“Dash?”

Rainbow Dash jerked upright, startled by the country drawl of her friend. Turning to face Applejack, the blue pony quickly brushed away her tears.

“Oh, uh, hey AJ! What’re you doing here?”

“Ah’m just pickin up some cupcakes from Sugarcube Corner. Granny Smith’s fritters are great, but no one makes cupcakes quite like Pinkie Pie. What about you? Shouldn’t you be at home with your family right now?”

Dash’s trademark smirk faltered slightly. She looked away and rubbed the back of her neck, trying hard to save face.

“Oh, uh, they’re at home right now. I just figured I’d go for a quick fly around town is all.” Dash flashed one of her trademark smiles, though there was no feeling behind it. This did not escape Applejack, who raised one eyebrow skeptically.

“Alright, if you say so. Best be heading back soon though. I’m sure everyone will be missin ya right about now.”

Her composure beginning to fail, Dash winced, as the tears from before once again began to well up in her eyes. Seeing that her friend was upset, Applejack became concerned.

“Are y’all doin ok, Dash?” The orange pony cooed.

“Wha-huh? Me? Oh, yeah, totally fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Dash was fighting hard to maintain her composure, partially so as not to worry her friend, and partially because she didn’t like the idea of what crying in public would do to her reputation.

“Yer cryin…”

“I wasn’t crying, I just got something in my eye, that’s all. I don’t cry!” Dash defended herself valiantly, even as her trembling lips gave her away.

“What’s wrong, Dash?”

Backed into a corner, the emotions behind Dash’s urge to stay strong and her urge to just burst into tears were tearing her apart. The silence filling the area as Applejack waited for an answer seemed to push the pegasus over the edge. As much as she thought herself weak for it, Dash just couldn’t hold it together anymore. Grimacing again, Dash shut her eyes and hung her head, as tears began to stream down her cheeks in a few quiet sobs.

Applejack had never seen her friend like this. She didn’t know if anypony had, actually. It hurt her to see her friend like this. She laid down the cupcakes she had been run to Sugarcube Corner to pick up, and pulled her friend close to her, hugging her tightly. She felt the smaller pony tremble and tense, fighting her own depression and trying to forcefully snap herself out of her funk.

“It’s alright sugarcube. Everything’s alright.” Applejack whispered. “Let it all out. Tell me what’s wrong. I’m here for ya.”

Still fighting herself, Rainbow Dash hesitated before whispering out, “My family isn’t at home.”

Applejack froze, unsure of what her friend meant.

“They’re...my family isn’t around anymore.”

After a brief silence, Applejack hesitantly decided to press for more information.

“Where are they?”

“Th-they’re..they’re d-dead!” Rainbow Dash began sobbing uncontrollably. She buried her face into Applejack’s chest as the orange mare pulled her closer. Applejack felt pain in her heart from seeing this side of her friend. Tears soaked Applejack’s fur as years of pain that had been bottled up seemed to empty as the rainbow pegasus cried. Loneliness, doubt, and guilt fueled her sorrow as Applejack began to cry with her, unable to bear seeing her friend in so much pain.

As the two fillies embraced each other, they gradually calmed down. Sniffling, Rainbow Dash pulled away, but did not make eye contact.

“I-I’m...sorry AJ. That wasn’t...I mean…”

Applejack put her hoof over her friends mouth to stop her.

“It’s alright sugarcube. Everything’s gonna be ok.” Applejack smiled softly as Rainbow Dash looked up at her friend, her rose colored eyes still streaked with tears.

“Ah know life ain’t always been good to you, and ah can’t imagine how hard it musta been fer you to handle all that pain on yer own. But it’s ok to cry. Yer allowed to be sad, and there ain’t nopony who’s gonna judge ya for it.”

Rainbow Dash looked down at her hooves again and sniffled. She was breathing a little easier now that she was no longer trying to choke back tears. Her problems weren’t gone, but crying had helped her feel better. Suddenly the breeze picked up again, reminding the pegasus of how cold she was via a fit of shivering. Looking over her friend with concern, Applejack determined that Dash was definitely not gonna be spending this holiday alone. The Apple family always had room for another family member. She stood up and gently nudged her friend, prompting her to do the same.

“Come on now, Sugarcube. You’re coming with me.”

Applejack gave her friend no time to argue as she began forcing her to walk forward in the direction of Apple Acres. Not that Dash was feeling particularly up to arguing at that point anyways. As much as she didn’t want to bother anypony with her problems, being around her friend felt good, and right now she really did not want to give that up. Timidly, she began walking as her friend moved next to her, keeping her warm body close in order to keep Dash warm. Wordlessly, they slowly walked in the direction of Apple Acres.