Apples and Flowers

As the days passed, Fleur spent a lot more time with Applejack. Partly because she enjoyed her company, and partly because it gave her a chance to escape her fans in town. Applejack, for her part, had no issues with the fashion model tagging along with her or coming out to Sweet Apple Acres to hang out and talk. She found Fleur delightfully entertaining, and for being a big city gal she seemed to quickly take to the country-isms she saw and heard, even adopting a few to throw back at Applejack as good natured retorts.

"I'm surprised that nopony has come banging down my door to drag me back to Canterlot." Fleur commented one afternoon, leaning on the fence and watching Applejack repair her plough as she absently chewed on a piece of straw.

Applejack looked up and snickered as she spotted the straw.

"Fleur, iffen ya don't watch it, you're gonna turn country too."

Fleur giggled. "That's not so bad. Hey, can I try using that plough? It looks fun!"

Applejack blinked, arching one eyebrow in disbelief.

"Are ya sure about that? This here is pretty dirty work, ya know. Lotta dust involved."

Fleur grinned. "I don't care. It looks fun and if you don't mind, I'd like to try it!"

Applejack scratched her head, nearly knocking her hat off, pondering the request for a moment.

"Well, alright then. Just lemme fix this one last thing." As she finished her task, she cleared her throat. "Oh and, uh, 'bout nopony draggin' ya back to Canterlot...hope ya don't mind it none, but I talked to Twilight, and she sent a strongly worded letter informing your agents and assistants that you were fine and not to be disturbed."

Fleur blinked. "You did?? I-I don't know what to say. Thanks, Applejack."

Applejack flashed her a gentle smile.

"Think nothin' of it, sugarcube. I figured ya needed to just be left alone. If ya don't mind my sayin' so, you do look a mite happier than your first appearance in town. And in spite of the fact them townsponies keep after ya some dots, you seem more relaxed."

Fleur inhaled. "Well, I reckon it's because I have such a very good friend that helps me feel just like a normal, non famous pony."

The pure joy and tenderness in the answering look she got made her heart do an unexpected and weird flutter.

'Goodness, what was that?!' she thought, her face warming up considerably. 'What is this feeling?! I haven't felt that since that time I met that stallion in...'

Oh. Oh dear.

She nearly fell over the fence. Applejack rushed to steady her, and the touch of her hooves sent a jolt of electricity through her, causing her fame to flame more.

"You ok there, sugarcube?" Applejack enquired in concern.

"Uh...uh...yes! Yes of course. Just clumsy this morning I suppose."

Sweet Celestia, what was happening?! She was suddenly flustered and feeling a rush of slightly awkward emotions. Could she honestly be having feelings deeper than friendship for Applejack?! But how?! What?! Why?! Although to be honest, it wasn't so bad, was it? It wasn't like Applejack wasn't a very good looking mare. Beautiful eyes that shimmered like emerald glass in the right lighting. Strong and sturdily built body with finely toned muscles. An amazingly sweet and charming smile. And a certain rustic tenderness that was definitely appealing.

'Fleur! Snap out of it!!' she scolded herself desperately.

Applejack had let her go and finished her repair work. Now she turned and shot that charming grin at her.

"Still wanna try this thing?"

Fleur inhaled to steady her breathing.

"Absolutely!" She responded cheerfully.

She walked through the gate and stood where Applejack pointed, remaining still as the farmer placed the plough's harness around her body, carefully fastening it so it was not uncomfortable.

"How's that? Not too tight?"

"Not at all."

"Alright then! Now. The secret to this is easy. Just point your muzzle at somethin' straight ahead of ya and walk right at it."

Applejack patted her on the back in encouragement, and Fleur nearly jumped at the electrifying contact, her heart pounding and her stomach doing a series of acrobatics. She managed a wide grin, then focused on a tree stump and started walking straight towards it.

Applejack watched intently, impressed by the city mare's determination and ability. For somepony that had never done farmwork before, Fleur was doing a good job of using that plough. Her row was perfectly straight and even, and she was walking with just the right speed...something that had taken Applejack multiple tries to master the first time she'd ever used the equipment.

Fleur was enjoying this immensely. She finished her first row, then turned around to do another. She set her sight on Applejack, still watching her intently from the gate, and started walking back, her mind wandering to all their time together as she felt her heart thump excitedly.

Applejack watched her return, admiring the way she so gracefully pulled the plough, head held up high and her back straight, her eyes glinting in the sunlight. Her lips were parted in a slight smile, and she looked absolutely stunning and beautiful. Why, it was enough to make a mare want to go shower her in tender hugs and sweet kisses!

Waaaaait a cotton pickin' minute...

'What in tarnation! Where the hay did THAT come from?!' Applejack felt her face heat up. 'Applejack, what're you thinkin'?!'

Fleur had completed her second row, and stood just inches from Applejack, slightly breathless and still smiling that amazing smile. Applejack reddened further and coughed, rubbing her neck.

"Uh...fine job there, sugarcube." She praised, quickly undoing her from the harness. "Now why don'tcha take a breather and lemme finish this up?"

"Or we could both take a quick break and then we'll take turns finishing the job." Fleur said with a grin.

"Work before play, city mare." Applejack returned with a snort.

Eyes twinkling with mischief, Fleur inched closer.

"All work and no play makes Applejack a dull pony."

With that, she snatched Applejack's stetson in her teeth and laughed as she took off running. Applejack's jaw dropped. The only ponies who ever dared to attempt the theft of her hat were Apple Bloom and Big Mac. It was a general rule that you didn't touch her hat. But somehow she wasn't mad about it. She snorted and started after Fleur.

"Consarn it all, you bring me back my hat!"

Her tone held no note of anger, just playful warning, so Fleur continued to run around, switching to carrying the hat in her magic so as to free her mouth to talk.

"You want it? You're going to have to catch me first!"

"Ya consarned whippersnapper, gimme that hat!" Applejack laughed as she chased her around the pasture.

When straight out chasing her didn't work, Applejack decided to resort instead to subterfuge. She slipped away unnoticed, leaving Fleur running around alone. When Fleur finally realized this, she stopped, looking around in confusion.

"Applejack?" She called out. "Where did you go?"

She started searching for her, calling out her name as she went, but Applejack didn't respond back. Fleur finally trotted around the barn, and as she rounded the corner an orange blur flew from a haystack and slammed into her, knocking her sprawling into the grass with an undignified and startled squeal.

"Gotcha, ya consarned hat thief." Applejack teased with a smirk, pinning her down with her body while reclaiming her hat triumphantly.

"Oh now that was just unfair." Fleur complained in mock indignation, putting just a hint of a whine in her voice.

Applejack grinned wider, and then suddenly became aware just how close they were. A blush crossed her face as she felt the heat of Fleur's body underneath her own, and Fleur's own face flamed as her heart hammered hard enough she was amazed Applejack couldn't hear it.

For a moment, they stayed that way, eyes locked together intensely, as Applejack, overcome with a wave of emotions she hadn't felt before, started to lean down closer. Fleur didn't even move, eyes closing halfway as Applejack's face moved closer to hers. Just as their lips were an inch apart, Applejack snapped out of her stupor and yelped as she fell off backwards.

The two sat in the grass, blushing furiously while trying to avoid eye contact with each other. At long last Applejack spoke up.

"Er, well, uh, I got my hat back."

Awkward silence.

Fleur inhaled deeply, willing her emotions to settle down, and managed a weak smile.

"You did. So...now what?"

"Heh. Well, I reckon I outta finish ploughing that patch for Granny. Uhm...do ya still wanna help?"

Her eyes were hopeful, in spite of how awkward she felt. Fleur smiled wider.

"I'd love to. To be honest, I really like spending time with you." Her eyes held a spark of sincerity and deep affection.

Applejack reddened again and unnecessarily readjusted her hat.

"Well shucks...bein' honest, I really like spendin' time with you too."

After a brief silence, during which they stared intently at each other, Fleur cleared her throat.

"S-should we get that job done for Granny?"

"Oh, right, yeah. That. Eeyup. We should do that right now."