It wasn't the first time the two girls sat in silent embarrassment. Judging by Sweetie Belle's smirk when she peeked in on them, it wouldn't be the last, nor would it likely be the last time Rarity telekinetically threw something at her sister without moving. But that didn't make it any less awkward for either of them. Every now and then one of them would look at the other, open her mouth, refresh her blush, and look away again.

Finally, Rarity cleared her throat and said, "Y-you have to understand, I can't always sew when I'm thinking, so sometimes I sketch."

"Sketchin'," said Applejack, her eyes focused on the opposite wall of Rarity's bedroom. Definitely not at the girl sitting next to her on the bed, and definitely not the object at their feet that had lurked beneath that bed until she'd accidentally discovered it. "Sure."

Rarity tugged at her fingers as she spoke. "And, well, I'm accustomed to getting down ideas before I forget them. Including, shall we say, more..." She kicked at said object. "Personal ones."

"'Personal' sure is one way t' put it."

Rarity turned to Applejack and at least tried to smile. "And you know my stance on pillows, dearest. One can never have too many, and they come in all shapes and sizes! Neck pillows, throw pillows, bolster pillows—"

"Body pillows," Applejack said as she finally looked down at her own face.

"Er, yes." Rarity followed suit, taking in the blushing, silkscreened likeness of the girl next to her. "And, well... Would you believe it was Fluttershy's idea?"

"I might, if I thought you'd show them sketches to anyone else."

The two stared in silence for another few moments. "If it's any consolation, it's a very poor substitute. It can't cuddle back, for one."

That got something like a wheeze. Rarity turned to Applejack just in time to see her force down a smile. "I ain't jealous of a pillow, Rares. I'm just tryin' t' get past that get-up." Applejack looked back down warily. "'Specially since most of it got up without me."

"I... may have made the lingerie in question..." Rarity muttered, unable to look at either Applejack as she said it.

"And that ain't how my toenails look these days. How long you had this?"

Rarity felt her cheeks burn anew, and her temper along with them. She faced her grilfriend and said, "Well, that depends. How long have you kept that white unicorn plushie in the foot locker in your bedroom?"

Applejack's eyes widened before she turned away. "... Ain't like that can cuddle back neither."

"Quite." Rarity leaned her head on Applejack's shoulder and smiled as she felt a strong arm wrap around her.

"But seriously, darlin', get rid o' the thing."

"Don't ruin the moment, dear."

Author's Notes:

What a wonderful phrase...

Also, friendly reminder that that is Rarity's canonical stance on pillows.