Applejack woke up on the floor next to the couch, which caused her to giggle. She yawned quietly and stood up to give the sleeping Fluttershy a kiss on the cheek. After picking up her hat from the side of the couch, she made her way outside to feed all the animals herself to surprise Fluttershy when she woke up. It’s now been a week since they've been living together and the earth pony has enjoyed nearly every minute of it. She's accepted her new life because it wasn't so hard of a change. She lost a lot and she knows it, but she's never been so happy just spending time with somepony. All she hoped for was the occasional sighting of Big Macintosh or Applebloom to keep her in the loop with the Apple family.
Applejack always gets lost in thought when she thinks about that beautiful Pegasus. She knows that they've only been together for less than 2 weeks, and rushing things was the last thing she should do, but she can’t help it. Applejack is completely head-over-hooves for Fluttershy.
She smiled despite herself. The earth pony loved that seemingly everything Fluttershy does is to keep her happy, so much so that it almost makes her feel guilty. None of the colts she went out with ever treated her so kindly, ever cared for her on such an emotional level. And this was just week 2 of the two mares being together.
While the orange pony was in the chicken coop in the back yard feeding the chickens, Fluttershy woke up and went outside. Applejack was halfway in when the Pegasus flew over. Applejack backed out and with a smile, and greeted Fluttershy with a smile.
"Oh hello there Sugarcube,"
They kissed, then Applejack continued. They both really loved that it had become so natural for them to do so.
"Ah was just tryin' to feed yer animals before ya woke up as a surprise, ah almost got em all!"
Fluttershy smiled, "Oh thank you! that's nice... I'll go cook us up some breakfast, it should be done when you're done, If that's um alright with you,"
"Sure thang beautiful!" Applejack mused as she returned to the chicken coop, diligently trying to get them all too eat.
Fluttershy flew back into her home, quietly humming to herself. The yellow pony prepared some toast for them.
She sighed happily. She wouldn't admit it out loud, but she was almost happy that these things happened-well, not happy about the banishment of Applejack and the sadness it caused her, but happy at the end result: Her living with the one mare she loved, and getting the same affection in return.
"Of course it's only been two weeks," she said quietly to herself. 'can't take it so fast, Fluttershy.' she finished in thought. But she knew it the moment they first confessed their feelings for each other. She loves her. Applejack is the perfect mare in her eyes. And now that they are living together, things got done faster, which means way more time together. A lot more time to snuggle, more time to help keep Applejack's mind off of things.
She took a second to check on the toast, then returned to her day-dreaming.
She noticed during their recent walks in public that she felt more confident to talk to other ponies. She knew some ponies stared at them, maybe making a remark about the two being together. And she knew they noticed too, due to the fact neither Applejack or herself felt the need to hide anything in public anymore. The only thing they don't do is kiss because it's the one thing that still makes Fluttershy embarrassed and blush, even though it still doesn't stop Applejack from trying every now and then.
She'd be the first to admit that if Applejack got close to her with her big green eyes, and said in a quiet voice ,"Let's kiss, Sugarcube," She'd do it every time, although Applejack doesn't have knowledge of that.
Looking up from her daydream on her couch, she noticed that the toast is most likely finished. With another happy sigh she flew over, tossed them on plates, and then made her way towards the exit of their home, which leads to the backyard. When she opened the door, though, she saw Big Macintosh and Granny Smith with two other ponies she's never met before, but pretty much instantly knew who they were. Applejack just noticed them too, and then noticed Fluttershy peeping out of the door.
"’Shy, ah need ya to be here with me for this,"
Fluttershy squeaked a little, and then slowly flew her way over to the group, balancing the plates in between her wings. Her head low, she knew why they were here. She scolded herself for daydreaming, because to her, it seemed every time she did, something somehow ruined it for her.
"A-Apple Crisp 'n Ambrosia h-here have sometin' ta say to you mares," Granny Smith said in her usual shaky voice.
The earth pony stood in awe, unsure of how to react to their presence.
Ambrosia spoke first, avoiding eye contact with Applejack, "Ah'm sorry gals...a-ah don't know what ah was thinkin' or sayin'. That wasn't me, Honest! Love is love and it ain' my choice to say who ya should love, especially if all it does is hurt the family" The tan-coated mare said, with her head down in shame.
Much more pessimistic about the whole situation, Apple Crisp stared right at Fluttershy while she spat out, "Ah may not agree with what y'all are doin. At ALL. And this may be less my choice than it is th' whole family’s choice. But they want ya back. 'n ah I guess, ya can move back in. Go pack yer stuff or whatever,"
The brown pony immediately turned around and sighed as if this was the hardest thing she could have done. Fluttershy bit her lip and through how sad she felt to imagine her mare going back to where she lives, still found the courage to support her, "Go on Applejack...it's where you belong and it's um," Fluttershy's voice trailed into a squeak. Even against her own wishes, she tried to be supportive for the orange pony.
Applejack lifted her head after thinking for a moment, "Ah don't know about this. Ah-"
She looked back towards Fluttershy, the Pegasus pony immediately forcing herself to give a 'go ahead' nod.
"Well ah-,"She paused and sighed. Shaking her head, the orange pony responded, "No. No no no!”
Applejack stomped her hoof on the ground, "Ah don't wanna…!"
Applejack was shocked at herself for a moment, however, she stood firm with her decision.
The brown and tan mares nearly gasped in unison While Big Macintosh just stood there with a smile on his face. Granny Smith just nodded approvingly.
"Ah want ta live here, with Fluttershy," The earth pony exclaimed, giving a quick look back to her mare, who was trying to hide one of her 'yay's.
The Pegasus quickly moved to her mare’s side for support, still elated because of what the orange pony had said.
"An' if that means ah can't return to workin' at th' farm, so be it," She declared, with a hoof-stomp for emphasis.
Apple Crisp scoffed, but before she could even respond, Big Macintosh purposefully interrupted her. He wasn't going to let her even voice her opinion on the matter.
"Ee-it don't, AJ. Ya can stay living with Fluttershy, and work at our farm, only if ya willing to make these long-as-hay trips down here,"
Right as he finished he was met with a hug from his younger sister.
"Really? Ya aint foolin'!? Ah can’t believe it! Big Macintosh you’re the best, " Applejack exclaimed, now jumping up and down in joy.
”Ah, it was nothin'" the modest colt answered, getting a sly glance from Granny.
"Well a-ah guess it's time we go, Crisp and Ambrosia already left. W-We're gonna see ya tomorrow right my little grand-filly?" the old pony asked, knowing the answer already.
"Sure thang granny!" Applejack said, then gave Granny and Big Macintosh one more hug before they left.
Soon they were off, walking slowly due to the old pony's walking limitations. When they finally looked back, they saw Applejack eating some toast, with a beaming Fluttershy to her side, as the two mares entered their home.
"A-Ah think we done good, Mac," Granny said happily.
"Eeeyup,"
<><><><><><><>
As they curled up in their couch, snuggled together ready for a nap, Fluttershy had one last question to ask her mare.
"Um Applejack?" she said in her usual soft voice.
"Yes Darlin'?"
"Is-is this really what you wanted?" Fluttershy asked meekly, staring into Applejacks green eyes, which she found so much more beautiful up close.
Applejack took a moment to ponder this, then turned her head towards Fluttershy and kissed her.
"It's all ah've ever wanted, sugarcube"