Applejack's POV

I had never felt happier in my life.

Waking up felt different now.

Because for the first time in forever, I wasn't waking up thinking about how to beat Rainbow Dash.

I was waking up thinking about how much I liked her.

And that?

Yeah. That was terrifying.

But also?

It was the best thing that had ever happened to me.

The sun was high in the sky.

We were all hanging out at the lake when Rainbow suddenly grinned at me.

And I knew that look.

"Oh no," I muttered.

She stretched her arms. "Oh yes."

I crossed my arms. "What now, Dash?"

She smirked. "One last challenge."

I raised an eyebrow. "What kinda challenge?"

Her smirk widened. "You. Me. One-on-one basketball."

I scoffed. "Basketball? Sugarcube, I don't even play basketball."

She grinned. "Oh, I know."

I gawked. "You wanna challenge me at somethin' I don't even do? That don't seem fair."

She shrugged. "Life's not fair, AJ."

I huffed. "Oh, you are insufferable."

Pinkie screamed. "YESSSS! ONE LAST SHOWDOWN!!"

Rarity sighed dramatically. "Must everything be a competition with you two?"

Twilight smirked. "It's literally how they flirt, Rarity."

I choked.

Rainbow snickered. "She's not wrong."

I glared at her. "Oh, you are so goin' down."

She smirked. "Bring it, cowgirl."

We stood on the court.

Just us.

No audience.

No distractions.

Just me and Rainbow Dash, like it had always been.

She dribbled the ball, grinning. "First to ten points wins."

I smirked. "Hope you're ready to lose."

She lunged forward, speeding past me.

I stumbled, trying to catch up.

She laughed. "Too slow, AJ-"

I stole the ball from her mid-step.

Her eyes widened. "WHAT-"

I sprinted toward the basket.

She chased after me.

I jumped-

Shot-

And scored.

She gawked.

I smirked. "Guess I ain't as bad as you thought."

She narrowed her eyes. "Oh, it is ON."

And just like that-

We were us again.

Challenging. Teasing. Laughing.

Playing like we had nothing to prove.

Because for the first time?

It wasn't about winning.

It was about being together.

We were tied. 9 to 9.

One last point.

I was breathing hard, sweat dripping down my back.

Rainbow was panting too, her magenta eyes blazing.

She grinned. "Final shot, AJ. You ready?"

I swallowed. "Always."

She dribbled forward.

I moved to block her.

She faked left.

I fell for it-

She went right.

Jumped.

Shot.

And-

SCORED.

Game over.

I stood there, stunned.

She landed, laughing breathlessly. "YES!"

I sighed. "Guess you win."

She grinned. "I always win, AJ."

I rolled my eyes. "You're impossible."

She took a step closer, smirk softening.

And then-

She whispered-

"But you're my favorite challenge."

My heart skipped a beat.

And before I could process what was happening-

She grabbed my face and kissed me.

Right there.

On the court.

With everything we had.

And for the first time in my life...

I didn't give a damn about winning.

Because I had already won.

Applejack's POV

I was breathless.

Not from the game.

Not from losing.

But from the fact that Rainbow Dash had just kissed me.

Again.

Right there.

Right in the middle of the damn court.

And the craziest part?

I kissed her back.

Like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Because maybe... it was.

Rainbow pulled away slightly, her forehead resting against mine.

She smirked. "So... I win?"

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, shut up."

She laughed.

I smiled.

And then-

I whispered, "I love you, y'know."

Her breath hitched.

And for a split second-I panicked.

What if I said it too soon?
What if she didn't feel the same?
What if I had just messed everything up?

But then-

She whispered, "I love you too."

My heart stopped.

And then started again-faster than ever.

I let out a shaky breath. "Well. Guess that's settled."

She grinned. "Yeah. Took us long enough."

I chuckled. "We're idiots."

She grabbed my hand. "Yeah. But we're together now."

I squeezed her hand back. "Yeah. We are."

And for once in my life... I knew I had already won.

We walked back toward the house, hand in hand.

And immediately regretted it.

Because the second Pinkie Pie saw us-

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

I flinched. "PINKIE, FOR CELESTIA'S SAKE-"

She LAUNCHED HERSELF AT US.

Rainbow barely dodged. "OH MY GOSH-"

Pinkie bounced in place. "IT'S OFFICIAL?! YOU'RE TOGETHER TOGETHER?!"

Twilight grinned. "Told you guys it was inevitable."

Rarity fanned herself. "Oh, finally. I was waiting for this moment."

Fluttershy giggled. "You both look really happy."

I blushed. "Yeah, well..."

Rainbow grinned at me. "I guess she's kinda stuck with me now."

I smirked. "Oh, I'm stuck with you?"

She winked. "Yup."

I shook my head, laughing. "Celestia help me."

Pinkie grabbed both of us, squeezing us into a hug. "GROUP CELEBRATION!!"

Rarity sighed. "Yes, yes. We love them. Now can we please move on before Pinkie explodes?"

Twilight snorted. "Unlikely."

Rainbow and I just looked at each other.

And smiled.

Because somehow, this was exactly where we were always meant to be.

Later that night:

The house was quiet.

The chaos had finally settled down.

Rainbow and I sat on the porch, side by side.

Her fingers brushed against mine.

I smiled. "You're somethin' else, Dash."

She smirked. "Yeah. But now I'm your something else."

I chuckled. "Yeah. Guess you are."

She looked at me, soft and sure.

And whispered-

"Always you, AJ."

My heart skipped.

And I kissed her again.

Because yeah.

Always her.

Rainbow Dash's POV

Being Applejack's girlfriend was the weirdest thing ever.

Not because I didn't want it.

Not because it didn't feel right.

But because I had no idea how to be a girlfriend.

Like... what was I supposed to do?!

Hold hands all the time?
Say cute stuff??
Write her a love letter or something??? (Absolutely not.)

I had no clue.

And the worst part?

Applejack was handling it like a pro.

We were in town, grabbing some things from the market.

Applejack was carrying bags like it was nothing.

Meanwhile, I was struggling to hold onto three apples and my own dignity.

She smirked at me. "Need help, sugarcube?"

I scowled. "I got it."

She laughed. "Alright, alright."

And then-

She bumped her shoulder against mine.

I froze.

She didn't even notice. She just kept walking beside me, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

And I??

Yeah. I was dying.

Because when the hell did Applejack get so good at this?!

As expected, our friends were the worst.

We met up with them after shopping, and the second we sat down, Rarity was already gossiping.

"Oh, darlings, how is the new couple adjusting?"

I groaned. "Rarity-"

Twilight smirked. "Actually, I have a bet going with Pinkie."

I blinked. "Wait-WHAT?"

Pinkie bounced. "YEP! I bet that Applejack would be the first one to do something super romantic and make Dash totally melt."

Twilight grinned. "And I bet that Dash will try to act cool but will secretly be the most affectionate one."

I gawked. "YOU'RE BETTING ON US?!"

Rarity sipped her tea. "Darling, we had to entertain ourselves somehow."

Applejack snorted. "Well, I hate to say it, Dash, but Pinkie's probably gonna win."

I choked. "EXCUSE ME?"

Applejack grinned. "Oh, c'mon, sugarcube. You're already flustered just sittin' next to me."

I glared. "I AM NOT-"

Applejack leaned in.

Her voice dropped, all smooth and teasing. "You sure 'bout that?"

My brain shut down.

Twilight smirked. "Pinkie, I think you just won the bet."

Pinkie cheered. "YAY! DASHIE'S A SECRET SOFTIE!"

I groaned, dropping my head on the table.

I was never going to live this down.

Later that evening, we were walking back home, alone.

The sun was setting. The sky was soft orange and pink.

It was... nice.

Applejack glanced at me. "You good?"

I huffed. "Yeah, just... ugh. This whole 'dating' thing is weird."

She smiled. "Yeah?"

I rubbed the back of my neck. "I just-I dunno how to do this, AJ."

She stopped walking.

I turned to her. "What?"

She smirked. "C'mere."

I hesitated. "Why?"

She grabbed my hand and pulled me closer.

And then-

She kissed my forehead.

Soft. Warm. Simple.

And suddenly?

I got it.

It wasn't about saying the right thing.
It wasn't about acting different.

It was just... us.

Like it had always been.

She pulled back, smiling. "See? Nothin' to it."

I exhaled. "Yeah. Okay. That was kinda nice."

She laughed. "Glad ya' think so."

And just like that-

I wasn't nervous anymore.

Because as long as it was Applejack...

I was doing just fine.

Rainbow Dash's POV

I had a plan.

And by plan, I mean I was tired of Applejack always catching me off guard, so I had to do something before she completely destroyed me.

Because yeah. She was good at this whole 'relationship' thing.

But that didn't mean I was just gonna let her win.

Oh no.

It was my turn.

We were sitting on the porch again, watching the stars.

Applejack was leaning back, completely relaxed. "Y'know, today was nice."

I smirked. "Yeah? 'Cause I remember getting completely bullied by our friends for the entire afternoon."

She snorted. "Well, ya' kinda deserved it."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, shut up."

And then-

I made my move.

I casually leaned closer. "Hey, AJ."

She turned to me. "Hmm?"

And before she could react-

I kissed her cheek.

Soft. Quick. Unexpected.

Applejack froze.

I grinned. "You good there, cowgirl?"

She blinked rapidly. "Uh-uh-huh-"

I smirked. "What's wrong? Not used to me makin' the first move?"

Her face turned red. "I-I swear, Dash-"

I laughed. "Ohhh, this is great."

She covered her face with her hands. "I hate you."

I nudged her. "No ya' don't."

She grumbled. "Shut up."

I just grinned.

Because finally?

I had the upper hand.

The next morning, we walked into the kitchen, acting totally normal.

And immediately regretted it.

Because the second Pinkie saw us-

She GASPED LOUDER THAN EVER.

"OH. MY. GOSH!!!!"

Applejack and I both flinched.

Twilight looked up from her book. "Oh? Did something happen?"

Pinkie pointed dramatically. "DASH KISSED HER."

Rarity nearly spilled her tea. "WHAT?!"

Applejack groaned. "FOR CELESTIA'S SAKE-"

Twilight smirked. "Hmm. Interesting. And how did that make you feel, Applejack?"

Applejack glared. "If you don't shut up, Twilight-"

Pinkie bounced. "WAS IT CUTE?! DID SHE SWEEP YOU OFF YOUR FEET?! WAS IT THE MOST MAGICAL THING EVER?!"

Applejack grumbled. "I hate all of you."

I just grinned.

Twilight smirked. "Well, well, well. Looks like Dash finally figured out how to be a girlfriend."

I shrugged. "Yeah, well. Figured I'd mix things up."

Applejack muttered under her breath. "I swear, she's impossible."

Pinkie cheered. "AHHH, I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!!"

Rarity sighed dramatically. "Oh, it's truly perfection."

Fluttershy giggled. "You both look happy."

Applejack and I glanced at each other.

And yeah.

We were.

That night, Applejack and I were walking back toward the farm, alone again.

She sighed. "Y'know... I never thought it'd be like this."

I glanced at her. "Like what?"

She hesitated.

Then-

She smiled. "Easy."

I felt my chest tighten.

Because she was right.

It wasn't complicated.

It wasn't messy.

It was just us.

And it was perfect.

I smirked. "You're gettin' all sentimental, AJ."

She nudged me. "Don't make me regret this, Dash."

I laughed. "No promises."

She shook her head, smiling.

And for the first time in my life?

I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.

With her.

Always her.

Applejack's POV

I had never felt happier.

Being with Rainbow Dash was easy.

But love?

Love was never just easy.

And I was about to learn that the hard way.

It was late.

The farm was quiet.

Rainbow and I were sitting in the barn, leaning against a haystack, watching the fireflies flicker outside.

She stretched, yawning. "Man. This whole girlfriend thing is kinda great."

I smirked. "Oh yeah?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I mean, I get to kiss you whenever I want-"

I rolled my eyes. "Dash."

She grinned. "I'm just saying. Perks."

I shook my head, laughing.

But then-

She paused.

Her expression changed.

More serious.

I frowned. "Dash?"

She hesitated.

Then-

"...What if I mess this up?"

My chest tightened.

I turned to her. "What?"

She swallowed. "I-I dunno, AJ. I just... I've never done this before. I don't know how to be a good girlfriend. What if I screw it up?"

I felt my heart ache.

Because this was it.

Rainbow Dash-always so confident, always so sure of herself-was scared.

Not of losing.

Not of failing.

But of losing me.

I took a slow breath.

And then-

I grabbed her hand.

She blinked, surprised.

I squeezed it tight. "Dash, listen to me."

She stared at me.

And I made sure she knew I meant every word.

"You ain't gonna mess this up. Y'know why?"

She swallowed. "Why?"

I smiled. "Because you ain't doin' this alone."

She froze.

I leaned in.

"This ain't a race. It ain't a competition. It's us. And we figure it out together."

Her breath hitched.

Then-

Slowly-

She smiled.

"...Together?"

I nodded. "Always."

She exhaled, relieved.

Then-

She kissed me.

Slow. Gentle. Certain.

And just like that-

The doubt was gone.

Because we had already won.

Applejack's POV

The stars were bright above the farm.

The fireflies were flickering in the fields.

And beside me, sitting on the porch, was Rainbow Dash.

My girlfriend.

I still wasn't used to saying that.

But Celestia, it felt right.

She leaned back on her elbows, staring at the sky. "Y'know, I used to think I had to be the best at everything."

I smirked. "Oh, I know."

She nudged me. "Shut up."

I laughed. "Go on."

She sighed. "I always thought that if I wasn't winning at something, then... I was losing."

I tilted my head. "And now?"

She glanced at me, smiling softly. "Now I know that some things? You don't have to win. You just have to keep choosing them."

My chest tightened.

Because I knew what she meant.

Love wasn't about winning.

It was about choosing each other. Every single day.

And I'd choose her.

Always.

She smirked. "I mean, don't get me wrong. I love winning. But this? This is better."

I smiled. "Yeah. It is."

She nudged me again. "You're gettin' all sentimental, farm girl."

I chuckled. "Guess you're rubbin' off on me."

She grinned. "Well, can't say I mind."

Silence stretched between us.

But it wasn't awkward.

It was comfortable.

Because this was home.

Not the farm.
Not the rivalry.
Not the competition.

Her.

Just her.

I turned to her.

She turned to me.

And without a word-

We leaned in.

And kissed.

And I knew-

This was just the beginning.