July 18th. Later that night...

“So... what exactly is this, Twi? Like, between the three of us?”

The three were in Rainbow Dash’s bedroom getting ready for bed. Applejack and Twilight were setting up sleeping bags on the other side of Dash’s bed.

Twilight paused for a moment, her brow furrowing in thought. “...I’m...not really sure. Um...” She looked from Rainbow to Applejack. “Are we dating? I mean, am I dating you both separately while you date each other, too?” She shrugged helplessly.

“Does it make a difference?” Applejack asked, flopping down on her sleeping bag. “If we’re all datin’ each other, how’s that different from us bein’ three couples that have the same ponies in ‘em?”

Dash shrugged. “I dunno, I was just wondering if there’s things you have to do for this. You gotta admit, this is pretty weird. I mean, it’s awesome, but it’s weird.”

Twilight nodded slowly, rubbing her chin. “This is rather different. Ostensibly, we are just courting each other all at the same time, like Applejack said at dinner.” Her frown deepened. “Ugh, what happens if we all make up our minds and it’s for somepony who chose somepony else?”

Once again Dash shrugged. “I can’t really make up my mind. I like you guys for different reasons. You fill different holes in me... giggety.” Dash grinned.

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “What the hay is that supposed to- ya’ know what? Nevermind.” She turned to Twilight. “Sugarcube, don’t you worry ‘bout that. Anytime you court a pony you risk it not workin’ out. Here, I reckon we just got two shots of it workin’ out rather than one.”

Twilight sighed and smiled wanly. “You’re right; I’m getting ahead of things.” Her smile dropped to a worried frown again. “Can we promise that no matter what happens we don’t let any of this get in the way of our friendship?” She shook her head, saying, “I couldn’t bear to lose either of you.”

“Course I can promise that,” Applejack said with a warm smile. “I reckon if the things me and Dash get into as friends can’t break us apart, there’s not much harm we all can do here.”

Dash nodded. “Come on, you guys oughta know me. I never leave my friends hanging.”

Applejack smirked. “Just takes gettin’ good and drunk to get ya’ to admit it, sometimes.”

Twilight inhaled and release her breath slowly, letting her shoulders slump. She stood from her sleeping bag and pulled Applejack into a hug. Glancing over her shoulder at Dash, she beckoned the pegasus to join them, opening a foreleg wide.

Dash smiled and leaped over to the two. She put a wing over AJ’s shoulder and hugged Twilight’s side, nuzzling the latter.

Pondering for a moment, Dash whispered, “You know... you guys feel really nice. I never thought about it before, but... yeah, you guys are nice to hold.”

Applejack rubbed her cheek against Twilight’s, then turned and nuzzled Dash. “I’m with Dash. Both y’all are a treat.”

Twilight’s face grew warm as she sat wrapped in the embrace of both mares. She willed it away, and for once her face listened. “You’re both so warm,” she whispered.

Dash smiled, noticing her face was growing warm as well. Deciding to feel bold, she leaned in and gave Twilight a tender peck on the cheek. The departure of her lips from the alicorn’s cheek was lingering.

A tiny meep of surprise escaped Twilight’s muzzle and she bit her lip, feeling a mass of butterflies fly loose in her belly. She ignored them and pressed her lips to Rainbow’s cheek. Sitting back with a daring grin on her face, she turned her head and kissed Applejack as well.

Applejack grinned and chuckled. She leaned over and kissed Twilight on the forehead, just below her horn. Then she turned to Dash with a wicked grin, and darted forward, catching the pegasus with a kiss full on the lips.

Dash’s eyes widened. Guess she was bolder than I figured. Grinning behind the kiss, Rainbow lazily began moving her free hoof down Applejack’s flank, gradually sandwiching Twilight between her two suitors.

Dash’s move surprised Applejack, but the cowpony’s eyes narrowed playfully. If Dash wanted a game like that, AJ wasn’t backing down. She ran a hoof along Dash’s side, to her cutie mark, then just a few inches farther back.

Deciding not to be outdone, Rainbow gave Applejack’s flank a firm smack. Grinning devilishly, she separated from AJ and looked to Twilight. The pegasus winked, asking, “Like what you see?”

Twilight blushed and looked down, but all that did was reveal the current locations of the other two mares’ hooves. A sudden urge to laugh passed through her mind and she smiled, thinking, Get over yourself. Twilight looked back up, caught Dash’s eyes, and leaned in to kiss her. She nonchalantly slid her hoof down AJ’s back and settled over the earth pony’s other cutie mark.

Applejack raised her eyebrows. “Oh my. Well, this is new.” She smiled, and nuzzled the alicorn as she focused on Dash. “Ya’ know, I expected this from a rowdy bunch of ponyfeathers, but comin’ from a princess it’s a happy surprise.”

Rainbow chuckled. “Yeah, damn, Twi.” She leaned in and gave Twilight a series of tender kisses along the alicorn’s neck, lowering to her belly. Along the way, Dash gasped out, “I know... I talk a lot... about AJ being hot... but... ho, fuck, you’re so cute!”

Twilight chuckled breathlessly, turning and nuzzling Applejack’s neck. “I’m just feeling...forward. Compared to that dream I had with both of you, this is tame.”

Applejack slid both forelegs around Twilight’s body, holding her gently. She smirked and whispered, “Is that so? Musta been some dream...” before lightly biting Twilight’s ear.

“Y-yeah...” Twilight whimpered. “Some dream that, uh...” she swallowed thickly, hugging Applejack back with one hoof and stroking Rainbow’s mane with the other, “seems to be coming true."

Rainbow squirmed as her hooves stroked Twilight’s flanks. She couldn't help it, this was too hot. It was getting to the point where she couldn’t ignore her arousal, and she didn’t want to. The pegasus purred predatorily.

“Twilight,” Applejack whispered tenderly. “You okay, sugarcube? If this is goin’ too fast, you just say somethin’ and it’ll stop right away.”

Twilight caught Applejack’s gaze and saw the powerful sincerity come off the cowpony in waves. She felt her heart swell and smiled warmly. “I’m okay,” she murmured. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been more okay in my life.” She rubbed her cheek against Applejack’s jaw. “It’s like...like I don’t need to worry about anything for a while right now.”

Rainbow stopped herself momentarily, to look at Applejack and Twilight. Smiling, she said...

"You fillies need to get laid. Amirite?"

Twilight tried to stifle a snort, but failed. She bit her lip to keep from giggling and shook her head. Her eyes glittered with amusement and excitement as she looked back and forth from Applejack to Rainbow. “So...plan B then?”

“Plan B.” Applejack nodded. She smirked down at Dash. “Show us what ya’ got.”

Dash laughed. “That a challenge?”

Applejack smiled at Twilight, then winked at Dash. “You know it. Let’s give Twilight a real rodeo.”

Grinning, Twilight said, “Plan B, then.”

Dash’s eyes narrowed in hunger and she lunged.

Damn, it was warm. Not to mention, soft... and very heavy.

Rainbow was the first to awaken, as her eyes fluttered open. Over the course of the night, the three ended up on her bed. Despite the fact Dash owned a king-sized bed, Applejack and Twilight didn’t seem to feel the need to separate themselves from each other, as evidenced by the fact that the two were sleeping on top of Dash in each others’ forelegs.

Rainbow struggled to escape her trapping. Her body was completely immobilized by the sleeping bodies. Waking one of them was Rainbow’s only option, much to her chagrin.

They’re too cute together, Dash mused to herself, watching Applejack and Twilight sleep in each others’ embrace, Twilight’s head resting comfortably in Applejack’s chest.

In spite of herself, Rainbow took one of her free wings and lightly tapped Twilight’s shoulder. The alicorn stirred momentarily before Rainbow repeated the action.

Twilight gasped and started babbling incoherently. “Huh? What, huh--”

“Shhh.” Rainbow Dash whispered to Twilight, placing that same wing on the alicorn’s mouth.

Twilight smiled against the wing, nuzzling into the feathers. “Mmm, morning, Rainbow,” she whispered, leaning away from Applejack to not disturb her.

Rainbow signalled Twilight to roll herself off of Applejack, to which she complied, rolling to the left side of Dash’s bed. Being slightly freed, Rainbow was able to delicately roll Applejack to her right. Once placed down, Applejack shuddered, mumbling something in her sleep, before snuggling up to Rainbow’s foreleg.

Dash turned her head over to Twilight and grinned. “Sup?”

Smiling warmly, Twilight snuggled up to Rainbow’s other side. “Not a lot. Just woke up,” she teased.

Rainbow snickered and contentedly sighed. “You feelin’ good?”

“I’m feeling great.” She leaned forward and pecked Rainbow on the lips. “Thank you.”

Rainbow furled her lips before sighing. “No... I’m sorry, Twilight. I kinda put you through a weird ride, didn’t I? Like, beforehoof, with all those letters. I know you’re not mad and stuff, but I feel bad about it.”

Twilight shook her head and nestled into Rainbow’s shoulder. “If I learned anything in the last...twelve hours or so, it’s to let go of the things you can’t control. Don’t worry, Rainbow. What happened happened. And...right now, at this exact moment, I wouldn’t want it to have happened any other way.”

Rainbow stroked Twilight’s face for the longest time, not saying anything. Eventually, she whispered, “...I remember when I sent you that letter where I was just starting this job, and I really hated everything and just didn’t want to deal. Your letter...” Rainbow didn’t finish her thought, as she lost her self control, closed her eyes, and gave Twilight a lingering kiss.

When Rainbow at last pulled away, leaving a smile on Twilight’s face, the alicorn breathed out a contented sigh and nestled back into Rainbow’s chest. “...I really don’t want to move right now. Maybe ever.”

Rainbow kissed Twilight’s forehead. “I know the feeling... but I really gotta pee, so one side!” Rainbow flared her wings out, pushing aside her mares and sending them rolling off the sides of the bed. The pegasus stood up and glided off the bed, galloping towards the door.

Before leaving, Dash yelled from the hall, “I’ll be back in a few with coffee from down the street! See ya in a bit!”

Applejack hit the floor with a thud. “What the hay?” She stuck her head up over the side of the bed, seeing Twilight laying on the floor and Dash nowhere to be seen. “What in tarnation was that?”

Sitting up and smirking in exasperation, Twilight said, “Just Rainbow being Rainbow. It’s a shame, really.” She glanced at the door and mock-sighed. “I was snuggling that.” She turned back to Applejack and crawled onto the bed. “C’mere; I wasn’t done snuggling you, either.”

Smiling, Applejack climbed back into bed next to Twilight. “Now that’s a job I know I can do.” She wrapped her forelegs around the alicorn and nuzzled her cheek, smelling Twilight’s mane as it brushed the side of her face. Her own mane had lost its ties in the activities of the previous night, and mingled with Twilight’s as they lay there.

Twilight opened a wing and wrapped it around Applejack’s back, pressing into the farmer’s strong and solid chest. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For last night. Thank you.”

Applejack blushed a little. “I reckon I oughta be thankin’ you. If I did anythin’ you liked, it was my pleasure.”

Her voice coy and tentative, Twilight murmured, “I’ve never done anything like that before. I’m glad I did, though. It was...eye-opening. I think I really did need to get laid.” She snorted suddenly. “Hey, I actually said it!”

“I’m proud I had a part in it.” Applejack smiled, giving Twilight a squeeze. “And it just goes to show how bright you shine, Twilight. You gave me and Dash a run for our money on your first try. I dunno if I’ll be able to handle ya’, when you get some practice.”

Twilight giggled, feeling her face warm up. It was a pleasant feeling this time and she rubbed her cheek against Applejack’s chest. “Practice doing that enough and I’ll be able to eat all the cake I want. You both are animals.”

Applejack chuckled. “I’ll admit maybe I was showin’ off a bit. I couldn’t let Dash think I couldn’t keep up with her. I’m just glad you liked it, I was a bit worried we’d get carried away.”

“Well, you’re welcome to show off anytime you want.” Twilight smiled warmly into the soft hairs of the cowpony’s coat. “Maybe you both did go a little overboard, but I think that made it better...” She inhaled deeply, smelling the mare, trying to live solely within the scent that was purely Applejack. “...I feel so safe with you.”

Applejack closed her eyes and smiled, giving a silent thanks to her lucky stars. “I want ya’ to feel safe, Twilight. Always. If you’re ever scared, or worried, just let me know. I’ll make it right, no matter what it is. I promise ya’ that.”

Twilight smiled, a small and contented grin pressed against Applejack’s chest. For a long time all she did was silently bask in the feeling of being wrapped up in strong and solid hooves.

Dash, wanting to make a grand entrance, kicked the door open, a tray of coffee cups in her mouth. “Crrhee!” she announced through her muffled mouth.

“What’s that again?” Applejack asked, just looking confused.

“Coffee, I think,” Twilight muttered, sitting up in bed and pulling out of Applejack’s embrace with some reluctance.

“Oh, good! We been dilly-dallyin’ all mornin’. And as much as I like dilly-dallyin’ with y’all, it’s time to get movin’.” Applejack hopped up, and trotted over to take a cup of coffee from Dash with a wink. Then she drank it down on the spot.

Dash scoffed. “You call that coffee chugging?” Rainbow grabbed her cup and held it up. “Lemme show you how it’s done!” She took a swig before yelping. “Hotototototootoototoottoot,” Rainbow stammered, putting down the coffee.

A wry smirk on her lips, Twilight floated her cup over in a glow of magic and took a careful sip.

Applejack chuckled. “Coffee’s supposed to be hot, Dash. Ya’ get used to it when you gotta get it down before chores. Now, I don’t suppose you got a kitchen in this place, do ya’?”

Dash nodded. “Yeah, but good luck finding anything to cook in this dump. I got a few oranges and some hay bacon left, and that’s it.”

Applejack frowned. “Well now, that’s a sorry state of things. I’ll write Mac again and make sure he gets ya’ some good food. How ‘bout if I treat y’all to breakfast?”

Rainbow shook her head. “No way, AJ! Come on, you guys are visiting, I can cover. I set aside some cash because I knew you guys were coming over.”

Twilight stood up and stretched out her back. Sighing in satisfaction, she said, “Breakfast sounds lovely, but do you mind if I use your shower first, Rainbow? I feel...” She frowned in thought and shifted back and forth on her hooves. “Sticky. I feel sticky.”

Rainbow grinned wryly and licked her lips. “You said it.”

Twilight giggled and rolled her eyes. “I’ll take that as a yes.” She cantered down the hall, shutting the bathroom door behind herself.

Applejack just smiled, watching Twilight walk out. Once the door was closed she turned the smile on Rainbow. “You were right.”

“I’m right about a lot of stuff. Be specific.”

“I needed that. And Twilight needed that.” Applejack walked over and nuzzled Dash.

Rainbow blushed brightly and cleared her throat. “Oh, um... yeah, glad I could help” Rainbow looked Applejack in the eye. “AJ, you’re not mad or anything, are you? I... could’ve handled a lot of stuff better. I could’ve been more honest and stuff. Instead, I mostly made a bunch of jokes that messed with you guys pretty bad.”

“I ain’t mad, Dash. The way I see it, we were all not bein’ honest in our own ways.” Applejack turned to poke through the tangled sheets for her red ribbons. “And most of the time, when I got mad at ya’, it’s ‘cause you were hittin’ too close to a place where I wasn’t bein’ honest. That’s a mess, lemme tell you, and you deserve better from me.”

Rainbow smiled and walked up behind AJ, wrapping her forelegs around the cowpony and squeezing her tight. “You’re good, AJ. You’re good.”

“I hope so.” Applejack found her ribbons, but just closed her eyes to feel Dash’s hug. “Uh, I don’t reckon in crashin’ you ever had a part where ya’ realized that you lost your everlovin’ mind, did ya’?”

Rainbow chuckled. “The hay are you talking about?”

“I just- I told the truth about how I felt, and wound up with two beautiful, talented, amazin’ mares... and now I gotta treat ya’ both right. I gotta make sure you’re both safe. I gotta be better at listenin’ to you, and sayin’ the right things so you hear me. I gotta be there for Twilight and make sure she’s okay with all this, and stays okay with it... I still got a farm to run, Dash, how am I gonna be the pony both of ya’ deserve?”

Rainbow patted AJ’s head. “This summer’s crazy for all of us. Just give it some time. Before you know it, the three of us will be back in Ponyville and we can just go from there.” Rainbow turned AJ around and held her face close to her own. She whispered, “And I’ll be back in Ponyville for good. Remember that.”

Rainbow gave Applejack a tender kiss. Once their lips parted, Rainbow continued, “After I had that dream, everything became so much clearer. The wonderbolts would have just taken me. Taken me from you, from Twilight, from everypony. Well, fuck that.” Dash brought Applejack to her chest and stroked her mane. “I know exactly what it is I want.”

Applejack nuzzled Rainbow gently, breathing in the smell of her coat. “I know ya’ do. And, I know what I want. I’m just hopin’ we can both handle it now that we got it.”

Rainbow grinned. “So you admit that you’re a pansy? Well, now, you can admit why you didn’t take down that gator.”

Frowning, Applejack shoved Dash away and set about tieing her ribbons into her mane. “I don’t know why I bother. Ya’ know, I really have lost my everlovin’ mind.”

Rainbow kissed Applejack’s forehead. “In case you didn’t realize last night, I like a filly who’s crazy.” Dash gave her lover a knowing wink.

Applejack smiled before she knew what she was doing. When she noticed, she chuckled at herself. “Lucky for you, you make me good and crazy. It’s like all the rules are upside-down with you. Every time you make me mad it turns me on, every time you try and be sweet it makes me worry.” Applejack smirked and wrapped a hoof around the back of Dash’s head, pulling her in and kissing her deep and hard.

The bathroom door opened and Twilight stepped back into the room with her mane and tail wrapped up in towels. She paused, watching the two mares embrace, and smiled warmly. “That is surprisingly fun to watch.”

Applejack slowly pulled back from the pegasus, then smiled at Twilight, “I’d be happy to show ya’ more, but we oughta get somethin’ to eat.”

“Yeah, I need some grub. Let’s head out.” Dash took the lead and trotted for the door.

Twilight smiled fondly at Applejack before turning to follow. She paused at the bathroom door and threw the towels back inside. She eyed herself critically in the mirror and frowned. “Ugh, I didn’t have a chance to brush my hair. Heck with it, I’ll be messy.” She shut the bathroom door and headed towards Rainbow.

Applejack nuzzled Twilight and trotted next to her. “Ya’ look awful pretty, messy.”

Twilight chuckled and shook her head. “And you look amazing without your hair ties.”

“Ya’ know, I been told that. Can’t say I see it, but what do I know?” Applejack chuckled.

After a relatively quiet breakfast, the three set out for the train station. Despite the collective desire to not separate, all three had their obligations in separate parts of Equestria.

While normally, most ponies in a relationship would embrace their lovers while anticipating their departure, this was another story and Rainbow Dash frowned in thought...

“So, do I kiss both of you guys goodbye, or is that not something you do publicly? I’ll be honest, I don’t wanna run the risk of having to explain to some idiot what our deal is when really I’m still not clear on what it all means.”

“It might be months before I see y’all again,” Applejack pointed out. “For me, I’d be happier with another kiss, whatever ponies I don’t even know might think. But, of course, I’m just a farm pony. If our little princess here is worried ‘bout bein’ seen, I reckon I can make do with last night.”

Dash grinned. “Aw no, she’s not getting away with not getting flustered. C’mere, Twi.” Rainbow grabbed Twilight and pulled her into a passionate kiss.

As Rainbow broke the kiss, Twilight blinked dazedly and grinned through her blush, She fumblingly got back to her hooves and attempted to straighten her mane. “Well.” She cleared her throat and stifled the desire to giggle. “I was going to say that I probably should care about that, but cannot make myself do so for the life of me. That worked, too, though.”

Applejack smiled warmly at Twilight. “Then ya’ don’t mind if I take a turn?”

“Only if you don’t mind me watching,” she answered playfully.

Stepping in front of Rainbow Dash, Applejack gently placed a hoof under her chin and drew her close. Rather than a deep kiss, Applejack planted a series of slow, tender kisses on Dash’s lips. Parting the last one, she whispered, “Just try and be good, for me.”

Rainbow chuckled and rolled her eyes. “Me being bad? Pssh, just try and stay sober, okay?” Dash gave Applejack a playful shot to the shoulder.

Applejack just shook her head with a smile. Then she turned to Twilight, and gave her a long, gentle kiss on the lips, adding a teasing lick at the end.

Grinning, Twilight nuzzled Applejack’s cheek. “I’m going to miss you so much.” She turned to Rainbow and nuzzled the pegasus. “Both of you. This summer’s been so hard already, and this is going to make it harder in some ways.” She stepped back, looking between the two mares. Her smile widened. “But I think it’ll make it easier, too.”

Rainbow smiled at the embraces she was receiving and, much to her embarrassment, the sentiment behind them. “...Fuck it. Who cares if they ask? I’mma flaunt you two for all your worth!” Dash lunged toward the two, tackling them to the ground and embracing them in a giant hug.

After a second of shock, Applejack just chuckled and hugged Dash and Twilight. “I’m gonna miss you girls, too. But if either of ya’ needs me, I’ll come runnin’.”

“And if anypony needs me, I’ll do whatever I can to get there,” Twilight agreed. “...Hopefully without threatening Luna again.”

Rainbow snickered as she heard this. “Yeah, Twi. Your bitch-fu is deadly.” Dash laughed as she playfully rustled Twilight’s still messy mane.

Applejack smirked and raised an eyebrow. “Y’all both better hope Twilight can keep Princess Luna in line... I hear tell she can watch your dreams. And from what I hear of you two, that’s quite a show.”

Twilight’s eyes widened and she meeped in surprise. “...I hope she’s forgiven me for being crazy at her and hasn’t been watching for the past few days...” She roughly rubbed her face with a hoof.

Rainbow chuckled. “So Luna watches dreams, eh? Kinky.”

“Well, I dunno if she likes that kinda dream, but I’m sure Twilight’ll stay on her good side either way,” Applejack said as a train whistle blew.

“Palomino Beach!” a conductor called. “All aboard!”

Applejack smiled sadly. “I reckon that’s me...”

Nodding, Rainbow Dash got off of the pile of mare and dusted herself off. Walking over to Applejack, the pegasus hugged her tightly. “Take care of yourself, aiight?”

“You know I will.” Applejack said, hugging Dash, then Twilight, one last time. “I’ll see you girls soon, and I’ll write ya’ soon as I get back.”

“Me, too,” Twilight promised. A second whistle blew from the other end of the platforms and a voice shouted out for Neighagra Falls. Twilight sighed and said, “I’m meeting back up with everypony there. So I guess this is it for now. I hope I really do get to stop in Palomino Beach.” She turned back to Rainbow. “I’ll be seeing you again before the summer’s out; this is the unofficial stop.”

Rainbow didn’t verbally respond to this, opting instead for pulling Twilight into a passionate kiss. Pulling away, Rainbow smiled brightly and once again rustled Twilight’s mane.

“Well on that note- ” Applejack smiled “‘ -bye, girls.” She turned and trotted over to her train, pulling out her ticket as she climbed onboard.

“Goodbye, Applejack!” Twilight called after the mare. She turned back to Rainbow and said more quietly, “Goodbye to you, too.” She turned and hurried to the other end of the station.

Rainbow waved the two off and watched both trains depart. Now, the pegasus was simply alone with her thoughts.

“What do I do with them gone now?” She asked herself. A realization suddenly hit her. “Oh, shit! It’s Friday, I gotta get to boxing!”

However, just as Rainbow was about to dash off to the gym, the pegasus caught a powerful scent... herself.

“On second thought, I should probably shower off AJ and Twilight’s stank before doing anything else.”

Author's Note

And here's part two, once again written in collaboration with bookplayer and Jake Roberts. The process on writing both of these was rather strange, seeing as we just hopped in a GDoc and got to work in some sort of cross between roleplaying and fiction writing. For something that sounds like such an utter mess, I think both parts turned out surprisingly cohesive and readable.

I'm gonna chalk that up to the two of them being awesome and talented.