Rarity stood up near the altar, waiting for the other bride to enter the throne room and letting her mind wander back. Many years ago Rarity remembered the time she realized she was in love with Applejack. It hadn't been one thing really, it had been all the aspects of her friend. She supposed it really started at that sleepover when they had become real friends, not just ponies who hung out together because their friends hung out together. Then finally Rarity had worked up the courage to confess her feelings to her long-time friend. She had invited Applejack to her castle room the night after Twilight's coronation. With everything that had happened, she couldn't think of another moment without telling her friend how she felt. Life was too short for that. She had welcomed Applejack into her room, got them both settled in and... Her thoughts were interrupted by the large doors at the end of the throne room opening, to reveal Applejack.
Rarity smiled gently. Applejack was absolutely beautiful. Her dress complimented her perfectly. She wouldn't have chosen that style herself, but it had been what Applejack had wanted to wear. Rarity had to, of course, acquiesce to Applejack's wishes as she was the bride. Well, one of them at least. And though not her favorite style Rarity couldn't help but think about how it complimented Applejack's style perfectly. Simple but pretty, with the hint of her country self without putting too fine a point on it. Rarity also had to take a moment to congratulate herself, it had been her idea to put the tail on it, and it ended up being perfect.
Big Mac was standing in for Applejack's father as he escorted her down the aisle. Rarity couldn't help but let out a small sigh as they approached the altar. Shaking her head just the slightest as Fluttershy looked at her in concern, smiling at her friend to show it was nothing. Looking back at the pair moving up the aisle towards them. The wedding had been perfect up to this point. Nothing had gone wrong, no friendship crises had popped up to interrupt, nothing but peace and happiness for everyone involved. Leading up to two ponies promising each other happiness for their lives together.
The only issue was that she wasn't the one standing at that altar. She looked over and couldn't stop her eyes from hardening slightly as she looked at Rainbow Dash, standing there in her Wonderbolts uniform. Smiling for all the world to see as Applejack joined her at that alter. As Twilight, officiating the ceremony started her part Rarity couldn't watch. It wasn't obvious, she'd never do that to her friends, but she looked just barely off to the side. To anyone watching it would look like she was attending to the service like anyone else, but she wasn't. She was thinking of the moment her world had shattered, the night after Twilight's coronation.
"Whoo, it's a good thing we got through all that. Got a bit dicey there didn't it, sugar cube." Applejack smiled as she relaxed on the couch in Rarity's room in the castle.
"Quite right, darling. That's why I wanted to tell you something important." Rarity took in a deep breath, bracing herself for what she was about to do.
"Heh, it's funny, Rainbow Dash literally said the exact same thing to me just after the fight." Applejack didn't notice the extended pause that caused.
"Oh... What... What did she say?" Rarity was shivering slightly, it couldn't be... There was no way that Rainbow Dash...
"Apparently she's had feelings for me for quite a while." Applejack grinned a bit. "Think about that, a big fancy Wonderbolt has a thing for little old me."
Rarity had to swallow three times before she could manage to speak. It was likely a sign of Applejack's exhaustion after all the excitement that she wasn't noticing Rarity's obvious signs of discomfort. "And... And you, darling? What did you say?"
Applejack gave a small shrug. "I can't say I ain't thought about it. So I said we could definitely give it a try. It'll either be great or end terribly!" She grinned and lowered her voice conspiratorially. "I can't wait to find out which one it is."
Rarity nodded, biting her bottom lip. It was time to get rid of Applejack... It wouldn't do for her to break down with company. "Well, that's great darling... Now I'm very tired would you mind letting me get to sleep?"
"Uh... Sure thing Rares, but... Didn't ya wanna talk to me about something..."
Rarity flushed slightly, she shouldn't... But if Applejack insisted on knowing! She didn't seem that interested in being with Rainbow Dash anyway, Rarity was a far better match for the farm pony! "Well, darling! I just wanted to say that I'm in love with..." Rarity deflated mid-sentence. She couldn't do that to her friends, either of them. Maybe they'd break up and she'd get her turn to try again, or maybe not... Either way, she couldn't tell the truth now. "Uh... I'm... In love with Big Mac."
Applejack's eyes widened for a moment before narrowing slightly. "Ya know he and Sugar Belle are very happy..."
Rarity nodded, raising a hoof to stop any further discussion. "I know darling! I... I won't get in the way of yo... Their relationship. I just... I needed to get that off my chest. After all, as the old saying goes... 'If the one I love is happy, I am happy' doesn't it?"
Applejack smiled and inclined her head slightly. "Ahh, well, if ya need to talk I'm always around." She walked over and gave her friend a tight one-legged hug. "I won't tell 'im, but I'm sure he'd be grateful you're putting his happiness first. It's mighty generous of you."
Rarity closed her eyes as she hugged back, allowing herself a moment of pretending that she wasn't getting a hug as a just friend. Pretending that this night hadn't ended in her own heart breaking. "Thank you... Applejack." Rarity put on her best fake smile, waving as her friend left. Waiting a few moments longer, to be sure that Applejack had gotten far enough away before throwing herself on the bed and bawling into the pillows.
Rarity came back to herself, looking at the couple just in time to see them kiss, and hear Twilight pronounce them married. Rarity would never let anyone know that Big Mac wasn't the only one giving Applejack away that day.
