//------------------------------//
// A night to remember 
// Story: Fangs and Blood and other Things 
// by Kinetic Heat 
//------------------------------//

The movement of Applejack's tender breathing traveled over to Hazel's body, starting at his wing, that he had gently covered her with, through the joint that connected the wing with his back, up to his shoulder, that heaved and sunk with every breath she took, as he hold her firmly but softly in his embrace. He didn't sleep like her; he did not need to sleep at all, since the blood he drank once in a while, provided him with enough energy. Even so, his dreams were almost always the same. A bright void, not a single shadow in sight, blinding him and putting him on edge. His dreams weren't comforting, even though Luna had used her magic to create dreams for him. But after Celestia had banished her to the moon a thousand years ago, the only thing close to dreams were his meditations.

Now he lay there, watching over this beautiful mare in his arms, her hooves pressed softly against his chest, the feeling of the air, leaving her nostrils on his neck and the sweet smell of ripe apples, and couldn't remember the last time he had felt this way. Wait, of course he could remember! He had lain exactly in the same position, only with another girl in his arms. No, this was now, Victoria was the past, Applejack was now. 

Suddenly Applejack's breathing became irregular and her facial features turned into something completely different from the peaceful smile that had lain on her lips. Her lips slightly parted and she clenched her eyelids tightly together. She tried to roll around and pushed against Hazel. Hazel realized that she was having a nightmare. Hazel pulled her closer and sunk his mouth on top of her head. He closed his eyes and reached out his mind to touch hers, forming a telepathic connection between them to access the realm of her dreams.

It was almost the scenery of the hayrick again, but everything looked more horrendous, like a crooked version of the barn. Lights were duller, the air seemed stickier and shadows were darker than in reality. Applejack pressed herself into one corner of the house, before her lay the drenched corpses that were the only things left of the intruders from before. Amidst them, the bizarre monster that once was Hazel, slowly walked closer to her, it's hooves and coat dripping with blood. It came near Applejack, a sharp hiss escaping it's jaws, and she cowered low under it's gaze. 

The real Hazel watched the scene from under the roof in worry, seeing how the beasts fangs drew ever closer to Applejack's face. His wings folded to his sides and suddenly, he stood right between the abomination of his self and the mare he had learned to adore so much. Extending his wings to let him seem even bigger than he already was, he made a clear stance. He raised his hoof against the wicked thing before him and his voice boomed through the building.

''Be gone with you! You will not hurt her! Vanish and be never seen again! You were once a part of me and I command you to disappear!'' he swung his hoof against it's shoulder and made a clear cut through it's whole front. The thing growled a last time and faded into small whirling shadow-particles. Hazel turned around and faced the still cowering Applejack. He reached out a hoof and gently stroked her shoulder. Applejack's ears perked up and she looked confusedly into Hazel's soothing eyes that promised warmth and comfort. Suddenly the environment became a lot more friendly. The shadows weren't so threatening anymore, the whole scene lit up and the scent of sweet apples wafted through the air. 

''There, there, no need to be afraid, I am here after all.'' he helped her to stand up again. Applejack looked at him both relieved that her nightmare had turned out so well and a bit confused as how Hazel had managed to slip into her dreams so easily. 

Applejack smiled warmly and shook her head. ''You really gotta stop savin' me all the time, ya know? It's kinda getting' embarrassing.'' she laughed and put her hoof to his chest.

His expression hardened. There was something she was trying to hide beneath her laughter, something she really did not want to talk about. He looked closer and saw the little frown that she fought down rather badly and the small shivers that, hardly noticeable, ran over her body, as well as a scent, that lay under the smell of apples, and that he knew all too well. Normally, this smell was empowering him and whenever he smelled it, Hazel knew everything was going as planned. Fear. What was like a field of flowers to him when his victims nearly lost themselves because of the righteous guardian before them, it was now more of a slap to the face. He shoved her hoof aside and stared directly at her. 

''You are afraid of me.'' it was not a question, he knew for sure. Applejack tried to look away, but his face was all it took to detain her from doing so. She faltered and quickly tried to make up something, that would hopefully put him at ease; the moment was too beautiful to let it slip away.

''No, sugarcube, Ah'm not afraid of yer, Ah was just-''

''You are the element of honesty, do not make yourself a laugh by trying to lie at me, that does not fit you.'' Hazel cut her off. He turned around and walked a few steps away from her, without dignifying her with so much as a glance.

They both stayed quiet for a moment, Applejack just staring at the back of his head and Hazel looking at the floor before his feet. Then he began to talk again, but his voice didn't sound as firm as it ever was. When he spoke, it sounded more like a monologue, a sad sigh, maybe.

''You know, after all this time I came to spend on this world, I got used to being either loved or hated by those around me. There was no room in between. Those who feared me died quickly afterwards and those who loved me would have soon forgotten me. I accepted my fate to serve Celestia for all eternity, but now... All those mares that fell in love with me; not one of them was worth to be loved back! I did what I did because my nature demanded it.'' he turned to face her again and Applejack noticed the small red orbs that were building in the corners of his agate eyes. ''And now, the mare I want to protect the most trembles at my sight! Why, Applejack?! Do you not understand that I would give my life to save you if I had to?'' his wings had extended while he had yelled at Applejack, but now Hazel was slowly lowering them again and eventually let them rest on his sides. He sat down and let his head sink while he wiped away the small drops that were about to roll down his cheeks. ''I would protect you from any harm there might be, even from myself. Now this being said, I can leave your dream and delete what I just said from your-'' Hazels eyes grew wide as an amber hoof raised his face and a pair of heavenly soft lips locked with his own. 

The kiss lasted only a heartbeat and it was over as soon as it had started. Applejack looked at him with a cocky grin and slightly reddened cheeks. ''Don'tcha dare doing that! I wanna remember evrything when Ah wake up, understood?'' 

Hazel sat there, completely puzzled by what just happened. Slowly his mind was managing to connect the loose sparks of thoughts that whirled around in his head. He opened his mouth a few times and pieced up something that hopefully sounded like a rational sentence.

''To be honest, No, I do not understand the least! You- I mean, I- What was the-'' again he was silenced by the angelic touch of Applejack's mouth. This time the kiss lasted much longer and he even got confident enough to brush his tongue against her pearl-white teeth, earning a surprised snort as she drew back. Applejack stepped away a bit and touched her mouth with one hoof, constantly tying to hold back a giggle.

Eventually, she looked back at Hazel again, now an expression of deep affection covering her blushing face. She looked so incredibly adorable at this moment, but also emanated an aura of self-esteem that made her hard to approach. Never had Hazel been in a comparable situation, seeing that he had always been the aggressor, the predator that hunted down and brought home his prey, at all points.

Applejack had caught herself and strolled back to him again. With a cooing purr, she whispered into Hazel's ear. ''Come on, Lover-boy, why so shy?''

Hazel stood his ground as well as he could manage to, struggling hard to not lose his whole dignity now. He didn't like the new role he was put in and already worked on a solution for his begrudging  situation. But as hard as he tried, the scent of sweet apples, mixed with breathtaking taste of her lips as well as her exhilarating presence before him did a darn good job to block out any thought that might have come to his mind. All he could get out without embarrassing himself even more was a dumbfounded stammering.

''I'm not shy, I'm just a bit... surprised. I thought I had kept my charm to a limit. I was never intending to seduce you, please forgive me, I'll have a better look on it from now on.'' he was trying to gain some time until his mind came at ease and he could think straight again. The atmosphere was making him feel dizzy, so he had to get rid of it soon.

Applejack snickered again and lay her back against his front side and playfully rubbed her cheek against his chest. Her trademark Steddson hat lay in the corner she had cowered from the abomination a few moments ago. She sighed patiently and let her chin sink to her chest.

''Oh silly, you've kept your charm perfectly at hoof, it's got nothing to do with it. Ah guess you're just my type.'' she shrugged and wrapped her arms around his neck to draw him closer again, but this time, Hazel resisted. He threw his head back and with it, Applejack. She suddenly stood before him again and shot him a rather disappointed look. Hazel had made his mind up, this could not go on this way. He stepped back from her, it was time he ended this. With a loud snap, his wings spread wide and a steadied himself firmly onto the ground. Slowly at first, but then ever faster, Hazel began to strike his wings against the air, creating a gently breeze that soon turned into a howling wind. Applejack stumbled back and covered her face with a hoof to prevent her eyes from damage that may be caused by flying splinters or something else. The flurry became somewhat cold, so cold that she lay down and clenched her arms around her torso, hoping she could warm herself a little. But as soon as she had rolled together, the sound of the flapping wings had already vanished and the cold was no longer imminent; in fact, she felt quite warm. The next thing she noticed was the lack of hardness that usually came with laying on the ground. Moreover there were other things that did not fit the image of her current situation: there was the feeling of something soft and warm covering her body, the steady breeze that tenderly flowed over her head and the titillating sensation of sleek fur tickling her nostrils.   

At once it came clear to her where she was. Laying in her bed, she was being held in a tender embrace, pressed against the warm, muscular chest of a certain white pegasus. Applejack fidgeted around to get in a more comfortable position and ended up resting her head on his arm, her nostrils picking up the mesmerizing musky scent his coat was emanating. She kept herself in this position for a while, simply enjoying the company he provided her with and the beat of his heart. But there was something that discomforted her anyhow, a queasy feeling in the back of her head made her restless and urged her to look up.

When she opened her beautiful mint-green eyes, her gaze met an even glance. A warm, but demanding, cairngorm flash of light held her head firmly in place as she looked into Hazel's eyes. Applejack sighed.

''Ah guess Ah won't be comin' around this one whatsoever, huh?'' 

Not a single glimpse of movement could be caught on his face as he stared directly at her. ''I do not think so.'' his voice was calm, motionless and crystal-clear.

''Well, what'cha wanna hear?''

''I, for once, think that an explanation is rather appropriate.''

Applejack pulled a scrunch and looked down at his chest. How should she tell him? What should she tell him? She hadn't been lying earlier on about his charm, she really liked the stallion behind it. Screwing it up now would end in a disaster for sure. Applejack's mind was blanking on what to say. Never had she talked to a stallion in this sorta way and she couldn't get a straight sentence out of her mouth.

''Ah- Well, the thing is- Have ya ever- Frankly- Oh, for Celestia's sake! Why is it so darn hard?'' she exhaled loudly and loosened herself. 

Hazel chuckled. It was a rather rare amusement to see the ever so confident Applejack in such an awkward situation. Her discomfort made him giggle, and he enjoyed the little teasing she put herself into. However, he saw that she was struggling and he didn't want her to embarrass more than necessary. 

''Just start at the beginning.'' his voice cut through the haze that had captured her thoughts like sunlight cut through mist. 

Applejack looked at him in deliberation and took a moment to arrange the words she was about to say next. She took in a deep breath and began.  

''The beginnin', right. So it was after you told us all who ya really are, and that lil' trip into your memories. I've never had a coltfriend before, but when Ah saw that thing between you an' Victoria, Ah was starting to think about what it would be to have somepony always being at yer side. O' course Ah never felt lonely, Ah have mah famly, but, you know, it's not the same...''

Applejack fumbled her hooves and looked away from Hazel. Gosh, she had never thought it would be easy to confess her feelings to anypony, but she was surprised it would turn out to be that difficult. She sighed again.

''And Ah was hoping that you could be that somepony. Ah know, Ah'm not the brightest of bulbs, or the sharpest of nails, and sometimes Ah'm as stubborn as a mule, but'' her glance shot up to his face with an almost desperate expression, ''Ah'm never going to cheat on yer, Ah know how to handle a household and Ah'll always be there if somepony needs me.'' Her lower lip quivered as she was forcing back the tears of excruciating anticipation of his answer.

Hazel took a long look into the shimmering green orbs that lay in her head. ''Yes, you wouldn't, yes, you do and yes, you are. But I cannot. Let us just assume I would say yes, what would happen? We would start a relationship, grow ever closer to each other and one day, a letter will flow in, telling me to come back to Canterlot. Or even more likely, my Incubus-nature makes me seduce some innocent filly because I cannot control myself.'' He jumped out of the bed and brought some room between him and Applejack. His gaze traveled out of the window and revealed that dawn wasn't so far away.

The sudden lack of his warmth made Applejack shiver and she wrapped the blanket tighter around her in order to get more comfortable. After the first shock had settled in, she stared at the back of his head. She had to say something, else she would lose him.

''Listen, sugarcube, Ah know you got some issues with that, but maybe I could-''

''Do not force yourself onto something. You were about to get raped just a few hours ago, I cannot expect you to throw yourself tail-first at me.'' Hazel interrupted her before she could say any more. 

''Furthermore, my uncontrollable lust is not the only obstacle. As you may remember, I am immortal and you are not. Even if Celestia is in no need of my service anymore and we somehow manage to arrange something about my other problem, we can spend like fifty years together? Maybe sixty, at the maximum. And then you die and I am alone again.'' his head sunk low, his ears dropped and vacantly at the ground, tracing down the lines in the planks of wood that the floor was made of.

Suddenly Applejack jumped out of the bed, too and marched up at him. Her face was no longer in concern, but the red of anger had flushed her cheeks. She stamped her hoof right before his face to the ground, making him raise his head in surprise. She came up uncomfortably close and tapped with her hoof against his chest. She didn't bother if she could wake up the rest of her family as Applejack yelled at the white pegasus.

''Now listen here mister, Ah'm quite sick of you using your immortality as an excuse to not allow yourself any feelings! You're right, losing somepony close to you does hurt, but you gotta stallion up. Ponies come and ponies go and you are blessed with the unique possibility to meet all of them! Ah can't believe you'd let such a great opportunity go to waste. Just look at it from another point of view: for a friend you lose, you'll meet another one!''  

Hazel stared blankly at her. Had he really been so blind? He tried to evade Applejack's stare, but as soon as he tilted his head, she locked his glance on her by keeping her hooves wrapped around his face. When he didn't answer, she let go of him but still kept his glare locked with hers. She loosened her hardened expression and tenderly stroke a strain of his hair out of his face.

''Ya wanna know what Ah think? Ah think when Victoria died, you died, too. When the princess woke yer up, she only woke up yer body. Sure, you are immortal, but you were dead the whole past millennium. You were dead inside! And Ah think, this is why Celestia sent yer here in the first place! Am Ah right?''

Her words hit the bull's eye. The longer Applejack talked, the more his doubts melted away. Hazel didn't need long to think about it to know she was right. Maybe it was time for him to really start living.

A sheepish smile stole itself on his lips. ''What was that about the brightest of bulbs? There you are, speaking with a wisdom that greatly surpasses your age.'' Hazel chuckled. He straightened himself before her and his determined face made no secret about him making up his mind. 

''Fine, I will begin to see things your way, under one condition.'' 

Applejack's face turned into a wide smile as she nearly burst from anticipation. Her voice was shaky as she spoke. ''And what's that gonna be?''

Hazel reached out with one hoof and slung it around one of hers, drawing Applejack close to him and placed a passionate kiss onto her mouth, which she willingly returned.
''You help me getting started. That is all I ask for. Are you fine with this?'' 

In response, Applejack threw her hooves around his neck and pulled him into a tight hug. It was official now, she had her first coltfriend! 

Applejack let go off him and fondly looked into Hazel's warm, soothing, brown eyes. She nodded and turned around, taking a few steps towards the bed again. ''Now how about we take a little nap before Granny Smith calls us?'' Hazel only smiled and just about to crawl beneath the soft, criss-cross patterned blanket, where Applejack would snuggle up at him, but the sound of something hitting metal nearly made him jolt. He and Applejack opened the window to see an elderly green pony slam a wooden spoon against some pans. 

''What in the name of all good heavens is she doing down there?''

Applejack gasped. Her eyes shimmered and her smile grew wide as she turned to look at him. ''It means that the Zap-Apple season is coming!''

''Which season?''

Hazel looked puzzledly at her but Applejack was too excited about the news. He just looked at Granny Smith and followed the trail of her glare as he spotted a dozen pairs of yellow-glowing eyes in the bushes at the edge of the trees.

Now, these looked very familiar to him, but where had he encountered them already? Then it hit him. The timberwolves were trying to set foot on the farm! He chuckled. In any other case he had just jumped out of the window and chopped them down, but he had provided this barn with enough violence for one day. So he settled for sending out his mind and touched the thoughts of the wolves. He showed them what he had done to some of there fellow mates and in an instant they ran away with their tail between their legs.

Applejack had still locked her gaze on one certain part of the orchard, where huge, black bald trees were standing next to each other, so she didn't notice when Hazel looked at her with a wry smile from the side. 

Well then, my second relationship. I hope this one ends better than my last one...