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// Something Into Everything 
// Story: Ask Me When I'm Sober 
// by Swank 
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A lover of the dramatic Rarity woke up in utter agony, partly convinced she was dying. The drapes were open, washing the room in focused bright beams, too bright. Air entered her lungs as though it sucked every ounce of moisture away from her insides, far too dry. A pulsing emanated from the back of her skull and only felt worse as the world around her teetered and tottered like a seesaw. Rarity thought back to all she drank that night with her eyes shut tightly.

Some wine couldn't have been enough to send her into this state. Then came the memories of those shots with Pinkie, she couldn't remember the exact number, but still Rarity decided this was a wildly unjust, cruel punishment nonetheless. With a groan, she vowed to never drink so much again, a vow she'd made and broken in the past several times by now. 

By this point, she realized her eyelids were not enough to block the evil and harmful rays of sunlight. She reached beside her for a moment for another pillow, failing miserably to even get her hoof around it. Using magic instead, she lifted the thing and placed it gently atop her head. It felt weird and unlike a pillow, but it worked keeping out the light well enough. For whatever it was worth, there was a pleasant light and fruity aroma to the thing that she took in as she tried remembering whatever else she could. 

There was Applejack, they'd sat together at the bar for a while. Getting into the room was however lost on her, embarrassment welled up within as she prayed that Sweetie Belle didn't catch her older sister in such a state. 

Bolting right up and almost immediately wincing at the pain it brought, Rarity looked to the smaller bed in the room only to find that it was empty. Unmade from the morning before just as her little sister had left it. Sweetie Belle spent most of her time last night with the other girls and Spike and judging by the time that Rarity had begun drinking, it wouldn't be too long from then that they should've been put to bed. Rarity squinted around the room, finding nothing, her eyes stopping at the space next to her in bed at what she thought was the light-shielding pillow. A brown stetson. With fruity familiarty of the aroma being so clearly apples now…

The door creaked open. 

In came in a tray on wheels pushed inside by none other than-

With green eyes open and bright she called out; "G'morn-" Rarity winced as her ears stung, Applejack cringed a bit, now whispering. "Sorry, I'll keep it lower, g'morning." The unicorn grumbled something that would sound like a thank you, perhaps in a different language. "The others went out for breakfast, so I thought I'd get you something fixed up by the castle staff." 

In silence Rarity watched through squinted eyes as Applejack wheeled the cart further into the room, the covered tray itself far too large for a single pony. She smiled, not imagining a better pony to share breakfast with. Besides of course…

She pointed her hoof vaguely at the empty bed in the room. "Applejack darling, where's-"

"The girls are also out at breakfast, Twilight said she'd watch em as we stayed back." Seeing now that Rarity could barely keep her eyes open at that point. With a small Oh, she rushed off to the windows and closed the blinds. It didn't block all of the light, but it was definitely better than before. 

"You don't have to do all this for me, darling." Rarity reminded, whilst also reveling in the personal treatment. Like a princess, she thought, her dashing knight coming to save her in the castle from the dreadful beast that was her hangover. She started to giggle at the thought, but another pulse of pain sprang about. 

"Yeah, but I wanted to." Applejack made her way back, getting the tray closer to where Rarity sat, and with a tad of a dramatic flair, took the lid off the tray with her mouth.

Underneath a full breakfast for two, every dish doubled. French toast with some whipped cream and an extremely light dusting of cinnamon, several perfectly placed blueberries, and slices of strawberries serving as a garnish. To the side some strips of bacon with hash browns fried to a golden crisp. Finally, what looked like yogurt with a surface of oats and poppy seeds. A glass of apple juice as suspected for the farmer and a freshly brewed cup of black tea with a dash of vanilla and three sprigs of mint floating at the top, her favorite. Rarity looked back to Applejack with nothing but pure adoration, if this cart weren't between them, there would be little to stop her from leaning in and kissing her. 

Kissing her. She would've sighed into the thought as she looked upon the other mare. But at the same time, Rarity felt like something was off with her. The hat. 

"Your hat..." Rarity started, using both hoofs to produce it before her.

"Oh shoot, fell off in my sleep. " As if all that was just something normal to say, Applejack uses her mouth to take it by the rim and toss it perfectly atop her head, a practiced move. "I usually remember to take it off for bed, sorry I left it there." She starts to eat her share of the meal with an incredibly casual air. 

It took a moment, maybe even several minutes, for Rarity to join along in breakfast. Just the tea, which was as perfectly sweet as she preferred, was all she could bear to stomach in her state. The warm liquid sent a much-needed soothing wave all down her spine. 

"So, you were in here last night...?"

After swallowing a bite of hash. "Well, yeah." Her eyes met with Rarity's. "Don't you remember?"

There was plenty Rarity could call back from the reception but there became a point where it all blurred leaving behind smaller bits and pieces of coherent memory. Then came a point where there was just nothing left. She remembered joining Applejack at the bar, resting upon her friend as the alcohol made it harder to sit upright, totally taking the moment to her advantage. Both of them redder than Applebloom's mane, laughing and trying to keep up with their glasses of water. Which she clearly did not. How she left the bar and got back to her guest room in the castle was entirely lost.

"What happened last night, Darling?" Just with that question, the air in the room shifted. Heavy and almost cold.

Applejack's shoulders sagged  a tad. "Nothing much worth remembering. We was just being stupid." She chuckled most unlike herself. Laughing more to fill the air than just for the sake of it. "Just making fun of the other ponies' outfits and stuff like you usually do, but oh shucks you were completely out of it." Smiling and looking a bit more like herself she continued eating her breakfast again, talking in between bites. "The girls had taken over my room for a little slumber party, and I had helped you settle in, but at that point, I was so pooped I laid down and didn't get back up until morning." Stopping to break eye contact with Rarity. "Sorry if that wasn't alright, or anything like that."

"Why wouldn't it be alright? We've slept in the same bed before." Using her magic she dug into the french toast, probably the best she'd ever tasted in all her life. Her stomach didn't agree as much, the single bite struggling to stay down. She frowned, being unable to remember sharing a bed with Applejack again and too nauseous to even eat. Hopefully, it would taste just as good cold.

"Because you were drunk?" She answered uneasily.

"As far as I'm concerned that makes no difference, Darling." Applejack's cheeks brighten with a hint of red, immediately she goes for her juice. Rarity eyed her, leaning a little over the bed. "Besides, if it were an issue, you've surely made up for it by making sure I got back safe and getting me breakfast in bed."

"I guess you're right..." With that she started to eat again, the hash and bacon gone in an instant.

"Yes, I am. Applejack?" Rarity hoped that by using her name, she'd finally look at her again. 

And did it work? "Yes?" Not in the slightest.

Rarity cleared her throat. "I can't tell you how grateful I am for all this, perhaps when we're back in Ponyville I'll treat you to a date." Though she made a good show of her attention being on the meal, Applejack's ear twitched up at that word. "How does that sound?"

"Sounds nice." 

"Wonderful, because I believe Fluttershy had to cancel our spa meeting this week and I know the nicest little restaurant in the next town over that I have been dying to try out. Does Wednesday work for you, darling?"

"Maybe..." She drew the word out, Rarity waited for her to continue. "Maybe not, I dunno. It depends." A moment.

Taking that time to return to her tea, which was, unfortunately, the only thing she was able to stomach at the moment. Water would be a good idea as well, but the thought of even getting up for it made her dizzy and would no doubt be quite the show to any witness. Applejack would get it for her if she asked, always doing things for somepony else as she did. But right now, for Rarity, it felt different. Things between them were rarely awkward like this, especially not when they may as well have been closer than anypony else in their main circle.

The room became eerily quiet, enough so that Rarity could make out the blood pumping in her ears. All other noises came from Applejack as she ate. Which was unnerving to the unicorn, to say the least. A good meal was always enough to get her friend to hoot and holler as she ate. Never one to just let praises go unsung. But not a peep left her. The very same cooks to diligently and masterfully serve both Luna and Celestia's every meal, as well as their guests, and Applejack couldn't even spare it a delighted hum. It was uncanny, most unlike her dearest friend. There had to be more to this.

Rarity thought in the silence even as it pained to use her brain this hard right now. All at once trying to remember more from last night and pinpoint little things she'd noticed of her friend this morning. Resting against her at the bar, the blush that had not even begun to fade from Applejack's cheeks, how delightfully bright her laugh was after taking a sip of cider, the awkwardness over sharing the bed, asking who her first crush was. Unable to remember the answer and its ensuing conversation, Rarity could only come to one conclusion. 

"You're not telling me something!" She blurted out, too loud. Applejack winced.

"What?"

"You've been acting weird since I said I couldn't recall some of what happened last night." Planting a hoof at either side of the tray, she peered down at Applejack as much as her aching eyelids would allow. "Something happened last night, I believe it's only right that you tell me."

"Rarity the tray-"

"And you haven't been using your terms of endearment for me either!"

"Well maybe I'm a little wonky after last night too," a lie, "and this raising your voice ain't helping one bit."

"Despite that you go out of your way and let our friends and your sister go on without you, just to take care of me."

"Anypony else would've done the same."

"Yet you're the only pony I see here now." 

"Look, I already told you, we was being stupid. There's nothing more to it."

"That could mean-!" From below her the tray and the entire cart beneath it slipped away, and her body began to drop as everything else fell.

Metal crashed onto the hard floor, several plates shattered, it was utter torture unto her ears. But Rarity remained unharmed. Her whole being held up by Applejack's front legs, one would think they weren't as strong and sturdy as the hinds that she used for bucking trees, Rarity knew fully well now that they were plenty strong. Gently she was placed back into the bed, staring up helplessly as Applejacks scanned her all over. Their eyes met, their faces all too close, It would be so easy to surge forward and close the distance.

Applejack's brows furrowed and she stepped back, turning her attention to the mess that Rarity made. "Darnit..." Without another word or look towards Rarity, she started for the door.

"Where are you going?" Rarity called out to her.

"Gonna get somepony to help clean this all up." She grumbled back.

"But what about me?" It was whiny and dramatic, but she was past the point of caring all that much. In fact, she cared so little that she threw caution to the wind and began doing the unthinkable. Getting out of bed with a hangover. "I was talking to you, and I am not finished!"

"Well, I'm sorry, but I am."

"We're friends, aren't we?" A stupid question only to get a rise out of Applejack, Rarity would probably curse herself later for it, but it did get her to stop. This was especially good as every step Rarity took was a battle in and of itself. "This all is clearly bothering you very much, but I can't even remember what happened. I don't know if it was something I did or anything!" Desperation lined her voice, she started to feel like vomiting and the very thought of it was unbearable. Far too gross for her. "What is so terrible that you can't tell me?"

"I feel guilty!" With a stomp of her hoof, she turned back to Rarity. "I should've known better than to just let you keep talking bout sensitive stuff while you were in no mind to do so. Should've known better not to make that promise. And I dunno! I woke up wishing that things were different between us over something that might not even be anything in the first place!" She took a hoof and rubbed her forehead. "And you're sat there treating me like I deserve something for that."

"Applejack, darling, what exactly happened?"

"You told me that you liked me, more than just friends. The way you do with stallions." Applejack sighed, shifting her hoof on the floor as though it would dig its way downward. She kept saying things, but it wasn't like Rarity could make any more of it out.

I did it, I actually did it! To say she was ecstatic was to make the understatement of the century. Rarity never knew if she'd ever muster up the courage to tell her and to think that all she needed was to attempt to out-drink Pinkie Pie. Finally, she didn't have to hide it any longer. At the same time, she still didn't remember any of it. In no state to make sure the moment was as perfect and as she had fantasized in the past. 

Why couldn't she have held her tongue for an unhindered mind? It wasn't fair, that should've been her moment. She must've not done it right then either if Applejack truly thought it was like her other crushes. Applejack was so much more than that, the strongest and most reliable pony she'd ever met, her closest friend, a beauty unlike her own, but captivating and handsome still. Perhaps that's why Applejack was so upset, hopefully, the second confession could make up for the first. Her mind raced a million miles a minute as she tried to wrap her head around how to fix it before letting her mouth take the reins.

"I do not like you the same way I do other stallions, or mares for that matter..." 

"Exactly, it was just the alcohol talking!" The earth pony stood damn near crazed, in some strange, horrid relief. Rarity stumbled backward, leaning against the bed's frame.

"Is that all you wanted it to be?" The unicorn could command and dazzle a room without any ounce of effort. In this state, with everything said, she shrunk into herself becoming smaller than she'd ever felt before. Now something besides her head began to ache. "Drunken words that meant nothing?" Applejack grew confused.

"I think so...?" She sighed with frustration. "We're friends, I- we aren't supposed to think this way. So, hearing you say that is supposed to make me feel better-" She stopped herself with words failing to come out of her mouth. "The weird thing's that I just feel even worse now. It doesn't make any sense!" Rarity hissed in pain as Applejack got louder, who now felt even guiltier than before.

"Applejack. Stop talking." And like that, the farmer stood at attention, as though she were captain of the Canterlot guard in the presence of a princess. "Lend me your ears before you go on assuming anything else. I do not like you the same way I do anypony else." Her voice shook as she repeated her sentiment despite how sternly she wished it were. "There is no way under the sun that I could possibly feel the way I do for you for anypony other than you." Applejack looked as though she'd seen a ghost. 

"Oh." She bit her bottom lip and almost forgot how to breathe. "So, you meant it?" Rarity remained unmoving; her gaze intensely focused on Applejack. "Oh dear Celestia, you meant it." The air had shifted now, thicker as it entered into her nostrils, even tasting different too. 

"Of course I meant it! It would be cruel of me to be ingenuine of something as important to me to somepony so dear. Even drunk, I should know better." She said, struggling now to get the words to leave her mouth as a knot appeared in her throat to give company to the nausea. Eyes feeling heavy too as their stinging became worse. "To put it simply, I adore you. And how could I not? You've gone above and beyond for me in more ways than I can count, helped me to be a better sister, and though we don't always understand one another or see eye to eye-"

"Rarity-" Applejack started as she began to approach, only to be cut off.

"It doesn't drive you off. You stay, and you try." Her name is repeated once more but she won't get interrupted again. "We hold in common more than I would've ever thought before we became friends again. It makes confiding in you seem like the most natural thing in the world, I've wanted nothing more than to be the same thing for you."

"Rares..."

"So why is it you've treated me so coldly for this? Is it so terrible for me to feel this way towards you? Is it because you don't even like mares in the first place?!"

Right as Rarity revved up for another question Applejack was much closer by now. "Sugarcube." The unicorn froze in place as she looked on with a frown. "You're crying..."

Rarity looked down, starting to feel the moisture on her face as she lifted a hoof to wipe at her chin. Not even noticing she left, Applejack suddenly appeared beside her after a moment of rushing off with some handkerchief around her hoof. When she brought the thing up to Rarity's face, she was almost taken aback by how gently the tears were swept away. The look on Applejack's face focused so intensely while still soft.

"I'm sorry, Sugarcube," Applejack whispered. "Being frustrated gives me no right to act that way, especially not to you..."  She chuckles, a sound that was probably the last thing Rarity expected out of her. "Sorry for laughing, but I thought I'd remind you that I am into mares. I didn't realize you didn't know till last night."

Through sniffing and laughing. "Thanks for the confirmation I suppose." Then a wince. "Could you please help me into bed I don't think I can stand for much longer."

Applejack muttered a small 'Of course' and moved closer till she leaned right up on her. Anypony else and Rarity would fuss about letting all her weight fall upon them, but it was almost like second nature when Applejack was in the picture. She even closed her eyes, completely trusting the earth pony would get her back into bed.

"Can I tell you something about Rares?" She nodded against her neck in response. "I woke up this morning and I don't think I'd ever been happier. The sun was shining so softly, so peaceful, and I didn't even have a hangover." Lucky bastard, Rarity thought as she was gently lifted and lowered onto the bed. "Blessing in its own right, but then I looked beside me and there, sleeping as though she was a princess under some sleeping spell like the fairytales, was the most beautiful mare in all of Equestria."

"That's a given," Rarity mumbled, otherwise she'd attempt to throw the comment back in the direction of Applejack. Hiding also how it made her heart soar to hear her say that.

She laughed at that. "Brat." Perhaps Rarity would have risen in protest, but then her cheeks ran hot, so she shifted further across the bed and turned away. Only to hear some sheets rustling behind her and the bed beginning to dip under a new weight. "I started thinking that I never did quite get over that first crush..."

"The one I asked you of last night?"

The bed dipped again. "Do you remember what it was?" 

"...It was me, wasn't it?"

"Eyup… When I woke up," Rarity turned over to face her, confirming now that Applejack had joined her on the other side of the bed. However she wasn't facing her, her head was pointed directly upwards to the canopy above the bed. "Right then and there it felt like things were different now, a different that I liked too. But I got scared, so I got up, met with the others, and got you breakfast." Which now lay pathetically splattered across the floor. "I kept thinking you'd wake up and turn out not to mean any of what you said last night. Then all the other guilt came in and took over..."

"Entirely unforgivable." Rarity said, not at all serious sounding. "To rid me the pleasure of waking up next to an angel?" Now Applejack was blushing too.

"To let you sleep and get you a meal." She knew better than to deny a compliment from her.

"A meal that is currently in ruin on the ground."

"You did that all by yourself." Seeing that comment made her reel in mock offense, Applejack pushed a little further, turning her head to face her. "I didn't tell you to get on top of a rolling cart while you could barely stand."

For only a second Rarity considered shoving her off the bed before realizing that the act was far beyond even what sober legs could accomplish. "I recall that was only because you were acting weird, please do try a little harder to keep up, Darling." 

They stared one another down. Blue eyes not as intense as the green for her eyelids still did not feel like opening up all the way. Something Applejack used to her advantage as she served back big and silly wide eyes. On top of it all, a smirk was small and stupid on her lips. Of which Rarity found it harder and harder not to look down at especially being so close. In a bed. Together. Celestia help her.

Rescue came in the form of a hearty laugh from her own lungs of all places. It dissipated the air of playful challenge from their gaze and the banter, easing them down enough so that Rarity felt like she'd sunk into the bed a couple more inches. The pillow her head rested on coming up slightly and nearly obscuring her view.

And what a view it was. Applejack laughed with her eyes closed, and it was always something real, straight from her core. Like the wind blowing through a boundless meadow, with power to push, but gently enough to not strip warmth away and across the land. It stayed within Rarity, threatening to lift her upwards and closer to its source even as the volume prodded a little too much into her eardrums. It came to a point where she no longer laughed alongside her. Instead watching on as Applejack eased into catching her breath. A sigh came at the tail end of it as she finally sank too. When she opened her eyes again, the green was as enchanting as ever though not as bright as a frown appeared.

Speaking now softer than ever before; "I'm real sorry Rares..." She rolled over, now completely facing Rarity.

"It's okay, we're past it now." Her words didn't help much in dispelling the worry in Applejack's face.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive." Rarity scooted a little closer, hoping to accentuate herself with the action. It seemed to work, at least a little. "Are you still scared, darling?"

"Not so much anymore, at least I don't think so. What about you, still scared too?"

"How did you know?"

"You told me-"

"Last night." They said in unison.
 
Just a chuckle was all they shared before returning to silence. An odd limbo of awkwardness and pure blissful comfort was where they lay suspended. She wondered how long she could get away without answering the question. Silently praising Celestia as Applejack opened her mouth.

"Rares." A hum. "Does that mean you wouldn't wanna be something?"

 And then a smile. "Something as in...?"

"You know what something means!" Applejack scoffed; voice still low. Then her eyes widened, and she leaned back. "Is this okay?" She looked between Rarity and down at herself and back at Rarity again.

"Hmm..." There were several things that Rarity could imagine to properly suit herself in this predicament. All of them being self-indulgent and a good portion inappropriate for the occasion. But this would do. Especially if Applejack kept using that voice. "This is fine, I think this conversation best calls for such relaxed manners. Too awkward if we remained standing, too distant and restrained while sitting. Laying down is good enough. Goodness knows it's doing my head wonders..." She tilted her head up at the earth pony who looked unamused. Rarity was stalling and she caught her red-hoofed. "I do not believe I am averse to...something." 

"And what about that stuff about being scared?" Applejack's features softened yet still tensed up and leaned back. Too far.

"That depends, I suppose." 

"Depends on what, Sugarcube?" 

"It depends on this." As firmly as she could manage Rarity sat up and looked down at her. "We're friends, yes?" Applejack nods. "Close ones at that?" Nod. "And we'll always be friends?" Nod. "No matter what."

Without hesitation, an answer. "No matter what, Rares." 

"It's settled then." Rarity clears her throat, reaching up to fix her hair a tad. Wishing she had a mirror, though hungover she deserved still to look her best at any time possible, especially in a moment like now. When finally satisfied she hovered over her 'Friend,' and took in the very amusing sight of a flustered Applejack below. "I don't want to be something, Darling. I want to be your everything."

Applejack lit up bright and warm, enough to rival the most golden of sunrises. Gold never quite lent itself to her, suited best for the earthier tones as cliche as that may have been. She preferred them too after all, why muck up such a precious thing? Try as though Rarity might convince her otherwise to indulge in such luxurious color and material, it never worked out. It felt stupid now, an effort worth little to begin with, for now, Rarity could see the truth. Laying below her was something so precious that gold nor all the gems and diamonds or luxury in the world couldn't compare.

"I-I want that too! Ha!" Rarity must've turned into an alicorn, feeling now like there wasn't much stopping her from taking off in flight and gliding high above the clouds. "I ain't dreaming, am I?" Applejack asked, breathless.

"It can't be, not with a hangover like this..." She assured.

At that, her eyes widened. "Do you need anything? Water? Food-"

"I really wish I hadn't ruined our breakfast... It can wait however, and I'll get water soon. If anything, I feel a little better than when I woke up. But I don't want to even think about leaving this bed right now." She told no lie, but the bigger matter of importance to the unicorn was making sure Applejack stayed right by her side for as long as she could. Still, the earth pony lay tense, face creased somewhat in concern, lips pursed too. "There is something you can do for me, Darling. I know it would just make me feel bounds better."

"Shoot." The pony above her intently watched her mouth form the words. "Whatever it is, consider it done." Then the eyes came back up, locking their gaze together.

"Kiss me then."

Not another word of confirmation. Not another gaze. Not another breath. Not even a single second was spared when Applejack surged forward and kissed her like that was exactly what she was built to do. Rarity returned it with a similar intensity as she was pulled down so that they melted into one another. Her lips were softer than what she could've ever anticipated, tasting somewhat like the breakfast she was unable to eat herself, and oh so warm. Something she quickly decided she could, and would, get used to.

But ponies they were, and ponies needed air. Smiling at one another once apart, the unicorn comes down to nestle herself upon her beloved. Settled down into a cuddle, nothing between them now, catching their breath, how perfectly their bodies connected, it was nothing short of perfect. It would be another minute until either of them were ready to speak again.

"Maybe we should drink together more often, huh?"

Rarity laughed, the sound transforming slowly into a groan. "Darling, don't ever let me drink that much again." Applejack laughed too.

"You got it, Sugarcube."