Growing Up
The staircase looked far from inviting. It seemed as if it hadn't received a good dusting from the Cakes in years, and, upon further inspection, dozens of hastily crumpled candy wrappers had claimed the corners as their home. And, it, if studied carefully, was found to be slightly spiraled, leading its awkward stairs up further into the evening darkness.
Rarity wrinkled her nose, the magic grip on her mug wavering in the air. However, said staircase was discovered to be much more welcoming with the added presence of a certain brooding farmpony.
"I ain't brooding," came the muffled voice from under the wide-rimmed hat, causing Rarity to let out an odd mix of a laugh and a gasp.
"Oh, but of course not, Applejack," Rarity assured, leaning forward and tipping up her friend's Stetson. She was met with a pair of intense emerald eyes beneath straw-colored curls, pupils dark and wide. To anypony else, Applejack would have appeared as always, and simply watching the ongoing party from the sidelines. Rarity supposed that was what she wanted, after all. But to Rarity's careful gaze, she was able to pull out the way Applejack's mouth tugged down at the corners, how thick lashes fell over half-lidded and shimmering eyes, and the way her hoof clung just a bit too tightly around her mug. Rarity blinked slowly, swallowing. Why was it that she had a feeling her own eyes betrayed the same thing?
"I'm guessin' you want to join me?"
Rarity opened her mouth, keenly aware of the celebration going on behind her, and then promptly shut it, at a loss for words. Nodding, Rarity crouched down, managing to squeeze in beside Applejack on the narrow step. Any attempts at backing out of the invitation were refuted by a self-satified grin upon pale lips.
"Thank you," Rarity sighed, somewhat deprived of oxygen from the warm fuzz pressed against her body. Not that it was an entirely bad feeling, mind you. The sweet apple scent the fur radiated gave her a stronger sense of there-ness, if there ever was such a thing.
"No problem," Applejack replied with a chuckle, taking a large gulp of her fizzing cider. Rarity followed suit, her gaze trained on the floorboards littered with bright streamers from an ecstatic Pinkie Pie.
Beyond their cozy, darkened haven, three fillies stood beneath a piñata, decorated with a familiar little shield. Rarity bit her lip. Well, stood was not quite the word, she mused. No four hooves stayed on the floor for more than a second as they clambered for the elusive candy. Rarity blinked, and the sweets were pouring out on the floor with a whoosh, accompanied by a high-pitched squeak. Sweetie Belle, tight curls bouncing against her lacy dress, dove towards the pile, soon being surrounded by more squabbling foals. Rainbow Dash watched on from the table with a sunny grin upon her lips, handing out a round of high-hooves to the cheering crowd, sidestepping around a— somehow—decidedly drunk Berry Punch. No pony seemed to notice the silent pair in the dusty corner of the party, and for that, Rarity was oddly grateful. She glanced at her mug, wishing for the briefest of moments that she could find out where Berry had gotten hard cider at a cute-ceañera. Perhaps it would help loosen up her tongue.
"They're... happy," Rarity managed out after a while, licking her, unfortunately, chapped lips dry of the taste of cider. Applejack seemed to freeze for a moment, her chin tilting up.
"Yeah," she drawled, her tone level. There was no need to clarify who 'they' were. "Why wouldn't they be?"
Rarity inhaled sharply. Applejack was right, of course. But what if it wasn't simply about her sister's happiness? Rarity felt a knot rise up in her stomach. She couldn't seem to get the words out, and turned to face the warmth beside her for support, only to feel a nose pressed on her own. Rarity went cross-eyed against the soft muzzle of Applejack. She smelt like comfort, her freckles shining like stars.
It was Applejack that finally pulled back, a steely glint in her eyes, a faint flush in her face. "Listen, Rares. I... can I ask you something?"
Rarity nodded quickly, resting her cheeks on her hooves as she leaned forward, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically. For once, she wasn't indignant at being beaten to the punch. Applejack snorted, unladylike, swatting Rarity lightly. "Glad you're listenin'," she said, grin wavering as she worried her bottom lip between her teeth. "It ain't somethin' that's new, but it sure as sugar's not gettin' any better."
Appplejack paused, looking briefly at the trio of fillies now indulged in eating—though possibly destroying—a large chocolate cake. She lingered on Apple Bloom longer. "How often does Sweetie Belle stay with you, Rares?"
Rarity tilted her head to the side, brushing back ringlets that fell down over her horn. "I suppose Sweetie stays over at my house every weekend... and then some. Honestly, I feel as if she already lives with me!" It was true; there was hardly a moment where Rarity didn't hear her excited rambling as they sat down together for dinner, or the sweet and soft murmurings of her little sister singing from her room. If she was lucky, Sweetie would allow Rarity to join in with a deeper, rolling tone. "I'm sure my parents don't mind," Rarity added, letting out a breath of laughter. "I don't either, of course, no matter how much of a little hoof-full she can be." She felt Applejack nod behind her, as she was leaning quite heavily on Rarity. Rarity hummed, raising an eyebrow. "Why?"
Applejack drew in a breath, tapping her hoof on the wood slowly. "I feel the same 'bout 'Bloom. The fact that I love her, 'course," she amended. Rarity realized she hadn't explicitly said that, but it must of shown in her voice. It wasn't a surprise to either of them, after all. Their sisters meant the world.
"Ever since my folks passed," she continued softly, "I've been in charge of Apple Bloom. Makin' sure she's happy and healthy and safe. I'm dedicatin' every day to her. Shucks, I mean, Granny and Big Mac help out plenty... but I feel like I need to protect her, you know?"
"I do know," Rarity murmured. And yet... how much protecting did Sweetie need now?
Applejack gave Rarity a small, crooked smile. "She's grown so much. 'Member that time when I started babyin' Bloom?" She didn't wait for a response, just clicked her tongue. "I suppose I'm not a mare of change, huh? But I'm so proud of her. So dang proud," she said, blinking fast. "A cutie mark. A cutie mark, Rares. Can you believe it?"
Rarity's heart stuttered on a beat. No, no she couldn't. "I... it's amazing, isn't it? The've finally made their mark..." she trailed off, fiddling with her necklace. She met Applejack's dark gaze.
They spoke at nearly the same time, true and honest, "Then why am I not happy?" Rarity froze, hoof still caught in the beads of her necklace. Then Applejack leaned back suddenly on the step, and let out a chuckle, freckled muzzle scrunched up in mirth. Rarity found herself melting along into the laughter, tangling her hooves in her friend's long, golden mane in the process. Finally, it had been said! It was never hard talking to Applejack, but this time Rarity felt almost guilty for feeling so bitter on such an important day.
"Well, ain't that something?" Applejack marveled, pushing back her hat. "You read my mind, Rarity?" A wink.
Rarity huffed, a weight having lifted off her chest. "Hardly, darling," Rarity replied. "I'm afraid I've been thinking about it for quite a while as well."
Applejack sobered quickly, looking almost apologetic for her outburst. "It's a rather fingle-fangled way to feel when my sis is smilin' so hard she might as well pop, ain't it? I'm so happy for her, really, I am. It's somethin' she's wanted since the day she first heard the word 'cutie mark'. But..." Applejack paused, seeming to look at Rarity for guidance.
"Maybe it's all happening too soon?" Rarity supplied softly, wincing at the way her voice cracked. All too soon, all too fast.
Applejack shifted by her side, rubbing roughly at her face. "You're darn right, sugar," she muttered, voice barely audible to Rarity's ears.
Rarity swirled her now flat cider around slowly, trying desperately to get rid of the lump in her throat. She stiffened when Sweetie Belle's high giggle broke out over the chatter of the room. "I just miss..." she started carefully, before shaking her head. "She's growing up so fast."
Applejack was quiet for a moment. "I know. Gosh, I sound like my ma when I fret like this, but it's true. I feel like if I blink, she'll be off to college!"
Rarity sighed, a quiet sound, leaning her head on the other mare's shoulder. Applejack didn't resist. There were so many thing that Rarity wanted to say. She wanted to explain just how strange she felt watching Sweetie prance around with her new cutie mark, cheeks glittering with blush and joy. That she had to mentally correct herself everytime she thought of the fillies as the CMC. She wanted to say that Sweetie Belle had been asked out by Button, and that she'd accepted with many followed squeals. And when she had realized her sister was almost a teenager, she hasn't been able to sleep for many hours. That she knew it was ridiculous to be so clingy, and to feel so hurt when Sweetie wouldn't let her braid her hair, and to sit in a corner at one of the most awaited nights of her sister's life. But, she didn't. Instead, Rarity allowed herself a smile.
"Remember the summer baths?" she asked quietly.
Applejack huffed, nuzzling into her neck. "Of course. My favorite time of the week."
Rarity wasn't quite sure if that was sarcasm or not, but she accepted it. After all, it had been true for her. Applejack had arranged it; brought an old plastic kiddie pool out into the yard beneath the warm summer sun, and two chairs for herself and Rarity. Sweetie and Apple Bloom would sit in the shallow water, laughing incessantly and gleefully as they splashed each other in the face, play rasslin' and babbling baby talk. Rarity would find a shady spot under a tree, air smelling of fresh apples, and watch the foals placidly, enjoying how simple everything was to them.
"It was quite lovely, Applejack," Rarity said, stretching her hooves out in front of her. "It was always just the right temperature, Sweetie and Bloom never fought when they were in that little pool of yours, and you made just the best pink lemonade—"
"That Sweetie Belle spilled all over your fancy frock," Applejack interrupted, voice raspy, but giggly. Imagine that; Applejack giggling!
Rarity turned her nose up in the air, pushing playfully at Applejack's chest. "The stain didn't come out for weeks! And she had the audacity to look up at me and laugh. Laugh, Applejack, she laughed!" Rarity dissolved into breathy sniggers, a word unladylike as ever.
"Sure thing, she did, missy. And then Bloom started crying 'cause that's what babies do—"
"As if! I saw it in her eyes, darling. Those were the eyes of a babe who has seen too much in this world. She was crying because the color of the spilt drink, a light pink which is the base of a living soul, reminded her of the fragility and sacredness and mortality of all ponykind—" Rarity ceased her nonsensical rant, for she had run out of air, and the look on Applejack's face wasn't helping her either. She slumped against the solid fluff, sucking in the brief moment of silence.
Applejack spoke, rumbling and quiet. "Thanks, sugarcube. I needed that. I suppose there's nothin' to be helped about something you can't fix—"
"Rarity!"
"Applejack!"
Rarity jerked up, colliding with a warm ball of white fluff. "Sweetie Belle?" she said, pulling back her sister in her arms. The cider that had been in her hold only seconds before was now splattered across her dress, sinking coldly into her fur. She heard Applejack guffaw, preoccupied with a little Apple at her hooves. She shivered, poking at the wet fabric. This would take weeks to get out!
She glared down at her sister, who offered no apology except for giggles, candy smeared cheeks pressed against her breast.
"Fluttershy says that we're tired... but she's wrong! We're not, sis!" Sweetie protested, followed by a muffled "Nu uh!" from Apple Bloom.
"I can keep partying allll night long, right Apple Bloom?" Sweetie slurred, pumping a hoof in the air.
"Yes, sir!"
Rarity rolled her eyes, pulling her sister closer onto her lap, stroking her curly, knotted hair. Off by the Twister game, long forgotten, Rainbow carried an already sleeping Scootaloo atop her back, ruffling her wings at anyone who dared come close to the filly.
Rarity conclealed her own yawn, nuzzling against her sister's dozing body. She leaned over to Applejack, pushing up her Stetson.
"I think it just might be okay."