When a Picnic Goes Romantic
Applejack and Rarity. The farmer and the fashionista. Together. As fillyfriends.
Yeah, it sounds impossible, doesn't it?
Well, that's exactly what was going through Applejack's mind as she sat down to write this letter to Rarity. She had strong feelings for the beautiful unicorn, though she knew it was a near impossibility that Rarity shared these feelings. She's a sophisticated, suave unicorn. And Applejack was a lowlife, a dirty farmer. She could never see the two together. Dating, anyway.
But, Applejack still took the time to think of, plan out, and begin to write a letter to her, asking for one thing: a picnic.
It seemed like a simple thing to ask for, but to Applejack it was something huge. This picnic was going to be the way Applejack confessed her feelings for Rarity. She didn't know how, she still had to plan and write that out, too. It was a bit much, but she needed it to be perfect. If she said the wrong thing or used the wrong word, it could ruin the way Rarity saw her forever! She could reject her in disgust, or even fear if it got too extreme. She could never want to talk to her again, and completely deny her existence, creating a rip between their circle of friends and putting all of Equestria in danger because the one group of ponies who could protect them was tragically ripped apart by a simple misunderstanding of feelings!
It could happen.
Applejack breathed in and out deeply as she held the quill in her hoof. Her paper had been hastily ripped off of one of Pinkie Pie's coloring books from a party the day before, because, hay, when you're surrounded by trees, where else do you get paper?
She started writing,
Dear Rarity,
I know you're kinda busy with your dresses, 'n stuff... But I was wondering if you could maybe take a break join me for a picnic today next Saturday tomorrow? If you can't or don't want to, that's fine, I mean, it's not like I have something important to tell you. But.. Reply if you can.
-Applejack
Applejack hoped Rarity wouldn't mind her few mistakes, and set off to the boutique to put it in her mailbox. She could use the Ponyville Messanger Service, but ever since Derpy Hooves crashed into Granny Smith, almost breaking her hip more than it was, she hasn't used it. Derpy seemed to be the only messenger pony available all the time. She was always crashing into ponies and mailboxes, signs and sometimes buildings. Applejack assumed it had to do with her crossed eyes, but, and not to be rude, Derpy did seem a little... Messed up in the head. She hasn't used the Ponyville Messenger Service since.
She almost failed to notice, though, that it was nearly 3am.
It didn't seem like that time, to Applejack, but apparently she had been up late and sitting at that table for hours. Could she have just delivered the letter after she slept? Yes. Did she? No.
She continued to trot down the path to Rarity's boutique, not minding the annoying chatter of crickets nearly piercing through her ears. All she was focused on was getting the letter to Rarity, and hoping, while also handling her anxiety during her wait.
Once arriving, she slowly opened the mailbox, being as precise as she could, and gently placed the letter in, making sure to not wrinkle and rip it at all. She wanted this letter to be perfect, after all. After closing the mailbox with a small creak, she moved the tiny flag on the side up. Being completed with her goal for the night, she walked back to the barn, feeling like a huge burden was lifted off her chest. Now all she had to do was wait. And hope.
Applejack awoke the next day with the same amount of anxiety she had the night before. She stumbled out of bed, and quickly questioned on wether she was ready to confess. She shouldn't be worrying, because she hasn't even gotten and answer yet, but she couldn't help it.
What if she can't make it? What if she doesn't want to go because already hates Applejack as it is? What if she says no? How will she ever be able to live down that humiliation?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock on her bedroom door.
"Applejack?" It was her little sister Apple Bloom. "Are ya up yet?"
"Yet? What time is it?"
"It's 2:00 in the afternoon! Did you stay up late last night?"
"Really? Well, Ah suppose Ah did stay up a bit late... Uh, Ah'm up now... Did ya need me fer somethin'?"
"Well, yeah... You have a lot o' chores to do."
Applejack facehoofed, before getting up and opening the door. She gave an embarrassed smile. "I'll get to 'em..."
After finishing the last of her chores, she immediately came up with an excuse to go to the boutique. "Ah, uh... Have a dress to pick up at Rarity's, so Ah best be pn my way! See ya'll later!" She rushed out the door before they could respond. She just wanted to know Rarity's answer.
As she arrived at the boutique, the sound of two ponies bickering became louder each inch she came closer to the door. Between Rarity and Sweetie Belle, she assumed. She hesitantly knocked on the door, immediately regretting it as the arguing came to a halt. The door opened, and Rarity stepped out with an obvious fake grin on her face.
"Welcome to Carousel Boutique, I am Rarity! How may I help y--" She stopped when she noticed her best friend standing in the doorway. "Applejack! I wasn't expecting you to show! I was just going to write you a letter, but Sweetie Belle has been... a bit of a hoofful." She turned to look angrily at her little sister, who pouted at her.
"Uh... S-Sorry if this is a bad time, but, uh, Ah was just wonderin' about your response? To the letter? Assumin' you've read it, anyway..."
"Oh, yes! Of course I will go on a picnic with you! You'll just have to wait a bit. Our parents are coming to pick up Sweetie Belle, and I can't leave her alone until they arrive. So, uh we can meet up at your preferred location?"
"Uh... the mountains?" Applejack said, more a question than a statement. Rarity nodded, noting this slight peak of anxiety in Applejack's voice. She just hoped AJ didn't have any sort of mental breakdown before they got there...
How was Ah the one to arrive late?! Applejack thought to herself as she trotted up to their picnic area. It was probably because she went home and tried to write that confession she didn't finish--
Applejack didn't realize until she was a foot away from where Rarity sat. Ah didn't finish it. She inwardly panicked and danced in her spot a bit, watching as Rarity got up and started to walk over to her, seeming to have noticed her.
"Applejack! You're a bit late. Did something hold you up?"
Applejack nodded, "Y-Yeah, Ah guess you could say that..."
"Oh, no worries! Here, come and sit down." She led Applejack to the picnic blanket. "I brought cucumber sandwiches~!" She said in a singsong voice as Applejack took a seat. She deeply breathed in and out a few times. She watched as Rarity opened up her picnic basket and pulled out two cucumber sandwiches.
Applejack liked cucumber sandwiches. Not loved them, but liked. She didn't eat them much, most of what she ate was apple related, but she was willing to eat these if it could help with her confession.
The two sat in silence as they chewed on their sandwiches. They stared up and stars forming in the sky as the sun made it's descent. The slightest sliver of orange could be seen over the horizon. The mountain looked over nearly all of Ponyville, and it looked exceptionally beautiful in the sunset. They could see ponies the size of small dots walking through the town and retreating into their homes as the sky turned to dark blue.
"The sky really is beautiful at night." Rarity suddenly broke the silence, making Applejack jump.
"Hm? Oh, uh, yeah. It is."
"Could you think of anything more amazing?"
Applejack hesitated with her answer. "Ah... Ah could think if one thing. Or, well, one... p-pony..."
"Huh?"
Applejack sighed. You can do this. Don't be nervous. You might have no idea how to say it, or what to say at all, but...
She turned her head to Rarity and swallowed the rest of her cucumber sandwich.
"Look, Rarity... Ah... Ah really like... Ah mean, you're really... You're..."
Rarity stared at her questioningly. "Applejack?"
"Rarity, I like you!"
Rarity smiled softly. "Well, of course you do. We're best friends."
Applejack cringed at the words. "No! Ah mean... Ah like like you, Rarity! Ah love you!"
Rarity was taken aback by the confession. "A-Applejack, I--"
"Ah didn't wanna tell you 'cause Ah was scared you wouldn't like me anymore. Ah was afraid it'd end our friendship. Ah didn't want that to happen, so Ah kept it a secret. Now that Ah've told ya, it's fine if ya don't want to hang out with me anymore..."
"Appleja--"
"But lemme say this:" She grabbed and held Rarity's hooves in her own, "You are the most beautiful mare Ah've ever met. Yer eyes, yer smile the way you always care for yer friends and are so selfless. Ah admire you and yer generosity. You deny any repayment, except for when it comes to yer business, and give all you can to everypony, and Ah love that about you. Ah love yer personality and yer "know-how" attitude. Rarity,Ah know you might not feel the same way... but Ah would be honored to start a relationship with you."
The two sat silently in their places, both blushing madly. If anypony other than one of the two were to break this silence, the moment would be ruined. Rarity let go of Applejack's hooves. "Applejack... I love you, too."
"Ah knew it this would happe-- wait, what? Really?"
"Yes, really." She wrapped her hooves around the farm pony. "I was afraid to tell you, too. I thought you would reject me, but... it appears we both share feelings for each other..."
Applejack stared at the fashionista wrapped around her. She hadn't expected this. She thought out every possible bad outcome. She didn't think she would have a good one. She didn't know what to do.
She slowly raised her hooves and placed them on the unicorn's back.
"I want you to know, Applejack... That I think you are very sweet and charming. I love how much you care for others and are completely honest with everyone. You bring out the best in all of us, Applejack. Especially me." She snuggled in closer. "I love you, Applejack."
"A-Ah know... A-A-AH MEAN, Ah love you, too..."
Rarity giggled softly. Applejack tightened her grip on her love. "Ah don't know why Ah couldn't muster up the courage to tell ya in the first place..."
"Me neither... you seem to be taking it well."
Applejack chuckled, "'Well''' is definitely an overstatement."
Rarity laughed with her. They loved sitting up on the mountains together, staring at the stars, and looking over Luna's beautiful night sky. "Wanna start doin' this all the time?"
"Yes. It's nice."
Applejack nodded. She leaned in and set her head on top of Rarity's. Their relationship just started, but they knew it was going to be a great, long trip. And they were going to love it.
Now, how to tell the others...
