Once she left we could all breath and relax a bit, I was a bit disappointed that I was getting sent home tomorrow but at least she gave me today. They others start talking to one another on what to do, I sat there and listened. “So what do you suppose we do now?” Rarity asked
“Well, you all heard the Princess; we don’t really need to be here until tomorrow, so I guess all see you all then.” Twilight said
They all continued talking, a couple seconds after she said that, the front door flew open, I turned to see who it was. It was Applebloom who had a worried look on her eyes but was instantly replaced with joy when she saw me. Without word she ran and jumped into my chest. I felt something might have been wrong. “Hey bloom, what’s up?” I asked
I felt the filly sigh with relief against my chest. “Just glad yer not gone...” she said
I smiled and continued to hold her close; though the talking didn’t stop I had a distinct feeling that they others were starring, but I didn’t bother looking.
She let me go as I got my legs and feet underneath me and pushed myself up, placing my hand back on my wound. I was still tired and my shoulder as well as my mussels were still aching. But I had energy to spare, that rest helped greatly.
“Yer gonna be able to make it home... right?” Bloom asked concerningly
I looked down at her, if I couldn’t make it back I would surely try. “Sure I will.” I said with a warm comforting gaze
Rainbow dash came over and interjected. “Uh hellloooo? you barely made it down the stairs.” she said sarcastically
She did have a good point, but before was just my body not wanting to give up rest without a fight, and me forcing it too quickly. But I’m in way better shape than I was before so I should be fine. I looked at applejack and then down to bloom. Though applejack had it to, mostly bloom had hope-filled eyes, and I didn’t want that to be misplaced. “If I made it all the way here I think I can make it back, especially If I have Bloom and Applejack cheering me on. But that rest did help a lot...” I paused and looked over at Twilight. “Thank you for that twilight.”
Twilight walked over. “No problem, but are you sure you can make it all the way back to Sweet Apple Acres?” she asked concerningly
“Sure I’m sure.” I said positive of myself
Twilight didn’t seem convinced, then Pinkie pie bounced over. “Don’t worry Twilight, he’ll be alright. I mean, that’s four sure’s! I’m sure he’ll be fine. Oops that’s five.” she said giggling
Twilight still didn’t seem certain but seeing she wasn't going to be able to stop she went along. “Ok... but stay off that arm, see you guy’s tomorrow.” she said cheerfully
Me Applejack and Applebloom all waved and said our goodbyes and then walked out of the house. “Don’t worry Jon, Ah know these parts like the back of my hoof. I'll take us the shortest route possible.” applejack said
I appreciated that, but that wasn’t really what I wanted. “Actually applejack... can we take the long way?” I asked. I didn’t care about how tired I was and the pain; I wanted to spend time with them. If I was really being sent back tomorrow, then this was my least day in equestria. And I want to spend what time I have left with them.
Applejack seemed to understand yet she was confused. “The long way? Are ya sure ya’ll can make that?” she asked
I chuckled lightly, that was six, but not going for seven I answered simply. “Yeah...”
Applejack gave off a warm smirk and agreed. “Alright if ya say so... let’s go.” And with that we started walking.
As we were walking I had asked bloom what her and the crusaders did today, but there wasnt much. Apparently bloom had forced Sweetie belle and Scootaloo to wait with her outside Twilight’s house Intel the Princess had left cause she wanted to make sure I was still there. It was nice hearing that from her that she cared for me like that, but I already knew she did.
Walking was still difficult for me, still tired as heck and mussels still hurting every time I moved. But despite that it wasn’t that bad. Since I had some energy, I wasn’t dragging my feet as badly as before and I didn’t have to use my leaning method either, but I was still slow. But Applejack and Bloom walked at my pace without question, I appreciated that.
Once we got to the field I truly realized how nice of a day it was. There was a light cool breeze, the sun was shining bright, the birds were singing, and the squirrels were running around collecting food, and off in the distance you could hear the frogs croaking at the pond, it was beautiful.
Applebloom had run ahead and started chasing and playing with some butterflies, me and applejack staid back and watched. It warmed my heat seeing applebloom that happy, listening to her play and laugh and seeing that joyfully look on her face, it helped in more ways than one. The pain in my shoulder and the rest of my body was somewhat nonexistent, because I wasn’t focused on it; I was only focused on that little filly I care so much for.
I nearly lost my life because of her, and I’d do it all again if that meant seeing that joyfully face...
I would never want to take that away from her, but I knew eventually I’d have to. Me and applejack both agreed that bloom had to be told about me leaving, it was just waiting for the right moment. Though there isn’t really a 'right moment' for something like that, but it needs to be done. I told applejack that I would do it, I felt like it was my responsibility to, but she didn’t question and agreed and we continued watching the filly we both cared for, play.
As we were getting closer to the path, we were all starting to get really hungry on account of missing lunch, but I think I was the worst considering I hadn’t eaten anything today except zecora’s medicine. So when we got to the path applejack bucked the first tree she saw and got us each a couple apples, me and bloom both thanked her for that.
After they apples were gone, we didn’t talk much walking down the path, course Applebloom did but me and Applejack mainly listened. We were just enjoying one another’s presence, being with each other. We didn't need words for that. it was like that all the way back to the farm. And you know what? I wouldn’t have changed any of it...
When we got back to the farm, applejack had mentioned that there was still some thing’s that needed to be done here and there. I knew I wouldn’t really be able to but I offered to help, it just felt natural to me. Applejack just about smacked me for asking to do work and got annoyed by that. “Jon, how do ya suppose yer gonna help me, if ya’ll can barely walk? Stay here and rest up, alright?” Applejack said firmly
Even though I’m almost three feet taller than her, she still talked down to me like I was her little brother. But I didn’t mind one bit. “Ok...” I said
“Good, now Ah’m gonna go check up on Big macintosh and see what he has and hasn’t done yet. And when ah come back, ah better not see you trying to do something. Understood?" Applejack asked seriously. I replied with a nod. "Good, see ya in abit." she said as she walked off
“See ya later applejack.” me and applebloom both said in unison. She continued walking and soon she was gone.
I knew applejack was right about me getting rest, I can agree with that. But I wasn’t exactly sure were, since this is my last day on a farm I didn’t want to rest in just some bed, then I thought of a place. Without word I turned around and started making my way towards the barn. “Were do ya think yer going? Applejack said to rest.” Applebloom insisted
I continued walking and looked back to her. “I am...” I said simply
Applebloom seemed confused but followed behind me. Once I got up to the barn I walked inside and started making my way to the back pen next to the empty cider barrels. When I got there I looked in, they hay was undisturbed and was exactly how I left, it was nice seeing it again. To think that’s where it all really started for me.
I walked in and turned around, lowered myself and dropped in the bile of hay with a sigh of relief. I let go of my shoulder and kicked off my shoes, it felt so good to finally get those off. “Wouldn’t it be better if you laid down it the house?” she asked coming up to the pen.
“Probably... but I feel better right here.” I said adjusting myself
I was expecting her to maybe leave and go catch up with sweetie and scoots. But instead, she walked into the pen and lied down in the hay next to me on my right side. I looked down to her and smiled, she smiled back and I pulled her in a bit closer and rested my head back.
Having her snuggled up right next to me brought enormous amounts of peace and comfort. Feeling her fur and the small thuds of her heartbeat against my side, all topped off with the light sound of her smooth and gentle breathing. My exploded.
I was actually close to falling asleep this time, but then I remembered what me and applejack agreed on, and realized that this was probably going to be a best as time as any. I sat up slightly out of the hay. “Applebloom... I need to tell you something.” I said
She picked up on my change of tone and sat up. “What...?” she asked
I started feeling a uneasiness in my heart but I fought it, I didn’t know the right way to brake it to her so I just said it. “Bloom... I’m going to be sent home tomorrow.”
Blooms eyes were instantly filled with sorrow. “W-what...? y-you can’t go, you just got here.” her voice started cracking as she spoke
It hurt me so much seeing that much sadness in her eyes, and knowing that I had caused it made it all the worse, but I couldn’t stop there I had to continue. “I know... I know it doesn’t seem fair, but I have to go. This world isn’t made to house me, I have to leave.” I said
Water started forming in her eyes. “No you don’t... ya have a home right here on the farm...” she said
It tore me up on the inside when she said that, it didn’t matter how much I wanted it to be true, I had to keep denying it. But one thing was certain. “That doesn’t matter, I still have to go... but you are right, my heart will always belong here on the farm with you and Applejack... nothing will ever change that.” I said my voice starting to crack as well
Tears started pouring down her face. “Ah just don’t want ya ta go...”
I scooped her up with my arm and sat her on my chest and held her tight. “I know... I know...” I said softly as I continued to hold the weeping filly.
She continuously cried and sobbed into my chest; I held her close and comforted her. I almost started crying myself but I held the tears back, I had to be strong for her.
Holding her close to me helped heal the pain I was feeling, but never want away. After a while she started calming down, her sobbing slowly turned to sniffing, and her sniffing faded into the smooth breath of the sleeping filly on my chest. I didn’t move her and kept a hand on her so she knew I was their and slept.
Bloom stayed on my chest the whole time we were sleeping. That was harder than I thought it would’ve been, but I think I finally knew how applejack felt. Me and bloom continued to lay there, it was all said and done but the pain still remained, we lied there and let they hours of the day pass before are sleeping eyes.
“Applebloom? Jonathan? Ya’ll in here.?” Applejacks voice came from the entrance of the barn
I heard her and slowly started wakening up, nudging the filly on my chest as well. Then applejack came to the front of the pen. “There ya are, ah thought ah might find ya’ll in here. It’s almost dinnertime...” Applejack looked to bloom. “Bloom can ya go and help granny set the table please?” she asked her
Applebloom sat up on my chest and rubbed her eyes and jumped off. “Sure thing applejack...” She said starring to the floor as she started walking out of the barn, her voice was a bit shy from cheerful but that was understandable, she wasn’t the only one.
I sat up and wiped my face, I felt recharged, my body wasn’t in as much pain and my shoulder wasn’t hurting as bad as before. But I didn’t want to risk moving it so I just let it hang. When I stood up I didn’t bother putting on my shoes, I bent down and just carried them and walked alongside applejack out of the barn.
“Did ya tell her..?” applejack asked. I didn’t respond, I looked at her and nodded lighty. “How did she take it?” she asked
I shook my head in the same. “Not that good, but she knows I have to leave. But that doesn’t make it any easier...” I said my voice getting low near the end
She nodded sadly. “No it doesn’t, but it’s a good that ya told her. It wouldn’t-of been right if ya just got up and left without lettin her know before hoof.” she said
I nodded to her and we continued walking to the house, but the things that bloom had said stayed with me. Even though I had managed to convince bloom that I had to leave, I have to convinced myself yet, but I tried to let it go.
When we got in the house I could smell the food on the table but before I went, I dropped and left my shoes at the front door, applejack didn’t seem to mind. When we walked into the kitchen everyone besides me and applejack were sitting at the food filled table, I went to go take my seat beside bloom as before.
“There you two are, how’s the shoulder sonny?” granny smith asked
I sat down in the chair. “Bit sore but I'll live...” I said grinning to her
She smiled. “Good, but don’t start a thinkin since yer injured ah won’t fight ya fer some of this here food. Dig in everyone!” granny cheered as she started plundering the table of food.
We all started collecting food from around the table. Nothing was passed this time, if you wanted it you had to get it. I know it’s what I asked but they certainly weren’t holding back from eating one bit.
Although I didn’t really either, though they apples from before did help this was so much better. I think one of the reasons of why I was so tired is because there was no real fuel in my gut, but I couldn’t say that after that meal, I filled myself to my heart’s content as did everyone else.
“That was great granny, just as good as before.” applejack said leaning back in her chair and placing a hoof on her stomach.
I had to agree. “Definitely, you really out did yourself this time granny.”
“Thank ya kindly youn’ins, but it ain’t over yet.” She got up and out of her chair and walked over to the counter and brought back a plate loaded with apple fritters. “Ah made they earlier so there nice and cool to eat, so help yerself.” she said encouraged with an elderly smile
Me and applejack and just about everyone else eyes and tastebuds watered when she put that plate down on the table, they looked and smelled delicious and they tasted even better, they were the best apple fritters I’ve had in my interior life. But I only had a couple; I filled myself with more food than before so there wasn’t much room. Besides I don’t think it’s the best thing to have sugar when you have a wound, but oh well.
After they were all gone the house moved as it did before, applejack stated cleaning and doing the dishes, and big mac took granny and turned in early. I stayed in the kitchen and talked with applejack for a bit. Applebloom never asked me to tell her a story, she still seemed very upset about me leaving tomorrow but I don’t blame her, so I didn’t force it and we skipped story time.
Besides Applejack said that I should turn in early as well and rest up, we don’t know what the Princess has planned for tomorrow so she said I should get some rest while I can. Seeing how bloom was too disappointed to want to do anything, I agreed.
So I got up and said goodnight to them, applejack replied but bloom remained silent and just starred down at the table. It hurt me seeing her like that, and knowing that there’s nothing I could do just made worse, it wasn’t just that though, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. so I tried to let it slide.
Applejack had asked if I wanted help getting up to my bed, she actually called it my bed. But I turned her down and said I would be fine, she took my word for it. I didn’t grab my shoes; I didn’t really need them so I decided to just leave them where they were. I walked over and up the stairs, down the hallway and up the second flight of stairs to the attic.
When I got up to the attic I looked over to my bed, the sheets were still unmade and untouched and were they exact way I left them from a couple nights before, it was nice to see that they respected my space and left it along, even though they had the full right to. They respected that space and treated it like it was mine, I just wish that was true...
I walked over and sat down in my bed, I got my feet up and leaned back slowly and sighed with relief and tried to fall asleep.