Chapters Applejack threw her saddlebag on the floor and burst into tears. A few months ago she had hired the stallion known as Caramel to help out on the farm, he knew her so well, but she had a hard time remembering him.
Days would go by and his love for her went unnoticed. Applejack was always was too caught up in her work to pay him any attention, still he never gave up on trying to prove himself to her.
One day he decided to make his move he kissed Applejack on the cheek. The mare froze not sure on what to say.
“Uh Applejack are you ok?” Asked Caramel
“What in tar nation was that all about? Yer here to work only, what do ya think I’m paying ya for?”
Caramel stood there shaking tears were coming to his eyes.
“Applejack…… don’t you remember me. We met in Manehatten …”
The mare cut him off her face was bright red. She looked at the stallion once more before leaving.
“If ya can’t work then leave this place!” And with that she left Caramel on his own. The stallion eyes were flooded with tears; the love of his life didn’t remember him and obviously didn’t want to be with him.
"Applejack I'm sorry I embarrassed you, I just wanted to see you again." And with that he left the farm. Never to return.
The mare tossed and turned that night she couldn’t get to sleep. She kept thinking about Caramel, she remembered him saying something about seeing her in Manehatten. Then, it hit her he was her friend and she had just treated him like dirt. She ran out to see if she could find him, but he had left.
She thought she would see him tomorrow she would apologise little did she know he was on his way back. Applejack returned to the house she fell into an uneasy sleep.
The next morning Applejack got up later than usual the mare rushed downstairs today would be the day she would see her friend. She quickly eats her breakfast and ran outside to look for him.
She saw her brother was already bucking Apples so she went up to him to ask about Caramel.
“Hey Big Mac you aint seen Caramel have ya? It’s just that I need to talk to him”
“Eyep he quit the job”
Applejack froze, now she really felt bad. “What why?”
“Said he’d upset you.” Big Mac replied collecting the apples. “If that’s the case I’m glad he’s gone, no pony hurts mah sister”
Tears came to Applejacks eyes she had hurt him all he did was show her some affection and she turned him away what a horrible mare she had been.
“Did he say were he was going?”
“Enope but I’m guessing he’s either gone back to his house or back to Manehatten.” He saw his sister was crying and he asked her what was wrong.
“Ah may be the reason he left.”
“What do ya mean sis?”
Applejack took a deep breath and explained to her brother who glared at her.
“Ya really messed up their AJ . Yer could have had a relationship there.”
“Ah wasn’t thinking. Ah didn’t mean to hurt him.” Tears were pouring out of her eyes now she couldn’t stop shaking.
“Crying aint going to help sis. Either accept yer mistake and move on, or find him, Yer can’t work like this anyway.” He pointed to the house.
Applejack knew her brother was right as she went back to her abode. She was livid with herself for hurting Caramel; he probably wanted nothing to do with her not that she could blame him. She would have to find him and apologise even if that meant leaving Equestria
She wiped her eyes and went to her room gathering a few things and putting them into a bag. She knew she couldn’t leave right away she needed some pony to take her place. But who?
Twilight was busy with her royal duties, Rainbow Dash was busy with the Wonderbolts, Rarity hated getting her hooves dirty and Pinkie Pie had the two twins to look after and Fluttershy had her animals.
She thought about writing add, but it may take weeks for it to be filled and she didn't want to wait that long. Applejack wanted to start her search as soon as possible. She placed her head in her hooves and started to think, she soon fell asleep.
A couple of hours later Fluttershy came over for her afternoon lunch with Applejack. As soon as the Pegasus came to the farm she was surprised to see only Big Mac working. Was Applejack sick or something?
A small blush came to her cheeks as she walked up to Big Mac. Ever since he had helped her repair her chicken coop. Fluttershy had started to develop feelings for him, she cleared her throat to get his attention.
The stallion stopped and turned to face the mare.
“Oh howdy Fluttershy, ah forgot yer was coming today.”
“Umm yeah is Applejack sick or something? Because I can come at a different time”
Big Mac shook his head and explained to Fluttershy what had happened with Caramel. The pegasi was quite for a while until she eventually spoke.
“Does Applejack feel bad about what she said?”
“Eyep she’s in the house if you want to talk to her.”
“Thank you Big Mac I’ll go and talk to her.” Before leaving she gave him one more look “You should have a rest”.
Big Mac blushed bright red thank goodness Fluttershy back was turned. She saw Applejack asleep in a chair. The Pegasus gave Applejack a gentle tap waking her up, her face was stained with tears.
“Hey they Fluttershy now aint a good time to visit.”
“Big Mac told me, how could you say something like that Applejack?”
“Ah know I messed up big time.” The earth mare wiped her eyes. “Ah plan on looking for him but I can’t leave Big Mac working on his own.”
Fluttershy could tell her friend was upset and wanted to help out in anyway. So she asked Applejack if she could work on the farm the earth mare stared at her.
“I know I’m the last pony you would ask but as a friend I will do my best.” Replied Fluttershy. “Besides you need to look for Caramel.”
“But ah don’t feel right laying all this work on ya.”
Fluttershy gave Applejack one of her famous stares.
“No buts Applejack I said I will be fine. Go and find him.”
After ½ hour of worrying Fluttershy had gotten Applejack out of the house. She still felt a bit bad about leaving Fluttershy to work on the farm, but the Pegasus seemed keen.
Could it be that Fluttershy had feelings for her brother?
Regardless she shook off that feeling and went to Caramel house hoping she would find him there. When she arrived at his house there was a sign that made her heart sink, it read sold.
Applejack sighed as she went to the train station she would have to continue her search in Manehatten.
Applejack didn't let on that she was scared as she walked down the streets not knowing were to look. Perhaps her aunt and uncle orange would know where he lived, or perhaps she should try the park where they first met.
Regardless she needed somewhere to stay so she made her way to aunt and uncle oranges house. Once she had tried to be like them when she was a little filly, but she never managed to fit in with their lifestyle.
She didn’t care much for there sophisticated parties usually she laid low hiding in the background. At times she sneaked out while no pony was looking since she was bored out of her brains. It was at one off the social gatherings she met Caramel.
A small tear trickled down her face as she started to remember that day it was at her auntie’s party.
****
The young filly stared off into the crowd. How many ponies were coming? They just kept on arriving. Applejack could easily hide, but here uncle stopped her
"You're not hiding this time Applejack, your auntie and I work hard preparing these parties."
The little filly looked up at her uncle she knew it was wrong to hide, but she didn't feel like she belonged. All the ponies there were either snooty or couldn't be bothered with her she felt like it was time to speak up.
"Oh come on uncle no pony would miss me. It's hard to fit in with your lifestyle. And, I know I embarrass every pony even you."
Applejack turned away the stallion put his hoof on his niece's shoulder.
"I know its hard Applejack, but if you want to fit in you will have to socialize with the party."
“But uncle there's no pony my age" Applejack started.
Her uncle smiled. "There is a colt here tonight my dear. His name is Caramel I think you would like him."
Applejack froze. "I'll just embarrass him just like I do with every pony here." She left quickly so her uncle couldn't catch her. She found a quite corner and started to sob she didn't belong here.
After a good 20 minutes of alone time, she felt a light tap on her shoulder. The little filly looked and saw a sandy coloured colt with brown hair he looked like he was the same age if not a bit older than Applejack.
"Excuse me, miss why are you crying?" He gave her a hankie to wipe her tears away.
Applejack took the hankie and wiped her eyes. This must be the colt her uncle was telling her about she tried her best to speak in the proper accent. But he just laughed
"Yer just like every pony here, go ahead laugh at me. I don't care!"
Caramel stopped he knew he shouldn't laugh at her. It was clear she wasn't from this city looking her he apologised.
"I'm sorry I laughed at you, but your Manehatten accent was funny. I take it youre not from this place."
Applejack shook her head "No I grew up on an Apple farm with mah granny and brother. I came here to find out what mah special talent is, but so far no luck, maybe mah talent being a waste of space."
Caramel knew just how she felt. Most of his life he had been pushed around by others like her he didn't have is cutie mark. Soon an idea popped into his head.
"Um hey do fancy going out to the park it may pass the time away." Caramel felt his cheeks going red he had never asked a filly to play with him. "Oh and I never asked for your name."
Applejack looked at him no pony had ever been that nice to her she felt her cheeks going red.
"It's Applejack, sugar cube and I would love to come to the park with ya. But what if the rest off the party notice were gone?"
"I doubt they will notice for a good hour, I mean I've sneaked out before and come back and they thought I was talking to the other party guests. That's why my parents bring me to these parties to improve my social skills."
Applejack looked at him and smiled she felt like she could be herself with him. . She already found a friend in this city. The two laughed before heading out.
***
That memory was forever burned in the mares mind one she would never forget. She was unaware that the oranges house was coming up she would have gone passed it if it wasn't for her auntie.
"Er howdy auntie been a long time hasn't it?" Applejack was nervous she hadn't seen her auntie for ages or spoken to her in her normal accent.
“It has indeed Applejack.” Her auntie spoke. “what brings you back here?”
So Applejack told her the story.
“Ah don’t know what to do auntie ah know I’ve got to apologise but ah don’t know were he lives.” Tears were seeping of Applejack eyes. “What if he never wants to see me again?”
Her auntie sighed. “you’ve made the same mistake as me when I was your age.”
Mistake? Applejack looked bewildered at her auntie. How could a pony of her standards make errors, especially one as big as hers?
“I can see that you are shocked my dear” Her auntie smiled “ I understand you Applejack I did the exact same thing to your uncle.”
"What did ya do?"
Her auntie cleared her throat "The same as you dear. I was planning a parties and I was so caught in my work I hardly noticed your uncle's affection for me. Well one day he kissed me when I was busy and I lost it."
This really sounded really similar thought Applejack, but he must of forgiven her since they were married.
"After a while I felt bad, so I went to him and apologised with gifts and a formal apology and do you know what Applejack. He forgave me and it will be the same for you and Caramel."
"Ah don't know"
"Well do you love Caramel dear? You must feel something otherwise you wouldn't have come here"
Applejack froze she had never thought much about love or relationships. But she did care a lot for Caramel more than other stallions then it hit her she was in love with him.
She nodded her head she couldn’t be dishonest with herself or any pony else for that matter. She looked at her auntie
“Do ya know where he lives?”
The older mare nodded “I do dear, but I think you should start again tomorrow as the night is drawing in”.
Her aunt took her in an allowed her to stay . At least her niece would have a temporary home here while she looked for her colt friend.
Her aunt and uncle seemed to off changed since the last time she saw them. They were more accepting who she was.
Her aunt took her in an allowed her to stay. At least her niece would have a temporary home here while she looked for her colt friend.
That night Applejack was having a hard time falling asleep. She tossed and turned thinking about what Caramel reaction would be when he saw her, Would he be happy or would he hate her?
After a 30 minutes she fell into an uneasy sleep. Nightmares were filling her mind with the thought of Carmel rejecting her.
In her dream she saw Caramel she ran towards him and hugged him. Only to be pushed away.
Applejack was quite "Ah'm sorry I got cross with ya"
"Oh and sorry supposed to make it all better?" Caramel glared at her "I worked hard for you Applejack and when I show you a bit off affection you treat me like dirt" he sighed "I could have loved you Applejack, but perhaps I'm not the stallion for you."
He turned away and headed back home.
Applejack followed her eyes were teeming with tears. When she caught him he pushed her away again.
"Please leave Applejack can't you see I don't want anything to do with you"
After those words the mare bolted awake. Thank goodness it was just a nightmare, but she was worried it may turn into reality . Her auntie words echoed in the mind putting her back to sleep.
"If he loves you he will forgive you"
Today was the day Applejack thought, she was determined to find him today, she was so used to getting up early her aunt and uncle were still asleep and it would be wrong to wake them up.
So to repay their kindness Applejack cooked them breakfast and brought it to them. Her uncle was the first to wake up.
"Morning Applejack I trust you had a good sleep?"
"Err sadly no I'm sure your wife told you"
Her uncle rubbed his eyes. "Ah the incident with Caramel, don't worry it will all work out in the end. Thank you for cooking breakfast Applejack." He gave his wife a small tap waking her up.
"Morning Clementine Applejack cooked breakfast for us."
Her auntie smiled "Awww shucks Applejack you shouldn't have." She sat up to eat her food with her husband. Soon she noticed Applejack was leaving. "And just where are you off too?"
"Ahm going to find Caramel auntie."
Her uncle got up and stopped her. "You're going to eat your breakfast first Applejack then smarten up your appearance."
"But" Applejack started
"No buts I don't think Caramel will like seeing his filly friend with bed hair." He took his niece to the mirror. The mare looked her reflection her hair was indeed a mess Rarity would faint if she saw her.
"Yer right, but ah don't want a fancy hairdo."
Her aunt got up after eating her breakfast. "Don't worry I'll give a cute hairstyle, your uncle Verna will cook your breakfast."
Applejack didn't have a say in this her auntie led her to the bathroom and started to wash her mane giving it a slight wave. She carried on styling her niece's hair putting in small braids avoiding the beehive hairstyle. After, she had finished Applejack hair she put her niece hat back on and showed her the mirror. The country mare hair shimmered in the light her hair no longer hung loose no longer in the ponytail framing her face decorated with some marigolds.
Applejack was amazed she looked prettier the hairstyle suited her. Her auntie smiled pleased with her work.
Applejack eyes watered as she embraced her auntie. "Thank you so much auntie Clementine, Caramel will love it." She hurried down stairs and eat her breakfast after she thanked her auntie and uncle.
Applejack looked back "before ah go can ah ask one question?" Clementine nodded "How come your accepting who I am and not once have yer asked me to speak like a Manetatten mare."
Verna looked at his niece "when you first came you were trying to fit in with the sophisticated life that's why we were always telling you to act more fancy."
Her auntie nodded "But as time went on we could see you weren't happy and had trouble fitting in. You were trying to be something you're not" She paused before continuing. "We may lead different lives, but that doesn't mean we don't care about you. I respect and love the Apples. Now my dear go and get him"
Applejack was struggling to hold back her tears as she hugged her auntie and uncle. "Ah love you too I promise to visit you more often". After she said fair wells she left.
She was happy to be back on her search, but one thought kept worrying her. What if Caramel didn't want to be with her or go back with her.
'Who could blame him.' Applejack thought to herself. 'Ah was rude and never paid him any notice.' She wasn't looking where she was going until she crashed into some pony.
Soon she heard a familiar voice, one that she hadn't heard since the farmyard incident, the one she had to apologise too. There was no doubt in her mind this was Caramel .
"Are you OK miss?" He paused as he looked closely at the mare his eyes widened with surprise. "AApplejack?"
She looked up meeting her eyes with his. Without thinking she threw herself in his arms sobbing.
"Ahm so sorry for ignoring yer sugar cube. Ah shouldn't off shouted at you" she sobbed into his chest. "Ah don't blame ya if yer don't want to go back with me or want anything to do with me..."
Caramel was quite he had never seen this side of Applejack before. She was being sincere with her apology he held on to her for a while. Before whispering in Applejack ear.
"I forgive you. I'm partly to blame for this"
"What do yer mean?" said Applejack "yer weren't the one that shouted or made your life a misery." Tears were running down her face
Caramel hugged her "I should have stayed and talked to you rather than running off. We are both to blame."
Applejack was amazed that Caramel forgave her it was just like what her auntie said. Soon the three words that the stallion longed to hear came out of Applejack mouth.
"I love you"
A smile appeared on the stallion face as he hugged her tighter. "I love you too Applejack, I'm glad you came to find me". Applejack wanted to say something, but couldn't find the words so without a second thought she kissed him on the lips.
Caramel was shocked at first, but instinct soon took control as he pressed his lips against hers satisfying the moment. After a while they parted gasping for air
"That was wonderful Applejack"
The mare smiled. "Plenty more where that came from Sugar cube". She nuzzled him a second time before Caramel stopped her. Taking a few deep breaths he gazed at Applejack his heart was racing.
"Let me be your stallion Applejack. I want to remain by your side always" he looked at her once more before kissing her on the lips.
"Has any pony told you how beautiful you are?"
Applejack blushed no other stallion had called her beautiful before perhaps cute, but never beautiful. Her heart was going to pop out of her chest she needed to know if Caramel was serious about having a relationship with her.
"Did yer really mean what yer said?
Caramel nodded "Yes you are very beautiful"
" About us being together as a couple?"
Caramel still nodded "I've never been this serious before Applejack in all my life. Even when we were foals I've had a small crush on you" he paused awhile before continuing. "Each day I would think about you I wanted you to be there by my side."
"Ahm sorry I didn't return yer feelings till now"
"It's alright you don't have to be sorry." Caramel replied "However, I do think we should make a move out of the streets. Night is drawing in soon and the streets of Manehatten isn't a pleasant place to be at night time. Would my place be alright?"
Applejack nodded she had never been to Caramel place before. Did he live with his parents or did he have his have his own abode?" Either way she was going to find out as she followed him.
She was pleased that Caramel had forgiven her, but what if he wanted to live with him in Manehatten? Applejack couldn't bear the thought of leaving her family she would have to ask.
"Do ya want to stay here rather than going back to Ponyvile? Ah love ya Caramel, but ah don't think ah could leave Sweet Apple Acres."
The stallion looked deep into the mare eyes, he could easily get lost in those emerald pools.
"I would never take you away from your home Applejack. I may come from Manehatten, but the life I have in Ponyvile is far greater than this besides I couldn't bear to see you upset." He kissed her one more time "It's just for tonight and tomorrow we'll head back to Ponyvile I'll buy my house back."
Applejack shook her head "No sugar cube I don't want you to live there"
"But ...."
He thought Applejack would be thrilled to have him back apparently he was wrong his ears drooped.
Applejack saw Caramel had misunderstood her and it pained her to see him upset. She had made the mistake once and she was not going to repeat it again.
"Ah want you to live with me"
"Are you sure Applejack?"
"Yep ah don't want to be separated from you again".
Caramel smiled. “Come on we’ll spend the night at my place then we’ll go home”. The two trotted off side by side.
It wasn't along until they reached his house. It was bigger than the oranges place Applejack stared at it why leave this place to go back to a farm?
"Impressed? It's my parents' house they run a popular business in Manehatten. It may be big, but it's lonely living here I much rather live on a farm." He chuckled at Applejack surprised expression." Didn't think I stay that did you? I've got zero interest in what my parents do, they don't pay much attention to me like you I have a hard time fitting in."
He unlocked the house and entered it was indeed quite. Applejack wanted to explore, but she felt too tired her lover took note of this and took her to his room. He put her too bed where she fell asleep.
How beautiful she looked even in sleep Caramel could not take his eyes off her. Eventually he got on the bed and fell asleep holding her, looking forward to going back to Ponyvile.