The entire room was quiet, save for the gentle breathing of the two mares as they quietly enjoyed each other's company. The two had long since shifted positions, and now lay contentedly in each other's forelegs. The collar stayed secured around Applejack's neck, and while it was more than likely that it had been left there due to a lack of initiative taken to take it off, Applejack couldn't help but be rather content with keeping it on. Besides, Fluttershy seemed to be having fun batting the tag around.

Applejack stared into the eyes of the love of her life. Seeing her this cheerful was always a lovely thing, made ever lovelier by the knowledge that their spat made it seem like it had been forever since she'd seen her this happy. The mare had the sweetest smile in all of Equestria. When she smiled, those beautiful teal eyes would scrunch ever so slightly, just enough to create a tiny wrinkle at the corner of her right eye. And that laughter...it was like music to her ears. Every single thing about that mare was beautiful, more beautiful than any other sight the world had to offer. Her happiness only made it more noticeable.

"I'm sorry."

The words took Applejack by surprise, especially since they'd come out of her own mouth. It wasn't the sentiment that shocked her; she'd certainly been wanting to say it for a little bit, but something, likely her pride, always made her have to refrain.

"You're sorry?" Fluttershy repeated, looking about as confused as Applejack. "I think you did a wonderful job. You were a great pet."

"Not about that," Applejack replied, though the compliment did make her cheeks color. "About...you know."

There was a brief moment of utter silence before realization struck, and Fluttershy's smile faltered slightly.

"Oh," the pegasus said, and nothing more. Her curious expression jabbed at the collared earth pony.

"Yeah..." Applejack said. Her hooves started to rub Fluttershy's back gently, right between the wings. It was her favorite spot for rubs, and Applejack knew it well. "I know I've been awful stubborn and pigheaded about this whole thing, and I doubt I have to tell you why."

"You don't," Fluttershy responded. "But I'd like you to anyway." For the briefest of moments, Applejack found herself straying back to the mindset from earlier. The collar was still around her neck, after all. It was fairly clear from Fluttershy's tone, however, that having her perceive this as an order wasn't her intent. Not that it made her any less interested in doing what she'd been asked. The farmer let out a soft sigh.

"I want us to move in together more than anything, Shy," Applejack told her. "I love you so much it hurts sometimes, and the thing that makes me happiest in this world is seeing you happy. But I love my family too, and I ain't planning on stopping my farm work. I thought you coming to live at Sweet Apple Acres just made the most sense."

"And I understand where you're coming from with that," Fluttershy said, moving back slightly so the two could look into each other's eyes more easily. "I really do. I love you too, and I would love to move in together. But it just makes more sense for us to live at my cottage. I've got so many animal friends that I care for here. I couldn't possibly relocate them to the farm, and if I wasn't home, they'd have nopony to take care of their needs."

"They're animals, Fluttershy..." Applejack answered. She could feel the temptation to raise her voice, but actively fought it back. She couldn't bear to shout at Fluttershy right now. "They can take care of their own needs."

"Mostly, yes," Fluttershy responded. "But there are some that need more help than others. And even barring that, many of them have been coming here for years. Even ponies have a hard time breaking habits. Imagine what it's like for a little squirrel who's never known another way of life?"

"But I've got ponies at the farm who need me too!" Applejack insisted. She heard her voice raise ever so slightly, and kept it in check before it could raise any more.

"Applejack..." Fluttershy said softly. "They don't need you." The pegasus hesitated, taking note of Applejack's expression and reviewing just how what she'd said might have come off before continuing. "I mean, they need you, but not in the same way those animals need me. Granny Smith is more active than you'd think. Apple Bloom is nearly a teenager and she's matured so much recently. Even if they did need help in the time that you wouldn't be there, Big Macintosh is more than capable, and now that Sugar Belle has moved in, she's around to help too. It's just a little bit of a walk from here to there, and you'd be walking there every day to help with the farm, so even if there was some emergency, you'd either already be there or just be a short walk away. Do you see where I'm coming from?"

Applejack held her breath. Fluttershy's points made far more sense than she wanted to admit. Maybe she did get a bit overprotective with Granny Smith. Maybe she did dote on Apple Bloom just a bit too much. The way she'd put things made so much sense, and yet here she was, still holding back from conceding her point. The only reason she could possibly think of for doing such a thing was that...

"You're scared to move away from your family."

Applejack felt her mouth go dry. She looked back at Fluttershy, into those big, caring eyes. The words, despite being spoken without the least bit of venom behind them, sliced through her mental defenses like a 1000 degree knife through...well, practically anything, if those videos Apple Bloom liked so much were to be believed. Her first instinct was to vehemently disagree these allegations, but she found herself unable to speak. The words rang true, far more true than she would have liked.

"You don't have to agree," Fluttershy said, one hoof moving to stroke her mane. "I know it's hard for somepony who's lived with family their whole life to leave them."

"I did leave them once," Applejack said softly. "When I was a filly. Even though I went to live with other family, it never felt right."

"Mhm," Fluttershy responded, continuing to stroke that mane. "It's not easy for some ponies. Like my brother, for example. I know it's a very different situation with him, but it still has its similarities." The pegasus nudged the side of Applejack's head, turning it so the two were face to face. "I would love for the two of us to live together, but we don't have to do it right now if one or both of us isn't completely ready for it."

"Right..." Applejack said. "Maybe...maybe we could wait a little bit? It could give me a little time to ease myself into the idea. I'll spend a bit more time at your place until it feels more natural to call it home."

"That sounds like a good idea," Fluttershy told her, before moving in for a hug.

"Thanks, Shy," Applejack said, nuzzling her love's cheek. "I'm awful sorry for giving you such a hard time about all of this and saying such hurtful things to you."

"I forgive you, honey," Fluttershy answered, giving Applejack a soft kiss. "And I'm sorry too. I know I can get a bit...catty, sometimes, when things aren't going my way and I think they should be. You don't deserve that, and I'm sorry for being like that to you."

"Shh," Applejack said, giving her the most genuine smile she could. "I forgive you too."

Just as the two were about to share another kiss, they were distracted by a faint glowing emanating from their rear ends. The two glanced past each other to look at the other's cutie mark.

"Oh my goodness..." Fluttershy said, eyes widening. "I guess the friendship problem we were supposed to solve..."

"Was our own," Applejack finished. She couldn't help a quiet chuckle as she nuzzled Fluttershy's neck. "Guess the map recognized the problem better than we did, huh?"

"I guess so," Fluttershy said, sighing happily. "Does that mean we can head home?"

"Let's go tomorrow morning," Applejack told her, resting against her lover. "It's late, and leaving would mean that I'd have to get out of this comfy position." She chuckled once more, eliciting a giggle from Fluttershy as the two laid back down. Fluttershy's hoof traced along Applejack's neck, coming to rest on her new accessory.

"Think Blueflame will let us keep the collar?" Fluttershy asked.

"I sure hope so," Applejack replied.