Applejack walked out of the barn wiping her brow. She looked at Rarity standing there with a basket in her magic. Her smile still caused a flutter in Applejack’s chest, but she tried to ignore it.
“Hey, Rarity. What can I do for you?”
Her smile faltered slightly at Applejack’s impersonal tone, but it remained on her gorgeous face. “I was thinking we could have a picnic together. I made some lovely sandwiches. I do hope the timing of my visit was just right to catch you for lunch.”
Applejack chuckled. “Yeah, you timed it pretty good. I was about to head to the house for some grub. But seeing as you went to all this trouble,” she nodded at the basket, “I could go for a picnic. I know a nice little spot, too.”
She led Rarity to a hill overlooking a good portion of the orchard. The warm sun and cool breeze made for a very pleasant day. As Rarity set up the blanket and food, Applejack eyed the trees around them. She gave a swift kick to one and knocked a hoof-ful of apples down. She then picked them up and brought them over to the blanket to add to their lunch. Rarity’s eyes widened.
“Don’t you need those for the harvest?”
Applejack shook her head. “Nah. Harvest is plenty bountiful this year. We’re probably gonna end up with extra cider and preserves in the cellar. Don’t often sell out during years like this.”
“Oh that’s lovely.” Rarity picked up an apple and looked it over while Applejack munched on a sandwich. “You really do produce the most exquisite apples on your farm, Applejack. They're certainly the best apples I’ve seen and I’ve been all over Equestria.”
“Heh. Thanks, Rarity. It feels good to have so much hard work appreciated.” She picked up one of her apples and buffed it on her chest fur. The shine it gained was nearly enough to see her own reflection. She sighed and lowered the apple as she turned to her friend. “I’m sorry about last night, Rarity. I don’t know why I broke down like that. I know you’re not into mares.” She lowered her gaze to the small pile of apples. “And I especially knew when we woke up the morning after Nightmare Night.”
“Nightmare Night was…surprising to me, Applejack. It would be entirely fair to say that I was in shock the morning after.” She reached a hoof out to lift Applejack’s face. “But I don’t regret it.” Applejack’s eyes grew wide as Rarity continued. “And I’m so glad you came forward and shared your feelings with me. I was up nearly all night thinking and writing and I think I came to a conclusion.” She put a hoof on Applejack’s and held her gaze. “Even though I’m attracted to stallions, I’m also attracted to you, Applejack.”
Applejack jumped to her hooves and stared at Rarity, unable to fully understand what had just been said. After what felt like an eternity, a single word formed in her mind. “Why?”
Rarity stood to meet Applejack on her level. “Applejack, I don’t have too many specific reasons. You’re a good pony and an amazing friend. I’ve felt myself growing closer to you over the past couple years. Especially after you helped me realize what a fool I was, trying to impress that insufferable Trenderhoof.” Her eyes grew wild for a second and she took a breath to calm herself. “My time with you has been some of my most cherished memories.” She looked deep into Applejack’s eyes. “Especially Nightmare Night.”
Rarity took a step forward. “I know when we woke up, I was surprised and scared. But it had nothing to do with you, Applejack. You must believe me.“ Rarity looked down and shuffled her hooves. “I was scared because, well, I wasn’t sure who I was anymore. It took me a while to figure myself out, but my mind always came to the conclusion that I wouldn’t have had our night together changed for anything.” She looked back up to Applejack, looking deeply into her eyes. “I knew you were my best friend and we had one of the most wonderful nights that could be had. And…if I were to be completely honest, seeing you work hard and get things done has always been rather…exciting.”
Even though Applejack felt frozen in place, her heart was beating as if she were running two marathons at once. The tingle was back in her hooves and the world was dropping away, leaving only the unicorn in front of her. Rarity took another step forward. “I’ve had no shortage of suitors, as you know, but none of them were really meaningful to me. And when you came out with all of your feelings for me last night, in your charming and caring way, the final piece slid into place. I haven’t found any proper suitors because the right one was so close to home this whole time.” She reached a hoof up and caressed Applejack’s cheek. “I can finally admit that I have feelings for you, too.”
Applejack looked into her eyes. Those amazingly bright and wonderful sapphire eyes. Her intuition combined with the years she had known this mare and the honesty in her words was completely apparent. A grin slowly spread across Applejack’s face to the point she felt her face was about to split in half. Her heart exploded in a warmth she didn’t know was possible and her entire world became this wonderful white pony in front of her. She reached a hoof out and pulled her in for a kiss. It was brief but they both broke away with even bigger smiles than before.
A hearty laugh burst from Applejack’s chest as she threw her hooves around Rarity and dragged them both down to the picnic blanket. They cuddled and enjoyed the company under the Autumn sun. As the birds chirped and gentle breeze blew, Rarity idly stroked Applejack’s foreleg. “You know, Applejack. You're my very first special somepony. I don’t think I could be more happy that it’s you.”
Applejack leaned back so that she could see Rarity’s face. “No way. Your first? Miss Socialite Debutante?”
Rarity chuckled. “Well, like I said, I’ve had many suitors approach me, but none were ever truly captivating enough. That does make me wonder, though…”
“Wonder what, sugarcube?”
Rarity looked into Applejack’s eyes with a small amount of concern. “Have I always been attracted to mares and just didn’t know it?”
Applejack chuckled. “Oh Rarity. You don’t need to worry none about that. As long as you know who you want to be with right now, that’s all that matters.”
Rarity smiled and tucked herself deeper into Applejack’s hooves. “Well in that case, I’m right where I want to be.”
They sat for a long time under those trees on the hill in the orchard. Their shared warmth was perfect against the cooling air of the day. Then a thought occurred to Applejack and she figured now was as good a time as any to bring it up. “So Rarity. What were you writing last night?”