Three knocks.
Applejack looked up from her mug of cider toward the door. Who could that be? I ain’t expectin’ anypony but my family—and they don’t need to knock. She waited for another knock, yet none came. Maybe I’m just hearin’ things, she thought. It was awfully hot in the room and after a long day of clearing snow from the roads, she had started to doze off, letting the warmth soothe her aching muscles.
She flicked her ears and continued waiting. Another moment passed, and satisfied that her mind was playing tricks on her, she rested her head on her hooves and emptied her mind once more, letting the warmth take her back to her relaxation.
Three knocks.
There it is again. I guess somepony really is at the door. Applejack blinked the sleep out of her eyes and trudged over to the door, yawning. Who could be out here on Hearth’s Warmin’ Eve? She pulled the door open and her eyes fell upon Rainbow Dash. For barely a moment, her heart leapt at the sight of her best friend, until she noticed a layer of snow covered the pegasus, who shivered as she stared at the ground.
“Rainbow!?” gasped Applejack. “What are you doing? You’re gonna get sick standing out here like that!”
Rainbow Dash brought her head up to look at Applejack, her lips quivering.
Well this ain’t good. Applejack’s face fell when their eyes met. Has she been crying? “Come on, let’s get you inside.” She walked around behind Rainbow and pushed her in, brushing the snow off her back as best she could.
Pushing the door closed behind her, Applejack lead Rainbow to the kitchen and sat her down at the the table. Alright, now what? she pondered. I’ve never had to deal with this before. “Rainbow, what’s wrong?”
Rainbow sat silently, placing her head on the table.
“Rainbow... talk to me... please?”
The pegasus kept quiet, her shoulders heaving.
Applejack’s mood sank further as she watched her friend’s face twist in anguish. She tentatively touched Rainbow’s shoulder, who flinched, but Applejack kept her hoof in place. “Sugarcube?”
Still no answer. Alright, time to try something new. Applejack had some experience comforting ponies from when Apple Bloom was younger, although she wasn’t sure if the same methods would work on Rainbow... they were certainly a little more intimate than usual— or at least they could be taken that way. Even so, Rainbow needed her to be there. Applejack wrapped her legs around Rainbow’s neck and cooed into her friend’s ear, “I think I know somepony who could use a mug of hot cider.”
Rainbow sniffled and gave a slow nod.
“I’ll be right back,” said Applejack, grabbing a mug from a cupboard and trotting over to the fireplace, filling the mug from a near-boiling kettle. She returned to Rainbow and placed the mug between her hooves.
Rainbow grasped the mug and inhaled, letting the sweet, scented steam coming off the cider fill her lungs. The seasoned warmth banished the cold scratching at her throat, working its way through her chest in fiery tendrils, spreading to the very tips of her wings. She exhaled over the surface of the cider, casting ripples across it, steadying her breath. She reached her muzzle into the mug and lapped carefully at the cider.
Applejack watched for a few moments. “Feel like tellin’ me what’s wrong?” she asked in as caring a voice as she could muster, brushing her hoof through Rainbow’s mane, freeing some of the ice that clung to it, the soft hair curling slightly around Applejack’s hoof as it passed through. She really does have a beautiful mane.
“I—” whispered Rainbow, “...no.”
“It’s alright, sugarcube. Ya can talk to me when you’re ready.”
The cider cooled and Rainbow took the occasional sip as Applejack held her.
“Hearth’s Warming Eve,” said Rainbow after several more minutes.
“Pardon?” asked Applejack, startled.
“It’s Hearth’s Warming Eve, Applejack.”
Applejack furrowed her brows. “I’m sorry, Rainbow... but what’s so bad about Hearth’s Warmin’ Eve?”
“I’m alone, AJ. I spend every year alone.”
“Oh.”
“My—my family’s gone and I have nopony to spend it with. Everypony else I know gets to spend it with the ponies they care about. Rarity, with her sister and parents, Twilight with her brother and parents in Canterlot, Pinkie’s throwing a party with the Cakes—Fluttershy even flew up to Cloudsdale to see her parents—and then there’s you and your sister, brother, and Granny Smith...” Rainbow pressed her muzzle into Applejack’s chest and drew in a deep breath. “But what about me? Nopony asked if I wanted to do anything. Nopony asked me to come visit. Not even for a few hours. Everypony... forgot about me. They just forgot.”
Pangs of guilt welled up in Applejack’s chest. “Oh my gosh, Rainbow. I—I’m so sorry. I didn’t even realize and...” She paused a moment and avoided Rainbow's gaze. “I should’ve.”
Shame. That's what it was. Shame twisted her stomach and drove daggers into her heart. The first pony Rainbow had ever trusted with the real reason she left flight school, the death of her parents, had completely forgotten about it. It had never even occurred to her that Rainbow might not have anypony to spend the holidays with. “I—stay here just a moment, Rainbow. I’ve got somethin’ for ya.” She gave Rainbow a squeeze and ran upstairs, leaving Rainbow to finish her drink.
Applejack returned several minutes later with something draped over her back; it looked like a piece of worn fabric to Rainbow. The earth pony set the piece of fabric on the table in front of Rainbow, whose eyes widened as she realized just what it was—an old stocking with the letters ‘R.D.’ stitched hastily onto it.
“Rainbow Dash, you can be part of our family today,” said Applejack, placing a hoof on Rainbow’s. “Happy Hearth’s Warmin’ Eve.”
Rainbow traced the letters with her free hoof. “Do you... really mean that, AJ?”
“I sure as sugar do.”
The start of a smile crept onto Rainbow’s face as she heard the front door open.
“Big sis! We’re home!” yelled Apple Bloom.
Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash trotted out to greet the new arrivals.
“Well, hey there, Apple Bloom! Have fun with your friends?” asked Applejack.
“I sure did! Tried to get our candy cane eatin’ cutie marks today, but Scootaloo got her tongue stuck on one. Again.”
“‘Evenin’, AJ,” said Big Mac, “How was your day? And, uh, miss Rainbow. What brings ya ‘round here?”
Applejack cast a glance at Rainbow, silently asking permission, to which Rainbow agreed. “AB, Big Mac, meet your new sister for the day. She ain’t got no family of her own, so she’ll be spendin’ Hearth’s Warmin’ with us.”
“Another big sister!?” exclaimed Apple Bloom, running over to hug Rainbow’s legs. “Scootaloo is going to be so jealous! Rainbow Dash is my sister!”
“Heh, yeah, I guess she will,” said Rainbow, grinning down at the excited filly.
“Well, Happy Hearth’s Warmin’, miss Rainbow. I hope ya like glazed squash,” said Granny Smith.
“Eeyup,” affirmed Big Mac.
“I’ve never had glazed squash, actually,” replied Rainbow.
“Really?” asked Applejack, surprised. “I’m sure you’ll like it; we have it every year for Hearth’s Warmin’. Now why don’t we go hang that stocking of yours up with the rest of ‘em? AB, why don’t ya come help?”
The three trotted into the living room and pinned Rainbow’s stocking next to Applejack’s. After admiring their work, the three were joined by Big Mac and Granny Smith, all of them joking, telling stories, playing games, and enjoying hot cider over the course of the evening, stopping only to dig into dinner—an expertly cooked glazed squash, corn pudding, corn bread, rolls, casseroles, and a whole assortment of vegetables. Dinner was followed by Rainbow’s favorite: freshly baked Apple Family apple pie.
After dinner, the family gathered in the living room around Granny Smith in her rocking chair with a thick book upon her lap. Rainbow Dash laid herself down next to Applejack, just close enough feel their fur brush together when she took a deep breath in.
Applejack was having none of this and gave Rainbow a look before wrapping her hoof around Rainbow’s neck, pulling her to an equal distance to herself as Big Macintosh. That is to say, snuggled against each other rather comfortably, which left a light blush upon the pegasus’ cheeks that went unnoticed by Applejack. “No need to be so shy, Rainbow.” She waited for protest from her friend, but when none came, she mentally gave herself a smug grin.
Granny Smith opened the book up and smiling at her grandchildren all nestled together, she began to read, “Once upon a time, long before the peaceful rule of Celestia, and before ponies discovered our beautiful land of Equestria, ponies did not know harmony.”
As the evening wore down and the story came to an end, Applejack and Rainbow bid goodnight to the rest of the family and Applejack led Rainbow to the living room where they settled down next to each other in front of the fire.
“So, Rainbow, how’d your Hearth’s Warmin’ Eve go?” asked Applejack.
“It was nice... really nice. Thanks, AJ.”
“I’m glad, sugarcube. I still feel real bad about everythin’.”
A bark came from across the room and the pair looked over to see Winona wagging her tail at the bottom of the stairs.
Applejack chuckled softly. “Aren’t ya supposed to be in bed by now?”
Winona simply kept wagging her tail.
“Oh, right, ya usually sleep with me,” remembered Applejack. “Well, come on, there’s room for one more.”
Winona barked happily and ran over to the two ponies on the floor, curling up against Applejack’s side.
“I swear, that dog. Never wants to sleep without me iffin’ she can help it.” Applejack smiled and leaned a little more of her weight on Rainbow. When she turned her attention back to her friend, she noticed Rainbow had been staring into the distance. She gently prodded Rainbow’s side. “Sugarcube?”
“Oh, wha—huh? Yeah, AJ?”
“Somethin’ wrong, Rainbow?”
Rainbow Dash sighed and shook her head. “No, no, everything’s great...”
“It don’t sound great to me.”
“Well, I just—I... I don’t know. It’s stupid.”
Applejack rubbed her head against Rainbow’s. “Come on, Dash, you can tell me.”
“I don’t know, AJ.” Rainbow rested her head on her hooves and flattened her ears.
Frowning, Applejack hugged Rainbow closer. “Ya don’t have to say anythin’ if ya don’t want, but I can tell somethin’s botherin’ ya somethin’ fierce.”
Rainbow took a moment to steel herself and calm the fluttering in her chest. Her entire body trembled as she inhaled deeply and opened her mouth to speak, “Applejack?”
“Mhmm?”
“Thank you. For everything, I mean. I’ve... I’ve never had somepony who’s always there for me. Not until I met you.”
Applejack nodded and smiled.
“I thought you were my best friend, but over the past few weeks. I think... I think you mean so much more than that to me now. I think... I like you,” said Rainbow, barely a whisper.
Applejack’s heart skipped a beat. Did she just...?
Hearing no reaction from Applejack, Rainbow pressed her face into her hooves and fought back the sadness grasping at her heart.
A small squeak escaped Rainbow Dash and Applejack realized that she hadn’t responded. She brushed her hoof against Rainbow’s shoulder, and as Rainbow looked up, she was met with the most sincere smile she’d ever seen. Applejack pressed herself against Rainbow and brought their noses together in an affectionate nuzzle, Rainbow draping her wing over Applejack as they nipped gently at each other. Applejack moved her hoof to caress Rainbow’s cheeks and the warmth of the fire cascaded over the two as the moment ended, eliciting a yawn from both ponies. Rainbow held Applejack’s hooves in her own, each pony leaning against the other, and as the couple savored the close contact, they drifted off to sleep.
And for the first time, in a long time, Rainbow Dash truly smiled on Hearth’s Warming Eve.
"So, Applejack. What were you doing last night?"
Applejack grinned and nudged Rainbow towards the door, rather than the kitchen. "I'd tell ya, but that'd ruin the surprise."
"Aww, come on, A.J.! You're killing me here," complained Rainbow, attempting to resist her girlfriend's insistent pushing.
"Eeyup. Now let's get goin'."
Tilting her head slightly, Rainbow Dash eyed the door suspiciously. "Where are we going, anyway?"
"Ice skatin'." Applejack picked up several pairs of skates and tossed them into her saddle bags before throwing a red scarf at Rainbow.
Rainbow caught the scarf with a wing and gave her a look. "...Ice skating?"
"Somethin' wrong with that?"
"Uh, yeah. We've got the whole day off and you want to go ice skating? I don't even know how to skate."
Applejack wrapped a dark green scarf around her neck, then pulled the scarf off Rainbow's wing, nuzzling against her cheek as she helped Rainbow put it on, smirking. "That's the idea, sugarcube."
Rainbow stared blankly at Applejack, nonplussed. "I don't get it. How am I supposed to go skating with you if I don't know how?"
Finally pushing Rainbow out the door, Applejack sidled up next to her, completely ignoring her question. "Now let's go before it gets too crowded."
A light snow fell around the two as they walked in companionable silence through the orchards towards the Ponyville reservoir, bumping against each other with each step, separating only to cross the occasional deep snowdrift, leaving them shivering and walking closer together after each one.
After about twenty minutes of walking, Applejack and Rainbow Dash finally emerged from the depths of the orchards, looking down a small hill at the reservoir, frozen over with a thick sheet of ice and devoid of any other ponies.
Applejack smiled at the scene before her. "Looks like we got here first! See, Rainbow? Gettin' up a'fore other ponies is a good thing sometimes."
Stepping away from Applejack for just a moment, Rainbow scooped a bunch of snow up in her wing, forming it into a snowball. Just as Applejack turned to see why her girlfriend left her side, Rainbow launched it at her and took off into the air, darting down the hill.
"Oh, it is on," said Applejack, making a small pile of her own snowballs. She tossed a couple up and bucked them with deadly precision at her fleeing girlfriend. Both snowballs hit their mark and Rainbow fell out of the sky in surprise, landing in a particularly deep snowdrift.
Just as Rainbow attempted to stand up and get her bearings, Applejack bore down on her and tackled her back into the snow. Rainbow pushed herself up with a strong flap of her wings and pounced on Applejack before she could get her footing to keep her down. "Oh no you don't! Not that easily!"
Applejack struggled against Rainbow, but slumped down and sighed when she wasn't getting anywhere. "Alright, Rainbow. I give."
Rainbow let up and scrunched her face in confusion. "Really?"
"Pfft, no." Spinning around, Applejack threw Rainbow off her back and ran back up the hill. "I can't believe you just fell for that, Rainbow."
Instead of making her way out of the snowdrift, Rainbow began to pack together the snow around her into a makeshift ‘Fort Awesome'. "I did that on purpose!" she retorted.
"Uh huh," said Applejack, forming a rather large pile of snowballs, eyeing Rainbow's little fort. "I'm sure you did."
A few snowballs sailed over Applejack's head in a slow arc, completely missing their marks.
"That all ya got, Rainbow?"
"No!"
Applejack leaned against her pile of snowballs and watched snowball after snowball sail through the air and land somewhere around her, not one getting close enough to warrant a concern from the orange pony. "Not one, Rainbow?" she called out in amusement.
Rainbow ruffled her feathers. "Hey, I'd like to see you try throwing uphill!"
Before she could say another word, her fort fell in a matter of seconds to Applejack's onslaught of snowballs, several hitting her square in the chest, knocking the wind out of her.
Applejack sauntered over and placed a hoof on the now supine Rainbow Dash. She let Rainbow catch her breath for a moment, then bopped her on the nose. "Never challenge an Apple to a snowball fight if ya expect to win."
"H—how did you do that?"
"Years of apple buckin', sugarcube."
Applejack wrapped a hoof around Rainbow's and pulled her back onto her hooves, planting a small kiss on the pegasus' nose, leaving her girlfriend's face flushed red. "Why don't we get on to actually, y'know, skatin' before other ponies get here."
"Um, yeah. Good idea."
They made their way to the reservoir, Rainbow looking pointedly away from Applejack as she fought her blush and rebellious wings.
Finally stopping next to the ice, Applejack sat down and pulled the skates out of her saddle bags, handing a couple pairs to Rainbow. Leaning against each other for support, they each put on their skates and, with Applejack's guidance, stepped out onto the ice.
Almost immediately, Rainbow's legs sprawled out from under her and she hit the ice, letting out a surprised yelp.
Chuckling warmly, Applejack stood still so Rainbow could use her to get herself back up. "Careful, Rainbow. Ice is slippery."
"Hardy har har. Any other helpful advice for me?"
As soon as Rainbow stood back up and managed to balance, Applejack stepped a few inches away from her. "Yeah, actually," she said with a sly grin, "I want ya to put your wing around me. Use it to keep yourself standin'."
Rainbow did as she was told and extended her wing over Applejack's back carefully, so as to not fall down again. She took another moment to steady herself. "Alright, what next?"
"We're gonna do a few laps around here, very slowly, and I just want ya to focus on keepin' your balance. Once you feel comfortable, with that, you can try a couple on your own." Applejack skated forward, ever so slowly, letting Rainbow get used to it.
A couple slip ups, laps, and encouraging nuzzles later, Rainbow found herself able to stand, and even make minor adjustments to where she was going. Thrilled with her success after only a short amount of time, she tightened her wing around Applejack and smiled widely. "This is awesome, A.J.!"
Applejack leaned into Rainbow's embrace. "Sure is! You're doin' great, just as I thought ya would." She noticed a few ponies nearing the reservoir with their own skates in tow and reluctantly separated herself from Rainbow. She motioned towards the ponies. "Now ya see why I wanted to get here early? Figured ya might like some time to not look like a complete fool in front of everypony."
"Heh, thanks A.J."
"Now why don't you try a few laps on your own. Just push outward and away a bit with your hooves to get movin' properly. I'm sure you can figure it out."
Rainbow took off around the makeshift rink as it slowly filled up with other ponies. Applejack trailed her around, though she did take a few minutes to do a few laps of her own first.
As Rainbow picked up speed, Applejack skated back to her spot at her side. "You're doin' great, Rainbow! A lot better than I did my first time."
Smiling even wider, Rainbow put on a bit more speed with a quick flap of her wings, and once she was comfortable with her newfound speed, she closed the gap between herself and Applejack, wrapping her wing around the earth pony once more. "I do have the best teacher ever."
Over the next hour, the pair of ponies talked, snuck each other nuzzles and little kisses on the cheek (when Rainbow was absolutely sure nopony was looking), and skated around the rink, completely lost in each other's company. Rainbow even felt comfortable enough to perform a lap or two at speed on her own, one of which was successful, the other of which ended up in her launching herself off the reservoir's edge and into the snow, prompting hearty guffaws from Applejack, much to Rainbow's embarrassment.
The rink had finally filled up with ponies when a purple blur sped past Applejack and Rainbow Dash, yelling back at them, "Happy Hearth's Warming, you two!"
Both ponies did a double-take and, sure enough, Twilight Sparkle, of all ponies, had swooped down and landed on the ice, adorned with her own skates. They turned to each other. "What's Twilight doing here? I thought she was in Canterlot today."
Coming to a stop next to Applejack and Rainbow Dash, Twilight grinned at both of them. "I was, but we all," she motioned over to her parents, brother, Spike, and Cadance putting on their own skates at the edge of the rink, "got tired of dealing with the nobility bending over backwards for me." She rolled her eyes. "So we decided to spend this Hearth's Warming in Ponyville instead."
"Well I'll be," said Applejack, chuckling. "It's great to have ya back here so early. Rainbow here was startin' to miss everypony."
Rainbow flattened her ears. "Was not!"
Applejack gave Rainbow a friendly push on her shoulder. "Oh, hush, you. It ain't nice to lie to your friends."
"...Maybe I missed them a little."
Twilight giggled at the exchange. "Oh, congratulations, by the way."
Both Applejack and Rainbow looked up at Twilight, confused, Applejack raising an eyebrow. "‘Bout what?"
"You two, of course," explained Twilight, pointing a hoof at both of them. "You're not as subtle as you think."
Mouth gaping, Rainbow's face lit up in a heavy blush. "Um, thanks."
"So, Twilight, apart from all them nobles, how was your Hearth's Warmin' Eve?" asked Applejack, steering the conversation towards something less embarrassing for Rainbow.
"It was a lot of fun. The other princesses and us all went out to see the Hearth's Warming play, then we walked around downtown Canterlot and watched a lot of the street performances. We had dinner in the castle gardens for Luna's winter festival, then talked for a few hours. We finally ended the evening with a visit to Doughnut Joe's for dessert." Twilight licked her lips, her eyes glossing over. "Nothing like a good egg nog doughnut for Hearth's Warming."
Shining Armor and Cadance skated up to the group and greeted Applejack and Rainbow Dash, snapping Twilight out of her pastry-induced daydream.
Shining cracked his neck and pushed Twilight towards the center of the rink. "Sorry, you two, but Twily and I have a bet to settle."
"Oh? That's alright, plenty of time to catch up later." Applejack looked to Rainbow for confirmation that they were thinking the same thing, to which she received a nod. "‘Sides, we've been here a couple hours already and we're gettin' hungry. I think we'll head into town to grab some lunch to eat. What do you say, Rainbow?"
Her stomach grumbling, Rainbow nodded. "Yeah, food does sound good right about now. See you guys later?"
"Yep!" said Shining Armor. "We'll be here for a few days." Turning to Twilight, he asked, "Now, what was that about being a better skater than me?"
The group separated and Rainbow and Applejack stepped off the rink, stowing their skates in Applejack's bags once more. Starting off towards town, Rainbow extended her wing around Applejack.
"So where are we going to eat?" asked Rainbow.
"Well, I hear Horte Cuisine's got some kind of Hearth's Warmin' special, and Rarity says it's real good. We could try that."
Rainbow shrugged. "Sounds good to me."
A short walk later, buildings cropped up around the two. Doors were adorned with wreaths and bells, windows had frosted over, glowing with the warmth of fires from inside, and the inviting smell of burning wood blanketed the town.
Soon after, the town square came into view, and with it, the largest tree in Ponyville, standing as tall as the Carousel Boutique itself. Stands filled the town square, some selling various confections and drinks, others selling assortments of toys and games, foals crowded around excitedly.
In front of the Hearth's Warming tree was a quintet playing well known Hearth's Warming songs, giving the town that little bit extra cheer to make the mood infectious. Rainbow couldn't keep back a smile as she watched the entire town simply bask in the joy of the day, all other troubles forgotten.
Finding their way through the crowds, exchanging greetings, Applejack and Rainbow Dash made it to the other side of the square, sitting down at a table at the restaurant.
Prompt as ever, Horte Cuisine greeted them almost as soon as they'd settled down. He handed menus to both ponies. "Welcome to Horte Cuisine's on this delightful afternoon. What might I interest you in? The Hearth's Warming special, perhaps?"
Applejack scanned her menu and found no mention of what the special actually was. "May I ask what the special is?"
"Certainly, ma'am. We have two specials, one for—" He glanced between the two. "—couples, and one for… you get the idea. Might I be incorrect in assuming you would enjoy the former?"
"We would," affirmed Applejack, touching her hoof to Rainbow's under the table.
Horte nodded and continued, "Our couples' special is a pear and Gorgonzola puff pastry drizzled with a Riesling and thyme caramel sauce, followed by a potato and leek soup and a pomegranate salad tossed with a champagne vinaigrette. The main course is a brown butter pumpkin risotto, and the dessert is an eggnog cheesecake topped with freshly ground nutmeg. All for two, of course."
Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck. "Wow, that's a lot."
"Sure is," agreed Applejack. "What would this set us back?"
"The meal is seventy bits and comes with a complimentary chardonnay and decadent hot cocoa."
"That's a little much, A—"
Applejack cut Rainbow off. "We'll have that, please. Hold the wine, though; I've got somethin' else planned for later."
Horte bowed and retreated inside his restaurant.
"Applejack."
"Yeah, Rainbow?"
"That's a lot of bits for some food. Are you sure you can afford that?" Rainbow backpedaled a bit. "I mean, uh, not that you're poor or anything, but you're always talking about things you could do for the farm if you had a bit more money."
"Sure I could, Rainbow. But if I spent every spare bit on the farm, I'd never get to do other things I'd like to." Applejack rubbed her hind leg against Rainbow's and leaned in closer to her. "Like havin' a nice lunch with my new girlfriend on Hearth's Warmin' Day."
A waiter interrupted them, placing a couple mugs of hot cocoa on the table, then left to attend to other tables.
Applejack and Rainbow each took a few sips of their cocoa before returning their attention to each other. Minutes passed in silence, the couple staring into each other's eyes and rubbing hooves under the table.
At last, the first course arrived.
"This… almost looks too nice to eat," said Rainbow, poking at the pastry with the tip of her hoof.
"Bet it tastes good enough to eat, though." Applejack leaned forward and took a bite. "Mmmph. Dash good."
Rainbow laughed. "I am good, A.J.." She took a bite of her own, making sure to brush her muzzle against Applejack's on the way in. She savored the food for a second, something exceedingly rare for the pegasus. "Wow. That is really good."
Not sparing further time for words, the two devoured the pastries in a matter of minutes.
"So, Rainbow."
Rainbow looked up from her hot chocolate, trying to reach a spot of whipped cream on her nose with her tongue. "Yeah, A.J.? What's up?"
"I was just wonderin'... why me?"
"Well, uh." Rainbow thought hard for a few minutes, attempting to piece together the words she wanted to say. "You're awesome."
Applejack snorted.
"I—I'm not done."
"Alright, alright, continue."
Rainbow's blush returned slightly and she played with her mane. "I mean, you're really awesome. I'm always happy when you're around. Or when I'm not, you know how to make me feel better. And I have a lot of fun hanging out with you. Who wouldn't want a pony like you as their girlfriend?" She squirmed in her seat, looking around to make sure nopony was watching or listening. "And you're really, uh, attractive."
Applejack leaned over the table and hugged Rainbow. "Well, ya sure know how to flatter a girl. And who'd've known you get so mushy when you like somepony."
Rainbow returned the hug. "S—shut up."
"But that's what I like about you." Applejack jabbed Rainbow's side, causing the other mare to pull back and bite her lip to stifle her laughing, almost falling off her chair. "You're all mushy and squishy inside."
Upon seeing Applejack's very predatory grin, Rainbow feared for her life. Nopony was supposed to know she was ticklish. Nopony. And yet, somehow, Applejack knew. This could be very, very bad.
The next courses arrived soon after, which Rainbow was thankful for. She was getting increasingly tired of dodging Applejack's attempts at tickling her further. They were consumed in much the same way as the first: ravenously. Dessert was the sole exception, but only because both ponies were being careful to avoid each other's lips—something rather difficult to do with a small cheesecake.
When they finished, they thanked the waiter and left a pile of bits on the table, enough to cover the bill and leave a sizable tip. The food, after all, was fantastic. Donning her saddle bags, Applejack led the way out of the restaurant's patio and back into the crowds of ponies still perusing the wares on sale.
The snow began to fall in earnest, and as Applejack looked up at the sky, she remembered something. She tapped Rainbow on the shoulder to get her attention. "Hey, Rainbow, I just remembered that Apple Bloom, Big Mac, and Granny are supposed to get home soon, but I've got somethin' I wanna show you before they get there. You alright with headin' out?"
Rainbow's ears perked with her curiosity. "Yeah, sure. What do you want to show me?"
"I told you earlier, it's a surprise."
"Well what are we waiting for?" Rainbow took off at a full gallop, calling back to Applejack. "Race ya there!"
The words had barely left Rainbow's mouth before Applejack started after her.
On the way back, Applejack was very glad that she'd spent the previous day plowing all the roads they were running down to get to Sweet Apple Acres. She didn't think she'd be able to keep up with Rainbow otherwise. But as it happened, she did plow the roads, and she was hot on Rainbow's trail.
Rainbow blew a raspberry back at Applejack as she crested the last hill before the farmhouse.
Seconds before Rainbow reached the porch, Applejack leapt into the air and tackled Rainbow to the ground, both coming to a complete stop at the finish line.
Rainbow groaned. "Not again! Another tie?"
Applejack brushed herself off and got off of Rainbow, smirking. "Least ya can admit it this time."
"Yeah, yeah. You said you had a surprise for me?"
As she trotted inside, Applejack picked up a log off the pile on the porch. She tossed it into the fireplace and lit it while Rainbow flopped onto the couch behind her. "Now just wait here a second while I go get it."
More than a few seconds went by for the very impatient Rainbow, who stared up at the ceiling in complete and utter boredom.
At last, Applejack emerged from the kitchen carrying a huge… barrel… of cider. Rainbow's eyes went wide and she clenched her jaw shut to keep from drooling. "Applejack… you didn't."
Heaving the barrel up onto the table, Applejack beckoned to Rainbow. "Sure did. It's all yours."
"Cider? Just for me?" Rainbow's attempts at controlling her drool failed and a strand trailed its way down her chin before she caught herself and wiped it away. "A.J.?"
"Mhmm?"
"I think I love you."
Applejack chuckled. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, sugarcube. I appreciate the sentiment, though. Now get on over here and let's crack this here barrel open."
Mugs were retrieved and cider flowed as the two ponies cuddled on the couch, recounting tales, some embellished more than others. Not long after the festivities began, the rest of Applejack's family returned home.
The mares on the couch waved at the new arrivals. "Howdy, y'all. Enjoy your day?"
"Sure did, A.J.!" exclaimed Apple Bloom. "I got a brand new bow! See?" She ran up to the couch and showcased her new accessory, considerably more purple than her last bow.
"Looks real good on ya, Apple Bloom."
"Eeyup," agreed Big McIntosh.
Applejack waved everypony over and poured a few more mugs of cider (not from Rainbow's barrel, of course), passing them around the room.
The family settled in around the fire and talked about their days, Applejack and Rainbow Dash leaving out certain details. With the sun long set and everypony tired after their eventful days, Big McIntosh and Granny Smith bade good night to the other three ponies occupying the room.
Not long after, Rarity stopped by and picked up Apple Bloom for another Cutie Mark Crusaders sleepover, but not before commenting on how "adorable" Applejack and Rainbow were together, leaving the two wondering if everypony knew already.
Applejack yawned and walked back to the couch, intent on further cuddling, but Rainbow got up and stopped her.
"I guess I should get going soon. It is getting a little late." Rainbow punctuated this with a yawn of her own. She hugged Applejack for a few minutes before reluctantly letting go and starting towards the door. "Thanks for the totally awesome day, Applejack. I really had a lot of fun… and it was really nice having somepony to spend today with."
Applejack frowned and intercepted Rainbow before she could get to the door. "Y'know, today doesn't have to end yet, if you don't want it to." She waggled her eyebrows and asked, "You want to come upstairs with me?"
Rainbow's face lit up and she squeaked out her next words, trying desperately, and failing to keep her wings at her side. "I—Isn't it a bit early for that?"
Applejack's face took on a similar hue, looking mortified. "Oh, gosh, no! I did not mean it like that. I meant cuddling! Really!"
Finally pulling her wings down with her teeth, Rainbow took a few breaths to calm herself and smiled warmly. "Um, yeah. I might be up for that."
Applejack leaned close to Rainbow and hesitated. "I'm glad," she whispered, closing the gap between them, their lips meeting.
Wings flaring open again, Rainbow returned the kiss, wrapping her hooves around Applejack's neck.
When the kiss finally broke, Applejack guided Rainbow up the stairs and to her room, closing the door with the soft click of a lock sliding into place.
