Flim was jolted awake before the sun was even peeking over the horizon. Sleep shrouding his eyes, he stared at the mare that was grinning down at him. Looking at the clock on the nearest wall, his jaw dropped.
"It's three in the morning!" he said. He wasn't even aware that there could be light so early.
"It's the fall harvest. We have to get started early if we want to buck all these trees." Applejack explained, "Plus, you don't wanna miss breakfast."
"I certainly don't, that." Flim nodded agreement, following the mare to the kitchen. If she was even the slightest bit fatigued, she didn't show it.
The breakfast spread was massive. Flim had scarcely seen so much food in his entire life, and wondered if this would be a daily occurrence in the Apple household.
"Are ya gonna sit there with yer jaw on the floor, or are ya gonna eat somethin'?" Applejack smiled softly, "Go on, help yerself."
That was all it took, of course. He filled his plate with the various fruits and vegetables, and plenty of eggs. He also had a healthy portion of pancakes and biscuits and gravy. All the while, Applejack was the only one not to eye him with suspicion and barely restrained dislike. Swallowing the lump of gravy-drenched biscuit in his mouth, he eyed the table, tapping his hooves nervously.
"Listen," he began, uncharacteristically slow, which immediately caught all of the Apples' attentions, "I know my brother and I have made some... poor decisions in our lives, and more often than not it's caused hardship for your family..."
"That's the understatement a' the century." Granny Smith chuckled mirthlessly.
"...But even with all of that, you took me in." Flim continued, "You've shown me more hospitality and kindness than anypony in Equestria - and we have traveled all across Equestria. I just wanted to apologize for everything that's happened between us before, and to thank you. For everything."
The Apples looked positively stunned. Even Big Mac's fork fell from his slack jaw. Flim avoided looking at them. It wasn't that he was lying; it was just he was embarrassed for telling so much of the truth. He really was thankful for their hospitality, and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't a little guilty about their past meetings. Not that lying was difficult for him, of course. Even so, his eyes did meet with Applejack's. She gave him a warm smile and he absently wondered if her eyes had always been so bright a green.
Silly thing to be wondering.
"Ah'm sure Ah speak fer everypony here when Ah say yer forgiven." Applejack said. Her family exchanged reluctant grimaces before agreeing with her. As soon as breakfast was finished, Applejack led Flim to the farm. "Time ta get ta work."
The first hour, although difficult, was still doable. Flim's bucking proved to be almost embarrassing; Applejack could clear a tree twice as large, twice as fast as him, and Big Mac didn't even need that long. By the time the sun was just over the horizon, Flim's shirt was plastered to his chest with sweat and he had to remove the hat from his head to pull his mane out of his face. He could see why Applejack wore hers in a ponytail, now.
"Ya ain't tirin' out so soon, are ya?" Applejack asked, "It's not even lunch time yet."
"Don't be ridiculous, apple fritter." Flim managed between ragged breaths. Big Mac frowned at the pet name, but Applejack only rolled her eyes and sighed. "I can keep this up all day!"
By lunch time, he nearly collapsed into the sandwich on his plate. How in Equestria did these ponies survive, day in and day out? Finally, with the sun at it's zenith, they broke for lunch. Flim nearly collapsed into his seat at the table. Only when the aching in his limbs subsided did he realize how hungry he was. That was a weird thought; he could have sworn he had eaten more food that morning than many of his past meals combined. No wonder farm ponies ate so much.
"Flim..." Big Mac began cautiously, something that sounded at odds with his deep voice, "Ah appreciate how hard y'all have been working this morning, but Ah don't wanna see ya kill yerself."
"Would you rather I do other work around the farm?" Flim asked quickly. When the Apple siblings exchanged worried glances, he almost spat out in a panic "You're not going to throw me back in the streets so soon, are you?"
Applejack looked scandalized at the suggestion. "A' course not!" she snapped, then more gently, "We're just worried you'll work yerself ta death. Ya don't have ta work so hard, out there. Yer not as used ta it as we are."
"Eeyup." Big Mac nodded in agreement.
"Oh." Flim laughed at his earlier, embarrassing panic. Then, surprisingly meek, he said "Thank you. For everything, I mean."
Big Mac smiled at the thanks, but it was Applejack's small smile and soft, emerald eyes that caught his attention. That, and how the midday sunlight caught in her golden mane. He felt his mouth go dry and he quickly gulped down a glass of lemonade, hastily.
"That's good lemonade." he said, even more hastily than normal.
"One of Granny Smith's many famous recipes." Applejack explained.
"Seems like everything I've had while staying here has been a Granny Smith recipe." Flim noted, trying to focus on anything other than the mare across from him. He was much older than her; five years, at least. Not only that, but he was a guest - fooling with mares had gotten him and his brother kicked out of more than a few houses.
"Well, they're not all Granny Smith's recipes." Applejack said, finishing her meal with a juicy apple, "Most a' them are passed down through the Apple family fer as far back as we can remember. An' she ain't the only one that cooks around here, if that's what yer implyin'."
"I was implying nothing of the sort." Flim said, though his sly grin suggested otherwise. Applejack gave a little laugh and rolled her eyes. He had to fight a flush from reaching his face.
"Well, Ah help out in the kitchen a lot." the mare said.
"She does more than help, most a' the time." Big Mac chuckled deeply, "She's just as good as Granny when it comes ta cookin'."
"I'd believe it." Flim said, "You're always full of surprises, Applejack."
"Pleasant surprises, Ah hope." the mare laughed.
"Absolutely." Flim said, and had to click his teeth shut before he could say more. He wanted to throw in a pass about how her mane caught the sunlight, or her eyes, or even something about the freckles dusting her cheeks, but with her brother - her large and very powerful brother - sitting so close at hand, he was sure he would regret any such compliment. Big Mac seemed to sense what he was thinking and nodded approval that Flim had kept his mouth shut.
"Ah must say, Ah could get used ta yer flattery, Flim." Applejack crossed her forelegs and sat back in her chair. Big Mac shot Flim a glare that could have shattered rocks, as if her saying that had been his doing. The fresh sheen of sweat on Flim's brow had nothing to do with farm work. Applejack got up and stretched, "Well, back ta work. Remember, Flim, ya don't have ta kill yerself doin' it."
Happy to escape Big Mac's brotherly glaring, Flim kept a wide berth from Applejack and worked at clearing trees well away from both Apple siblings. Best to keep his distance from that increasingly irresistable peach-pony as possible. Eventually, Big Mac quit glaring at him and Flim let out a breath he hadn't known he was keeping in.
Working at a slower pace than he had been that morning, Flim wasn't quite as exhausted by the time the sun had lowered and Granny Smith rang the bell for dinner. His legs ached and his back creaked. His shirt was pasted to his chest with sweat, and his breathing was ragged. Yet, regardless of all these things, he felt a strange sense of satisfaction from the hard work. It felt, somehow, more rewarding than his usual line of work.
"Ya did good today, Flim." Applejack gave him a hearty slap on the back that sent him to the ground. "Uh, ya alright?"
"Never better, my dear." Flim wheezed as he stood back up and brushed himself off. Big Mac raised an eyebrow - threateningly, to Flim - but moved on into the house, leaving the two ponies to themselves.
"Sure is beautiful out." Applejack said, absently as she eyed the sky.
"Yeah." Flim said, quietly. He wasn't really aware of his surroundings until she mentioned it. The sun was a burning semicircle on the horizon, the sky a multitude of orange and purple hues, the first stars and moon twinkling opposite the sun.
"Ya know somethin', Flim?" the mare smiled, "Sunset has ta be mah favorite time a' day, an' not just because Ah head in after a hard day's work."
"Oh yeah?" Flim raised an eyebrow.
"There's just somethin' magical about this time, dontcha think? Like, Luna and Celestia have this time set up just ta really show off their stuff." the mare continued. She stopped, giving an embarrassed laugh and looking at the ground. "Silly things ta be thinkin', Ah suppose."
"I actually thought it was quite beautiful." Flim confessed, stepping closer, "Dusk is one of my favorite times of day, too. If I make it to the end of the day, why, that's another day of living, in my opinion."
"You an' yer brother really have a hard time survivin', Ah take it?" Applejack frowned and Flim felt some regret at seeing her smile disappear.
"Well, Flam and I certainly have our troubles, now and then." Flim confessed, "But everyday we make through to the end is a good day, to us."
"Ah just don't get it." Applejack tsked, "Y'all make so many bits rippin' ponies off, how come yer not livin' it up in Manehatten or Canterlot?"
"Flam and I aren't the best with money." Flim laughed in embarrassment, "We've amassed several small fortunes, but we seem to spend them all rather quickly."
"Can't say Ah'm surprised." Applejack sniffed, "Well, we better head in."
"Wait." Flim put a hoof to the mare's shoulder and she stopped. She looked at his hoof, then at his face. Those emerald eyes gleaming set his pulse racing. "Let's stay out here and enjoy the sunset awhile longer."
Applejack smiled softly, her eyes half-closing in what was surely a friendly gesture. It looked a little too demure for Flim's tastes, but he didn't complain. She stayed there with him, watching the sun sink below the horizon and the stars fill the sky. Only then did they retire indoors.
*-*
"Fillies and gentlecolts!" Flam bellowed in Ponyville's town square. More than a few of the townsponies stared acidly at him, but he ignored them. "Step right up and see the most wondrous show this side of Canterlot!"
Even though both Flim and Flam had a bad reputation, there was something in the way they talked that drew ponies in. Plus, Flam wasn't charging admission for the show quite yet, and a free show was certainly worth their time. Who could resist free anything? So, Flam watched, grinning beneath his moustache as ponies filed into the square. Almost at once, they frowned at the wagon sitting there.
"Oh great." one of the townsponies muttered, loud enough to carry through the crowd, "Now Flim and Flam are working with Trixie." Murmurs of discontented agreement rippled through the audience.
Before anypony could make a move to leave, however, Trixie's wagon unfolded into a stage, a great cloud of purple smoke erupting at its center and fireworks sprinkling the night sky. As the smoke cleared, Trixie stood, flaring her cape. Unsurprisingly, despite her last two visits to Ponyville, the townsponies watched in awe. Flam wondered why the citizens of Ponyville were so easily manipulated.
"Ponies of Ponyville!" Trixie declared with flourish, "It is I! The Great and Powerful Trixie Lulamoon! Here, once more, to grace you with her wonders!"
Flam took this as his cue to trigger another series of fireworks that thundered over the awed crowd. Quickly working his hooves beneath the stage on a serious of bowls filled with water, he poured bits of dry ice into each. Soon, fog creeped out from beneath the stage and rose around the audience. The townsponies smiled at the theatrics, their earlier reservations all but gone. And to think, the show hadn't even started yet.
Before long, Trixie was really getting into her tricks. Swirling lights dancing through rings of smoke, fireworks detonating into fearsome monsters and bright patterns. All the while, Trixie didn't even break a sweat. Flam felt himself get caught up in her display just as much as the ponies around him, but his gaze soon came to rest on the mare center stage more than her tricks. Silver mane catching the moon- and starlight, as well as the illumination of the various other lights in the sky. Her purple eyes practically glowed just as bright as the purple magic she conjured from her horn.
Flam cleared his throat and loosened his shirt collar; it was suddenly too tight to breathe.
Trixie's finale was spectacular. A menagerie of pyrotechnics and magical tricks that made it almost as bright as day. As it ended, Trixie bowed to the audience's thunderous applause. Flam worked the curtains closed and stood before them, applauding just as heartily as the townsponies. He almost regretted having to break the mood. Almost.
"Wasn't that magnificent, everypony?" he managed over the crowd, "To think, we'll never see another show like it!"
The way he said that - with a tinge of sorrow - caught the audience's attention and the cheering slowly stopped.
"Why's that?" a random pony asked.
"Why's that, you say?" Flam gasped in mock-surprise, "Why, because shows like these are expensive to put on! Why, we'd gladly put these shows on for free, if we could, but the costs are so great!" Murmurs rippled through the crowd, and they voiced exactly the reactions Flam had been expecting. "Fireworks are hard to come by in most parts of Equestria, and this is a travelling show, so there are the travelling expenses. Let's not forgot food and other consumables that the Great and Powerful Trixie must come by! Oh, a shame we'll never be able to put on such a wonderful performance for anypony ever again!"
The crowd was suddenly in an uproar of pleas. It seemed like everypony in Ponyville wanted to help fund Trixie's performances. Indeed, the audience lined up and dropped bits into the chest Flam had "conveniently" set up in front of the stage. Before long, the entire audience had left the chest brimming with bits and departed for their homes. Flam couldn't help but grin slyly as the last of the ponies disappeared.
"Trixie is surprised that such a stunt actually worked." the blue unicorn laughed at the chest of bits.
"Generosity is always a gold mine, my sweet." Flam said. He was surprised she didn't glare icily at him for the "sweet" bit, but only eyed him, evaluating him.
"You and your brother have quite the reputation." she said at last, "A surprise how many fortunes you've amassed, and now you work as Trixie's stagehand."
"Sometimes you're having punch at the Grand Galloping Gala, other times you're eating meals out of a garbage can." Flam stated with a smile, "C'est la vie, as the Fancy ponies say."
"You're not going to simply leave in the night with that chest full of bits, are you?" Trixie asked, eyes narrowing in suspicion.
Flam blinked. He actually hadn't been thinking of that, and that is what surprised him. Any other time, he would have taken the bits and left without so much as a note. Any other time, or any other pony? Perhaps he was growing too attached to the mare. Both he and Flim had certainly grown fond of mares in the past, and it had almost always ended in trouble - trying to win over married mares and daughters of their employers never went over well with husbands and fathers.
But Trixie was single, and he wasn't working for her father.
"Of course not." Flam said at last. Oddly, he meant it, too.
"Good." Trixie smiled - genuine and warm, sending Flam's stomach flopping. "Trixie has grown to enjoy your company in the short time she's known you. It gets rather lonely, performing for ponies across Equestria."
"I could understand that." Flam nodded in sympathy, "Even with my brother at my side, I'd still feel lonely on the road. Everypony needs... more." He hoped she didn't realize he had changed what he was going to say.
"More?" Trixie asked, moving closer, raising an eyebrow, daringly.
"I suppose it was harder for you, though." Flam said, quickly changing the subject and moving a little bit away from the mare. He didn't want her to see the flush in his cheeks. "I don't suppose you traveled with a sister, or really anypony."
"No." Trixie frowned, though whether it was because Flam had moved further away or hit the nail on the head, even she didn't know. "Trixie has had a very difficult time, alone."
"Well, buck up, gal!" Flam spun on his hooves, putting on his most winning grin, "You got me to keep you company now! Why, the two of us together could make a lot of bits! And think of all the places we'll see!" he stopped, clearing his throat, abashed, "That is, if you'll have me?"
"Trixie could always use the extra help with her performances." the mare smiled, "Besides, you do bring in quite a profit."
"That I do." Flam chuckled.
The two unicorns cleaned up the stage and returned the wagon to its original state. They took the wagon to the outskirts of the town and set up there for the rest of the night. Flam eyed the storm clouds in the sky warily, and was glad they had set the wagon up on a hilltop. Trixie stood beside him, looking up at the clouds from under her purple hat.
"Trixie hadn't taken weather into your living conditions when she hired you." the mare said, absently.
"Shouldn't be a problem." Flam said smoothly, "I'll sleep under the wagon. It'll be dry under there."
"Under the wagon?" Trixie's eyes widened in shock, but she buried it under a from, "What about when winter rolls around? It's only a few weeks until fall's finished."
"I'll invest in a tent." Flam said quickly, "Been awhile since I've had a tent."
"You don't even have a tent?" Trixie's mouth went slack, "You told Trixie you and your brother travelled across Equestria!"
"And so we do." Flam explained, quirking an eyebrow.
"Without tents?" the mare asked, "How do you two survive during the winter? Or late fall, for that matter. It must have been freezing outside last night!"
"Flim and I are made of sterner stuff than most ponies." Flam grinned, standing tall, "We've survived in much worse conditions than a little frost on the grass or rain overhead, with less than a wagon to sleep under."
"Trixie will not stand for your boasting." Trixie snapped, "You're spending your nights in the wagon."
"Run that by me again?" Flam asked, startled.
"There's enough room on the floor in Trixie's wagon for you to sleep." Trixie's cheeks heated a little, "Don't think anything too adventurous, you understand? Trixie just doesn't want to wake one winter morning to find your frozen carcass under her wagon."
"You are too kind, Trixie, too kind!" Flam took the hat from his head and bowed, "They should call you Trixie, the Great and Generous!"
"Your flattery is too much." Trixie smirked, though it was obvious she was basking in it. Then, almost too quiet for Flam to hear, she muttered "Any more, and Trixie might let you share her bed."
As Trixie walked into her wagon, leaving Flam standing there, his mind raced. His mouth was dry, and he was pretty sure his heart had stopped. There was absolutely no way he had heard that correctly. Clearing his throat and wiping sweat from his brow, he entered the wagon where Trixie had already set up blankets and pillows on the floor. Flam looked around, taking in the interior of the wagon for the first time. There were relatively few decorations in the wagon, though it appeared cramped in the small quarters. Old tomes and vials of various colored fluids on the shelves built into the walls, and hanging herbs and decorations. Flam picked up a letter from the small desk next to the bed Trixie was occupying.
It was a fan letter, signed by a Snips and Snails in crooked colt-writing. Flam had never met these foals, but their wonderment at Trixie was enough to tug a smile from under his moustache. Trixie noticed the letter and spoke up.
"They're sweet colts, if a little slow." Trixie admitted with an almost motherly smile, "Even after all Trixie has done to them, they still admire her."
"What's not to admire?" Flam raised an eyebrow.
"You're quite charming, Flam." Trixie smirked, "Why is it that some lucky mare hasn't tied you down, yet?"
"I don't have time for marriage, or anything like relationships." Flam cleared his throat and tried to study the vials on the cramped shelves, "My brother and I don't wanna be tied down by no mares; better to live a life of wealth and freedom."
"You said earlier that you always wanted something... more." the blue unicorn sounded disappointed, "Trixie thought you meant... Well, she's not really sure what you meant."
Flam was silent for a moment. Why was he so hesitant? Trixie was a beautiful mare, and there would be no repercussions as far as he could tell from dating his boss. His brow furrowed at that; there actually could be some complications with that. Still, there was no angry father, or jealous coltfriend, or furious husband to worry about. Trixie was as alone in the world as he was after he split with his brother. So why was he hesitant?
"I suppose I am pretty lonely." he confessed after awhile, "There's not much in the way of companionship for ponies like Flim and I. Nopony wants to attach themselves to a showpony who's only good at cheap fixes and quick bits."
"Trixie can understand that." the blue unicorn nodded to herself, "She has made mistakes in the past, and for those mistakes, nopony wants to attach themselves to her, either. It is painful, being so alone."
They sat in silence for awhile before Flam worked up the courage to move closer to Trixie's bedside. Their eyes locked, green meeting purple. Trixie had to admit, Flam was quite a handsome stallion. A little old for her, maybe, but she wasn't a filly anymore. Besides, beneath that fur on his lip, he had a coltish face. She didn't even notice their faces were so close that his moustache was nearly brushing her lips.
Flam backed up suddenly, chuckling, "Sorry about that, Trix! Can I call you Trix? I don't know what came over me, there! Whooee, we'll probably have a laugh about this in the morning, right? I'll just sleep under the wagon tonight, just to show there's no funny business-"
As he got up to leave, Trixie pulled him down so he was sitting next to her on her bed. She couldn't help grinning wolfishly at the stark panic on Flam's face; it was a surprising, cute response to be sure.
"You're babbling, Flam." she said before pressing her lips against his. His moustache tickled her nose, and he tasted like cheap cider, but when he started kissing back, it was like fireworks going off all around her. Even more so than her show.
For Flam, it was only a little different. Shock overwhelmed his senses and he struggled to process exactly what was happening to him at that moment. Trixie was kissing him. His employer was kissing him. C'est la vie, was all he thought before closing his eyes and losing himself in the kiss. She had a peppermint taste, and her lips were like silk. His head went a little fuzzy, but it cleared as she broke the kiss.
"Wow." Flam managed, almost speechless.
"It was pretty magical, wasn't it?" Trixie smirked. She was trying to act haughty, but she was struggling to keep the butterflies in her stomach down. "You're still sleeping on the floor. No funny business."
"Yes m'am." Flam said, still trying to process exactly what had just happened. He probably wasn't going to get much sleep tonight.
With that, Trixie used her magic to turn the light off, and both unicorns drifted into excited sleep.