You're Still the One I'm After (all these years)

chapter 5: suited for success

Applejack's heart was pounding in her chest, the same words repeating in her mind, over and over again.

you should have said no.

Because as she gets comfortable in her seat beside Rarity on the train, she ruminates over her decision. Did she make the right choice?

Rarity had shown up at her place with no warning, asking her to come back to a home that she wasn't sure even wanted her back- and still, she agreed to go. After making some phone calls informing people she'd be taking a short trip, she didn't hesitate to pack her bags and purchase a train ticket.

Now here she was, halfway to Parisville with nothing but a week's worth of clothes. Ironic how much that resembled the day she arrived in Manhattan.

She doesn't stay trapped in her thoughts for long when she feels Rarity's head fall against her shoulder, sound asleep.

Applejack can't help a small blush, reaching over to pull down the blinds of the window beside them.

Maybe it would all be okay.

Right?

___________________

When they get to Parisville, the two of them head their separate ways for the time being, Rarity needing to check on Sweetie Belle and the boutique while Applejack headed straight to Sweet Apple Acres.

deep breath in.

She reaches up and knocks at the front door.

deep breath out.

The door opens and her brother is standing there, mouth agape at the sight of her.

"Applejack?" he asks, as if he doesn't believe she's real. Now that she thinks about it, she feels the exact same way.

She can't help how tears immediately prick her eyes, not realizing how much she'd missed Big Mac as he strides forward and envelops her in an embrace that she quickly reciprocates, burying her face in his shoulder.

Big Mac was never a man of many words, but his actions spoke thousands:

welcome home.

i missed you.

i forgive you.

Applejack doesn't know how long they hug, but the two of them finally pull away at the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs, Applebloom's eyes widening as she stops dead in her tracks.

"Hey sis," Applejack says sheepishly, wiping away a stray tear from her moment with Big Mac.

She expects her sister to say something, do something- but she doesn't expect the girl to run back up the stairs without another word, but Applejack quickly follows right behind her, "Applebloom!"

The blonde stops at the top of the stairs, seeing her little sister stop as well halfway down the hallway, her back turned. "Why're you back?"

Applebloom had grown up tremendously since the last time they'd seen each other, the girl being only 9 when she'd left. Now she was 16- not a little girl anymore.

"I came back with Rarity," she answers, slowly making her way towards the other girl as if she was expecting her sister to take off again, "I almost said no. But I remembered how much I missed you guys."

Applebloom scoffs, finally turning around to face her, revealing the tears in her eyes, "I can't believe you left."

"I'm sorry.." Applejack tries, but she knows that an apology would only go so far. It wasn't enough, and she understood that. She knew that coming back home after 7 years was a gamble, and that she'd be giving out a ton of apologies because of it. "I promise I'll make it up to you."