All those days chasing down a daydream,All those years living in a blur

[3-butterflies.livejournal.com]

Who: Applejack and Fluttershy. However, the other ponies are allowed to make a separate thread to spy on them ;)
Where: Route 36.
When: Night.
Summary: When the ponies make camp this night, Applejack asks Fluttershy to speak to her in private. Whatever could they need to discuss?
Rating: G, PG?
Log:
The two were silent as they walked away from their campsite, worried about the other. In the course of a few days, their friendship had taken an odd turn. On Fluttershy's end, she couldn't understand the change that had taken over the country mare. The sharp looks, the lies, the turns in conversations... Though Pinkie and others had tried to assure Fluttershy it was probably nothing, she couldn't help but think Applejack was mad at her. For what, she couldn't fathom.

Eventually, they managed to agree on a spot that was far enough away for their own privacy. They stood under a tall tree, and they could occasionally hear the chirp of hidden Pokemon. The weather was getting chiller, and Fluttershy held onto her arms in a timid attempt at warmth. With a sigh, she looked at her friend, and waited. Would Applejack snap at her, yell at her, or at the very least tell her what was the reason for the change? Whatever it was Fluttershy did wrong, she'd apologize for it, and do anything she was told of to make up for it, as long as Applejack didn't hate her. That would be the absolute worst, thing, ever!

Fighting back tears at the sheer idea of hatred, Fluttershy stared at her best friend, waiting for an explanation.

Comments

[buckyouup.livejournal.com]

[AJ leans up against the tree, her gaze drifting down to her feet as her hat obscures most of her face. She crosses her arms over her chest to try and keep warm, but she still shivers every now and then.]

I wish we had packed warmer clothes... it's gettin' so chilly out...

[3-butterflies.livejournal.com]

[... That's not talking about the subject, AJ. She nods a little, rubbing her arm.]



[Staring. Staring. Staring.]

[buckyouup.livejournal.com]

[She nods a few times herself, scratching her arm and looking off to the side.]

...I hope it doesn't get much colder than this any time soon. Wouldn't want anypony gettin' sick before we get to Goldenrod.

[Quick! Make up more excuses! Keep the conversation going!]

[3-butterflies.livejournal.com]

[Wait... does she think Fluttershy will get sick? Fluttershy is pretty weak and fragile. Is Applejack angry at Fluttershy for being weak and fragile?!]



[She feels worse. Nice going.]

[buckyouup.livejournal.com]

I reckon you're right... but that don't keep me from worryin'.

[Sigh. This is getting nowhere fast. Maybe this was a bad idea...]

[3-butterflies.livejournal.com]

[Is Applejack mad at her for worrying so much? It's because she talked about Alois, right?]



[Admitting this to Discord is easy. Admitting to others, not so much.]

[buckyouup.livejournal.com]

[Oh, Fluttershy. How could you think that of yourself? Applejack shakes her head slowly.]

...Ain't nopony here that's weak an' helpless, though. I just worry about my friends, is all...

[3-butterflies.livejournal.com]

[But you're still worrying about her, which means she's done something wrong, right? Little else makes sense!]



[... And then come the tears.]

[buckyouup.livejournal.com]

[W-why is she crying? AJ quickly raises her hat, taking a step towards her.]

You're sorry? What's wrong, sugarcube?

[3-butterflies.livejournal.com]

[She flimsily tries to wipe her eyes with her fingers, still awkward with these extra limbs.]

[buckyouup.livejournal.com]

[Oh.

Oh no.

Was Applejack being so awkward that she made Fluttershy think she was mad at her? She closes her eyes and sighs inwardly. Stupid, stupid, stupid.]

I ain't mad at you, Fluttershy. Ain't no way I could ever be mad at you!

[3-butterflies.livejournal.com]

[Because if something was wrong with their friendship, it had to be Fluttershy's fault. Applejack could do no wrong. She sniffles a little, upset that she could have done something to upset one of her closest friends.]

[buckyouup.livejournal.com]

[She'll lightly place a hand on her dear friend's shoulder. She looks off to the side, still unable to keep eye contact while her cheeks turn pink.]

You didn't do nothin' wrong. [Sigh.] I did.

M-maybe this wasn't a good idea...

[3-butterflies.livejournal.com]

[She sniffles a little longer, trying to get a good look at Applejack's face.]

[buckyouup.livejournal.com]

[Sorry, Fluttershy, but Applejack is going to do everything in her power so you don't get a good look at her. She's just going to pull her hat back down over her eyes.]

I... bottled up some feelin's an' pretended like it was nothin'. I tried t'make it go away, but it only kept gettin' worse...

[3-butterflies.livejournal.com]

[The confusion only comes deeper. If those feelings aren't of anger, than what are they? She rubs away more tears, and then lightly touches Applejack's arm, trying to encourage her to put the hat away.]

[buckyouup.livejournal.com]

But... I was scared a' hurtin' the others... of hurtin' you. That's the last thing I want...

[She lowers her head even farther, her face almost totally obscured by hat and hair.]

[3-butterflies.livejournal.com]

[She tilts her head a little, blinking.]



[Granted, you made her cry, but that was a misunderstanding.]

[buckyouup.livejournal.com]

But... what if those feelin's are... really strong?

[3-butterflies.livejournal.com]

[buckyouup.livejournal.com]

[She tenses up a bit at that, reaching up and tugging on her hat. Maybe if she's lucky, something will let her shrink down into that hat and she can vanish.]

I... I don't know...

[3-butterflies.livejournal.com]

[She lightly reaches up to grab the hat. She doesn't take it off, but she lets her grip be known. Sorry, AJ, you're no unicorn, no magic is going to happen anytime soon.]

[buckyouup.livejournal.com]

[She squirms a little, jumping in reaction to Fluttershy's touch. Still... what she said is... really calming.]

You... really feel that way, about me?

[Her own grip loosens on her hat, her hands dropping to her sides.]

[3-butterflies.livejournal.com]

[She smiles softly, taking the hat and putting it where it belongs - on Applejack's head. The cowgirl looks much better this way.]

[buckyouup.livejournal.com]

[And in doing so, Fluttershy is treated to a glimpse at a very flustered Applejack, her face bright red.]

An' I treasure you, too. You mean the world t'me, sugarcube. That's... part of what I was bottlin' up...