Apple from a Seed

Rarity wasn’t quite sure whether she loved or hated staying the night at her marefriend’s place. Sure, the Apple Family’s old barnhouse was wreathed in love and the closeness of family, but the water pressure in the shower was abysmal! And though their shampoo –apple-scented, of course– did the job, it didn’t hold a candle to the designer brands she had in her own bathroom. And don’t even get her started on the conditioners!

Her mane was still hanging in limp waves as she made her way up the creaking stairs to Applejack’s bedroom. The walls around her were filled to the brim with photographs of every member of the Apple family at all ages and walks of life. A Big Macintosh barely out of diapers splashing in the mud here, an Apple Bloom showing off her first ‘A’ on a chemistry test since Zecora started tutoring her in potion-making. Rarity’s personal favorite was a blank-flanked Applejack showing off the empty space where her two front baby teeth had been. The two pig-tails either side of her widely-grinning face truly set the picture off, and Rarity couldn’t help but smile fondly every time she passed it.

Rarity slowed her pace once she reached the top of the stairs and passed Apple Bloom’s room where the sounds of a quill could still be heard scratching away at her work desk over some soft music playing. While Rarity wasn’t exactly a fan of Prancy Travis, she would certainly take it over the ‘punk rock’ bands that Scootaloo so often brought over when the Crusaders were having their sleepovers.

Memories of the three young fillies begging for her attention as they eagerly sought their cutie marks sparked a sense of nostalgia welling up in her. Sure it had been trying to keep three rambunctious fillies from tearing her boutique and home to the ground, but the sound of their laughter and happy voices echoing through the halls hadn’t been so bad, had it? And seeing their friendship blossom over the years…

Yes, there had been good times.

As caught up in her thoughts as she was, Rarity had unknowingly passed Big Macintosh’s silent room and arrived outside Applejack’s door. Hesitation held her hoof just short of the handle. Would Applejack want to talk about things tonight? Would she expect her to know what they were going to do after simply taking a shower?

An ear held to the door revealed only quiet on the other side. Applejack could have gone to sleep already. It certainly would make things easier if that were the case. Rarity could just sneak in and they could worry about it some other time.

Or her marefriend could be waiting up for her.

Rarity sighed. Realizing putting it off would accomplish nothing, she gently turned the handle and let herself in. The room looked identical to how it did the very first time Rarity had seen it years ago. Much like it’s owner, this bedroom was an exercise in honest simplicity. Warm green wallpaper with little yellow flowers here and there. All-natural hardwood floors, ceiling and wall studs with only the barest traces of artistic flourishes. A large, broken-in bed covered in apple-printed blankets and sheets.

It was a far-cry from her own bedroom back at the Boutique, but… Well, something about its rustic charm had endeared itself to her over the years. Somewhere along the way it had become a second home.

The only light in the room was an old-fashioned hoof lantern perched precariously upon the edge of an antique vanity by the window. The flickering flame inside cast a soft orange glow across the room, but most prominently against the blonde-maned mare seated in front of the mirror.

Applejack had already let her hair down, as she was wont to do immediately before bed, and her long, flowing locks fell gracefully along her neck and down her back. The last few curls reached nearly the base of her tail, not that a lady like Rarity would notice such things. It would be uncouth to ogle her lover’s body like some base lowlife.

No, instead Rarity appreciated Applejack’s body. From the minotaur-esque strength in her limbs that rivalled any stallion Rarity had ever known to her gorgeous green eyes more precious than any emerald to the work-forged muscle that defined her body; every inch of her was perfection in motion.

And she has an ass to die for! Rarity thought to herself, blushing. Nopony needed to know she thought that, of course.

Applejack was dragging a worn brush through her mane, filling the air with a soft rasp every few seconds as she hummed a tune that Rarity recognized as a lullaby she’d once heard her sing to Apple Bloom. She’d noticed that Applejack often hummed it when lost in thought, even though it wasn’t terribly often such a thing happened. Her marefriend was more of a… doer than a thinker.

Not that Rarity would have her any other way, mind you.

Once upon a time, using her magic to take the brush away from Applejack, especially when she was distracted, would have caused her to jump out of her seat. But whether she was paying more attention than Rarity realized or she’d simply grown used to the subtle chime of her magic activating, her reaction was only to smile and let the brush go.

“Thanks, Rares,” Applejack sighed blissfully as the brush gently pulled out the day’s tangles in her mane. Rarity smiled fondly but said nothing as she worked; eventually the lantern began to run low and the full moon was gleaming through the window as the final curls at the end of Applejack’s mane were tended to. Her golden tresses fell like a waterfall, silken and free, and Rarity rested her chest against her lover’s back, bringing her lips to her ear. Applejack subtly leaned into her touch, accepting the affection.

“I love you, my Darling.”

“Heh, I love you too, Sugarcube,” Applejack replied, giving a single laugh: the kind that came from somewhere between her throat and her belly. Rarity could never quite decide which, but she knew from the butterflies it still sent fluttering in her stomach that it was her most genuine.

“Welp, you ready for bed, Rares? I’m plumb exhausted after… y’know, everything today. I think I’m gonna hit the hay.”

Rarity was in shock as Applejack pulled away and made for the bed. It wasn’t until she was already settling under the covers that Rarity recovered enough to speak.

“We aren’t going to talk about it?” she asked.

Applejack paused mid-pillow fluff to look up at her. “I didn’t figure you’d want to, Sugarcube. You didn’t exactly seem like you wanted to when we read his letter before dinner.”

The memory of them reading Applejack’s cousin Braeburn’s letter together passed through Rarity with a shiver. Before they’d been able to even let the shock fade, Granny Smith had called to them that the food was done and they hadn’t had the chance to say anything since. Admittedly, Rarity had been quite glad for the interruption.

After all, what in the world were you supposed to say to something like what he was asking?

“I just don’t know what to say, Darling. With what he’s asking of you…” Rarity mumbled. Suddenly unable to meet Applejack’s eyes, her gaze fell to the floor instead.

“He ain’t asking nothing I can’t provide!”

That sent a flame raging in Rarity’s stomach and she stomped a hoof in frustration. “It’s not like he’s asking you to deliver another tree for his orchard! He’s asking you to carry a foal for him!”

“Rares, he and Soarin’ just want a foal that’s theirs, y’know? If Soarin’s donates the… y’know… seed and I carry it, it’ll be related to Soarin’ and still be an Apple. It’ll be everything they want! Short of them having it themselves, a’course, but… well, hard for two stallions to do that…” she rambled. From the desperate plea in her voice, Rarity knew she was trying just as hard to convince herself as well.

Rarity couldn’t believe her. She was talking about it as she would their plans for dinner! In a huff, Rarity stormed to the bed and sat down, holding back just enough of her frustration so as to remain prim and proper. A temper tantrum would hardly be ladylike.

“Applejack! Listen to yourself! You’re talking about having a baby! What if there are complications? Do you know all the things that can happen to a mare while she’s pregnant? What if you get hurt, or worse?”

Applejack rolled over to face her as Rarity ranted. When she spoke, though she sounded certain, Applejack wasn’t quite able to look Rarity in the eyes.

“Rares, mares have foals all the time! And even if somethin’ does happen, Ponyville General’s a great hospital! The doctor’s there are great and they’ll take care of us. Everythin’ll be fine, Rares, just you see!”

“So you’ve already decided, then? And this was never a discussion at all?” Rarity asked in defeat.

To Rarity’s immense displeasure, Applejack rolled her eyes. “No, Rares! I… Urrgh!” she growled, rolling over to stare pointedly away from Rarity.

After a moment of silence it became clear Applejack intended to say nothing else. Judging that pressing further would be ultimately futile, Rarity sighed and let herself under the covers on her side of the bed. Though it was easily large enough for the two of them, their backs were still left mere inches apart, to the point Rarity could still feel the warm of her lover’s body.

It just wasn’t fair. How could Braeburn have asked this of them? He had to have known that Applejack could never turn down family asking for help regardless of the sacrifice she’d have to make. There were so many things that could go wrong! She or the foal could get sick! If anything happened to their foal, Applejack would never forgive herself. And what if she got attached to it? She’d be torn between losing her foal and breaking her favorite cousin’s heart.

And with Braeburn and Soarin’ way off in Appleloosa, it’d be up to Rarity to pick up the pieces.

Why couldn’t they have just asked somepony else? Or adopted? There were plenty of other options for them to have a foal!

Why’d they have to drag Applejack into everything?

Rarity bit back a sniff and wiped a hoof roughly across her eyes.

A hoof slid gently onto her shoulder, causing her to jump. She hadn’t even noticed Applejack roll over.

“C’mon, Sugarcube, I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I do care about what you want. Of course I do! It’s just…”

“You could never let down your family,” Rarity finished for her. “But… why does it have to be you? There are other ways for them to have a foal. Or even other ponies that could be their surrogate! Why do you have to do it?”

Applejack’s hoof froze where it was like the question had caught her off-guard. Rarity didn’t need to be looking at her to know what was going through her marefriend’s mine. She knew Applejack was mulling things over, not to think of a lie or excuse, but to find a way to put her thoughts into words.

Rarity let her have a moment, and soon enough Applejack sighed and cuddled tighter against her, nuzzling into her neck.

“Did I ever tell you about the times Braeburn would come up to visit us?” she said absently. Her breath tickled the hairs of Rarity’s neck, but she did nothing for fear of breaking the still of the moment.

Applejack continued. “Every summer as soon as school let out. I tell ya, Rares, there weren’t nothing I looked forward to as much as I did his visits. Not even Hearth’s Warmin’!”

Rarity could hear in her tone the beginnings of a fond smile as she lost herself in nostalgia.

“When Braeburn came up, he, Mac and I would do everythin’ together. Swimming out in the pond in the south orchard, trying to get our cutie marks, heheh, even nicking the pies Granny Smith left on the windowsill to cool! Back then, I… I dunno. I’d say the three of us were about as close as you, me, and the other girls are now!”

“I… I had no idea,” Rarity mumbled, shocked. “You say you ‘were’ close. Did something happen?”

“Just time. You know how it is: you grow up, grow apart… After Ma and Pa passed, I had to help Mac take care of the farm and about that time Braeburn was helping out more around his parent’s place and…” she paused with a dejected sigh. “We just didn’t have the time for summer vacations like we used to.”

“I thought the orchard in Appleloosa was his, not his parents?” Rarity asked.

“It is. He started that orchard when Appleloosa was founded... what was it? Nearly thirteen years ago now? Hay, has it really been that long? Where does the time go?”

Rarity couldn’t help but giggle as she rolled over to face Applejack. With their faces scant inches apart, she couldn’t help but let her voice drop to a barely audible whisper.

“Isn’t that the truth? I still remember when Sweetie Belle was five and she’d sneak into my room to play with my makeup! I’d come in to find her looking like a clown! I used to get so angry with her and now… I just miss those days. Now she does her own makeup and goes on dates with Spike of all people! He used to bring me flowers, Applejack! Now he brings them to Sweetie Belle…”

Applejack’s snort snapped Rarity out of her thoughts, making her realize she’d meandered a bit. She did, however, pointedly ignore when Applejack rolled her eyes.

“Sorry, Darling. I got a bit off-topic there,” she sighed as the reality of what they were discussing settled back over her. “I understand why you want to help Braeburn. But having a foal is such a large commitment!”

Even as the words left her mouth Rarity regretted them. Even in the dimness, it was almost like a fire had gone out in Applejack’s eyes.

“So you think I shouldn’t do it?”

“I just think this isn’t a decision to be made lightly!” Rarity pressed. She reached out to gently brush a few strands of Applejack’s mane from her eyes. “At least not in one night!”

“And what is more time gonna do?” Applejack countered. “I’m not afraid of getting sick or nothing like that and I want to help my cousin start the family he wants! What more is there to think about?”

“What about what will happen to me? I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you. I’m going to be worrying myself sick the whole time as it is! Or what happens if you get attached to the foal? What if you have it but can’t give it up? And what if… What if I’m not ready for us to have foals?”

A pair of strong forelegs wrapped around Rarity’s shoulders, cradling her comfortingly. “That ain’t gonna happen, Rares. I know it won’t be easy, but there’s no way I could ever do that to Braeburn. It’d break his heart.” She sighed as she thought for a moment. “How ‘bout this? Why don’t we take a trip out to Appleloosa to see him and Soarin’? I owe it to Braeburn to at least hear him out, and maybe it’ll help soothe your worries a bit. Does that sound good?”

Rarity wasn’t sure whether she should be exasperated or laugh out loud. If there was one thing Applejack was not, it was subtle. She had already decided. While Rarity wanted to be angry over that, she just couldn’t. Applejack had always been the type to do whatever she thought was right and trying to dissuade her from that would only cause her to dig her hooves in deeper.

Rarity just had to hope she was right and that the trip would help her feel better.

“I hope you’re right, darling,” she said, sighing dramatically as she rolled onto her back and stretched out. “Though I can’t say I’m excited to go back to Appleloosa. It took me days to clean all the dust out of my coat last time we visited! This whole situation is bound to give me a stress headache!”

For all her worries, her only reward was another deep-belly chuckle as she felt a hoof trail teasingly down her side to her flank. Applejack’s muzzle loomed in the edge of her vision as she leaned close, her golden mane spilling around them like a veil.

“Aww, my fussy little princess, asked to trudge through the mud just for little ol’ me! Why don’t you roll over and I’ll help ya feel a little better?” she asked, her voice fluttering somewhere between husky and mocking.

Catching on, Rarity conceded to roll onto her stomach while giggling quietly. “Ooooh, and what exactly did you have in mind, darling?”

A pair of strong hooves pressing into her withers was her only answer. She cooed in delight as Applejack set to work on her. The hard outer walls of her hooves kneaded deep into her muscles, easing the tension she didn’t even know she was feeling and then soothing it away with the soft undersides.

Smalls circles on her shoulders became long strokes along her spine which soon became pinpoint ministrations to her back just above her tail. “Mmmm, right there, Darling!”

Another chuckle sounded somewhere vaguely above her. Rarity couldn’t quite discern where. “Don’t you worry, Sugarcube, I know what I’m doing. Nopony knows you like I do.”

Drunk on the pleasure her lover was providing her, Rarity couldn’t stop another round of giggles escaping her. Truly, nopony knew her body as well as Applejack did. And ooooh, did she know her…

Just the memories drew the traces of a scandalized blush to her cheeks.

But a fire had been kindled within her and she craved a very different sort of touch. “Let me up, darling,” she asked, feeling suddenly breathless.

It wasn’t until a weight lifted itself from her hips that Rarity even noticed Applejack had sat upon her at some point during her little massage. The moment she was free, she wasted no time in reversing their positions: Applejack splayed out upon her back, her long mane spilling across the sheets like liquid gold and herself leaning sideways over her so that she could drink in the sight of her lover looking so vulnerable with anticipation.

Rarity lifted a hoof to brush along her lover’s cheek, carefully and lightly, barely more than a feather’s touch.

“My Darling,” she whispered. “My diamond in the rough…”

“R-Rares…” Applejack muttered, her breath hitching as her chest heaved just a tad heavier than normal. From the way her hips would occasionally twitch and squirm, Rarity knew she was feeling the beginnings of a passionate heat as well. “We c-can’t… Mac and Apple Bloom are just down the hall!”

“Then we’ll just have to be quiet, won’t we?” Rarity simpered.

“You’re one to talk…” Applejack mumbled under her breath, crossing her hooves over her chest and looking pointedly away from Rarity.

She had to admit, her lover might have had some small point. Perhaps she could be a little loud when things turned intimate, but she was a lady for pony’s sake! She could enjoy a tryst with the love of her life without proclaiming her actions to the world like… like some baseless mare of the night!

She had dignity! She had class!

She had… a desire that needed her lover’s touch!

Just as Applejack knew every inch of Rarity’s body, so too did Rarity know of Applejack. She knew every trick that her poor lover could never resist. She let her shoulders go limp, rolling them sensually as she slowly crawled on top of her marefriend. She swung her hindleg wide until she was straddling Applejack’s stomach, slipping her tail coyly between their bodies as a censor for her modesty.

She leaned down, letting her curly mane brush Applejack’s cheek until their lips were barely inches apart. She stared deep into those emerald eyes she loved so dearly, watching them struggle between her desires and her sensibilities. Then, in a voice so low it was felt more than heard, she whispered.

“Love me, My Darling.”

The words had barely left her before Applejack closed the distance between them with a single thrust, locking their lips together. Rarity smiled at her little victory.

Applejack almost made it too easy.

Her movements were aggressive – hungry; Rarity was happy to let her take the lead. Applejack’s lips were chapped and cracked from a lack of proper care, but they felt like velvet against her own all the same. Hooves, strengthened from a life of work and hardship, caressed her back, holding her lovingly and with all the support she could ever need. So was Applejack, really. Rough and unpolished perhaps on the outside, yet that exterior belied what was within.

“Mmmmm,” Rarity moaned as Applejack’s tongue prodded at her lips.

A hoof suddenly dove to her haunches, making her squeal in surprise. Applejack must have been growing impatient, as her touch had grown rougher as she slid Rarity’s hips to the side and threw one of her own hindlegs over hers.

With their legs entwined, Rarity gasped at the sudden contact. Electricity raced across her skin as waves of heat and pleasure rolled over her. Her hips revolved in tandem with Applejack’s as her heart began to race. Every brush was like a touch of ecstasy.

Applejack was singing a siren’s song in the back of her throat; her every gasp and pant only egging Rarity on to greater heights. The sight of her face screwed up in a look that told Rarity she was fighting with every ounce of her being to not give in and let go. The wrinkle over her nose that she found so adorable and yet embarrassed Applejack to no end.

“Rares, I… I’m–!” Applejack began to cry before a violent shiver wracked her body. She clamped down on her hoof in a vain attempt to muffle the scream she couldn’t hold back. Rarity could only grin in satisfaction as she watched her lover writhe in overwhelming pleasure.

The sight alone was enough to tip Rarity over the edge, and together they tumbled into an ocean of bliss.

Seconds spanned into years before Applejack caught her breath and consciousness returned to her expression, though her eyes were still blurry and unfocused and her cheeks were burning crimson. At some point Rarity had collapsed onto her chest and, without thought or direction, she toyed a hoof idly against her rough, sun-warmed coat.

“Hah… T-that was… amazin’, Sugarcube,” Applejack panted. “You, uh… you enjoy it, too?”

Either the question or the way she’d said it struck Rarity as funnier than it perhaps should have and she found herself laughing like a filly. “It was simply divine, darling!”

Applejack pulled her closer and together they cuddled as they basked in the afterglow. “So it was okay even without Mr. Happy?”

“Must you ruin the moment, darling?” Rarity drawled. It was so like Applejack to bring up her favorite name for Rarity’s most cherished bedroom enhancer, immature as it was. She wanted to be upset but just couldn’t find it in herself to do so, especially as she felt the rumble of Applejack’s laughter through her chest. “We should probably get to bed, though. We’re going to have a long day tomorrow preparing for our trip to Appleloosa.”

Applejack agreed and reluctantly let Rarity up so they could both get under the covers. Once they were settled, Applejack’s firm chest pressed tightly against her back and her strong forelegs holding her close, Rarity gave a relaxed sigh.

Just as the tranquil night was taking its toll on Rarity’s ability to remain awake, Applejack broke the silence.

“Hey, Rares?” she whispered into her ear. “Thank you for going with me to talk to Braeburn and Soarin’. I know you don’t want me to do it, but I appreciate you being willing to hear them out. I promise, though, I ain’t gonna do nothing you’re not comfortable with. If you still don’t want me to do it after we talk to them then I won’t.”

Rarity was silent as she hugged Applejack’s hoof closer to her until she placed a kiss on her wrist. “Darling, I love you. I will always support you in anything you want to do, regardless of whether or not I think it’s for the best. We’ll go talk to them, and then, together, we will decide what we should do. But you won’t be in it alone, My Darling. We will do it together.”

Behind her, Rarity could only feel Applejack bury her face a little further into her mane until she heard a single sniff. “Thank ya, Rares. You don’t know how happy I am to hear that.”

Rarity smiled as she gave her lover’s hoof a comforting rub. “Anytime, My Darling. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Applejack whispered, her voice thick and heavy. “Goodnight, my fussy little princess.”

“Goodnight, my diamond in the rough.”