Previously on 'Don't Run Away'
"That was a year ago father." Rarity rolls her eyes.
"Rarity, you had so many mood swings that year it was either from a boy, which we never saw or Applejack. Who we heard of constantly."
"Yeah, we thought she asked you out and you couldn't decide if you should say yes or not." Sweetie Bell Chimes in.
"Well thank you for assuming." Rarity leans back with a pout.
"Aw, don't be like that Rares. Ta tell ya the truth, that was the time I was beginning to realize that I liked Rarity a little more than a friend." I say and nudge her shoulder.
"There ya have it. To future picnics." Hondo says and raises his glass of lemonade. We all do the same and clink to the future.
Six Months Later
There are a lot of people here, considering.
I look around the barn and find half the students from CHS and Crystal Prep. Twilight thought it would be great for both her group of friends to spend the holiday together.
It is great to see both schools interacting peacefully.
“Have you been hiding from me?”
“Never.” I turn around and find Rarity holding her hands behind her back.
“Have I told ya that ya look very beautiful in that outfit of yers."
"Since the moment I put it on." It's a beautiful red halter top with a skirt that rises up to the thighs with some white fluff on the ends and a black belt to keep it in place.
"I do love your outfit as well darling." She says as she runs her hands up from my hips to my stomach and back down.
I shiver and close my eyes for a second.
"Ya should. Ya designed it."
It wasn't anything fancy just the same color as hers. The difference being is it's a one piece dress. With green tips, a red collar and a red hat.
We stare at each other for a while and I move my head towards her. I rest my forehead against hers and whisper "Rarity, there is nothing more that I would want more than to kiss ya like there's no tomorrow."
She giggles and wraps her arms around my neck.
"I would love that too darling. But we have guest and I'm pretty sure our families wouldn't want to see us exploring each other."
We turn our heads and find our families huddled close together laughing at a story Hondo Flanks is telling.
"I guess not. Come the New Year though, I'll make sure ya know how much I love ya."
Rarity blushes and rubs our noses together.
"I can hardly wait Jacqueline." She kisses me sweetly and I feel myself slipping into our personal bubble. We break apart and I carefully move a stray hair back into place.
"I know I said I like the way ya say my name. But ya don't have ta say it all the time Rarity. Applejack, AJ, Jack or Jackie would be fine."
She purses her lips for a moment and nods.
"Fine, Applejack it is then." She then moves her head so her lips are on my ear and whispers.
"At least until we stumble into our rooms." She kisses my earlobe and gently pulls it with her teeth.
I inhale sharply and grab her hips with my nails. Which makes her groan quietly.
"Dang it Rarity, ya just had ta tease me tonight."
"A preview of what's to come."
"If we don't stop, I'll make use of the haystacks outside."
"Applejack!" Rarity half shouts and smacks my shoulder with a smirk and a blush.
"Hey guys, what are you talking about?" Twilight walks up to us with Sunset right behind.
"Haystacks." I say and Twilight gives us a confused stare.
"Wondering if we need more haystacks for the guest to sit down on." I answer and Twilight scans the room.
"Nope. You put out enough for everyone." She says and entwines her fingers with Sunsets.
Sunset wiggles her eyebrows while drinking her cider and Rarity and I blush.
"You throw the greatest get togethers ever Applejack!" Pinkie bounces over to us with Cheese right behind her.
"Yeah, but it could be 20% more cooler if you agreed to letting the Rainbooms play." Rainbow Dash cuts in while finishing up her sandwich.
"Be nice Dashie. Also, I think everyone just wants to relax and go over the year in peace."
"Well put Fluttershy." I say and hand her a glass of cider.
"We did have a strange yet great year." Sunset says and everyone nods.
"We'll if I may. This year has thrown each of us a curve, but we managed to pull ourselves together and face our problems head on." I raise my glass and everyone does the same.
"Happy New Year, and may next year be calmer and more enjoyable."
Everyone says Happy New Year and clink our glasses together.
"It's almost midnight ya'll! 15, 14" Apple Bloom counts down and everyone joins in.
"You always know what to say Darling." Rarity says as she leans onto my side.
"13, 12, 11"
"I have someone to motive me." I say and finish my cider.
"10, 9, 8"
"You charmer."
"7, 6, 5."
"Many more memorable moment to come, Sugarcube."
"4, 3, 2."
"Always"
"1. HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
I pull her in and kiss her softly. When we move back, she opens her eyes and I swear I see them twinkle.
I don't think I can love anyone as much as I love her.
And I never did... until a year later. But that's a story for another time.