I know, I know, this isn’t your OTP. I just felt like redrawing this old thing from forever ago since it physically hurt me to look at it. And while I was at it, I also drew one of my crappy backgrounds™ and added some quick shading to finally claim this done, after 2 years more or less =P
Rainbow and Applejack growing comfortable being vulnerable with each other
Rainbow bragging about dating Applejack
Applejack being all embaressed because her girlfriend won’t stop bragging about daring her
Applejack keeping Rainbow in check with reality, with her ego and such; like, she’d totally be able to find a balance between building her up and keeping her from going full narcissist– AJ’s super kindhearted and at the same time takes zero bullshit
A changing dynamic: sometimes AJ’s the strong voice of reason and sometimes she’s more sensitive; just like sometimes Rainbow needs comfort and other times she’s the protective hero– there is no “guy” and “girl” in the relationship
RD sharing her massive insecurities and AJ letting her in on her deep fears of letting her family down or disappointing anyone she loves
Rainbow being embarrassed to cuddle at first
Rainbow being a freaking cuddle-monster because HELL YEAH SHE WOULD BE, she needs so much validation and love
Dash getting drunk (cider) and Applejack taking care of her dumb, drunk idiot
Rainbow enforcing holidays and teasing AJ until she takes more breaks
Chilling together like best buds, totally in-sync after years and years (except now they kiss and stuff)
The competitive part of their relationship growing into a drive to be a team, challenging but also supporting each other becauseYES
APPLEJACK HAVING A DAD AGAIN
Sidenote: right now I head-canon Rainbow’s Dad as a single parent (whether through death or divorce, whatever), but he never wanted Rainbow to feel like less because of it, so he spoils her with praise and love and would totally do the same for her girlfriend
Granny Smith and Rainbow bonding over stories of doing crazy stunts (Granny used to do high diving, and I figure she appreciates a mare with a bit of spunk to her)
Applejack’s speak-from-the-heart honesty making her sound like she’s giving these big romantic speeches and Dash teasing her about it
Applejack being a strong, proud military wife, and the two of them being dedicated enough to put themselves through that so Rainbow can live her dream
Applejack specifically having a thing for pegasai and/or Rainbow secretly digging how muscular AJ is
Rainbow “Danger” Dash getting teased for settling down or getting soft; she gets all defensive, like she does, until she realizes she’s still kicking butt and nothing’s really changed– her endgame isn’t happily ever after, it’s living out her dreams alongside Applejack, like a partnership or some junk
Rainbow being admantly against nicknames in the beginning but eventually calling AJ “babe” when she knows Applejack thinks she’s just plain (OR: because AJ’s sometimes sad about it because she looks a lot like her mom did, and Rainbow wants her to know she doesn’t see that in her), and in response Applejack very, very occasionally is allowed to call her “baby”
Pinkie being super stoked and dropping hints about marriage so she can plan the wedding for two of her best friends and so Rainbow can be her cousin, too
ALL their friends (Spike included) being super supportive and giving them advice if they need it
