The last day before the Running of the Leaves was always Applejack's favorite. The trees were still brightly colored, a fiery sea in the sky just below the clouds. The air was crisp, but not too cold, and the scent of autumn still hung in the air. The pegasi had decided on a beautiful cloudless day, no doubt in part thanks to Rainbow Dash's insisting. The sun was still high enough that light touched everything in the orchard, but low enough that it cast the perfect glow. Rarity was running late, which was to be expected, but on a day like this, Applejack wasn't annoyed or impatient. She could wait all night for Rarity to arrive if she had to.

She didn't have to, thankfully. The mare was trotting over the fields now, a scarf around her neck even though there was no chill to speak of. She was making excuses for running late- something about finishing up an order for her Manehatten store- but Applejack shrugged it off. It was no big deal. She'd only been a few minutes late, and her business in Manehatten was really blooming. It was understandable she'd take that extra time to focus on work. She was dedicated. Applejack loved that about her, her dedication. She never did anything half-flanked. It was always 110%, no matter what, and her work really paid off. In a few years, she would be making a real profit, not just a few bits tucked away here and there.

"Walk with me," Applejack said, noticing that Rarity was searching for a grassier patch of ground to sit on. Rarity looked confused. The two usually sat beneath the trees, relaxed, and talked about their days before they returned to the barn for the night. They didn't really take walks, mostly because their jobs required they be on their hooves most of the day, but Rarity shrugged it off. A change of routine would be nice. She followed alongside Applejack down the path that was usually reserved for the Running of the Leaves.

Applejack started up the usual conversation, asking Rarity about her day. They fell into the easy routine, Rarity chatting about particularly difficult customers, and Applejack bragging about how much of the apple field she'd tended to. It was as if they were in their little spot, nothing having changed for the day, but Rarity felt slightly uneasy. Applejack seemed nervous. That alone wouldn't have bothered Rarity- Applejack often had her mind on a number of things at once, and sometimes, she would be worried about something to do with the farm. Nerves alone weren't making Rarity uneasy. It was Applejack's nerves paired with the change in routine. Something was up.

"Applejack, darling, you seem flustered. Is anything the matter?"

"Nope. Mighty pretty, these leaves, ain't they? It's the best day of the year, when all the leaves are still in the trees,"

"Yes, you've said that," Rarity sighed. Applejack continued to ramble about the day, repeating the fact that it was her favorite day a grand total of twenty or so times before she finally came to a stop in a small clearing. They were surrounded by trees, completely under the cover of the leaves. It was colder here, without the sun. Applejack hadn't accounted for that, and she shivered slightly, but it wasn't so cold that she was deterred.

"Rarity," Applejack began, her voice shaking. Rarity's sapphire eyes met Applejack's emerald, looking for anything that might give away what was happening. Since they'd gotten together, Applejack hardly ever called Rarity by her full name. She was almost always 'Rares' these days.

"Yes, Darling?"

"We've been together a long time, and we've been through a lot, what with saving Equestria and solving all those friendship problems, and everything in between. And we've still got our entire lives ahead of us. I can't offer you much in terms of money- I barely make enough to pay off the rent on the farm as it is- but I can offer you my love and loyalty. It would make me the happiest mare in all of Equestria if you would do me the honor of marrying me," Applejack removed her hat and pulled a ring box from inside, opening it to reveal a ring. It wasn't anything extravagant- Applejack could never afford that- but it was beautiful. Made of silver, adorned with a simple sapphire that caught the fading sunlight. Rarity raised it with her magic, her eyes tearing up. Even a ring as simple as this would have cost a fortune that Applejack must of spent ages saving to buy, for her.

"Applejack, I hardly know what to say," Rarity managed, sliding the ring onto her horn. A perfect fit, of course. "Yes, absolutely, one hundred percent, yes," Applejack herself looked as though she might faint. This explained the nerves- anypony would be nervous, racking up the nerve to propose, and the walk. It really was the perfect spot. Private, beautiful, and memorable. It was easily accessible, so they could return at any time to remember this moment, but not so much so that it could be vandalised.

"I love ya, Rares," Applejack said softly, nuzzling her marefriend's- no, her fiancee's cheek.

"And I, you," Rarity said back, planting a kiss on Applejack's cheek. The wind picked up then, and the clearing began to darken. The sun was going down, and the perfect weather Dash had been able to secure for them was taking a turn for the worst. It was nearing the end of autumn, after all. The two came to an unspoken agreement to return home, walking beside each other, pressing together every few steps. They approached the barn, Rarity's new ring sparkling on her horn, catching the last rays of sun as, elsewhere, Celestia lowered it, making way for the moon that was climbing the sky. Rarity was bursting with excitement about creating a whole line of bridesmare's dresses, taking control of the conversation. She was already planning flower arrangements, guest lists, who would take part in the ceremony...Applejack was just relieved Rarity had said yes. She would worry about these things tomorrow.

Tomorrow, she would help decide on a date and location. She would go over flowers and dress designs for the bridesmares with Rarity. They would go into town and tell their friends the good news. Twilight would be the Mare of Honor, of course. Without her, Applejack and Rarity would never have become more than passing strangers who lived in the same town. But those were matters for later. Tonight, she would enjoy going home with her fiancee. She would get ready for bed with her fiancee. She would go to sleep lying beside her fiancee. And, once they agreed on a date, she would get married to Rarity, her fiancee.

Author's Notes:

Guess who's back? I'm not dead, I've just been busy. And lazy. Mostly lazy. But also busy. Eh, no excuses y'all don't care, just know that I'm back~

Also, to those who care about my personal life, I will be relocating to Texas this weekend so if any of y'all happen to live there, that's where I'll be.