In my headcannon for my official NG, Applejack was the one who started them. She was the firts who revealed her feelings in their relationship. But, it kept me wondering, what if AJ didn’t do it, keeping her feelings only for herself. Rainbow would still have the affection towards this cowgirl, but ehhh love, feelings, sooo uncool. She would probably never bring it up, it’s not like AJ cares for her in the same way right and she really wouldn’t want her best friend to laugh at how sappy she can get right. Right? That leaded to a fact, that they were never together.

They stayed close friends, AJ never actually being with anypony, Rainbow having like two or so not-much-serious relationships. Most of the time they spent together anyway, but eventually Rainbow got pregnant. And it was complicated. AJ stayed by her friend’s side the whole time, comforting her and making sure that rainbow-maned mare has everything she needs. It were these days in the hospital, when they grew even closer to each other. After birth, everything was one big mess, including RD.

The birth itself went surprisingly well, but after an hour or so, Rainbow felt unconscious and the doctors were shouting something about internal bleeding. Rainbow’s state was never 100% stabilized since then, she stayed in the hospital for months. Realizing where this is probably going and that she won’t ever get any better, Rainbow wanted to spent her now so precious time with her daughter and ponies she loved, not surrounded by four white walls. She convinced the doctors and was released.

She settled in Sweet Apple Acres, there was planty of room, fresh air and Applejack already took care of her daughter sometimes in there. Nopony would never discribe AJ joy, when she found out Rainbow’s leaving the hospital. The farmfilly thought the rough times are gone and everything will be better now, why else would Dash be allowed to be out there? Dash didn’t tell her the truth, she didn’t tell almost anypony. She just wanted to be happy with them for one last time.

And she was. They laughed, they played games, they laughed some more. Keeping herself aways from any kind of adventures, Rainbow Dash still felt satisfied. For some time on, it almost felt like all of these bad things were just a nightmare, a bad dream that will get forgotten and disappeare. Unfortunately, it wasn’t.

After a few months of being free, Applejack found Rainbow lie motionless in her bed, unconscious once again. She woke up in a hospital after what felt like eternity for AJ. RD wasn’t able to move and spoke with difficulty, but she wasn’t given the opportunity to speak at all. Applajack was mad, she spoke in a hard voice, being this close to shouting. She knew now, doctor told her everything. She was angry at Rainbow Dash for not telling them, for not telling her. Dash felt sorry, but she couldn’t have done otherwise. She also noticed, that Applejack’s voice was trembling, and so was her body. Rainbow Dash could have sworn that the farmfilly is going to break down into tears in any minute. But instead, Applejack just left the room.

Other friends came to visit. AJ was returning to the hospital every day. She didn’t speak with Dash much though ever since she almost shouted at her. She was ashamed, she knew Rainbow did it all with a good intention, she just acted in the heat of passion. She apologized to her lately, but it didn’t change much. Most of their time together still remained silence, but it seemed like it was more than enough for them.

Rainbow Dash passed away after two weeks in the hospital. Her heart gave up, she felt asleep and never woke up again.
Applejack decided to take care of her daughter, at least this can be done for a pony she loved, but never had. Or did she?