I'll think of a pun, give me a minute.
“Alright, so first we gotta... Rarity?” Applejack turned to see Rarity struggling behind her. She had led Rarity to the barn, although she hadn't realized just how far she had been lagging behind. “You're walkin' funnier than a newborn foal.”
“Well, it's these terrible boots!” Rarity called from several yards away, tripping over herself every other step.
“Ah told ya to get my spare work boots from the closet...” She could already tell what Rarity was about to say, so she finished with, “Those ain't my work boots. Those are my rodeo boots.”
“Well how was I supposed to know that?”
While the two pairs of boots were obviously different, Applejack decided not to explain, and simply face-palmed and started into the barn. “Take em off then, you can do this chore barefoot.”
“Barefoot?” Rarity looked disturbed by such a barbaric suggestion, “I'm fine, thank you for your concern.”
Applejack shook her head. First, Rarity had expressed great concern over ruining her outfit, so Applejack finally gave her the button-up shirt she had been wearing over her own tank top, so Rarity's brand-name tank top wouldn't get stained. Before that she had requested sunblock, and Applejack had to search her house top to bottom to find some. And now, after she sent her back to the house to get some proper footwear, she was wearing the wrong boots and could hardly walk.
“Fine, don't go barefoot,” Applejack suddenly stomped over to Rarity, who tried her best to back away.
“Applejack, what are you...?” Rarity shrieked as Applejack scooped her up and started to carry her to the barn, bridal style. “What are you doing?”
“Carryin' ya, princess.” Her tone was a bit sarcastic, but it was obvious she was just messing around.
Rarity had no idea her friend had the kind of arm strength to pick up a fully grown woman, and she didn't even seem to be struggling with her. It was surprising, but once the initial shock wore off, she started to protest.
“Put me down!”
“If you say so.”
Applejack tossed her, and Rarity shrieked again, although she landed softly on a hay stack in the barn. She had to collect herself before glaring up at Applejack.
“Did you just throw me?”
Applejack was smiling now, and responded to the question with a shrug and “Ah might've.” Still smiling, she started over towards several barrels of apples in the corner of the barn. Rarity, on the other hand, didn't look amused by her antics.
“Really, Applejack...” Rarity stood up and brushed herself off, “I come to help you on your farm out of the kindness of my heart, and-”
“Kindness of your heart? Didn't you say somethin' about wantin' to repay me for stoppin' your house from burnin' to the ground?”
Rarity glared at Applejack. That was checkmate, and they both knew it. Rarity had insisted she help her on the farm, to repay Applejack's act of heroism the day before. She had been walking by and noticed smoke coming from Rarity's house, and rushed in to find Sweetie Belle struggling with a fire extinguisher, trying to put out a small kitchen fire she'd started. At the thought of Applejack running in and saving her sister, Rarity's expression softened a bit.
“I am very grateful for that, Applejack.”
“You woulda done the same, Rare.” Applejack had reached the barrels of apples and waved for Rarity to come over. “What we're gonna do is empty these barrel of apples into those barrels,” She nodded towards several empty barrels that stood besides the ones filled with apples, “And separate the good, useable ones from the duds.”
Rarity was getting the hang of walking in the dreadful boots, so she made her way over to AJ, and the two got to work. Applejack was working a bit faster than Rarity, who examined the apples more closely than necessary. Plus, she kept glancing up at her companion, waiting for her to say something, but Applejack seemed content to work in silence. Well, Rarity could enjoy the quiet just as much as the farm girl...
By the time the barrel of good apples was filled, and the bad apple barrel was a little over half way full, Rarity couldn't take it anymore. Why wasn't Applejack speaking? Rarity watched as she pushed the filled apple barrel off to the side, and started onto a new one.
“Well, this is rather peaceful.” Even the sound of her own voice was nice, considering it had to have been at least half an hour of no talking.
“Yep.”
“Is it usually like this on the farm?”
“Yep.”
Rarity wasn't giving up just yet. “Oh, really?”
“... Yep.”
“Is that all you can say?”
Applejack smiled a little, “Nope.”
“Ugh!” Frustrated, Rarity picked up an apple and threw it at Applejack, hitting her in the shoulder.
“Watch it Rarity,” She cast a playful glare at her assailant and menacingly started tossing the apple she had been holding from one hand to the other, “You don't want an apple chuckin' battle on your hands.”
“Oh?” Rarity lifted a hand, and the apple that her friend had been tossing froze in mid air as it was engulfed by light blue magic. “I think I can handle myself.” The apple suddenly shot up and hit Applejack in the forehead, then fell to the ground.
Applejack looked stunned, but recovered quickly and went to pick up an armful of apples as Rarity started to back away, a smirk on both of their faces. Rarity had forgotten about the boots though. She stumbled backwards with a startled scream, and landed flat on her rump.
“Ow...”
“You alright sug'?”
“Yes,” Rarity said with a smile. She was honestly surprised Applejack wasn't laughing or doing a victory dance. “It's very noble of you to-”
Applejack cut her off as she burst into laughter, gripping her sides and doubling over with the force of it.
“We Apples have a rule: If they're okay, laugh away!”
Still chuckling a little, she stepped over and offered Rarity a hand, who simply frowned and crossed her arms.
“C'mon Rare, I'll help ya up. And take off those damn boots.”
With a groan she slipped out of the boots, then grabbed onto Applejack's hand and was hoisted to her feet.
“See? Dirt don't bite.”
The two returned to their positions by the barrels, Rarity trying her best not to get any dirt on her perfectly pedicured toenails. The silence returned once again, and Rarity was starting to come to terms with it. Applejack liked to focus on her work.
“So how was your week, Rare?”
Rarity blinked. “It was fine, thank you.”
“No problem. Anythin' excitin' goin' on in town?”
“Oh, not really. I have a date this Friday with Noteworthy.”
Applejack didn't respond to that, but started tossing apples into the barrel with increased vigor.
“Darling, is something wrong?”
Applejack paused her work, but hesitated to answer. “That fella who thinks he's a bigshot musician? What are you runnin' around with him for?”
“He is a bigshot musician, Appplejack.” Rarity wasn't sure what was going on with her friend, but she felt the need to defend her date. “Maybe not a super star, but he is very well known in the music industry.”
“Everyone knows those types of fellas ain't trustworthy.” Appplejack was practically throwing the apples into the barrel now, and Rarity had stopped her work to watch her curiously.
“Do you even know him?”
“Not personally.”
“Then you shouldn't be so quick to judge him.”
Silence once again, excluding the heavy thud of apples as they were thrown into the barrel. Rarity was nicely placing them, while Applejack showed no mercy on the fruit.
“Applejack, are you upset?”
Applejack stopped her throwing and blinked, looking bewildered. “Upset?”
“Don't play dumb with me darling, it's insulting.”
Applejack huffed, “No, Ah ain't upset! Ah jus' think you're deservin' of someone better than Noteworthy.”
“Well, this is the first time he and I have decided to get together. It's nothing serious,” Rarity started to examine apples again, “There is really nothing for you to get worked up over.”
“Ah ain't worked up.”
She had returned to gently setting apples in the barrel rather than throwing them, but Rarity wasn't letting her off the hook so easily.
“So... who would you consider within my league, Applejack?”
“Ah dunno, does Derpy have a brother?”
Rarity blamed herself for not seeing that one coming from a mile away.
“I don't think so... but I know one challenged woman who has a brother.” Applejack looked up to see Rarity pointing at her. She continued, “He is quite the farm boy, isn't he? Strong and handsome... Perhaps he should be my next romantic endeavor?”
Applejack was clenching her fists and giving Rarity a spiteful look.
“What, is your brother not good enough for me either?”
Applejack started to say something, but Rarity spoke over her. “Look, Applejack, Ms. Element of Honesty... you don't need to hide your feelings from me.” Rarity's tone had changed entirely, she wasn't teasing her anymore. Applejack looked down at her feet, feeling awkward. Rarity had caught on to her, and she didn't know what to say right away.
“It's perfectly fine that you feel this way about me...” Rarity stepped forward and put a hand on Applejack's shoulder. “Just because there might be a man in my life, doesn't mean I'm going to abandon my friends!”
Applejack's jaw dropped. “What? You think...”
“Yes, you're very worried about our friendship being jeopardized, but I assure you, you are very important to me! Nothing could break such a bond as ours.”
Applejack could feel her eye twitch slightly as Rarity smiled at her.“ Does that make you feel better?”
"No, not one bit.” Applejack grabbed Rarity's wrist and removed her hand from her shoulder. “Rarity, ya don't get it. Ah ain't upset cuz Ah think you're gonna ditch me.”
“Well, of course you are! Applejack, dear, you need to come to terms with your feelings.”
“Fine,” Applejack folded her arms, “Ya really drive me up the wall sometimes. You're everythin' Ah'm not. Ya love fashion, ya can't stand dirt or manual labor, everythin' always has to be just so. It's a pain sometimes, but it's one of those pains that's pretty nice... like, after a good long while of harvestin' apples, Ah'll be sore all over, but Ah love that feelin'.”
Rarity seemed to be listening intently. “So... I'm a pain?”
Applejack realized that probably wasn't the best analogy, but she decided to work with it. “Yeah, you're a pain. One Ah love, and couldn't imagine livin' without...You mean a lot to me, that's what I'm tryin' to say, Rare. Ah got jealous when you mentioned your date..."
Rarity stared at Applejack for a moment, then her gaze fell to the floor. She began lightly tapping her chin as she considered this new found information. Being in the fashion industry, Rarity had met her fair share of gay men, and even though Applejack was a woman, and apparently had feelings for Rarity, there really wasn't a shock factor for her to get over. Her confession was actually rather sweet and heartfelt, and she didn't feel in any way threatened by it.
It wasn't shocking, but it was new. She had known Applejack for some time now, yet she had managed to hide her feelings very well. Or maybes they were new feelings? She doubted Applejack being such a good friend to her was influenced by any of that, though. She couldn't imagine her treating her any differently, but maybe...
Meanwhile, Applejack was becoming more and more nervous. She was rolling an apple beneath her boot as she waiting for a response that didn't seem to be coming. She decided to start backpedaling.
“It ain't a big deal, it's more like a crush, really. A small crush. Ah mean, Ah'm not expecting you to feel the same, Ah know you're not like that, but you wanted me to be honest-”
“But you are, Applejack? You are 'like that'?”
“Ah... suppose. Ah haven't thought about it much.” Applejack looked very uncomfortable, maybe even worried.
“Well, that's fine.”
Rarity casually went back to work with the apples, though Applejack didn't.
“That's it? You don't... Ah mean, you don't mind?”
“There's nothing for me to mind.” Rarity gave her a reassuring smile, and Applejack hesitantly smiled back, then joined in with the work.
“Why haven't you given it much thought?” As Rarity spoke, Applejack looked up to raise an eyebrow at her, but her head was down as she inspected the apples.
“Well, Ah keep myself busy. Deciding what gender Ah'm attracted to isn't on my list of chores.”
“Is it something you can decide?”
“Dunno.”
This discussion was odd, in Applejack's opinion. Was Rarity going to give her an interview about her sexuality now?
“Have you not been with anyone, then?” It seemed like she was, and Applejack groaned. “I'm sorry, am I prying?”
“Just a bit,” Applejack had a lighthearted smile on her face, regardless of Rarity being nosy.
“Well, I'm sorry for taking an interest in your sexuality related turmoil.” Rarity seemed to be playing around now as well, “But clearly this is a problem too big for me to solve. Perhaps you should see a sexuality coach.”
“What the hay is a sexuality coach? Did you just make that up?”
“Yes, and it's a million dollar idea. It's just like a shrink, but for sexuality.” Applejack burst out laughing, and Rarity put a hand on her hip. “If they existed, you would surely benefit from one.”
“Okay, okay...” Applejack grabbed an empty barrel, and set it upside-down beside the haystack she had dropped Rarity in earlier. This time though, Applejack was the one who plopped down in it.
“Care to show me the benefits of sexuality coaching?” She gestured towards the barrel and smirked, “You're qualified for this sorta thing, right?”
“Of course I am.” Joining in, Rarity walked over and sat on the barrel, crossing her legs and peering down at Applejack once she was situated. “I've thoroughly studied the subject for years.”
“Right, Ah'm sure you have!” Applejack began laughing again, and Rarity tried to scowl at her, but she ended up smiling.
“Oh, shut up. This counseling session begins now.”
The sun was beginning to set, and Rarity and Applejack were still in the barn, having made no progress with apple sorting for several hours. They were still engaged in their mock counseling session, which had both of them laughing themselves to tears at several points. They had left their original positions though, since the haystack and barrel were not very comfortable. Rarity was sitting cross-legged on the barn floor, and Applejack was just lying on it a foot or so away, using her hat as a sort of cushion for her head. Rarity hadn't even complained at having to sit on the floor, since she was having fun. It wasn't very often she could just be ridiculous with a friend like this.
Applejack had been recalling an event on the farm, but Rarity suddenly interrupted.
“So, let me clarify... you have a deep, burning hatred for apples. Because that is what I am hearing here.”
“What? Ah didn't say that.”
“Subtext, darling, it's all in the subtext. The way your eyes burn of vengeance at the mere word apple, it's clear as day.”
Applejack began retorting by saying she couldn't make her eyes burn of vengeance if she tried, then dove into claiming Rarity over-analyzed too much, and saying she wanted a refund for this session. She was fun to watch talk, Rarity had to admit. Her drawl had a certain charm, and she had dimples that Rarity had never really paid attention to before. They only showed up when she was smiling, but she had been smiling for most of this little play counseling session. And her smile was contagious, Rarity couldn't seem to keep hers away.
She finally noticed the sun, and how they had clearly lost track of time. Applejack was still going on, apparently she was going to sue Rarity... she was cute, it was easy to lose track of time just by being with her. They were certainly very different people, as Applejack had said earlier, but that was part of what made her captivating.
Rarity's smile finally started to fade as she was hit by a sudden realization.
“Oh... oh no.”
Applejack didn't seem to have heard her, or notice her change in mood.
“You'll need a damn good lawyer, Ms. Rarity. Not like it will help much, laws against sexuality coach fraud are pretty ruthless...”
Rarity was starting to feel a bit sick. Or perhaps it was the butterflies she had been feeling in her stomach... no, no, she was going with sick. Rarity had never seen Applejack as a romantic option before... women had never been a romantic option. It was something that had never even crossed her mind, or that's what she had thought. Looking back, she couldn't hope to count the moments Rarity had considered Applejack to be cute or charming. She couldn't hope to count how many instances she had gone out of her way to be around the farm girl, or made excuses so she could touch her, or scoured the tops of crowds, trying to spot Applejack's signature hat. She could count the times she had broken out in a blush and her heart had been sent aflutter by watching Applejack do some sort of manual labor, sweating and flexing as she worked. That had happened twice.
Why hadn't she questioned any of that? Could she really have been so oblivious? Was she imagining things because of Applejack's confession, or suddenly seeing her own thoughts and actions for what they really were? And worse yet, there was a good chance all of this hadn't gone unnoticed by Applejack.
“Rarity?” Her name being said snapped her out of her thoughts. “You're lookin' more nervous than a long-tailed cat in a room full 'a rockin' chairs.”
Rarity looked down at her, and hesitated to respond. “Have I been leading you on?”
Applejack sat up. “No. Ah never thought that.”
“Well. That's good.”
It was quiet for a moment after that, and though Rarity wasn't looking back, she could feel Applejack's eyes on her. Applejack was much to perceptive, Rarity felt she was being read like an open book.
Applejack laid back down after a minute, and was the first to speak. “It ain't anything to worry about. Fallin' in love with friends, Ah mean. It's kinda natural, Ah think... at least, it feels natural.”
Rarity glanced over at her just as Applejack was doing the same. “Do you love any of your other friends?”
“Not like I love you.”
Another quiet moment passed between them, but it didn't feel uncomfortable. It didn't feel tense, like before. She was right... it felt natural.
“Well, darling, you are incredibly vexing.” Rarity's tone had returned to playful as got to her feet, and Applejack joined her.
“That's why Ah've got a sexuality coach.” Rarity rolled her eyes, though as always, Applejack's smile brought out one of her own. “Ah'll see you around, Rare. Ah've got some work to catch up on.” She pointed her thumb over her shoulder, at the long abandoned apple barrels.
“Terribly sorry...”
“Don't be, it was worth it.”
They exchanged a smile, and then the two parted ways, Rarity headed out of the barn while Applejack was headed further in. Rarity wasn't quite sure what to make of all this, but she was sure the next few days were going to be... eventful, at the very least.
Author's Note
I'm trying to think of apple related puns... but I seem to have bitten off more than I can chew.
AHAHAHA
I have a problem /sobs
