You're Still the One I'm After (all these years)

chapter 8: the perfect pair

A/N: hey guys! just letting u know that the flashbacks in this chapter are going to be of the day aj's parents died. i was gonna hold off on telling u that but i felt like it would be way less confusing this way ;)

TW // Panic Attack

Seven years ago

deep breath in, Applejack had told herself, peeking from around the corner of the hallway to see Rarity talking to a couple of her fashionista friends.

The blonde couldn't see them right now, but she could bet her left toe that Pinkie, Rainbow, and Fluttershy were somewhere near, waiting for Applejack to finally make her move. She'd even go so far as to bet that they were planning to record the whole interaction.

Applejack paid them no mind, waiting for the other girl's friends to walk away with a wave goodbye— and summoning all the courage in the world, walks up to Rarity with the most convincing smile.

"Hey, Rare!"

Rarity puts her phone away and turns to face the blonde, smiling brightly at her. "Applejack! You needed something?"

"Uh- yeah, I was just thinkin'," Applejack finds herself blushing as Rarity watches her carefully and patiently with a curious expression.

it was now or never.

"Thinking?.."

The two of them had been dancing around their feelings for one another since freshman year, and everyone seemed to notice but them. Applejack's feelings only grew exponentially, and if she didn't shoot her shot now, she was afraid that someone else would— and the thought of Rarity being with someone else was worse than the thought of being rejected.

"I was wonderin' if you were free sometime.. uh- tonight, I meant."

Rarity's eyebrows furrow, "Free, as in.." Almost as if she'd had an epiphany, her eyes widen with the realization of what the blonde was really asking, and her cheeks flush bright pink. "I mean, yes. Yes, I'm available tonight."

Applejack swears she hears a cheer immediately followed by a 'shh' from somewhere around the corner, but she's too caught up in her excitement to pay attention or even give a care in the world.

The blonde grins, "Okay. Could I pick you up at 6 tonight?"

"Of course!" Rarity exclaims, and she can already see the cogs turning in her mind, most likely mentally preparing an outfit. "I'll be waiting."

"I'll be there."

              ______________________

"Applejack-"

"Pa, please. This is real important to me, and I already set a time with her," she explains, continuing as she sees her dad attempt to maintain a stern expression. "Wouldn't wanna cancel on her last minute, right?"

Bright Mac sighs, "look, sugar. I'm not tryna stop you from going on your date, but when your Ma and I started lettin' you go on pie deliveries on your own, you told us you'd be able to handle all that responsibility."

"I know, and I swear I'll never miss a delivery after this," Applejack promises, willing to do practically anything at this point, "I'll even do yours and ma's for the next month."

Her dad seems to consider the idea, and Applejack feels a surge of hope, "A month, you say? You're really that eager to get out tonight?"

"What's goin' on down here?"

The two of them turn to see Pear Butter descending down the stairs, and Applejack's face lights up at the sight of her mother. Surely she would understand. "Ma! I was just asking Pa if he could do my delivery tonight. I promised to do his and yours for a month to make up for it."