Applejack's POV

I did not trust Rainbow Dash.

At least, not when it came to not dropping me.

The whole group was watching us intensely, waiting to see if I'd actually let myself fall backwards into Rainbow's arms.

I crossed my arms. "This is ridiculous."

Pinkie grinned. "This is entertainment."

Rainbow smirked. "C'mon, AJ. Where's that 'fearless farm girl' attitude?"

I scowled. "I ain't scared-"

"Then fall, coward."

I froze.

The whole group gasped.

Pinkie whispered, "OH NO SHE DIDN'T-"

I narrowed my eyes. "Oh, you wanna talk big, huh?"

Rainbow grinned. "Prove me wrong."

I took a deep breath.

Alright. Fine.

I was gonna do this.

I turned around, standing stiff as a board. "Alright, Dash. No droppin' me."

Rainbow snorted. "Pfft. Please. I got this."

The group leaned in.

Rarity whispered, "This is the most romantic thing I've ever seen."

I rolled my eyes. "Rares, I swear-"

Pinkie clapped. "OKAY! Three... two... ONE-FALL!!"

I inhaled.

And let myself fall.

The second I tipped back, panic kicked in.

Oh Celestia. Oh Celestia.

This was STUPID.

THIS WAS-

I hit something solid.

Strong arms caught me.

My stomach flipped.

I blinked up-

Straight into Rainbow's face.

She was right there. Holding me. Smirking.

"Told ya' I'd catch you."

My heart slammed against my ribs.

I forgot how to breathe.

And suddenly-this was not just a game anymore.

For the first time... I realized something.

I trusted Rainbow Dash.

Not just with this.

But with everything.

Rainbow Dash's POV

OH.

OH NO.

I felt it.

The second Applejack fell into my arms, I felt it.

The rush of warmth. The way her weight felt right against me. The way she fit perfectly.

The way my heart pounded too fast.

I panicked.

I let go too fast.

Applejack stumbled forward, catching herself. "Whoa-"

"OKAY, NEXT CHALLENGE!" I yelled, way too loud.

The group stared.

Pinkie snickered. "OH. MY. GOSH."

Rarity gasped. "THE TENSION."

Fluttershy blushed. "That was... um... really intense..."

Twilight smirked. "Interesting reaction, Rainbow."

I whipped around. "SHUT UP, EVERYONE."

Pinkie cackled. "SOMEONE'S BLUSHING!!"

I grabbed my bag. "I'm going inside."

Applejack frowned. "Dash?"

I didn't answer.

I just walked away.

Because something was wrong.

And I needed to get away before I figured out what it was.

Later That Night - The Call

I sat on the cabin porch, staring at my phone.

My screen flashed:

📞 Mom Calling

I clenched my jaw.

I didn't want to pick up.

But if I didn't, she'd just keep calling.

With a sigh, I answered.

"...Yeah?"

Her voice was sharp. Cold. Distant.

"Rainbow Dash. Where are you?"

I swallowed. "I told you. Cabin trip."

A pause.

"You didn't ask permission."

I clenched my fists. "I-did. You just didn't listen."

Silence.

Then she sighed.

"Rainbow. You're wasting time on these... people. You should be training. Getting stronger. Not-playing games."

I gritted my teeth. "They're my friends."

Another pause.

Then she scoffed.

"Friends? You don't need friends. You need to be the best."

I felt something break in my chest.

"...Maybe I don't care about that anymore."

Silence.

Then-her voice turned cold.

"...You're weak."

I bit my tongue.

I refused to let her hear my voice shake.

"...Okay."

I hung up.

And just sat there.

Staring at nothing.

Feeling nothing.

Just... empty.

Then-

The cabin door creaked open.

I didn't turn around.

But I knew who it was.

Applejack.

Applejack's POV

I stepped onto the porch.

Rainbow Dash was sittin' on the steps, phone still in her hand, shoulders tense.

She didn't look at me.

"...You alright?" I asked, sitting next to her.

Silence.

Then-

"...Fine."

I frowned. "Dash-"

"I said I'm fine."

I sighed. "That was your folks, huh?"

Rainbow stiffened.

I knew I was right.

She inhaled shakily.

"...I don't know why I even try with them," she muttered.

I swallowed hard.

I didn't know much about Rainbow's parents. Just that they weren't exactly... good.

They never came to her games. Never cheered her on. Never told her she was enough.

And that pissed me off.

Because Rainbow Dash was one of the best people I knew.

I leaned back, lookin' up at the sky. "You know... my folks used to say somethin'."

Rainbow stayed quiet.

I continued.

"They used to say that 'family' ain't just about blood. It's about who's there for ya'. Who stays. Who gives a damn."

Rainbow's fingers curled.

I turned to her.

"You don't have to prove yourself to them, Dash."

She stared ahead.

I watched as her walls cracked.

"...Then why does it feel like I do?"

My heart ached.

I wanted to shake her and make her see what I saw.

That she was already enough.

I sighed, nudgin' her with my shoulder. "Well. If you're lookin' for a real family..."

I smirked.

"You can always be an honorary Apple."

That made her snort.

She finally looked at me. "Applejack. I am not waking up at dawn to do farm work."

I laughed. "Yeah, yeah. You'd probably last an hour before givin' up."

She chuckled.

And just like that... she smiled again.

Rainbow Dash's POV

The Apple family house smelled like home.

Which was weird.

Because it wasn't my home.

But the second I stepped inside-mud on my shoes, exhausted from the trip, my bag slung over my shoulder-I felt something warm settle in my chest.

The scent of baked apples and cinnamon drifted through the air. Wooden floors creaked under my boots. The fireplace crackled softly, filling the whole house with a golden glow.

It was the kind of place you could walk into and know you were welcome.

I wasn't used to that.

At all.

Applejack dropped her bag by the couch, stretching her arms. "Well. It's good to be home."

I shoved my hands in my pockets, pretending I wasn't completely thrown off by how... cozy everything felt.

Applejack turned to me. "You sure you wanna stay the night?"

I smirked. "What, scared I'll break something?"

She snorted. "Scared you won't survive Apple family dinner."

"Pfft. Please. I can handle anything."

"RAINBOW DASH!!!"

Before I could react, something small and fast tackled my legs.

"GAH-" I stumbled back, looking down.

A little red-haired kid grinned up at me, eyes bright.

Applebloom.

Applejack's little sister.

"You're really stayin' over?!" she beamed. "This is the best day EVER!"

I blinked. "Uh... yeah? Cool to see you too, I guess?"

She giggled. "C'mon! You gotta meet Granny, she's been makin' pie ALL DAY!"

Before I could protest, she grabbed my wrist and started dragging me.

Applejack just chuckled. "Good luck, sugarcube."

I had never seen a dinner table so full.

Not just with food, but with life.

Granny Smith sat at the head, serving steaming plates of apple pie, mashed potatoes, cornbread, and cider.

Big Mac leaned back in his chair, chewing thoughtfully while Applebloom chattered about school.

Applejack sat next to me, grinning as she piled food onto my plate.

It was loud.

It was messy.

It was real.

And for the first time in a long time...

I didn't feel alone.

Granny Smith turned to me, smiling warmly. "So, Rainbow Dash, Applejack tells me you're always causin' trouble."

Applejack snorted. "That's an understatement."

I smirked. "Hey, AJ's the one who keeps challenging me."

Granny chuckled. "Mmm. Sounds 'bout right." She gave me a knowing look. "She don't let just anyone get under her skin, ya' know."

I blinked.

Applejack coughed loudly. "Alright, Granny, let's not-"

Granny waved her hand. "I'm just sayin'. Y'all got a bond, don'tcha?"

The table went quiet.

I felt my face heat up.

Applejack stiffened beside me. "We're just friends, Granny."

Granny gave her a look. "Uh-huh. Sure, darlin'."

Applejack groaned. "Alright, who wants more pie?!"

Everyone immediately changed the subject.

But the tension lingered.

And for the rest of dinner... I couldn't stop thinking about it.

After dinner, I found myself sitting on the front porch, staring at the night sky.

The air was crisp. The stars shined overhead, clear as glass.

I exhaled, feeling lighter than I had in days.

Then the door creaked open.

Applejack stepped out, holding two mugs of cider.

She handed one to me and sat down.

For a while, we just... sat in silence.

Then, quietly, she said:

"...Ya' seemed happy at dinner."

I swallowed, staring at my cup. "Yeah. I guess I was."

She nodded. "Not used to that kinda thing, huh?"

I sighed. "Not really."

Applejack didn't push.

She just... let me sit with it.

And for once, I didn't feel like I had to pretend I was fine.

"...Your family's awesome," I admitted. "Like, actually awesome."

Applejack smiled. "Yeah. They're somethin' else."

I hesitated.

Then, before I could stop myself, I whispered:

"I wish mine were like that."

The second I said it, I regretted it.

I never said stuff like that out loud.

I never let people see that side of me.

But Applejack just... nodded.

And that meant everything.

"...You don't gotta be tough all the time, ya' know," she said softly.

I let out a hollow laugh. "That's funny, 'cause you're always acting tough too."

She huffed. "Guess we're both idiots, then."

I smirked. "Guess so."

Silence.

Then she leaned back, looking up at the stars.

"...You don't have to go back home, y'know," she said. "Not tonight. Not ever, if you don't want to."

My breath caught.

I turned to her. "AJ-"

She met my eyes.

Emerald green.

I suddenly felt too warm.

Too seen.

"...Just sayin'," she added quickly, looking away. "You always got a place here. Always."

My chest ached.

Because I believed her.

Because I realized...

Applejack wasn't just my rival.

She wasn't just some annoying competition.

She was the only person who had ever made me feel like I mattered.

And that terrified me.

I swallowed. "Thanks, AJ."

She smiled. "Anytime, sugarcube."

And for the first time in my life...

I felt at home.