Previously on 'Don't Run Away'

"Applejack, I might not know what all these conflicting thoughts mean, but I do know that anyone who disrespects a friend of mine like that will be on the floor without a second thought." She lifts my chin up and kisses my forehead.

I try to hid my blush by ducking my head but she keeps my head up. I see her looking in my eyes then shift quickly to my lips. I move slowly closer to her and I feel her hand guide me towards her lips.

"Rarity! You here?" Rarity's mom shouts from the front of the shop.

I stop moving and slowly move away from her. I make sure her ice isn't melting and stand up.

"I think your fingers just needs to rest a bit. Which sink was backed up?"

"Oh, yes, come with me darling." She stands and walks down the stairs.

Is it just me or is she swaying her hips more than usual?

I quickly look away when she turns around to make sure I'm following her and it might be my imagination, but I swear she has a smirk on her face when she noticed me staring.

Well damn.

An Hour Later

"There ya go. It shouldn't be acting up on ya for very long time. If it does just let me know and I'll be here as fast as I can." I say and wipe some sweat off my forehead.

"Well gee, Applejack that was pretty quick. Usually the people we call take at least 3 hours to repair a simple plumbing job. And here you are doing it in a hour! I am very impressed." Rarity's dad says as he inspects the work.

"Well sir, Granny always tells us don't start something ya never intend to finish." I tell him and put away the tools I left over here a few days ago.

"Now, now Applejack, Hondo is just fine. This one's a keeper Rarity." He says and puts an arm around Rarity.

"Father please, let's not embarrass our guest." Rarity says with a blush.

"Don't worry bout me si...uh Hondo. I ain't going anywhere." I look at the time.

"Uh, except now. Gotta go home and finish my homework." I say and get my stuff ready.

"Aw so soon? How bout dinner? Don't want ya to think we only keep ya around for cheap labor."

"Ha-ha that never crossed my mind. Sure, I'll stay for dinner. As long as it's alright with ya sugarcube."

"Oh honestly Applejack and you say I'm dramatic."

"Alright everyone, go wash up and dinner will be ready when you guys come down." Rarity's Mom calls from the front of the store and we head up to wash up.

"Does it feel weird that you guys eat here instead of your house?"

"Not necessarily, we usually eat at the house. Only on special occasions we eat here and on discount days sleep here as well. A nice change at times."

I nod and we wash up.

"Applejack! You're here!" Sweetie Bell runs past us but stops to give me a quick hug.

"Hey Sweetie, how was school for ya today?"

"It was alright. Applebloom, Scootaloo and I are planning a sleepover sometime soon and since the both of you are here would it be ok to have it at our house Rarity, please?" Sweetie Bell says as she uses her puppy-dog eyes on us. I look toward Rarity and see her crumble under her sister's gaze.

"As long as mother and father are alright with it, I would be as well." Rarity says and Sweetie Bell brings her into a great big hug.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She runs down the stairs.

"Couldn't say no huh."

"You try saying no to your sister when she makes those eyes."

"Can't argue with that Sugarcube."

"Come along Darling, you must be famished from working on our pipes."

Before I could reply my hunger decides to make it's presence know.

"... maybe" I say and follow a giggling Rarity down the stairs.