Coming to terms

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were sitting on Applejack's bed talking about how lunch was as Applebloom knocked on the door.

"C'mon in," Applejack said.

Opening the door slowly Applebloom walked in with her head down and sat just inside the doorway.  "Applejack, Ah wanted ta say Ahm sorry for how Ah acted earlier.  And the same goes to her," she pointed a foreleg at Rainbow while glaring briefly, "Ah guess.  Yer my sister and I do love ya and Granny had a talk with me all mornin' bout how I didn't have ta approve but I still had to apologize and someday ah'd understand, or somethin'.  Also this is our family talk not for Ponyville talk.  Ah had to promise ta keep it from everypony else so Ahm gonna.  But Ah don't have ta like her for any part of this."

"Sugarcube it's okay.  Ah love you and in time Ah know you'll understand and accept me, us, for what we have," Applejack said as she took Rainbow Dashes hoof in hers.  Rainbow Dash blushed and couldn't find the words to say so she nodded slightly glancing at Applejack.

With a final glare at Rainbow Dash Applebloom left and shut the door.  "Sugarplum, I think it's time we took a few minutes to relax.  Ahm gonna lay down and I'd love if you'd lay with me," Applejack said as she plopped on the bed then turned to align herself before rolling to the side closest to the window.

Rainbow Dash laid next to her and the looked at the rustic wooden ceiling.  Applejack turned and laid her head on Rainbow Dashes chest and began to rub the cyan fur in front of her face with her hoof.  This worked this morning after breakfast why isn't she reactin' the same.  Maybe Ahm doin' it wrong.

Hearing a snore followed by a light nicker Applejack sighed and rested her foreleg across Rainbow Dashes abdomen and relaxed.  Well that killed the mood quick.  Might as well get some sleep too.  Never waste a good opportunity to rest on a day off.

A knock at the door stirred Rainbow who was laying on her stomach, wings splayed out over Applejack an impromptu blanket while she slept.  "Hmm, oh.  Huh?  What's goin' on?" Applejack said as she opened her eyes.  Three more soft knocks tapped the door.  "Who's it?" she shouted as a yawn groaned from her.

"Time for dinner sis.  I wanted to talk to you over dinner since that flier isn't here and Ah can open up," Apple Bloom said through the closed door.

Jumping out of bed Applejack galloped around the bed and to the door, pulling it open then pointing at Rainbow Dash who was laying on the bed looking surprised at the unfolding scene.  "That flier is my fillyfriend and she's still here and stayin' fer dinner.  Now git and I'm tellin' Granny bout what you said."  Applebloom looked terrified and embarrassed as she stumbled back at her sister's shouting.  Turning Apple Bloom bolted from the doorway.

"That dang fillies gonna eat soap for dessert if Ah get a say."

Rainbow giggled. "Applejack, I like your style.  C'mare and help me up."

Applejack's face went deadpan.  "I said leave the jokes ta me, Dashalicious."

"I said stop calling me Dashalicious," Rainbow frowned sticking her tongue out.

"Fair enough.  Keep on jokin' and we'll see who's gonna win.  Let's eat, best one to eat wins your name," Applejack challenged.

Getting up and taking to the air before following Applejack who was going out the door Rainbow commented happily.  "You know, we ate lunch then fell asleep 'til dinner.  It's like we're eating twice in a row!  I can get used to this country life."

"Yeah well, that ain't all there is to this country life, I got chores and work ta do six days a week and even my day off isn't a day off; always something going on," she mumbled.  "Dasher Ah'm gonna hit the little fillies room before I eat."

"I gotta go too," Rainbow said flying over Applejack.

"Well it's my house," she stated stopping at the doorway to the bathroom.

"Well I'm the guest so I have priority," Rainbow smirked while crossing her forelegs.

"That doesn't count cause you were here all day," Applejack challenged.

Rainbow smiled.  "It'd be might neighborly for you to let me go first."

Applejack gritted her teeth and stepped back as she ground them softly.  "Ya have a good one, friend," she emphasised with a stern look.

"I will.  Don't wait up," Dash smugly said as she floated in and shut the door.

Ooo.  That mare is gonna drive me batty before we get to our date.  Wow, we haven't had a date yet and we're quarrelin' like an old couple.  Smiling she returned to her room to tighten the sheets and blankets.  The door to the bathroom opened and the sound of Rainbow flapping quietly made her ears turn.

"Where the hay did she go?  I hope she didn't go all the way to that stinky outhouse that Granny uses."

Applejack hummed quietly turning to the mirror and pulled her hat on her head and acted as though she were alone.  Rainbow landed and quietly clopped to the door and peeked in to watch.

Applejack spent the next few seconds adjusting her hat before swaying her tail and bouncing her rump while her temp increased until she was practically singing a country song about whittling away the day.  Rainbow's eyes were stuck on the taught muscles contracting visibly beneath the firm coat of her best friend turned lover.

"Ah hope ya don't mind if I go now," she said hopping to face Rainbow who's eyes were as wide as they could be and her mouth slightly agape.  Nodding slightly she watched at Applejack walked past and, with her tail, closed Rainbow's mouth.  "Ya don't want a fly ta get in, do ya?" she said softly as she passed her cutie mark.

"Hoo-whee, I'm so hungry I could eat a barrel full o' corn," Applejack shouted as she entered the dining room.  Apple Bloom, Granny Smith, Big Mac and Rainbow Dash were sat around the table with a spot next to Applebloom for Applejack.  Applebloom stopped glaring at Rainbow Dash and smiled at her sister, beckoning her to take her seat urgently patting the floor.  "Ah'm comin', hold yer horses," Applejack stated as she made her way around the table and sat on the floor beside her little sister.

Taking her seat she looked at Rainbow Dash who was staring at her plate seemingly deep in thought.  Ah wonder how Rainbow Dash is holdin' up?  She looks like she's thinkin' hard on somethin'.  Must be Apple Bloom.  That little fillies gonna get it if she's misbehavin' again.  Oh yeah.

I wonder what's for dinner," Rainbow was thinking as she looked at the empty plate before her, as much as I love apples I hope it's something not apple related.

"Granny, Applebloom said-" She leaned into whisper to Granny Smith's good ear.  Granny glared at Applebloom and shook her head slightly.  Applebloom sank as she felt the eyes burning into her.  With a move of Granny's head Applebloom got up and walked out of the room sniffling.

"That little fillies gonna have soap fer dessert at this rate, now let's quick jabbin' away and eat!"  Granny said as she grabbed for an ear of corn.

"Granny!" Applejack shouted stopping the elder mares reach in the air.  "We gonna pay respects or just chow?"  Granny smiled while retracting her foreleg then put her hooves together as the others did the same, except Rainbow Dash who looked at Applejack inquisitively. "Just play along Dash," Applejack said.

Putting her hooves together she looked at Applejack and smiled.

Granny spoke the prayer.  "Ancestors who gave us our lives and everything we have.  Ancestors who taught us how to live from the land.  Ancestors who live below us in the ground and help our trees grow.  We thank, respect, and love  you.  In Celestia's name."

"In Celestia's name," Big Mac and Applejack said in unison.

Rainbow Dash looked around the table as the Apple family, minus one, began grabbing food and passing fresh apple juice from a carafe around the table.  Applejack made sure to fill Applebloom's plate with a variety of food.  "So, um, what was that just now?  That prayer?  I didn't know you had religion here," Rainbow Dash asked openly.

"Oh well, it ain't so much one of those popular ones; like where they say Celestia is the one true Goddess.  Or that there's a higher horse in the sky that makes everything happen.  Those ponies are kinda crazy ta begin with and now that Luna's back everything they know is all Topsy-turvsy.  We do believe in payin' our respects to our ancestors though cause we know they're real and we thank 'em for all we have and taught us."

Applejack finished her little sermon as Big Mac and granny ate silently; listening and smiling.  Applebloom was walking into the room as Applejack was finishing when Granny spoke up.

"When my parents founded Ponyville there were 17 of us in our group.  We picked us up a few extras when we left Canterlot, ya know.  Anywho, when we settled and built our first few houses food was scarce and I went to pick them zap apples, ya know the story.  But what ya don't know is my sister, Ambrosia, was in love with another settler.  Her name was Morning Seed and she was a pretty filly if ever ya saw one and not one of us knew about them til about five years after we had started the Ponyville the history books paid attention to.

"Now keep on eatin' or yer gonna get cold food while I tell my stories.  Applebloom ya get yer medicine?"  Applebloom nodded with a sniffle as she wiped her mouth and tongue with a napkin. "Okay eat up.  Now, where were I?  Uhm, ah.  Then, seeds.  Ah! Oh yeah.  So, Ponyville had a few houses and shops and a train comin' and goin' all regular with ponies from all over the area stoppin' by.  Some as far away as Manehattan just to get some of our zap apple jam.

"We all was goin on dates and findin' our special someponies and she, my sister Ambrosia that is, was always just spendin' all her time with her group of friends.  Now we didn't think nothin' of it cuz mares her age were always gossipin' and talkin fer fun when they was together but then one day my sister came home late one night and she had a flower in her hair.

"Back then that meant you was with somepony special and we all was askin her all the questions and givin' her the dangest time.  Well come to turn out she was spendin quality time with Morning Seed.  So much so that Morning had put a flower in her hair when they was on a late night walk and my sis just done forgot about it in her excitement.

"Mommy and pappy wasn't havin' none of that stuff in our house when we finally was settlin' so my sister had to break it off with Morning.  Well the next mornin' both of 'em was gone!  We searched high and low but found not hide or hair from 'em.  Then two weeks later they came back to town all close and wearin' matchin dresses and with flowers wrapped in wreaths on their heads which was the same thing as sayin' y'all was married.

"Now, my parents were so happy to see them that they realized that having their daughter be happy was more important than losin' her or any of us to anger or somethin' silly like that.  Soon the same went for Morning's family too.  It spread like wildfire across the town and even started a movement in Manehatten and Baltimare.  Marrying whoever you wanted was always okay but ya couldn't live together in city limits.  A few years after what happened it was okay to get married in public and live together in town with a whole ceremony and all the trimmin's.

"That all came about after my sis and Morning was married though but they lived a happy long life together inside Ponyville city limits welcomed by all.  That's why you only got one aunt, Orange Blossom.  But, even with that all my little ponies grew up happy and so did theirs."

The table was quiet as Granny finished her story, all eyes on her.  Applebloom looked at Applejack then to Rainbow Dash then at her plate.  "Ah think Ahm done with dinner Granny, can Ah be excused?"

"Sure thing young'n, just clean up."  Applebloom nodded as she left the table with her almost empty Plate.

"Granny, I never knew that about Auntie Orange.  Why didn't you tell us about her?" Applejack asked leaning a foreleg on the table and resting her chin on it.

"Oh I told you everything you needed to know about all our family when ya needed to know.  Some things about everypony don't need to be talked about just cuz."

"Eeyup."

"Yeah, Ah recon you're right.  I ain't sore at ya but Ah wish Ah told ya sooner cuz I felt like I was lyin' to y'all for a long time and that ain't right with me," Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash with a soft smile, "It ain't right to lie to yourself to make others happy."

Rainbow Dash smiled at Applejack then looked around the table, her smile faded and she quickly took the last bite of food from her plate and stood up.  "Okay, well thanks for the meal I'm gonna go home, I've got a lot to do and I slept most of the day so, yeah."  Rainbow started for the door but Big Mac scooted back and blocked her.  "Can I get by Big Mac?"

"Nope."

"Really?  C'mon big guy, I've gotta lot to do and excercise to catch up on."

Big Mac looked at Applejack who gave him a nod.  Big Mac scooted back up and started piling up the remaining plates while Applejack got up and walked to the door and beckoned Rainbow Dash to follow.

"Usually we clean up after ourselves but Big Mac has ya covered today.  C'mon Rainbow Dash, I'll walk ya out and we gotta talk about somethin' on the way."

"Anything that'll get me outside I'm down for," Rainbow said as she flapped then hovered to the door and past Applejack.

"I'll be back y'all.  Don't wait up, this could be a tough talk."  Granny and Big Mac nodded as they started cleaning up the table.  Granny called for Applebloom to start her chores as Applejack walked out next to Rainbow Dash.

The night air was cool and fresh with a hint of apples.  Rainbow Dash was flying at a steady pace as Applejack caught up.  "Dash I love your rump but maybe you could slow up a bit?"

Rainbow gasped and landed on her haunches, looking back at Applejack shocked for a moment.  "Applejack what are we doing?  I can't handle this all at once.  We have a great night then my life gets turned all upside down.  Your sis hates me and other Pegasus are already making fun of me while I'm working; I had to knock two outta the sky today just to shut 'em up."

"Ya didn't hurt 'em too bad did ya?" Applejack asked while she sided with Rainbow.

"I don't care, I'm too awesome to be treated like a ... whatever."

"Like a filly fooler?  A mare lover?"

"I don't know!  Maybe," Rainbow said as she stood and began walking with Applejack down the path out of Sweet Apple Acres.

"Sugarplum, don't get upset.  Ya know as good as any pony that ponies tease just cuz we can.  And you're the worst one I know, Dash.  Ya teased Pinkie for three days after she got better from that blue joke flower, remember how you kept asking her to lick your envelopes and stamps for her?  And you called Fluttershy 'Flutterguy' for a month until we all had to talk to ya to make you stop.

"You can't go fight'n every pony that makes a joke or you'll never prove 'em one way or the other.  Now, speakin' of which are we gonna go for that date tomorrow or the day after?  I'm free both nights and I'll gussy up nice and let Rarity do my hair just this once if ya want.  Once Rainbow Dash."

"Oh what the hay.  Why not?  Everypony thinks I'm that way anyway.  I don't see what a dinner would hurt," Rainbow Dash giggled as she trotted ahead.

"Hey where ya going Dash?  This ain't the way to town."

"I know, I wanted you to show me the barn.  You said there's a place we can do stuff and I wanna see it, just incase."

"Well slow up Dashalicious.  I don't want you to trip since you can't run," Applejack said confidently as she galloped at her top speed passing Rainbow Dash like a blur.

Opening her wings Rainbow took to the air and flew after Applejack, "I'm not losing to you, AJ.  Get back here and eat my dust."  Following closely above Applejack, Rainbow Dash watched the galloping mare below her as she ran.  Her mane waving in the wind, her neck moving forward and back as her defined muscles moved under her healthy orange coat and her yellow tail bouncing up and down.

As Applejacks hind legs jutted out behind her with every push forward Rainbow felt herself staring and slowed down to watch Applejack run, "You can't go that slow AJ or I'm gonna pass you in no time," Rainbow challenged as she watched Applejack speed up.

Everything Rainbow Dash felt unsure about was easing away as she stared at her friend running at top speed.  Oh my gosh this is so weird.  I'm staring at her like she was a Wonderbolt going for the final trick.

Arriving at the barn after only a 15 second race Rainbow Dash flew in the top window and quickly scanned the room for areas to hide.  Applejack opened a door and walked into the darkness; the scent of hay all around her.  "Rainbow where'd ya go?  I thought I was gonna show you my spot?  C'mon outta the shadows"

I went to this place so few times with Twilight and always left after she did.  I cried so many times right over there while she was back at the library readin' a book like nothin' happened between us.  Why'd Ah say I'd take Dash here?  Maybe I can back out before-

Rainbow Dash jumped out a pile of hay with a shout.  Applejack screamed and reared up and fell back into the hay that was strewn across the barn floor.  "Damnit, what the buck Rainbow Dash.  Ya scared the life outta me!"

Rainbow Dash was laughing as she fell over holding her sides until she got a mouth full of hay and began coughing after she breathed it in.  It was Applejacks turn to laugh as she got to her hooves and trotted over to Rainbow Dash.  "Ya know I won the race and I'm havin' the last laugh.  Double win."

Rainbow coughed one last time clearing her throat and spitting the last hay from her mouth then jumped up and stared Applejack in the eyes.  "I hate losing and you know it.  I demand a rematch tomorrow."

"After our date?"

"At lunch time, I'll decide the challenge.  Loser has to let Rarity dress them up for the date."

"Fine," Applejack replied calmly crossing her foreleg in a standing lean.

"FINE!"

They looked away from each other then giggled.  Looking back at each other they laughed out loud at the silliness of their challenge.  They meant it, but, it was still silly.

"So AJ.  Where's this place you were talkin about?"

"Well you're actually hidin' on it.  This' the door to my little hidey-hole."  Applejack walked over and pulled a rope that was almost invisible on the floor and opened a short stairwell.

"Cool secret passage AJ.  Where's it lead?  Super secret spy lab where you work for a secret agency stopping an evil genius?"

"Yeah.  Exactly that, Dash.  Now you can't ever leave," Applejack said sarcastically.

"OHMYGOSH, you're serious?  I'm sorry I won't tell anypony!  Honest," Rainbow Dash stopped following Applejack down the stairs and covered her eyes with her wings, "I haven't seen anything."

Rolling her eyes Applejack continued on.  "Rainbow Dash I was joking.  I've got enough on my plate savin' Ponyville and Equestria every few weeks than ta have ta take on some some evil pony from doin' anything.  Now c'mon it's only a couple steps til you're on the floor.  I'll get the light."

Applejack pulled a switch and a single light magic crystal in a bulb illuminated the cellar.  There were barrels of apples stacked two high lining the walls and several deep.  "This' it.  My secret place that no one but us Apples know about and I use," she said with pride.

"Wait, did you bring Twilight here?"  Applejack's face turned to one of sadness at the mention of Twilight's name.

"Yeah I did and Ah regret it.  Ah spent more time cryin' with sadness than pleasure while in here then she went and left like it was the best night every time.  Ah brought you here so maybe Ah can have a new and better memory.  Also, it's one of the last places in town that's safe."

"Safe?"  Rainbow Dash asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah.  Places to get caught are everywhere and even the barn up there isn't safe.  I tried to nap, alone, and got interrupted by birds, Fluttershy and even Pinkie.  I had a bad night once and there were critters all over the place.  I couldn't get a second alone with my thoughts with them runnin' round makin a ruckus."

"I think you mean fracas."

"No, I looked it up.  Ruckus."

"Whatever.  So just right in the middle of the floor?  That's not very romantic and the dirt would get some places that would be uncomfortable, but, hey I'm game," Rainbow stated as she cantered in a circle looking at the dusty ground.

"No Rainbow Dash, not here.  We built in a secret room to house our special cider reserves over there and that's where."  Rainbow Dash almost bounced like Pinkie did when she heard the word cider.

"Ci-ci-cider?  Secret stash?  Secret room?  Please AJ, ya gotta let me see!"

"Okay okay, don't get your tail in a knot."  Applejack moved a few barrels aside with a few heavy heaves and in view came a small door wide enough to roll a barrel on its side through.  Crawling into the hidden room Applejack hit something in the pitch darkness and several gems sprung to life shining the room with cascading rainbows of magic light.  Rainbow Dashes eyes widened in awe at the sight of several dozen kegs of cider strapped to the walls and the light cascading off of them.  Looking around the room she noticed a bed set up with a night stand, a few books, matches, a lantern, and a jug of water.

It was a place to relax for sure.

Applejack walked into the center of the room which was larger than it seemed and sat down on the finished cement floor.  Light carpeting that was torn and ripped covered the floor, Rainbow hadn't noticed it at first but didn't think much of it when she did.  "Rainbow, this is my home away from home.  Sometimes I get so fed up with it all I come down here and just get away from it all.  Granny knows I come here so if I'm gone too long she'll come by and check on me and there's a magic crystal over there that lights a gem round Granny's neck if Ahm hurt or trapped.  So, what do ya think?"

Rainbow Dash eyes were almost sparkling with awe, a single tear formed at the corner of her eye while Applejack smiled; waiting to hear something romantic leave Rainbows lips.

"So are all these barrels full of cider?"  Rainbow asked.

Applejack facehooved.

"So this' your hide out?  I think it's amazing!  The lights and magic are awesome and the kegs of sweet sweet cider are, like, the best thing in here!  Oh, except you.  And I like this bed.  It's really high quality.  You must've spent a few bits on this.  How'd you get it in here?"

"Well, in pieces.  The mattress and all it's stuffins I bought and sewed in here.  Same for everything.  Built it all piece by piece.  It's all a labor of love and it pays me back every time Ah come in here.

Rainbow opened her wings and flapped a couple times kicking up a layer of dust making them both cough.  "This place sure is dusty AJ.  And the ceiling is so low too."

"Now Rainbow ya gotta quit all this nitpicking.  It ain't fixin' nothin' and this place here is just fine as is."

"But, I can't even jump on the bed.  Look," Rainbow walked over to the bed and stood on it, her wings opened and touched the stone ceiling, "see."

"Well Sugarplum, ain't no reason to jump on that bed.  I use it for sleepin', relaxin' and readin'."

"And sex," Rainbow Dash gave a seductive look at Applejack.

"A couple times but, it wasn't anything to gab about."

"Wait you read?  Did you and the egghead read for hours on how to kiss and-"

"Shut up Rainbow Dash.  I don't wanna talk about her and me and especially not right now."

"I'm sorry AJ.  C'mere to, mama," Rainbow said as she sat on the bed.