Apples, Rainbows, and a Gem (Appledash/Rarijack Fanfic)

Chapter 16: An Awkward Dinner

Rarity and Spike left Carousel Boutique and made their way to one of the best, but somehow one of the coziest, restaurants in Ponyville, Clarice's. (A/N: Don't judge me I made it up on the spot!)

They walked in a comfortable silence. Neither of them wanting to break the feelings that had surrounded them. Spike was ecstatic to show Rarity how mature and gentle-coltly he could be. Rarity, on the other hoof, was astonished at Spike. It seemed to her that within a matter of days that he had grown, which was true.

Since Rarity had broken up with him, Spike did a lot of thinking. He'd realized the reason why Rarity's feelings had drifted from him and towards Applejack. After all, AJ did so much. She did her chores on the farm and helped anypony that she could while still making time for her friends and loved ones. It's hard to not respect and care about a pony who has such a big heart.

After coming to that realization, Spike examined himself. He saw how childish he could be, and how much of an embarrassment to Rarity and her name that he could be. Within those few days of the two being apart, he'd changed, but for the better.

As they reached the restaurant, Spike opened and held the door open for Rarity, who blush in response and mutter a small, "Thank you."

There was a small sign that read : Please, take a seat.

So, the couple found a booth in a corner of the restaurant. Spike looked up at Rarity and noticed that she hadn't caked her face with makeup. It caused him to blush a little. Even without all the make up, Rarity was still stunning him.

Spike cleared his throat. "Rarity..." he trailed off.

Rarity looked at him, "Yes, Spike?"

"You, uh," he paused and took a breath. "You look really nice with out make. I know I've said it before but I-"

Rarity pressed her hoof to his lips, quieting him. "Flattery isn't the way to a lady's heart." She said it with a small, almost playful smile.

Spike began to blush madly and kept quiet.

Luckily for the awkward dragon, a white coated mare walked up, set down menus and said in a monotone, "Welcome to Clarice's. What would you like to drink?"

"Sweet tea, please," Rarity replied with a kind smile.

"Uh, water will be fine for me," Spike sputtered.

He felt so embarrassed, it was almost like their first date all over again. Then again, it kind of was. There were new feelings and it was a whole new experience because of them.

Rarity opened her mouth to say something when a familiar laugh rang loudly in the room. She instantly stiffened.

"Rainbow, what do ya think yer doin?" asked the sweet southern voice both Spike and Rarity knew so well.

Suddenly, a rainbow streak flew past the pair and Rainbow Dash was sitting in the booth across the aisle. Rarity watched Applejack as she walked up to Rainbow.

Rarity, to say the least, felt awkward and as if her reuniting date with Spike was ruined. She didn't want to have these feelings but what can a mare do when you "fall" for a friend but realize that it was all a mistake.

Spike noticed her nervousness and leant forward, whispering, "We can leave if you want. There's another-"

Rarity stiffly shook her head. "Things may be a bit . . . awkward between her and I but we're going to have to get over it. After all, we are the guardians of Equestria, we have to put aside some . . . things to protect those we care about.

Spike nodded softly as the waitress came with their drinks.

"What would you like to order?" she said, in the same monotone voice.

"Do you have anything with gems?" Spike asked, as he gave the menu back to the mare, who shook her head in response. He sighed in slight disappointment. "I'll just have the soup then."

"As will I," Rarity agreed as she too gave her menu to the waitress.

Spike watched as Rarity looked over at Rainbow Dash and Applejack. He sighed, tonight was going to be a long night.

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The other couple felt just as awkward.

"Dash," AJ sighed, "Why'd ya pick this table?"

Dash smirked at her marefriend. "You guys have to get over this. Elements of Harmony remember?"

Applejack's eyes widened a little. It had been so peaceful in Equestria lately that she had almost comepletely forgotten about the elements. She sighed, again.

"Yer right," a knowing smile formed on her lips. "Thanks, Dashie."

Dash blushed a bit at the sound of her nickname and smiled mischieviously at Apples. "How about we ask them to join us?"

Before Applejack could reject, Rainbow had already gotten up and had walked up to Rarity and Spike.

If Applejack was to be honest, which she always is, she was a bit nervous. It was going to be hard to talk to Rarity about everything that had happened recently, especially in front of Dash and Spike. Though Dash had asked Applejack what had happened, she hadn't told Rainbow all of it. She'd told Dash that Rarity had confessed to liking her, but not about how she had felt towards the white unicorn. Now, she regretted it, she wished that she had been totally honest. After all, the Element of Honesty knows how much words can hurt.

Rarity and Spike got up and followed Dash to her's and Applejack's table. They sat down silently, and a few minutes passed before Rarity spoke up.

"Applejack, listen," she said softly. "I thought I had feelings for you, but after Rainbow came back and I had some time to think I realized that even if I had the chance to be with you, it never would have worked. I mean, look at us. I'm a fashionista, and you're a hardworking farm pony. No matter how hard we would've tried, it wouldn't work."

Applejack looked from Dash, her marefriend and love of her life, to Rarity. She took a calming breath and replied, "Yer right. Even if it had happened, it wouldn't have. We're too different."

Rarity smiled, "Friends?"

Applejack nodded, briskly. "Friends."

Rainbow smiled at her friends and pulled Applejack into a hug. After releasing her, Dash lifted her glass.

"A toast," she said, as the three looked at her. "To lifelong friendship and happiness."

Everypony smiled and laughed, agreeing with the rainbow mare. The waitress came over with Rarity and Spiked food, noticing that they'd switched tables, and took Rainbow Dash's and Applejack's orders.

The group sat and talked until the restaurant closed and kicked them out. Rarity and Spike returned to the Boutique as Rainbow Dash and Applejack returned to Rainbow's cloud mansion.

All in all, each of them thought that tonight had been a good, and successful night.