Rarity and Applejack rejoiced with their friends under the pavilion, eating lots of sweets and talking about the events of the day. Rainbow Dash was oddly excited about the advent of two of her best friends dating. She asked both of them all about how everything went down, and gave Applejack several hoof bumps and "aw yeah"s. Pinkie was as gleeful and excited as ever, but also carefully made sure everypony was having a good time. Always a hostess, that one. Twilight was acting like she was both of their mothers at once, reminding each of them of how they should behave with each other and generally overthinking the whole thing. She did so with a smile, however, so it was no big deal in the end. Fluttershy returned to the group after a short while, having come back from tucking her animals in for the night. She congratulated the new couple and told both of them how proud she was of them.

A little while later, the sky began to light up as the fireworks show began. The six friends all hurried to sit in front of the pavilion, the pyrotechnics clearly visible over a nearby hill. Amidst the whistling and booming of the fireworks and the "ooos" and "ahhs" of her friends, Rarity silently looked around at everypony. Pinkie Pie was sitting farthest away from her, and was polishing off a cupcake while beaming up at the sky. As Rarity looked on, Pinkie turned to look back at her, giving a warm, slightly-icing-covered smile. Next to Pinkie was Twilight, looking more relaxed than usual. She had her eyes glued to the sky more than anypony else, and almost seemed to be nodding her head to a silent tune. A rather large firecracker exploded, casting a momentary white glow over Twilight's face. As the white glow faded away, she turned and gave a pleasant nod, noticing Rarity's gaze. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were sitting between Twilight and Rarity, chatting quietly about their day. It depended on the day, but Rainbow would usually try to sit next to Fluttershy, and always seemed happy to talk to her. The light from a trio of multicolored fireworks danced across Rainbow's mane, Fluttershy noticing and silently admiring it. Fluttershy's eyes then moved to Rarity as she offered a gentle smile, Rainbow turning around and doing the same. Rarity smiled back, before slowly turning around to look at Applejack, who was sitting on her other side. AJ had her hat off again, this time resting in her lap. Her blonde hair glowed brightly whenever a large firework burst, making her look almost angelic to Rarity. AJ kept her eyes on the sky, looking so happy and satisfied that nothing could ever get her down. Without looking, she moved her hoof over and placed it over Rarity's. Rarity gripped her hoof tight, taking one last look at her newfound marefriend before leaning over to rest on AJ's shoulder. She closed her eyes, ignoring the faraway booms, and gave herself up to the moment.

After the fireworks had ended, the six friends helped tidy up the pavilion before all saying their "goodnights". Applejack walked next to Rarity, accompanying her on her walk back to the boutique. Twilight was kind enough to run her dress home before the fireworks started, so she was free to hold hooves with AJ on their evening stroll. It was a bit chilly now that night had finally overtaken the sky, but Rarity felt cozy anyway next to Applejack's warmth. The smoke from the pyrotechnics was finally clearing, revealing starry skies overhead. Lanterns lit up a path throughout the fair, though nearly everything was shut down by this point. Rarity scanned the abandoned fairgrounds before spotting something that caught her fancy.

"I'd like to make one more stop before home," said Rarity. Applejack glanced over to where her partner was looking to find a small ferris wheel, still lit up and with a pony at the controls. Rarity pulled out a few bits and gave her marefriend a smile. Applejack smiled back, nodded her head and walking with her toward the ride. As the couple approached, a blue unicorn mare in a work outfit greeted them. She informed the couple that they were lucky; they had caught the last ride of the night. Rarity gave the carnival mare a few bits and took AJ by the hoof to board the lowest car on the wheel. The blue pony locked the gate on their car and trotted over to her control board, hitting a large red button and then sitting down on a folding chair next to the board. Rarity held on to Applejack as the car jittered into motion, moving slowly upwards on the wheel. The two friends giggled as the car would stop for a little while at every stop, causing it to shake them about slightly each time. By the time they reached the top of the wheel, both ponies looked out over the night.

"Wow, that's just beautiful right there," said Applejack, placing her hoof around her partner as they both looked out of their car. Rarity gave a soft "mhmm", snuggling closer to AJ. The starry sky ended at the treeline, replaced with a sea of lanterns all around the fair. They could see small shadows moving around in the distance, ponies saying goodbyes and heading back to their homes. The breeze picked up, setting the treeline into motion and blowing a few leaves past the couple's car. Applejack laid her head on top of Rarity's, taking her hat off and placing it in their laps. She closed her eyes and held Rarity tight. Rarity said something under her breath, but Applejack wasn't quite able to make it out.

"What was that, sweetie?" she asked quietly. Rarity lifted her head up to kiss her partner on the cheek, then whispered into her ear.

"I love you."

A few stray leaves rustled around the road as the two ponies neared Rarity's boutique. It was beginning to get quite chilly, so Rarity was happy to have Applejack to keep her warm on her walk home. The moonlight fell lightly onto Rarity's home, giving a faint glow to the building. As they approached the front door, Rarity turned to her marefriend.

"Thank you so much for such a beautiful day," said Rarity, looking intently into her partner's eyes. "I feel like the luckiest girl in all of Equestria tonight". Applejack pulled her into a big hug, grinning from ear to ear. As the two pulled apart from their embrace, Applejack spotted a familiar playful look on Rarity's face. Applejack cocked her head, imploring her to ask whatever she was going to ask.

"You know it is awfully chilly," Rarity stated, "and you sure do have a dreadfully long walk back to Sweet Apple Acres..." Applejack blushed, putting a hoof on Rarity's shoulder.

"I know we're officially an item now," said Applejack, "but I don't think I'm quite ready to spend the night quite yet." Rarity giggled and put her hoof over AJ's, removing it from her shoulder and holding it between them.

"I know that," Rarity replied, "I was just going to say you could sleep on my couch tonight if you didn't want to make the trek back. I know it was a big day today, and I myself am quite tired. No funny business." Applejack ceased blushing and maintained a small smile, chuckling to herself.

"Okay," said Applejack, "but I warn ya, I'm gonna have to get up at the crack of dawn to make it back home in time for chores." She gave Rarity the most serious look she could muster despite the persistent glee she had been filled with since the fair. "I just wouldn't wanna wake you up super early, don't wanna interrupt your beauty sleep and all," she continued, nuzzling her head against Rarity's. "Heh heh, not that you would need it. Considering you're already the most beautiful mare I've ever met." Rarity gave AJ a playful shove and a peck on the nose for her sappy line.

"It's completely fine with me," Rarity replied, "I think it will help me sleep just knowing you're there." Applejack nodded her head, and Rarity opened the door for her.

Applejack stood in the main room as Rarity retrieved a couple blankets and some pillows. Rarity used her magic to quickly turn her couch into a presentable makeshift bed, Applejack giving her a thankful hug mid-bedmaking. Applejack climbed onto the couch and pulled the covers over her.

"Thanks a bunch Rare," she said, getting cozy, "I think we both really could use a good night's sleep." Rarity nodded her head with a gentle smile, then turned out the lights.

"Goodnight darling," she said from the darkness, "I love you so much."

"Love you too Rare," AJ replied, "night, sweetheart." She could hear Rarity give off a quiet squeak of excitement before heading upstairs. Applejack closed her eyes as she pulled the covers tight. She thought about everything that happened during her day. She thought about her excellent date plan, beating Rainbow in the big race, and most importantly, finally dating the girl of her dreams. Applejack wore a satisfied grin as she felt her mind start to drift off to dreamland. Everything began to slowly fade out...

Applejack opened her eyes back up as she felt a large weight on her torso. She tried to move her hooves, but they seemed to be weighed down. Just as her eyes started adjusting, she felt a smooch on her nose.

"I never said I couldn't sleep on the couch too," said Rarity, giving off a slight glow of her horn just long enough to present AJ with a teasing wink. "My house, my rules, darling."

Normally Applejack would have protested, but she could barely move and couldn't help but laugh. She wrapped her hooves around her marefriend, surrendering to her shenanigans once again. The two ponies giggled for a bit together before growing silent and drifting off to a blissful slumber.

~FIN~