//------------------------------//
// Free 
// Story: Southern Skies 
// by Jondor 
//------------------------------//

“Nothin’ doin’, sugarcube.  Ya know the rules.”  Applejack groaned.  She had answered this same request at least once a day all season.  “Cider is big business, it helps keep the farm in the black over the winter time.  Only family members get free cider, and only if we got some to spare.”

“But you hardly ever take yours.”  Rainbow did her best puppy dog eyes.  “Couldn’t I just-”

“Mac don’t get to give his to Cheerilee, Apple Bloom don’t get to give hers to Scootaloo or Sweetie Belle, I can’t give mine to you.”  Applejack paused for a moment.  “Unless...”

Dash’s downcast eyes brightened considerably.  “Unless?”

“Unless ya wanted to become a member of the family.”

The wheels inside Rainbow Dash’s mind slowly turned over that statement.  Between Applejack’s words, tone of voice, and body language, there was only one possible meaning to that statement.  Dash’s pupils shrank to pinpricks.

“AJ, I know what you’re asking, but I...  I just..  I don’t know.”  Dash’s ears folded flat against her head.  “You have to understand, pegasi don’t often get married.  It’s traditional to fly free.”  Rainbow bowed her head, fearing the worst.

“I do understand.”  Applejack said solemnly.  “You ain’t the first pegasus marefriend I’ve had, but ya have stuck around longer’n any of ‘em.”  Dash met Applejack’s eyes again, relieved to see no malice in them, only a hint of sadness.  “That’s why, I wasn’t askin’.

“It’s up to you, sugarcube.  I respect yer pegasus customs; I’ll keep on lovin’ ya an’ bein’ yer marefriend as long as you’ll let me, even if ya don’t wanna tie the knot.  I knew what I was gettin’ into when I first asked ya out.

“But, ya gotta respect my customs too.  An’ one of ‘em is no free cider except fer full fledged family members.”

“I...”  Dash returned her gaze to the floor.  “I have to think about it.  It’s a big decision.”  She gasped softly, feeling Applejack’s forelegs wrap around her in a hug.  She returned it.

“I know it is.  It’s a big enough decision for us earth ponies.  I reckon it’s gotta be ten times as tough fer pegasi foolish enough ta fall in with us groundhogs.  Just knowin’ you’re giving it some thought makes me happy.”  Applejack held Dash a little tighter.  “I love you, sugarcube.”

Dash closed her eyes and stroked Applejack’s long blonde mane.  “I love you too, AJ.”

Dash knew it would be a tough decision.  Flying free was in her blood, but as she thought about it, memories of old marefriends and coltfriends felt hazy, distant and cold, while memories of dating AJ filled her heart with the kind of warmth, security and solid presence that nopony ever had before.

Marrying AJ might just have perks that went way beyond free cider.  Maybe, just maybe, deciding would not quite as tough as she first thought.