Three months later...
“You made it!” Twilight exclaimed, as she pulled the door open wider to let both Applejack and Rainbow Dash in.
“Course we did,” Applejack said. “Not gonna let a little thing like snow stop us from coming to the party.”
“She also spent all day on the dessert,” Rainbow Dash added, running one hoof through her mane to dislodge the snow that had fallen on it. “Which, I gotta say? Being in the same house while that thing was cooking was torture.”
Spike appeared wearing a festive apron, his claws outstretched to take the basket from Applejack.
“I’ll put it in the kitchen until later,” he said.
“Thanks, Spike,” Applejack replied, handing the heavenly smelling basket over to him.
“Twilight!?” Starlight appeared with the snap of a teleport, her mane frazzled. “Where did we put the extra chips!? I can’t find them in the pantry and the bowl is almost empty!”
“What? They have to be there! I put them there myself!” Twilight turned to the pair. “Excuse us – minor emergency!”
With twin cracks, Starlight and Twilight disappeared.
Rolling her eyes in amusement, Applejack looked around, taking in the beautiful Hearths Warming decorations that Twilight and Starlight had clearly spent weeks on. Music and merriment from the party drifted through the open door at the end of the hallway, and Applejack caught a glimpse of a pony with a poofy pink mane leading other guests in a conga line, which made her chuckle.
Feeling very in the moment, she turned to Rainbow Dash, who was looking at her with a relaxed smile.
“Shall we?” Applejack asked.
The walk seemed interminably long, yet all too short as well. When they finally reached the door, Pinkie was the first to greet them.
“Finally! You two are laaaate!” she shouted. “Ooh, but you’re also under the mistletoe!” With one hoof, she pointed at the small berried twig hanging above the entrance. “You know what that means!”
“Does she…?” Applejack whispered.
“I didn’t tell her, but it’s Pinkie,” Dash whispered back. “I’ve learned not to ask questions.”
Applejack glanced around. Most of the partygoers were clustered in small groups, talking amongst themselves. Spike appeared bearing a tray of fresh treats, which was quickly set upon by some of the younger attendees.
They’d kept their budding relationship a secret so far, and Applejack appreciated her marefriend’s discretion. But she also knew that Dash wanted to make things more official, and that seemed like a right fine Hearths Warming Eve gift. Besides, most everyone seemed fairly occupied – it was doubtful they’d even notice.
She looked back at Dash. “Well, I’d hate to break tradition.” Pushing back her hat, she bent in to give her marefriend a kiss.
Rainbow responded in kind with surprising ferocity, and for a few moments Applejack was somewhere else, somewhere much more pleasant and sweeter than life had any right to be, not that she minded.
When they finally broke apart, she realized everyone was staring at them, their previous conversations forgotten.
She felt her cheeks redden a bit, and she pulled her hat back into its normal spot, trying to play it cool. Beside her, Rainbow was grinning in a punch-drunk fashion, lifting a wing to wave at a few of the other partygoers.
The first to break the uncomfortable silence was Rarity.
“Well, it’s about time,” she said, loudly and clearly as she trotted over to them. Smiling brightly, with a hint of happy tears in her eyes, she embraced them both.
“I am so happy for you two,” she whispered, pulling back to give them another smile. “I wish you both the best of luck.”
With the tension broken, Applejack found she could breathe again, and the couple started to make their way around the party as it resumed, exchanging friendly greetings and accepting congratulations from several of the partygoers.
“So what made you do that?” Rainbow asked, when they’d made their way to a quieter corner. “I mean, I’m not complaining, you definitely made me feel all gooey inside, but…was it just because of the mistletoe?”
“Nah,” Applejack admitted. “Mistletoe was a convenient excuse. You’ve been right patient with me, and I thought that I could do a little something for you.”
Dash’s face reddened, and she rubbed the back of her neck. “That was really sweet,” she admitted.
“Plus, since you have a whole thing about making out at Hearths Warming Eve parties. I didn’t want to break your tradition,” the farmer added.
“Tradition? That was a one-time th-“ Dash’s response was cut off as Applejack’s lips pressed against hers once more.
When they broke apart, both slightly breathy, the pegasus smirked. “Yeah, you’re right. This should totally be a tradition.”
“Just being honest, sugarcube” Applejack replied. “C’mon, let’s get some grub. I’m starving.”