The sun shone faintly through the gray cloud blanket over the Equestrian skies; it was a chilly winter day. As is to be expected the fillies were playing in the snow, even some of the grown up ponies indulged themselves in a little fun. Though everypony enjoys playing in the crisp snow of a fine Equestrian winter, some ponies find themselves too busy to take the time out of their schedule to do so.

Rarity was laboring over her sewing machine as usual. putting intense effort into every stitch, guiding the fabric through the mechanism, slowly bringing about a new creation. She was making a dress for herself for the upcoming fashion show, of course, Rarity entered in a heartbeat. Now she was intent to win, she was bent over her work now, stitching it together, it was her way of expressing herself, the art of the dress! Being so focused Rarity did not notice the weather taking turns for the worse.

The wind began to pick up, and the snowfall started to come down heavier. One by one the ponies sought shelter; and the streets were empty once more. Or at least they would be if it were not for one pony braving the storm. Applejack had been buying supplies for clearing the snow off her plot. She wouldn’t be able to make it to Sweet Apple Acres for a while, the storm was getting to intense. She spotted the Carousel Boutique through the curtain of snow and galloped toward the Carousel Boutique, also known as Rarity’s house. She opened the door quickly and entered shutting the door behind her. Rarity looked startled, but quickly regained her posture and smiled at her friend.

“Hey uh, Rarity, The snowstorm’s making it impossible to go back to the farm, gon’ last for a day. I was just wondering if I could uh, spend the night here?” asked Applejack. She hoofed at the floor of the shop, feeling a bit embarrassed. She wasn’t the pony to ask for favors, especially not from ponies that deemed themselves at a higher standing than her.

“But of course darling!” Rarity got up from the sewing machine, glad to see a friendly face in her shop. “I have some guests over as well, why don’t you sit down with them? I’ll go get some refreshments” Rarity trotted downstairs and headed to the kitchen, leaving Applejack to venture into the living room by herself.

She saw Coffee Shine conversing towards the Carousel Boutique.

    “Thanks for bringing the cocoa!”

Feeling nervous, Rarity was thinking about breaking the news to Applejack, and about how she really felt about her. But, she was also afraid that their friendship would break apart if she told her that she loved her.

Meanwhile, the other ponies were busy doing other things. Rainbow Dash was doing some exercises in her home , Twilight was studying, Dusk Twirl was at a concert, Fluttershy was taking care of the animals, Pinkie Pie was baking up some cupcakes for the Cake’s toddlers.

Rarity soon got the guest room ready for Applejack, and Sweetie Belle was excited that Applejack was spending the night. Instead of sleeping in the same room with Rarity, Sweetie Belle decided to move her bed into the guest room for a day.

“Applejack, you are always such a good friend,” Rarity started, “I can’t thank you enough for all the help you have given me when I was in need.” They talked at length about the many times that the two had helped each other, from Twilight’s sleep over to the Sisterhooves Social. After much discussing, Rarity gave Applejack a token of her gratitude. Rarity presented her compatriot with a brand new cloak. It was a shade of brown that matched her stetson, the inside was lined with wool , making it not only functional, but also beautiful.

“Why, thanks a lot, Rarity!” Applejack marveled at the new clothing piece.

“No problem, Applejack.” replied Rarity.

Rarity thought that it was time to make a move, and tell Applejack how she really felt about her.

“Applejack, there’s something that I’ve been keeping from you for a while now..” said Rarity.

“What is it, Rarity?” replied Applejack.

Rarity was trying to tell her, but she kept tripping over the words she was trying to say.

“Sorry about that.” said Rarity.

“It’s fine, Rarity.” replied Applejack.

“So what were you trying to say, Rarity?” said Applejack.

“Oh, uh, forget it.” replied Rarity.

Sunlight was falling, and Rarity was finishing up working on the dress for that day, Applejack and Sweetie Belle were already asleep. Apple Bloom was at home with Granny Smith and Big Mac.

The next day, Rarity was going to finally make her move this time, and tell Applejack her feelings for her.

“Applejack, what I was going to say yesterday, ---”

She stopped talking for a bit, and then told Applejack,

“Applejack...I-well-um why don’t you have a seat?”

“Sure thing Sugarcube!” Applejack sat down, then eyed Rarity suspiciously  “You alright hon?”

“Yeah I have something I wan- I have been meaning to-” Rarity kept tripping over her words, growing more flushed with each attempt, she finally looked up sheepishly and looked Applejack square in the eye. Drawing in a sharp breath she said in a very quiet voice, “I love you”

At first Applejack laughed, “I love you too Rarity, we are best friends” She smiled and looked at Rarity who still wore a bashful expression. It then became clear to her that she meant something else. Her expression changed to a little more shocked as she realized what Rarity really meant. She began to blush out of embarrassment “Well -uh- look here Su-sugar cube” But Rarity pulled in closer and looked at Applejack with intent filled eyes.

“What in the name of Celestia are you doing?!?” exclaimed Applejack. She jumped back, knocking over several furniture pieces in shock. Standing up and breathing heavily, she was blushing fully now. She eyeballed Rarity and eased her way towards the door. “I-I-I’m sorry sugar cube...It’s just...my barn door don’t swing that way.” Applejack bowed her head down and left the room, Rarity watched dejected.

Slowly, tears began to well up in Rarity’s eyes, and she began sobbing softly. She walked over to where her bed was, and fell on it. Hugging her pillow tightly, she cried gently into it. She hated everything right now, “Why did I have to do that?” she rolled over “Did I do it wrong?” The tears flowed freely now, soaking the pillow. Yet no matter how much she wept, the tears could never put out the fiery pain that she was going through. Sweetie Belle came upstairs and asked what had happened, Rarity couldn’t tell her sister what had just happened. Not just out of shame, but also because it was too painful to bring up again.

Meanwhile, Applejack opened the door to her home on Sweet Apple Acres, walking pretty slowly, going over the words in her head, seeing the pained look on Rarity’s face, just playing itself over and over.

Applejack wanted to apologize for the way she reacted, but maybe needed some time. She was also thinking about how this affected their friendship. “Well I can’t say I saw that one comin’...” She went to the icebox and pulled out a bottle of Apple Cider “That just ain’t right...” she gulped down the first sip of the cool alcoholic beverage, “just ain’t right...” then she began questioning herself.