The sun set on the night of Twilight’s coronation. The train arrived back in Ponyville and the remaining five bearers of the elements of harmony said their bittersweet goodbyes. Applejack started her walk back to her farm.
“Hey, AJ,” Rainbow Dash called after the orange Earth pony. “Can I crash at the farm? Not feeling up to flying home tonight.”
Applejack raised her eyebrow slightly at her friend’s request. Rainbow had never been too tired to fly anywhere in all the years Applejack had known her. But nonetheless, Applejack had no reason to turn Rainbow down. Granny Smith was staying with her friends, Big Mac was staying with Sugar Belle, and Apple Bloom was staying with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle at the Carousel Boutique.
“Sure thing,” Applejack agreed, gesturing for Rainbow to follow her.
The pair approached Sweet Apple Acres. Rainbow was a sky pony through and through, but she had to admit that the farm had a peaceful vibe at night. They entered the barn where the family lived.
“Make yourself comfortable,” Applejack told Rainbow. “I’m gonna use the bathroom and get ready for bed. You can do the same after me. Then I’ll lead you to the guest room and we can hit the hay.” Rainbow agreed. After Applejack was done in the bathroom, she got a glass to keep beside her bed for water when she noticed that Rainbow Dash was staring out that same window she did when planning for the Apple Family Reunion.
“Whatcha thinkin’ about, Sugarcube,” Applejack asked.
"Twilight. My friends. Everything, I guess."
That told Applejack everything she already knew.
"You didn't want to come to the barn because you were too tired to fly, did you?"
"Was it that obvious?" Rainbow said, grimacing a bit from embarrassment.
"Oh come now," Applejack teased. "You know me well enough to know I can smell phony baloney from a mile away."
Rainbow rolled her eyes at her friend, but had to admit she was a little careless to think she could get past a pony like Applejack.
“I guess I wanted to see the farm. Don’t come here nearly as often as I should. And I get to spend some time with you.”
“But you could have just asked to come over, you know,” Applejack noted. “I would have been happy to host you.”
Rainbow fidgeted nervously.
“Well, okay… maybe the reason I wanted to talk with you alone here at your farm was more than just to spend time with a friend,” she admitted.
Rainbow looked into Applejack’s emerald eyes hesitantly. Not knowing what else to say, Rainbow slowly embraced Applejack and gave her a kiss on the lips. At first, Applejack welcomed the kiss. It had been a long day and it was nice to have an intimate moment with somepony she cared about. But then she put her orange hoof in between them.
"Rainbow, no. You’re emotional because Twilight's leaving. You're not thinking rationally."
"Twilight leaving is what made me realize that I've loved you for a long time and I had to say something. And admit it, you’ve had feelings for me for a while, too.”
“It don’t matter how I feel. Feelings are just feelings,” AJ murmured barely loud enough for Rainbow to hear.
“They are until we act upon them,” Rainbow said.
“Exactly! Rainbow, we’d kill each other!” Applejack insisted. “I’m sorry Dash. How can I say yes when I can’t say yes fully? We already fight over the littlest things because we can’t control ourselves when emotions get the best of us.”
“We’ll work through it. We’ve made it this far!”
“Have we? We can’t even kiss without quarreling!”
Rainbow blushed a color almost matching her magenta eyes. She and Applejack had gotten into so many silly arguments over the years that Rainbow hadn’t even realized they were now fighting over something bigger.
“Look,” Applejack continued. “I’m fond of ya, Rainbow. Truly, I am. And if we existed in a bubble, maybe I’d take you up on your offer. But life ain’t that simple.”
“I love you. What’s so complicated about that?”
“What do I have to offer you? You’re a pony who craves excitement. And sure, farming has its unpredictable and heart racing moments, but it’s not the same as the Wonderbolts.”
“I’d manage my time! I’d be willing to make sacrifices, Applejack. Aren’t relationships all about compromise and sacrifice?”
“Sure. But are you really ready to make those sacrifices now?”
“Yes!” Rainbow responded without hesitation. “Anything I can do to be with you.”
“No. I don’t want to be in a relationship where that’s the case. It ain’t healthy.”
Applejack appreciated the sentiment. Rainbow was the element of loyalty for a reason, after all. And AJ didn’t say it directly, but a part of her wished that she could see a future where she and Rainbow had a wonderful future together. But she knew better than to let blind hope get the better of her. She would hate the Wonderbolts society and Rainbow would hate farm life. She knew deep down everything would be horrid.
“As a filly, I wanted nothing more than to find that special somepony to marry and have foals with. But then…” An unexpected wave of emotion prevented Applejack from continuing for a moment.
“Then my parents died. My priorities changed. Dash, I’m the happiest I’ve been in years. I have a business that I’m proud of. I have amazing friends and family. I have the freedom to be who I want to be. If I were in a relationship right now, I couldn’t be my best self for my partner or anypony.”
While Rainbow could understand where Applejack was coming from, she didn’t want either of them to miss out on something great just because of fear.
“By that logic, you’ll never be your best self in a relationship,” Rainbow protested.
“Maybe that’s okay!” Applejack retorted. “Maybe I’m not meant to be a wife or a mother. Maybe it’ll be too hard to find somepony who’ll adjust to my way of life. If I don’t marry, so be it! I have so many more important things to think about. And frankly Dash, so do you.”
Rainbow had more responsibilities now than ever. She couldn’t deny that. Maybe Applejack wasn’t rejecting her out of fear after all.
“Nah, you’ll find somepony,” Rainbow said. “And you’ll love them with all you’ve got because that’s who you are. And when that happens, I’ll be there to watch.”