//------------------------------//
// Ch. 4 Stop Draggin' My Heart Around 
// Story: Love Interruption 
// by Closer-To-The-Sun 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 4: Stop Draggin' My Heart Around

Celestia's sun was just beginning the go down in the east after another day of work at Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack was slightly troubled with her work during the day. This due to her recent revelation. Almost 24 hours beforehoof, the orange mare came to the conclusion that she was fond of Spike the dragon. Despite her persistent mind thinking about the dragon, Applejack continued with her chores, including the barreling in the barn that she was doing when the purple dragon stopped by.

"Hey Applejack! I'm really sorry that I'm late! I had to help Twilight and I totally lost track of time!" Spike rushed through the open doors.

Applejack was a bit caught of guard by his sudden appearance, "Huh?! Oh, howdy there, Spike. No need to fret. Just figured ah'd get started before ya got here."

"Well, seems ya didn't need me all that much," Spike commented, noticing that the pony was close to finishing her barreling.

The orange mare didn't turn to reply to Spike this time, "Ah guess, but ya can stick around if ya like." Her voice was meek, almost uncharacteristic for her.

Spike hopped up on top a barrel and began jumping from one to another until he got closer to Applejack, "Sure, why not? I like hanging around the farm." After enough hopping, he sat down on one of the barrels.

On her face, Applejack looked worried. She continued her barreling of the apples and tried to force herself to make small talk with Spike. The dragon seemed more than happy to oblige, talking about his day at the library. He in returned asked Applejack about how she was feeling. It was this question that caused her to fall silent.

"Everything alright, AJ?" Spike asked with a puzzled look after a few moments of stillness.

"Truth be told, ah'm not exactly sure," Applejack admitted.

Spike gave a concerned look, "What seems to be the problem?"

Taking a deep breath, Applejack turned to Spike and answered, "Spike, ah think ah'm keen on ya."

The dragon paused before replying, "Come again?"

"Ah mean it, ah really like ya."

The content and happy-go-lucky atmosphere around Spike vanished. What was left was a very nervous and bashful little dragon. With pink on his cheeks, Spike replied, "Oh….uh….well….I really like you too, Applejack….you are a great friend and what not…."

Seeing the timid and blushing Spike caused Applejack to warmly smile and caused her own nervousness to vanish. Trotting closer to him, Applejack spoke, "Ah'm sorry if that sounded all sudden and weird fer ya. Didn't mean ta make things strange or nothin'. It's jus' after a lotta thinkin', ah really like ya….well, maybe more than just likin' somepony…."

"For real?" Spike asked, his face blushing a bold pink.

"Really real, sugarcube," Applejack's smile seemed to rub off onto the dragon.

"Well," looking away and rubbing one of his arms with the opposite claw, Spike began to state his mind, "I have to admit this is really sudden and stuff….but I would be lying if I said I didn't think you were pretty cool, Applejack. And I have always liked helping you out with stuff on the farm because….well, you wouldn't treat me like a some sort of baby." Spike's face not only had a smile, but was also blushing fiercely. Finally, with a nervous smile, Spike turned back to face Applejack.

The dragon's innocent and tense expression was enough to make Applejack softly chuckle. With a smile, she planted a light peck on Spike's forehead. "Do ya know that yer mighty adorable, sugarcube?"

Spike couldn't help but give a small laugh at Applejack's comment, causing his face to grow an even bolder shade of red.

While the two laughed at their own awkward moment of admitting their feelings, an idea entered the mare's mind, "Say Spike, hop on mah back, will ya?"

Spike agreed to do so, and Applejack took the two of them to the barn's ladder that would go up to the second floor rafters. Being careful with her steps, Applejack carried Spike to the front wooden wall, where just below was the entrance that Spike entered not too long ago. Applejack signaled for Spike to dismount from her, to which he did so. The dragon looked at the wall that Applejack seemed to be fiddling around with. Suddenly, with a grunt from Applejack as she pushed the wall, it opened, revealing that it was the second floor door which is normally used for getting items to the second floor of the barn for storage. Both the pony and dragon looked out from the second floor door to see the setting sun in the distance, accompanied by a breathtaking landscape. As Celestia's sun was setting, it painted the sky multiple colors.

With a smirk, Applejack looked at Spike who seemed to be at a loss for words, "What'cha think, sugarcube?"

"Whoa…." was all Spike could utter. The beauty of the scenery left the dragon astonished.

Applejack laid on her stomach on top of a nearby bushel of hay, "This little getaway spot is kinda a secret of mine. Ah always liked comin' up here alone after a hard day's work, but ah don't mind sharin' it with a special dragon."

Spike smiled at Applejack's words as he sat down to lean back against Applejack's body, "I would be honored to."

Applejack gave a warm laugh before she kissed Spike's check lovingly. The two continued watched the sunset from the top of the barn.

Inside, Applejack finally felt that the void that was previously present was completely gone. It had been filled by her love of a small purple dragon.

END