Rainbow, Applejack, and Fluttershy lay on the living room carpet where the couch was. The bag of vegetables were between them while they talked.

“So, ‘Shy, now that you’re at the next level with Pinkie, are you gonna come by the party tomorrow night?” Rainbow asked between bites of a large celery stalk, fresh from the farm.

“Um, I have to talk it over with Pinkie first, but I think I’d like to try. M-maybe it’ll be fun?”

“Maybe? ‘Shy, this’ gonna be a great pairs party.” Applejack scowled at Rainbow. “Not pears, to eat. Pairs, like two ponies together.”

“Well Ah still don’t like that word.”

“Pairs of boots, pairs of socks, pairs of-”

“Stop it, Dashing or Ah’ll stuff this carrot up yer nose.”

Fluttershy giggled. “Maybe Pinkie and I can be like you two someday.”

“Nah, ya don’t wanna be like us,” Applejack said thoughtfully, “every couple needs to be themselves. If’n ya wanna be silly with her or ya wanna sit and read, it’s your lives. Don’t try and be anything more.”

“Yeah, if things change just go with it. Look at me, I’m a wreck, but AJ’s fix’n me up to be a better pony everytime I break.”

Applejack and Fluttershy smiled to each other then to Rainbow. “That was a very mature thing to say about yourself, Rainbow.”

“Yeah, well,” she replied blushing, “just don’t go messin’ up my image.”

“Oh, enough with that big head nonsense. Yer better than ever, ya got more respect than you ever had before, and, well,” she hesitated looking to the carrot she had in front of her, “Ah’m more proud of ya now then ever, except when ya fall offa the wagon. Dash,” she looked into the ruby eyes she loved so much. “Ya scared me. I ain’t been that scared since I was almost ate by a timberwolf.”

“AJ, I’m sorry.”

“She’s sorry Applejack, so let’s-”

“No, Fluttershy. I have to say this. I felt so bad about losing Lime that I was ready to die to tell her I was sorry,” the others straightened in surprise as Rainbow looked to the last bite of her celery and pushed it away from her, staring intently at it, “I didn’t think about you or anypony. I just thought of myself.”

“When I saw Lime in that luship dream and we talked, I felt, well,” she looked to Applejack’s hooves, “sad and happy. I was sad that she was gone, but happy she was happy and cared about me,” her gaze raised to Applejack’s neck, “but then I was sad, ‘cuz of you.”

“Dash?”

“You,” she interrupted, “you cared more about me than I cared, ever. I used to do whatever I wanted and feather anyone who thought otherwise. That’s why I was always fightin’ ya back then, it was more ta see how far ya’d let me go and how ya’d take care of me. Sure, everypony cared, but…”

“I understand, hon. Is that why you always wanted to get into the Wonderbolts?”

“Nah, they’re the best and totally awesome and I’d be able to travel and, well, back then I could get laid a lot more. Kinda a second reason to join,” she said looking back to her hooves, “but now, I don’t give a feather about that. You’re my reason to do whatever, but not hurt myself when doing it.”

“Rainbow, you didn’t hurt yourself on purpose, did you?”

“Sometimes, ‘Shy. But it wasn’t often, usually I was drunk when I did that.”

“But never again, right?”

“Of course, AJ. I-I can’t give up drinking, it’s something every mare does,” she winced as Applejack shot her a look of disapproval, “almost every mare does, but I’m gonna when we have a party, with your permission, AJ.”

“That’s more like it.”

“Fluttershy, where’s Pinkie, I need her for something.”

“Somepony call me?!” Pinkie shouted from the kitchen, hopping into the room to everypony’s surprise, except Fluttershy. “I had a tingly hoof and an itchy ear, then a twist in my tongue, which means that my Shy Fly was thinking of me and wanted me to answer a question! So, what’s it honey stick?”

Rainbow and Applejack giggled, looking at the blushing yellow mare. “Um, well Pinkie-Winkie, wanna go to the girls’ next party?”

“Oh my gosh! I’d love to; I’ll bring cake, cookies, punch, I’ll set up balloons and streamers and-”

“No, Pinkie, it’s a lovers party. Only couples like us.”

“Foolers and cuddlers? Why?”

“Cuz it’s fun and we get to party like older ponies.”

“But, we’re not older ponies yet, we’re not even over twenty one yet. We should be kids and have fun for as long as we can, right?”

“Well, uh, yes. However, Pinkie Winkie,” Applejack and Rainbow looked to each other and made a motion with them sticking their hooves in their mouths, “I think it’d be nice to try something different. Maybe you’ll be inspired for another party of yours.”

“Well, if you think so, Sweetie Roll. So, that’s it?”

“No, Pinkie. I was gonna ask you to witness my biggest Pinkie Promise ever.”

Pinkie looked seriously at Rainbow and nodded, her hair bouncing.

“I, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Promise to never get drunk again, and any time I wanna drink, no matter where I am, I’m not going to take a drop until AJ says it’s okay. Cross my heart, hope to fly, even though I already do, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

“It’s official. If you break your promise,” Pinkie said narrowing her eyes seriously, “forever.”

“I know. It’s not worth it to lose AJ, or myself again.”

“Great! It’s a promise, let’s celebrate,” she said grinning a little too wide. She produced a tray of rainbow sprinkled cupcakes from behind her and placing between the trio. “Gotta run, Pinkie sense is tingling,” she said looking to the kitchen intently. “Bye, girls.”

She turned and trotted back into the kitchen, then her hoof falls went silent.

“AJ, there’s no way out of the house from the kitc-,” Rainbow shook her head as she looked back to the others, “never mind. So, let’s eat up. I’m starving and this a great way to start, dessert first.”

“We’re goin’ ta Mac L Mares, ya ain’t been there in a couple days and I got ‘em to start carryin’ a fire sauce and horseradish mix called ‘Rainboom’. It’s goin’ great and you get a free burger a week.”

Rainbow grinned, icing on her lips and sprinkles across her teeth.

“Well, someone found the stallion! C’mon ‘Shy, I’ll teach ya her favorite game.”

“Oh tartarus no you don’t,” Rainbow shouted taking to the air, with another cupcake in her hoof, as she flew out of the room.

“And that’s why ya gotta come, ‘Shy.”

Sharing a giggle they took a cupcake each and took a bite. They moaned as they chewed.

“Fluttershy, how does she make these so good?”

“She told me, but it’s a secret ingredient. I can tell you this, though: it’s something she grew up with.”

“Hmm,” Applejack thought, “is it a rock?”

Fluttershy swallowed and giggled. “I’ll never tell.”

“Fair enough.”

“Well, I’m gonna go now that she’s better. Make sure she eats well and drinks plenty of fluids. And, if she talks about what’s bothering her, just let her talk.”

Fluttershy stood and left the room to the door, opened it and said a goodbye to Rainbow, before she closed the door, leaving the duo alone.

Rainbow returned and landed next to Applejack, draping a wing over her. She leaned in to nuzzle before she was pulled into a kiss.

“Ya still in the mood, Dashing?” Applejack said softly.

“When am I not with you around?”

“Heh, true. Wanna go upstairs?”

Rainbow tapped her chin with her hoof and looked up, seemingly deep in thought.

“No.”

“Okay, I’ll meet ya the-, wait, what?” Applejack asked as she was pushing herself up, she stopped to look at Rainbow.

“I don’t want that to be what we’re about, just, just lay with me. We’ll do that later, maybe tonight, maybe not. Just, I wanna be with you, Applejack. I almost lost you, and you still…” Rainbow pulled Applejack back to her side and laid on her forelegs, Applejack hesitated before laying her head over Rainbow’s.

“Rainbow, you’re full of surprises.”

“And, I can’t believe I’m gonna say this, but love, too.”

With a content sigh Applejack rested and relaxed on Rainbow on their living room floor.

“Rainbow?”

“Yeah, AJ?”

“Where is our couch?”

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