Chapter Text
Rainbow and Rarity went back inside, seeing Applejack laughing at Fluttershy's scared face.
They approached in silence and when they were close enough, Applejack stood up, looking at the two as they approached.
She opened her mouth, but only took a deep breath, losing her words, when she saw the two of them.
Rarity, who she thought she liked until half an hour ago, and Rainbow, who...
- I think we need to talk. - She finally managed to say calmly, and Rainbow looked at her gratefully.
- Sorry for ruining the date. - Rainbow said, addressing the other two, but Fluttershy and Rarity smiled calmly.
- We'll try again next time. - The stylist assured, winking, before sitting next to her girlfriend, while the other two left.
Rarity looked at the table, before smiling.
- We should have to ordered the chocolate cake. - She joked, because even before the other two arrived, they had thought about ordering it.
It would have avoided some discussions...
- Are you denying a mess? - Fluttershy asked, smiling in amusement, knowing that her girlfriend always loved having explosive news falling into her lap.
- Ah, I just didn't expect that from them, even though they seem to be quite stubborn. - She confessed in a thoughtful murmur.
Of course, she already had a thousand and one reasons why Applejack and Rainbow were fighting like that.
Fluttershy decided to help, with what she had discovered.
She straightened in her chair, turning fully to face Rarity, her eyes intent.
- It seems like they are in doubt about their own feelings. - She says and gains all of her girlfriend's attention. - Applejack seemed sure of what she felt, but from what she said, Rainbow...
Rarity frowns.
- Rainbow was crying out there! How can there be any doubt? - She exclaimed, certain that the concern in the colorful girl's eyes wasn't without value. - Wait, before you answer me... - She pulled the plate that was on the other side of the table, extending a fork to Flutter.
- Do you want to eat their cake? - Fluttershy asked, wary. - What if they come back and...
Rarity's laughter interrupted her.
- I'm sure they're thinking about everything but cake right now. - She assured, before putting a piece in her mouth and offering another piece to her girlfriend.
Of course Fluttershy was embarrassed and this made Rarity laugh and so the vet smeared her cheek with the chocolate filling.
- Hey! My foundation was expensive. - Rarity complained, with her mouth full, unable to stop herself from chuckling.
- I bought it for you. I have the right to spend it. - She replied with a satisfied smile, before helping herself to a piece of the cake as well.
And for them, it was another wonderful date.
The two who left there walked slowly along the same path they had come.
Rainbow had a lot on her mind, so she didn't know where to start or what to talk about first.
- Rainbow... - She woke up, hearing the blonde's voice. Only now had she realized that they had arrived in front of the university. - We don't need to talk today. I think the day was a little tiring for both of us. We need to think better and... Evaluate what we feel. - She confessed, turning her gaze to the other.
- I agree. - She murmured, finding it a great option. - Can we talk tomorrow, after college?
- Sure, perfect. - She says, not knowing if she should say anything else. They should say goodbye now.
- Applejack. - She called, uncertainly. - Regardless of what we talk about today, we'll still be okay with each other, okay? - At least she needed to know that, she couldn't wait until tomorrow.
She would apologize tomorrow, she would tell about the other two's relationship tomorrow, but she couldn't leave without knowing if Applejack would still be her friend.
The blonde observed her calmly.
- Always. - She answered, simply.
Rainbow looked up and saw Applejack's small, calm smile, looking like everything was going to be okay.
And that lifted a huge weight off her chest.
Applejack was surprised once again when she received a tight hug from Rainbow.
She relaxed, returning the hug.
Rainbow took a deep breath, needing that for today.
She walked away with a wan smile.
- I have a lot of news to tell you tomorrow. - She said, drawling.
- Me too. - Applejack replied quietly and then they said goodbye.
°°°
The next day, classes seemed to go by really quickly.
Probably because they were eager to talk to each other.
As soon as the bell rang for classes to end that morning, Rainbow bolted out of the room,
intending to arrive as quickly as possible in the open area of the university, that is, as far away as possible from her campus.
Applejack would probably already be waiting for her and the thought of it was making Rainbow anxious, which made her step even faster.
She was happy when her eyes finally found the green of the grass and she could step on the soft ground, while looking for the blonde.
She imagined that she would be serious and angry looking somewhere, but when she found her on a bench under a shade tree, she was distracted, rummaging through her bag.
Applejack noticed her presence before she could say anything and smiled at her, beckoning her to come closer.
- Before we talk about anything, I have something for you to prove. - She explained, quickly taking a red thermal cup out of her bag and handing it to Rainbow.
The colorful one looked at the cup in surprise.
She watched as the blonde took another thermal cup out of her bag, this time green, and opened it, drinking it right away.
Applejack glanced at her from the corner of her eye, seeing her watching her.
- Aren't you going to take it? I promise it's delicious. - She assured.
- You're really not angry and didn't put any laxatives in here as revenge? - She asked, grimacing, shaking the glass.
Applejack's eyes widened, before laughing.
- Of course not. Trust me, you'll love it. - She promised.
The physicist wouldn't doubt her words, so she opened the small lid.
- It's lukewarm. - Applejack warned, before sipping her own drink.
Rainbow brought the cup closer to her mouth, already imagining that it would be something like coffee.
It was impossible to separate Applejack from coffee and the blonde had already said before that she would make it one day, one "so delicious that you'll get addicted too".
Rainbow was skeptical about it, but she always let the blonde dream.
On the one hand, the colorful girl was afraid she wouldn't like it, but she still took the risk and drank the first sip.
As the flavors ran across her tongue and settled there, she stopped to focus more closely.
Damn... It tasted like...
- Mint? - She stammered, surprised, as she felt the refreshing notes rise to her palate.
And not only that, there was also a sweet taste of chocolate in the background.
And... The coffee... It didn't taste that much like coffee, in fact, it seemed much sweeter than normal, which was a blessing for Rainbow.
- You made decaf coffee? - Rainbow exclaimed, looking at the cup in admiration.
- I submitted to this. - Applejack says, pursing her lips.
It was a struggle for her to use less coffee than usual that time.
- It's a chocolate mint mocha, decaf and... with a hint of coffee candy.
Knowing that her beloved candies were there made her take the next sip with the purest satisfaction.
She couldn't have wished for anything else that afternoon besides that coffee.
Yes, coffee! Only Applejack can work miracles.
- I loved it. - She praised, taking a little more, feeling electric and it wasn't even because of the coffee. She looked at the blonde seriously. - Don't you want to drop out of college and open a coffee shop? I'll follow you.
Applejack laughed, unable to help it, looking at her with amusement.
- And what would you do there?
- I distract the customers. In the meantime, you extort them as much as you can. - She answers with serenity and confidence, which made the blonde laugh even more.
This made Rainbow laugh back, because it was infectious to be around Applejack like this.
The laughter gradually died away and so they fell silent.
Rainbow enjoyed her coffee until the end, thinking again about what they needed to talk about.
- I'll start. - The blonde says, leaving the glass resting next to her. - I'm sorry for making it seem like your chances with Fluttershy only existed in your head. I was very nervous and wanted any possible justification to make you change your mind. You... You can have any. - She admitted, exasperated. A small smile appeared on her face, before adding. - I... I don't think she feels the same way about you here, but I don't see that as a reason for you to be discouraged. It happens, people like us and others don't. We just move on. - She says, not having the courage to tell Rainbow about the "brotherly love" Fluttershy felt for her. - I'm here to support you with lots of mochas at random times. - She joked, looking at her carefully to see what she would think about it.
Rainbow didn't feel sad when Applejack said that, because now more than ever, she knew it was true.
Fluttershy didn't like her that way and she couldn't do anything about it.
- I'm going to charge you with this mocha story, you hear? Get ready. - She says, smiling, before sighing. - I want to apologize too. I was just focusing on what could happen and I ended up formulating our breakup badly. I should have prepared myself better and looked at you more carefully. I don't want to lose you in this mess at all. - She confessed, thoughtfully. - I... I have some news to tell you. I think it's better to say it, so as not to create expectations. - She racked her brains a bit to figure out how she was going to tell it. - We had no chance with Rarity and Fluttershy. They... They date.
Rainbow watched as Applejack's eyebrows nearly shot up into the sky as she stared at her in amazement.
- They date...? Who are they dating? - She asked in shock, not believing it was real.
Rainbow laughed. Wasn't it obvious?
- Themselves. Rarity with Fluttershy. - She answered and Applejack, at first, looked at her in silence.
An incredulous laugh escaped her lips and so, Rainbow smiled back, happy that the blonde hadn't been upset by the news.
- You're lying. - The blonde says, her laughter escaping her lips without her being able to control it.
She wasn't in disbelief about them dating, but about them dating each other.
This had never even crossed her mind as a possibility.
And the situation as a whole... It made everything much funnier.
Her laughter grew louder as she leaned forward, realizing so many coincidences.
- The one we liked... Is dating each other. - She says, looking at Rainbow with grace, who nodded, accompanying her in laughter.
- And it gets worse. - Rainbow said, with a muffled laugh. - They decided they would make it public when we started dating. - Applejack laughed, not believing it.
- It's too funny to be true. - She says, with a smile, wiping away the tears that fell.
- I thought Rarity was messing with me yesterday afternoon. - Rainbow says, with a small smile. She looks at the blonde with suspicion. - Aren't you sad about it?
Applejack opens her mouth to respond, but after briefly glancing at the colorful girl, she reconsiders her words.
- After yesterday, I realized that I haven't been thinking much about Rarity. I barely know her, to tell the truth. - She admits, a little embarrassed. - I don't think I really liked her. It's more like a crush. - She looked at Rainbow, worried. - And how was it for you to find out that?
- It sucked. - She muttered, looking ahead in disgust. - I also found it funny and I still do, but at the time, it wasn't one of the best feelings. It's just... The frustration of not achieving what you wanted for so long.
Applejack didn't answer, which made her play with the glass in her hands, wondering if she should tell what she found out.
- Actually... - She began. She would tell. She could tell Applejack anything. - When I thought about it more calmly, at home, I realized I was more upset about my bruised ego than anything else. - She admitted, embarrassed. - It made me realize that...
Everything she had felt for Fluttershy... She created.
From the moment she met her, until now, after all these years, she believed she was in love, because Fluttershy had always affected her in some way.
Her smile. Her actions. Her affections.
Everything about her always did wonders in Rainbow's chest, because the colorful girl loved to watch her.
To understand.
To admire.
The idea of reaching Fluttershy's level or getting to her side always made her nervous, because she was someone to reach, someone to influence.
It was by realizing this that she understood that the passion she felt for Fluttershy was not passion, it was admiration.
Fluttershy was the first to help with her trauma and did so in such an impactful way that Rainbow would forever keep it in her mind and also in her heart.
She was very grateful to meet Fluttershy.
The vet is such a good person, so brave, so courageous and always so receptive... That was impressive.
Rainbow would love to follow suit.
So when she realized that she was more depressed about herself than about Fluttershy, she realized that she didn't like her as much as she thought.
At least not romantically.
She explained this to the blonde, before sighing.
- And we're back to square one. - Rainbow concluded, which made Applejack laugh to herself, as they looked ahead. - Rarity said you two are a good match. - She commented, for lack of subject, shrugging, but saw no positive reaction from the blonde. - If that's still comforting... - She completed, frustrated.
- Not anymore. - Applejack replied, tapping her mocha cup.
- I can imagine. - Rainbow said with a grimace. - We have to do something to get out of this mess. I don’t want to stay feeling like this for too long.
Even though she now thinks she didn't like Fluttershy as much as she thought she did, it still hurt her pride to know that she couldn't win her over.
Now she seemed lost.
Now that she no longer liked Fluttershy in this way, she didn't know which way she should go now.
Going back to the parties seemed daunting.
A smile appeared on the blonde's face, before she stopped it.
- We can pretend to date someone, so that someone will look at us. - She proposed, trying to sound serious, but failing miserably.
Rainbow looked at her with a restrained smile.
- Be honest. What did you put in your coffee? - She was seriously wondering if there was any alcohol mixed with coffee at that moment.
Applejack laughed, shaking her head.
- You can try it if you want. - She held out the cup, with a sideways smile. - Just deal with the consequences of drinking the caffeine later.
- I wouldn't have a problem staying up all night if I was going to torment you for it. - She teased, smiling back and they stayed in that comfortable atmosphere between them.
Everything was fine.
It didn't even seem like they had lost "the loves of their lives" the previous afternoon.
Everything looked the same as always.
And... Maybe it was the coffee, but Rainbow felt her heart warm at that moment.
- I have one more thing to admit. - Applejack says, without looking away, in a low voice. She was calm, despite her heart saying completely the opposite. - I just need to get this out, so we don't have any more issues between us. - She looked away, nervous to observe the other. - You know that story that the earth is attracted to the sun? And that... What's more, the earth is attracted to the moon and vice versa, that's why one affects the other so much? You even said that the moon destabilized the earth's surface at all times because of this. Like a heart in love. - She says, swallowing dryly.
- I thought you were sleeping when I said that. - Rainbow says, surprised, because it was the night at the motel that she had talked about it.
- I wasn't. Actually, I've been paying attention to everything you've been saying these past few days. And... You talk a lot. - She joked, with a few laughs. - So I've had a lot on my mind. Everything related to you. - She murmured more quietly. The blonde looked up at the other, after taking a deep breath. - What I'm trying to say is that... I'm Earth. Rarity is my sun. And you... Are my moon. And you've been affecting me more than I'd like to admit, while I completely ignore the existence of a sun in this universe. I'm... In love with you. - Rainbow saw those words come out of the blonde's mouth in slow motion and fly through the air like butterflies, which she stared at in amazement.
She opened her mouth, but looked away, feeling like her chest had mangled all the words she could say.
Applejack was... in love for her?
It made her stomach churn and panicked more than she could have imagined.
- I didn't say that to make you say you like me too. After all, I was going to tell you, even though I knew you liked Fluttershy. - Applejack continued, taking a deep breath. - I just don't want to keep this to myself again for so long, when I could have done something sooner. I wanted to do it differently.
Rainbow shrugged, biting her lower lip.
- I can't give you an answer right now. - She stammered, feeling guilty.
She really liked Applejack. A lot!
As a person, as a friend, as a partner, but as a girlfriend?
She knew it was everything they had been pretending for the past few months.
But... For her it was for a different reason.
She liked what they did, but it was something between them, an intimacy that she never saw as romantic.
And she had just realized how she felt about Fluttershy, knowing how to identify something new after years of thinking she was in love with someone else, it was complicated.
She needed to think a little better.
She didn't want to create and destroy expectations after all.
- I can't answer you yet, but still, would you still be my friend? - She asked, because, like it or not, things could get weird.
- I'm your friend, regardless of what you think about your feelings. - She assured, with a small smile. - If you don't like me that way, I can get over you, you know? It won't be the end of the world. - She was just a little downcast now, but she wouldn't show it.
Applejack stood up, with a sigh.
- I think we've talked enough for today. See you later, Rainbow. - She greeted, before heading towards the university door, but the colorful girl held her hand, with a worried frown.
As soon as the blonde turned to look at her, Rainbow showed her concern.
- You're not going to drink, right? It's better not to do this alone. - She advised, squeezing her hand between her fingers.
Who knows what Applejack would do drunk...
Would she find another fake relationship?
Would she ask other people about the moon?
These were things that Rainbow selfishly wanted to remain just between her and Applejack.
But the blonde shrugged, shaking her head.
- I'm going to buy ice cream and watch a good movie. I swear. - She promised, preferring not to mention that she was going to buy chocolate and cappuccino ice cream.
Rainbow released her, slowly, nodding.
- All good...
But everything wasn't good.
She also wanted Applejack to do that to her.
But she didn't have the courage to stop the blonde from leaving, because of the confused feeling in her chest.
She couldn't arrest Applejack for something uncertain.
She needed to be sure, at least.