Last's night storm may of left me exhausted from the events that transpired shortly after the start of it, but I found myself outside of the farmhouse, helping Big Macintosh clear the remnants of the wind-torn barn. It was early in the morning and the sun wasn't fully up yet, leaving the sky a little gloomy and slightly dark. Big Mac hauled the chunks of broken, splintery wood away with a cart, dumping them a short ways away from the orchard onto the pile that had been made in the previous hour or so.
He didn't talk much, but from that expression his face always held now that Apple Bloom was alive told me that he was grateful. At first, when I saw her there, not moving and hurt, I didn't know what to think of it. In the farmhouse was no different, either. I could feel my heart begin to shatter when she didn't come around, no matter how many times I tried to revive her. I still don't know how she came around, but I honestly didn't care. What I did care about was that she was alive and well, if not with a broken hoof. When Macintosh came back, it was like he could sense my thoughts. He smiled as he looked me in the eye.
''She's awful grateful for you saving her life. We all are, thank ya. And, Matt? About when Ah met ya'll, I'm sorry for bein' so hostile. Ya just can't trust everypony.'' He gave solemn look with a sheepish smile. I could only chuckle. He was indeed lucky to of kept his sister after she nearly died.
''It's alright, Macintosh. I'm just glad you didn't decide to kill me first. It's not everyday that you see something like me.'' I smiled, to which he laughed a short laugh. A voice made me turn around, Applejack's voice. She waved over to me from the entrance of the farmhouse and motioned for me to come over.
''Applejack? Everything alright?''
''Apple Bloom wants to see ya.'' Applejack said with a half smile. Leading me upstairs, she stopped at the open door to her sister's bedroom where Apple Bloom was laying in bed, a bandage covering most of her left forehoof. As I walked in, Applejack closed the door behind me with a small click. I smiled as Apple Bloom watched me. Saying nothing, I sat beside her, resting a hand on her shoulder.
''Hey.'' She said, her voice still sounding weak. ''How ya doin'?'' She smiled back at me.
''Hey, Apple Bloom. How'd you feel? Still feel weak?'' I asked in a soft voice.
''Yeah, jus' a little. My hoof hurts, though.'' She gently raised her bandaged hoof, cringing slightly. I leaned down and hugged her,resting my chin on her head.
''I'm just glad you're alright, Bloom. I dunno what I would of done if I'd of lost you.'' I said as I pulled away, gently rubbing her mane with my hand, still feeling that same, inviting softness from before. She blushed brightly as I said those words. This time, she sat up in bed and hugged me, gladly returning the embrace.
''Matt?'' She began softly. ''D-D-Do you...like me?'' She asked hesitantly, the question making my body go slightly numb as it froze in place. Something told me that she already knew the answer.
''Apple Bloom...I...yes. I do like you. I consider you a friend. Maybe even more than that.'' I admitted as I still had my face into her neck. When she broke away, she stopped just inches away from my nose, looking into my eyes. ''You saved me, nursed me back to health and looked out for me, and you saved my life, just as I saved yours. You really scared me, though. Howcome you followed me outside during the storm?'' Her face now held a frown, a guilty look within her eyes.
''Ah...Ah wondered where you was when Ah didn't see ya next to me when Ah woke up. I heard ya'll go outside and I followed ya. I didn't want you risking your life, even for your car. I knew had bad it would be, but I didn't expect ya would actually go out in that kinda weather.''
''Bloom, I can handle a little weather, you know that. You nearly died when you came after me. You got thrown through a fence and into a tree! Do you even know how much that scared me? I thought it killed you! I couldn't even restart your heart! You've got no idea how fortunate you are to be alive. I'm just glad you came around.'' I held her hooves gently in my hands and placed my forehead upon hers. ''I was afraid that I'd lost you. I don't ever want to see that happen.'' My cheeks ignited with intense heat as I closed the gap between us, planting a passionate kiss on Apple Bloom's lips. Her lips were smooth and warm, tasting a little bit like apples. She blushed brightly, matching my colour. When I broke from the kiss, I looked back into her eyes, seeing them glisten. ''I love you, Apple Bloom.'' I told her, seeing her cheeks darken in colour.
Apple Bloom didn't say anything back for a moment. She just sat there, lost in my eyes. I noticed a single tear run down her cheek before she returned the kiss, the touch of her lips against mine feeling smooth and sweet. When she released, she pulled me into a hug. I could feel her warm breath on my neck as she relaxed in my arms. We held each other for a while, enjoying each other's embrace. It may of been true that I have liked Apple Bloom in this kind of way since I met her, not even sure why I felt that way for her until the night she almost died. I realized how much of an important part in my life she was, despite not being family or knowing her that long.
In my eyes, I thought she was pretty. We were or may be the same age, but that didn't change much. All that did matter was that I loved her. I honestly didn't care about being rich anymore. Having Apple Bloom in my life was the best jackpot I could of asked for. I smiled at her as I pulled away, getting a smile in return, one of sweetness. I placed my hands behind my neck, undoing the clip to my pendant and clipped it around Apple Bloom's neck. She looked at it as she picked it up in her hoof, looking at the fancy designs and curves marked into it. I placed a hand to her cheek as I placed a small kiss to her lips.
''I want you to take it.'' Is all I said, right before she kissed me.
''So...what does this make us?'' She asked with uncertainty in her voice. I haven't really thought of that...
''I guess...together? However you wanna put it is fine by me, Bloom.'' I said with a smile, earning one back.
''Together.'' She grinned, hugging me again.
''Together.'' I confirmed, holding her close. I could only wonder what the family would think. We saved each other's lives and made the debt even, but I don't think it ends there. Whatever comes in future, we'll get by it. But right now, I was gonna stay with her. It was the least I can do after what she's been through. We'll have to talk it through with the Apple's, but I'm hoping they'll understand.
Whatever tomorrow brings, I hope it'll be another heavenly chapter in our lives, this time together, hopefully for good.