“You're not peeking, are you?”
Applejack chuckled. “You've got your hooves over my eyes – I couldn't peek if I wanted to--” She stumbled on something soft, but didn't fall. “How much farther are we goin'? It's hard enough walkin' on cloud stuff with my eyes open.”
“It's worth it, I promise,” said Dash. “And it's just through here.”
“Through where?”
“Don't peek!”
“I ain't peekin'!” Applejack had a wide grin on her face, even with her eyes still closed. She had no idea what Dash had planned for her, but all the added fuss had already put her in a cheerful mood after the long train ride back from Appleoosa.
Dash led her blindly through what felt like a doorway, before moving her hooves and landing at Applejack's side. “Okay, stop. Open your eyes.”
“You sure?”
“Of course I'm sure,” said Dash. “I can still see, remember?”
“We are still in your house, right?” Applejack teased. “'Cause if you've walked me right up to the edge of your cloud again to scare me, you are not gettin' any--”
“Would you just open your eyes already?”
Still smiling, Applejack did. She was met with the sight of Dash's bathroom, lit only by the gentle light from candles positioned around the bathtub - which was filled with steaming, bubbly water. On a stool at the bathside, there laid a box of assorted flower-candies, a book with a ribbon tied around its middle – indicating that it was a present – and a large bottle of cider.
Applejack's smile grew wider still when she noticed that it was her family's homebrew – good ol' Sweet Apple Acres Apple Cider. “Well, colour me shiny and call me a princess. What's all this?”
Dash wrapped her fetlocks around Applejack's neck and planted a kiss on the back of her head. “You didn't think you could spend a week in Appleoosa without getting a welcome back present, did ya?” She pulled back and looked into Applejack's eyes, with a sincere warmth to her gaze. “I missed you.”
Applejack smiled at Dash for a long moment, before turning to take in the room again. “I do not deserve you,” she mused, stepping up to the bath and testing the water with a hoof. It was just about perfect. “You realise that if I step into this, I ain't movin' for a loooong time. Which means you're gonna have to fly me home in the mornin'.”
“I think I can handle an early rise, just this once,” said Dash. “But only 'cause it's for you.”
Applejack smiled down at the floor, blessing her lucky stars that she'd ended up with somepony who knew how to make her feel so special. After a moment, the warmth of the smile turned to heat, and she turned back to Dash with a sultry look. “Well then... Care to join me?”
Dash grinned. “Thought you'd never ask.”
“Really?” said Applejack, shrugging off her saddlebags. “'Cause I notice there are two glasses with this cider.” Dash just gave her an 'innocent' smile and shrugged her shoulders cutely.
“What can I say? I know my mare.”