At Sweet Apple Acres one afternoon, Applejack was hard at work bringing bushels of apples into the barn. Accompanying her however was Spike, younger brother to her best friend Twilight. Even though Spike was only sixteen while Applejack and her closest group of friends were all eighteen, they still didn't mind having Spike pal around with them, especially since he was a guy.
Spike had carried two bushels of apples along side Applejack before they placed them in the barn. Applejack took off her hat and wiped her forehead, “Whew, that's the last of them. Thanks again for coming by, Spike.”
“No problem. I'll take any opportunity to get out of the house and away from waiting on Twilight hand and foot. Honestly Saturday's are about having fun, not studying.” Spike replied making Applejack chuckle.
“Yeah, that's her all right.” she said, before putting her hat back on.
“Plus I really needed this chance to ease some stress.” Spike added before sitting down on a bale of hay.
Applejack grabbed two apple ciders from the barn's mini fridge and gave him one, “Ya got something on you're mind?” she asked.
“It's nothing.” Spike said, as he looked away.
Applejack frowned, as she sat close to him, “Now I know it ain't nothing, sugarcube. I know you as much as I know the rest of my friends,” Spike glanced at her, “Talk to me, Spike. What's on your mind?”
Spike sighed knowing there was no way to hide it from Applejack now, “Well, I've been thinking a lot about Rarity.”
“Huh, so what else is new?” Applejack asked rhetorically.
“This isn't like how I normally think about her, Applejack,” Spike said replied, “I've really been thinking more about her than I used to. Not like how I love helping her out as a reason to get closer to her so she'd notice me more.”
“Well, she doesn't just appreciate the fact you're helpful, but she also does enjoy your company.” Applejack answered with a smile.
Spike did a double take, “She really does?”
“Oh, yeah. She told me and the rest of the girls.” A.J winked.
Spike blinked, “Why didn't Twilight tell me this?!”
“Got me.” Applejack shrugged making Spike pout.
“Anyway, I've spent a lot of time with Rarity I know her like you and the rest of the girls do. Maybe even more.”
“Wouldn't surprise me,” Applejack said, “I mean, when she's in one of her depressions, you always know what flavor ice cream to bring to her.”
“Exactly,” Spike nodded, as he finally opened his bottle of cider to drink, “But the point is, aside from being at Twilight's side so much Rarity's been the only other girl I've gotten so close to.”
“Careful, Spike, ya might make me jealous,” Applejack teased followed up by a laugh. When she noticed the dry expression on Spike's face, she decided to drop the teasin', “I'm sorry. Go on.”
“Rarity's without a doubt the most beautiful girl at Canterlot High. No offense.”
“None taken.”
“And I know she could be with any guy she wanted, and yet she always declines their advances. And even though that worries me, I wanna try and take that chance.”
Applejack suddenly looked surprised, “Spike, are you sayin' what I think you're sayin'?”
Spike nodded, “I'm going to ask Rarity to be my girlfriend.”
After a moment of silence in the air rung, Applejack smiled and cheered, “Hoo-Wee! Now that's music to my ears!” she cheered.
“A.J, don't announce it!” Spike calmed her.
“Sorry, sugarcube, but I'm just plum tickled to hear this. And frankly, it's about time too.” Applejack nudged his shoulder.
“What do you mean?” Spike raised a brow.
“Me, Twilight, Rainbow, Sunset, Pinkie, and Fluttershy were wonderin' when you were gonna ask Rarity.”
Spike sighed in exasperation, “Please tell me you girls didn't have a bet going about all this.”
“Well, Rainbow and Pinkie wanted one, but Twilight and Sunset talked them out of it.”
“Thank you, dear sister.” Spike said to himself, before finishing his cider.
“But in all seriousness, Spike. It's great you're finally plucking up the courage to ask Rarity.”
“Yeah. I just hope I don't end up becoming another victim for Rarity's wall of rejects.”
“Spike, you know Rarity don't have one of those.” Applejack reminded him.
“Yeah, but what if I'm still not worthy enough?” Spike voiced his worry.
“Worthy?” Applejack asked in confusion.
“For Rarity, I.. I loved her ever since I first saw her.. maybe even before that, but look at me.. She’s definitely out of my league, I’m… I’m just pathetic…” Spike sighed as he looked down dismally.
Applejack moved from the bale of hay she sat on and sat next to Spike laying a hand on his shoulder making him look up at her.
“Spike.. you are many things, you’re kind, loyal, a good bro to Twi and more, but you ain’t pathetic. And I know Rarity as well, and this is the honest to Faust truth you do have what it takes to deserve her heart.”
Spike looked at Applejack in surprise, “You really think so?”
“I know so.” Applejack nodded with a smile.
Spike and Applejack stood up with Spike smiling happily at Applejack before wrapping his arms around her for a hug, “Thank you, Applejack. I'm so lucky to have a friend like you.”
Applejack chuckled, before returning the hug, “Nah, I'm lucky one, Spike.”
The two broke their friendly hug, as Spike spoke in determination, “Alright, I'm gonna go over to Rarity's and ask her to be my girl no matter what. I don't care what stands in my way.”
Applejack nodded, “That's the spirit sugarcube.”
“I just hope it all goes well.” Spike said, as a hint of doubt was returning to him.
“Spike,” Applejack began, as Spike looked back at her and to his surprise received a peck on his cheek making him blush. Applejack whose cheeks were pink continued, “Ya got nothin' to worry about. I have faith in you just as the rest of the girls have faith in you.”
Spike smiled happily, “Thanks again, Applejack.”
“Anytime, sugarcube.” Applejack winked.
As Spike started walking away he stopped midway between the open barn doors, and looked back at the honest cowgirl, “You know. If I wasn't into Rarity as much as I am now. You probably would've been my second choice.”
Applejack suddenly stood in surprise, as a blush grew on her face, “Say what?”
Spike smiled, “Food for thought. Catch ya later!” Spike hurried off.
Applejack stood in place still wrapping her mind over what Spike said to her.
You probably would've been my second choice
“Me and Spike?” Applejack asked herself, before smiling and let out a chuckle, “That sure could've been somethin' wonderful.”