Pacing of My Heart Chapter 2

Pacing of My Heart Chapter 2

"Dash, ah can't do this anymore." Applejack looked down, afraid of what would be on Dash's face. "We need to tell our friends bout us. You know ah'm horrible at keeping secrets." It had been a few weeks since AJ and Rainbow had started dating and they still kept it a secret from their friends.

        Dash snickered. "Yeah, I think I knew that from the start. 'Me an' Dash were-a justn', uh, having a roll in the hay. Rasslin! We were-a rasslin!" she imitated in an exaggeration of Applejack's accent. "We're just lucky that was Pinkie Pie. I'm not sure I could handle one of Rarity's wink winks and smirks."

AJ had a slight smile despite herself, but quickly became stern. "This is serious, Dash! Ah need your support in this."

Dash gave a small nod and dashed over to the farmer's side. "Hey," she said, wrapping her wings around her, "if that's what you want, fine. Honestly, I've felt bad about hiding it too. But we'll get it out at Pinkie Pie's party tomorrow, okay? That way, everypony's all in one place, we can just get it over with, and we can prepare."

"That's a great idea, sugarcube." AJ said, snuggling closer to the Pegasus.

"Well, it came from me. That means it has to be!" Dash joked, giving AJ a small nuzzle before letting go. "It's getting late, AJ. I better get home. See you soon, alright?" she stated, beginning to take off.

"Right." While their "exploits" could get a little raunchy, they still hadn't crossed the line yet. AJ was adamant on waiting till marriage and Dash would never push Applejack into it. But maybe tonight, a little company would be nice. "Dash?"

She turned her head. "Yeah?"

"Could ya, ya know, stay here for the night? Ah'm mighty worried bout tomorrow and Ah could use some comfort."

"Of course." Dash brought herself back to the ground. Her demeanor suddenly turned nervous. "But, um, there's only one bed. So, um, can I sleep there? With you? I mean, I'm not pressuring you or anything, just sleeping, you know? I'm a champ at that! But I could sleep on the floor. No prob! I'll just do that!" A furious blush was spread across her face and AJ let out a giggle. When Rainbow got nervous, she could give Pinkie Pie a run for her money on rambling.

"Dash, Ah'd love for ya to sleep in my bed. With me."

Dash gave a little laugh, some of her anxiety evaporating. "Heh, awesome." AJ straightened the bed and beckoned Dash over. They quickly ruffled it up again getting into the blanket, drawing a giggle from the two. They were no Rarity when it came to blankets or anything, really. They had a brief moment, staring at each other's eyes, before they dozed off in happiness. But AJ's dreams would not reflect that.



        It was the party, everypony laughing and having fun. AJ took a deep breath, figuring it would be best to get this out when everything was festive. She tapped on a glass, bringing all her friends' attention on her. She gulped. "Well, um, me and Dash got somethin' to tell ya. We've been dating." There was a brief moment of silence. Then outrage, disgust, and disappointment rang out. The ponies seemed to teleport right up to her as everything faded away, leaving nothing but their hateful words and faces.

"Two mares? How strange! We all know Princess Celestia didn't design ponies like that. Why would you feel like that? I should do tests! We must understand this!" Twilight exclaimed, morbid curiosity on her face.

"Ewwwwwwww! I did not want that mental picture in my brainy wrainy! Way to ruin my party! We were just like 'whoooo!' and 'yeah!' but then you drop this on us and freak everyone out and coming from me that's saying something!" Pinkie Pie babbled, disgusted.

"Now that's not proper at all! A stallion and a mare is how it should be, not this. To think I had such deviants as my friends! That they hold Elements of Harmony! What was Celestia thinking?" Rarity moaned, moral outrage on her face.

Even Fluttershy was in on the act. "Um, my animals don't do this. It's not natural. I'm sorry, but you should really stop. Whether you want to or not. Sorry." Fluttershy had a look of passive anger.

AJ was curled on the floor, covering her ears, trying to block out her so-called friends' words. Tears ran down her face like a herd of buffalo, when suddenly there was a great Sonic Rainboom, blasting them all away, leaving only Rainbow Dash standing in front of her, a smirk across her face.



        AJ woke up with a start, sweat pouring from her body.

"Applejack? You okay?" Why was Rainbow awake? AJ thought. She was normally a very heavy sleeper, but Applejack was just glad to be able to get her fears out.

"Ah'm sorry, sugarcube. I just had a nightmare."

"About the party?" Rainbow asked, concern evident.

"Yeah. All our friends, rejecting us. Twi, treating us like freaks of nature, Pinkie looking at us like we were snot, Rarity like we were criminals, even Fluttershy thought we were wrong." Tears started to flow again. "What if that happens, Rainbow? What if our friends don't like us no more?"

Dash took a deep look into AJ's eyes, relaying confidence and comfort. "Then screw them."

"Rainbow!"

"What? If they hate us for that, then they're not our real friends in the first place. I'm not saying it won't hurt, but we'll get over it. Just like I did with Gilda. And you know what else? I had a nightmare too. They were calling me Rainbow Dyke, fillyfooler, all the good stuff from school. But then you came. You stepped in front of me and told them all off. That's what I'm talking about, AJ. We'll still have each other, no matter what."

AJ gave a wide smile, her tears drying up. "My dream ended something like that too. Your Sonic Rainboom scared them all off and you just stood there, giving me the cutest smirk."

"Cute, huh? You're the only pony I'd ever let say those words."

AJ chuckled. "G'night, Rainbow."

"Goodnight, AJ." The two went back to sleep with boosted confidence, ready to face the challenges of tomorrow.



        The party looked much the same as the one in the dream, only even pinker. The balloons were pink, the table pink, even the drinks pink. She only briefly took note of the balloons being heart-shaped, far too focused and uneasy about her confession. Dash came up to her, giving her a light nuzzle, giving AJ the strength to grab a glass and clank on it. Just like her dream, everyone stared. Just like the dream, she gulped. "Ah've got a confession. Me and Dash have been, well, dating. We love each other, alright? But we're still the same old AJ and Rainbow Dash, and I hope ya'll will still be our best friends." A brief moment of silence. It's happening again, AJ thought. Rainbow gripped AJ's hoof, and AJ knew she'd get through this. But suddenly, outbursts of joy and congrats rang out as the four ponies swarmed the two.

"I knew it! I just knew! All the fights, the leaning in so close, staring into each other's eyes, I could feel the sexual tension from miles away! It's so romantic, my dears! I'm glad at least two of us have found love! Congrats!" Rarity exclaimed.

"That's wonderful! I saw it coming too, no offense. Angel acts like that with his favorite female bunnyfriend. It's adorable." Fluttershy relayed.

"I'm so happy for you two! I've never been in a relationship and I don't know what you're supposed to feel or do to start one! I've always wondered what it feels like! We can share notes!" Twilight, always the scientist, but by her passion for the subject AJ figured she could be a good marefriend. She also noticed Pinkie Pie throw a glance over at Twilight, one of….. hope? Before she could think on it further, she was assaulted by a barrage of Pinkie.

"I knew it! I knew you two were together! Wrestling in the hay, ha! What a laugh! I may be happy-go-lucky, but I wasn't born yesterday! I was born on, um, when was I born again? I got so many parties floating around in my head I can't remember my own! Oh well, it isn't today! At least I don't think it is. Twilight, is my birthday today?"

Twilight shook her head, a look of amusement on her face. "No, Pinkie, you were born on April 29, -"

"Well, there you go! Anyway, congratulations!"

Dash chuckled while AJ shook her head, a look of bemusement across her features. "Is there anypony who didn't already know?" Everypony but Twilight raised their hoof. "Figures."

        Dash chuckled again. "Thanks, Pinkie Pie. And to all of you guys too. You don't hate us?"

A flurry of reassurance rang out. Rarity gasped. "My dears, why would you ever think that? Love is love and just because I love stallions doesn't mean I expect all my friends to! I simply must give you two a makeover for your first date!"

"Sure, Rarity. If we go to anyone for makeovers, we'll go to you, sugarcube." AJ gave Dash a wink. It wasn't a lie, if they ever did want makeovers, they'd go to Rarity. That was just really unlikely. AJ sneaked a look at Fluttershy, and was surprised to see a look of disappointment. Her friends were acting a little different, but she could investigate later.

"Y-yeah, what she said. Besides the makeover part." Fluttershy gave a weak smile.

"Why did you think I threw this party, you silly fillies? I even made heart balloons!"

"You're our friends, girls, and nothing will change that, least of all this!"

"Yeah, well, I told AJ she shouldn't worry so much." Everypony laughed while AJ jabbed Dash with her shoulder.

"I say this calls for the party to keep going!"

"Yeah!" everypony else yelled. The party went on throughout the night and if you asked Rainbow Dash and Applejack, they'd say it was the best party ever.