"Hoo-wee~! What a day."
Applejack cracked her back and yawned as she dragged herself through Sweet Apple Acres. She had just returned from her great uncle's house in Galloping Gorge, and she felt absolutely spent. All of her usual energy was entirely drained from her body, leaving behind a content exhaustion that came at the end of such an experience.
But that wasn't the only reason she was moving so slow. Every so often, Applejack had to look down at herself and sigh. Her normally-trim barrel was now sticking out by a figurative nautical mile, filled to the brim with all sorts of food, apple and otherwise. Applejack breathed out a short laugh and shook her head.
"That Great Aunt Apple Turnover," she mused. "Always thinkin' she needs to stuff me like I never ate anythin' in my entire life. 'Oh, Applejack! You shouldn't be so skinny. It ain't good for you.' I know she means well and all, but sheesh. This is overkill. I gotta learn how to say 'no' to her one of these days." She sighed again. "Then again, how could anypony say 'no' to those heavenly apple turnovers she makes?"
At long last, she was able to pull herself over to a tree and collapse against it.
"Ah well. It was nice to see her," she said, stretching herself out one more time. She then lowered her stetson over her eyes and rested her back against the truck of the tree. "Now all that's left for me to do is get some good ole—"
"Applejack?"
Just as Applejack was about to doze off, she heard a familiar scratchy voice call out to her. With a frustrated grunt, she lifted her stetson and raised an eyebrow. Sure enough, there was Rainbow Dash, flying right in front of her. Rainbow Dash herself had a blank look of confusion on her face, which slowly turned into a snide smile. Applejack suppressed the urge to let out a groan.
"Oh, sorry, ma'am," said Rainbow Dash with mock politeness. "You kinda look like a friend of mine. Have you seen her anywhere? She looks just like you. Only, you know, not expecting."
Applejack's eyes narrowed. "You know it's me, Rainbow Dash."
Rainbow Dash laughed. "What? Nah, you're yanking my chain. There's no way AJ would have a gut like that." She poked Applejack's belly for emphasis, only to have her hoof smacked away.
"Really not in the mood for this, RD," Applejack snarled.
"Wow, you're touchy," said Rainbow Dash with a playful sneer. "Then again, I've heard mares like you experience mood swings."
"Outta curiosity, how many more of those jokes do you have?" asked Applejack, folding her forelegs.
"What? I'm not joking," said Rainbow Dash, even though she clearly was. "I'm just saying that you look like you're coming along nicely. Who's the lucky stallion, huh? Have I met him?"
"Alright, alright. You made your point, Rainbow," Applejack growled, massaging her temples. "Sheesh, you act like you've never seen me like this before."
Rainbow Dash's snarky smile faded, and it was replaced by a blank stare of bewilderment. "Um, maybe because I haven't."
Applejack blinked. "Wait, you haven't?"
"Of course not," said Rainbow Dash, landing in front of Applejack. "AJ, you're one of the healthiest ponies I know. You're always running around; bucking trees; doing chores; helping ponies out. And let's not forget all those ribbons you won at those rodeos you enter all the time. Heck, you even gave me a run for my money at that last Running of the Leaves. So excuse me if I find it a bit strange to see you with, well, that."
Once again, her hoof prodded Applejack's large belly. Applejack's expression softened as she let out a lighthearted chuckle.
"It ain't that strange, RD," she said. "It's true; I do try to keep myself active and such. You have to be in my line of work."
"So, why do you look like that?" inquired Rainbow Dash, poking Applejack's stomach again.
"You can thank Great Aunt Apple Turnover for that," huffed Applejack, pouting her lips. "She invited me to spend the morning with her at Galloping Gorge. Thing is, she's that kinda family member."
Rainbow Dash tilted her head. "What kind?"
Applejack snickered. "Oh c'mon, RD. Y'know what I'm talkin' about. I reckon every family has one."
"Has one what?"
"Didn't you ever have a grandmother or somethin' who always thought you were underfed, even though y'weren't?"
Rainbow Dash paused for a moment to run the scenario around in her mind. Finally, she shrugged.
"Can't say that I have," she said simply. "My family's a bit more on the athletic side, if you know what I mean."
"Mmm. Fair enough," said Applejack with a nod. "Well, see, that's the thing with my Great Aunt Turnover. Every time I go out to visit her, she finds it necessary to feed me like there's no tomorrow. She keeps claimin' I'm underweight or a bit gaunt or somethin' like that. She means well, but, as you can see, she can get a little carried away."
"Oh, wow. I never knew that," said Rainbow Dash, casting her gaze downward. "Man, now I feel like a real jerk."
"It's fine, Rainbow," said Applejack earnestly. "I probably shouldn't have gotten as mad as I did. It really ain't a big deal."
Rainbow Dash's eyes widened. "Whaddya mean it's not a big deal? You're Applejack! You're supposed to be super athletic and strong! I know I'd do anything to protect that kind of image. After all, I am awesome."
"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a little embarrassin'," said Applejack sheepishly. "But hey, it ain't nothin' some apple buckin' can't fix. I'm just a bit too tired to do that right now, that's all. Which reminds me, I'm tryin' to catch some shut-eye here, so if you wouldn't mind..."
"Oh, yeah. Sorry," said Rainbow Dash. However, she didn't make a move to leave. Applejack arched an eyebrow.
"Somethin' else you want, sugarcube?" she inquired.
Rainbow Dash shuffled her hooves and flexed her wings. "I-I still feel kinda bad about making fun of you. W-would you like some company?"
Applejack tapped her muzzle with her hoof before giving Rainbow Dash a shrug.
"I suppose it couldn't hurt," she said. "Just let me get myself— whoa!"
She suddenly flinched as Rainbow Dash lay down in front of her, resting her head against her large barrel. Applejack snorted and opened her mouth to tell Rainbow off, but she was interrupted by a content moan.
"Mmm~. So comfy," Rainbow Dash cooed, snuggling up to Applejack.
Applejack smirked. "My my. Somepony's affectionate today."
Rainbow Dash looked up, giving Applejack a stern look. "If you tell anypony about this, I'm probably gonna deny it. Just FYI."
"Of course, sugarcube," Applejack giggled. "Still, somethin' you wanna tell me?"
Rainbow Dash shrugged her shoulders. "Eh, not really. I just finished sorting the weather out, and you know how I love sleeping in your apple trees. That's actually why I came out here to see you."
Applejack rolled her eyes. "Why am I not surprised?"
Rainbow Dash sniggered. "Yeah, I hear you. Honestly, I'm pretty beat myself. Thanks for letting me crash here."
"You're welcome anytime, sugarcube," said Applejack, resting a hoof on Rainbow Dash's back.
Rainbow smiled and curled up closer to Applejack, nuzzling her head against Applejack's tummy. "Mmm~. This is really soft."
"Don't get used to it, RD," said Applejack with a chuckle. "Like I said, I like keeping myself in shape." She then smirked. "Actually, now that I think about it, how's about a race after this?"
Rainbow Dash looked up and smiled back. "Oh man, you are so on. Just don't try to make any excuses if you lose, Tubby."
Applejack gave Rainbow Dash a bemused grin. "Hah. I could beat you even if I was twice this size."
"Oh, no way."
"Wanna try me?"
Rainbow Dash responded by shuffling up closer to Applejack. "After I catch some zs," she said. "Mmm~. This is the life."
Applejack breathed out a short laugh. "Y'know, it's funny. Ponies expect you to be both lazy and athletic, but when somethin' like that happens to me, you get all riled up."
"Let's not ruin the moment, AJ. I already said I was sorry," said Rainbow Dash.
"I know, sugarcube. I'm just messin' with you," said Applejack, stroking Rainbow Dash's myriad-colored mane. "Sweet dreams, RD. Really lookin' forward to that race."
"Yeah, me too," Rainbow Dash purred. "Have a nice nap."
Applejack nodded and lowered her stetson over her eyes before drifting off into a peaceful slumber.