//------------------------------//
// 6 Together, at last 
// Story: Applejack's First Crush 
// by Cryogenii 
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"Yes Ah'm sure," said Applejack, rolling her eyes, "now yer my marefriend you don't have to sleep on the couch no more."

Applejack led Rainbow Dash up the staircase, their hooves tapping through the quiet hallway. A warm and gentle smile adorned Applejack's face as she guided Rainbow Dash towards her bedroom after their first official date as a couple. The soft glow of the hallway lights illuminated their path, casting a comforting ambiance around them as they quietly slipped past Sweetie Bell's room.

"Cool, I mean I really want to, you know," whispered Rainbow Dash, "but it just feels like so much is happening now."

"Well, ah reckon that nothing is threatening Equestria at this exact moment, so ya can stay the night!"

As they reached the door to Applejack's bedroom they paused momentarily, their gazes locking for a heartbeat that spoke volumes without a single word. It was a silent understanding, a shared acknowledgement of the significance of this moment between them.

"C'mon Dash, how many years have we been friends? Ah mean, you and me have known each other since way before Twilight rolled into town," Applejack teased to lighten the moment.

With a gentle push, the earth pony opened the door. The room radiated with welcoming character, bursting rustic charm as she invited Rainbow Dash into her personal sanctuary.  

Rainbow Dash felt a flutter of anticipation as she stepped into the room, her eyes taking in the subtle details that reflected Applejack's personality. The cozy quilt draped over the bed, the wooden furniture adorned with simple elegance—it all spoke of a home filled with love and authenticity.

Rainbow Dash sighed, "I know AJ, it just feels like everything's changed so fast in the last couple of days."

Applejack hung her hat on a peg that was attached to the back of the door before closing it.  She crossed the floor and gently sat on the edge of the bed.  "Too fast for you?" Chuckled the earth pony, "when does that happen!"

The Pegasus suddenly looked shy and vulnerable.  Shrugging she raised her eyes to meet her friend's, seemingly unsure of what to do or say.  Applejack slipped beneath the covers of her inviting bed, her body nestling into the softness of the lace-edged sheets. As she settled into the warmth and comfort of her haven, she extended a gentle gesture, inviting Rainbow Dash to join her personal space.  With a mixture of anticipation and a touch of nervousness, Rainbow Dash met Applejack's gaze.  With a soft smile, she folded her wings and slipped into the bed beside Applejack, feeling the warmth of their bodies drawing closer. 

They settled in together, side by side.  It maybe wasn't quite as comfortable as Rainbow Dash's cloud bed, but she wasn't at all concerned.  Applejack wouldn't actually be able to sleep in a bed made of water vapour like a pegasus could, but Rainbow thought that getting Applejack to spend a night away from the farm for anything less than an apocalyptic threat to Equestria was unlikely.

"I know," sighed Rainbow, "but you've no idea how long I've wanted to be with you."

"Huh, we've been together plenty o' times," said Applejack playfully.

"Not like this AJ," protested the pegasus, "it's so different.  I… I can…"

"What darling?" Applejack pushed herself up on one foreleg to look at her lover, evidently concerned at the other pony's sudden reticence.

Rainbow Dash paused, searching for the words.  She didn't often talk about her feelings, and this was going a little tougher than she had thought it would.

"It's like I can look at you.  I mean really look at you the way I want to, and not hide my feelings in case you catch me.  Let you know how I feel about you with my eyes because… I thought you were the most awesome looking filly from the first moment I saw you."

Applejack's eyebrows and voice raised in surprise, "You did?"

"Sure, even from the clouds above the orchard I could see that you were the most amazing pony," continued the pegasus, now seemingly determined to say what she needed to, "I was desperate to catch any glimpses of you as I worked."

Applejack's forelegs gently encircled Rainbow Dash, providing a warm and protective embrace. Rainbow Dash nestled her head against Applejack's chest, finding solace in the steady rhythm of her heartbeat, which created a soothing and comforting ambiance against the rapid cadence of her own.

"Oh, Rainbow, I felt it too," whispered Applejack, "I've had a crush on you ever since you started working in Ponyville."

"You have?"

"Surely.  Seeing you for the first time plum took mah breath away," confessed the earth pony, "and it din't get any easier when ah first spoke to you."

"I remember," said Rainbow Dash, "you were so kind that first time." 

Both ponies lay silently for a moment, lost in the memory of that long past day.  So much had happened since that time. Two young fillies had grown into strong mares, who'd faced terrible danger time and again, but had been too scared to reveal their feelings for each other.

"I was mighty jealous when Granny Smith got to clean you up that day," smiled Applejack.

"Yeah, I wished that it was you taking care of me for so long," sighed Rainbow Dash, "I… I… It just felt like… we were being watched the whole time."

The pegasus sighed and buried her face in Applejack's chest, feeling embarrassment over how crazy she was sounding.  The earth pony made soothing sounds and held her friend closely.  Before the moment could get too anxious for Rainbow Dash, her friend spoke. 

"Ah know what you mean. It's been downright awful feeling like I've had to hide my crush on you too.  Feels like so much time lost, when you could've been my filly."

Applejack felt the tension melt from her friend's body.  It seemed that the pegasus had been carrying a heavy emotional load for so long, that she was finally free of her burden and could relax.

"Of all the things I've done," said Rainbow Dash, "nothing has made me happier than today."

"You know, Sugar Cube," said Applejack, "this evening was everything I was wishing for too.  I love you Rainbow Dash."

Applejack couldn't believe she'd said it, but the words had just come as if they decided it was time.  She felt a shiver of fear as the pony held in her forelegs gasped and turned to look up at her.  The normally brash blue flyer had tears glistening in her eyes.

"I love you to AJ," replied Rainbow Dash, "it's so cool being able to say that."

"Ya can tell me every day," smiled Applejack, happy tears coming to her eyes too, " ah won't get tired of hearing it."

The earth pony rubbed her cheek softly against Rainbow Dash's brightly coloured mane.  "I've always been obsessed with your mane and tail.  'Specially your tail," she confessed quietly, "I've never stopped wanting to touch it."

"Oooh, that's why you grab it every chance you get," exclaimed Rainbow Dash, her eyes wide, "you're a total tail pervert."

"Why not? Ya a fine piece 'o tail, Rainbow Dash!"

"Now you can have it any time you like," smiled the pegasus contentedly.

"Ah'm never gonna want to let go," stayed Applejack.

"Well, you got me all to yourself for a couple of days," smiled Rainbow Dash, "I'm off the weather rota for a bit."

"Yeah? That'll be sweeter than pie," replied Applejack, "but farm life don't wait for no pony.  Gotta be attending to mah chores."

"I'll help, and we can spend the evenings together," suggested Rainbow Dash.

"Nights too, Sugar Cube. If'n ya want to."

"That'd be awesome.  Apart from I've got a Wonderbolt thing next week in Canterlot", said Rainbow Dash, "so it'll be pretty late if I do sleep here."

”That's ok, Sugar Cube," her Marefriend reassured her, "reckon ah'd rather have you here, even if that does mean sneaking in, in the middle o' the night."





Both ponies relaxed, the conversation nearly done for the day.  Applejack turned to look into Rainbow's eyes.

"When do you think we should tell the other fillies?" She asked, suddenly serious.

"I don't know AJ," replied her marefriend, "do you think they might be able to tell already? Are they going to be ok with us, being us?"

"Aw, don't ya fret," assured the earth pony, "we coped with some pretty big changes, like Twilight sprouting wings… and godlike powers."

"Yeah, I guess.  It can't be any weirder than Rarity launching her fetishwear label."

They both paused, remembering the surprising turn of events when Rarity launched a new business venture. They exchanged glances, recalling the moment when Rarity unveiled her collection.  The expressions of shock and astonishment that crossed their faces on that day, as they struggled to reconcile the elegant and refined Rarity with the bold and daring designs she had created.  Then they had all rallied round RaRa (as the new label was called) and accepted this new part of their friend's identity.

"Honestly," smiled Applejack, "I'm more worried that Pinkie Pie might come bursting out from under these blankets with her party cannon at any second!"

With a giggle the pegasus pony beside her started wriggling down under the bedclothes.  Her rainbow coloured mane being the last thing to disappear beneath the cosy blankets.

"No crazy party ponies down here," came a muffled voice, its owner diving ever deeper down into the bed.

"Quite yer horsin' around Dash," scolded the sleepy Applejack, "whatcha think y'all doin' down there?"

Without replying, the giggling Pegasus worked her way towards Applejack's haunches.  The earth pony's expression shifted from one of mock annoyance to one of surprise as she relaxed back on the pillows.

 "Woah nelly… oh no, sugar cube, don't stop."