"Thanks again for takin' care of them vampire fruit bats, Rainbow," Applejack said, her freckles shining in the rosy glint of a fiery sunset. "I dun rightly know how you pulled it off, but we here at Sweet Apple Acres are plum grateful."
"Hey, don't mention it." Rainbow Dash cleared her throat as the two slowly trotted towards the entrance of the farmland. "I don't know how I p-pulled it off either."
"Hahaha!" Applejack slapped Rainbow's saddlebag as she guffawed. "Awwwwww shucks. Quite the jokin' varmint you are."
"Hey...!" Rainbow smiled crookedly. "That's my favorite kind of varmint!"
"Reckon that's one mighty coinkydink."
Before Rainbow could respond—
"Rainbow Dash! Applejack!" Fluttershy's voice rolled over the windblown trees.
Applejack and Raibnow turned to look.
Fluttershy was waving from the dirt path leading away from Sweet Apple Acres. "I must be going now! Big Macintosh offered to trot me home!"
"Dun surprise me in the least!" Applejack smiled and waved. "Y'all take care of yerselves, now, ya hear?"
"It was really, really nice talking to you, Applejack!" Fluttershy called out again.
"Just me, huh?"
"Ermmm..." Fluttershy blushed... then cowered behind Big Mac's chuckling figure as the two began their leisurely trot home.
"Friggin' crazy," Rainbow Dash muttered.
"In a good way, ya mean?" Applejack responded.
Rainbow shrugged. "I mean, I guess. Your brother's cool and all... for a stallion."
"Hah! Well, he sure as hay ain't no mare!"
Rainbow said nothing.
"I dun think I'd mind one bit..." Applejack slowly shook her head, gazing at the couple from afar. "Nosiree."
"Don't mind what?"
"Fluttershy becomin' an apple."
Rainbow Dash blinked. Hard. "Holy crap."
Applejack flashed her a look, blinking. "What?"
"I mean..." Rainbow rubbed the back of her head. "I had no idea it was that friggin' serious..."
"It's Big Macintosh, Rainbow..." Applejack chuckled lightly. "He only puts his heart and mind into somethin' if he means it. And he ain't ever fancied another pony before—not like he fancies Fluttershy."
"Yeah. And I'm totally happy for them. It's just..."
"S'all good, Rainbow Dash." Applejack winked. "I know yer not the romantic type."
"No, it's not that. I mean... Just because it's the first time either of them have fallen in love doesn't mean it's a done deal. Like... right?"
"Well... I dunno." Applejack shrugged. "I'm told it's how my folks came to be."
"Well, cool for them. But that's not the case for everypony." Rainbow looked down the dirt path. "I mean... did you ever marry the very first pony you felt your heart flutter for?"
Applejack bit her lip with a slight tremble. She tightened the brim of her hat. "Yeah... w-well..."
"I wish them the best. I really do. And I totally dig Fluttershy being happy and confident and stuff." Rainbow took a deep breath. "I just... I dunno. I worry about her, and I really don't want the two of them to rush it."
"Hahahahahahah..." Applejack smirked. "Rainbow, for Celestia's sake! We're talkin' about Big Mac and Fluttershy. Do you truly, honestly think they're capable of rushing things?"
Rainbow Dash exhaled. "Awwwwwwwwww barf..." She smiled crookedly. "You make a good point."
"I make the only point!" Applejack laughed again. "Let's not be too worried. She's our friend and he's my brother. We can trust them."
"Yeah... we can..."
"And... I'm all for them... bein' together, that is," Applejack said, her expression turning soft and angelic. "Even if they did wanna 'rush it,' I'd be okay."
"Yeah...?"
"Guess it's selfish of me..." Applejack shrugged. "...all my life, I've watched as... as the Apple Family l-lost ponies from its fold." She gulped. "Would be plum magical to see new members join us for a change."
Rainbow Dash blinked at her. "You don't have to just wait for your brother to make that a reality, AJ."
Applejack bit her lip.
"Or you can. I mean... whatever..." Rainbow Dash sighed... then sighed again. "I need to go."
"Yeah, I figured."
"Chasing around all those stupid bats made me crazy hungry. Also, I stink like a motherbucker."
"You wanna have a bite of apple pie?" Applejack gestured back to the house. "It's only fitting!"
"Hah! Not unless I can borrow your shower too!"
Applejack kicked at the ground. "Well..."
"Chillax, AJ. I'll be okay." Rainbow Dash flapped her wings and took off. "Everything's going to be okay."
Applejack smiled up at her, ears drooping. "Everythang is okay."
"Yeah..." Rainbow looked back at her with a soft smile. "Ain't it cool?" SWOOOOSH! And she was gone in a burst.
Applejack opened her muzzle, as if to shout something... but the prismatic pegasus was already a colorful dot against the darkening horizon. She reached up and steadied her hat, feeling the flutter from deep within...
...and elsewhere.
With a quiet breath, she turned and trotted back towards the front porch of her homestead.
Alone.