Chapter 4

Our Rainbow

     “A.J, you think you could walk now, my back hurts,” Dash complained

     “’Course I can!” Apple Jack slid off Rainbow’s back and stood up, wobbling drunkenly. Finally she steadied herself and began taking a few cautious steps. “Aha! There we go!” she exclaimed, clearly concentrating quite hard on walking.

     “You okay? Dash asked,” slightly amused but slightly concerned.

     “Eeeyup!” she replied sounding like Big Macintosh “’Least fer walkin’ anyway” she added, looking downcast.

     “What do you mean?” Dash asked with the kind of concern and compassion that only A.J. knew. She was always somewhat dismissive and nonchalant around the others, but when it came to her Apple Jack, she was much more emotionally open.

     “Ah…ah…was…ah was just thinking about that dang waiter swooning over you tonight,” the yellow mare confessed.

     “Why, he was just some silly fan…”

     “That’s just it Dashie, I don’t get it. Ah’m just a simple applebucker. You’re out there signing autographs and trainin’ your famous flyin’ team and competin’ against the Wonderbolts…”

     “So…?”

     “So you could have any mare or colt in Equestria…why me?”

     “Because you’re the only one I want!” Both ponies were now letting their tears flow free. Dash grabbed A.J. and squeezed her hard, pressing their lips together. Apple Jack kissed back, running her hoof through Rainbow’s mane.

     “Ah’m sorry,” the cowpony said when their kiss finally broke, “Ah just been wonderin is all.”

     “Ahh, you just get all mopey when you drink too much,” Dash attempted to lighten the mood.

     “Yeah that too.”

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     By the time they arrived home, Apple Jack seemed less drunk and more light-hearted. Technically it was her house, but Dash had been living there for almost a year. They’d built the place themselves – well, A.J. had done most of the work – when they’d decided to move in together. It was in a small cottage in a quiet corner of Sweet Apple Acres. The rest of the apple family had been slightly bewildered by A.J.’s sudden desire to have her own place, but she explained that she just needed her privacy, and that seemed to satisfy them. Anyway, she was only a quarter mile away and saw her family every day just the same.

     Home was the one place they felt totally safe together. No pretense, no feigned emotion, no subtle communication was required; they could act like any two ponies in love. Nopony knew about their secret…or if anyone did they were keeping it quiet. Sometimes they had the inkling that either Twilight, being highly observant, or Pinkie, who somehow knew everything, suspected, but none of their friends had said anything.

     Dash flopped down on the couch in front of the hearth, waiting for A.J. to do the same so they could curl up together, but the only warmth she felt was from the growing fire she had started.

     “A.J.?” She looked up to see what the blonde pony was up to. There was a bottle of Champagne on the counter. “A.J.” Dash chastised her, “You don’t need anything more to drink!”

     “Ah gotta ask ya somethin’ Dash, and no matter what the answer is Ah’m definitely gonna need this.” She walked solemnly over to her confused partner and removed her hat, from inside of which she produced a small velvet box. “Don’t think this is the liquor talkin’ Dashie, Ah been plannin’ this fer months, just had to work up the courage…” The cyan Pegasus’ heart began to flutter as she anticipated what came next. Apple Jack knelt down and opened the box to reveal a beautiful golden anklet, sparkling with diamonds. “Rainbow Dash, will you…”

     “Ohmigosh Ohmigosh Ohmigosh! Of course I will A.J.!” She practically tackled Apple Jack and they ended up on the floor lips locked. Rainbow then began kissing her all over the face and neck.

     “Now hold on!” The earth pony laughed, “let me ask the question proper: Will you marry me?”

     “Yes, I will,” Dash replied as they lay on the floor, staring deep into each other’s eyes. She batted her eyelashes in an uncharacteristically girlish display. “I was beginning to think you’d never ask.”

     “Ah was beginning to think Ah’d never work up the guts!”

     The two ponies kissed again and then rolled around on the floor like two little fillies at play, tickling and teasing each other.

     “Champagne?” Apple Jack finally suggested.

     “Sure, but one thing first,” Dash beckoned her to follow and they went outside. It was nearly dawn. Suddenly Dash grabbed her partner and launched into the air. “Hold on to your hat!” They climbed at a furious pace, racing the sun as it began to rise above the hills. Higher and higher and quicker and quicker they climbed. Just when it seemed they could go no faster, a concussive boom echoed through the sky and a beautiful wreath of colors expanded around them, following them as they zoomed over the landscape. Then Dash went into a dive, slowing as they approached and finally landed on the ground.

     “Look,” she said, her wing coming to rest on A.J.’s back, pulling her close. A stunning, vibrant arc shone down upon Sweet Apple Acres. “That’s our rainbow.”

     A.J. looked at her with tears in her eyes. “Ah love you, Rainbow Dash.”

     “And I love you, Apple Jack.”

     As their lips met once more, the sun shone upon them and the shimmering colors above began to grow into a beautiful double rainbow.