Chapter Text
Something was off, Apple realized one day, and she wasn't sure why she hadn't realized it earlier. Or maybe subconsciously she had? She had concluded that it had started immediately after the Dragon Games.
Her friends seemed to close off any time she mentioned the future. For instance, Daring always seemed to shut down when she spoke about their ever after. He always looked off into the distance, his eyes a little too forlorn and broken for her to write it off as dramatics. And now Darling's cheeks were almost permanently tinted pink when she spoke to Apple (which was odd because Apple was certain the princess-knight had a crush on her Raven).
It was former prompted her at one point hunt down Cedar and tell her what everyone was hiding. That attempt had fallen through because every time she got close to the wooden girl, Cerise or Ramona would whisk her away at an unimaginable speed.
Still, she continued to be affectionate as ever with Raven, holding her hand through the halls and hugging her tightly around the waist when they hadn't seen each other in so long ("Apple it's only been an hour." Raven would chuckle at the display, but return the embrace all the same). Additional to this, however, she found herself sneaking kisses from Raven. For some reason Apple was craving the connection. First it was on the hand, then on the cheek, and one night it had been the forehead. Every time brush of contact Raven would giggle because apparently Apple's lips were cold no matter the time or temperature of day.
Their first kiss was almost on accident. Apple had be aiming for Raven's nose, a feature that Raven was stubbornly dismissed as her least attractive feature. She was trying to be cute and sly about doing show by attempting to sneak up on her while Raven was reading. Raven had, due to constant exposure to Apple, developed something of sixth sense about her. The brunette angled her head accordingly, just enough so that way Apple's mouth met hers.
Raven tasted of dark chocolate, blackberries, and a cool breeze under a starry night. Her lips were full and soft in a way that it seemed as if they were made to match Apple's. That day Apple had saw sparks (literally magic had flared from Raven's hands above them) and had smiled. Those lips were hers now and the kiss had felt more wondrous than she had imagined. Apple pulled away just as soon as she had started, knowing that if she deepened the kiss at it might have lead to something that she had only privately fantasized about.
Raven's lips weren't what she was looking for and that made Apple feel guilty. Don't get her wrong, she hungrily took ever chance she could get to capture Raven with her lips and every time the same feeling of love and rightness swelled deep in her heart. But there was a lingering feeling of something was missing.
Apple started to connect the dots a little when something occurred to her. In the classes that she didn't share with Raven or in the times that Raven was away from her any number of reasons, Apple found that she was orbiting Darling. She had asked that each of her teachers rework all of their shared classes seating arrangements ("After such an event like this I think it's important to make new bonds as well as strengthen old ones." Apple had argued handing a new chart to every teacher.) Now squarely between Briar and Darling, she found that she was content. In the hall ways before she inevitably connected with Raven, Apple's arm was hooked into Darling's as they walked.
Whenever they were able to make lunch at the same time, Apple position herself across from Darling and Raven. This was so she could admire them both and watch them interact. Darling was as much in love with Raven as she was: Apple recognized the look on the platinum blonde's eyes and the way her laughter sounded airier.
Then smile that had been gracing her face dipped, her face paling as it clicked.
It was the same way she had been acting around Darling for a while now.
Apple was about to excuse herself and run from her feelings. Raven's sixth sense, which seemed to double as a mood sensor, refused to allow it as she placed a hand over Apple's. Looks of concern were etched onto both girls faces. What had she done deserve both of them, honestly? Apple's throat went dry as she attempted to dismiss her behavior but instead looked down at the table in shame. She missed Darling and Raven share a look and decide on something before she was enveloped in Raven's teleportation magic.
When she finished her blink, they had transported to Raven and Apple's room.
"Apple, what's wrong?" Raven asked, as they all sat on the blonde's bed.
"Well, Darling is in love with you--" Apple started, feeling a small weight lift off her shoulders.
"Oh yeah I've known that for a while now." Raven replied with a noncommittal shrug.
"--And I think I'm in love with her but also you. Wait what?!" Apple exclaimed, watching as Darling's cheeks turned red at Raven's calm dismissal.
"Darling told me almost immediately what she was feeling and I told her that we should be friends. You don't take to kindly to others pursuing me, you know."
"What! That is not true!"
Darling cleared her throat and looked at Apple straight in the eye as she suggested "My brother?"
Apple's mouth was agape. Sure, she recalled maybe directing Raven's attention away from Dexter's courtship before they were two girls were dating. And yes maybe she had been a bit flashy with their relationship while Dexter had been watching once.
"Well, I certainly don't see what me showing affection towards my girlfriend has anything to do with this."
Raven rolled her eyes.
"Kiss Darling." Raven said flatly. Apple eyes widened at the suggestion! Apple knew that look as Raven was attempting to analyze but truly there was nothing than base surprise.
"Why?"
"Because she kissed me immediately after she confessed," Darling looked away as Apple glared in her direction, whistling innocently, "And not only am I trying to absolve the guilt and figure something out but you did just admit to loving Darling. So please."
With a huff that was more out of reputation than reluctance, Apple leaned forward to kiss other blonde. Thoughts of vanilla, blueberries, and a clear blue sky crossed her mind as soon as they made contact. A sense of familiarity surged through her in the feeling of their lips touching. There was something else though and that something cause Apple to open her eyes. Their lips were glowing brightly which was causing Apple to suddenly push away. Darling looked breathless while Raven held a surprised. Apple was so confused as her breath hitched in her throat.
"So what everyone said was true," Raven quietly and Apple already knew what she was going to say but wasn't sure she wanted to hear it, "Darling really is the 'prince' of your fairy tale."
Apple started crying as soon as the words had left Raven's mouth. That had been the farthest from their expected reactions that both girls looked stunned. Then Apple smiled, really and truly.
"When I was poisoned during the Evil Queen's return?"
Darling nodded. "It was me who woke you up, not my brother."
Everything was making sense now as she felt another weight lift of her shoulders.
"Is it okay for me to love you both? Even if it's not the same?"
Raven and Darling shared another look and both tackled Apple so that way she was lying against her pillow. Both girls were on either side of her on the way down, intertwining a into each of hers.
"Does this answer your question?" Raven said, kissing Apple's nose as Darling kissed her cheek.
Squarely between two girls who she loved very much in different way, content and happy that they loved her back just as much as they loved each other, Apple did think the question had been answered.