Chapter Text
The Hothoof-Whistles and Apple families had a tradition every Christmas Eve, they spent the holiday together. This year was no different, Hothoof-Whistles' living room glowed with the warm, golden light of the fireplace. Snow fell softly outside the frosted windows, the tree sparkled with lights, the scent of gingerbread, cinnamon, and pine filled the house, and the soft hum of Christmas carols set the mood.
Rainbow Dash, who was six years old with her short, messy hair sticking out at odd angles, was running around the living room with Applejack, who was also six chased after her, giggling. "Gotcha!" Applejack tackled Dash onto the couch, both laughing as they tumbled into a heap. Dash's father and Aj's dad chuckle. "Careful, girls. You don't want to break anything before Santa gets here." Bright Mac said.
"Come here girls, it's time for you guys to open one gift each," Buttercup said holding a 1-year-old Applebloom. Big Mac who was 9 years old was already waiting. The two went over to join him and were soon handed each a gift. Big Mac opened his gift and got a board game, Rainbow opened hers and got an action figure. Applejack's present was a red apple plushie that her Granny Smith made. "What do you say?" Windy asked. "Thank you," The three kids said and began playing with their gifts. Dash sat cross-legged on the floor, using her imagination to play with it as Aj also, sat beside her with a grin, clutching the plush apple.
"Girls," Bow called, walking toward them with a sprig of mistletoe in his hand. "You two know what this means?" He dangled the green plant above their heads with a teasing grin. The girls looked up to see the mistletoe hanging above them. Dash tilted her head, confused. "So? What's the big deal with some leaves?"
Buttercup chuckled. "Dash, when two people stand under mistletoe, they have to share a kiss. It's tradition." Rainbow's eyes widened. "Ew, no way! That's gross!" But before she could get up and bolt, Applejack leaned over and gave Rainbow a quick kiss on the cheek. Rainbow froze, her face turning as red as the ribbons on the Christmas tree.
Applejack tipped her hat and shrugged, smiling innocently. "Ain't no big deal, Dash. It's just tradition." Rainbow sputtered but said nothing, still too stunned to respond.
Age 8
"Dash, get over here!" Applejack called as she held up a tin of cookies Granny Smith had baked. Rainbow raced over, snatching one. "These are awesome!" Their parents were chatting in the kitchen, leaving the kids to their playtime. As the two girls laughed, Dash suddenly stopped, realizing they were once again standing under the mistletoe.
"Uh-oh," Applejack teased. Before Rainbow Dash could retreat, AJ kissed her on the forehead as in the last two years she kissed her cheek. "Merry Christmas, Rainbow." Dash's cheeks turned red, but she smiled. "Yeah, yeah. Merry Christmas, AJ."
Age 10
By now, the mistletoe had become a running joke between them. "Come on, Tank," Dash said as she and her new German shepherd puppy, a gift she had just received, wobbled as he tried to catch up. The two had gone to the yard so Tank could use the bathroom. "You too, Winona," Rainbow called out to Applejack's brown border collie puppy.
This year, Applejack and Rainbow Dash's parents had surprised them by getting each of them their dream dogs. The German shepherd and the collie entered the house and followed Dash to the kitchen, where Applejack was. Windy was making them hot chocolate. "Here you go, girls," Buttercup said as she handed Applejack and Rainbow their cups.
The two thanked her and headed back to the living room, where they sat near the fire, sipping hot chocolate while Tank and Winona lay nearby. Bow walked in to grab some snacks as he, Bright Mac, and Big Mac were watching football in the garage. He grinned when he saw his daughter and her friend.
"Look where you two are," He said, knowing very well what they were sitting under. Rainbow groaned, but Applejack just smirked. "C'mere, Dash," she said playfully. "Do we have to?" Dash muttered, yet she leaned forward anyway. Applejack kissed her cheek lightly, and they both burst into laughter afterward. Dash playfully shoved her. "You're so weird," she joked, while Tank and Winona looked on, curious about the laughter.
Age 12
The girls were starting to grow up, but the tradition remained the same. This year, the two exchanged gifts near the tree: Applejack gave Dash a new soccer ball, and Dash gifted AJ a handmade bracelet. "Thanks, Dash," Applejack said softly as she slipped the bracelet on, smiling at her. "Yeah, yeah," Dash replied, looking away awkwardly, not quite sure why she felt flustered.
When they found themselves under the mistletoe yet again, neither of them protested. This time, Dash leaned forward first, kissing AJ on the forehead. "Merry Christmas, AJ." Applejack's heart fluttered, but she simply smiled in response. "Merry Christmas, Rainbow."
They weren't the only ones under the mistletoe; Tank and Winona joined them, drawn in by the smell of food. Rainbow chuckled as she crouched down, cupping Tank's face and scratching behind his ears. "What? What happened, buddy? You want a kiss too?" she joked as he barked and licked her face.
"Ah, no doggy slobber!" Rainbow protested with a laugh before leaning down to kiss him on his furry forehead. Applejack chuckled and did the same for Winona, who thankfully didn't slobber on her like Tank did to Rainbow Dash.
Age 14
The mistletoe moments had become a tradition neither of them could escape, though they never really wanted to. This year, Dash seemed more flustered than usual when she noticed where they were standing.
"Welp, guess it's that time," Applejack said casually, though her cheeks were pink. Dash rubbed the back of her neck. "Yeah, I guess." Rainbow Dash was the one who initiated it, it could be because she had grown slightly taller than the cowgirl so Aj wasn't able to reach or because maybe she started developing feelings for the other girl.
Either way Rainbow, kissed Applejack's cheek quickly, and for the first time, Dash didn't hide the smile creeping onto her face. "We're gonna keep doin' this every year, aren't we?" "Yep," Applejack said with a wink.
Age 17
Now, at seventeen, snow was gently falling outside, blanketing the ground in white. Rainbow Dash and Applejack sat together on the couch at a holiday party they were hosting with their friends. The room was filled with laughter, music, and the aroma of freshly baked cookies. Sunset Shimmer, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Twilight Sparkle were chatting near the tree, but Rainbow and Applejack had found a quiet moment in the corner.
"Remember that first time our dads made such a big deal about mistletoe?" Rainbow asked, smirking. Applejack chuckled, adjusting the brim of her hat. "How could I forget? We've been doin' this for over eleven years. You looked like a deer caught in headlights."
"I wasn't expecting you to just kiss me like that!" Rainbow said in defense. "Well, I couldn't let you back outta the tradition, could I?" Applejack teased, nudging her shoulder against Rainbow's. Dash glanced at her, her playful smirk softening. "You know, I never hated it. Not really."
"Is that so?" Applejack teased, stepping closer. Rainbow nodded. "Yeah. I guess... I kinda liked it. Not that I'd ever admit it back then." Applejack smiled, her green eyes warm. "Good to know, 'cause I kinda liked it too."
Rainbow grinned, her heart pounding a little faster than usual. "And then every year after that, we just kept finding ourselves under the mistletoe." Applejack's voice softened. "Yeah. Guess it kinda became our thing, huh?"
Dash glanced at her, her confident demeanor faltering for just a moment. "Do you ever think about... why we never stopped?" Applejack turned to meet Rainbow's gaze, her green eyes searching. "Yeah, I think about it a lot." The silence between them felt heavy but not uncomfortable, a moment of realization years in the making. "Dash..." Applejack began, her cheeks tinted pink.
Before she could finish, Rainbow leaned in, closing the distance between them. Their lips met in a soft, tentative kiss, as if testing the waters of something they both knew had been there all along. When they pulled apart, Rainbow smirked, trying to mask her nervousness. "Uh, just so you know, there's no mistletoe this time."
Applejack rolled her eyes playfully, then grabbed the front of Rainbow's sweater and pulled her back in for another kiss, this one deeper and more certain. "Don't need no mistletoe," Applejack murmured against her lips. Rainbow grinned into the kiss, her heart swelling with a mixture of relief and joy. The years of cheek kisses and forehead kisses had finally led to this moment, and neither of them could have been happier.
From across the room, Sunset glanced over and nudged Twilight. "Looks like Dash and AJ finally figured it out." Twilight smiled softly. "About time." Meanwhile, Pinkie Pie, oblivious to the romance unfolding, exited from the kitchen holding a tray of cookies. "Who wants gingerbread?!"
Fluttershy, Rarity, Sunset, and Twilight headed to the kitchen, allowing the two lovers to have their moment. As Rainbow Dash wrapped her arms around Applejack's waist and the cowgirl placed her hands on Rainbow's shoulders, the two relished the kiss with their eyes closed. The party carried on around them, but for Rainbow and Applejack, nothing else mattered. It was their best Christmas yet.