She was startled when someone spoke, so she looked up, seeing a gray uniform.
It was from the Pop Feet.
The stadium had been rented for three games that day, one after the other, with an hour's break between each one.
It was a way to make tickets cheaper if you bought two matches or even three at once.
The Pop Feet were playing with Hope Hollow in half an hour.
- Luv Dancer! She probably doesn't know anyway. - She joked, taking a breath.
- You must have been up to mischief, as usual. - She guessed, letting out a few laughs.
- Nothing that makes me deserve my captain's fury. - Rainbow says with a calm smile.
- Today is the opening of the games, isn't your friend going to sell anything today? - She asked, as she wanted to try one of the delicious delicacies that she saw so many colleagues talking about. Captain Rara was the one who praised it the most.
Rainbow frowned at the question.
By the time, she thought Applejack would already be there.
- Isn't she? - She asked suspiciously.
- No. Although, she must be waiting for our game. She definitely wants to see us play. - She said, smiling with ulterior motives.
Seriousness covered Rainbow's expression before she could stop it.
- What are you talking about? - She asked slowly.
Luv watched her silently at first, unsure if she should tell her.
- It shouldn't be a secret between you two, since you're friends. Applejack and Rara went on a date last weekend. - She said, without giving it much relevance.
She started babbling about various things, when Rainbow didn't respond.
But the only thing on the colorful girl's mind was..."Applejack and Rara went on a date last weekend." and what that was supposed to mean.
Her mind was blank.
She couldn't believe this was real, much less that...
And that's when she started to get indignant.
What do you mean a date??
Applejack didn't tell her anything about this!
Last weekend? That was three days ago!
Was Rara distracting herself on the eve of a moment like that?
Damn, Rainbow humbly wished that the Pop Feet would lose the match now, just because of the captain's incompetence.
No, fuck, the truth was that she was pissed because she didn't talk to Applejack and a stranger did.
Rainbow quickly said goodbye to the other, before taking her cell phone out of her pocket and sending a message to Applejack.
RD: Can we see each other now?
The time it took the blonde to respond made her even more impatient.
AJ: Sure, where?
RD: Do you know the cleaning area? After all the food stalls?
AJ: Yes.
RD: See you there.
Rainbow quickened her steps, not bothering to greet back whoever was speaking to her.
She only had one thing on her mind and, honestly, she was angry.
She got there by a shortcut, stamping her foot on the ground due to the delay, but she knew that coming from the stands Applejack would take a while to get there.
And that was just more proof that she didn't open the cart today.
As soon as she heard footsteps approaching, she turned around, seeing the blonde, who was smiling hugely.
- Congratulations on the victory!!! You don't know how happy I am for you guys. - She congratulated, but Rainbow was only able to notice, with bitterness, that she wasn't wearing the Wonderbolts shirt today.
She was more neutral. Probably because she was going to root for two teams.
She took a deep breath, before exhaling all the air through her mouth.
- Why didn't you open the cart today? - She asked, trying not to sound too angry.
- I couldn't stay for long. I'm going to watch the next game soon. - She pointed to the court, anxious and excited.
She had never seen three games in a row with such exciting matches, so she was dying to see it.
- So you came to see her? - She asked, looking at her with resentment.
- Whose are you...-
- Rara. You came to watch Rara. - A sour smile formed on her face, attentive to the blonde's next reactions. - Who you had a date with.
Applejack looked surprised that she knew, but her face only heated up as she looked embarrassed.
- Have you found out yet? I was going to tell you, but-
- What do you expect to come of this? - She interrupted her once more, looking at her hard.
- What do you mean? - Applejack stammered, not understanding.
- You and Rara... - She said, with a visibly disgusted tone. - This won't work, you should give up.
The blonde looked at her in shock at her harsh, automatic words.
- Why do you think that? - She asked, worried.
She thought there was something wrong that she didn't know about or...
- You two aren't compatible and getting together would only cause headaches. - She says it as if it were simple and Applejack's brow furrows.
- You still haven't answered why it wouldn't work. - She repeated, not understanding the commotion coming from the other.
- She's an idiot and you shouldn't fall for her talk. - Rainbow replied.
- What do you mean? You say it as if it were a sin to get involved with her and I didn't think it was anything wrong! - She says, defensively.
- Speaking of which, how could you not tell me this before? I could have stopped this from happening. - She says and Applejack starts to get irritated.
- You wouldn't have stopped anything. - She assured, with certainty. - And I didn't tell you, because when I thought I could talk to you, you sent me away that day!
- So you don't trust my instincts? Why do you seem angry at my advice? - Rainbow asked, crossing her arms.
- I'm sorry, but it irritates me how you act like it's something of mine, when you were very clear about what we did that night. - She says, frowning impatiently at all that talk.
- Yes? I was very clear, but what does that have to do with it? - She asked, annoyed by the change of subject.
- You're clearly jealous! What right do you think you have to do that? - Applejack asked, exasperated.
- I'm taking care of a friend! - She answers promptly.
- That's none of your business! What I do with Rara doesn't affect you at all! - The blonde states truthfully.
Rainbow takes a step closer, with an incredulous laugh.
- Is that how you see friendship? - Applejack took a deep breath, closing her eyes. If Rainbow said the word "friend" or "friendship" again, she wouldn't be responsible. - I'm giving you advice, because I know you're not very experienced.
It was Applejack's turn to laugh.
- Are you mistreating me now?
- Am I lying by any chance? - Rainbow asked, raising an eyebrow. The blonde looked at her seriously, silently, with her mind full. - I was clearly your first kiss, you don't know women like I do! I'm warning you: Rare is not a good thing.
- She seemed perfectly fine to me when we hung out. - Applejack says, nonchalantly, and that makes Rainbow angry.
- You don't know what you're talking about. - She said, more to calm herself than the other. - Your naivety will make you regret it!
- I don't care! I'm finally accepting myself the way I am, so if I'm going to regret it in the future, at least I know I'm living and doing what I want. - She exclaimed, frustrated.
- I care! - Rainbow says, looking at her indignantly.
- And why do you care??
- Because I don't want to see you hurt! - She says, worried. - Rara doesn't deserve you and...
- And who deserves me? - She interrupted her, staring at her.
They were silent for a few moments, staring at each other with many things in their eyes.
- Someone better than her, for sure. - Rainbow mocked, rolling her eyes and looking away from the blonde, because looking into her eyes was making her heart flutter.
Applejack seemed to want to get an answer out of her that she couldn't quite identify.
Or that she preferred not to think about it.
- I think she's better than most people. She was very kind to me from the beginning and was very attentive when we were together. - She explained, feeling an absurd satisfaction when she saw Rainbow take another deep step on the ground, looking at her with fire in her eyes.
- You're not even friends! You barely know her well, how can you say all that so easily??
- Do I need to be friends with a woman to kiss her? - Applejack asked, raising an eyebrow and Rainbow froze, looking at her in surprise.
The player laughed, running her hand through her hair.
- You say it like you're capable of doing that. - She scoffs, dismissing the idea.
- Capable of what? - Applejack repeated, smiling in disbelief and irritation.
Was Rainbow seriously doubting her at that moment?
- Of kissing Rara. You're not like that. Besides, you have no experience, of course-
- Are you doubting that I can kiss well? - The blonde interrupts her, finding it funny.
- I'm sure. - Rainbow says with conviction. She never saw Applejack being with other girls, only the nosy Rara dared to approach her during those months, it was clear that the blonde had no involvement with other women.
Applejack clenched her fists, licking her lips, containing the anger in her chest, for the certainty that Rainbow said that.
- I should make you regret saying that. - She says, mumbling and Rainbow laughs, knowing she was right.
- You can try. - The player mocked, smiling mockingly at her, leaning forward.
She just didn't expect Applejack to actually try.
The blonde raised one of her hands, pulling her cheek up and bringing their lips together.
Applejack closed her eyes tightly, feeling her heart beat wildly in her chest, the feeling of Rainbow's lips on hers making her feel the same emotions as the day she kissed the player for the first time.
What was she doing?
Rainbow completely lost control of her with that stupid conversation, even more so by calling her inexperienced and things like that.
This made her extremely angry.
She couldn't let the regret get to her, she was already there, with her lips on Rainbow's, so she had to do something.
Prove that she wasn't so ignorant about it anymore.
That's why she stuck her tongue out, asking for entry into the colorful girl's mouth.
Rainbow felt her heart stop beating when Applejack got so close so suddenly, but she couldn't contain the desire for her kiss and closed her eyes, opening her mouth afterwards.
Well, she had told Applejack to try.
She couldn't refuse now.
Their tongues intertwined, slowly, as the blonde was still afraid of doing something wrong, but even so, that alone made the hairs on the player's arms stand on end, as she was kissing her once again.
Applejack hugged her, as usual, and Rainbow felt happy, at how the blonde could be so affectionate, since the first moment she met her.
That Applejack way... It left her speechless sometimes.
Not at that moment, at least, because the blonde leaned over her, brushing her mouth to the other side, and Rainbow raised her hands to support herself, because she felt her legs wobbly from the growing sensation that rose in her chest.
She pressed her eyes harder, disbelieving herself, that she was doing this, or rather, enjoying it.
Applejack shouldn't be so lovable.
All the things the blonde did, Rainbow had to enjoy being there with her and apparently kissing her would be no different.
The farmer walked away, letting out a sigh between her lips and before she could stop herself, she gave Rainbow one last peck on her soft lips, as she didn't know when she would have another opportunity.
She pulled away, impulsively, letting go of the player and throwing her hands up like a criminal, her eyes wide and face hot with embarrassment.
Rainbow blinked her eyes slowly, still looking at her dumbfounded.
It was a question that seemed easy, but no one could answer with absolute certainty who was more nervous.
- I... I... - Applejack tried to get some logic out of her brain, but could only scold herself for her impulsiveness and doing something that Rainbow definitely hadn't let her do. - Forgive me... I..
Rainbow interrupted her, grabbing her by the cheek and placing their lips together once more, inserting her tongue dizzily inside the blonde's mouth, craving more of Applejack, because now she was addicted.
The blonde melted under her touch, at the same time that her muscles calmed down, her heart seemed to pump much stronger, leaving her unsure if it would fall from her chest, with such boldness.
Rainbow slowly pulled away, cautiously removing her hands from Applejack's face.
She took two steps back, looking at the ground.
It might not seem like it, but she was very nervous at that moment.
She swallowed hard, looking at the blonde's shoes, wondering what she should do after talking so much shit.
- You really kissed Rara, didn't you? - She murmured, expressionless.
That seemed so obvious. Applejack hadn't kissed like that in a few months, and she wouldn't have learned how on her own.
The farmer looked up at the sky, her face feeling hot.
- Well, yes. - She stammered, trying to calm her racing heart.
The player took a deep breath, before looking up at her.
- How long did you kiss? - She asked seriously, a wrenching feeling corrupting her thoughts: that she should kiss Applejack at least twice as long as Rara had.
The blonde looked at her in silence, wondering if that question was really necessary, but Rainbow's expression didn't change, it remained fixed and looking at her with determination, so she sighed, resigned.
- A whole night. - She replied, shrugging her shoulders and Rainbow wanted to laugh, cry, scream, kiss Applejack, fight with her and then kiss her again, but she remained silent, assimilating her sentence, rolling her tongue on the roof of her mouth.
She admired Applejack, silently.
The blonde didn't look regretful or even annoyed (that would definitely be temporary), but she looked very embarrassed and also... Fulfilled.
She looked happy. Of having kissed Rainbow. And that left the player's heart hammering in her mind with a thousand more reasons to kiss her again, something she wouldn't do, no, definitely no! Because she was angry, but then Applejack was there in front of her with a tiny, anxious smile on her lips, looking embarrassed and then... Rainbow lost everything.
And she was more than willing to lose everything she had for Applejack.
Realizing this... Holy shit.
She was fucked.
Rainbow was very much in love with the blonde.