Rainbow Dash being up early was still something out of the ordinary to most ponies, even if it had become more frequent over the years. For Applejack to be up early, however, was more like asking, "does a bear take a dump in the woods?"
Applejack walked through the mostly empty streets of Ponyville. Even though she could also smell the crisp spring air, she didn't really think about it. She didn't pay any particular attention to the birds, although her farmer's mind did notice that a sunny day would mean she'd have to water the corn fields. That single thought was just a minor distraction. Pretty soon her mind drifted back to the big thing at hoof, the thing that had been on her mind constantly for almost three weeks. It was the thing that would arrive at the train station at 6:32.
She's coming home today. Not sure how I should feel about that. In a way, I'm happy. It's been a long time. Much too long.
Alright, not THAT much. Just three weeks. But still... Yeah, she's been gone before, but that was temporary. And it was never an issue then, she just went away for a couple of days and then came home.
...
So why, for the love of Pete, did this time have to be different?
She's made up her mind. She must have.
I don't want to hear it, but I don't think I can live without her decision.
Whatever it is, it must be better than what we have now.
...
"I'm not sure what I feel" she said. "I need to make up my mind, I need to think."
"I need time" you said. And so...I gave it to you. You got time. You had time. Please say that it was enough. That you know what you want. That you want...Me...?
Is that even what I want?
Heh, Rainbow and Twilight are sure up early. Guess it's the kids. Eyup, one of these days there'll be kids at Sweet Apple Acres, too. Not mine, though. I'll just stick to being an aunt.
If she decides she wants kids, what the hay do I do then?
Well, whaddayouknow. Kissing at sunrise. That's more than I expected from those two.
I didn't want you to go. At least... not like that. You thought we needed a break. A pause. We needed to try some time without each other. Yeah, sure... I understand that we have problems and I can understand that this is an idea that you thought would work out for us, but...
I don't. I don't like this. I agreed, because... Because I'll do what it takes to make this work. We're both in this relationship, y'know?
Sure as hay it doesn't work now, and the weeks before you left... I don't wanna think about 'em....
Still kissing? Get a room, you two.
Well, at least only having eyes for each other means that they won't see me.
No, this was no idea of mine. This was your way. But I shouldn't jump to conclusions, it's just a short break. Just a short break... Just... Oh, come on! This is not a short break! Say it! You already had your mind made up back then! So just say it, okay? Tell me you're leaving! Tell me you finally came to the conclusion that this'll never work and that you're going away for good! Say it!
Please... Please don't say that.
Please don't.
Please don't say you're leaving.
Damn you, mare! I HAVE missed you. These weeks...it sure got me thinking. Those first days...they felt really nice. No bickering, no hoitytoiting, no messing with my mane, no halfhearted attempts to do farming. Although, you did get better. And my mane... needs some brushing. And you actually made the kitchen look nice, with those embroidered designs.
Okay, I missed every part of you. Even the mane-messing.
Damn it, mare! Please come home and faint in disgust over how much mud there is in the kitchen so it feels like HOME again.
Alright, maybe you can stop doing that... To be honest, we need to talk more. And we need to do more things together that aren't farm-related. And we need to... Does Rainbow have a wingboner? At this time of day?
Yeah, we need to do that, too. More of that.
I don't care what you're going to say. And if you want to leave, I'm going to do everything I can to make you change your mind.
Because I love you, you stupid, drama-queening, whining, vanity-loving you. And that's the bottom line. I love you.
---
Rarity sighed as the train approached Ponyville station. Home. Too soon.
No, not too soon. She just didn't want the trip to end. She didn't want to face her problem. She didn't want to decide. She went away to think. Most of the time had been work, but some nights her thoughts had been unbearable. And this trainride... it had been Tartarus.
Why did I even say it out loud? I mean... Everything worked out. We had everything. And still... I said it, that I wanted to take a break, to try to live apart for a while.
It hurt so much to say, and even though, I felt it to be necesarry. And it was really such a relief to say. A relief... yes. And it was because I wasn't sure. I wasn't sure I wanted to be with her anymore.
And why wasn't I sure? Come now, Rarity, thats just childish thinking, we have a good life. We have everything, we...
We don't have everything. We are arguing, we are disagreeing, we are from two different worlds! When was the last time we actually had a conversation about something we both found interesting?
We never talk. I don't want to talk to her. And why should I, she doesn't even listen.
'Cant yer talk 'bout somethang intrestin', hun' ?'
'Hoity-toity? Well, that's all nice n'all, but them trees ain' buckin' themselves'
Why should I even bother talking when she doesn't care about the things I talk about?
I'm afraid to talk to her. I remember when I found her accent cute. But now...
I wanted this break. I needed this break! We haven't broken up! We're still a couple! We just put our relationship on hold. Nothing more!
Nothing more. So why does it feel like we broke up? Why is it so painful?
Why don't they have a telephone at the farm?
No! This was good! It was good that we took a break.
If it's good, how come you cried yourself to sleep almost every night you were in Canterlot?
Because I wanted her to be there. Because I don't care if we have nothing to talk about, because I DON'T CARE if she cares about my work or not.
I need her.
But still, do I really have feelings for her?
Now, Rarity Belle, that doesn't even make sense! Here you are sitting, telling yourself how much you need her, how much you want her, and then you wonder if you have FEELINGS for her?
Yes yes... I have feelings but... Is it just flank calls? Is it that I just don't want to be alone? Or... Do I really want HER... That's the question.
Oh. I see...
...
I mean... Sure, it was intense when we started dating, but... I never thought of how I really felt. I was in love. But to be honest...
I don't know if I really loved her then, or if it just was the feeling of being in love, that I loved.
I mean, how can I go back? How can I be a good marefriend when everything is based on uncertainties? What do I want?
...
Pro: She's honest, she's pretty, she's got beautiful eyes, and if it wasn't for her, I would never be where I am today. Well, that's not completely true, I mean, it is MY talent... But without her stubborn belief that I would succeed, I'm not sure I would have survived.
Con: She's stubborn. It's her way, or the hay way. When she's tired, hungry or just plain irritated, it doesn't matter what anypony does, it's still no good. And she never forgets anything. Oh, when we argue, she can throw something in my face that I said a month ago! A month! I don't even remember saying it! And...
I even miss that.
We can't go on like this! This is so wrong. Why should two ponies try to stay in a relationship if they only hurt each other and don't really care?
I don't deserve to have a marefriend that acts like she does.
Eh... Scratch that. She's exactly the kind of marefriend I deserve. But she doesn't deserve to be stuck with me. She's a much better pony than to have to settle for this.
I mean, why should two ponies stay together when they irritate and nag each other and can't stop complaining?
Because they... lo.. love... Each other.
But... Oh. Oh. So THAT'S where we're going. Alright then.
That was a bit hard to say. I haven't really said it for a while.
The last time we hit the hay doesn't count. You say all sorts of stupid things when in heat.
When was the last time I said it and really meant every word?
...
So that's the bottom line, then. I have to know if I can say it.
Okay, let's settle this. I'll... I'll try to say it loud. If I can't... Then it's over.
...
Okay, here goes.
I love her.
What? Did I just say that?
I love her!
Where did this warm feeling in my tummy come from? And why does the sight of Ponyville from the train, sparkling and shimmering in the early morning sun looks so... Inviting?
I AM in love, and I love her!
Well, that was a surprise. So, I just said that I love her, loud enough for the whole train to hear, and... That was it? That was all it took? and I needed THREE WEEKS in Canterlot to figure that out...? She would think I'm insane. But on the other hand... She already does.
I hope she'll pick me up. I can't wait to see her! And whatever I do with my work, she... Oh, the hay with work! That can wait!
...
" I LOVE HER!"
...
The train approached the platform of Ponyville station, and with a final grinding of the breaks it came to a halt. Not many ponies were on this train, but it was only 6:32 in the morning. Most Ponyville commuters went from there to Canterlot in the morning. The instant the train stopped, a white unicorn jumped out of it. She spotted an orange earth pony, who also spotted her at the same time.
They both ran for each other, eager to share a kiss.