“-and then he had the gall to describe my dresses as, ‘out of season’”
“...hmm, that does sound mighty frustratin'”
Applejack bucked yet another tree, dropping the apples held in them into the buckets below. At this the purple haired unicorn dispensing her woes halted for a moment as Applejack bucked the tree, waiting to levitate and empty a bucket into the cart that was hooked on to her, considering this process had become systematic to Rarity at this point however it didn’t stop her for long.
“Honestly, I do do my best to be as polite as I can to potential customers, and non customers of course, but sometimes a girl can’t help but get, well yes, frustrated!”
“Uh huh” was all the orange farm pony muttered out as she emptied the remaining bucket into the cart and started making her way to the next tree set to get its base rocked by one of her precise strikes.
“...I’m not bothering you, am I Applejack?”
“...Huh? No, no way I ain’t bothered”
It was Apple Bucking season for Sweet Apple Acres, and Applejack had been left to take care of the work all by herself. Big Mac was out of town delivering apples to Starlight’s old village (most likely to see that Sugar Belle she had heard so much about, which was saying something considering the red stallion’s complicated connection with “saying”), and Applebloom was on a school trip to the Changeling Kingdom. This left Applejack with no extra able bodied helping hands, that was until a conveniently visiting Rarity heard about her plight and volunteered the day before.
Now Applejack knew Rarity, ‘farm work’ was a word almost exclusively used as an adjective, a verb though, the whole doing part of it, was not something to associate with her. The farm pony had learned her lesson a long time ago about trying to take on this whole workload by herself, and while Rarity wasn’t one for this type of physical labour, Applejack knew better than anybody that when Rarity offered her assistance like this it could be nothing but genuine.
Well she wasn’t completely right. Rarity was certainly doing her fair share, lifting buckets and hauling the cart of apples was absolutely taking a large burden off of Applejack’s shoulders, literally. It did seem to some degree however that Rarity was looking for an outlet to release her frustrations after a seemingly painful day of work.
“Maybe I should just be quiet, this is hard work and all I wouldn’t want to-”
“No no it’s…*sigh*, listen-”
While there was a grace period at the beginning of Rarity getting used to the repetitive formula of farmwork, after that Rarity had been talking almost non stop about her day and its roadbumps. To many a pony this would be something they couldn’t stand, Applejack however…
“-I get what it’s like now”
“You do?”
“I did always think your dresses were a bit, y’know…”
“Pointless?”
“No no…maybe a little bit” Rarity wasn’t particularly hurt by this, she’d had a long time to come to terms with Applejack and fashion. “Thing is, I started thinkin’ of it like ‘well what if it was about apples instead’, and then it started makin’ a lot of sense”
“Honestly darling, you and your apples, but it does?”
“You work really hard to make people happy with your dresses, that’s what you care about more than anything in the world. Even if I don’t get what’s so great about it, I get that it makes other ponies happy. I work my hardest along with my family to make Sweet Apple Acres’ apples the best they can be, and if someone started talkin’ smack about em like they did to your dresses, well I don’t think I could handle it either”
“Like Strawberry Sunrise?”
“I’m still holdin’ that against you” The two stared at each other intensely before snickering and breaking out into a light laughter. “I don’t mind listenin’ to your troubles Rarity, I think everypony needs somepony like that”
“Thank you Applejack, that means a lot”
Applejack bucked the next tree in line “Maybe next time you can listen to me talk about Big Mac, I’m givin' that brother of mine a piece of my mind when he gets back”
“Oh is he visiting that mare in Starlight’s old town, what was the name again, Sugar Belle?” questioned Rarity as she repeated the same bucket cart song and dance.
“That’s what I reckon, seriously, he gets lovestruck and ends up missing one of the busiest days of the year!
“Well, I certainly can’t blame him, I talked to her during the party after we got out of that awful ordeal with Chrysalis, she’s very sweet and of course very pretty”
“Heh, don’t go takin’ her from him”
“I wouldn’t dream of it darling, I can simply appreciate the goods somepony has got, besides I’ve already got my eyes set on another”
“Oh really?”mumbled a bucket holding Applejack. “Who might that be?”
“...what? oh no one really ha ha, you wouldn’t have met them”
“I won’t pry” Applejack chuckled as she shrugged and bucked another tree while Rarity stared seemingly lost in thought. She was probably crushing on another nobel or artsy clothes making pony again. Applejack didn’t really get her tastes, but she just hoped that whoever she got with would treat her right, Rarity was the pony she had grown closest to even among the other Elements. She could be a lot to handle sometimes, but she wouldn’t stand for anyone who wouldn’t handle her right.
Applejack wasn’t one to cloud her thoughts with thoughts of being with stallions or mares, she thought it to be a lot more distracting when she had a job to do. At least Rarity was here working despite whatever pony she was thinking about, unlike Big Mac. Applejack swore that when he got back she’d put that stallion’s head on straight.
Rarity’s head was on anything but straight.
The day before had been rather stressful for Rarity. A group of tourists from Canterlot had seemingly come to see, well mainly Twilight’s Castle being the newish princess and all, but also her original boutique. Apparently they had never caught her during her visits to the branch in Canterlot and wanted to see her exploits in their home environment.
This of course was no problem to Rarity, wanting to visit her specifically and potentially learn from her was an idea that she relished in. Too bad they were some of the most uptight and snobby ponies she’s ever had the misfortune of interacting with.
Each and every one of them were overly specific in their choices and even when she tuned the attire exactly as they requested their minds would change about fashionable in an instant. Needless to say, it was not a good time for Rarity.
Usually a stressful or exhausting day called for a spa, but a spa didn’t help underlying bubbling feelings of annoyance, anger even. That’s when Rarity’s mind came to Applejack.
Not as an insult to the mare by any means, but she thought of Applejack as the most dependable outlet for her problems. The two had gotten into fights many times due to their very polarizing views on style versus practicality, but ultimately came to an understanding of their differences and grew closer because of it.
While she could be stubborn and crude, Applejack was someone Rarity saw like a rock, a boulder even, strong and everlasting. There’s no one Rarity felt more trust in to stand tall and power through whatever came at her.
Now Rarity of course did not want to exploit Applejack’s nature in any way, and found helping her with her apple picking to be the only right thing to do to make up for the inevitability of her whining, well no not whining, complaining yes. She knew Applejack was strong, but sometimes too strong for her own good and she needed to know when to accept help when needed.
Despite her flaws, Applejack was an admirable pony, one Rarity had observed many a time, many, many a time in fact, and then at some point Rarity realized she was observing a little too much.
She wasn’t sure exactly what set her off, but something about her view on Applejack had changed. Rarity thought it was about the time that Trenderhoof came to town and didn’t even bat an eye at her pure unfiltered gorgeousness, instead having eyes for the mud covered farm pony.
Retroactively of course Rarity found his behavior towards the “earth pony way” rather, strange to put it lightly, but it had her thinking, what exactly did he see in her? Applejack was never an unattractive pony by any means to Rarity, but more beautiful and attractive than her? Blasphemous.
I mean all she was was a muddy, strong, fit hard working earth pony with great hair, gleaming emerald eyes, a cute accent, kind, always dependable and there when you needed her and…
Yeah something irrevocably changed in Rarity that day.
Rarity’s mindset was always on the idea of “the prince in shining armor”, the one who would always be there to sweep her off her feet and save her with their great noble flashiness and flair, one of high class and power. It was all that would fit a classy mare like herself.
None of the stallions she’d been infatuated with had fit that bill, they’d been mere imitations, mockeries of the self assured pure view she held. And then she imagined Applejack in that role.
Sure she lacked the status and flashiness, but what Rarity realized she wanted more than anything was safety, security, someone who would work hard and help her no matter what, someone that even when she was old and lost her looks would love her for who she was. That idea fit Applejack to a tee.
From then on Rarity couldn’t help but regrettably fantasize about the idea, unlike other targets of infatuation, Applejack was a dear friend and one she knew for a long time. The idea of imagining being with her felt guilty, it felt just real enough that she couldn’t simply distance herself like she had for previous crushes.
But Rarity was content to observe, she couldn’t risk making a move like that on someone so close, how would she even react, what would she say? Could they even be friends anymore if she knew? No she couldn’t do such a thing.
So observe she did, a bit too closely sometimes, such as now. It was such a seemingly insignificant act, but there was a certain aspect of Applejack bucking trees that had Rarity’s mind wandering.
While Rarity was mostly fixated on Applejack’s character, her newfound appreciation for the farm pony’s looks couldn’t be understated, especially her raw strength.
Rarity often thought her partner needed to be physically strong in some way, but Applejack might’ve been the strongest she knew. The mare could kick boulders over ten times her size across the horizon and launch bells into the atmosphere. Rarity didn’t want to be crass, but she liked the idea of a partner who was, a little rough to say the least.
The art of apple picking however was not one for raw strength, it took precision. Applejack was absolutely strong enough to knock a whole tree down if she gave it her all. She knew her strength well and knew how to use it. It was like sticking a thread through a needle, something the familiarity of was not lost on Rarity.
Now it was certainly strange for Rarity to be jealous of a tree, but she couldn’t help it as Applejack continued moving through the orchard, speaking words that weren’t reaching Rarity as she used the exact right amount of strength on the right spot of the tree to make it do what she wanted. Not too rough, not too soft…just right.
“*sigh* I do wish that were me”
“…I beg your pardon?”
Rarity took a moment to come back down to Equestria as she stared blankly at Applejack as the blonde mare looked rather confused, what was wrong? It was weird for her to stop her lovely handiwork for no reason. That was until Rarity’s brain finally caught up with her mouth.
‘…oh shit’
Rarity’s face immediately went beet red. “What are you talking about darling I don’t see anything wrong did I say something you must be mishearing ha ha”
“Hey, I ain’t no liar, I know what I heard”
Rarity’s eyes darted around, looking for some sort of excuse for her slip of the tongue. “Oh you know, it’s uhhh, that thing you just said, what you were saying it sounds so lovely”
“Rarity I was talkin’ bout cleaning up chicken poop”
“…Yes…yes that sounds like a wonderful activity”
Applejack raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying her cover as she got up close to Rarity while the unicorn did whatever she could to avoid her direct gaze.
“Oh come on Applejack I wouldn’t lie to you” The eyebrow raised further. “I was just daydreaming about a lovely ma- stallion! A lovely stallion I met the other day, he- she- no he! He was just the peak of attractiveness and fitness, you know how it is a girl can’t help but wonder and all”
“...hmmm, that sounds about right”
‘YES’
“...but it still looks like you’re hidin’ something”
‘NO’
“Honestly Applejack I was just staring, it’s nothing!”
“Starin’? I thought you were daydreamin’”
…
“...well…I…the thing is…it’s just…it’s nothing! I was staring at nothing I just zoned out you know busy day and all it was all just catching up with me and I wasn’t thinking straight and-”
“Rarity!”
Applejack placed her forehooves on Rarity’s shoulders and caused her to sit on her hindquarters with ease. Not too strong, not too soft..just…
‘...oh sweet Celestia I’m going to DIE!’
“Is it something wrong with me? Do I have some dirt on my flank or something? I ain’t care none about any of that stuff you can tell me”
“Your flank is fine Applejack very fine indeed” ‘SHUT UP STOP TALKING!’
“Then what’s wrong!?”
“I- just- I- I was- DAMMIT I WISHED I WAS THAT TREE!”
…
…
“...what?”
It was Applejack’s turn to be lost for words as she backed up “You wanna be a, a tree? The tree I just…what?”
Rarity groaned and buried her face in her hooves before shaking her head and standing up, unhooking the cart. What she had said was beyond embarrassing but she felt somewhat relieved to get it out there, the underlying dread for what would come next was still present however.
“Applejack, I must confess, I find you to be a…a very attractive mare”
“Y-you do?” It was also Applejack’s turn to turn a hint of red as she rubbed the back of her head “Aw shucks Rarity, that’s a mighty fine compliment comin’ from you, but uhh, what’s the deal with the tree thing?”
“Well that’s…you’re a very strong mare, and well…you know…”
Applejack couldn’t figure out what Rarity was talking about, what did her being attractive and strong have to do with kicking a tree, what was Rarity suggesting?
Rarity stared at her, hoping that this far into the dreaded conversation Applejack would catch on without any need for further explanation, maybe that was a bit too hopeful.
“I do think someone should be gentle with a lady but one can’t help but imagine something a little more…rough”
The cogs in Applejack’s head grinded as they finally started turning after all this time. “...ohhhhhh…oh my…that’s uhh, that’s a lot”
The two shared an awkward moment of silence as Applejack seemingly fully thought about what Rarity meant, her face getting redder until she shook her head. “I didn't know you felt that way Rarity, I mean I ain’t never heard anyone say anything like that before to me.”
“Well then, I’ll get out of your hair” Rarity started leaving at a brisk pace.
“Hey wait!” The unicorn halted. “It’s ok y’know…I-I don’t think less of you or nothing”
“...oh how could you not? A friend offers you help and it turns out she was just ogling at you like a love struck filly? It’s awful, abhorrent!”
“Is that…is that how you feel?”
“I…” Rarity stopped to properly think about it. Is that how she felt? Was she sure that was the conclusion she wanted to come to? That this wasn’t just some brief, fading idea that she could bury into the depths of her mind at a moment’s notice. That she really felt this way about her friend?
Rarity hesitated for a moment, a minute, a year, an eternity…until she turned to face Applejack.
“...Yes”
Applejack looked at the reluctant confidence in Rarity’s eyes, she meant what she said no matter how hard she wished to hide it. The mare had to think. What did she think of Rarity? Applejack did put such thoughts away, but she only thought it fair to evaluate them herself. Rarity was prissy, uptight and stubborn, sure, but she also might’ve been the mare with the biggest heart that Applejack knew. She was a mare of strong character who would put aside her flaws to help whenever someone needed it, no matter the expense towards her, a truly generous and honest soul,Applejack couldn’t help but like that about her, couldn’t help but…
Applejack snorted, chuckled and then broke out into laughter, Rarity was taken aback as Applejack moved towards her. “Oh please Applejack, have some tact-” Applejack got closer. “-I mean honestly a mare bears her soul to you like that and you-” The gap was closing. “-just laugh at her at least turn me down outright rather than-”
Applejack placed a kiss on Rarity’s cheek. “...oh”
The farm pony pulled away as she coyly pulled her hat down over her face to hide her embarrassment. “I don’t know much about romance and dating and all that, and I ain’t some fancy pants with a whole lotta bits, but for you, I’d be willin’ to give it a try Ms. Rarity”
“Ms…oh Applejack” Rarity tightly wrapped her hooves around her. “Ah, I was so worried darling”
Rarity was seemingly hugging a little too tight, but Applejack withstood it to let her let it all out. “Heh heh, guess that makes two of us” she said as she hugged back.
The embrace lingered until the two finally pulled away.
Rarity was the first to speak. “So, what now?”
“Well I thought that kind of stuff was more your speed. We uhh, still have to finish the orchard off”
“Oh of course, perhaps a spa retreat after all this would be lovely”
“That does sound mighty fine right about now, oh and Rarity?”
“Yes Applejack?”
“I’ll treat you like a tree anytime”
Author's Note
Add this to the list of silly romance fic ideas completed (the now grand total of 2)
Probably gonna write a Twipie one next, or Starixie, or whatever I'm bothered to do idk.
