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“Are we there yet, Applejack?” Scootaloo asked for what could have been the hundredth time.
“Almost there.”
“But that’s what you said last time!”
Applejack looked over her shoulder to face the young teen and responded, “that’s cause the last time was two minutes ago.”
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle snickered as Scootaloo groaned.
“Rainbow Dash is there already, isn’t she?”
“If Ah know her at all, she would already be collecting firewood.”
The smaller girl sighed and Apple Bloom asked, “Why is she there so early?”
“Ah asked her to set up camp before we got there. Knew that if she had to walk with us she’d get a lil’ fussy.”
“I WOULD NOT!” a voice called from ahead.
Scootaloo grinned and broke into a jog, towards the voice.
“Rainbow Dash! Finally!”
The group got into the clearing to see a smug-looking teen with colourful hair—and a giant pile of firewood behind her.
“Hey, squirt! Sweetie Bell and Apple sisters,” she greeted with a lopsided smile.
After hellos (and some playful banter from the older teens), Rainbow Dash showed off what she had accomplished. Applejack had to admit it was a little impressive.
The three younger girls grinned and ran to the edge of the clearing to drop their bags, leaving the older ones alone.
“For the record, AJ, I would not get fussy,” Rainbow joked, laying an arm on her shoulders. “I’d get impatient.”
“My apologies, sugarcube.”
The two shared a laugh then the blonde said “Ah hope you didn’t have to wait long for us. It took a while for Sweetie Bell to convince Rarity over the phone to let her come.”
She chuckled. “Nah. Only, like, an hour. Besides,” she shifted her arm so she could grab her girlfriend’s hand, “it was worth the wait.”
Applejack blushed a little as they walked to join the others.
“So what can we do first?” Scootaloo asked, practically buzzing with energy now that she was no longer hiking. “Oh! I know! What if we go exploring?”
Apple Bloom frowned and said, “Ah wanted to eat something first. That trail was long.”
“But it’s a perfect time to explore! The sun is still out, and it’s not windy.”
“But Ah’m hungry!”
“How about we have a rest first?” Sweetie Belle asked.
The three younger ones bickered back and forth until Applejack stepped in.
“Alright, alright. What if Ah make food here and you four can go look around?”
Rainbow Dash grinned. “I’m in!”
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo glanced at each other and smiled. “Sure!”
“Thank you. Y’all have fun now, and Ah’ll call ya when it’s ready. And stick with Rainbow Dash!”
- -
“Okay!” Scootaloo announced. “We explored, we ate, we told terrifying stories, we cleaned up. Now what?”
Rainbow checked her watch. “It’s seven-thirty. Wanna set up the tents?”
“Before it’s too dark,” Applejack agreed.
The five stood up from the seating area Rainbow Dash assembled and headed to the pile of camping bags. The younger teens were a couple paces ahead, leaving the older ones alone once again. Rainbow placed her hand on her girlfriend's shoulder before she could catch up.
“When we finish with the tents, there’s a thing I want to show you,” she whispered. “I found it before you got here.”
“Alright, then,” Applejack responded, a curious smile pulling at her mouth. “What is it?”
“You’ll see.” Rainbow Dash winked, and left to join Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell in setting up their tent.
- -
“Hey, guys,” Rainbow Dash called to the younger girls. “AJ and I will be out for a walk. Don’t go anywhere!”
“Wait, where are you going?” Sweetie Bell asked, lifting her head from her book.
“Romantic stroll in the woods.”
Scootaloo gagged. “Gross. Have fun!”
The older girls laughed as Rainbow Dash pulled her girlfriend up a hidden trail behind her tent.
“How far away is this ‘thing’ you found?” Applejack asked, glancing behind her shoulder to the younger teens.
Rainbow held her hand tighter. “It’s not far. Don't worry; we can still hear them.”
After a minute or two of walking up hill, Rainbow Dash lifted a branch to reveal a new clearing.
Applejack gasped at the view. The sun was setting, making the sky a glorious orange and pink.
“Pretty awesome, right?” Rainbow Dash asked, beaming at her girlfriend’s expression.
On the ground a couple yards away was a picnic blanket and basket already laid out.
They walked up to the blanket. “Did you.. when did ya have the time?”
Rainbow Dash smirked and said “I found it before you got here, and set up when you were making food. I knew you’d have the good stuff, so I stole some of it.”
"That's where all the apple fritters went, huh?"
"Yep!"
The two smiled and sat down together.
“This is beautiful, Rainbow," Applejack said, eyes scanning the clearing. "Thank you.”
Rainbow shrugged in response but her smile widened a little bit. “Just thought you could use a nice night.”
Applejack cupped the side of her face, and pulled her in. The kiss wasn’t long but it held emotion.
“This was a lovely night.”
Rainbow Dash opened her mouth to respond but was interrupted with an “AWWWWWWWW” and “GROSSSSSSSSS” from the tree line.
“Oh, come on!” She said instead, her face turning a vibrant red.