How did this happen? Rainbow Dash thought as she laid in the clouds, wrapped in Applejacks forelegs as they both tried to catch their breaths after making out just outside the door to Rainbow Dash's home. It took me one day to fall in love with my best friend.

How can I have more feelings for this mare next to me than any of the stallions I’ve been with?
Is it because I know her so well and we've already been through so much, or am I just lonely? I love the way she holds me, it’s so warm and perfect, like we were meant to cuddle. Sheesh, it's like she's putting all her weight on me.

"AJ, can you loosen up, you're squeezing a bit tight. I know I'm a great and all, but you don't have to hug the life outta me."

"Dashalicious-"

Rainbow Dash sat up ready to defend her name again as Applejack's grip tightened and she fell to Rainbows hips. "AJ? What's wrong? What's happening to you?"

"Twilight’s spell. It's gone, Ah’m falling into the clouds! Please, help me! Ah can't go out like this, not right now," Applejack said with fear growing on her face as she locked her fetlocks together and shut her eyes. Rainbow could feel the mare trembling as tears began to prickle the corners of her eyes. Rainbow looked down at her lover and smiled.

"AJ, it's okay. I have you, and I won't ever let you fall. You're too important to me," Applejack tried to open her eyes but feeling the pull of gravity made her tremble more as she held on and let out a quiet whimper. "C'mon, I'll get you to the balloon. Flock you're heavy when you're not laying down," she joked as she pulled herself up and began trudging to the balloon. "Ya know, you just don't appreciate how awesome it is to walk on clouds until your marefriend is holding onto your body for dear life."

Applejack tightened her grip around Rainbow Dash's middle, making her cough from the pressure. "Ya know, Sugarcube. If I fall ahm takin' you with me."

"How? I can't fall through the clouds,” she mused.

"Cuz, I have your heart."

Rainbow Dash stopped trudging and stared into the space ahead of her. The balloon looked like it was getting farther away as she thought about the words she just heard, "Uh, Sugarcube? Why'd we stop? Everything okay? How 'bout we race to the balloon, first one there wins."

Rainbow Dash shook her head and felt her heart beating heavily as she placed a hoof on her chest and breathed in deeply. She's right, damn it she's right. She has my heart. Rainbow Dash began trudging again, a little faster. If she's wants a race it's on.

Getting to the balloon, Applejack grabbed onto the basket and climbed in with a muffled thump. She got to her hooves and looked at Rainbow Dash. "You win this time Sugarplum. Thanks for, ya know, savin' my life. Ah’m going to the ground now, Ah can't stay up here another minute or Ah'll have a heart attack." With a last kiss they parted ways and Rainbow watched the balloon descend.

There might go the mare of my dreams. Rainbow Dash's eyes widened. Oh my gosh, what am I thinking? It's only been a day! Shaking her head she opened her wings and took to the sky to start her day of weather maintenance with a few tricks and a well deserved nap.

Landing the balloon, Applejack hopped out and kissed the ground repeatedly. "Oh sweet Celestia, Ah’m never leavin' you again. I missed you. Ah can't believe I left you. Please forgive me."

"Well why would I be mad at you?” Pinkie said with a grin as she bounced on her tail. “You didn't leave me cuz I wasn't even here when you left. I was getting ready for bed." Applejack stopped hugging the small pile of dirt she was forming and sat up.

"Pinkie, how long ya been sittin' there?"

"Oh I dunno, maybe an hour or so? Why? Did you miss me that much? Awww, thanks, AJ!" Pinkie said as she lunged a hug onto her friend. "Oh, I'm sorry, I guess Dashie will get mad if I hug you without permission now?" Pinkie released her grip and moved a pace back, still smiling and bouncing on a rubber ball.

Applejack was flustered. "Now, why'd you go and say that Pinkie?"

"Because you spent the night with Dashie. I remember you doing that with Twilight but you never stayed all night. Plus," Pinkie added, “you smell like her naughty places.”

Applejack blushed fiercely and stammered, finally relenting to the mystery of Pinkie Pie. "Now, don't fret about me and Dash, okay? What we did or do isn’t anypony’s business."

"But-"

"No ‘but’s’ Pinkie. This isn't your thing to talk about." Applejack was stern but kind in her words. Pinkie nodded fervently in agreement.

"Okie dokie lokie. What happens in the clouds, stays in the clouds! I guess I'll just go back and visit some friends. I have a couple parties to plan and a cutecinera, too! Later, AJ." With that Pinkie jumped towards Applejack and vanished once she was out of the mare’s line of sight.

Applejack got back to Sweet Apple Acres to her brother Big Mac standing at the gates with a scowl on his strong face.

"Upset I was out late?"

"Yup"

"Wanna know where I was?"

"Yup"

"Out with a friend."

He squinted at Applejack.

“Time to get to work, the chores aren’t gonna do themselves, now."

"Eeyup," he said as he turned and walked back to the barn.

That stallion is such a blabbermouth.

Applejack followed him into the barn where Granny Smith was sitting in her rocking chair with her forelegs crossed. Applejack knew Big Mac was a might upset, but to see Granny sitting in the barn like that meant she could be in deep trouble. "Heya, Granny, you're up early. I'm just gonna get my baskets and-"

"Doncha give me that. Ya worried me halfway to the next life. Goin' out as Luna raised the moon and then not comin’ home til now."

"Now Granny-"

"Ah ain't done yet, now sit, young filly." Applejack sat where she was with a straight back and her eyes locked on Granny Smith. "Now, I don't care if she's one of them filly lovers or, whatever ya call 'em these days, and believe me I done had a thing in my younger days," Big Mac coughed in surprise at her admission. "Oh, that surprise you Big Macintosh? A lot happens in a pony’s life an the sooner you experience somethin' new, the better.

“Now where was I? Oh yeah,” she mumbled, “Ah don't care if she's one of them, but I'm tellin' ya that I wanna know where ya are ‘fore ya give me a conniption and I pass on!"

"Granny don't talk like that, you're gonna-"

"Stop interruptin' me, dagnabbit. Now, I love you Applejack like you were my own daughter, Celestia rest her spirit with Bright Mac. But, I wanna see you honestly happy."

"Darn it, Granny," Applejack stood up and gave Granny a defiant look, "if Ah wanna be with anypony, mare or not, then I will be happy as long as they’re the right one. Ain't nopony gonna tell me otherwise cuz Ah know who Ah am. I may give you a great-grandfoal, like ya want, but I most likely ain't gonna be doin' it the traditional way."

"Dangit, Applejack, you ain't listening to me, are ya? I want ya to be happy."

"Dangit Granny I am happy. Ah fell in love with Rainbow Dash a long time ago and after last night, Ah've never been happier in all my life." Applejack's eyes opened wide as she shouted at her Granny Smith and admitted her secret at the same time.

"Woah!" A crash came from outside the side window as Applebloom's Bow was partly visible through the window.

"Oh, dagnabbit, now that little filly's prob'ly hurt peekin' on us. Big Mac, go check she didn't cut herself standin' on that barrel. Plus, we gotta talk,” Granny looked at Applejack, “mare to mare."

Applejack gulped loudly.

"Eeyup," Big Mac stated and cantered out of the barn and around the corner.

"Now, Granny-"

"My turn to talk, young'n. Ah said I wanted you to be happy, I never said how. Now, if'n ya wanna be with another mare, I'd probably choose one better than that dang hothead, Rainbow Whatshername, cuz I can see her foolin' on ya in a heartbeat, and I don’t want her ta leave you in the dust.

“But, yer young and you gotta live. Ah love ya, Applejack, and always will. And, if ya gotta use that unicorn magic to give me a great-granfoal, then so be it. Just be happy for your parents and me."

Applejack felt her eyes starting to water as she mentally processed the acceptance her Granny had to offer. "Granny, I-"
"Now c'mere and give me a hug, 'fore ya get to workin' the farm."

Applejack ran into Grannies forelegs and knocked the chair over, cracking the wood and squeezing her Applejack began beam with pride. "Thank you, Granny, thank you so much. You're the best and Ah love you."

"Ah love you too, Applejack. Now, get to work 'fore I have ta show ya how it's done."

"I will Granny, soon as ya let me go."

"You let go first."

"Ah think Ah’m okay for right now... and sorry bout your chair."

"It's okay Applejack, it was a piece of junk anyway. I was waitin' for it to break so I could get a new one." They both shared a laugh and kept hugging for another minute before Big Mac’s hooffalls announced his presence.

"Yeah, time to get to work. Thanks again, Granny." Applejack got off Granny Smith and looked at her brother, and Applebloom, who was standing behind Big Mac, looking at her. "So, I guess y'all heard?" Applejack asked.

"Eeyup."

"Yeah, but, Ah don't get it. Applejack, yer the strongest mare in Ponyville an’ ya got a dozen stallions knockin' at the door ev'ry month. Ya go on dates all the time... and now ah find out yer inta fillies? Why'd ya hafta go choose that?"

Walking over to Apple Bloom, Big Mag moved aside to let them talk. Applejack sat on her rump and looked at Applebloom. "Sugarcube, Ah didn't choose to love mares. It's how Ah was born and how Ah’ve felt since I was yer age. Rainbow Dash is a very good friend and Ah love her as a friend first, but somethin' else entirely second. But, no matter what, Ah love my family still and Ah'd love to have your understanding, at least."

"But, why'd you have all them dates with those stallions if ya weren't gonna do nothin'? How ya gonna give me a little niece if ya don't have a stallion plow yer fields? Applejack looked at the filly with shock and Granny gasped from behind at the language.

"Applebloom! Who told you about all that stuff?"

"Ahm in the third grade, not preschool. It came up once with Miss Cheerilee and Big Mac, a bit after we gave 'em the love poison."

Big Mac coughed loudly and shook his head at Applebloom. "Ah guess Ah’m not supposed to talk about the details, but... we learnt a lot about sex that day."

Applejack glared at Big Mac as he shied away, backing into a wall. "Now Applebloom, Ah went all them dates cuz I was expected to, and it was kinda fun at times. Some of them were really good and nice ponies, but I couldn't love them, and believe me I tried."

"Even with Eagle Eye? You two were so close, Ah thought you'd get hitched in no time."

"Well," Applejack glared at Big Mac again, "we tried to spend time together, but it didn't work out, what with my chores and his evening job. We still talk and're neighborly, but that's the best Ah’m ever gonna get with a stallion in this world."

Thinking for what felt like a minute as everyone listened in silence for Applebloom to speak when she finally took in a deep breath."No."

Applejack cocked her head to the side with a soft smile. "No what, hun?"

"I. Said. NO,” the filly screamed. “Ah don't understand and Ah don't know if Ah will, but I wanna little niece’r nephew and you can't do that with another mare, that much Ah do know. Ah don't understand and Ah'll never forgive Rainbow Dash, ever!"

She turned and started crying as she ran for the house. Applejack stood to chase after her little sister as she felt her heart breaking but stopped after a few paces as the filly crested a hill and disappeared in the orchard.

"She's gonna be okay, right, Big Mac?"

"Ah’m sure of it."

"Granny, will you help her? Ah don't think she wants to see me right now and she needs somepony."

"Yeah, doncha worry none. Now, Big Mac can handle yer chores while Ah get some of her favorite snacks together.She’ll come back when she’s ready’n Ah’ll be here ta listen."

"Big Mac, you and me're gonna have some words later about what Apple Bloom was talkin' 'bout," Applejack said as she walked past Big Mac and into the orchard to think while she worked.

Dangit, I just didn't think it'd go this way so fast. Not even with Rainbow Dash. Apple Bloom is hurtin' and it’s all my fault, Granny and Big Mac are okay with my personal life. Maybe Granny's right and she'll fool around on me first chance. This is Rainbow Dash we’re talkin’ about. But on the other hoof, maybe Ah'll be with her forever and we’ll always be happy. Ya just can't tell with that one. That's why I fell for her, cuz she ain't like everypony else. She laughed to herself. 'Branches,' Ah know she meant ‘brashness,’ but this time Ah let her have it.

Applejack smiled for a moment as she sat down and took in a deep breath, listening to the leaves in the trees rustle from the passing breeze her mind cleared. This is the life I always wanted, so why aren't I as happy as I thought I’d be?

Rainbow Dash had her goggles on as she flew as quick as she could to her starting area. She landed on a darker cloud and got to her starting position before dashing off leaving a rainbow contrail behind her and busting the cloud, dumping it’s water all at once to the grassy knoll below itself.

She grinned daringly as the air whistled through her ears as she reached the second area. Being a Weather Maintenance Manager meant she had to start first and do more than other ponies, but it also meant she did her own scheduling and made sure to include nap times and an early start to have an early day, which worked especially well in a small hamlet as Ponyville.

Pushing two cumulus clouds into each other then moving them over town was her first task and she quickly did that, offering shade to a garden that was being tended to. She then turned to her tasks of cloud movement and dispersal. While bucking into a few clouds she noticed three Pegasus flying up to her as she worked and she thought about pretending to sleep on one of the clouds for a second.

"Hey, Rainbow Dash, I heard you and Soarin broke up,” Buttercup snarked, “that's a shame. Is he looking for a new mare?"

"I don't know or care. Now get lost, I've got a lot of clouds to bust and you're in my way."

"Well, I was just asking because we bet you’re a fillyfooler." The three pegasus mares laughed as they hovered in place. “That’s why you can’t keep a coltfriend, isn’t it,” they tittered and laughed until Rainbow Dash punched one of them in the muzzle before front flipping and slapping her over the head with her tail, making her spiral almost 100 feet down before she recovered and flew the rest of the way to the ground.

"You wanna start bucking with me and I'll show you some moves you've never seen. Now get lost."

One of the other two remaining giggled as she floated backwards. "I bet you'd love to show us some new moves,” she managed to get out before coughing from a rear hoof in her belly faster than she could react. The mare held her belly and tried to keep her wings flapping as she quickly, awkwardly, descended the the ground. The last pegasus smiled awkwardly. “I’m just a follower, I’m leaving now.” The mare dove after her friends while Rainbow huffed in frustration.

And stay gone. Of all the times to be teased about being a fillyfooler, if only they knew.

Rainbow Dash finished her work as quickly as she could before flying to Sweet Apple Acres and landing at the barn. Looking around she didn't see anypony so she flew to the house to ask where Applejack might be. Walking in she saw Granny with a foreleg around a sobbing Applebloom at the table. "Hey, uh. I'm looking for Applejack."

Apple Bloom’s head snapped up and she sneered just before she threw a plate of cookies that was in front of her at Rainbow Dash, missing her completely. " Ah hate you! You stole my niece from me you bucking preener!" Granny slapped Applebloom on the back of her head in a heartbeat.

Apple Bloom gasped, her hooves moved to where she’d been struck with a shocked look at her grandmother because the rare strike while she was scolded.

"Applebloom! You ain't allowed to use language like that,” she started with a look that sent chills through Big Mac and the filly, “we don't take kindly to race hatin' in this house! Where’d ya learn that hogwash, anyhow?! Big Mac,” Granny snapped to the large stallion making his ears fall and to take a reflexive step back, “get the soap bar."

Apple Bloom's eyes filled with tears as she tried to explain, but Granny ignored her. With a look that only an angry parent could give she silenced the filly then gave her attention to Rainbow Dash. "You're a grown mare, just like my Applejack, and I hope you have a heart as good as hers too. She's in the orchard somewhere, thinkin'. Ah'm sure she'd appreciate a visit from her special somepony," she winked slightly.

"You, you know?" Rainbow Dash blushed and looked at the floor she was scratching at.

"Darlin’, we've thought for a while about Applejack’s ways, but didn't really know until she told us she loved you. You make her happy, Rainbow Dash. Go git her, and if you hurt her Nightmare Moon will seem like a scratch compared to what we’ll do to ya," Granny Smith said with a kind smile.

Rainbow Dash took a step back as she looked into Granny Smith's face. She means it. Luna’s glorious anus, what am I getting into? Opening her wings she hovered. “Yes, ma’am,” Rainbow nodded and flew to the orchard.

There she is, Rainbow turned and flew to the orange dot below her that contrasted very well against the green trees and grass. Landing right behind Applejack she stood in place, thinking of what to say or do.

"Heya, Dashing, what's on yer mind?" Applejack asked without turning around. Rainbow Dash didn't know what to say. "Well, Ah guess it’s about us."

"Oh, well, I thought we'd have a talk about that."

"Ah want you to be happy, Dashing, and Ah hope you want the same for me."

"Of course I do, AJ. I wanted to talk to you about that."

Rainbow trotted around Applejack to look at her and saw a nervous mare with a troubled look. "Rainbow, I've had a long two hours and Ah gotta tell you what happened." Applejack brought Dash up to speed about her day so far. "So, that's what going on. How's your day been? I see you did the clouds as fast as a whip. All Ah saw was your trail in the sky. Tickled my heart like always," she said as she looked into the orchard.

"Yeah I had to get away from some jerks," taking a few short sentences, she filled Applejack in on her day so far.

"So, sounds like we both're havin' a mighty fine day,” she rolled her eyes, “and it ain't even lunch yet. Ah think Ah know what's wrong with me, at least right now. I don't feel happy cuz Ah wasn't honest sooner with you and my family. I feel like Ah rushed into a relationship and you weren't ready. Almost like I took advantage of you the first chance Ah got. Rainbow Dash, did Ah rush, us? Are you uncomfortable or unhappy with what Ah did?"

Rainbow stood next to Applejack and smirked, looking into her emerald green eyes. "No,” she said softly, “I needed it more than I knew. I was never a fast thinker, just a doer, and when you started to kiss me, I went with it because it was something new, different, and a challenge,” she looked around to make sure she wasn’t being heard by anypony else. “ I thought of our night most of the day so far, and what you did to me, and how great it was,” she giggled, “and what I learned to do to do.

“Then I thought of how Soarin and Double Shot were when they used me for my body… they left me in a flap and I realized that I've known you for a way longer time and you won't just leave me. You’re, like, making me sappy,” she frowned at herself but kept on, not noticing the shimmer in Applejack’s eyes, “you're the best mare I've ever met and I know we'll always be friends. But,” she paused for effect, “I want more than that with you,” she looked at Applejack with a soft smile. “I want to try everything a real relationship has to offer,” her voice cracked, “and I want that with you. I mean sure, you may not be that fast and you can't fly or walk on clouds or control the weather or always smell that good and you have really bad hooves that scratch a lot. And I mean a lot," she grinned to Applejack, "but, I really like all that about you." Rainbow said putting a foreleg around Applejack and pulling her into a hug, using a wing to pet her yellow mane. "And I think I can love that about you too.

“Oh, Dash…”

“But, I think we should go on a real date first and see how we feel. That this can be more than just sex. And one last thing; next time we make love we have to have a place down here, because I don't want Twi to have to cast a spell on you every time knowing exactly why."

"Yeah, Ah can see that going bad fast,” Applejack broke the hug and turned until she was sided with Rainbow Dash, the pegasus’ petite size put her obviously shorter than Applejack. “I think a roll in the straw in the barn would be safest bet," Applejack giggled.

Rainbow Dash draped a wing around Applejack. "Why wait?"

They shared a giggle and held each other until Granny sounded the lunch bell. "Huh? My, how time flies when I’m with you, Dashing. It’s time for chow, ya hungry?"

"Yeah, I can eat a whole Apple," she elbowed Applejack in the foreleg with a wink.

Applejack gave Rainbow a sardonic look, but broke it to smile. "Seriously Dashalicious, that one was pretty bad."

"Don't call me that," she leaned up slightly to nuzzle Applejack, “or I’ll call you applejunk.

They laughed. “Ain’t heard that one before, but I think it’s a fair trade, cuz Ah got some junk in my trunk, I’ve been told.”

Rainbow gasped and tried to look back to Applejack’s rump and was tossed to the ground as Applejack took to a gallop back towards the farmhouse. “Distracted ya!”

Rainbow took to the air and started to chase after Applejack, her eyes looking at the taut muscles moving under Applejack’s orange coat and a warmth crossed her at the thought of strong legs wrapping around her.