Applejack licked the icing from her lips, turning back to her old friend. “This was delicious, Rara. You shouldn’t have done all this for me.” The farmer looked down at her slice of Pear Upside-Down Cake, grabbing another mouthful between her jaws.  
“It’s no trouble at all. It’s the least I can do to thank you for everything you’ve done for me.” Rara smiled as Applejack lifted her head to look at her, frosting still smeared over her lips. “Including taking me in for these couple months. I really do appreciate it.”  
“Anything for a friend.” Applejack winked.  
“Listen, AJ. I need to show you something. Come with me.” Rara got to her hooves. Applejack set down her fork and did the same, following her friend through the orchard as the sun’s rays barely hit their coats. Rara’s heart was beating out of her chest. She couldn’t screw this up…she just couldn’t. This was her big chance.  
Coloratura pulled the brush out of the way to let Applejack through. The farmhorse looked at her, a suspicious gleam in her eye. Rara smiled awkwardly and nudged her forward. Applejack turned her head away from Rara and looked up. Two intertwined trees, one apple, one pear. Applejack’s heart swelled and she couldn’t keep a big goofy grin off her face. She thought it made her look like a total idiot, but Rara only relished in the cuteness.  
“Have a seat.” Rara nodded to the ground, and Applejack did as told, not taking her eyes off the trees. “I know this place means a lot to you, so I thought it would be the perfect spot for me to tell you how much you mean to me.” Rara picked up a guitar from behind a nearby bush, and AJ tilted her head.  
“You’ve told me a zillion times how much you appreciated what my family’s doin’ for ya. Ain’t no thing, I told you!” Applejack shoved her hat onto Rara’s head playfully.  
The singer laughed and pushed Applejack’s hat up so she could see the mare’s face. “Just give me a chance, AJ!” Rara nudged Applejack rather harshly, but jokingly.  
Rara cleared her throat, and began strumming- a rather familiar tune that filled Applejack with nostalgia and that happy-sad feeling ponies got when they didn’t know how to feel.  
Rara took a deep breath, and sang…  
“We’re far apart  
In ev’ry way,  
But you’re the best part of my day  
And sure as I  
Breathe the air,  
I know we are the perfect pair.  
On a prickly path that goes on for miles  
But it’s worth it just to see you smile  
And I cannot  
Be pulled apart.  
From behold you  
Have my heart.  
And even if  
The world tell’s us it’s wrong  
You’re in my head like a catchy song.”  
Rara looked up to see Applejack’s eyes spilling. “So much for crying on the inside, huh?”  
“Quiet, you!” Applejack wiped her eyes, a smirk on her face.  
“Seasons change,  
And leaves may fall,  
But I’ll be with you through them all.  
Rain or shine,  
You’ll always be mine.  
On a prickly path that goes on for miles,  
You’re the only one who makes it all worthwhile.  
And you should not  
Blame me too  
If I can’t help fallin’ in love with you…”  
Applejack’s face switched from joy to shock in half a heartbeat. Speechless, she stared at Rara for a long time, so long, in fact, that the other mare had begun to regret her descision, and panic began to fill her. Applejack had been so swept away by Rara’s voice and the nostalgia of the song she sang, that she’d forgotten the purpose of the song in the first place… confessing to somepony you’re in love with them.  
Rara dipped her head in shame, tears beginning to fill her eyes, but Applejack lifted her chin with her hoof. “I love you too, sugarcube.”  
Pure joy exploded from Rara, and she leaped forward, throwing her hooves around Applejack, and pressing her lips to hers. Applejack was taken aback, shocked even, but then returned her embrace and kiss, as the last drop of sunlight seeped behind the hills of Sweet Apple Acres.