//------------------------------// // Heart Warming // Story: Hearth's Warmin' Eve // by LunaTheFox //------------------------------// Three knocks. Applejack looked up from her mug of cider toward the door. Who could that be? I ain’t expectin’ anypony but my family—and they don’t need to knock. She waited for another knock, yet none came. Maybe I’m just hearin’ things, she thought. It was awfully hot in the room and after a long day of clearing snow from the roads, she had started to doze off, letting the warmth soothe her aching muscles. She flicked her ears and continued waiting. Another moment passed, and satisfied that her mind was playing tricks on her, she rested her head on her hooves and emptied her mind once more, letting the warmth take her back to her relaxation. Three knocks. There it is again. I guess somepony really is at the door. Applejack blinked the sleep out of her eyes and trudged over to the door, yawning. Who could be out here on Hearth’s Warmin’ Eve? She pulled the door open and her eyes fell upon Rainbow Dash. For barely a moment, her heart leapt at the sight of her best friend, until she noticed a layer of snow covered the pegasus, who shivered as she stared at the ground. “Rainbow!?” gasped Applejack. “What are you doing? You’re gonna get sick standing out here like that!” Rainbow Dash brought her head up to look at Applejack, her lips quivering. Well this ain’t good. Applejack’s face fell when their eyes met. Has she been crying? “Come on, let’s get you inside.” She walked around behind Rainbow and pushed her in, brushing the snow off her back as best she could. Pushing the door closed behind her, Applejack lead Rainbow to the kitchen and sat her down at the the table. Alright, now what? she pondered. I’ve never had to deal with this before. “Rainbow, what’s wrong?” Rainbow sat silently, placing her head on the table. “Rainbow... talk to me... please?” The pegasus kept quiet, her shoulders heaving. Applejack’s mood sank further as she watched her friend’s face twist in anguish. She tentatively touched Rainbow’s shoulder, who flinched, but Applejack kept her hoof in place. “Sugarcube?” Still no answer. Alright, time to try something new. Applejack had some experience comforting ponies from when Apple Bloom was younger, although she wasn’t sure if the same methods would work on Rainbow... they were certainly a little more intimate than usual— or at least they could be taken that way. Even so, Rainbow needed her to be there. Applejack wrapped her legs around Rainbow’s neck and cooed into her friend’s ear, “I think I know somepony who could use a mug of hot cider.” Rainbow sniffled and gave a slow nod. “I’ll be right back,” said Applejack, grabbing a mug from a cupboard and trotting over to the fireplace, filling the mug from a near-boiling kettle. She returned to Rainbow and placed the mug between her hooves. Rainbow grasped the mug and inhaled, letting the sweet, scented steam coming off the cider fill her lungs. The seasoned warmth banished the cold scratching at her throat, working its way through her chest in fiery tendrils, spreading to the very tips of her wings. She exhaled over the surface of the cider, casting ripples across it, steadying her breath. She reached her muzzle into the mug and lapped carefully at the cider. Applejack watched for a few moments. “Feel like tellin’ me what’s wrong?” she asked in as caring a voice as she could muster, brushing her hoof through Rainbow’s mane, freeing some of the ice that clung to it, the soft hair curling slightly around Applejack’s hoof as it passed through. She really does have a beautiful mane. “I—” whispered Rainbow, “...no.” “It’s alright, sugarcube. Ya can talk to me when you’re ready.” The cider cooled and Rainbow took the occasional sip as Applejack held her. “Hearth’s Warming Eve,” said Rainbow after several more minutes. “Pardon?” asked Applejack, startled. “It’s Hearth’s Warming Eve, Applejack.” Applejack furrowed her brows. “I’m sorry, Rainbow... but what’s so bad about Hearth’s Warmin’ Eve?” “I’m alone, AJ. I spend every year alone.” “Oh.” “My—my family’s gone and I have nopony to spend it with. Everypony else I know gets to spend it with the ponies they care about. Rarity, with her sister and parents, Twilight with her brother and parents in Canterlot, Pinkie’s throwing a party with the Cakes—Fluttershy even flew up to Cloudsdale to see her parents—and then there’s you and your sister, brother, and Granny Smith...” Rainbow pressed her muzzle into Applejack’s chest and drew in a deep breath. “But what about me? Nopony asked if I wanted to do anything. Nopony asked me to come visit. Not even for a few hours. Everypony... forgot about me. They just forgot.” Pangs of guilt welled up in Applejack’s chest. “Oh my gosh, Rainbow. I—I’m so sorry. I didn’t even realize and...” She paused a moment and avoided Rainbow's gaze. “I should’ve.” Shame. That's what it was. Shame twisted her stomach and drove daggers into her heart. The first pony Rainbow had ever trusted with the real reason she left flight school, the death of her parents, had completely forgotten about it. It had never even occurred to her that Rainbow might not have anypony to spend the holidays with. “I—stay here just a moment, Rainbow. I’ve got somethin’ for ya.” She gave Rainbow a squeeze and ran upstairs, leaving Rainbow to finish her drink. Applejack returned several minutes later with something draped over her back; it looked like a piece of worn fabric to Rainbow. The earth pony set the piece of fabric on the table in front of Rainbow, whose eyes widened as she realized just what it was—an old stocking with the letters ‘R.D.’ stitched hastily onto it. “Rainbow Dash, you can be part of our family today,” said Applejack, placing a hoof on Rainbow’s. “Happy Hearth’s Warmin’ Eve.” Rainbow traced the letters with her free hoof. “Do you... really mean that, AJ?” “I sure as sugar do.” The start of a smile crept onto Rainbow’s face as she heard the front door open. “Big sis! We’re home!” yelled Apple Bloom. Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash trotted out to greet the new arrivals. “Well, hey there, Apple Bloom! Have fun with your friends?” asked Applejack. “I sure did! Tried to get our candy cane eatin’ cutie marks today, but Scootaloo got her tongue stuck on one. Again.” “‘Evenin’, AJ,” said Big Mac, “How was your day? And, uh, miss Rainbow. What brings ya ‘round here?” Applejack cast a glance at Rainbow, silently asking permission, to which Rainbow agreed. “AB, Big Mac, meet your new sister for the day. She ain’t got no family of her own, so she’ll be spendin’ Hearth’s Warmin’ with us.” “Another big sister!?” exclaimed Apple Bloom, running over to hug Rainbow’s legs. “Scootaloo is going to be so jealous! Rainbow Dash is my sister!” “Heh, yeah, I guess she will,” said Rainbow, grinning down at the excited filly. “Well, Happy Hearth’s Warmin’, miss Rainbow. I hope ya like glazed squash,” said Granny Smith. “Eeyup,” affirmed Big Mac. “I’ve never had glazed squash, actually,” replied Rainbow. “Really?” asked Applejack, surprised. “I’m sure you’ll like it; we have it every year for Hearth’s Warmin’. Now why don’t we go hang that stocking of yours up with the rest of ‘em? AB, why don’t ya come help?” The three trotted into the living room and pinned Rainbow’s stocking next to Applejack’s. After admiring their work, the three were joined by Big Mac and Granny Smith, all of them joking, telling stories, playing games, and enjoying hot cider over the course of the evening, stopping only to dig into dinner—an expertly cooked glazed squash, corn pudding, corn bread, rolls, casseroles, and a whole assortment of vegetables. Dinner was followed by Rainbow’s favorite: freshly baked Apple Family apple pie. After dinner, the family gathered in the living room around Granny Smith in her rocking chair with a thick book upon her lap. Rainbow Dash laid herself down next to Applejack, just close enough feel their fur brush together when she took a deep breath in. Applejack was having none of this and gave Rainbow a look before wrapping her hoof around Rainbow’s neck, pulling her to an equal distance to herself as Big Macintosh. That is to say, snuggled against each other rather comfortably, which left a light blush upon the pegasus’ cheeks that went unnoticed by Applejack. “No need to be so shy, Rainbow.” She waited for protest from her friend, but when none came, she mentally gave herself a smug grin. Granny Smith opened the book up and smiling at her grandchildren all nestled together, she began to read, “Once upon a time, long before the peaceful rule of Celestia, and before ponies discovered our beautiful land of Equestria, ponies did not know harmony.” As the evening wore down and the story came to an end, Applejack and Rainbow bid goodnight to the rest of the family and Applejack led Rainbow to the living room where they settled down next to each other in front of the fire. “So, Rainbow, how’d your Hearth’s Warmin’ Eve go?” asked Applejack. “It was nice... really nice. Thanks, AJ.” “I’m glad, sugarcube. I still feel real bad about everythin’.” A bark came from across the room and the pair looked over to see Winona wagging her tail at the bottom of the stairs. Applejack chuckled softly. “Aren’t ya supposed to be in bed by now?” Winona simply kept wagging her tail. “Oh, right, ya usually sleep with me,” remembered Applejack. “Well, come on, there’s room for one more.” Winona barked happily and ran over to the two ponies on the floor, curling up against Applejack’s side. “I swear, that dog. Never wants to sleep without me iffin’ she can help it.” Applejack smiled and leaned a little more of her weight on Rainbow. When she turned her attention back to her friend, she noticed Rainbow had been staring into the distance. She gently prodded Rainbow’s side. “Sugarcube?” “Oh, wha—huh? Yeah, AJ?” “Somethin’ wrong, Rainbow?” Rainbow Dash sighed and shook her head. “No, no, everything’s great...” “It don’t sound great to me.” “Well, I just—I... I don’t know. It’s stupid.” Applejack rubbed her head against Rainbow’s. “Come on, Dash, you can tell me.” “I don’t know, AJ.” Rainbow rested her head on her hooves and flattened her ears. Frowning, Applejack hugged Rainbow closer. “Ya don’t have to say anythin’ if ya don’t want, but I can tell somethin’s botherin’ ya somethin’ fierce.” Rainbow took a moment to steel herself and calm the fluttering in her chest. Her entire body trembled as she inhaled deeply and opened her mouth to speak, “Applejack?” “Mhmm?” “Thank you. For everything, I mean. I’ve... I’ve never had somepony who’s always there for me. Not until I met you.” Applejack nodded and smiled. “I thought you were my best friend, but over the past few weeks. I think... I think you mean so much more than that to me now. I think... I like you,” said Rainbow, barely a whisper. Applejack’s heart skipped a beat. Did she just...? Hearing no reaction from Applejack, Rainbow pressed her face into her hooves and fought back the sadness grasping at her heart. A small squeak escaped Rainbow Dash and Applejack realized that she hadn’t responded. She brushed her hoof against Rainbow’s shoulder, and as Rainbow looked up, she was met with the most sincere smile she’d ever seen. Applejack pressed herself against Rainbow and brought their noses together in an affectionate nuzzle, Rainbow draping her wing over Applejack as they nipped gently at each other. Applejack moved her hoof to caress Rainbow’s cheeks and the warmth of the fire cascaded over the two as the moment ended, eliciting a yawn from both ponies. Rainbow held Applejack’s hooves in her own, each pony leaning against the other, and as the couple savored the close contact, they drifted off to sleep. And for the first time, in a long time, Rainbow Dash truly smiled on Hearth’s Warming Eve.