In the Shadow of Midnight
I wake up to a rooster crowing, only it's not a rooster. Roosters never sound like owls, now do they?
Tilting my neck, I gaze out the window above our bed. A starry night hangs high over the orchards of Sweet Apple Acres in dark purple shades, twinkling beyond the gray, wispy clouds. A gentle wind blows, scented with apples. The curtains dance and cast shadows across the starlit room.
In my peripheral vision, I catch the pale face of the bedside clock. The small hand is barely past the number four; a thankful sigh escapes my lips.
And then I feel you stirring, and I'm sorry for ever being startled awake to begin with. But that's the only thing I'm sorry for.
I tilt my head back to the pillow and see nothing but colors. My eyes fall down your spiked bangs and stop at your tiny, fluttering eyelashes. Are you starting a dream or ending one? Am I with you in them, just like you are with me now?
I see your lips pursing. Your face hangs on the edge of something unpronouncible, and yet there is a stammer beyond it all, a shudder to your breath. Are you waiting for something? Are you searching for somepony? I'm right here, Sugarcube.
A breath escapes me, and I see your mane parting down the center. It's the only invitation I need; I drag a hoof up from beneath the covers and stroke it through your bangs. Your mane's so soft, like silk; I imagine not many ponies know. But I know. I feel the delicate strands, I see their sheen in the moonlight. I wonder if they can reflect my smile.
My cheeks hurt. Staring at you this closely is such a workout, for my heart as much as for my lips, as I fight the urge to kiss you senseless, to chase every color into the back of my mind until I blink and plant them back before me, so still, so beautiful, so here.
You stir again; I want to giggle and apologize all at once. How did it come to this? What was I before our breaths became one, before we shared our secrets and fears, before you gave up the sky for this one place on earth, this one simple little house, this boring little room that became a sanctuary the very moment you trotted in and didn't leave?
I can't stop stroking your mane. I keep the motions gentle, cherishing you, gently reeling you up to the rippling surface of slumber but no further. I watch your wings twitch as though you're on the precipice of a cliff, and the only place you have to fly is straight into my forelimbs.
Such a star, such a flying banner for all that's amazing and awesome: everypony in town looks up to you. Everypony praises you. Everypony wants to be you, and yet you chose to be with me. Out of all the mares in Equestria, out of all the generous and kind and magical friends, out of all the rich and dashing ponies who could have given you so much more, you settled for so much less.
I was shocked at first, scared even, and I felt like I had to prove something. I felt like I had to give a piece of me that I didn't even have just to deserve you, and then I realized it was you who was doing the giving, who needed to give in the first place. You've given me this: this innocent face, these fluttering eyelids, this gorgeous petite pegasus that shivers and clings to me like a foal in the nightly wind. This is the secret you, the quiet you, the needy and delicate and adorable you, the you that is too afraid to fly over our rootops, the you that can only be the best and yet is so scared of being the worst. All of this you have given me, and for months I wondered what the price was.
But now I know. The price is for me to be myself, for me to be as lucky as you have made me. I love you, my little surprise, something that is only here for me to witness, for me to hold, for me to adore in even a fraction of the way that you have been gracious to me. I only understand so little, and I am still catching up to your affections, but, really, is there any other way for us to run this race? You must always be in first place, and that's okay, because we both know that I am actually the winner.
For how else can I feel but lucky? I have a piece of the sky in my embrace, all the colors of life, all the speed and thunder that makes up the Equestrian spirit. You've let me be your anchor, and everytime I feel you, it's like I've lost the earth beneath my hooves. You've taught me how to be free, how to be weightless, so that sometimes I feel like I'm the one who's actually clinging to you. I know what fear is, and I know what it means to gallop past it, for you've lit the way for me, like a path down the orchards, like a swim across the freezing pond. I emerge in the frosty cold, lungs choked and quivering, and all I can do is laugh, and you're there to laugh beside me, with your adorable voice, with your daring sneer, with your playful shoves and gentle nuzzles and quiet sobs.
You stir again, fitfully this time. One of my tears must have awoken you.
"Mmmm-uhhh..." Your voice cracks, a quiet trilling sound. With eyelids clenched, you slide your face across the pillow and murmur, "Nnngh... izzit... izzit morning yet?"
Inhaling deeply, I bring my hoof down from your mane and stroke your cheek. "Nope," I whisper, trying to keep my drawling voice straight. If only I could sing so crisply what I feel deep inside upon hearing you. "Sun ain't risin' for a good two hours at least."
"Wanna..." You yawn, and your wings stretch out as you curl up against me. "...wannahelpwithchoresssss..."
"And you'll get yer chance," I say softly against your eyelids, breathing you in with a smile. "You just rest yer eyes and go back to sleep, darlin'."
You exhale, sinking deeper into the bed, sinking deeper into me. "Mmmmmff—loveyouuuu...."
My heart was born for moments like this.
"I love you too, sugarcube."
I lean forward and kiss you on the forehead before wrapping my forelimbs around you. You hide here in my embrace, nuzzling your face into my chest as I rest a chin atop your silken mane. Now I can close my eyes, for I have you anchored again. You are mine, your warmth and your sighs and your trust, and Celestia help me; I'm never letting go.
I feel your body go still as you sink back to sleep. I stand on the shores of your slumber, staying guard, keeping you safe. For now.
When the sun rises, the sky will need its color. For a few hours, at least, I have what I need to paint my dreams.
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Commence read:
Beautifully done, I love the way you describe her feelings so perfectly....
Well done, you should be proud.
Delightfully descriptive. I had a longer comment written, but I lost it. Wish there was a bit more to it. Even though it is a short moment stretched out to more than a thousand words.
What am I even doing here.
Insert standing ovation gifs. T'was wonderful. And the downvoters should burn in hell!
D'aww.. So sweet and charming.
Dude that was beautiful!
I agree with Tcherno here.
How can someone be so stupid and dislike this awesome piece of writing art?
Awww, thats so cute <3 My heart is puking love at the moment
Such an adorable fic 
It had a nice tranquil, poetic feel to it. The words just flowed like silk; the simple beauty of a farm in a quiet early morning (well, it's not morning, but you know what I mean) and the romantic aura with being a loved one, cherishing all the moments they had together. I'd love to see more stories like this from you
A beautiful piece of art.
BEAUTIFUL
This is beautiful...
I mean seriously. The vivid way in which you describe Apple Jack's impressions of Dash is just flawless and very evocative. Her ruminations on how their relationship happened don't feel showy or forced. The whole story just works brilliantly. And in spite of all that it was this little line of dialogue from Dashy...
"...wannahelpwithchoresssss..."
That brought me to tears.
Well done.
I'd say, do more of these, it's very much a great story.
Good job, please keep it up.
This seriously brought me to tears, dude.
Beautiful
It's just absolutely beautiful, I can't even desececribe how cute this masterpiece is.
Well done, I'd love to see more fanfics like this or from you
But for now I can go to bed with a smiling face and a heartwarming feel :)
Well done. Very well written.
That was beautiful. The part about opening up with the aspects of yourself that you normally don't share resonated with me. I can relate to all of the feelings an emotions in this. Truly well done.
Beautiful.
Dat last line
That was incredibly beautiful.
I admit, I was pretty close to closing this when I realized it was 2nd person. I am glad I did not. This was beautiful.
This was so, so damn beautiful =) <3
Heartwarming!
Could you also write one out of rainbows perspective?
... A true work of art painted with a word an a flick of the tongue... It's stories like this that make this site worth visiting!
Be proud of your work.
So beautiful: raritycry:
Ohhh gosh. This is so sweet! It's gonna give me diabetes <3
Fantastic job, very well written. :D
To put it simply seems like a huge commenting faux-pas, but i really think that this fic was amazing, well written, thoughtfully put, and quite the tear-jerker
Many thanks for a great fic
hope to see more from you
please take a like and a watch as payment for a good job well done
also moustaches.
An excellent piece of prose.
I commend you with the highest of the moustachioed commendations:
The Five-Spikes:
For your incredible piece that sits quietly on its own quality.
Absolutely beautiful writing! Thank you for sharing your talent.
My favourite part of this is the irony - all this thought on Rainbow's other side - coming in beautifully posed verse from Applejack of all ponies. Intentional or not, that was a fine touch.
Nice job, I liked the story not much to say!
Hmm. This felt like the ending to a good epic length romance novel, yet didn't read like one. It had all the emotion and description of something two hundred thousand words long, yet said it all in just a fraction of that. The little tidbits of information that played a story in my head of the events leading to this scene were accurate and just enough in word count to make it beautiful without being, well, too wordy. This was poetic and concise, providing so much meaning behind the smallest of things that seemed to all blend together perfectly; from the flat out description of actions in the past to the more subtle attributes of Rainbow's character through her hazy mumblings.
It's been a while since I've read something like this. Thank you.
The only comment I have to make is that "Sugarcube" isn't capitalized in most works. Applejack uses it for pretty much everypony, and not a specific name.
Other than that, there's really not much to say. This could have been a novel-length romance. You could have stretched this to 100,000 words and you couldn't have done much better than this. Sometimes being concise is a sign of a gifted writer, and I have to say that the fact that you were able to squeeze Applejack and Rainbow Dash's entire love life into less than two thousand words speaks volumes of your skill. And truly, an author that can do this with so so little takes a lot more effort than someone with all the chapters and words and time in the world.
Happy writing.
-TUC
Well, that was really good. :D
Damn mate, that is beautiful, your writing just exudes gentle love & happiness. Thanks for giving me a smile :)
This was the only error I found. This is a really great short story. A great little moment.
That was adorableness, ack, my teeth fell out.
Awesome job dude.
Finally got around to reading this.
I am tearing up.
This needs more upvotes.
Liked and faved.
Maawww...
This melted me.
A rare event, and it was thanks to you that I'm reminded why I need to be me and with the one I love.
Listened to Kagome doing the reading, worth every penny!
Made me think of my girlfriend a lot and how other people see me as a strong haveing no fears but she sees me and my fears of loss if I loos her I don't know what I would do she even calls me her little dashie
you done it really amazing getting true love in it form 
This story was absolutely beautiful. 5 years since it was published, and I have still come across few that are quite as good. Thank you for writing this story for us to enjoy!
I think it was a very nice short read. you displayed the feelings and thoughts so beautifully.
it was a nice read and made me happier before going to sleep ^^
Had to take a break a break from Appledashery. One can only hope it ends like this.
Teared up honestly, this was so so beyond the world beautiful. This was so raw and touching. Keep on writing! You could have such a beautiful writing career. You have inspired me. So much love, anonymous appledash lover.
