Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Prologue

Rarity was certain she was experiencing the worst moment of her life as she shoved the godforsaken “Sold” sign in her boutique’s front lawn. Well… not hers anymore.

She stood back, taking one last look at the business she had poured her heart, soul, tears, and   (on a few occasions) blood into over the past three years. Canterlot Carousel Boutique was certainly elegant, as the roof still had the royal purple trim she had spent months choosing, and the windows were still decorated with ornate carvings. It was elegant, but it had no life. Because she had left it.

Rarity felt powerless as the overhead costs of Canterlot Carousel rose and rose until they were completely unreasonable. Rarity felt powerless as her designs failed in an expensive and grandiose city like Canterlot. Rarity felt powerless when customers preferred to order their items online, decreasing the number of consults she was so gifted at down to a minimum. 

Rarity felt powerless, as the boutique she had worked so hard for slipped between her fingers.

She sighed deeply, clapping her hands against each other to dust them off. She was too proud to cry and ruin her mascara in public, but the minute Rarity got into her car, the floodgates opened. 

Despite her outward appearance, Rarity was an ugly crier. Black rivers flowed down her cheeks as she positively wailed into her steering wheel. She knew if anyone looked into her car then, they’d think she just got out of an insane asylum, but she honestly couldn’t find it in herself to care.

She drove around for hours that night, the overtly fancy streets of Canterlot filling her vision at every turn. It made her sick. Despite everything that had transpired, she was sure about one thing:

She had to get out.

<<<*>>>

Three months later

It was just her luck, Rarity thought, as she felt her tires slow to a stop against the thick dirt roads beneath her. 

“You must be joking.” She said to herself in disbelief as she attempted to press on the gas pedal… to no avail. She whipped out her phone to see if she could try calling someone, anyone, to come help her. To her horror, the top right corner of her screen said “SOS” where the data bars should have been.

If Rarity hadn’t just done her nails, she might’ve punched something.

Growling under her breath, she promptly hopped out of her sleek white Mercedes and opened up the trunk, dragging out two large suitcases of “essentials”. This took way longer than it should have, due to the extreme heaviness of the bags. By the time she closed the trunk, she was out of breath.

“Don’t worry, Opal.” Rarity whispered to her car, caressing the exterior. “Mommy will come back for you.”

She adjusted her pencil skirt, took a deep breath, and grabbed her two bags by the handles. It was clear her car had gotten stuck in a large patch of mud, and the front of her vehicle was completely covered in dirt. Rarity feared she would soon look awfully similar to her car, as she marched through the mud in her pumps.

“Ugh, stupid signal!” She cried, hefting her phone up to the sky as if that would help. “This is what I get, coming out to some podunk town!”

Rarity was sure the fashion gods were laughing at her now, feet caked in mud, suitcase wheels getting stuck in the dirt, and her hair out of place. She walked a bit further down the road, shoving both handles of her suitcases into one hand as she held up her phone like a desperate prayer.

“Heaven help me!” Now not only was her phone out of commission, but her suitcases were completely stuck in the mud. She bent down, pulling them out with all her might, nearly falling backwards in the process.

“I’ll show you who’s boss, mud!” She pulled one more time and it finally came free from the ground’s clutches.

A cheer built in her throat that was very quickly replaced by a scream of terror. A beat-up red truck quickly swerved out of the way, nearly inches from hitting her. The wheels stopped so suddenly that they sent mud flying in all directions, including all over Rarity.  

The tires left deep marks on the muddy road below, but the truck seemed to be completely fine. Other than its horrible paint job, that is. Rarity however, was most certainly not fine. “ Excuse me!” She yelled at the driver, whose face was shielded by the front window.

The side door popped open, and a pair of cowboy boots landed in the road. The driver shut the door and ran over to Rarity, green eyes wide with concern. “Are you okay, Miss?”

The driver was tall, with blonde, curly hair tucked beneath a cowboy hat. They had a thick country accent, and skin so bronze it was obvious they spent every minute outside. But most surprisingly… they were a woman.

Rarity snapped out of her daze. “No, I am not okay!” She whined.

“Oh Lord! Where does it hurt? Are you bleedin’?” The woman asked, scanning over Rarity’s entire body.

“Just look at me! ” Rarity burst into tears, gesturing at her white shirt. “This blouse just became in season, and you’ve gone and doused it in mud!” She drew out the last word, sobs interlaced.

The woman blinked. “Is that all?”

“What do you mean ‘ is that all’ ? What else could there possibly be?”

The woman huffed, crossing her arms. “I thought you might’ve been hurt!”

“My pride, yes! I don’t even know if this mess is salvageable.”

“I don’t know why you’re guilt-tripping me about getting a little mud on you when you were walking in the middle of the road around a corner, not looking where you were going!” The woman did not sound happy, her country accent getting even stronger in her anger.

“I was trying to get some signal out here!” Rarity said indignantly, waving her phone for emphasis. “My car is positively stuck !”

“Well, why’d you have to lug those two giant bags with you?” The woman’s eyes nearly bulged out of her head as she took in the size of the suitcases. “There’re enough clothes in there for a small army!”

“These are my essentials. I didn’t know where I would end up!”

“Essentials… uh-huh.” The woman looked skeptical. 

“At least these didn’t spill over during my car incident.” Rarity proclaimed. “I would have lost it if that happened.”

“Spilled over…” the woman said absentmindedly. Suddenly, she gasped, placing a hand on top of her hat. “The pies!”

She sprinted over to the back of her truck, popping open the covered bed to take a look at something. Rarity walked to stand beside her, curious. A bunch of white boxes were stacked up, but it was obvious they had fallen over when the woman swerved. Some boxes were open, pies spilling out of them, securing string clearly having come undone.

The woman picked up one of the strings and ran it through her fingers. “ Bloomie.” She muttered angrily under her breath.

“Um…” Rarity began awkwardly. “You can make new ones, no?”

“Make new ones? ” The woman gripped the edge of the truck tightly, knuckles whitening. “Do you realize how long it takes to make a pie?” She whirled around, green eyes fierce. 

“I—”

“I had a huge order I had to drop off today! It doesn’t matter if I make more later!” 

Oh. Rarity tried to think of some way to pay her back, but she didn’t exactly have a lot of money at the moment. And she figured by the woman’s reaction to her suitcases that she wouldn’t be interested in any free designer outfits. “I’m… sorry.”

“And now, that filthy rich businessman is gonna talk bad about the farm! And we’re gonna stop gettin’ orders, and—” It seemed like the woman was talking less to Rarity and more to herself as she paced in circles outside her truck.

Rarity couldn’t help but feel guilty about the situation she had caused. She supposed that her dirty blouse wasn’t the worst thing that could’ve happened, compared to the pie predicament.

She shoved down any part of her that wanted to ask the other girl for help and began to walk in the other direction, tears welling up in her eyes.

“—and then Granny‘s gonna disown me! And then— hey, hold on!” The woman shouted after Rarity.

“What is it?” Rarity turned around, barely holding it together.

“Don’t you need a ride or somethin’?”

“No, I can’t accept that.” She shifted her weight between her feet uncomfortably. “I’ve caused you enough trouble it seems.” Why do I seem to mess everything up?

The woman sighed, making her way over to Rarity. “Look, I’m sorry for snappin’ at you. But I can’t leave you in the middle of nowhere in good conscience. Just let me have a look at your car, I can’t make the order now anyway.”

Rarity blinked. “Are you sure?”

Soon enough, Rarity was riding shotgun in the old red truck, her suitcases loaded in the backseat. Embarrassing as it was, the woman had to help her with that too, hefting them up into the vehicle no problem.

“I think it was this way.” Rarity said softly, pointing down a particularly muddy turn.

“Is it that white one?” The woman asked. “A Mercedes? What are you doin’ out here with a car like that?”

“It’s the only one I have!” Rarity exclaimed indignantly. “Do I have to get a truck to live around here? Because count me out!”

“No, but you should get some new tires. Those do not have enough traction to fight against these roads.”

“Traction?” Rarity questioned.

The woman slowed the truck to a stop, hopping out to take a look at the car. Rarity followed, standing behind her feeling useless. “It’s in the mud pretty deep… good thing I always keep a tow strap in the back.”

“ Tow strap? ” Rarity yelped. “What are you doing to poor Opal?” She crashed her body against the side of the car, patting the window protectively.

“Opal? Is that her name?” The woman asked, a smirk forming on her face.

“Yes! A dignified name for a dignified car.”

“This here is Cider, Ci for short.” The woman said, gesturing over her shoulder toward the truck. “He’s been with me through thick and thin.”

“Well what exactly are Cider’s intentions with my Opal, hm?” Rarity asked, crossing her arms.

The woman let out a low register chuckle. “He wants to help her get unstuck. She won’t feel a thing, I promise.” She held up a hand to the side as if to say on my honor, and dug around for the tool she mentioned.

The woman pulled Cider in front of Opal and effortlessly attached them together. Rarity stood a safe distance away as the woman drove Cider forward, trying to tow Opal out of the mud. After a few minutes, Opal was finally free, and the woman pulled the cars completely out of the muddy patch of road. 

“One towed car for you, m’lady.” AJ said, hopping out of the truck.

“Wow…” Rarity said, slack-jawed. “That worked surprisingly well.”

The woman shrugged, stuffing her hands into her pockets. “It was nothin’.”

“No, it wasn’t nothing. ” Rarity sighed, that same guilt filling her chest. “I only wish I could help you with your pie situation.”

“Don’t worry about it.” The woman stated. “I’ll just have to call my customer and tell him…” Rarity swore the other girl gulped. “… that his pie order fell through.” She took in a shaky breath. “Oh Jesus have mercy on my soul.”

Before Rarity could say anything, the woman shook her head. 

“Never mind all that. Are you headed to Ponyville?” 

“Yes!” Rarity said, surprised. “How did you know?”

“It’s the only town for miles. It’s just a few minutes up the road. Do you wanna follow me there? I can drive around the mud patches.”

Rarity was stunned by this girl’s willingness to help. “Only if you have time!”

“It’s no big deal. The signal is way better over that way, anyhow.”

So, Rarity followed Cider through the country roads, soon pulling through a small gate that read the town’s name. It was a rather charming name, Rarity thought. She had loved ponies when she was younger.

The woman slowed to a stop in front of Rarity, hopping out of her truck. “Well, this is it. You need anything else?”

“Oh no, you’ve done way too much for me as it is. Again, I really am sorry about ruining your order.”

The woman shrugged. “It’s not your fault, better the pies hurt than you.” Just then, her phone began to ring. She looked at the screen, rolling her eyes. “Speak of the devil.” The woman was about to answer when Rarity stopped her.

“Wait. I think I can help.”

“What?” 

“Just… turn it into a FaceTime call.”

The woman furrowed her brows. “Why?”

“Trust me!” Rarity growled, frantically fluffing her hair. 

The woman did as she was told, holding the phone out in front of herself awkwardly.

“Miss Smith? Where is my delivery?” The man on the phone looked old and distinguished, with gold jewelry and immaculately styled hair. 

The woman tensed up. “Uh, well you see, Mr. Rich… uh—”

“I think what Miss Smith is trying to say is that she was saving a damsel in distress!” Rarity stated confidently, dragging the phone from the other girl. “Hello! I’m Rarity Belle, opening a new boutique right in Ponyville. You see, my car got stuck in the mud and Miss Smith here ever-so-kindly towed it out for me!”

Mr. Rich looked stunned by the relay of events. “Oh… is that so?”

“Yes.” Rarity made sure to lay on the charm thick, playing with her hair and batting her lashes. “I hope you can understand that this was not Miss Smith’s fault in any way! She was just ensuring that I wasn't stuck out here all on my own.”

“Oh… we wouldn’t want that!” Mr. Rich said, suddenly worried.

“Yes, please forgive her!” Rarity added.

The woman grabbed the phone back. “I’m sorry Mr. Rich. I can get your order to you tomorrow, but most of the pies were ruined when I was, er… helpin’ this here lady.”

Rarity made sure she was in the background, pleading facial expression in view.

Mr. Rich swallowed. “It’s… no problem. Just bring them tomorrow. Glad to hear Miss Belle is safe.”

“Oh, thank you Mr. Rich!” Rarity exclaimed, bumping in. “You are a darling! ”

Rarity could’ve sworn the man was red as she ended the call. AJ turned her gaze toward Rarity, eyes scrutinizing.

“You’re a little too good at all that flirtin’, aren’t you?”

Rarity shrugged. “I told you I could help.”

“Er… well thank you Miss… Rarity? Was it?”

“Yes!” She couldn’t help but get stuck on how the other woman pronounced her name… all “R”, no vowels.

“That’s a mighty fancy name for these parts. I’ve never heard it before.”

Rarity’s smile tightened. “It’s more popular up North!” It wasn’t. “And you’ve got to tell me your name. You introduced your truck to me before yourself!”

The woman chuckled. “Call me AJ.”

Rarity couldn’t help but think that name fit her perfectly. “Well, AJ, I certainly owe you one.”

“No, consider us even Steven.” AJ stood motionless for a moment and then pulled her keys off the carabiner attached to her belt loop. “I suppose I should get back home and make those pies. Uh… good luck with your boutique. No wonder all your stuff is so fancy.”

Rarity giggled. “I’ll certainly need the luck. And thank you!” She shifted her weight between her feet. “You were a life-saver today, AJ.”

AJ shrugged, smiling. “Just doing my civic duty.” She got back in her truck and rolled down the window. “See you around, Miss Rarity.”

She then sped off, leaving dust and lingering images of green eyes and sun-kissed skin in her wake.

<<<*>>>

The next few days found Rarity unpacking her countless boxes from Canterlot Carousel and moving them into her new location. The building she was renting in Ponyville was a considerable downsize from her previous place, making it much cheaper but also in need of more work. It didn’t exactly scream boutique yet, but Rarity knew it would take time to fully transition. She was lucky she even found a building within her newly limited budget.

Rarity kept reminding herself that with some TLC, this place could really become something. If she was being honest, it was likely this boutique was a temporary thing anyway. A place where she could get back on her feet, then move somewhere else. Somewhere more receptive to her designs.

She was about to start going through hanging racks and parts of her summer collection when the front door opened. Although she wasn’t officially open for business just yet, she would never turn down a potential customer. 

“Hello? Come in!” She called out, making her way to the front.

A young, red-haired girl stood in the entrance, glancing around nervously. “Is this the new boutique in town?”

Well, word certainly got around quickly in Ponyville. “Yes it is! Well… it’s going to be. Could I help you with something?”

“Actually, yes…” The girl fiddled with a bow that was in her hair. “I have this school dance coming up. It’s not really that big of a deal, but all my older sister’s dresses are too long for me. I don’t wanna trip over my own feet!” She had a country lilt to her words.

“Oh! So would you like me to hem one of them? I certainly can!” 

“Maybe…” the girl dug in her pocket for a moment and pulled out her phone. “It looks like this.”

Rarity studied the picture the girl was showing her. The dress was indeed very long, reaching several inches past where it should. It was a deep shade of brown, and had a cut that wasn’t exactly flattering in the young girl’s favor. “You said this was your sister’s dress?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“I can tell. She must be an autumn then… you’re definitely more of a warm spring.” Rarity squinted at the girl. “Yes. I’m envisioning a rosy pink with possible lighter accents.”

The girl blinked. “What? But don’t people always say redheads can’t wear pink?”

“Oh darling, ” Rarity said, laughing. “Those people have no idea what they’re talking about. Let me show you…” She dug through a couple of boxes to find her color analysis drapes. “Aha!” She exclaimed, pulling out the spring collection.

“What’s that for?” The girl asked.

“I want to show you something. Come over here…” Rarity led the girl over to a full-length mirror resting against the wall. She draped the pink shade she was thinking of around the girl’s neck. “Do you see how bright your eyes look in this color? You’re glowing, darling!”

The young girl’s face stared at her reflection in wonder. “Oh wow… I never knew color could make such a difference! On my farm all I usually wear is denim and darker colors.”

“Color is everything. ” Rarity said plainly, pulling back her pink drape. “I simply cannot have you going to the dance in that dress you showed me! It has to be this color.” She stared at the pink lovingly.

The girl’s face fell. “That’s mighty nice of you Miss…”

“Rarity.”

“ Rarity, ” Funnily enough, the girl had the same southern way of pronouncing her name as AJ. “But I don’t think that’s in my family’s budget right now.”

“Oh!” Rarity exclaimed. “Then consider it a gift for you being my very first customer!”

“Oh no! Miss Rarity, that’s too much.” The girl backed away slowly, shaking her head.

“It’s the least I could do for a sweet girl like you! Now tell me your name and I’ll get your measurements.” Rarity grabbed her clipboard at lightning speed, shoving a pair of red glasses higher on her nose.

“I’m Amelia-Bloom!”

Rarity positively squealed. “What an adorable name!”

Soon she had Amelia standing on a circular riser in front of the mirror, arms out. Rarity whipped her yellow measuring tape all around the girl, trying to be as accurate as possible. Just as she was finishing up, the bell above the door sounded again. 

“Hello! Welcome in, I’ll be with you in a few—” 

“Bloomie, there you are!” AJ’s eyes widened in recognition. “Wha— Rarity? ”

The dark-haired woman gasped. “ AJ? ”

“You two know each other?” Amelia asked.

“Uh, well… sort of.” AJ began, rubbing the back of her neck. “She was the fancy lady I saved from the side of the road yesterday.”

Rarity sputtered at this description. “ Excuse me!? More like the fancy lady who you doused in mud yesterday!”

Amelia looked between the two of them, giggling. “Now that was a story! What was it you called her sis? A snooty city-folk who—”

“Amelia-Bloom!” AJ shouted, turning red. “That is enough out of you!” She paused, looking the red-head up and down. “And what in the hell are you doin’ up there?”

“Miss Rarity said she’d give me a free dress for bein’ her first customer!” The girl said brightly. “So I won’t need to get your old one hemmed!”

AJ crossed her arms. “Uh-uh. Not happenin’.”

“But why?” Both Rarity and Amelia whined at the same time.

The blonde woman raised an eyebrow. “Because Smiths don’t take favors. Now come on.” She motioned for her sister to follow her out.

“That’s just silly.” Rarity stated.

“No it ain’t!” 

“I can’t let your sister go to this dance in a dress that isn’t perfect in good conscience.” 

AJ sighed, seemingly picking up on Rarity’s little call-back to her words from before. “No. It’s too much.

Rarity thought for a moment. “What if… you did something for me in return? That way it wouldn’t be a favor.”

“Oh, anything, anything!” Amelia cried, putting her hands together to plead.

“What kind of favor?” AJ asked reluctantly.

“Hmmm…” Rarity looked around at her boutique, which was still mostly in boxes. “Come by sometime and help me… unpack?” She smiled sheepishly. “I don’t really know anyone here in Ponyville yet.”

Amelia-Bloom looked to her older sister, begging with her eyes.

AJ stared at her hard for a moment, then sighed, pinching between her eyebrows. “ Fine. ”

“Woo-hoo!” Amelia cheered, jumping up and down in circles.

Rarity giggled. “Well Smith sisters, you have yourselves a deal.” She walked over to AJ, smirking.

AJ adjusted her cowboy hat. “Mutual favors, then.” She held out her hand, which Rarity grabbed and shook firmly.

“I’m gettin’ a new dress!” Amelia sang at the top of her lungs, sprinting over to the dark-haired woman. “Oh thank you, thank you Miss Rarity!” She hugged Rarity’s torso tightly.

“Thank your sister,” Rarity said, patting Amelia’s back. “She’s the one who agreed to it.”

“You’re the best sister ever! ” The red-head yelled, hugging AJ with the same force.

Rarity felt something tug in her chest at the way AJ’s eyes softened when looking at her sister. 

“Yeah, yeah. Come on Bloomie, let’s not bother Miss Rarity anymore.”

“You’re not a bother!” The dark-haired woman said hurriedly. “And… just Rarity is fine.”

AJ smiled, tipping her hat. “Well, consider these boxes unpacked… Rarity. ”

“And you both consider one divine rosy pink dress stitched!”

As the two sisters walked out of the shop, Rarity couldn’t help but be consumed by the surge of her heart. 

Chapter Text

“Amelia-Bloom!” AJ shouted as soon as they were back in her truck. “Why in the world would you tell Miss Rarity what I was sayin’ last night?”

Amelia raised an eyebrow at her. “You’re the one always tellin’ me to be honest, right?” 

The blonde woman sighed deeply, gripping the steering wheel. “Yes, but you also need to learn when to hold that tongue of yours.” AJ simmered in her anger a little longer. “And why would you run off on your own in the middle of town square? Granny ain’t gonna be happy when she hears about that.”

“Oh sis, don’t tell her!” Amelia cried.

AJ chuckled. “Well, look who’s gettin’ a taste of her own medicine.” 

Amelia grumbled something under her breath the blonde woman could probably go without hearing. 

“What was that?”

“Er— nothin’!” Amelia’s eyes darted to the side. “At least I’m gettin’ a new dress!”

“My dress was perfectly fine, but sure. As long as you’re happy.” AJ said with a touch of sarcasm, but honestly, she meant it. “Even if I know I’ll be doin’ all the actual work for you to get it.”

“Hey, I have school! It’s not like I can skip and help you at the boutique.” Amelia whined, almost jealous.

“Yeah, yeah.” AJ turned into their farm entryway. “I’ll have to get Mac to cover my chores tomorrow.”

“Thanks to you and Miss Rarity, I’m gonna be the Belle of the ball!” Amelia said brightly. “New dress! New dress! New dress! New—”

Amelia cheered until they got inside their house, and even if AJ acted annoyed on the outside, she couldn’t help the small smile forming at the corner of her lips.

<<<*>>>

AJ pulled up to Rarity’s boutique bright and early, ready to make herself useful. When she walked in, she noticed everything was slightly more unpacked, but there were still going to be plenty of boxes to go through.

“AJ, is that you?” Rarity called somewhere from the back.

“Yes ma’am.” The blonde woman slowly followed the sound of her voice. “What’re you doin’ back—”

When she entered the back room of the shop, she saw Rarity on her tiptoes, standing on the top step of a ladder trying to get a box off a shelf. She was wobbling side to side, clearly unstable.

“Rarity!” AJ yelled out, placing her hands on either side of the ladder to steady it. “What in God’s name do you think you’re doin’?”

“Getting this box down, of course!” She chirped.

AJ mentally facepalmed. “Not in these shoes you ain’t.” She was face to face with Rarity’s platform heels. “Seriously?”

“Who says I can’t unpack in style?”

“Me.”

Rarity huffed, but took the hint and slowly climbed down the ladder. She seemed like the type of person who could never be caught in a regular outfit, as she was wearing black pinstripe slacks with her heels and a sleeveless button-up that was left open toward the bottom. Her hair was somehow perfect, falling in dark ringlets.

“There we go, that’s much better,” AJ said. “Stay on the ground, why don’t you? Leave the climbin’ to me.”

Rarity giggled. “I could get used to this whole mutual favor thing.”

AJ did indeed take over the climbing, getting all the boxes off the shelves and opening them up. There were tons of fabrics, outfits, and display elements that she had no idea what to do with. While she moved things around, Rarity was full of questions.

“Where’s your darling sister?” She asked, working on what looked like the beginnings of Amelia’s dress.

“She’s at school. As much as she wanted to, I’d never let her skip.”

“Ah, what a responsible older sister.”

“Yeah, well I skipped my own work, so I’m not exactly a great example.” AJ chuckled. “My brother is covering for me today though, so it should be fine.”

“You work on that local farm, correct?” Rarity asked, messing with the dress’s fabric.

“It’s actually my family’s,” AJ corrected, finding a clothes rack to build. “Sweet Apple Acres has been ours for generations.”

“What a cute name!” Rarity squealed. 

AJ smiled fondly. “It’s more than a name. It’s my whole world. The sprawling fields of apple trees, our old barn, the animals, making pies… It’s everything to me.”

Rarity hummed. “Now that’s something we have in common.”

“You like makin’ pies?” AJ joked.

“Oh heavens no! I’m a very mediocre cook.” Rarity pushed a pair of red glasses higher on her nose. “I just mean fashion, this business… It’s my whole world, too. Studying trends, working with clients, making the perfect outfit… I live for that.”

“I will never understand all of this fancy stuff… but I can respect that.” AJ worked in silence for a moment before asking another question. “How’d a city girl like yourself end up here, anyway?”

Rarity’s shoulders tensed. “I just… wanted a change of pace! City life can be… stifling.”

Dammit, she’s uncomfortable. AJ figured her “special talent” of asking questions concerning touchy subjects had come out again. She couldn’t help her curiosity some of the time. 

The two women worked productively, and AJ opened so many boxes of clothes she thought she may become a bonafide fashionista when all was said and done. She was glad to help Rarity, as some of the boxes were very heavy and the dark-haired woman didn’t necessarily seem like the type to want to move them.

They had been talking on and off the whole day, and despite their obvious differences, conversation flowed easily. It was… refreshing.

“Amelia won’t stop talkin’ about that new dress,” AJ said. “You’re her hero, saving her from wearing my old clothes.”

Rarity chuckled. “That dress would’ve looked good on you, AJ, not Amelia. She deserves something that will make her shine.”

The blonde woman thought for a moment. “Can I be honest with you for a second?”

“Of course.” Rarity said, confused.

“When we met the other day, I thought you’d be stuck up. It’s a pleasant surprise how generous you are... I definitely judged you too soon.”

Rarity rolled her eyes, smiling. “It’s always interesting how people think things like style and high society can’t go along with doing things for others. But don’t worry, I forgive you for judging me because… I judged you, too.”

AJ laughed. “How so?”

“Well, based on the truck, I thought you’d be a man.”

“Yep, I get that a lot. I’ve even been told I drive like a man, whatever that means.” The blonde said, wrinkling her nose.

Rarity laughed. “I could see that. You surprised me, how willing you were to help.”

“That’s just the way we do things ‘round here,” AJ said simply, stuffing her hands into her pockets. 

“It’s way different than Canterlot.”

“Hopefully a good different,”

Rarity hummed in agreement, and the two women continued to work on their respective tasks. There was music playing in the background, and it sounded like some sort of opera. It was nothing like what AJ was used to, but she didn’t mind it. The blonde was making great progress setting up the heavier displays when she noticed a problem.

“Uh oh,”

“What is it?” Rarity asked, looking over quizzically.

“These back shelves are all cracked. I guarantee if you put any weight on them at all, they would break completely.”

The dark-haired woman looked at the shelving lining the wall and sighed. “Are you sure?”

“Positive,”

“Well then, I guess we’ll just have to rip them out. I’d rather not deal with the trouble of repairing them.”

“But I can fix this easily!” AJ said defensively. “I’d rather not waste all the wood… whoever put these in did a good job, they just need to be reinforced.”

“This shop is quite old. I’m not sure if it’s ever been renovated.”

“Then this doesn’t surprise me.” The blonde looked at the shelves a little longer, mentally thinking through how she would fix them. “I bet I could get this done in a few hours. I’d need to get my tools, though.” She mentally cursed herself for not thinking to pack them.

“Oh, don’t worry about it, you’ve already been working here all day!” Rarity insisted. “I wouldn’t want you to give up another day of your own work.”

“I could honestly get it done tonight.” 

Rarity grimaced. “I wish I could stay, but I have to go pick up some new textiles in the next town over.”

“You could always leave me your keys,” AJ suggested. “If you’re comfortable with it, that is!”

Rarity thought about this for a moment. “You make a compelling argument, AJ.” She fished her keys out of her purse. “I’ll leave you these if you promise to lock up.”

AJ raised one hand to the side. “I promise.”

<<<*>>>

Soft country music played in the background as AJ worked on securing the final shelf. She used a similar technique to when the shelving in the chicken coup had come apart, except she made sure it wasn’t nearly as patchy. It was obvious that Rarity was someone who cared about aesthetics, and AJ was never one to do work halfway. 

“Whew!” She said, rising to her feet. “Well, that wasn’t half bad.” AJ looked around the boutique, and while most of the boxes had been unpacked, there were still a few things that could go with being cleaned up. She took the liberty to break down all the old boxes and recycle them, and sweep the floors. Granny had always taught her to leave a place better than she found it, and she figured that sentiment had been fully ingrained into her.

As she cleaned up, she noticed the caulking on the floors and baseboards could be better. Luckily, she had the supplies for it from a recent project. She lost herself in touching up the edges and corners, making sure everything was sharp and pristine. 

“There,” AJ finished the last piece she was working on. “That oughta do it…” She was silenced as she noticed the caulking was just as bad in the back room of the building, so she sighed and got back to work again. 

AJ honestly hadn’t noticed how much time had gone by, as once she got in a groove of working on something with her hands, she could never really get out of it. It was like she got sucked in or glued, unable to focus on anything else until the task was completed to the best of her ability. She cleaned and touched up and fixed until the sun blaring through the window was assaulting her eyes. 

“Oh shoot…” she mumbled, shielding her face from the light. “My chores… my chores!” 

AJ practically jumped to her feet, gathering all her tools up as fast as she could. She usually began her day on the farm before the Sun came up, so this little side track had cost her precious productivity with her own work. The blonde silently cursed her ability to intensely focus as she locked up the shop, placing the key underneath a potted plant like Rarity requested. 

She sped home as fast as she could in her truck, her earlier drowsiness now replaced with adrenaline. AJ spent the day doing her chores at lightning speed so she wouldn’t fall behind. The eggs were collected, fields were managed, and pigs were fed as always, but with considerably more pain than usual. Luckily, nobody questioned where she had been all night, probably assuming she had just gotten up before them. She didn’t know how she would explain that she spent all night at a boutique that wasn’t hers because she lost track of time.

That evening found her slumped in a chair by the fireplace in their family home, thumbing through one of the countless Western novels Granny was obsessed with. She would usually be helping Amelia with her homework or playing drunk cornhole with Mac, but she couldn’t find it in herself to do much of anything. It seemed her exhaustion had finally set in. Just as AJ’s eyelids were starting to feel heavy, their screen door slammed open.

“Found her wanderin’ around out front,” Mac began, shrugging off his flannel. He gestured toward someone who was coming in behind him.

“Rarity?!” AJ said before her brain could fully process what she was seeing.

“Hello, AJ.” The dark-haired woman said sheepishly, holding a giant clothing bag in her hands.

The blonde sat straight up, embarrassed at how bad her posture had been. “What are you doin’ here at this hour?”

“I just couldn’t wait!” She said almost frantically, glancing around the room. “Is Amelia home? Please tell me she’s home!”

“She is, she is!” AJ stood up, placing her hands out in front of herself. “Just… calm down, I’ll get her.” She pivoted toward the wooden stairs of the house and heaved in a giant breath. “Amelia-Bloom! Would you come down here?”

Luckily, the redhead came to the living room immediately, with none of the usual questioning. “What is it, sis?” She asked, eyes widening when she noticed their visitor. “Miss Rarity! Is that…?” Amelia’s eyes fell on the bag in the other woman’s hands.

“It is!” Rarity confirmed, practically jumping up and down. “Amelia-Bloom, in honor of you being an amazing first customer, I present to you… Your new dress: Rosy Country Couture!” Rarity unzipped the bag, revealing a dress that was just about the prettiest shade of pink AJ could imagine. It had just the right amount of ruffles and looked like it would fit Amelia perfectly.

Amelia’s mouth dropped open in shock. “That’s… mine?”

“Of course, my dear!” Rarity shoved the garment insistently into the young girl’s arms. “Now hurry, go put it on so you can model it for us!”

Amelia squealed as she ran up the stairs, causing AJ to laugh as she heard the door slam hurriedly shut.

“Wow, you made that dress lickity-split!” She commended the other woman. “That’s some mighty fast work, Miss Rarity.”

“Oh, I couldn’t help it! Once I started working on it last night, I just got in the zone. I couldn’t escape; it was like I was glued to that dress until I finished it. I didn’t even realize how much time had gone by, and then poof! It was daytime!”

AJ smiled knowingly. “Now that I understand. But honestly… thank you for doin’ this. Amelia hasn’t shut up about this dress since you offered to make it.”

“Don’t even mention it! Especially after I saw how much you fixed up in the shop… it was like a whole new building!” Rarity laughed. “I swear, when I walked in today, I stood there in shock for a moment just taking everything in! How long did you stay?”

“Oh, you know… not that long.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow, but the sound of Amelia’s screams cut off her next question.

“It’s perfect, it’s perfect!” The girl cheered, bounding down the stairs, nearly knocking the pictures off the wall on her way down.

“Woah there, Buckaroo, slow down!” AJ said, chuckling. She took in her sister for a moment, whose eyes were shining brightly as she twirled around in her beautiful new dress. She looked the happiest AJ had seen her in years.

“Look, Jackie! It even has the new puff sleeves all the girls are ravin’ about in my class!”

“Oh, yes! I know puff sleeves are all the rage in the Southern Belle scene recently!” Rarity said emphatically.

“That’s amazin’, Bloomie,” AJ said, grinning softly.

“I love it, I love it so much!” The redhead ran over to Rarity, enveloping her in a bone-crushing hug. “Thank you, Miss Rarity, this is a dream come true!”

Rarity looked like she was about to cry as she stroked Amelia’s hair. “You look lovely, darling.”

“Mac!” Amelia called, running into the next room. “Granny! Look at my new dress. Isn’t it amazin’? It’s such a pretty color, and the way it twirls is–”

AJ and Rarity shared a knowing look, bursting into laughter as the sound of Amelia’s praises trailed off through the house.

“That’s the happiest I’ve seen Amelia in a long time,” AJ said simply.

Rarity grinned, clasping her hands together. “Well, I could say the same for myself. Nothing compares to a reaction like that.”

Before the blonde could respond, her family came barreling back into the living room.

“When I saw this dress, I just had to meet the young lady who made it!” Granny shouted, cane thumping against the wooden floors.

“Gah! Rarity, this is my Granny Smith,” AJ said hurriedly, placing her arm under Granny’s to support her. “She’s been in Ponyville longer than anyone, so if you have any questions about this place, come to her!”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Smith!” Rarity grinned brightly, extending a hand for the old woman to shake.

“The pleasure’s all mine, dearie! Bloomie looks positively darlin’ all dolled up in that dress.”

The dark-haired woman’s eyes sparkled. “Oh, absolutely, I can tell she gets it from you!”

“Mac, didn’t Miss Rarity do such a good job?” Amelia asked her older brother, hanging off one of his legs.

He paused for a moment, studying the dress. “Yup.”

“Such high praise!” AJ joked, causing Rarity to laugh.

“Jackie, you should take Miss Rarity around for a tour of the farm!” Amelia suggested, squeezing her fists together on either side of her face. “I bet she would love to see everything!”

“Oh, it’s okay, Amelia!” Rarity insisted. “I don’t want to interrupt your family time. I should be heading back anyway–”

“Please?” Amelia whined, making pleading eyes.

Rarity stared at the young girl for a moment, then sighed. “Oh, alright. But only if AJ is okay with it!”

“Follow me,” AJ said, grabbing Rarity’s forearm, to which Amelia cheered.

“You come back for dinner sometime, y’hear?” Granny called after them.

“She will, Granny,” AJ stated, letting the screen door slam shut behind them.

The two women walked through the moist grass of the front lawn together for a moment, the silence being filled by the sound of cicadas and a light breeze in the trees. AJ stuffed her hands in her pockets, glad she had worn her boots as they wound through a few muddy patches.

“So, are you the official Smith family tour guide?” Rarity asked sarcastically.

AJ chuckled. “Something like that. The farm is so big, I think it’ll be easier if I drive you around it.”

“Oh, are we riding in your precious baby, Cider?”

“No… let’s try something different.” AJ flipped through the keys attached to her carabiner, locating the correct one. “Have you ever ridden on a tractor before?”

Rarity blinked. “Oh goodness no. What exactly do you take me for?”

“Not a country girl, I’ll tell you that.” The blonde said through a laugh. “But don’t worry, that’ll change the longer you stay here in Ponyville.” 

“I highly doubt that.” 

They finally reached the green tractor AJ was looking for, and the blonde hopped behind the steering wheel in one swift movement. Rarity stood frozen, staring at the vehicle.

“You good?” AJ asked.

“Yes.”

“You… sure?”

“Yes.”

“You… need help?”

Rarity shook her head as if to clear it and straightened her skirt with a huff, climbing next to AJ. “The seats are a lot more comfortable than I thought they’d be.”

The blonde laughed. “Yeah, I splurged for the leather on this tractor just for you.”

“Oh, you flatter me!”

AJ snorted as she started up the engine, lurching them forward onto the dirt road circling the property. “You sure you want this whole tour thing? You can tell me the truth, I won’t be offended.”

“Why not?” Rarity asked, the wind catching the curls in her hair. “I’ve never exactly been on a big farm like this before.”

AJ grinned. “All right, city girl. Prepare to have your mind blown.” This statement was punctuated perfectly (or imperfectly, depending on how you look at it) by the maximum fifteen miles an hour the tractor was going. 

Rarity snorted.

“Don’t laugh. I’m serious.”

“Who said I was laughing?”

AJ ignored this. “First up, this is the main house on the farm, AKA where we just were. It’s where all us Smiths live, so we have easy access to everything here on Sweet Apple Acres.” The house was large, with a white exterior and a large front porch that made it a textbook country home.

“It is rather charming… You mean you don’t sleep in the barn?” Rarity asked sarcastically.

AJ deadpanned. “No, Rarity. That’s where the horses sleep. Though you would be surprised how many times I’ve been asked that question in my life. Includin’ Granny, who likes to ask us if we’ve been raised in a barn sometimes.”

Rarity giggled. “Uh-oh, do you cause trouble at home, AJ? You seem too old to be going through a rebellious phase.”

“Not too old, but no, I don’t cause trouble. I used to, though.”

“Oh?”

“That’s a story for another time.” AJ made a right turn, circling behind the pig pen and chicken coup. “All the animals are asleep right now, but this is where they usually live. We source most of Ponyville’s eggs right here.”

“And… ham?” Rarity asked.

AJ hurriedly shook her head. “No. Sweet Apple Acres is a strict, no-slaughter farm. Our pigs are used mainly to help with composting, though I see them more as our pets. I’ve named them all and everything.”

“Awww, that’s cute!” Rarity exclaimed. “Though I would imagine you get muddy when you visit them.”

“That’s just part of workin’ out here. But you may want to avoid meetin’ the pigs anytime soon, seein’ how you reacted to the mud from the other day.”

AJ could’ve sworn Rarity turned red, even in the darkness of the evening. “I was in a vulnerable position, hmph!”

The blonde chuckled. “I’m just playin’. Ooh! And this here begins our apple fields. You can’t see it that well in the dark, but our apple orchard goes on for miles.”

“I suppose it’s not called Sweet Apple Acres for nothing.”

“Ain’t that the truth! These apples allow us to make so many of our products, from apple pie to cider. I would say it’s what our family is most known for ‘round here.”

Rarity laughed. “Then I suppose it is rather ironic that your Granny is technically Granny Smith.”

“Now that is a happy accident, but we like to make everyone think it’s planned.”

AJ continued to show Rarity around the farm, from the bright red barn housing their horses to the pasture full of grazing cows. Most of the animals were asleep, so the blonde didn’t show her any of them, but Rarity seemed to appreciate the sights well enough.

“Our last stop has to be here,” AJ said, pulling into an empty patch of grass amongst all the apple trees.

“Why is that?”

“Shh, just be very quiet and still.”

The two women sat in thick silence for a moment, neither moving a muscle. The wind whistled gently around them, and just when AJ sensed that Rarity was wondering what exactly she was supposed to be impressed by, it happened.

“Oh my!” Rarity whisper-shouted, as about thirty fireflies lit up around them. “They’re like little lanterns, or little fairy lights!”

AJ leaned back, smiling contentedly. “They only come out on clear nights like this one, so it’s always a treat to see them. Bloomie– er, Amelia and I come out here sometimes and try to catch them in jars to use as night lights.”

Rarity hummed. “You and your sister seem very close. And you both have such cute nicknames for each other… Bloomie, and… she called you Jackie? Is that right?”

“Yup. I can’t remember the last time she called me AJ. It’s usually Jackie or sis or bossy.” AJ stated, causing Rarity to laugh.

“You do seem like you could be a tad controlling as an older sister.” The dark-haired woman remarked, winking. “So where does Jackie come from?”

“My full name is Anne-Jaquelyn.” AJ shook her head, laughing. “Terrible, I know.”

“Terrible?!” Rarity practically shrieked. (AJ was sure she saw a few fireflies go out due to the sound.) “Try adorable! It’s really a great name.”

“I never felt like it suited me. So, the only time anyone really called me that was Granny when I used to get into trouble.”

“I see.” Rarity stared out at all the little lights flying around them. “I like Anne-Jaquelyn.”

For some reason, AJ felt her heart pang in her chest. “Well, don’t go callin’ me that! Unless you wanna make me sweat like a pig… woo-wee that name triggers my fight or flight.”

The dark-haired woman laughed. “Understood, AJ. Wouldn’t want you to run away from me.”

“Nah, I wouldn’t run away from you. If anything, you’d run away from me.”

“And why is that?” Rarity looked intrigued.

“I dunno… You seem like the type of lady who thinks farms and western life are uncouth.”

“I will admit, I think many things are uncouth…” Rarity began. “But not you.”

The blonde chuckled. “I reckon I should be relieved.”

“No need. After seeing how you went out of your way to help me with my car, and then fix up my boutique… that’s pretty couth to me.”

“And I’m pretty sure that’s not a word.” AJ joked, bumping her shoulder into the other woman’s.

“If I say it’s a word, then it’s a word! Also, AJ, word of advice: it is never polite to correct a lady.”

The blonde shrugged. “I was just bein’ honest.”

“Yes, honestly infuriating.”

Despite the biting interaction, the two women shared a smile and continued to enjoy the glowing orchard as a peaceful backdrop to their conversation. AJ didn’t know it then, but this moment would become the first of many where she enjoyed Rarity’s company more than she thought she would.

Chapter Text

The following day was Rarity’s quiet official opening of her boutique. Thanks to AJ’s help, everything had come together much more quickly than she had initially imagined, and she was relieved when she was finally able to turn on the open sign in the window. Although it was nothing like the grand opening for her Canterlot boutique, Rarity figured she should be grateful to have anything at all at this point. She would admit, she was a bit embarrassed by the downsize in inventory and location. A fact she felt guilty for, as all everyone had been since she got to Ponyville was nice. Well, the Smiths at least.

A few customers came in throughout the day, perusing her selections, and she got mostly positive reactions. It was more than she was hoping for honestly, as she knew her usual style didn’t exactly scream country. But, she figured a great fashionista could adapt their style into different aesthetics– something she would have to become very comfortable with to earn success in this town. 

During her down time throughout the day, she found herself staring blankly at the lock screen of her phone. She and AJ had exchanged phone numbers last night before she left, and Rarity had to admit that she was a bit disappointed to not have a message yet. Silly, you haven’t sent one to her yet, either! She told herself, yet she couldn’t help it. It was impossible for her to remember the last time she had made an acquaintance like AJ, and it wasn’t like she knew anyone else in Ponyville just yet.

That night, she made it home to the cheap town home she was renting nearby, practically collapsing onto the couch. It had been a while since she had done a full day working the boutique, and even if she didn’t have that many customers, she still felt exhausted. Eventually she was seated in front of one of her soap operas wearing a cucumber face mask when her phone buzzed.

AJ Smith: Hey Rarity I hope your opening went well today! I have a question to ask you… you see, there aren’t enough chaperones for Amelia’s dance this weekend, and if we don’t round up a few more, they can’t have the event. Would you wanna come chaperone with me? I think it might help you get a better feel for the community. Don’t feel like I’m forcing you though, up to you.

Normally she wouldn’t want to spend her weekend watching over a bunch of children, but Rarity figured she didn’t have anything better to do with her time. She didn’t have any custom orders to work on, and it wasn’t like she knew anyone else in Ponyville aside from the Smiths. Plus, it was AJ asking for the good of Amelia, that sweet girl.

Rarity Belle: I can schedule that in. Consider me an official chaperone! See you this weekend, darling!😘

Through the rest of the week, Rarity found herself excited for the little school dance. Not necessarily for the event itself, but for the opportunity to learn her clientele and see Amelia in that gorgeous dress she was so proud of. And maybe, possibly… she was excited to make a friend out of AJ.

<<<*>>>

Rarity felt a sense of deja-vu as she walked up the front porch steps to the Smith’s house. She raised her hand to knock, but before she even made contact with the door it swung right open.

“Miss Rarity’s here!” Amelia called through the house, practically jumping up and down.

The dark-haired woman giggled. “Well this is quite the greeting!”

AJ appeared above Amelia, spreading the door open even wider. “She’s been sat here by the front waitin’ for you all afternoon.”

“Oh, heaven above! I hope I’m not too late!” Rarity said fearfully.

The blonde woman deadpanned. “Nope. In fact, you’re early. Bloomie here just couldn’t wait until a fashion expert arrived, as she put it.”

“Can you blame me, sis?” Amelia asked, finishing a pirouette in her new dress. “Miss Rarity is the most stylish person in all of Ponyville, maybe even the entire world!”

Rarity blushed. “I think that’s a bit of an exaggeration–”

“No it ain’t!” The red-haired girl urged, crossing her arms. “That’s the straight up truth, and Smiths don’t tell lies!”

AJ rolled her eyes. “Yeah, maybe some Smiths don’t tell lies. You’ve still got a ways to go on that front, Bloomie.”

The two sisters continued to bicker as they all made their way up to Amelia’s room, and Rarity couldn’t help but be taken by how comfortable the two were around each other. She was willing to bet that this house was rarely ever quiet, but that fact wasn’t necessarily a bad one.

“This is my room, Miss Rarity!” Amelia stated, opening the door to reveal a bedroom that could more accurately be described as a pink explosion. Rarity had never seen so many different shades of the color in one place, and never so many ruffles as well. She was suddenly glad she had chosen what was obviously Amelia’s favorite color for the fabric of the dress.

“Oh, how cute!” Rarity cooed. “This reminds me a bit of my room when I was a young girl.”

“I’m sure yours was way more stylish,” Amelia began. “But nothing in this house compares to how bland Jackie’s room is–”

“Now hold it right there, missy!” AJ said firmly. “My room is practical, I don’t need all this frilly frou-frou nonsense that you have goin’ on.”

“I think everyone could benefit from some frilly frou-frou nonsense in their lives!” Rarity said, punctuating her statement with a hmph!

“See, Jackie?” The red-haired girl showed off her toothy grin. “The most fashionable, stylish, prettiest, elegant woman in the world agrees with me!”

AJ stuffed her hands in her pockets, crossing one leg over the other. “Yeah, well… it’s all a matter of opinion, here. Not fact. Except for the fact that I’m right and you two are wrong.”

“Hey!” Amelia balled up her fists, to which AJ was already laughing.

Their focus was eventually shifted back to the task at hand: make-up and hair. Two things that Rarity was quite the expert in, if she did say so herself.

“Did you want me to help you style your hair?” Rarity asked, hopeful.

Amelia nodded enthusiastically. “Yes please! Jackie has tried to do my hair in the past, but… it’s never turned out exactly right.”

“I tried my best, Amelia!” AJ huffed. “But… that’s true.”

Rarity giggled. “Let’s see what I can do.”

She ended up doing a fancy bun that had two braids going up the sides of Amelia’s head. The little girl watched in wonder as Rarity carefully arranged the strands of hair into an elegant style.

“Wow!” Amelia held up a mirror, turning her head from side to side. “Did you use magic or somethin’?”

Rarity smiled, shaking her head. “Nope, just years of practice.”

“Now that’s obvious.” AJ commented.

“Is that as close as you’ll get to a compliment?” Rarity asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Maybe.”

The dark-haired woman also did some light makeup on Amelia while AJ got herself ready, highlighting the girl’s adorable rosy cheeks and bright eyes. She was barely ten minutes into working when AJ walked back in the room.

“AJ…” Rarity began, looking the other woman up and down. “Is that what you’re wearing to the… dance?”

The blonde woman looked down at herself. “Yeah? What’s wrong with this? I’m a chaperone anyhow, does it really matter what I’m dressed like?”

“Well no, but… it’s just another flannel.”

AJ blinked. “This is my nice flannel.”

“And jeans?”

“These are my nice jeans.”

Rarity could tell this was going to be impossible. “You can’t tell me you don’t at least have a pair of non-muddy boots.”

The blonde woman examined her dirt-caked shoes. “I don’t think you wanna know the answer to that question.” Her eyes snapped back up. “And anyway, don’t you think you may be a little overdressed yourself? It’s not like you’re one of the kids.”

Rarity scoffed. “The children will look up to me for my style, I have to be presentable! I could have gone way more overboard, for your information.” She didn’t think her sparkly knee length dress and white designer boots were that formal. She had even added a thin white scarf for a touch of chic without going over the top… it was perfect!

“Uh-huh…” AJ began. “I think I can believe it.”

“Jackie, leave her alone!” Amelia whined. “Anyway, look how pretty she’s makin’ me. Maybe now Diana will finally leave me alone.”

“Who is Diana?” Rarity asked, sensing she was wading into dangerous territory. 

AJ groaned, rolling her eyes. “Only the most spoiled, brattiest little girl on this side of the South,” She crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe. “I swear to God, that girl was born thinkin’ she’s a princess all because her daddy is Mr. Rich.”

“Mr. Rich…” The dark-haired woman thought for a moment. “Is that the businessman who ordered all the apple pies?”

“Yup,” AJ conceded. “He’s makin’ my life a livin’ hell on one end, meanwhile his daughter is terrorizing poor Bloomie on the other.”

“It’s not that bad…” Amelia said. “All everyone has to do is stay out of her way and do whatever she says, and she leaves us alone!”

AJ deadpanned. “Yeah… not okay. If that little girl does anything to you… well, I might just be madder than a wet hen.”

Rarity blinked. “What?”

“A wet hen.” The blonde sighed. “Nevermind.”

Eventually they were all done getting ready, (AJ would say they took too long, Rarity would say they could have taken longer), and they all piled into the truck to drive to the venue. Amelia spent the whole ride talking about how excited she was to dance with her friends, eat a ton of sugar, and see everyone in her class dressed up.

“Well, just remember, if all the rest of the food is bad, you can always come over to my table.” AJ explained. “No bakin’ compares to Sweet Apple Acres’.”

Amelia sighed. “Yeah, yeah, I know.”

The blonde looked up in her rearview. “Don’t ‘yeah, yeah, I know’ me. Who knows what could be in the rest of the stuff!”

Sensing tension, Rarity cleared her throat. “I didn’t know you were going to have a whole table set up!”

AJ nodded. “How could we not? Kids love our apple fritters, so when Bloomie’s school asked if we’d be interested in pitching in, I couldn’t help myself.”

“No, you just wanted an excuse to spy on me.” Amelia grumbled.

The dark-haired woman laughed. “Oh, don’t worry Amelia. I’ll make sure your sister stays out of your business.”

When they arrived, they walked through a side door of the school and into what looked like their gym. It had been decorated in a cute, farm-ish theme complete with hay barrels to take pictures with. Rarity pushed past streamers hanging from the ceiling as she and AJ made their way over to the food table.

“Thankfully, Mac came earlier and dropped everything off,” AJ said, looking at all the boxes. “Now all we have to do is set up.”

The three girls worked together to lay out all the fritters on the trays to make them look appetizing. Rarity took the liberty of arranging them in circles, spirals, and every shape you could think of to make the presentation extra fancy.

“What?!” She asked when she caught AJ raising an eyebrow at her work. “You eat with your eyes first, don’t you?”

Soon enough, kids started arriving and music was blasting through the gym. Amelia ran off to show some of her classmates her new dress, leaving AJ and Rarity standing behind the table, observing everything.

“Doesn’t this take you back to when you were in school?” The blonde asked, smiling softly.

“Sort of… dances were always such a big deal back then, weren’t they?” 

AJ shrugged. “Not really for me. I don’t know why, but I never understood the whole obsession with dressin’ up and tryin’ to get your crush to dance with you. It wasn’t really my thing.”

Rarity giggled. “What was your thing, AJ?”

“Ridin’ horses, runnin’ the farm, makin’ pies… that’s pretty much what I did.”

“You were never in any clubs or anything?” 

“I mean, I was in track for a long time, but… I dunno, I just always enjoyed the farm better than this stuff.”

Rarity hummed. “That’s sweet that you didn’t get swept away by the temptations of youth. I was always out with my friends during school, gossiping about God knows what. Though luckily, my high school had a fashion elective and that’s what really got me into designing.”

“That is lucky.” AJ remarked. “I wish Amelia’s school had more of a variety of things to try like that. She’s been feelin’ discouraged lately because she hasn’t found her calling, as she puts it.”

“Awww, but she’s so young! She has plenty of time to figure out what she likes to do.”

“That’s what I try to tell her, but you know how it is when you’re young. I just feel bad because I don’t know if I always give her the best advice. She gets frustrated because to her, I’ve always known my place is here in Ponyville.”

“Surely there was someone in your family that struggled to find their place, right? Or whoever helped guide you when you were young?” Rarity questioned. 

AJ got quiet. “Uh… yeah…”

Did I strike a nerve? Rarity was about to do some serious damage control until a group of kids came up to their table asking for apple fritters. From this point on, the dance was rather busy, with crowds of students mingling and eating snacks in every corner. Rarity could tell that AJ was worried about Amelia, as her eyes followed the red-haired girl wherever she went.

“AJ…” Rarity put her hand on the other woman’s arm. “She’s fine.”

The blonde blinked, as if coming out of a dream. “I know,” She sighed. “I just… worry. You know?”

Rarity’s chest panged. “I do.”

The two women didn’t delve into any deeper topics as the night continued, and luckily, it seemed that AJ’s apple fritters were a hit. Rarity was impressed that she could make something so delicious with those hands that were hard and calloused from working. She supposed that, in a way, she and the blonde weren’t too far off from one another. Where Rarity was making dress forms and cutting fabrics, AJ was crimping pie crusts and rolling dough. And it was all for the same thing– to see the smiles of gratification on the faces of others.

“Rarity!” AJ called.

The dark-haired woman snapped out of her daze. “Y-yes?”

“Come meet Mr. and Mrs. Cake! They’re local business owners around here just like you are! Their baking is the only kind that’s just as good as Sweet Apple Acres’.”

“Oh, is this Miss Rarity?” A woman with hair curled atop her head asked. 

“Yes ma’am!” Rarity chirped.

“So you’re the one that owns that fancy new boutique!” She exclaimed. “Well, it’s an honor to be in the presence of someone so sophisticated in their tastes!”

“Oh, you flatter me!” Rarity said, smiling. “When I decided to move my boutique over to Ponyville, I wanted to really blend the country styles you all love with couture work that I had been studying in Canterlot!”

“That’s just so kind of you to voluntarily move out to our little town.” Mr. Cake stated, orange hair standing out against his mint green button-up.

Rarity felt her heart drop in her chest as her smile rose. “What can I say, I’m a sucker for the small-town feel.”

AJ slung an arm around the dark-haired girl, surprising her. “Yup, Miss Rarity here is the one that made Amelia that pretty dress she’s wearin’.” The blonde looked off toward her sister who was twirling around to the music. “I swear, she’s been smilin’ ear to ear ever since Miss Rarity offered to help her out.”

“That dress is gorgeous!” Mrs. Cake exclaimed brightly. “You sure are talented. And generous, too!”

Rarity blushed. “Oh, I had to. She was just so adorable, and not to mention she was my very first customer!” The dark-haired girl twirled a curl around her finger. “Anyway, it wasn’t completely for free… AJ here helped me fix up my shop in return.”

“I had to put my skills to use somehow!” AJ said, crossing her arms. “I didn’t spend all those years fixin’ up the barn for nothin’.”

After trying some of the Cake’s “word-famous” confetti cupcakes (as AJ put it), Rarity continued to be introduced to countless members of Ponyville’s town. It seemed like all of the other chaperones really contributed something to the community, and they were all very impressed by Rarity’s seemingly fancy job. She didn’t have the heart to tell them that she was holding it all together with a couple dollars and a prayer.

Just as AJ was about to introduce her to another person, Rarity saw the blonde’s head whip around at a lightning fast speed. It seemed like some sort of internal sense had gone off, alerting her to hone in on her sister. Rarity followed her gaze, watching a scene unfold in the middle of the dance floor. 

“... It’s a miracle you could afford a dress like that. What did you do, steal it from someone else?” A whiny, high-pitched voice goaded. 

AJ and Rarity silently moved forward, and the blonde’s green eyes narrowing into a lethal stare. 

“What are you talkin’ about?” Amelia asked, annoyed. “My friend made me this dress! A Smith would never do somethin’ like that.”

“Well, does your friend know that she made that dress way too stylish for you? There’s no way anyone could think you’d be able to pull off that color.” The girl who was bothering Amelia was wearing a pink and purple dress, with more ribbons, ruffles, and glitter than even Rarity could care for. To top off the extravagant mess that was her outfit, she had on a giant silver tiara. Where was the subtlety? 

“Stop talkin’ to me like tha–”

“You should really quit trying to be something you’re not, and start trying to be something that you are…” The mean girl said. “A stupid. Little. Nobody.”

Right when Rarity opened her mouth to say something, she saw AJ move in the corner of her eye.

The blonde stalked onto the scene like a dangerous lion defending their cub. Rarity grabbed her arm, trying to hold her back, but she barreled through, eyes tunnel-visioned on what was happening. “Who are you callin’ a nobody?” She asked menacingly, crossing her arms in front of her chest, muscles showing through the sleeves of her flannel.

The girl, who Rarity now assumed to be the Diana Amelia had mentioned earlier, didn’t falter. “Obviously the only nobody around here. Why do you care so much?”

“That’s my little sister you’re talkin’ about.” AJ didn’t break eye contact with Diana. “Anyway, maybe you should be callin’ yourself a nobody… since you can’t think of anything better to do than tear down another girl just because you’re jealous of her dress.”

“Jealous?” Diana sputtered. “I would never be jealous of Amelia!”

Other kids surrounding the two girls began to whisper to one another behind their hands. It seemed like AJ’s comment had caused quite a stir amongst their onlookers.

“Uh-huh.” The blonde hummed sarcastically. “You can tell that to everyone when you go to the new boutique in town trying to get a dress that looks just like hers, and not whatever glitter disaster you have on right now.”

It seemed like Diana was out of comebacks, and she let out a high-pitched hmph! and walked away, muttering something under her breath about how her “daddy would hear about this.”

Rarity watched as AJ threw an arm around her sister and walked with her back over to their apple fritter table. The rest of the kids seemingly didn’t miss a beat, going right back to dancing and talking with one another, but not Amelia.

AJ bent down to her level, brushing Amelia’s hair out of her face. “Whaddoya say we get out of here?”

Amelia nodded her head, and Rarity followed the two sisters out of the back of the gym and back out to AJ’s truck. Surprisingly, once they were all seated, AJ started laughing.

“What is it?” Rarity asked, slightly shocked.

“The look on that Diana brat’s face when I told her off… priceless!” 

Soon enough, Amelia joined into the laughter. “She was as red as a tomato when you were done with her!”

AJ turned around, curly hair flying into the side of her face. “Now listen here Bloomie: don’t treat anyone like that unless they deserve it.”

“And deserve it she did!” Rarity huffed. “I’ve never met a little girl so… outspokenly rude!”

Amelia rolled her eyes. “Oh, Diana treats everyone like that, she terrorizes the whole school.”

“Then I suppose AJ will be seen as some sort of town hero?” Rarity asked, a smile creeping onto her lips. “It was rather impressive watching you protect Amelia like that.”

AJ shrugged, putting her truck in reverse. “I was just doin’ my elder sister duty.”

They drove home blasting AJ’s country playlist with the windows of the truck rolled down. Normally Rarity would complain about her hair matting or getting tangled, but for some reason, it didn’t matter as much to her tonight. AJ’s natural curls were certainly something to be envious of, and Rarity watched them bounce around against the wind from beneath her cowboy hat. It took her hours to curl and set her hair exactly right. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like to roll out of bed and look like AJ. She believed the blonde didn’t wear a stitch of makeup, either.

Sitting in that passenger seat, Rarity realized that Anne-Jaqueline was a natural beauty.

The three girls waltzed into the kitchen of the Smith’s farmhouse, still singing classic country songs at the top of their lungs. Although Rarity didn’t really know the music, she smiled as she watched the two of them grasping hands and dancing around together after such a bad night for Amelia.

“Are you feeling alright, Amelia?” Rarity asked curiously. “That girl was being downright nasty and unladylike to you!”

“Oh, don’t worry about it, Rarity,” Amelia said, smiling. “She can get to me sometimes, but luckily Jackie was there to help me out tonight!”

“I’ll always be there, Bloomie.” AJ said with an intensity that was not lost on Rarity.

Rarity was impressed with Amelia’s resilience as she dug through the refrigerator, pulling out a covered pie tin. “I know we were supposed to save this for later, but can we have it now?”

AJ grinned. “Normally I would teach you the value of patience, but since it’s a special night… I’m not feeling very patient myself.”

Amelia broke into a large, toothy grin as AJ started heating up the pie. 

“Is it finally my chance to try the World Famous Smith Family Apple Pie?” Rarity asked, leaning against the kitchen counter.

“I dunno about world famous, but I do know that it’s delicious!” AJ exclaimed.

Amelia ended up begging to have it alamode, and Rarity could tell that AJ would say yes to pretty much anything the little girl desired right about now. The three women sat at the counter having easy conversation and giggling. The mix of scalding hot apple filling and cold, smooth ice cream sent Rarity’s taste buds to heaven.

After Amelia headed up to bed for the night, Rarity turned to AJ, smiling. “That was the best apple pie I’ve ever had. You truly have a gift for making them.”

AJ chuckled. “Out of the two of us, I’m not the one who has the talent for making beautiful things.”

Rarity felt her cheeks grow hot. “Well, I’d have to disagree.”

They sat there in silence for a few moments before Rarity broke it. “You’re a really great sister to Amelia, AJ.”

The lines by the blonde’s eyes crinkled when she heard this. “That girl is my pride and joy. I practically raised her… she’s the best thing I’ll ever have.”

Rarity’s heart warmed at the same time questions rose in her mind. Practically raised her? But she decided to save them for another time when AJ said:

“You could be Amelia’s honorary sister… she loves you so much.”

It was that night when Rarity decided, she couldn’t get enough of the Smith family.

Chapter Text

The next day, Amelia couldn’t stop talking about how much she loved Rarity and was “so glad she came to the dance”, so AJ figured she should text the other woman a thank you. For Amelia’s sake, of course.

AJ: Hey Rarity, thanks so much for all your help at the dance the other day. It really meant a lot to Amelia and I.

To her surprise, immediately after she sent it, her phone started ringing. She answered.

“Hello, AJ darling!” Rarity cooed into the phone. “Thank you for what you said, I would come to a million dances for you and your sister! I hope it’s okay that I’m calling you.”

“Oh yeah, it’s not a problem!” AJ said a little nervously. She looked down at herself in her overalls and huge boots, smashing apples in a giant bin. “Uh… I’m gonna have to put you on speaker.” She shoved her phone in her front pocket, continuing her work. “I’m crushin’ up some apples right now. Foot-stompin’ applesauce.”

“Oh!” Rarity exclaimed. “That’s okay, I’m in the middle of making a dress. It’s my fifth order!”

“That’s amazin’!” AJ smiled to herself. “What’s this one for?”

“A few women who are traveling to watch a horse derby came in for some new outfits, extravagant hats and all!”

“That’s not surprisin’, a lot of the women ‘round these parts take their derby outfits very seriously.”

Rarity laughed. “That’s one thing Ponyville and Canterlot have in common.” She sighed. “Your farm work seems much more peaceful than me rushing through these orders. I’m a little jealous.”

AJ chuckled. “It’s peaceful until it’s not. Come walk a day in my shoes, you’ll see that it can be just as hectic as your boutique.”

“You mean walk a day in your boots.”

AJ paused for a moment. “True.”

“Now that I think about it…” Rarity began. “That’s not a bad idea.”

“Whaddaya mean?”

“You should show me what it’s like to work on the farm. I want to know what a day in the life of Anne-Jaquelyn looks like.”

AJ felt something in her chest clench at the sound of her full name. “And why is that? So you can tell me how dirty everything is the whole time?”

Rarity chuckled. “I don’t know, I’m just curious. Then you can come into the boutique and see what my life is like, deal?”

AJ rolled her eyes. “Oh, Lord. Let’s see how you comin’ here goes first. Come over on Saturday. Be here at four-thirty AM, sharp.”

Rarity laughed.

“I’m not jokin’.”

The laughter stopped. “Oh. AJ, that’s so early! Are you–”

“Four-thirty. Sharp.” 

AJ hung up, chuckling at the sound of Rarity’s sputtering on the other end of the line. Hey, if she wanted the true day in the life of AJ experience, she would have to wake up before the sunrise too.

That whole week, the blonde felt a little crazy because of just how much she was looking forward to Saturday. It felt stupid to be so excited over something she was hesitant to agree to at first, but the more she imagined Rarity getting her hands dirty and experiencing a day braving the elements, she couldn’t help herself. Whenever she did her chores throughout the week, she would picture how the other girl would react. Rarity was living rent free in her head as the days went on. 

Finally, Saturday morning arrived. AJ was sitting on the front porch fifteen minutes before Rarity was supposed to arrive, listening to the rustle of the wind through the trees. Sure enough, after a few minutes, she saw two bright headlights peeking through the darkness. The car rolled to a stop in the little dirt patch right next to her truck, Cider, and AJ had to hold in a laugh as she watched Rarity exit her car.

“Rarity,” She said through laughs. “What are you wearin’?”

“My farm clothes, darling!” The dark-haired woman had on light blue overalls that were completely bedazzled in gemstones, and a tube top underneath. Her hair was pulled into a low ponytail beneath the white cowboy hat she had on, with a purple ribbon wrapped around the rim and blue diamonds as accents. Her boots were also embroidered with an elegant pattern, the white color of them matching her hat perfectly. 

“Are you goin’ to some country club fashion show that I don’t know about?” AJ asked jokingly. “I hope you know that you might get a little dirty today.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I came prepared!” Rarity hefted out a giant parasole she brought along with her, as well as some jasmine scented hand sanitizer.

The blonde snorted. “Alrighty then. Let’s get started.”

She led Rarity over to the chicken coup, and she could tell the other woman was already trying to avoid stepping on any particularly muddy areas of grass. As of the moment, Rarity was living up to every expectation AJ had set in her head throughout the week. She opened up the barbed wire fence around the coup, closing it behind her.

“First things first, we’re collecting eggs.”

“Awww, will we see any baby chicks?” Rarity asked, batting her eyelashes.

AJ deadpanned. “No. The eggs aren’t fertilized, so no chicks.”

Rarity looked like she was pouting as they ducked into the coup, placing all the eggs from the chickens into baskets. AJ had them all named, so she was talking to each one individually as she gathered their eggs.

“Hello Ms. Henrietta, how is your mornin’ goin’, sugarcube?” The blonde asked one of the chickens, gently stroking her back. “You’ve given us some mighty fine eggs today, I’ll be sure to feed you extra!”

AJ did this a few more times with some of the other chickens, until she felt eyes on her. She looked over at Rarity, who had a smirk forming across her face. 

“What?” The blonde asked.

“Nothing, I’ve just never heard you baby talk before. I didn’t know you could.”

“Didn’t know I could?” AJ repeated incredulously. “Whaddid you think, I was heartless or somethin’?”

“No,” The dark-haired woman shook her head. “Just tough.”

“Yeah, well I can be tough and baby talk to my chickens.”

“So I’ve seen.”

Surprisingly, Rarity seemed to enjoy feeding the chickens, which they did next. She poured the feed out on the ground for them to peck at, smiling as they all ran over.

“This isn’t so bad!” She exclaimed, placing her hands on her hips. “The chickens are peaceful, I think they make excellent company.”

“Well I’m glad you like this chore, because it’s definitely one of the cleaner ones.” AJ remarked. “Just wait until we feed the pigs.”

The second they approached the pig pen, Rarity slid behind AJ, placing a hand on her back and peeking over her shoulder. “Oh no.”

“Oh yes.” The blonde shot back. “You said you wanted a day in the life, so you’re comin’ in here with me.”

“But my shoes–”

“Are your farm clothes,” AJ made air quotes with her fingers. “You shouldn’t have worn ‘em if you didn’t wanna farm in ‘em.”

Rarity pursed her lips, but didn’t complain anymore as they approached the mud-filled pig pen. AJ swung the gate open, hefting two buckets of slop over her head. 

“Come and get it!” AJ yelled, dumping the buckets into their giant feeder. The pigs all rushed over to start eating, splashing mud as their hooves hit the ground.

“Ah! My overalls!” Rarity yelped, looking down at her legs which had mud splatterings on them. Her eyebrows knitted together as she stared disgustedly at the pigs.

“Rarity, don’t look at them like that,” AJ bent down, taking one of the pig’s faces into her hands and squished it. “How can you be mad at something this cute?” She cooed, rubbing behind the pig’s ears. 

“AJ! Now you have mud all over your hands!”

AJ looked down at her hands which were, sure enough, covered in mud. A smirk stretched across her face as she slowly rose to her feet. “Oh, really? Hey, Rarity. I think you have somethin’ on your face.”

“What?!” Rarity yelped, touching her cheek with her hands. “No I don’t…” Her eyes widened in fear as she saw AJ stalking toward her. “No. You wouldn’t.”

The blonde fought to keep her face straight. “I have no idea what you’re talkin’ about.” She moved closer, stretching her hand out toward the dark-haired woman. “Here, lemme help you.”

“No, AJ!” Rarity cried. She backed up as far as she could before hitting the wooden gate. “Stop it, I know what you’re trying to do!”

The blonde kept moving closer to Rarity, causing the dark-haired girl to end up sitting on the top of the gate. AJ placed her muddy hands on either side of the other woman’s hips, narrowly avoiding her overalls. She was just inches away from her face. “And what exactly would that be?”

Rarity’s cheeks turned a rosy shade of pink for a reason unbeknownst to the blonde. “You’re… trying to wipe mud on my face!” She sputtered.

AJ laughed, reaching for a towel she had hanging on the fence next to Rarity and wiped her hands off. “I’m not that mean. I was just tryin’ to clean my hands.”

“Liar!” Rarity huffed, crossing her arms. 

“Uh-uh,” AJ tutted. “You know Smiths don’t tell lies.”

It was safe to say Rarity did not seem convinced. 

Soon after the pig debacle, AJ and Rarity hopped into Cider and drove over to the apple orchard. They both held onto their hats as the blonde steered one-handed, whipping them through the dirt trails that had been worn into the ground over the years. Luckily, they had been having a good harvest this season, so all the apples looked super ripe. AJ figured she could skip her usual orchard inspection for disease just by taking a look around at the beautiful trees.

“It smells so good over here!” Rarity exclaimed as the truck rolled to a stop.

AJ turned off the ignition. “Is that supposed to imply that it smells bad everywhere else?”

“No!” Rarity took a deep breath in and out. “It’s just over here, it smells like the apples are blooming or something.”

AJ felt a pang in her chest, as she desperately tried to control her face.

“What?” The dark-haired woman raised an eyebrow quizzically.

“It’s…” Mom used to say the same thing. She even named Amelia after that. “Nothin’. Let’s harvest some apples!”

AJ unloaded her giant ladder from the back of the truck and set it up beside the first tree. She picked up her basket and threw the strap around her neck, climbing up toward the apples. She showed Rarity how they hand-picked the apples, checking them to make sure they were in good condition with no pests or worms inside, and then put them in the basket.

“That doesn’t seem too bad.” Rarity commented.

“Nope! It’s actually my favorite part of the day.” AJ climbed down, having filled her basket, and moved onto the next tree. “Do you wanna try?”

“Why not?” Rarity exclaimed, climbing up the ladder slowly.

“Are you sure your heels aren’t too tall on those boots?” The blonde asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Pffft,” Rarity turned her head over her shoulder. “Now that’s just a stupid question, AJ. Any respectable fashionista can handle a little heel.”

“Okay…” AJ stood behind Rarity with her hands on either side of the ladder, just in case. “You know what you’re doin’, Rare?”

Rarity froze, apple in her hand. “Rare?”

AJ honestly hadn’t even realized she’d said that. “Do you not like nicknames?”

“I didn’t say that,” The dark-haired girl placed the apple in her basket, remaining turned around. “It just surprised me, that’s all.”

AJ continued supervising Rarity’s apple picking, and she was impressed at how well she was doing. The dark-haired girl definitely had an eye for picking out which apples were high quality, and which should be let go, which AJ was willing to bet came from her affinity for beauty. Just when they were getting in a good groove together, Rarity screamed.

“What is it?!” AJ exclaimed.

“A worm! A giant worm!” The dark-haired girl whined, throwing the apple back and forth in her hands as if she didn’t know what to do with it. 

“Rarity, just throw it on the ground!”

“It’s on me!” Rarity was moving her weight back and forth on her feet, causing her to wobble on the ladder. 

“Stop movin’ or your gonna–”

The dark-haired girl yelped as her balance was thrown off kilter. AJ reacted fast, holding her arms out and catching the other woman with ease. Rarity blinked up at the blonde, fancy hat askew atop her head. 

“That worm ain’t gonna hurt you Rarity, but fallin’ off this ladder might!” AJ said emphatically. “Whaddid I tell you about wearin’ those shoes?”

“It wasn’t the shoes’ fault Jackie, it was the worm!” Rarity looked down at the blonde’s arms cradled around her shoulders and the back of her knees. “And you can put me down…”

The blonde blinked. “Oh. Right, sorry.” AJ honestly had forgotten she had the other woman in a bridal-style carry.

They finished picking apples with no more worm-induced accidents, to AJ’s delight. She was honestly surprised at how productive she was being with Rarity tagging along. The blonde had expected to run behind or for most of her chores to remain half-finished, but she was getting more done than she normally would.

After collecting all the bad apples for compost and checking the water troughs, they decided to take a break for lunch. AJ did what she always did, and ate a sandwich in the back of Cider, legs dangling off the truck bed. Rarity sat next to her, legs crossed, kicking one of her feet up and down.

“I can’t believe you spend every day outside like this,” She began. “I feel like my face is melting off!”

“Yeah, well, you get used to it after a while.” AJ smiled. “This is all I’ve ever known.”

“Your skin sure shows it,” Rarity traced a patch of freckles on the blonde’s left shoulder, flinching her hand away as if she’d been shocked when she realized what she was doing. “Sorry, I didn’t–”

“It’s okay,” AJ said softly. “I know, I have so many sun freckles you could use me to play connect the dots.”

“I like them!” The dark-haired woman said hurriedly. “They complete you. Especially the ones on your face. They’re adorable.”

AJ blushed.

“And your tan is to die for! I know so many people that would kill to have that bronze, sunkissed look. And don’t even get me started on your hair!”

“What about my hair?’ AJ grabbed onto some of it self-consciously.

“Your curls look so healthy! And the natural highlights from the sun give it a really nice bronze color.” Rarity took some of it between her fingers, twirling it around. “It’s unfair.”

“Says you. You’re the one who beautifies people for a livin’. You’re the prime example of unfair.”

Rarity smiled, and AJ was surprised (and a little relieved) that she didn’t press for details. That didn’t stop the blonde’s mind from thinking, though. She wasn’t sure what all Rarity’s fuss was about… it was obvious she was the more attractive one out of the two of them. Her hair was always perfectly coiffed, the midnight black color of it contrasting nicely against her pale skin. AJ swore in some lighting, her hair almost looked like it was a dark purple. Her eyes were also the clearest blue AJ had ever seen in her life, not to mention her figure could pull off just about any outfit. AJ was always struggling to find clothes that weren’t men’s jeans and flannels that actually fit her.

After they finished eating, the pair went to package the eggs they collected for Mac to take into town. AJ watched as Rarity gently placed the eggs into each of their containers, as if they were made of glass. They also decided to turn on the water system since it was about to be the hottest part of the day, to protect the crops from getting dehydrated. Rarity seemed impressed by the irrigation system AJ had built the previous year, and humored the blonde as she explained in great detail how it worked.

Next up, they were scheduled to visit the stables, which was one of AJ’s favorite places. “This here is where we keep all our horses,” She said to Rarity. “They get a little antsy if I don’t take them each on a ride every few days, so I always make sure to stop by when I can.”

“Awww, they’re so cute!” Rarity gushed, looking between the five horses they had. “Which one is yours?”

“This one here,” AJ held onto the bridle of a light brown horse with a straw-colored mane. “Her name is Apple Jack. Get it? AJ and AJ?”

Rarity snorted. “That’s awfully cute and… matchy-matchy of you.”

“Yeah, well, she’s been mine since I was little. And we’ve been inseparable ever since.” Just then a little furry ball of energy ran around AJ’s feet, sitting right in front of her. “Winona!”

“Oh, is this your doggie?” Rarity asked, studying the little brown and white creature. She bent down to pet her, rubbing the top of her head lightly.

“Yes, she loves hangin’ out with the horses. She loves runnin’ beside them, too.”

“Oh, so she’s a herding dog then?”

“Yes, but we mainly keep her as a pet.” The blonde smile. “She’s the most loyal little dog I could ask for.”

Rarity continued to study each of the horses, taking in their different coats and manes until she stumbled across one that made her stop in her tracks. “Oh wow, this horse is beautiful!” She exclaimed, petting its nose. “What’s her name?”

AJ felt the familiar pit in her stomach return. “Pear Butter.”

“Oh, what a lovely mane you have, Miss Pear Butter!” Rarity touched the horse’s hair gently. “Who did the side braid on her?”

“That would be Amelia,” AJ explained. “Lord knows I can’t do hair or manes to save my life.”

“That name suits you so well, darling!” Rarity continued to talk to the horse. “How did you decide on Pear Butter? Are there pear trees around here?”

AJ swallowed hard. “No… my mother chose that name.”

She got a feeling Rarity could sense the heaviness in her voice by the way her eyes softened and she turned away. “It’s lovely.”

AJ nodded.

“You said you enjoy riding them?” Rarity asked. 

“I’d say that’s an understatement.”

The two women hopped on the horses, Rarity choosing to ride side-saddle, which AJ should have expected. It made her a little emotional, seeing how well Pear Butter suited the dark-haired woman. They rode out of the barn, AJ leading the front on Apple Jack. 

“They usually like going on this trail through the apple orchard,” The blonde began. “When they’re too cooped up in the barn, I swear they get depressed. I could say the same for myself.”

“You seem like you’re very good at controlling them,” Rarity said, smiling. “Did you ever ride horses competitively or anything like that?”

“Yeah, I used to do rodeos. I don’t do them much anymore, though.”

Rarity stuck out her bottom lip in a pout. “That’s a shame, AJ! You should compete again, I bet you’d be good.”

“You haven’t even seen me do anything yet!”

“Well, let me see.”

AJ took a deep breath in and out. She hadn’t competed in a rodeo since her parents had passed away. It just wasn’t the same, knowing that no matter how well she did, they would never be in the crowd cheering her on again. Her whole family had begged her to keep competing, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She just couldn’t.

But that didn’t mean she couldn’t show off a little.

“Okay,” AJ pulled her hat firmly down on her head. “I’ll take you to my old practice field.”

The two women rode over to an open spot in the apple orchard, a clearing where AJ had spent countless hours when she was growing up. There were three barrels still laid out for her racing and a set of her old ropes, but she would have to admit that she hadn’t been over there nearly as much as she could’ve been.

“I have to be honest,” She began, wrapping the reins around her hand. “I’m a little rusty.”

“That’s okay,” Rarity smiled, stroking Pear Butter’s mane. “I’m sure it’s better than anything I could do.”

“Well… here goes nothin’.” AJ steered her horse over to where the starting line would have been in a rodeo for barrel racing. “Just… stand there in the middle.”

The blonde had competed in barrel racing for so many years, she was sure the clover pattern she had to make around the barrels was in her bones. But still, there was always a chance she could knock one down or lose speed. Not to mention, Apple Jack was out of practice as much as she was. But, she tried to clear her mind of all those things, and focus on what she had set out to do in the first place.

“Are you timin’ this?” She asked the other woman. “I wanna see if I’ve still got it.”

“Yes, tell me when!” Rarity exclaimed, pulling out her phone.

“In three…” AJ took a deep breath. “Two.” Her knuckles tightened around the reins. “One.” She lifted up the reins, bringing them back down on her horse’s neck. “HYAA!”

Her horse sprinted toward the first barrel, and AJ veered her to the left to circle around it. The trick with this competition was to try and get as close to the barrel as possible when circling it to cut down on time, but not enough to where you knock it over. She yanked the reins, getting Apple Jack to circle around the first barrel. That could’ve been tighter. They sprinted across the way to the second barrel, nearly grazing the side when running around it. That was close. Now it was time to circle around the last barrel, which AJ did exactly how she wanted. Yes! She then slapped down the reins, her horse going all out back to the starting line.

AJ had forgotten how much adrenaline barrel racing gave her as she heaved in deep breaths when she and her horse stopped. She reached down, patting Apple Jack’s neck. “Attagirl,” 

“AJ…” Rarity said softly. Her eyes were wide. “That…”

“Could use some work,”

“Was incredible!”

AJ blinked. “What?”

“Seventeen-point-five seconds has got to be a world record or something.”

“Not quite,” The blonde said, laughing to herself. “We have some pretty elite barrel racers ‘round these parts. But yeah, it’s not bad.”

“Not bad?” Rarity guffawed. “You’ve got to compete, you have incredible talent!”

AJ’s stomach churned. “No, I don’t think I could.”

Before Rarity could press further, their conversation was interrupted by a loud clattering, followed by the barn door slamming open. 

“What in tarnation?!” AJ exclaimed. She watched as a scared little calf sprinted out of the barn completely disoriented, running straight toward the clearing in the apple orchard. 

“Oh no, he escaped!” Rarity exclaimed.

AJ hurriedly dismounted her horse and ran over to the bin containing her lassos. She grabbed one tightly in her hand, and climbed back on Apple Jack, riding toward the calf. “Hang in there, buddy!” She quickly tightened the lasso knot with her teeth, swinging it in a circle above her head. Wait for it. Wait for it… now! She threw the lasso, and it landed perfectly around the calf’s neck, stopping him in his tracks. “Woah.” She deepened her voice to get Apple Jack to stop, and she quickly dismounted, picking up the calf.

“He was just frightened!” She explained to Rarity. “Poor little guy might’ve hurt himself if he’d run any further.”

“You made that look so easy!” Rarity yelled as she rode Pear Butter over. “Please tell me you compete for that.”

AJ shook her head. “Back when I was into rodeo, there weren’t enough girls to make a breakaway roping competition. So, we all had to stick to barrel racing.”

“Well, maybe you’ll have to change that.” The dark-haired woman stated.

Somehow, when Rarity said things, they didn’t seem so daunting.

They finished up a few tasks, like feeding the animals again and doing a few rounds on the grain fields to ensure that everything was accounted for and intact. AJ had to admit that Rarity was one of the most interesting people to talk to. She also had to admit that she was impressed by how well she did on the farm today. While yes, she was still a bit hesitant when it came to things that may get her hands dirty or tangle her hair, she hadn’t outright refused to do anything.

“Are you girls done?” Granny Smith asked as the two women entered the house.

AJ took off her hat, wiping sweat from her brow. “Yes, Granny. I’d say Rarity would’ve made a fine farmer in another life.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t go that far.” Rarity said, embarrassed. “I’d still have a long way to go before I could do what AJ does. Today sure was a full day of work.”

“Well, now you get to relax!” AJ exclaimed.

“You better be plannin’ on stickin’ around for some of my cookin’, dearie.” Granny Smith said sternly. “I’m makin’ chicken fried steak.”

“My favorite!” Amelia yelled from where she was sitting at the coffee table. She rushed up to Rarity, pencil still in her hand from doing her homework. “Rarity, please tell me you’re stayin’! It’s not fair if AJ gets to spend the whole day with you and I don’t!”

“Oh, don’t worry darling, I planned on staying!” The dark-haired woman assured the girl. “In fact, I brought over something special because I figured this would happen.” 

AJ raised an eyebrow. “What?”

Rarity went out to her car to grab a large cardboard box. She set it on the table and opened it carefully. “I had a few orders for derby outfits, and that got me thinking that I need to expand my fashion horizons!” She said dramatically. “So, I present to you, Rodeaux!”

“Like rodeo?” Amelia asked. 

“Yes, but with an –eaux on the end to make it fashionable!” Rarity hefted something wrapped in paper out of the box. “This first one is for Granny Smith!” She unwrapped the item, and it was a light green cowboy hat with an orange and red bow tied around the middle. There were a few apples encrusted into the rim with jewels.

“Oh my!” Granny Smith immediately put on the gift. “If it isn’t the most beauty-ful hat I’ve ever seen! Why, I haven’t seen anything this sparkly since my weddin’ ring!”

Rarity smiled. “I hoped you would like it! And this one is for Amelia,” She brought out a smaller cowboy hat, that was a blossom shade of pink. It had red jewel detailing in the middle to make a flower, and a yellow ribbon tied around it. 

Amelia squealed, running over to Rarity, “This hat is the bees knees!” She immediately stuck it on, twirling around and sprinting over to a mirror to see it on.

“And I couldn’t forget Mac as well.” The dark-haired woman hefted out a maroon hat with  western-style orange embroidery around it. “I hope it’s not too out there.”

“Oh, he needs to wear somethin’ fashionable once in a while!” Amelia insisted. 

Rarity giggled as she put the hat on Mac’s head, who was asleep in the arm chair as he was every night before dinner.

“That’ll be quite the surprise when he wakes up,” AJ said, smirking.

“Hopefully a good one.” Rarity interlaced her fingers. “And of course, AJ, I have one for you.”

“Now, here I was broken-hearted thinkin’ you’d forgotten me.”

Rarity laughed as she pulled out a light brown hat, with an orange and yellow ribbon tied around that had little red apples sewn into it. “I know you don’t like anything glittery, so I held back for you. I… hope you like it.”

AJ took the hat out of Rarity’s hands and slowly put it on her head. The weight of it was comfortable and familiar, and the style of it was personalized and well thought out. She drew out walking over to the mirror on the wall, studying her reflection for a long time.

“What do you think?” Rarity asked nervously.

“Hmmm…” AJ tapped her chin, acting like she was deep in thought. “I reckon this is the best damn hat I’ve ever let touch my hair!”

The dark-haired woman let out a sigh of relief. “That’s what I was aiming for.”

“Perfection?”

“Precisely.” 

That caused AJ to laugh. “Somehow that doesn’t surprise me.”

They ended up eating dinner outside on the back porch, which faced the apple orchard. Mac had woken up from his nap surprised by his new hat, but he kept it on, along with the other members of the Smith family. They all looked like an ad for a luxury country brand, which Rarity seemed amused by. AJ felt like little fireworks were going off in her brain as she ate her Granny’s cooking, and the same could be said for the others at the table. 

“This gravy recipe is simply divine,” Rarity began. “Where ever did you learn how to make it?”

“Oh, that’s been a Smith family recipe for generations!” Granny Smith said, leaning back in her chair. “I’ve been making it since I was a little girl.”

“And I’ve been eatin’ it since I was a little girl!” Amelia exclaimed, stuffing another fork-full in her mouth.

AJ put her feet on the table, laughing as she took another sip of her beer. “You are a little girl, Amelia. But yeah, Granny’s food is second to none.” 

“AJ, honestly,” Rarity scolded. “No boots on the table!”

“Ah, it’s fine. A little dirt never killed anyone.”

“Yes it has!”

“No it hasn’t.”

“Jackie!” Amelia whined. “Quit arguin’ when Rarity’s here. You should show her how we set up the campfire instead!”

“Instead of arguin’?” The blonde asked, chuckling. “Not sure which I love more.”

Amelia stuck out her lower lip. “Please?”

And that’s about all it took for AJ to get out her flint and start a big fire in the backyard. This was always one of her family’s favorite things to do, sit out by a warm, crackling fire after a long day and enjoy each other’s company. She knew Rarity had already been there all day, so she was a little worried that she was over the whole outdoor thing.

“Rarity, don’t feel pressured to stay if you need to get back. I know it’s gettin’ late.”

“No,” Rarity crossed her arms. “I said I wanted a day in the life of AJ and I meant it!”

AJ smiled, pleasantly surprised as she got out chairs for everyone to sit around the fire in. Soon enough they were all gathered around, enjoying the warmth of the crackling flames.

“Jackie!” Amelia exclaimed. “Will you get your guitar out and play for us? Pleeeaaase?”

“Bloomie, what if people just wanna have a peaceful time around the campfire?” AJ huffed. “I’m sure my noise pollution wouldn’t help everyone relax.”

“Are you kiddin’?” Granny Smith asked. “You know we all love hearin’ you play!”

AJ deadpanned. Leave it to her family to not catch the hint that she didn’t want to play in front of Rarity. She always felt like her music was more for her family, and performing for people outside of it was always scary.

“I’m sure I’d love to hear you play as well.” Rarity commented, eyes glittering in the light of the flame.

AJ may be strong, but sometimes, she was so, so weak.

Soon enough, she was cradling her guitar like a baby, tuning it in her lap. “I’m not sure if you listen to country Rarity, but that’s about all I know.” 

“Oh, that’s perfectly fine, darling! Play what you’re comfortable with. I’m not judging, really.” The dark-haired girl insisted. She was sitting in the chair directly next to AJ, head resting on one of her hands. 

The blonde placed the guitar strap around her back and decided to play a classic country song. The song started pretty deep, which was great for her alto voice. As she played, Rarity’s eyes stayed on her the entire time. She was a little bit hard to read, so AJ couldn’t tell exactly what she was thinking. Amelia danced around as she always did when the blonde played her guitar, and Granny Smith rocked in her chair. Mac never showed much emotion on the outside, but even he would tap his finger along to the beat from time to time. Rarity stayed still, though. Listening. Taking it all in.

When AJ finished, she felt like she’d just been placed under a microscope. “Uh… yeah.” She said, placing her hand over the strings to mute them. Talk about awkward.

A smile grew on Rarity’s face. “Is there anything you can’t do?”

“She can’t do makeup! Or hair, or tell white lies, or–” Amelia was shut up by AJ placing a hand over her mouth.

“That’s enough out of you, missy.” The blonde turned to Rarity. “And, it’s nothin’. I’ve just been playin’ here and there since I was young.”

“Could you… teach me?” Rarity asked, looking up at AJ through her eyelashes.

The blonde swallowed hard. “Sure.”

They spent the rest of the night surrounding the fire, with AJ’s arms enclosing Rarity to teach her guitar chords. Although Rarity’s nails were too long to play functionally at times, she was still putting in the effort to learn about something that AJ cared about.

And that was all that mattered.