Learning

by Magatsu Orpheus

Rating: teen
Tags: Slice of Life, Sex, Applejack, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Romance, Rarity
Length: 3424

A year and a half of Rarity and Applejack's life as a couple, learning about each other, and themselves.

Rarity and Applejack.

Applejack and Rarity.

Not two ponies anyone would have expected to get together. And certainly nobody would expect them to stay together. But, when is love ever what you expect?

A shipfic taking place over the course of a year and a half, with a chapter for every month. Chapters are standalone (unless otherwise noted) and may be published out of order.

Cover art by White Diamonds.

Published 2015-11-25 03:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2015-11-29 21:53:40 UTC

January: The First Date (Starting Out, Part 1)

January 29th, Saturday

Applejack headed off to Rarity's house, to pick her up for their date. She'd never really been on a date before. It was all new to her, and if she was being honest, she was quite nervous.

What was one supposed to even do on a date? Where should they go? Applejack wasn't too proud to admit, she had no idea what she was doing.

And that was alright, her family had insisted. Nobody expected her to swoop Rarity off her hooves like a dashing prince.

But that didn't mean Applejack wasn't prepared to try.

She'd put on a red dress, simple yet fashionable. And she was planning to take Rarity to a fancy restaurant! Well, as fancy as one could get, in the town of Ponyville.

She arrived at Rarity's house, and knocked on the door.

*knock* *knock* *knock*

"I'm coming!" Rarity shouted. Applejack could hear her walking down the stairs and approaching the door.

The door opened, and Applejack's jaw dropped. Rarity was always gorgeous, at least Applejack thought so, and now was no exception. She wore a majestic white dress, and her mane had diamond-shaped decorations in it. She also wore a tiara, looking much like the one she wore to the gala. Or possibly it was the one she wore to the gala. Applejack couldn't tell at all, if she was being honest.

Rarity giggled. "Can't take your eyes off, hmm?"

Applejack blushed. "Ah, well, I just... you look beautifu, Rarity."

"Why, thank you, Applejack. You don't look bad yourself." Rarity said, with a nod of her head.

"Er, thanks. So, uh... should we go now, or...?"

Rarity giggled again. Applejack was rather cute when she got flustered. "Well, perhaps when we decide where we're going."

Applejack's eyes widened. "Oh, right! I mean, uh, I thought it'd be better if it was your choice."

"Well, I was thinking we could go to Omelette du Fromage. Sophisticated, yet not too formal, it's perfect for a first date!" Rarity said.

Applejack smiled. "Sounds good to me."

"I didn't expect them to serve nothing but eggs with cheese, that's for sure." Applejack said as the waiter left with their menus. 'Menus' meaning 'a single piece of paper that reads 'eggs with cheese'.

"Well, Omelette du Fromage means 'eggs with cheese' in Prench, you see. But it is rather odd..." Rarity replied, taking a sip of her water.

"Well," Applejack said. "It ain't like the point of a date is the food. It's about spendin' time together! ...Right?" She asked. It had sounded about right.

"I suppose it is." Rarity agreed. "So, then, question!" She said, putting a hoof up. "Why did you ask me out on a date?" She asked, her head tilted inquisitively.

Applejack was surprised by the question. "Why are you asking?"

"Well, it's not as though we're birds of a feather. Why, most ponies would describe us as opposites, even!" Rarity replied.

Applejack thought for a moment. "Well, even if I ain't too into that fashion stuff myself, you have a lot of passion for it, and I really admire that. And, well, you're beautiful. And not just your looks, I mean, y'know, beauty on the inside and all that. And besides that..." Applejack stopped talking.

Rarity leaned forward. "Hm? What is it?"

Applejack blushed and averted her eyes. "You'll think it's stupid and..." Applejack paused as she thought for the right word. "'shallow'".

Rarity laid a hoof on Applejack's own. "I promise you that I won't."

Applejack looked into Rarity's eyes and saw she absolutely meant it. "...You're cute. Really, really cute."

Rarity blushed and giggled. "Well, I must say, I've never seen somepony so embarrassed simply to call their date cute."

Applejack smiled bashfully. "I was worried you'd think I was just into you 'cause of your looks."

"Applejack, you'd just told me exactly why you were attracted to me, and the most I heard about my looks was that I'm cute."

"Not that you look bad, or anything!"Applejack was quick to say. "You look gorgeous too. But there's more to you than that. Even if a lot of ponies don't see it."

Rarity smiled sincerely.

They chatted away into the rest of the evening, smiling and laughing and telling stories to each other.

After dinner, the two headed back to Rarity's house. It was getting late, after all.

As they arrived, Rarity turned to face Applejack. Applejack was about to say something, but Rarity cut her off with a kiss to the lips, Applejack's eyes widening.

They stayed like that for a good half-a-minute, but Applejack would have stayed there for hours if she could.

As Rarity pulled away, Applejack blushed and stuttered. "I, uh-"

"I had a lovely time tonight." Rarity said.

Applejack was surprised. "But I must've done something wrong. I've never even been on a date before!"

"If you did, I didn't notice. And, just so you know, I've never gone on a date either." Rarity replied.

"Really? But you..."

"Yes, I have sought romantic partners in the past, such as Blueblood and Trenderhoof, but, well, you saw how those turned out. And it was always the same, every time before those, too." Rarity said. "So, we'll be learning together, in a way."

"But I digress." Rarity said. "See you next week, darling!" Rarity went inside and closed the door behind her.

Applejack stood there for a moment. Then, she smiled and walked home, her mind buzzing.

February: "Us" (Starting Out, Part 2)

February 2, Tuesday

Applejack opened Carousel Boutique, the sound of a bell reaching her ears. After their date last night, Rarity had insisted on waiting a few days before talking again. Something about giving them time to dwell on their feelings for one another. Rarity hadn't sounded too sure of the reasoning herself, but she insisted that was what they were supposed to do after a first date, and Applejack didn't want to push the subject.

She heard Rarity say "I'll be right there!" from upstairs. Applejack waited politely at the entrance, and thought hard about what she was going to say. It wasn't as though she didn't want to be marefriends, she really did, but she wasn't exactly the knight in shining armor that Rarity had been dreaming of.

Rarity came down the stairs, seeing Applejack and greeting her with a smile. "Oh, hello, Applejack! I wasn't expecting you, although perhaps I should have been." She said playfully. She sat down on the couch and patted the seat next to her.

Applejack sat down next to Rarity. An awkward silence filled the air, until Applejack asked "So, uh... did you have a good time on Saturday?"

Rarity faced Applejack and smiled. "I already told you, it was lovely."

Applejack smiled back. "I had a good time too." Her expression changed. "But, uh, I never got to ask... why did you agree? To go on a date with me? I know I ain't the Prince Charming you've been looking for."

"Well, Applejack, I wish I could tell you something incredibly romantic. That I 'knew it was meant to be' or some such thing." Rarity said, looking off into the distance (or rather, the wall) contemplatively. "But, if I'm being honest, as I'm sure you'd prefer, I simply figured 'why not?'"

Applejack gave a chuckle. "I guess that's about what I was expecting. I didn't think you could actually be interested in a silly old farm pony like me." She said dismissively.

Rarity put a hoof on Applejack's chin, turning her head so their eyes would meet. "Now, I didn't say that. Just because I wasn't chasing you like some lovesick teenager doesn't mean I'm not at all interested." She laid a kiss on Applejack's cheek. "You're charming, kind, and rather handsome, if I say so myself."

Applejack looked at her in surprise. "But I'm a farm pony! I spend half my time covered in mud and sweat! You can't pretend I'm some Prince Charming straight out of your dreams." She said.

"And I presume you'll have the decency to take a shower before we go on a date." Rarity joked. Upon seeing Applejack's face, she sighed. "My point is, Applejack, that I am willing to give this a try if you are. And judging by the fact that you were the one to approach me, I presume you are?"

Applejack nodded her head yes.

Rarity leaned forward and their lips connected. For about a minute, they stayed there, until Rarity pulled away. They stared into each other's eyes for a moment, before Applejack cleared her throat and asked "So, uh, when are we gonna tell the others?"

"Whenever we're both ready. Or one of them catches us on a date. Whichever happens first, I suppose." Rarity replied.

Applejack nodded in agreement. She wrapped her foreleg around Rarity's shoulder, pulling her closer. Rarity rested her head on Applejack's shoulder.

And at that moment, it felt like everything was going to be fine.

March: Dancing

March 14, Sunday

Rarity entered the Apple Family house, the creak of the old wooden door audible. As it was a Sunday (the only day that the entire Apple Family almost always wasn't working), Big Mac was sitting on the couch reading a novel, and Apple Bloom was lying on the floor drawing something. Rarity approached them, and asked, "Do you know where Applejack is?"

Apple Bloom looked up from her drawing and replied, "Probably upstairs in her bedroom."

Rarity nodded and said "Thank you."

She headed up the stairs, and stopped in her tracks when she heard Applejack's voice... singing?

She walked towards the sound, and arrived at the door to Applejack's room. The door was halfway open, enough for Rarity to see inside. And what she saw brought a smile to her face.

Applejack was dancing with a broom and singing along loudly to a record.

"I want to inspire you~! I want to be your rock, and when I talk, it lights a fire in youuuuu!"

As the record played, Rarity entered the room. "Brava! Brava!" She said, giggling.

Applejack's eyes widened, and she fumbled with the rusty old record player, turning it off quickly, blushing and stuttering.

Applejack and Rarity sat on Applejack's bed. "So, Applejack." Rarity said. "Why didn't you tell me you could dance like that?"

"Well, I wouldn't call what I did 'dancing', for one thing." Applejack said. "And even if it were, I wouldn't wanna dance in front of everypony. There's a reason you ain't seen me dance before, is all I'm saying."

Rarity was silent for a moment. "Well, nopony's watching right now."

Applejack looked at her like she'd just said the sky was orange. "Uh, sugarcube... you are."

Rarity blushed, and waved her hoof. "Ah, yes, that is true..." She cleared her throat. "What I meant was..." She levitated a record onto the record player, before getting up from the bed and offering her hoof. "Dance with me."

Applejack stared at Rarity's hoof for a moment, before grasping it with her own and getting up from the bed as well.

They stared into each other's eyes as they began dancing. Left hoof, right hoof. Left hoof, right hoof.

Rarity smiled at Applejack, and Applejack smiled back.

They danced for a good while, twirling and stepping around and flailing their hooves. Then suddenly, Applejack tripped and fell. Rarity, being right next to her, caught her in her hooves.

And so they stood there, staring into each other's eyes as Applejack leaned back, Rarity holding her in her hooves. It was funny, in a way. Rarity had long dreamed of being held this way by a charming prince who would sweep her off her hooves. And here it was happening. But Rarity was in the position of the prince, and Applejack of all ponies was the princess. So Rarity laughed. She laughed and laughed, and Applejack just couldn't stop herself from laughing as well.

A few seconds later they fell onto the floor, Applejack not exactly being light as a feather. Yet still they laughed. And they smiled and they blushed, and they wouldn't have traded that moment for anything in the world.

And then they heard hoofsteps coming up the stairs. And then Big Mac came in, and saw Rarity lying on top of Applejack, both of them with faces of utter bliss. Then they noticed his presence. And he turned around and walked down the stairs again.

Rarity rolled off of Applejack quietly. The both of them blushed, averting their gazes from one another.

After composing themselves, the pair sat on Applejack's bed again.

"You know, Applejack," Rarity said."I stand by it that you aren't a bad dancer at all."

Applejack gave a chuckle. "You joking? I was flailing around like a chicken with its head cut off!"

Rarity gave a playful nudge. "I'm serious! You're not bad at all."

Applejack gave her a look. "Really?"

"Really. Just practice a bit and you'll be a regular... well, I can't quite name any famous dancers off the top of my head, but the point is you'll be good at dancing!"

Applejack smiled, and gave Rarity a hug, which she returned gladly.

Author's Note

I know this chapter is short. I'm gonna have another chapter ready tomorrow morning to make up for it.

Also, I know there have probably been quite a few instances on the show of Applejack dancing around other ponies, but, to my memory, it's never been a major plot point in an episode, so I think it's an excusable, minor bending of canon.

June: Jealousy

Author's Note

I should mention, this was written before First Date even was, so there may be a drop in quality. But I didn't want to waste the hard work, and I didn't have any other story ideas for the May chapter, so, hey.

June: Jealousy

May 13, Sunday - May 14, Monday

Rarity was fine with Coloratura being Applejack's friend. Rarity was fine with Applejack supporting her friend in time of need. But Applejack calling Coloratura the "brightest star she'd ever seen shine"? That cute nickname "Rara"? And the looks they were giving each other? One of these things alone was nothing to worry about, but all of them combined? Oh no, Rarity knew romance when she saw it, and she did not like it, not when her marefriend was getting stolen away from her.

It was the day after Coloratura's performance at the Helping Hooves concert, and she had come by Twilight's castle to meet Applejack's friends.

"Hi, I'm Rara." She introduced herself to Rarity.

"Yes, I know who you are." Rarity replied, forcing a smile.

"Oh, heh, yeah, I guess you would." There was an awkward pause. "So, you make dresses?"

"Yes." Rarity responded tersely. "Carousel Boutique, perhaps you've heard of it?"

"Well, I can't say I have... but, I'm sure your dresses are lovely!" Coloratura added, seeing the look on Rarity's face.

"So, uh..." There was another awkward silence as Coloratura tried to think of a topic. "How long have you and AJ been friends?"

"Well," Rarity grinned. "I've known Applejack for almost two years now, but we're actually marefriends."

"Oh, sorry! I just didn't think you were AJ's type." Coloratura apologized, smiling awkwardly.

And you are? Rarity thought. She wanted to say that, but didn't want to come off as rude.

"So, uh... bye." Coloratura said, walking away quickly.

Coloratura walked over to Applejack. "Your marefriend seems to not like me much."

"Well, that's weird." Applejack said, confused. "She seemed pretty happy to have you in Ponyville when you first showed up."

Coloratura thought for a moment. "You don't think she's jealous, do you? We are pretty close, after all."

"Nah." Applejack said dismissively. "Rarity ain't that type of mare."

Rarity left the castle a few minutes after. She didn't want to stay around that, that... marefriend-stealer!

"Rarity?" She turned around to see Twilight with a concerned look on her face. "Is everything alright? Between you and Coloratura?"

"No, Twilight, everything is not alright." Rarity replied bitterly. A second later, her expression softened. Twilight didn't deserve her anger. "It's just... you saw how close she and Applejack are. How else am I supposed to interpret that?"

"Well, maybe she and Applejack really are just old friends. Applejack wouldn't just up and leave you for her." Twilight said.

"Maybe you're right... I'll go talk to her." Rarity said. The more she thought about it, the more she thought she might have been jumping to conclusions. After all, she didn't have any actual proof of romantic interest between the two of them, did she?

As Rarity and Twilight entered the room, they saw Coloratura and Pinkie Pie chatting, laughing and telling stories. "You know, when Applejack and I were foals, I had this huge crush on her." Coloratura said.

Coloratura sighed and looked wistfully over at Applejack. "Sometimes I wonder... what would have happened if I'd told her?"

As Rarity heard her say that, her eyes narrowed, her mouth curled into a frown, and her expression changed to that of anger. She stormed off, affirmed in her belief that Coloratura was going to try and steal Applejack away from her.

"Rarity, wait!" Twilight shouted after her. "I'm sure she didn't mean it like that!"

Rarity ignored her.

The next day, Rarity paced around in the Carousel Boutique, her mind buzzing. She knew Coloratura was interested in Applejack, but would Applejack reciprocate? No matter what, she always came to the same conclusion. Applejack would, no doubt about it.

Suddenly, she heard a knock on the door. She walked over to open it, and on the other side, saw Coloratura with an apologetic look on her face.

"Oh. It's you." Rarity said tersely. She moved to close the door, but Coloratura moved forward.

"I'm sorry. Princess Twilight told me about it and I... I really am sorry if anything I said offended you in any way."

"Apology accepted. Now leave." Rarity replied insincerely. The last pony she wanted to see was her.

"No, please, hear me out!" Coloratura said. "Please..."

"Fine." Rarity said. "Go on."

"I never wanted to break you two up. Hearing how much Applejack cares for you... I couldn't come between that. Even if I wanted to."

Rarity's expression softened. "I see..."

"She loves you. No doubt about it." Coloratura said.

Rarity sighed, and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, by the way. For acting like such a... jealous fool."

Coloratura shook her head. "I understand, though. If I were in your positon, I would have acted the same way."

"But that doesn't excuse it." Rarity responded. "So, from the bottom of my heart, I really do apologize."

"I accept your apology." Coloratura said, pulling Rarity into a hug. "But, there's somepony else you might want to talk to about this."

"Jealous? Of Rara?" Applejack asked. "But she's just a friend!"

Later that night, Rarity had invited Applejack for tea at her house. After all, they hadn't gotten to spend much time together outside of business since Applejack took the job of organizing the concert. And while Applejack wasn't too fond of tea itself, she was quite fond of Rarity.

"I know that now, but for a moment, I thought you and her were..." Rarity said. Her head was down, her eyes averted from Applejack's own.

"We ain't. I promise."

Rarity was silent for a moment. "I want to hear it from you. I want you to say it outright."

Applejack rested a hoof on Rarity's chin, lifting her head up so they could look into each other's eyes. "I swear to the Princesses, you're the only mare for me." She said, and kissed Rarity's forehead.

Rarity blushed, and leaned into Applejack's shoulder. "I'm sorry. I should have had more faith in you."

"I'm sorry too. I should've realized you'd see it that way." Applejack said.

Rarity smirked, and said "So, you're saying you should have had less faith in me, hmm?"

Applejack's eyes widened. "No, I ain't saying that at all, what I meant... was... You're just teasing me, ain't ya?"

Rarity giggled. "Of course, darling."

Applejack sighed, yet still smiled. "You know, you don't tease anypony else like that. Why me?"

"Because you're cute when you're flustered."

They stayed on that couch, chatting and laughing and cuddling, for at least an hour. And they wouldn't have spent the time any other way.