“I remember."
Fluttershy took a moment to gather herself up. Tears had been flowing freely, silently, throughout Applejack's speech. She hadn't heard any of it before now, just as they had agreed. But hearing words meant for the world to hear, words meant for her to hear, words meant to express love and devotion to her. She let the tears fall, without sniffing. It was a form of crying she felt when Applejack produced the hoof rings. How she felt when Applejack asked for permission from her father. The strength she felt in Applejack's words. It was safety, and it was hers. "It took me by surprise, just how much my feelings changed in just one day. She would never give up on anypony, no matter how weak," she paused, her eyes closing, freeing more tears, "or scared..." She fluttered her eyes open as the gently touch of her special somepony parted away her mane that had come undone in the wind. She gave her that reassuring smile she had come to love. She gave her strength. "Or how fragile they thought they were. She would give everypony her time. Applejack makes you feel so entirely special... and to her, you are." Fluttershy couldn't help but giggle, her emotions getting the best of her. "You always are, no matter the pony you are. You're always special to her. That’s the kind of mare she is."
Fluttershy made Applejack cry. Not many ponies ever saw it, but Fluttershy did. Right now, in front of hundreds of ponies, from acquaintances to their dearest friends, Applejack was crying. Unlike Fluttershy, who did so with silence, Applejack couldn't help but make gasps as she failed time and time again to compose herself, laughing and chuckling as she tried so desperately to be silent for Fluttershy's sake, which only made her heart shine brighter. Fluttershy made Applejack laugh. "I remember," she began again, her voice cracking slightly. Applejack was her audience. "It seems so long ago now, when we all got together at the base of that mountain. You wouldn’t let me go. You would never. I..." she paused. Applejack looked on with intent, spurring her onwards. "I didn’t know what to do with myself after that. Every time we were together, I’d see how genuine you were, and I couldn’t help but reflect that kindness on to everypony. Anypony." Looking out into the audience of ponies, the multitude of eyes that stared at her, Fluttershy couldn't feel a thing for it. Not fright, nor their judgment. She had Applejack. "Whenever I needed the strength to persevere, I’d think of you, and no minotaur or dragon could ever make me feel the way your presence makes me feel."
Fluttershy could hear some barely audible 'aw shucks' come from Applejack, turning her cheeks pink. "I remember... When you needed strength to carry on, and it was our turn... my turn to build you up. Bring you back, for once. That’s when I knew the hurt of losing somepony. When you didn’t come back... I couldn’t stand it. It’s so hard to think about those days because I know I wasn’t as strong for you as I wanted to, and I thank our friends so, so much for being there to help. And I even did my part, for you. I chased you harder than I thought myself possible. Because I was chasing my dream. I wanted to be better for you. You make me want to be a better pony." Decorum and tradition was the only thing keeping Applejack back from hugging and kissing her right then and there, and a watchful eye might have noticed the very firm hoof of Twilight Sparkle stepping on Applejack's tail, holding her in place.
"I remember. I remember when my heart was yours," Fluttershy gazed into Applejack's eyes. Nopony else was there now. Not to her. "It was that golden moment when you offered me a place in the storm. I remember your kindness, your family. I remember that night all so vividly and my heart just beats in my chest whenever I think of it and e-even now my voice is cracking and the tears are c-co-ming and...!" She froze, fresh tears rushing to her eyes. Rarity wasn't fast enough to keep Fluttershy still as she pegasus rushed forward, embracing the love of her life and burying her face into Applejack's mane. She felt Applejack's clothes wet with her tears. Applejack nuzzled her peacefully, whispering her love into her ears. Nopony made to separate the two for as long as they needed.
"I love you so much," Fluttershy said as she peeled herself from Applejack, holding her at hoof's length. "You give me, so, so much. And I take it all. All your good. All your bad, what little there is of it. Your love and your problems." Applejack's cheeks blazed red with every word, but she couldn't find herself able to look away. "You make me feel like butterflies, like an apple blossom, shuddering on the tree before lifting off into the sky."
"I want everything about you and it makes me selfish. You make me want to be so selfish. And I can say that. I can finally, truly, want something for myself. And that’s you, Applejack," she embraced Applejack once more as a separate mare, knowing soon they would be one."
"And if you’ll have me, I’m yours. Forever and always.”