Hop, Skip, and a Jump!

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Epilogue
AppleShy Short: Fourth Month

Chapter 1

Looking up at the sky, Fluttershy could see the weather team working diligently on moving in the clouds. Sweet Apple Acres needed a lot of rain after the last few sunny days, and Applejack had ordered Rainbow Dash and her team to get some clouds in, pronto! Well, as quickly as possible anyway. Shaking her head, the shy mare shrank a little at the very idea she could be so... so... "Wishy-washy." In her own thoughts, no less. She didn't like the idea of force behind the words, but all her friends commanded it with such power, and such conviction.

Fluttershy blushed slightly, shaking her head. "It'd be so... exciting." She murmured, starting up her trot again. Looking to her side, she wondered what it would feel like, to be so sure of oneself. To just... know what you wanted, when you wanted, and how it could be delivered. Looking up once again, she saw her friend Rainbow Dash streak across the sky, looking for bigger and bigger rainclouds to bring to Ponyville.

Fluttershy had tended to her animals this morning and began her tiny trek into Ponyville, intent on getting a couple supplies to wait out the impending storm. As she continued, however, she already could see Dash returning with what looked to be a huge raincloud, and it seemed to threaten her as it flew above her, carried by the proud pegasus pony. She sped up a little, continuing her trot under the cover of trees, almost to hide herself from the raincloud.

As she entered Ponyville, she surveyed the area. Some ponies were out in their daily routines, but far less than yesterday. The looming cloud cover set up by the weather team had cautioned the more play-minded ponies to stay inside, lest they get wet from whenever the rain started to poor. Regardless, Fluttershy moved as quickly as she could to her first destination - the Apple Stand set up on Sugar-Cube Corner. However, as she arrived, she found a blue fabric tarp over the stationary stall, with a quick message written on it.

Closed due to Weather/Wagon broke down.

"Oh no," was all Fluttershy could say, looking it over again as if it would read differently after a second time. She had waited too long to go get food for herself, waiting until she was completely out of her usual stores. Her hooves started moving in tandem on the spot, as she worried and wondered on who else she could trust to buy from on short notice.

"Fluttershy?" A sudden voice asked. The pastel yellow pegasus yelped quickly, before turning to see the orange Earth Pony who's voice was familiar to her. "Now don' get yer apples in a bunch, Sugarcube, s'only me." Applejack mentioned, a smile on her face. The pegasus relaxed quickly as the Earth Pony looked her over. "Now what're you doin' out here anyway? Storm's about ta hit any minute."

A low grumble emanated from the Pegasus pony's stomach, which caused her legs to freeze up unceremoniously. She hadn't been paying much mind to her own hunger so far, but the mare realized she hadn't eaten at all today - tending to Angel's feeding habits was a difficult task. Between realizing her food stores were empty and getting the rebelling rabbit to eat from his stores, she seemed to have missed her mark slightly. "I.. um, Well you see I'm... Out of food at home, and uh... Well-"

"Outta food?" Applejack blurted out. Looking between Fluttershy and the closed down stand, she shook her head in apology. "Ah knew ah shouldn't ah let Caramel close up early. Ah'm dreadful sorry 'bout this." Applejack mentioned, looking about to see if any of the other stores were open still. She could only see Sugar-Cube Corner, and right now sweets were likely the last thing on Fluttershy's mind. As she did, a stray thought filtered itself into the Earth pony's mind. "Look, Lemme make it up to ya. Come to mah place with me, stay the night, and we'll have ourselves a right ol' slumberparty." She said. As soon as it came out she wasn't entirely sure where it came from, but there it was.

"Oh. Oh! Um, well," Fluttershy began. She didn't want to be a bother to her friend, but Applejack just looked at her with a caring smile that backed up her words so well. Staring at her green iris, the shy mare mumbled something about not wanting to impose before the Apple farmer waved her excuse away.

"Ah know you wouldn't have come here without tendin' to yer animals first, Fluttershy. Ain't no way somepony's gonna argue that ta me, 'specially not you," she mentioned unexpectedly. There went Fluttershy's only real excuse. Applejack always knew what to say, it was so... comforting, to have someone who just knew. Looking away a moment, she gave the impression that she was actually thinking it over, before simply smiling and nodding. "Thas' the spirit! We'll feed you good back at the farm, an' don't hesitate to ask fer anything, ya hear sugar-cube? You're an Apple Family guest tonight."

Fluttershy smiled softly, being led toward Sweet Apple Acres by her friend. As they trotted, Applejack related to Fluttershy her day, and the yellow mare simple smiled and nodded, simply enjoying her time, before the low rumble of thunder threatened the sky above. "Eeep!" She squeaked, and Applejack paused, looking up.

"That pony's been cookin' up one mean storm, Ah tell ya," she muttered, shaking her head. "Jus' wanted a rainstorm, but that pony's always gotta impress somepony. Come'on Sugarcube, we better trot a bit faster if we're gonna beat the-" A loud crash of thunder shook the ground as the sky lit up with lightning, causing Fluttershy to squeal loudly as the rain decided to cascade downward, as if in taunting Applejack's prediction. "Horsefeathers." Applejack mused, looking toward Fluttershy. "Come on, Fluttershy, we gotta hoof it." She said, as if Fluttershy needed any more compelling.

"Now whaddya mean the guest bed's taken?" Applejack stomped her foot down, frustrated. Fluttershy was in the kitchen with Applejack and Big MacIntosh, and they were discussing sleeping arrangements for the night. In front of her were some apple slices, which Applejack had prepared for her just before Big Mac came in with the bad news.

"S'what I said," the red, muscular pony said. He stood a full head over Applejack, and was taller than anypony in town, for sure. However, against Applejack, he seemed somehow more manageable a stallion, much to Fluttershy's content. "Caramel hurt himself runnin' here 'fore the storm. Slid on a wet patch 'o grass and sprained himself. Hopped the res' the way here on three hooves."

"That clumsy colt!" Applejack muttered, before looking to Fluttershy, and then back to Big Mac. "Ah figure he's already up there, restin' his worries away already."

"Eeeyup."

"Horsefeathers!" Applejack muttered again for the second time in the hour. Placing her hat on a stand nearby, she looked it over quickly to make sure the rain had caused it damage of any sort.

Fluttershy had only eaten a single slice, looking down that she had complicated things. She got up quickly, causing Applejack to hold up a hoof in retaliation. "Oh, uh.. um, I was... gonna go home- There's really no bed for me here, and I don't want to be of any trouble."

Shaking her hoof about, Applejack followed suit with her head, smiling. "Nonsense, Fluttershy. Jus' means you're bunking with me tonight. Ah said we'd have a slumber party tonight and that's jus' what were gonna do," the Earth pony mentioned, gesturing Fluttershy to sit back down. "Now go on, Ah'm not convinced that las' rumble came from the sky now, so you eat up and Ah'll be right back. Gotta see if that lazy colt needs anything," she muttered. Always hospitable, Applejack hurried herself upstairs, leaving Fluttershy alone in the kitchen.

Letting out a long breath, Fluttershy calmed down a little. The low rumble of thunder was almost calming among the sound of the sweeping rain. Closing her eyes, she took a couple more bites of the apples as she tried to keep her train of thought. She blushed slightly, her thoughts turning to Applejack. She would never, ever admit it, but that Pony was always on her mind. Her confidence, her strength, her honesty... She sighed, a red tint appearing on her cheeks.

"Whatcha thinkin' about, Fluttershy?" A little voice popped up.

Again, a small squeak escaped from her as Fluttershy looked around, seeing one of the three Cutie Mark Crusaders staring up at her. "Oh, Applebloom," she muttered first, before smiling. "You surprised me! I didn't hear you come in."

The pale little filly smiled and leapt up upon a seat at the table Fluttershy was sitting up at, and looked over what food there was that was out. "Aw, ponyfeathers. Usually when we have guests Applejack has the caramel apples out!" She complained, before turning to Fluttershy, completely changing gears. "Hey Fluttershy, what're you over for? It's awful rainy out for you to make the trip."

The older mare took a look at herself, still fairly wet from the run to the home. She had completely forgotten about it because her stomach growled loudly and Applejack herder her straight into the kitchen. "Oh, no, I came with Applejack. And um, I guess I'm staying the night here."

"Oh! A sleepover then! Like we had at your house!" Applebloom cheered, causing Fluttershy to smile warmly.

"Yes, kind of like that." The mare mused, before realizing that the CMC had all slept in the same bed, and at this moment she realized that she'd be sharing one with Applejack, causing her cheeks to flare up something fierce.

The caused Applebloom to tilt her head slightly. "Huh? What's wrong Fluttershy?" She asked, putting a hoof on the table and leaning on it. "You're all blushin'!" The accusation only made the pink in her cheeks redden more.

"Oh, um, no, I'm just," she cleared her throat in a gamble for more time to make up an excuse. "I just. Um. Get this way during storms. I'm just a little light headed, is all," she smiled, but Applebloom didn't look very convinced.

"Are you sure? I don't feel any different." She said, touching a hoof to her face. "Ah donb fheel dibberent ab all!" She said undeterred, her hoof pushing her cheeks around, forcing her mouth to move in weird directions as she spoke.

The display made the pegasus a bit more at ease, as she tried to banish the feeling from her face. "No, it's just... a pegasus thing. Um," she murmured, hoping that would satisfy Applebloom enough to drop the subject. However, the filly just raised an eyebrow slightly. If only she could put a little more into it.

"But I've never seen that happen with Scootalo-"

"Applebloom! What are you doing up this late on a school night?" Called Applejack, enunciating her words for effect. The filly squeaked a bit and quickly rushed past Applejack, muttering a mix of excuses, apologies and rebellion as she went upstairs to her room. Turning to Fluttershy, the mare simply smiled and chuckled a little. "It's not that late, Ah reckon. Cloud're makin' it all a bit darker 'n normal. Still though, should give us a little peace 'n quiet 'round here fer a couple hours," she said, sitting at the table.

Fluttershy coughed. "Oh, she really wasn't bothering me. Um. Much," she stated, feeling terrible for even admitting a little bit to how uncomfortable the filly was making her. She didn't want to admit to anything today, it seemed. "Thank you for the delicious apple, Applejack," she mumbled, nosing the plate toward the center of the table. There were still a couple slices on it, and Applejack leaned over and took one, smiling warmly.

"Ain't nothin'. Don't you worry 'bout Applebloom, she just get's excited whenever yer around. Sorry she mighta embarrassed you," Applejack noted, seeing the light pink that played on Fluttershy's features.

However, the mere mention caused them to become redder than the Applejack's cutiemark, and she shrank into herself a little. "Oh. No, she wasn't... um." Closing her eyes, she wasn't sure what to say. That she was having conflicting feelings about the true nature of their friendship? That she had a crush on Applejack since the day with the dragon? Banishing such thoughts, she simply gave a soft, half-hearted smile. "It wasn't... important." She said, her cheeks slowly returning to their normal complexion.

"Yer sure?" Applejack asked. "'Cause Ah don't want her thinking it's arright to jus' say anything to anypony."

Fluttershy shook her head. "Oh, no, nothing of the sort. She was just bein' friendly. She, um," Fluttershy swallowed. "She just surprised me is all."

From above, there was a bit of a thump as Applebloom's voice could be heard. "Cutie Mark Crusader Ninjas!" It called right above them.

Blowing a piece of renegade hair from her face, Applejack merely shook her head and smiled. "Ah reckon we should move to thicker walls," She muttered, putting a hoof to her face. Fluttershy merely nodded, not wanting anyone to just listen in on her. The idea, frankly, scared her a little, and the pegasus was soon having her eyes dart toward every window and every corner of the room. The storm rumbled outside as the worst of it rolled nearer.

Chapter 2

Fluttershy stared at Applejack a moment as the orange pony worked about her room, trying to clean up a bit and set up the bed. "I, um, don't think you need to go to that much work for me, Applejack..." She mentioned, but the other pony wouldn't hear of it.

"Nonsense, Fluttershy. My bed's along the corner, an' that's no good fer multiple ponies. Been meanin' to do this fer awhile now, anywho." Applejack muttered, putting her forehead against the bed and sliding it out. Fluttershy nodded briefly before pausing, a rogue thought passing in her mind.

"Um, why?" She asked, thinking it over. Applejack paused, as if considering it herself. She didn't answer, however, and set to work pushing the bed away from the wall. In this, Fluttershy couldn't see her face anymore, and couldn't tell that the orange filly in front of her was actually turning a little red in the face. Regardless, the silence threatened Fluttershy, who followed up with a quick, "Um, not that it's... um, any of my business asking." She mumbled, her cheeks pink with embarrassment.

Seeing Fluttershy's reaction, Applejack looked up and smiled. "Now don't you worry about that. Sometimes Applebloom has a bad dream and comes to sleep in my bed with me. Silly filly, it just makes it easier for me if I need to get up the followin' mornin' without jostlin' her awake." She explained. Sure it happened sometimes, so she was happy when Fluttershy merely smiled and nodded. Walking over to the bed, Fluttershy worked along with Applejack. Not in any big way, but she kept the sheets neat and tidy while the hard-working applebucker made the last few adjustments. "There! Ah reckon that'll hold my interest for a couple seasons." She said, nodding in approval of her new room setup.

"I'm glad to have helped. Some," Fluttershy mentioned, straightening out the last corner on Applejack's bed. As she pulled, she took a small whiff, enjoying the smells of the sheets. She closed her eyes unconsciously, letting go of the sheet and holding a content smile. Opening her eyes, she caught a look from Applejack which caused her to slink down and blush. "Um. A little," she mumbled.

Smiling and shaking her head, Applejack placed a hoof around Fluttershy. "Ya sure did. Ah've probably would have kept putting it off if not fer you," she smiled, before realizing how close she was. She paused briefly, the constantly reddening Fluttershy looked away, and the Earth Pony put her hoof down. "Er, sorry 'bout that. You gonna be alright tonight, sugarcube? Ah can sleep on the floor if that makes ya more comfortable."

Shaking her head at the prospect, Fluttershy declined. "Oh, no! I um. I mean," she mentally berated herself for making Applejack second guess her overflowing hospitality, and for almost ruining a bit of a dream come true for her. "I kinda liked it. You're, um. Warm." She tried, giving a small smile.

The compliment caused Applejack to merely smile sweetly, "Hold on, Fluttershy, I gotta go wash up a little." Applejack mentioned, needing an outlet before the blood flooded her cheeks on how adorable Fluttershy could get. "You can look through my closet over there for something to occupy yer time with, I shouldn't be too long." Trotting out of the room, Applejack closed the door behind her with her back hoof, and headed downstairs to the washroom. Fluttershy looked toward the windows, the storm raging on, and took note - it hadn't really stopped thundering, but she hadn't noticed at all.

"Okay sugarcube, just hold it together. You're doing great so far." Applejack muttered to herself in the mirror. The water had hit that magical temperature that just felt right as she splashed some in her face, getting some of the more prominent dirt off of her. "This ain't no big thing. No need ta be awkward. Don't rush things..." She sighed, her hooves hitting the floor as she leaned against the bathtub. She smiled as she took note that Applebloom finished her chores today, as the tub looked very white. Sighing, she looked down, and compulsively moved her hoof to straighten her hat, which she realized wasn't there.

Applejack couldn't help but think of the pony in her room. She could barely remember when she started having these feelings for the butteryellow mare. Applejack stared into her reflection, looking at the pony who stared back. She knew why. The caring, the kindness... closing her eyes she pinpointed the exact moment she fell for the girl upstairs. She defended them - she defended them all. She stared down that dragon when all the others had been rebuked, and saved Ponyville - maybe even a large part of all of Equestria. And she did it not by fighting, or tricking... She told the honest truth. Appealed to the dragon's heart. It was only by accident that she also appealed to Applejack's, albeit in a very different way.

Sighing, she turned away from the mirror, her steps heavy as she exited the washroom. There wasn't much she felt she could do. "Ah reckon it's just a slumber party fer her," she whispered, shaking her mane.

"Not often we have a guest. Tonight we have two, hm?" An old, gentle voice called from the kitchen. Applejack looked up to see Granny Smith in one of the many rockers strewn about the Apple Family house, enjoying what was left of the plate of apple slices the girls had forgotten to finish.

"Er.. uh. Yep! Both of them needed a place to stay... 'Parrently." Applejack muttered, kicking a hoof along the ground as she spoke. "My friend Fluttershy and one of our workers who was plum clumsy and ended up hurting himself on the way home."

"Caramel?"

"Caramel."

"Boy's just like his father." Granny sighed, her eyes becoming half moons. Applejack was about to head back upstairs when she was halted by her grandmother's voice. "You ain't foolin' me, Applejack," she said, causing the younger pony to freeze dead in her tracks.

"Uh... heh heh, whaddya mean?"

Sighing, Granny moved the plate unto the a nearby counter. "Your friend up there. I can tell," she mumbled, moving off her chair and unto her walker. Moving slowly towards her, the orange Earth Pony's eyes darting from side to side.

"Ah don't know whatcha mean, Granny. Ah'm just feedin' her and housin' her from tha' storm," Applejack mentioned, giving an obviously forced smile. The old mare nibbled at the end of her apple slice, leaning her head back as she looked at her kin.

"Applejack, you know you're a horrid liar." The elder mare said, completely deadpan. This caused Applejack's head the fall, looking away from her granny. "I can tell when you're smitten, one way or another." Granny Smith sniffed the air, before shaking her mane a bit. "But you made no way a' hidin' it this time."

Applejack paused, looking about before raising an eyebrow. "Now just how is that?" She'd been the perfect host so far, she imagined.

The old mare laughed. "I raise you from a filly to the mare you are now and you don't expect me to pick up on a few things?" She pointed to the plate, where two last apple slices remained. "Cutten up apples, movin' furniture, washin' up." Applejack blushed and again reached for her hat, which, again, wasn't there. "And of course, you're lookin' for your pappy's hat for comfort in yer nervousness." Rolling over to the stand, Granny took the hat off and threw it over to Applejack, who deftly caught it in her mouth and flipped it up upon her head. "This mare's got you doin' every trick under the sun I've seen you do for all those colts back in Gradeschool you were crushing on," Granny Smith sighed wistfully, remembering all those years ago. Sure it wasn't too long compared to her age, but back then she could get around without this confounded walker.

"Granny, Ah..." Applejack started. She felt embarrassed, and even a little shameful in front of her grandmother like this. "Ah'm sorry... if this isn't what you want fer me," she admitted, her hoof kicking the ground again.

Granny Smith tutted a moment, wheeling herself close to Applejack. "Now listen here, AJ. I was against many things in my hayday," she started. Clearing her throat, however, she continued. "But I was for so much more. And love, little Apple of my eye, was one of 'em." Applejack looked up, fighting back a couple tears which threatened to come loose. "I can tell this one's special to you, and ain't nopony's gonna take that special away."

"But... what about the others? All my friends?" Applejack breathed, revealing her fear. "What if I'm rejected?"

Standing as straight as she could, Granny Smith looked surprised at how Applejack responded. "You mean yer friends? Twilight and all them?" She asked, getting a simple nod from Applejack in response. "Well if you ask me you have no problems from yer little party friend, or Twilight. And something tells me you ain't got much to worry about offended that Rainbow Dash. Perhaps it'll coax her to come out of her own shell. Ain't healthy keepin' who you are inside like that."

Applejack smiled softly. Everyone seemed to have the same opinion about Rainbow. "Granny... yer startin' to ramble a little." She let on, sniffing a little to hold back her emotions.

Stopping, the old mare smiled as she stopped. "Er. Right, sorry dear. I'm saying you don't have anything to worry your pretty little head about. They'll accept you no matter what. And don't you worry about the townsfolk either - I'm sure between that Lyra and Bon-Bon they're all pretty fine with the idea."

"Lyra and Bon-Bon?" Applejack echoed, before suddenly the gears in her head clicked into place. "Oh." She gave a few blank blinks as realizations dawned. "Well that does answer a few questions, Ah reckon."

Laughing softly, Granny Smith put a hoof on Applejack's shoulder. "I'm surprised you didn't know. You have to stop working so hard everyday and start takin notice of what's around you a bit more. There's a lot of beauty out there." Taking a moment, Granny wiped a tear that had just rolled down Applejack's cheek. "Just like you."

Applejack gently hugged her grandmother, a couple tears loosening from her eyes, which she wiped away as quick as possible. "Thank you, Granny. Yer a right old mare and Ah'm proud to call you mah grandmother."

"And I could never be disappointed in you, AJ. Now go on up there and tell her how you feel." Granny motioned with her free hoof for Applejack to get along, and the mare smiled back, before hoofing it upstairs. The older mare sighed again, this one contently. Rolling down the hallway to her room, Granny smirked to herself. "Guess I gotta count on Big MacIntosh to give me little fillies and colts to play with and spoil." She said to herself, relishing in the idea of a few more great grandponies before she finally kicked the bucket. A flash of lightning illuminated the room before her, causing the old mare to merely turn her head towards the window.

Chapter 3

With every step, her hooves felt heavier. Every stair climbed, she could feel her legs starting to lock up. But Applejack pressed on, reaching the top floor of her home and turning to look down the hallway to her room. What would she say? What could she say? Moving forward, she steeled herself. If she didn't do it now, then she wouldn't do it ever. It's not that it would go away, but what would she think? Lying together in the same bed, harboring such thoughts... It wasn't right. It wasn't honest. Standing outside her own door, she closed her eyes and tried reciting something. Anything, to get her on the right track. "She's mah friend..." She breathed. "And even if this... doesn't work out, she'll always be that ta me. And that's enough." Bolstering her resolve, the pony pushed open the door to her room.

"Fluttershy?" She called, expecting to see the mare in her room. However, she was met with the sight of her own room, slightly askew from her earlier shenanigans. Darting her head from side to side, Applejack trotted into the center of the room, seeing if Fluttershy was hiding, as if playing a game. "Nah, she ain't no little filly." Applejack muttered, only after she had already looked. Turning to the closet, she opened the door to find some of her games tampered with, but nothing was really taken out. "Naw where did she go...?" she breathed, staring at the window. It rattled as the wind made it's presence known, and for a moment Applejack believed Fluttershy had left through the window.

Maybe she heard her downstairs. Maybe she didn't feel the same way, and instead of confronting her, she left so Applejack could save face. Her legs frozen, she almost fell on her haunches right then and there, before urging herself to the window and looking outside. "Fluttershy...?" She called wistfully. Lowering her head, she resigned herself to the story she made up in her head. It only made sense. Opening her eyes, she paused. "Wait a gosh darned minute." The window was, for all intents and purposes, dry. At least her side was. Rattling again as the wind picked up, Applejack realized that there was no way the yellow pegasus had left. At least not through this window. Turning, Applejack headed again for the hallway, looking both ways as she raised an eyebrow. "Now where did that pegasus get to?" Applejack harrumphed, catching sight of a light and a crease in the door of the guest room. Walking down the hallway, the earth pony stopped short of the door, pausing to look in through the crease.

"Thank you, Fluttershy." Caramel mumbled softly as the the yellow mare shook her head. She was sitting at the foot of the bed, a wide smile on her face. "You're a smart pony, I feel a lot better now." He said, nodding his head as if approving his own sentiment.

Fluttershy merely shook her head. "Oh no, I have to thank you. I feel like I can take on the world. Thank you, Caramel." Applejack winced, although she wasn't too sure why. Peering closer, she tried to get a better look at the two, but her muzzle touched the door, causing it to creak open slowly. Fluttershy visibly jumped as she moved to her feet, but Caramel just turned his head slowly towards Applejack.

"Aw, hey AJ." Caramel waved a hoof toward her, and Applejack - a bit unsure - merely walked into the room. "How long you been out there?" As he said this, Fluttershy suddenly looked almost frightened, her face turning away in shame.

"Not... long. Just came up and couldn't find Fluttershy anywhere." Applejack coughed, an almost pained expression on her face. "Figures she'd find her way to some wounded animal." She added, taking a crack at Caramel while she was at it, trying to... do whatever she could to alleviate the sick feeling at the pit of her stomach.

Caramel merely nodded slowly. "Well I'm sorry to take your friend off your hands like that without askin'." Was all he let out, his head leaning back.

Shaking her head, Applejack smiled as best she could. "No, no, Ah'm sure whatever you two were talking about was more important than what Ah was doing," she said. At this, the yellow Pegasus' ears perked up.

Fluttershy looked up, her eyes unreadable, but clear. Apparently whatever Applejack had just said calmed her down a lot. "Oh, um," she squeaked, trying to get her voice under control. "I was just asking him about his injury and seeing if I could help him," she said, looking over to Caramel. "So I got him another pillow from your hallway closet."

Applejack looked between the two a moment, before her hoof stamped weakly among the ground. "Now sugarcube, what're you gonna sleep on now?" She asked. "Tha' pillow was meant fer you."

Caramel instantly looked up, suddenly aware. He looked guilty as he attempted to move the pillow off his bed, but winced when he unconsciously used his sprained hoof to attempt it. In a rush, the yellow mare moved his leg back, stopping him. "That's, um, quite alright. I'll manage, you keep it." She mumbled, turning to Applejack. "I don't think I'll need it that much," she breathed.

Tilting her head, Applejack merely let the pegasus give up her pillow - planning on sacrificing her own should it come down to it. "Well, we better let this one rest, Fluttershy. He's got a lot of healing to do, and staying up late and yammering on isn't gonna help him." She said, waving her hoof about as she did.

The pegasus looked at Caramel a moment, before turning to Applejack and smiling. "Right." Trotting out the door, she made her way back to her friend's room, her own resolve burning as she rehearsed her feelings in her mind.

"Um, hello?" Fluttershy called, her head bumping open the door to the lit room. In it an adult colt of an orange color was laying in bed, his hoof on a book labeled Lord of the Saddles. Looking up, he seemed confused, but gestured a friendly wave toward the unexpected guest. "Oh, um. Sorry." Seeing that she had interrupted the injured pony's rest, she took a step back, intent on leaving.

"No, that's alright Fluttershy." Caramel mentioned, lifting his other hoof to pick himself up on the bed. As he did, however, the book slipped and tumbled off the bed. Pausing, all the colt did was stare at it briefly. "Oh. Whoops." Looking up toward the mare, he looked between her and the book, lifting his sprained hoof as he did. "Do you think you could...?"

Fluttershy followed his gaze for a moment before blinking and nodding. "Oh, I'm sorry, of course." Trotting over, she lifted the book back unto the bed, letting Caramel get a better hoof on it. "Sorry."

"My fault." He said, smiling. Suddenly, a crash of thunder ripped open the sky, and the house shuttered. As it did, Fluttershy squeaked and fell over, her legs locking up from under her. "Fluttershy! Are you ok?" Caramel asked, leaning on his good hook to get a look at the yellow mare. As soon as he did, the book slipped off the bed a second time, bouncing under the bed. "Aw, horsefeathers!"

Freeing her legs, Fluttershy quickly moved to her feet. "Oh, um, sorry." Bending down, she looked to see where the book landed - out of her reach at the moment, a quick swipe at it with her hoof told her that. "Oh darn." She stamped the ground - causing nothing more than a tap along the floorboard.

The stallion shook his head. "It's okay, I wasn't reading it all that intently in the first place..." He waved his hoof, before wincing and realizing that was his sprained one. "So... um. Why are you here, Fluttershy? Surely not to see me?"

"Oh no. I mean-" She paused, realizing how that must have sounded. "I mean, I didn't know you were hurt - you were just here when I got here and I saw a light down the hall while Applejack was downstairs for a long time and I was curious and nerve-wrecked and-" She paused, stopping herself before she went too far.

"Nerve-wrecked?" Echoed Caramel. Fluttershy looked away, realizing that she had gone to far regardless. "Not a big storm fan, I guess," he added. Fluttershy looked up confused, before realizing his mistake and nodded, going along with it.

"Oh yes. I mean, no. I'm not really a fan." Smiling, she realized at the moment she was trapped - she couldn't exactly leave Caramel after just arriving. "Um, so, how are you feeling?" She struggled out, attempting to buy some time until Applejack returned from downstairs.

Caramel took a moment to look over his leg, before shrugging his shoulders. "Been better. Been worse, too." Lying on his side, he faced Fluttershy a bit more comfortably, a smile playing on his features. "So... when did you decide you had a voice?" He asked, looking at the pegasus expectantly.

This surprised Fluttershy, her eyes widening. "Um, what do you mean?" She asked, her eyes darting toward the door - at any moment she was hoping Applejack would come back and free her.

"I've never heard you speak much before now. Barely an audible squeak." Caramel mentioned, leaning on his good hoof. All he had known about the yellow mare was that she took care of animals on the other side of Ponyville and was as shy as they came. "Why the change?" He prodded a little, interested on knowing more - seeing as he didn't have anything else to help pass the time.

The pegasus paused. It was true, she hadn't spoken to Caramel in the past. "Oh." She pondered. In fact, she remembered only a chance encounter in Ponyville, where she barely uttered a word. "I guess... I guess I'm a little... braver?" The word's crawled out of her mouth, as if unsure. Caramel tilted his head in response, but merely nodded.

"Alright, I guess I can see that. But you didn't answer my question - why're you are at Sweet Apple Acres, in this storm." At this, Fluttershy hesitated, but saw no harm in letting the colt know why she was currently in the same room as him - so far from home as it is. She let him know all about Angel's funny business back at her house, and how late it was before she could even leave her house. By this point she was pacing about the room as Caramel simply listened and nodded. When she mentioned Applejack's kindness in allowing her to come, he frowned. "So this was supposed to be your bed for the night? Ah... I'm sorry, Fluttershy," he said, his good hoof pressing down on the mattress alternatively with his sprained hoof, which merely passed through the air. "If only I was looking where I was going..."

"No, it's alright, Caramel, it's really no bother. I don't mind sharing a bed with Applejack for the night." She said, before freezing. Had she really just said that out loud? Maybe she could fix it - it wasn't that hard.

"Oh." Caramel mentioned before Fluttershy could say anything. "Well, I guess that makes sense," he said, as blunt as can be. Caramel nodded his head a bit as he slid his body unto his back.

"What makes sense?" She echoed, unsure of what Caramel meant. It suddenly occurred to her that he had immediately sensed her motive - and furthermore had his own dashed. "Oh-oh I'm sorry Caramel."

"Ah, don't worry about it, Fluttershy. I was so caught up in you just sayin' something to me that I let my mind run away with it. I'm not crushed," Caramel said, shaking his head. There was an awkward silence that filled the air, and Fluttershy slowly moved toward the door. "Ugh!" Slamming his head against the pillow, he suddenly looked toward the mare. "I hate to ask, but can you ask Big Mac to get me another pillow? I hate to bother him but this is straining on my neck." He asked, as if the last minute hadn't happened.

"Oh. Um, sure!" Was all she said as she walked out of the hallway. Looking about, she tried to guess which room belonged to Big Macintosh. Sighing, she resigned herself to just try the door across the hall, and tried knocking. However, the door merely pushed open, revealing a hall closet with various bed sheets, and perched upon them, a little pillow. "That was easy." Fluttershy smiled, picking the pillow up and happily trotting back towards Caramel. Pausing just outside the bed, she felt a bit awkward. Not only did he get shut down, but he knew of her attraction to Applejack.

However, Caramel could pick up on it pretty well, and waved it away with his hoof. "I meant nothing by it. Really Fluttershy. I didn't know you two were an item. Ha, I never even knew Applejack swung that way," He laughed, closing his eyes and lifting his head so the pegasus could more easily place the pillow. Quickly shoving the pillow in the gap, she squeaked out a pleasantry that reeked of suspicion. "Uh... what?" He asked.

"Um. Well, you see..." She had already admitted enough at this point. Almost skipped right into it, really. She hesitated, before lowering her head. "We're not really..." She trailed, her voice disappearing into a high-pitched squeak.

"Oh. Oh! Oh geez, I'm just eating my hooves tonight." Caramel slapped a hoof to his head, shaking it. Although, he had to admit the pillow was really comfortable. "I'm sorry Fluttershy, I had just assumed with how easy you mentioned it that it was common now. I thought that's why you were braver now."

Fluttershy looked away, but she mulled over what the stallion was saying. She had simply put it out there. Almost with conviction. She smiled briefly, which surprised Caramel. "I... suppose I am. A little." She swiveled her hoof around on the ground, tapping it idly as she stared downward.

"So why don't you just... bring it up with her?" Caramel ventured, seeing as now he was interested again. "I'm sure she..." He paused. What would Applejack do in return? She had always struck him as too proud for any old stallion... which he guessed was why it made sense to him so quickly that she might have her interests elsewhere. He sighed, leaning his head back. "Well, I'm not sure, but..."

Fluttershy turned her head slightly. It really wasn't his place to give relationship advice, but she felt it cute that he was trying to help, regardless. It was an odd feeling, what she had right now. She had taken that first step - maybe she stumbled into it, sure, but she had made it. She had said something without agonizing over every little detail. She didn't even take it back. Glancing toward the door, she could hear voices coming from downstairs, but knew better than to eavesdrop. Looking back towards Caramel, he hadn't moved since he had frustratedly given up on attempting to make her feel better without sticking every hoof he had in his mouth. "Are you, um, all right?"

"Am I alright? Yeah, sure, peachy." Caramel mentioned, fairly unamused. He didn't sound angry, but he seemed to be losing interest.

Stepping closer, Fluttershy asked again. "Caramel... are you okay?"

Looking up, Caramel looked ready to dismiss the mare before he caught sight of her eyes. He froze, suddenly unsure. "I'm..." Pausing, he sighed. "No, not really," he confessed, his hoof falling to his side. "And yeah, it's a little bit that you so easily shot me down. But I know I gotta tell you why or you're just gonna stare at me with those big ol' eyes until I do." He mumbled, causing Fluttershy to blush a little at the compliment. "Guess I feel like I'm doing nothing right, losin' seeds, tipping over apple baskets, breaking wagons, spraining ankles..."

Fluttershy nodded slowly. The poor pony before her did seem to hit a spot of bad luck every step of the way. "I'm sorry. It must be very hard to keep going sometimes, and you work so hard," she praised. Caramel paused his revelry to listen to Fluttershy further, a renewed interest in his eyes. "I mean, you help with the farm as best you can. And um, well, I know it's not Big Mac or Applejack who cook the food around here all the time, and there's only so much Granny Smith can do."

She was looking away now, trying to come up with more things Caramel did around the farm, but only could stick to more broad ideas. However, looking back toward the colt, he had moved from his interested position back to a relaxed one on his back, a gentle smile on his face. She smiled inwardly, her little plan had worked. Sighing contentedly, Caramel nodded his head. He knew quite well what Fluttershy had done, and he'd admit that her kindness had worked on him. "Thank you, Fluttershy," he said, a smile stretching across Fluttershy's face. " You're a smart pony, I feel a lot better now.

Walking into the room, Fluttershy still had a smile on her face once it was clear Applejack hadn't been out there for long. However, Applejack still had a pit in her stomach, and she was starting to pace around a little. As the sound of rain and the low rumbles of thunder caught Fluttershy's attention, Applejack spoke up. "So uh, what'd you an' Caramel talk about?"

"Not too much. Just... things," Fluttershy said, kicking at the ground sheepishly. "It was... nice." She nodded in approval to her own statement. Looking over at Applejack, however, she suddenly saw that the strange look she gave in the guest room was still on her face. "Applejack?" She asked, her name enough.

Shaking her head, Applejack walked toward the bed. "It's nothin', sugarcube. You takin' a shine to him, Ah reckon?" It was blunt, and Fluttershy could almost feel it physically against her. It hurt, a little, that Applejack could say something so coldly. Without feeling, but yet... she wouldn't be wavered. Not yet.

Swallowing, Fluttershy shook her head slowly. "Oh no, nothing like that. He's... nice, but he's not... um. My type," She admitted, the nervousness feeling she had early started to grow, her resolve starting to fade. However, Applejack looked straight up, her face clear from whatever plagued her moments ago, which caused the pegasus to pause even longer. It started to dawn on her that maybe, just maybe... what she was feeling wasn't so strange. "Applejack, I have..."

She took her first steps in Ponyville, coming to the Sweet Apple Acres.

Applejack's painful feeling had subsided, and she was having a hard time trying to hide it. But more importantly, it was starting to become clear to her. What she held dear to her. What she had wanted. The storm outside blustered and rolled on, the thunder picking up as the main force of the wind started to rattle the window fiercely, as if delivering a crescendo of the utmost magnitude upon the two ponies.

"I want to thank you. So, so much for everything you've ever done for me. You've believed in me, led me along the right paths, never gave up even when I wanted to," She continued. She had dwelt on it all night. This feeling inside. And she had let it out, even just a little bit, with a minor bit of stumble, but she kept moving forward.

She didn't want to be held back, and in front of Applejack, she didn't feel she needed to.

The other pony stepped around the bed and came towards Fluttershy, a calm expression over her face. Behind the pegasus a scene of great force played out, with lightning and thunder and the wind causing branches and stray leaves around and around, obscuring any vision outside. But to Applejack, she couldn't hear a thing. Nothing but Fluttershy's soft, lovely voice.

The pegasus looked into Applejack's eyes. She could see what was there. She felt the strength the earth pony was giving her. It was everything she needed. Her voice didn't shake at all. Fluttershy smiled. Explosive sounds of thunder were heard overhead as Fluttershy nuzzled against Applejack's neck, the Earth pony returning in kind. She had come this far, everything seemed so perfect, so easy with the other mare there, with her. Backing away a little, she looked Applejack in they eyes once more. The next part was simple. It was as easy as a hop, a skip... Suddenly Fluttershy's back legs kicked out, causing her to jump right into Applejack.

"I love you, Applejack."

Epilogue

Picking another apple from the tree, the pony smiled as the apple feel towards the top of the basket, coming to rest on the others. Pausing briefly, she looked about the tree and decided it had been picked enough. She went to the apple cart and overturned the bucket, causing the apples to lazily roll out, unbruised and looking absolutely delicious. Hopping off the truck, she smiled at all the hard work she had done, before turning her head to see another pony coming up next to her, nuzzling her neck sweetly. Blushing profusely, she giggled and put her bucket down. "Oh Applejack, stop it!" Fluttershy giggled, the nuzzling turning ticklish.

"Ah, forgive me, sugarcube, Ah can't help myself." Smiling sweetly, she dropped her own charge of apples into the truck before turning to her feathered friend. "Ah really do appreciate all you've been doing fer me and the family..." Looking out to Sweet Apple Acres, an odd sight could be seen with many of the trees there. While the direction where Applejack came from had trees completely barren of apples, many of the treetops of unbucked trees were barren as well - The very tops had been picked clean Fluttershy. "Ah can't believe how many apples we've been saving from your hard work." To be true, many of the apples which fell from the highest heights of the trees had often become brutally bruised, and in the worst scenarios had fallen upon previously pristine apples, damaging the crop twofold.

"Oh Applejack, I couldn't stay back while you and the others were out working so hard." She mentioned, shaking her head. Looking down at the ground, the smile never left her face as she recalled the last year. "I've had so much more free time since Applebloom's come over to help me with my animals. Angel's never been happier." Ever since the night she stayed with Applejack in the storm, Applebloom had been coming over more often to help with the animals Fluttershy took care of. Applejack herself often came along, although her reasoning were far different than the little filly's. While at first doing no better taking care of animals than she had discovering her cutie mark, Applebloom had really come into her own when dealing with the animals, and while it wasn't her special talent, she had really come to enjoy it - even so far as staying the night at Fluttershy's to help out with the morning routine some nights. However, that was only on weekends, and only when Applejack just so happened to stay as well.

It was Twilight and Pinkie Pie found out first. Applejack and Fluttershy had wanted to keep it on the down low for a little while longer, neither wanting to go too fast and complicate the more individual aspects of eachother's lives, like their work. Despite this, they had just come into the library together while Pinkie Pie was visiting with Twilight Sparkle, discussing who knows what - all the couple knew was that Twilight looked relieved to see them.

"Oh, hello girls!" Twilight greeted them, walking over to them. "It's so good to see you - I haven't seen much of anypony after the big storm a few nights back." Twilight gestured to a nearby open book, which was filled with information about the wind speed and direction from and around the Everfree Forest. "I was so busy studying weather patterns-" But before the violet mare could finish, a high pitched gasp cut off her train of thought.

"Ohmygosh!" Pinkie Pie gasped again, her body flying into the air, seemingly hanging in the air. Landing, one of her hooves pointed toward the two mares. "You two are in love!" The sudden accusation caused both Applejack and Fluttershy to take a step back in surprise, their faces blushing considerably as they did.

Undeterred, Twilight rebutted her almost immediately. "Oh Pinkie, what're you going on about now?" Twilight sighed, turning to the pink pony with a raised eyebrow. Before she could say much more, she noticed something off about the pink earth pony. In front of her, as Pinkie pointed at Applejack and Fluttershy, her ears were flopping, her tail twitching, her back was trembling and her stomach was visibly grumbling. "All at once?" She breathed, suddenly feeling like she should take cover.

"It's-It's... A HYPER COMBO!" Pinkie shouted, before rushing forward and tackling both Applejack and Fluttershy in each outstretched hoof. "And it means two ponies are in loooo-oooove!" She sang, getting up and hopping around, causing Twilight to look between the hyperactive pony and her two other friends. Pinkie on the other hand had a enormous smile as the two blushing mares got back to their feet, Pinkie now facing them. "And it happened when these two walked in! Ohmygosh I am so happy for you. I knew that Applejack liked Fluttershy, I mean, come on, the whole dragon thing! Aaaaaaahhh-veeeeeeee-uuuuuusss! And Fluttershy, I didn't know about you but I hoped! I Pinkie hoped that you would like her back and you do! You do you do!" She cheered, hopping from one side of the couple to the other in enormous jumps.

Twilight, on the other hand looked supremely amused, but also extremely confused. She had learned long ago to trust in Pinkie's random convulsions, but for something so grand as love? She hadn't even begun to research it! However, she was curious. "Is it true, you two?" Was all she could mention, mentally berating herself for not coming up with something more intelligent.

Applejack was busy watching Pinkie Pie jump around, and reached for a nearby discarded book. As Pinkie Pie landed nearby, Applejack instinctively stuffed the book into the pink pony's mouth, causing her to freeze. "Nah just stay in one place, Pinkie Pie," she pleaded, glad to get the mare to stop. Fluttershy, however, was still trying to find her voice, but her face was red as an apple. However, she still moved forward, looking to Applejack for assistance and guidance. The orange mare merely sighed and shrugged, breathing out a simple, "Might as well, sugah."

Turning to Twilight, Fluttershy put on a brave smile and nodded. "Yes, Twilight. We're... we're in love!" She squeaked out, her voice high, but not impossible to decipher. Despite this, she seemed proud of herself, and in a show of contentment, leaned against Applejack, pushing her head into Applejack's neck, taking comfort in the earth pony's warmth.

This time, it was Twilight's turn to expel a sharp gasp, before smiling hugely and clopping her hooves together. "Oh my Celestia, I'm so happy for you two!" She galloped over to her friends, capturing both of them in a tight hug before releasing them and giving them room. Her eyes shining, she looked between the two. "You have to tell me everything. When did it happen? How did it happen? Was it romantic?" She asked, shifting her view to each pony as she asked a question.

Spitting the book out, Pinkie still had a giant smile on her face. "Oh! Wait until I tell everyone! OH! I know! I know! This calls for a party! A big one! With balloons and streamers and heart shaped cupcakes! Oh oh oh and some sarsaparilla! It's been awhile since I had any of that! A giant fantabulous party!"

"Now just hold on apple-pickin' minute, Pinkie Pie! We haven't gone and told anypony yet, 'specially not Rainbow Dash and Rarity, and Ah reckon they best know from us rather than somepony honoring us with a party!" Applejack rebutted, a look of worry on her face. Pinkie frowned and stopped hopping up and down, looking absolutely crushed at the idea of no party at all for her friends. Her friends who were in love.

Fluttershy stepped forward, looking between Applejack and Pinkie Pie. "I, um. Maybe we could tell Rarity and Dash... and let Pinkie let everyone else know?" She murmured, her foot kicking against the ground as she let the others think about it. Looking into Applejack's eyes, the Earth pony initially seemed against it, but suddenly softened.

"Ah- Ah reckon that would save us a lot of time." Applejack conceded. No one could let the whole town know big news quite like Pinkie could. Her ability to get around was second only to Rainbow Dash - and even then she wasn't completely sure about. Somehow that pony could get anywhere faster than what should be possible. Looking again to Fluttershy, she finally nodded. "Well okay then. Ah guess we'll have us a party after all."

Gasping again, Pinkie's smiled returned as she hopped into the air higher than Twilight could prove ponies had to ability to, and landed without a hitch. "Oh yay! Oh yes! It'll be huge! It'll be Gigantic! Enourmous! The hugeosity of it all will put all my past parties to shame!" Pinkie Pie looked wildly about before Applejack stuck her hoof over her muzzle.

"Jus' make sure not to be invitin' anypony until after we've had words with Rarity and Rainbow, okay?" She asked, looking Pinkie in the eye with a critical look. The only response from Pinkie was a simple head shake until Applejack let her hoof drop to the ground.

"I Pinkie swear! No pony will know until Rarity and Rainbow Dash know. Until, no pony knows! Except us! Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" And with that, Pinkie Pie rushed out to get the party ready, but what for, nopony knew but those present knew.

Cringing, Twilight was reminded when she had completely whiffed that saying and had stuck a hoof full force into her open eye - the pain of which was enough to make sure she never made such a mistake again - only using a Pinkie promise in the most dire of situations. Sighing wistfully, Twilight picked up the book that Pinkie had spit out and levitated it back into the shelf, before turning back to her friends. "It's so great that you two found happiness in each other. I've spent so much time here, I hadn't even begun to think about something as deep as love," she confessed.

"Oh, well, we haven't been... together, for very long," Fluttershy admitted, blushing a little.

Twilight nodded. "Of course not, Pinkie would have exploded twice if it had happened anytime before now and held it in," She let out a soft laugh which Fluttershy repaid in kind, even eliciting a snerk and a chuckle from Applejack. "Still though, I am happy for you two. I can say right now I can think of no two ponies better suited for each other's strengths and weaknesses than you two." Smiling, she gave them both another, softer hug, before heading to the door. "I've got a couple things I need to do, and I hate to leave you because I have so many questions, but they are rather important. I'll see you two later at Pinkie's, though, okay?"

The two mares looked at each other, before looking back at Twilight. "Well alright then. Thank you, Twilight, fer bein' so understandin'," Applejack said. Twilight shook her head.

"Think nothing of it." Smiling, she waved and headed out into Ponyville, to settle a few tasks before tonight.

"So you two are..." Rarity breathed, her hoof pointing from Applejack to Fluttershy and back again. Fluttershy nodded meekly, a bashful smile playing on her featured, while Applejack just tried to look proud of her decision in front of Rarity. There was a long moment of silence, before Rarity simply just fell on her haunches. "Well... I'd be laying to say if I wasn't disappointed."

Suddenly Fluttershy's face fell, and even Applejack looked crestfallen. Looking away Fluttershy sighed, her voice wavering on a whimper. "Disappointed...?" She breathed.

"Well, yes, dear. I'd of thought you'd have told me by now." Rarity said, her eyes unassuming. "We spend almost every weekend together, darling. But I suppose this is my fault for not bringing up the subject of romance." Applejack simply looked peeved at Rarity's aloof display, but Fluttershy had moved alongside her, nudging her partner to simply let it go. "Of course, I suppose this means you're invited to our little trips to the spa, as well, Applejack. I have so much to ask you and it would be ever so much fun!" Rarity went on, pulling out fabrics and laying them on her table.

Shaking her head violently, the farmpony rejected the idea outright. "Ain't no way Ah'm going ta' any fru-fru spa." Applejack berated, her eyes falling into half-moons. Rarity was always trying to get her to go and pretty herself up, but between working on the farm and spending what quality time she had with friends, she couldn't go wasting her time on things like that. Fluttershy giggled beside her, obviously entertained by the thought. "Oh, now you're wantin' me ta go to the spa, too?"

"Oh, no." Fluttershy shook her head, before pausing. "Well, I mean. Yes." She smiled, tilting her head to look at Applejack full on. "I think it would be fun. We wouldn't necessarily have to go with Rarity, but I think it could be... fun." She said, forcefully stopping herself from muttering more 'um's into her speech.

Sighing, Applejack shook her head in mock exasperation. "Confound you ponies, drivin' me ta spas." She mentioned, causing Rarity to pause. She had been talking the entire time about the two, but the couple hadn't taken any time in listening to her tirade. "Ah guess Ah could give the spa a try."

"Oh darling! That is wonderful news!" Rarity commended, before halting and merely smiling warmly at the two. "But do so at your leisure. I, for one, will not be forcing you to do anything you don't actually want to do to please me. I learned that lesson already." She said, nodding and smiling at Fluttershy. "Now, I simply must ask, if only to keep this pony from being driven mad - when did this happen?"

Fluttershy smiled, glad to know Rarity still embodied the generosity and compassion she was chosen for, and Applejack swallowed a bit before delving into the short version of what happened. Fluttershy stayed next to Applejack for the story, at one point merely laying down before Rarity shooed them over to her chairs towards the back of her boutique. As Applejack got to the part where Fluttershy confessed her feelings, the mare cleared her throat a little, 'causing the Earth Pony to pause her story. "It was after I admitted it... accidentally, though, to Caramel." She admitted, causing Rarity to smile.

"Oh, if only it were me you said it to. I would have loved to be there for you two." Rarity chimed in. In her mind, it was a thousand times more romantic, the storm, the pegasus, the hard-working earth pony. Why, she could simply write it all down in a love story and it would sell millions across Equestria!

"Now, settle down there Rarity." Applejack chided, a smile still on her face. "It ain't nothin' to be writtin' about. Just two ponies..." She trailed, nuzzling against Fluttershy. "Just two ponies gettin' closer than they ever dreamed."

Rarity smiled warmly, before levitating her dressmaking glasses over and placing them on her head. It was a sign that she was completely content with the two ponies' story, and was ready to let them go without trying to hold them back for more. Despite this, the three friends spoke for another hour afterwards, talking about just about anything. They noticed the time before too long, and Fluttershy reminded Applejack that Pinkie wouldn't want to wait long before the party.

"Party?" Rarity echoed, a look of interest on her face. "Don't tell me you told Pinkie Pie before you told me?" She asked, taking mock offense at the sheer suggestion.

"We, um, really didn't have a choice." Fluttershy related, blushing slightly. "She started shaking and everything all at once and-" She said, before Applejack finished for her.

"She got her Pinkie sense all over us before we even said hello." The orange pony seemed a little cold about it, but it didn't seem to bother her for very long.

"Oh, say no more, I know how our excitable Pinkie can get. She probably go you with her old hyper-combo as she so bluntly puts it. Really, it's everything a pony can do not to go mad when she's around to remove such secrets." Rarity would have gone on, but Applejack cut her off with a wavering hoof.

"Either way, yer invited to the party at Sugarcube Corner later on t'night. Ah suppose Applebloom will want to see Sweetie Belle there, so go ahead and bring yer sister."

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of leaving her behind for a party like this. I'll see you both there." Rarity said, waving them off, knowing full well that they still had other ponies to tell before the party. As the two walked off, Rarity sighed contentedly. "I suppose that's two ponies I won't have to worry myself over..." She said, looking back inside, a smile on her face. "Right, now what kind of dresses can I make for those two now..." She resolved to make new dresses for her friends to commemorate this occasion, and smiled. "Maybe French Haute couture..." She mused, before shaking her mane. "I wonder if Applejack would really go for something so high class..."

Looking up at the cloud house, Applejack nudged Fluttershy a bit. "Now go on then, Ah can't go up there myself." She mentioned, waving side to side to drive home the point at the lack of wings. "Just get her back down here and we'll tell her together." Applejack added, not expecting Fluttershy to do all the work alone. "Ah wish Ah'd have remembered ta ask Twilight fer that cloud-walkin' spell again." Applejack mentioned idly. When she was up in Cloudsdale, she quite liked the sensation of walking on the fluffy white masses.

Gracefully taking to the sky, Fluttershy didn't have to go very far up to reach Rainbow Dash's home, and took a look around. Same as always, the rainbow river that flowed between the clouds silently tricked and repeated its journey, somehow keeping itself from flowing all its colors together in a way that Rarity had continually asked Rainbow how she pulled off. Apparently, Rainbow fabric was hard to come by without intense magical persuasion. Breathing in deeply, Fluttershy reached a hoof out and knocked deftly on the door.

As she waited, Fluttershy reflected on her last few days. They'd had been like a dream, full of companionship, lost hours just enjoying each others company, talking about just about anything. Looking over the edge, Fluttershy could see the orange earth Pony smiling up at her, 'causing her to fill with feelings of elation.

"Fluttershy? What're you doing here?" A voice called from behind the mare. Turning back around, the pink pegasus could see the tired face of the fastest flier of all of Equestria staring back at her. "It's like, six in the morning..." She complained, yawning long and loud, before walking out into the sunlight.

"It's... It's past four in the afternoon, Dash," Fluttershy informed, expelling a soft giggle at the mare's sleeping schedule. "You must have really tired yourself out after that storm," she added, looking up at the now cloudless sky above them."

Rainbow Dash completely ignored how off her frame of time was, and merely gave the sky a look of pride. "Oh, yeah, that storm was awesome. Totally cooler than any other storm this year. Clearing the sky afterwards it totally awesome too, you should try it sometime. You can jump on a few clouds and they'll rumble and flash!" Dash seemed content with playing up the work of weather ponies, and Fluttershy simply waited for her to finish, as with Rarity. "And then Cloudkicker almost stood on the cloud too long. Oh man, I've never seen a pony have their mane stand up like that! Hilarious!" Laughing heartily to herself, the pegasus suddenly realized that Fluttershy probably wanted something from her, causing her to briefly pause her story. "So what's up 'Shy? You got clouds that need bursting over by your house?" She asked, looking out in the direction of Fluttershy's cottage.

"Oh, no, not at all. It's gorgeous out there. Applejack and I were out there this morning." Fluttershy breathed in deeply, she reminded herself that she wasn't entirely good at keeping things as under wraps as some of the other ponies.

Dash raised an eyebrow in response, "Applejack was out there?" She asked. Fluttershy meekly nodded at the question, but Dash seemed to guess that the Earth pony would still be around, and checked over the edge. Sure enough, there was Applejack down below. "So, do you guys need my help or something? Twilight get another letter of 'extreme importance' from the Princess?"

Fluttershy quickly shook her head. "Oh, um. No. Well, I'm not sure, she could have since we were there, but um." She trailed. Blinking hard, she built up her strength again, looking to Rainbow. "We just had something we needed to tell you. Before Pinkie does." She gave a small giggle, reminded of the other ponies reaction. Unlike Applejack, she had found the display to be cute, far used to the pink pony's antics.

Considering it a moment, Rainbow dash outstretched her wings and checked them quickly, giving a self-confident smirk as she took to the air. "Alright, but what's with all this 'we' stuff with your two? I swear, I've flown around Ponyville a lot and I keep seeing you two everywhere," she mentioned idly, shooting down to the ground where Applejack stood. Fluttershy slowly followed suit, glad to have her solo part over with.

"Well howdy there, Rainbow." Applejack greeted, nodding her hat at her friend. "Catch enough shut-eye today?" She teased, 'causing to cyan pegasus to look indignant. "Ah, don't worry about it, Ah'm not here ta tease ya today." Rainbow took a second for that to register, before giving a suspicious look towards the Earth pony. Fluttershy landed nearby, walking around Rainbow and coming up next to Applejack, a little closer than most ponies would.

"Okay, now what is up with you two today?" Rainbow Dash accused. "You've been around each other for days and now you're here, waking me up at all hours of the morning-"

"It's tha' afternoon, Dash," Applejack muttered, raising an eyebrow at the pegasus.

Unamused at being corrected twice on the same subject so quickly after the last, Rainbow simply shook a hoof as if dismissing Applejack's remark. "Whatever, AJ. Just tell me what's up, I got some more napping to do before the next big trick I try. It needs clouds and I don't want to look all over Equestria to find enough for my next routine!"

"Rainbow, would you just put a hoof in it and let me and Fluttershy tell ya the news?" Applejack said, her own unamusement clearly stretching to her face. Someponies just love to talk. "It's right important and we'd like to get it done with while the sun's still out."

Pausing, Rainbow finally took a second to let the others have their moment. "Yeah, okay. What'd you want to talk about?" The pegasus finally said, giving Applejack and Fluttershy the room they needed to tell her.

"Nah ya see, Dash..." Applejack began, before finally going into the reason of their visit. Fluttershy helped out with some of the areas Applejack started to get a little red in the face in, and eventually felt sure enough in herself to take over once Applejack had had enough trying to relate the entire story to the now incredulous Rainbow Dash.

"And now we're, um, a couple now," Fluttershy ended, sheepishly. Applejack took the opportunity to nuzzle against her mane, which caused the blushing pegasus to redden completely, but she didn't object to the affection in front of Dash.

It was a long time before Rainbow Dash said anything. She just stared between the two, her rose colored eyes darting between the two as the gears in her head tried hard to digest this information. "You two are..." She paused, shaking her head. "No way."

"Well, um. You see.... Ahem. 'Way'." Fluttershy said, looking over Rainbow Dash's features. "Oh no, you're not... upset with us?" She started to feel absolutely awful, seeing her friend like this. She seemed like she was hurting, somewhat.

"No." Dash mentioned, closing her eyes. "I'm... not upset with either of you. I'm happy. Really, I am! But... have you told... any other ponies?" She asked, her voice shallow.

"Yep, we already told Rarity," Applejack informed, pushing her mane up a little to mimic the fashionable pony. "An' we didn't get a chance to tell Twi and Pinkie Pie 'fore Pinkie ambushed us. 'Parrently that party pony's been waiting awhile to hear this - she told us 'fore we could tell anypony," she admitted, chuckling a little. "Now Dash, I know that look on yer face. What's wrong?" Cutting to the chase, she had known that filly for longer 'n most in Ponyville, and she knew when something was up - not as well as Rarity, mind, but she was getting better.

"I just... didn't know they were all... alright. With... y'know, that," Rainbow chuckled dryly. "I mean, I knew Pinkie would, but I had no idea about any of you. Or any clue that you two were fillyfoo-"

Applejack's hoof instinctively shut Rainbow's trap before she could finish the term. "Nah don't go around saying stuff like that. Ah don't like that term one bit!" she expressed adamantly.

Rainbow paused and rolled her eyes, backing off to release her mouth. "Sorry, I guess," she dismissed, before stopping herself. Blinking hard, the pegasus repeated herself. "No, I mean it. Sorry. Really."

Fluttershy stepped forward. "Don't be, I know that's the only term we ever hear back in Cloudsdale," she expressed, causing Applejack to nod slowly. She always guessed that's why she always heard the term fly out of the cyan mare's mouth. "Dash, is there something you'd like to tell us?" Fluttershy had gotten wind of Dash's mood at this point, and was busy trying to figure out just what could be holding her friend back from her normal attitude. Applejack, however, had a pretty decent idea.

"You can tell us anything, sugarcube. We're your friends, we won't treat you any different, just like you won't treat us any different now that ya know." In response, she gave Fluttershy's cheek a peck, causing the pegasus' cheeks shift from yellow to red in record time.

"Well, you see..." Rainbow sighed. "I'm kinda... like you two. In a way. Not completely." She kept backing up with her words, before sighing. At this point Fluttershy caught on to the real reason, and nodded slowly. Seeing her friend's reaction, Dash sighed long and hard. "Yeah, I guess. I guess I like mare's too," she breathed. Stamping her hoof, she looked up hard and fast, "Not that I don't like colts, too! It's just that ever single one has been a jerk or tried to prove something, or race me or... I just don't get a lot of that from girls," she admitted slowly. Applejack looked visibly surprised, regardless of her previous expectation. She had thought Rainbow didn't have time to think much on the subject, but the way it was affecting her - it must of been on her mind a lot.

"WAAH-HOOOOOO!" Screamed out a voice, causing all of the present ponies to look wildly about. A small bush, not more than two feet around, suddenly shook about violently. From it, a pink blur came shooting out, coming between all three girls and coming to rest near Rainbow Dash. "Oh this is wonderful! Truly amazing!" Pinkie shouted. Dash looked absolutely terrified a moment, but Pinkie just went about bouncing around the trio, laughing as she did. "Applejack and Fluttershy are in love! And now they've told everyone! And now I'm excited, hey Dashie are you excited? We're gonna have a party with cake and streamers and ballons! Ooo! I wonder if I can get Twilight to make heart shaped balloons! That'd be A-Maz-Ing!" The mare cheered and whooped for her friends, until it was Dash's turn to stick a hoof out to halt the Element of Laughter.

"Pinkie, how long have you been there?" she exasperated, not getting into the how or why she had managed to conceal herself in such a small bush.

"For an hour. Maybe two. I was just SO excited that I wanted to throw a party for these two but they wanted to tell you and Rarity before I could so I hopped around all day trying to get things together and I stopped by Rarity's but I saw this Caaaaa-yute couple in there already and I figured if they were talking to her then they hadn't had time to talk to you and I wanted to know, just know when I could start telling everypony and get the party started and-"

"Pinkie!" Surprisingly, the call had originated from Fluttershy, who was trying to hold back a fit of laughter from the pony's speech. "I mean, um... I'm happy you're happy, but if you want to start the party... I think you need to go and get ready," she asked, tilting her head somewhat.

"Oh! Uh-huh! That's right, parties take a lot of time to plan and set together! At least the fun parties are, and mine are always fun!" Pinkie said, putting a hoof to her chest as if solemnly swearing on it. "But it's sooooo great that Dash is open too, because now everypony can congratulate her on being so super-dooper brave! See you later gators!" As she hopped off, the others shook away their dumbfounded looks as they watched the pink earth pony go, a toothless alligator snapped to her tail, waving about as Pinkie made her way back to town.

"Pinkie Pie.... She's so random." Dash sighed, shaking her head, a welcome smile playing on her face. Suddenly, her face froze as she looked after Pinkie. "Wait, open? Pinkie?! PINKIE!" She shouted, chasing after the blur of pink to the laughter of the happy couple.

And from there the other citizens of Ponyville had come to understand their relationship as something more than Friendship. It didn't take long for Applebloom to start putting two and two together and outright asking Big MacIntosh just what was up with those ponies. "Ah didn't know two mares could do that!" She gasped, before stomping her feet. "Now why hadn't anypony told me?"

Big Mac smiled at his little sister, "'Causin' you never asked," he bleated, setting the table as Granny Smith prepared the dinner alongside Caramel. "Ponies can love each other, don't matter if they're the same gender," he said, nodding his head as he took a seat on the floor, his large size bringing him up to the table higher than those sitting in chairs.

Applebloom paused at this. "Well okay." She said simply, not giving the issue much more thought. "Ah just wish they'd have gone and told me instead of just askin' me to come home like this. Ah'm a big pony, Ah can understand when ponies need alone time to hug and stuff." She said leaning over to take a bite of hay that Caramel had placed on her plate. Granny Smith started to laugh, which caused the older ponies to crack a smile, Big Mac stealing a few guttural chuckles as Applebloom looked between them all. "Now just what in tarnation is so darn funny?"

Alongside the barn was a hill that looked out over all Sweet Apple Acres, and unlike the rolling hills, it was not peppered with multiple apple trees, but only a single tall one at the very top, a small tire swing attached to one of the low hanging branches. Underneath the leaves, Applejack and Fluttershy rested after another day of work. Fluttershy was nestled right up against Applejack, breathing rhythmically as the two stared into the sunset, completely at peace. It had been a couple years since the party Pinkie Pie threw in their honor, and it was one where a surprising number of ponies let on to their true colors, Rainbow Dash included. Even Twilight Sparkle mentioned in passing that she didn't see anything wrong with it, and wasn't adverse to the idea of dating a mare should the occasion arise. It was the start of so much for the ponies in Ponyville.

But for now, the two loving ponies were simply enjoying their presence together. It was a long time before any of them spoke, but Applejack finally broke the silence. "Fluttershy?" she asked softly. The yellow pony lifted her head up slightly and turned to look at the honest pony. "Ah was thinkin'. I really do appreciate all the hard work you do here at the farm, and I know Applebloom is givin' you a lot of free time with the animals..." she trailed.

Exhaling deeply, Fluttershy closed her eyes. "I understand, Applejack. I'm not stressing myself, and I'm making sure not to carry more apples than I know I can," she said simply. "I know you're worried, but I can take care of myself," she said, before smiling up at Applejack, "Not that I mind you doting over me." Nuzzling against Applejack, the Earth Pony sighed, defeated.

"Well alright then, but only for another couple of weeks, max. After that, it's more rest and relaxation than yah'ever thought possible, ya hear?" Applejack said, her voice tinged with worry. "It's at the tail end of applebuckin' season anyway. So most of the work is done anyway," she continued.

Fluttershy closed her eyes and put her head back down on her hooves, nuzzling back into the hold she had earlier in Applejack's hooves. "Okay, Applejack, it's a promise." Fluttershy giggled some. "I'll stop working so hard. I guess I'm just used to doing things no pony thought possible." She murmured softly. Applejack smiled warmly, nodding.

"Thas' right, we are," Applejack agreed, her mind turning the idea over in her head. "With a little help from Celestia on our most recent occasion." She added, chuckling. As they lay, Applejack's free hoof stroked Fluttershy's mane, reaching the pony's inflated midsection.

As they lay, she could feel the little foal coming to rest underneath, and she smiled. Granny Smith needn't worry about waiting much longer for great grand-fillies.

AppleShy Short: Fourth Month

Applejack tasted the dry, arid atmosphere, her tongue lazing out absentmindedly. The constant clatter of metal against metal was dulled through the wooden cabin of the train car, the last vestiges of the day hanging just over the horizon. The mare yawned, her sun dried tongue hastening its retreat back into her mouth. The feeling of it in her mouth was not unlike sandpaper, and Applejack made as if to move to get a drink of water, but an ebb of warm softness kept her from moving. Eyes trailing against the obstruction, Applejack’s gaze fell upon the sleeping form of Fluttershy, nuzzled up against her in a peaceful embrace.

Oh yeah, that. Applejack inwardly commented, feeling a bit silly. She had been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn’t even noticed her friend’s drift into slumber. The two had spent much of the early morning and afternoon playing whatever entertainment they could find, exploring the train they hadn’t a chance to see the last time they had taken the express to Appleoosa. It was no wonder the poor pegasus had tuckered herself out.

The trapped pony’s ear twitched as she heard the tell-tale clang of glass against metal as the refreshment trolley came through their car. As the stallion made past the girls, the farm pony hissed so as not to wake her sleeping friend, causing the green unicorn to pause his cart. Applejack was pleased with the result, quickly reaching up for her hat with a free hoof. “How much can Ah trouble you fer somethin’ to wet this poor mare’s whistle?” she whispered.

The stallion looked over his remaining choices on the cart before his phoenix-red aura took hold of a number of different drinks. His eyes never once fell upon the buttercream colored pegasus, merely dealing with his customer. “I got water, sarsaparilla, and a bit of applejack left. You’re not gonna get better outside of Appleoosa, that’s for certain,” the stallion returned with equal volume, knowing not to wake sleepy passengers. Tempting as it was, Applejack herself had to forego her namesake, her eyes trailing across the smooth pink mane in front of her.

“Ah’ll take water. ‘Tain't much longer to Appleoosa, Ah reckon. Ah’ve not made the trip all awake, but Braeburn said the car makes it out just ‘fore ten, and he’s meeting us at the station. No good bein’ silly ‘fore bed.” Applejack’s explanation was without active audience, the stallion having been focused on pouring the water expertly, sliding the wide open cup in front of the mare, who greeted the sight with a grateful smile. Pulling her hat down, the orange pony was about to pull out some bits before the auburn maned pony shook his head. “That’ll be alright, miss. I know these tracks like my front hooves; we ain’t got much further to go - we’ll restock on beverages when we hit Appleoosa.”

Before Applejack could cut in with a proper retort, the unicorn quickly retreated out the back car, taking full advantage of the mare’s position as pegasi pillow to get away with going against Applejack’s honest nature. Eliciting a small chuckle at the unicorn’s tactile perception, the mare took a long hard drink from her cup, nestled neatly between her hooves. “Appleoosa. It’s gonna be good to see Braeburn and the others again.”

“Mmmph...” was all that squeaked from the shuffling form of the pegasus beside her. She nuzzled even closer to Applejack’s rough body, heat rushing toward the conscious mare’s cheeks as Fluttershy’s wing reflexively landed across Applejack’s back, pulling her in as the mares touched muzzles. Planting a feathery light kiss on Fluttershy’s lips, the blushing Earth pony couldn’t help but feel the butterflies in her stomach. In her mind, it was only right for this pegasus to be the pony to make her feel this way, and she had long since forgotten that they were two mares in love. To her, and to most of the folks at home, she was a pony in love with another pony.

But out here, that old thought was coming back to her, nipping at her subconscious. The ponies of Appleoosa were a far more conservative bunch. As memory served, Big MacIntosh had come out here following a small problem when their sheriff, Silverstar, had run off to be with a buffalo. Ever since, Braeburn hadn’t written of any trouble, but her cousin was never much for writing home to Sweet Apple Acres to begin with. Still, he had invited Applejack out to Appleoosa for a visit, and seeing that it was off-season at the orchard, by golly, she was gonna go see her favorite cousin. Applejack smirked as her eyes fell on the sweet, slumbering pony beside her.

Not to mention it was time that could be spent alone with her marefriend. However again, as soon as the thought entered her mind, that freeze of unease filtered through her body. Her tail twitched against her will, brushing uneasily against Fluttershy’s own, causing the fragile form to fidget. Calming herself, the honest mare took another drink of water, finishing off a third of the generous cup as she laid her head down next to it.

Opting to stare out the window, the mare could see some track for a turn up ahead, and beyond it, Celestia’s sun was fighting a losing battle against the horizon to the west. Applejack’s mind diverted at the thought of the Princess. It was gratifying to learn that Celestia herself condoned the relationships between similarly gendered ponies. What she hadn’t been too keen on was Twilight’s revelation that that knowledge had come when she had sent a letter regarding something she had learned about friendship during Applejack and Fluttershy’s ‘coming out’ party Pinkie Pie threw. While there was no harm done, the pony felt the cold shiver of ‘what if’ Celestia hadn’t been in support of it. It took a male and female to make a newborn. ‘Twas only natural that way. At least, that’s what she had been brought up to know by Mayor Mare’s old classes in Sex Ed.

Applejack shivered at the memory.

“Applejack...?” The sound of Fluttershy’s voice, however quiet, startled the pony, causing the farm filly to jump. The sudden movement prompted Fluttershy to lock her wings, which only caused Applejack to nuzzle closer to the pegasus, much to the blushing of both ponies, Applejack’s tail twitching abruptly. After a moment where they moved feet and wings to get into a separate yet comfortable position, Applejack gave a pained smile to her marefriend.

“Sorry fer wakin’ ya, sugarcube. Didn’t mean to upset ya like that,” she apologized, the pegasus shaking her head as Applejack spoke.

“No, I’m sorry. I said I was going to stay up with you until we got there, and then I went and fell asleep.” Averting her gaze, the pony could only give a sad smile as penance for her mistake. “I’m sorry.”

Applejack smiled, sweetly moving closer to her best friend. “Now don’t worry about it none, ‘Shy. It’s a long, hard trip out to Appleoosa and it’s been a long day full a’ games and what-have-you on this train. Ah don’t blame ya one bit fer bein’ plumb tuckered out by sundown.” Looking out the window, the rumbling of the train saw fit to steal away the window view she had before, opening up the landscape before them. Apple orchards could be seen, stretched out like a spider’s web, with large, bulky shapes barrelling through the trees below. Applejack’s tail twitched about as it swung left a moment. “Well, look’n like we’re nearin’ our destination.”

“Applejack...” Fluttershy called, the orange pony turning towards the large sapphire eyes. She was surprised at the look of concern that hung on the graceful features, and more so when she kept eye contact. “You’re bothered...”

“I’m sorry?” Applejack gaped, her eyebrows askew at the accusation. “Bothered ‘bout what?” The steely cold wind from her heart brushed the tips of her hooves as Applejack’s face slowly began to fall, her heart not letting her hold out much longer.

Fluttershy looked back at Applejack’s twitching tail. Slight as it was, the twitches and random directions it flew were not swapping any flies. “Your tail always fidgets when something is bothering you,” she said innocently, her eyes matching against Applejack’s own emerald orbs. “Is something wrong?”

Applejack opened her mouth as if to speak, but only a strangled breath managed to escape her mouth. She hadn’t imagined herself in any sort of bother, but the cold that crawled up her leg and took hold of her heart was present, and Fluttershy’s kindness would not ignore it. Sighing, the pony took a large draft of water, feeling the cool drink pass down her throat and cool her nerves. “Ah should know better than to try and keep somethin’ from you, sugarcube.”

“I didn’t think you wanted to, but if it’s that important, than maybe you shouldn’t, if it makes you uncomfortable, I mean,” Fluttershy backpedaled, not wishing for Applejack to feel forced. “I-I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“Nah, Fluttershy, you have every right to get me ta come clean, and if ever you ‘spect Ah ain’t being proper with you, you let me know straightaway. Uncomfortable has everything to do with it, ‘Shy,” Applejack confessed, her eyes narrowing at her own weakness. “Ah’ve been sittin’ here, idlin’ with mah thoughts about Appleoosa. Ah don’t know much about the ponies out there, but they’re mighty old fashioned.” Fluttershy merely nodded, not letting go of her marefriend’s eyes for an instant. She inwardly recalled the town from their last visit, the southern rustic feel of the shanty town was very thorough.

“Ah remember Big Mac tellin’ me about some scuffle out here on account of somepony runnin’ and fallin’ in love with a buffalo, and they were just... plumb run outta town. They didn’t see it as proper, I ‘spect.”

“And you’re worried about us?” Fluttershy finished, having arrived at the point moments before Applejack could voice it. The orange Earth pony closed her eyes and averted her gaze, the cold grip of shame tightening around her heart.

“A-Ah’m sorry sugarcube. Ah thought Ah was over this silly thing when... when Pinkie threw us that party.” Hurt crawled from her voice as she looked through faded tears, watching the trees of the orchard blow by. “Ah guess it just got everythin’ out in the open for everypony, Ah didn’t have ta really think about how ponies reacted to us. But this is a different thing altogether, Ah don’t want Braebu-”

She felt a light peck on her cheek, her ponytail lightly pushed aside as Fluttershy cuddled closer. “Sugarcube?”

“I love you, Applejack.” Another peck on the cheek.

Tears started to drop from Applejack’s chin as she her pain screamed away.

Another kiss, this time on the lips. “I love you.”

A smile, wide as can be, accompanied the tears that rolled down the honest mare’s face.

“Love you,” another kiss, this time fully returned, as Celestia’s sun gave way into night.

“Ah love you too, Sugarcube. And don’t let me ever forget it.”