Without a moment’s hesitation, Rainbow Dash and Applejack took off, leaving their befuddled friends behind. Peals of laughter and whoops of joy escaped their throats as they tore down the cobbled alleys and streets of Applewood. All of the stress, tension, and angst that had been accumulating over the last few days came crashing down around them as they hooted and hollered together. Rainbow and Applejack ignored the flabbergasted ponies of Applewood that they left in their wake. Their faces wore mirrored expressions of joy and giddy excitement. Both considered for a moment how childish they were being as they vaulted over a street vendor’s cart. Such thoughts fled their minds as they rubbed up against each other, closing the distance between them.
This is what their day back at Sweet Apple Acres was supposed to be; just the two of them having fun. No eagle, no train robbery, no ninja, no sleazy Applewood parties, and definitely no spider cult.
Ponies shouted after them as they were almost run over by the pair, but their angered cries fell on deaf ears. Rainbow Dash was too focused on how Applejack’s mane flowed breathtakingly in the wind to see them raise their hooves and shout. She was too busy listening to Applejack cheer and laugh alongside her to hear their protests, and she was too far lost in the glimmer of Applejack’s eyes to pay them any mind. Applejack was equally as captivated. She instinctively ducked and weaved under movers carrying a sofa, her eyes never leaving Rainbow’s.
The two ran until both had gotten well and truly lost in the winding streets of Applewood, though neither of them really cared. It just meant more ‘private time’ before their friends found them.
A patch of green between apartment buildings caught Rainbow’s attention. She nudged Applejack and gestured to an upcoming corner. The two skidded around the corner and were met with a staircase leading up to a park. Grinning madly, the pair took to the stairs two at a time, neck-in-neck and tails brushing each other’s coat.
In a matter of seconds, they had reached the top of the hill. With one last leap, they collapsed on the grass. Chests heaving, they watched each other fight to catch their breaths. They sported matching crimson streaks across their muzzles, due to a combination of exhilaration and exhaustion. The grass, still damp with morning dew, cooled their frames while the light of the early sun warmed their coats.
The hill overlooked much of Applewood, and if either Rainbow Dash or Applejack cared to look, they could see that they had run quite the distance from where they started. However, they didn’t care to look; both found the pony lying across from them much more interesting to observe.
“So,” Rainbow breathed, rolling onto her side. Her eyes were half-lidded, picking up exactly where she had left off before they were interrupted.
“So,” Applejack responded in turn, rolling over to face Rainbow. She could feel the puffs of warm air as they escaped Rainbow’s muzzle, the last of their laughing fit passing in breathless chuckles. Her hat lay on the ground, swaying gently in time with the blades of grass in the breeze.
“I guess we never really got to finish—” Before Rainbow could complete her sentence, Applejack darted forward and caught her mouth in a kiss. Rainbow tensed for a moment, her heart fluttering in her chest. She relaxed and returned the kiss, raising a hoof to cup Applejack’s cheek.
The two separated, crimson staining their muzzles. “There,” Applejack panted, “I’d call that pretty ‘finished.’”
“Y’know,” Rainbow smirked, “one of these days I’m gonna get mad if you keep on interrupting me like that.”
“Oh really? For some reason I find that hard to believe.”
“Okay, I guess it’ll take a while. And a lot more making out.”
“I guess we’ll find out, won’t we?” Applejack chuckled. She wrapped her hooves around Rainbow’s middle, drawing her in close. “Besides, I recall promisin’ to plant one on ya once we got my hat back.”
“Yeah,” Rainbow’s smirk melted into a warm, goofy grin, “you totally did.” Rainbow’s smile faltered and she bit her lip. “Hey, I just remembered. We never did finish what we were talkin’ about back there, did we?”
“What’re you gettin’ at?”
“You know, ‘us.’” Rainbow squeezed Applejack a little tighter. “Like, where do we stand? A lot’s happened, and I dunno, I don’t just want this to be a heat of the moment kind of thing.” She gulped and squirmed in Applejack’s grip. “I know it’s lame and cliche and whatever, but I care too much about you for this not to be real.”
“Now if that ain’t the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.” Applejack rested her forehead against Rainbow’s, capturing her worried gaze. She leaned forward and gently pressed her lips to Rainbow Dash’s cheek. “It’s pretty clear from where I’m standing. What do you think, sugarcube?”
Rainbow’s smile returned in full force. Her voice barely above a whisper, she responded, “I think, from where I’m standing, things are looking pretty awesome.”
“Couldn’t have said it better myself.”
The two lay together in the other’s embrace, oblivious of the bustling city around them. They continued to beam at each other, their cheeks starting to smart from smiling for so long.
“So, what now?” Rainbow asked after a time.
Applejack sighed, sliding her hooves away from Rainbow Dash. “Well, for starters, we’d best go back to the others. They’re probably in a right fit tryin’ to find us.”
Rainbow groaned, flopping onto her back. Applejack giggled, standing to her hooves. “C’mon now, there’s plenty of time to ‘talk’ back home.”
It was Rainbow’s turn to sigh as she begrudgingly stood up. “Yeah, yeah. I guess it was kinda uncool how we took off on ‘em and everything.”
“I’d say it was worth the commotion.” Applejack winked as she playfully bumped Rainbow.
“Totally.” Rainbow bumped her back. “Now,” she cast her gaze around the park, “where the heck are we, anyways?”