howdoponieswork:

Fingertips brushed along Applejack’s hand, and a pair of palms gave it a squeeze.

Applejack chuckled and looked up to meet Rainbow’s gaze, but was surprised to find her staring down at their clasped hands. Still, there was only one reason Rainbow grabbed her hands like that.

“How come you always try to arm wrestle me?” Applejack grinned. “I thought you hated losing.”

Rainbow laughed. “Ha. Yeah.”

She didn’t prop up her arm on her elbow, and she didn’t smirk or flick her mane in defiance. She just stared down at their hands, watching her fingers stroke against Applejack’s hand, a soft smile under unfamiliar, uncertain eyes.

“…Rainbow?”

Rainbow’s hands stopped, they squeezed harder, and they trembled.

“I wonder why.”