Chapter 24
It was the last day of Autumn. All the leaves had fallen, and been blown or swept away. The harvest was in, and the air had a distinct chill to it. The next day, the Ponyville weather team was going to bring in the winter’s first snowstorm. It was a nice time of year, where it seems there is nothing to do and everything to do all at once. The harvest was in, but there were still preparations to be made for the new season.
Applejack was working with Big Macintosh and Pinkie Pie to prepare for that night. Every year, at the end of the harvest, Sweet Apple Acres threw a giant party. Though it was technically for the ponies who’d helped on the farm, everyone in Ponyville was welcome. And almost everyone came.
Braeburn Apple was in the farmhouse, eating a warm bean soup for lunch. North had helped Granny Smith prepare it, and it was delicious. He had another two bowls before he was finished. After thanking the old mare -- North had already left -- he went to help his cousins in the barn.
“Hey there.” said Applejack. She was balanced on a stepping stool, trying to hang a banner. The banner was obviously Pinkie’s handiwork, as it was bright and cheerful. Almost painfully so. “Would you give me a hoof with this?”
“Sure, cous’.” he said. He was taller than her, so he took it from her, and hung it from an old nail.
“Thanks.” she said. “Would ya mind doin’ the rest?”
“Sure thing.”
While he did this, Applejack started dragging in hay bales, to be used as seats, tables, and whatever else was needed. No doubt, Pinkie Pie would stack it up with a wild assortment of food and drink. In addition, other families who were coming would bring a dish of their own, to share.
Then they started on the exterior of the barn. Applejack had the CMC wash the doors and front wall of the barn, then she repainted the white stripes on the borders and crossbeams. Applebloom went with her friends to Sweetie Belle’s house.
“Ah’m gonna gonna go help Granny in the kitchen.” said Applejack. “Y’all finish up, then come’n join us if ya want.”
Braeburn nodded, and Big Mac acknowledged with a ‘Eeyup’. The cowpony started collecting the random tools that had been used over the course of the day. Big Mac went to feed the chickens, and then collect Applebloom from Sweetie Belle’s house.
Braeburn found himself alone, save for Winona. She’d wandered in at some point, and been napping in the corner since. He walked over to the fluffy sheepdog.
“Hey girl.” he said. Winona gave him an affectionate nuzzle, and he pet her soft brown fur. “Been a wild week, hasn’ it?”
Winona didn’t answer, but she did get up, and run towards the doors. Why she’d done became apparent when North got tackled by the bounding canine.
North grinned, and pushed her off. Then he started running his hooves through her fur, and she panted happily.
“Hey North.” said Braeburn. North nodded, fighting of the ecstatic dog. “Ya doin’ okay?”
He shrugged, and got up. He pulled one of the hammers out of the tool cabinet, and walked out. Braeburn followed, having nothing better to do.
They went to the wagon shed, where North opened the doors.
“Are ya fixin’ that busted wheel?” North nodded, walking in. Braeburn followed. “Want some help?”
North looked back at him, then nodded. He’d used a jack to lift up one side, and pinned the other wheels in place with bricks. He’d gotten the pin out of the axle, but it seemed he was having trouble getting the old wheel off.
“Is it stuck?” he asked. North’s only answer was to give a strained pull on the wheel. It didn’t budge. “I’ll help, if ya want.”
Together, they pulled on the wheel. It gave a loud, grating screech. Very slowly, it slid off of it’s axle. Braeburn groaned, when he saw the problem. The wheel itself wasn’t broken. The axle itself had rusted over, which was why it had been so hard to get it off. North looked at the corroded piece of metal for a moment, then slumped to the ground, covering his head with his hooves.
“Well…” said Braeburn. “Well. It… it could be worse?”
North replied with a derisive snort. Braeburn sighed, and examined the axle. It was going to be really hard to fix this. They might have to completely remove the offending part, and that would take a long time. North being upset was understandable. It was his job to fix this wagon, and do it before it started snowing. And that was tomorrow.
Braeburn looked back at North, trying to figure out what to do. Applejack wasn’t usually unreasonable, but lately, she’d been really stressed out. The harvest had come really close to being late, and she’d had to work extra hard to compensate for this. North had been in the line of fire a lot, and if she saw this, an explosive overreaction was inevitable. And North would bear the brunt of her displeasure.
He glanced at the axle, then walked over to the distressed pegasus. He touched North’s shoulder.
“Its gonna be fine.” he said. “We can do this. It’ll take a while, but ah’ll help you.”
North sniffed a little, then looked up at him. Braeburn smiled a little.
“C’mon.”
North’s jaw quivered a little, but he nodded. Braeburn pulled him onto his hooves, then turned to regard the wagon.
“Now…” he said. “What to do about this mess…”
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4 Hours later…
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Braeburn hammered at the replacement axle, which they’d been lucky enough to dig out of the back of the attic of the barn. Both he and North had acquire some new scratches and bruises in the process. North had also gotten cut by a piece of broken glass. It wasn’t too serious, so he’d just cleaned it out and wrapped in a bandage.
It had taken them three hours to remove the other wheel, as well as the old axle. It had taken another hour for them to find a way to hold the wagon up safely, so they could install the new one. Now Braeburn was hammering it into place, and North was retrieving a new pair of wheels from the main barn. He brought the first one in, and regarded Braeburn.
“Everything alright?” Braeburn asked. North looked over his shoulder.
It was only then that Braeburn realized how late it was getting. The sky was starting to grow dark, though the sun still remained a ways over the horizon. The party was supposed to start soon, and they weren’t finished yet. And if they weren’t done in time, Applejack would be on the warpath.
“Don’t worry.” Braeburn reassured him. “We’ll get it done.”
North nodded, and trotted off to get the other wheel. While he was gone, Braeburn worked on putting the new wheel on. After he finished putting his on, Braeburn gave it an experimental spin. The wheel rolled smoothly, so when North brought the second one back, and started putting it on, he went to help.
After they’d put the new pin in, they lowered the wagon back to the ground. Braeburn pushed the wagon, and it rolled back a few inches before its own weight stopped it. Then North sat down where he stood, looking relieved.
“There we go.” said Braeburn. “Fixed.”
He glanced outside, then smiled a little.
“Only took us half the day.” he added.
The corner of North’s mouth lifted in a smile, then he stood up.
“Guess we should go get ready.” said Braeburn. “Ya were plannin’ on goin’, weren’t you?”
North nodded, and they left the wagon shed, closing the doors behind them. Then they started trekking back to the farmhouse.
When they got there though, they were disturbed to hear shouts from inside. They glanced at each other, then snuck up to the door.
“Ah’ve tried mah hardest!” They heard Applejack snarl. “Why can’ ya just appreciate that?”
“Because that hasn’t stopped you from treating me like dirt!”
Braeburn stared at the door. Caramel? How could that soft spoken little stallion manage to sound that angry. He’d never heard him lose his temper like this.
“What do you mean by that?!”
“I mean the way you act around me! You don’t even pretend to not be! You step on my achievements, and you treat me like… like some sort of pet!”
The two eavesdroppers were so enraptured, they barely had time to scramble out of the way when they heard the heavy stomping coming their way. The front door flew open, and Caramel stalked out. Applejack followed, and looked prepared to retort, when she saw them.
“Er…”
“Is… everything okay?” asked Braeburn.
“Sure.” said Applejack, ignoring Caramel’s look of contempt. “Just fine.”
“Okay.” said Braeburn. “Um… yeah.”
He and North left the two of them there, and went inside. North gave Braeburn a look, and he sighed.
“Ah heard all of that.” he said. “I just never expected to hear Caramel yell at, well, anyone.”
North nodded in agreement, then trotted upstairs. After a moment, Braeburn followed. He complemented his usual outfit with a white dress shirt, then he walked down to the barn.
When he got there, lights were shining from inside, and loud music was blaring from inside. At the front doors, Applejack had reappeared to greet the latest arrivals. She, rather than looking happy, looked as close to miserable as he’d seen her in a long time.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, walking up to her.
“Nothin’.” she said. “Ah’m fine.”
He gave her a once over. She looked and sounded the opposite of fine.
“Really. What happened?” Not that he didn’t know. But he’d rather not tell her that, since he valued his existence.
“Well...” She sniffed. “If ya have ta know, Caramel broke up with me earlier.”
“Oh.” He hoped he sounded surprised. “Well… did he say why?”
“He said ah wasn’t treatin’ him like a pony, let alone a coltfriend.” she looked distraught. “Ah don’t understand how, though. Ah thought ah was bein’ real nice to him.”
“Maybe its for the best.” said Braeburn, in an attempting to cheer her up. “There are other stallions out there. I’m sure you’ll find someone.”
She nodded, then smiled weakly.
“Guess so. Ah’m awful sorry fer bein’ so glum. Why dont ya head inside’n enjoy yerself?”
He nodded, and walked in. It was fairly dark inside, predominantly lit by partially shuttered lanterns. There were crowds of ponies milling about inside, talking, eating, or dancing to the music being provided by a unicorn DJ. Vinyl Scratch had set up her booth in the corner earlier that afternoon, while he and North had been repairing the wagon. Now she was maintaining a soundtrack of alternating musical types; first heavy metal pounded from the speakers, later, a smooth classical waltz glided through the air.
He wandered towards the food, watching the dance floor. It wasn’t very busy yet, but he knew from experience that as the night progressed, that would change. Later, once the party really got going, it would be flooded with ponies who either could dance, were convinced they could, or didn’t care. Sometimes both of the last two.
When he got to the haybales Applejack had brought in, he was met with a perfect example of Pinkie Pie’s extravagance. Almost none of the food was healthy, and it was most likely that those items that were had been brought in by other ponies. He stacked up a plate with food, hungry from the day’s work. He added a cupcake to his plate, then sat with his back against the wall.
As he ate, he watched the crowd. He caught bits and pieces of conversations, disjointed and convoluted by his lack of their entirety. He smiled when he saw a nervous-looking colt ask a filly to dance, then grin happily when she said yes.
As the two went to dance, he felt someone sit down next to him. He looked to his side, and saw a dejected-looking Caramel.
“Hey.” he said.
“Hey yerself.” said Braeburn. “What’s goin’ on?”
“I broke up with Applejack.”
“So I’ve heard.”
Caramel looked confused.
“You have?”
Braeburn nodded. “Applejack told me.”
“Oh. Did she tell you why?”
“Yeah.”
Caramel nodded. “She just… I don’t know. She didn’t act like I mattered.”
He sighed, then got up.
“I’m gonna just… go home, or something.”
“Have a good night.” said Braeburn.
Caramel nodded, and walked away. Braeburn watched him go, then returned his attention to the crowd.
Braeburn finished his food, then decided to take a chance at the dance floor. As he’d predicted, more ponies were on it now than earlier, though it was still fairly sparse. He enjoyed several dances, each with a different partner. None of the mares struck him in particular, but that was fine. He still enjoyed himself immensely, and he thought he might have made some new friends.
After a while, he retreated back to the wall, and watched the proceedings for a while. When he spotted North, he was surprised to see that the pegasus had exchanged his bowtie for a soft flannel shirt. The dark red looked nice, and it seemed that Applejack’s friend Rarity must have had something to do with it. The real mystery was how he’d gotten his wings through the shoulder-holes. While he wondered why North was so late, he was more interested by the change in style.
“Hey there.” he said, walking up North. “Yer lookin’ sharp.”
North smiled a little, and walked towards the food. Braeburn made to follow him, but he was blocked by a towering wall of red fur.
He looked up at Big Mac, who stared him straight in the eyes. Mac held his gaze for so long, he started feeling uncomfortable. Then Mac walked away slowly, still watching him with narrowed eyes. Braeburn stayed frozen in place, trying to figure out what had just happened.
He shook his head, then hurried after North.
As the night progressed, the party got bigger and louder. Braeburn hung out with North, but he sometimes caught Mac watching him from across the room. He did his best to ignore it, even though it was both uncomfortable and confusing.
The two of them took a seat on one of the benches by the wall. The party was almost over, and most of the families with foals had already left. In spite of this, there were still plenty ponies still present, and the dance floor had nearly doubled in size. Perhaps the hard cider (which had been carefully guarded and regulated throughout the night) had lowered some inhibitions. Braeburn had only had a small amount, and North hadn’t had any. But some others had taken enough to get a bit raucous. Only one pony had to be removed, and many were relieved to see him go.
“T’ain’ fair!” shouted the stallion. The stallion. The rude, snowplow breaking, pegasus hating stallion. “I’m jus’ a li’l bit drunk! Why do I hafta go?”
“‘cause yer makin’ a right fool of yerself.” said Applejack. “Now get!”
He grumbled, but with everyone watching, he didn’t make a fight of it. He walked out, and North’s shoulders relaxed from the tense state Braeburn hadn’t previously been aware for.
That stallion’s nothing but trouble. Braeburn thought. He hurt North.
He looked over at his friend. North was watching the goings on with rapt attention. Braeburn examined his face, wondering what to think. He felt anger at the churlish stallion, and a protectiveness for his friend that transcended the norm.
I like him. he thought. I really do. He’s a good friend.
North must’ve sensed his stare, because he looked over at Braeburn. Braeburn looked away quickly, embarrassed.
“I’m gonna get somethin’ ta drink.” he said, standing up.
He walked away quickly, conflicted. His feelings didn’t make sense to him.
What do I do? he asked himself. I like him. But in what way?
He got some soft cider from a wooden cooler, and sat down next to it.
“What’re ya doin?”
Braeburn looked up at Big Mac, who was glowering down at him. His cousin looked a lot scarier in the semi-darkness, looming over him with a dark glare.
“Pardon?” he asked, trying and failing not to be intimidated. “What do ya mean?”
“Get back over there!”
“What?” Braeburn was confused. “Why-?”
“Ah saw the way you were lookin’ at him.” said Big Mac, pulling Braeburn onto his hooves. “And ah know how ya feel about ‘im.”
“H-how?” asked Braeburn.
“That first night, it was pretty plain ya were feelin’ conflicted ‘bout something. You’n North’d just gotten back from the hill’n all, so I put the pieces together.”
“Alright.” Braeburn sighed. His cousin was just as attentive as always. “Ya got me. Ah was worried ‘bout how he’d react if he found out.”
“Well, one way ta find out.” said Big Mac, taking his cousin’s cup and nudging him towards North. “Ask’im fer a dance.”
Braeburn stared at his cousin like he was insane, but Big Mac’s inflexible insistence ended with him walking slowly across the room, back to North. His irrational self was trying to persuade him to flee, but his rational side was telling him how ridiculous that self was being. It was all really confusing, and it didn’t help the situation at all.
When he was standing in front of North, he had to fight the flight instinct. He kept glancing down at his hooves, and had to force himself to make eye contact with North. He felt just like the colt he’d seen earlier must have when he asked the filly to dance. It was hilarious that a stallion as confidant as himself, one willing to show any random stranger around his town, was this terrified by the simple idea of asking the object of his affections to have a dance with him.
That thought didn’t exactly boost his confidence.
“Do… do you?” he stuttered. “Would you- that is-”
Inwardly, he cursed himself, then made himself look North in the eyes.
“Would you like to… to dance? With me, that is?”
North’s eyes widened, then he nodded, grinning widely. He sprang to his hooves, and Braeburn felt himself relaxing.
Was that so bad? he asked himself.
It was terrifying… but worth it.
His confidence restored, he led North onto the dance floor. Unknown to them, Vinyl Scratch had received a request from a certain red steed, and had a specific track ready. She put a new record onto the turntable, and started the song he’d asked her to play. It was the last song of the night, and the lyrics fit perfectly with the whole situation.
“This one's going out to all the lovers out there.” The lead for the song spoke from Vinyl’s speakers, as if addressing the assemblage. “Hold each other tight, and keep each other warm.”
And dance…
Your final dance
Braeburn smiled at North, and took his hoof with his own. Putting the other on North’s shoulder, they started to dance slowly, matching the flow of the music.
This is…
Your final chance
To hold…
The one you love
You know you've waited long enough…
The music crescendoed, but the undertone of the music let them keep their slow pace. Braeburn was exhilarated; joyful with the feeling of North’s presence. He had waited long enough, and it felt wonderful.
So, believe…
That magic works!
Don't be afraid…
Of being hurt!
Don't let…
This magic die!
The answer's there…
Oh, just look in his eyes
So Braeburn did. He looked into North’s deep blue eyes, and pondered the past few weeks. He’d enjoyed them so much. He’d never been happier than when he was with North.
And make…
Your final move
Don't be scared…
He wants you to
Yeah, it's hard…
You must be brave
Don't let this moment…
Slip away…
He let himself stand a little closer to North, so that their chests were mere inches apart.
“You look nice.” he whispered. North’s eyes sparkled happily, and his smile grew a little wider as the music grew again.
Now, believe…
That magic works…
Don't be afraid…
Afraid of being hurt!
Don't let...
This magic die!
The answer's there
Yeah, just look in his eyes
And don't believe that magic can die!
No, no, no!
This magic can't die!
As the music slowed, Braeburn felt a warm glow inside, as he held the hoof, and rested on the shoulder of someone… someone he loved. That was how he felt. He loved North.
So dance your final dance…
‘Cause this is your final… chance.
When the song ended, North and Braeburn stood together. Not caring about everyone around them, Braeburn kissed his cheek. North made no protest, and simply put a hoof on the back of his neck. Braeburn held him for a few more seconds, then retreated a little.
“North?” he said. “Ah’ve liked ya since I first met you, and I’ve wanted to ask fer a while. I just wish ah’d had the nerve ‘fore now. But that doesn’ matter. North, will you be mah… mah coltfriend?”
North’s reply was immense, stupendous, and wonderful. North looked the happiest Braeburn had seen for a long time.
“Yes!”
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When the party was over, Braeburn took North outside. They stood under the star-strewn sky, leaning against each other. The air was freezing, but the warmth coming off of the two stallions was sufficient for them.
After a while, Braeburn asked the question he’d been burning to for a while.
“Why’d you stop talking?”
“It… it wasn’t a conscious decision.” North shrugged. “I wasn’t not talking. I just… couldn’t.”
“Oh.” Braeburn nuzzled him. “Okay.”
They stayed there for a long time, enjoying the night. Then Applejack walked out onto the porch of the farmhouse.
“Are you two plannin’ ta stand out there all night?” she demanded. “You do know its gonna start snowin’ in a few hours, dontcha?”
“We’re comin’ cous’.” said Braeburn. He nudged North.
“C’mon.” he whispered. “Ya look tuckered out.”
North let him lead him inside. Applejack had already gone up to bed, but Big Mac was waiting for them.
“Cousin Mac.” said Braeburn. The red stallion nodded, then glanced between the two of them.
“Glad ya finally stopped messin’ about.” he said. And before either could ask what he meant, he trotted off to bed.
“Ah get the feelin’ we’ve been manipulated.” said Braeburn wryly.
“Really?” said North returned. “What gave you that impression?”
It wasn’t really a question, so Braeburn didn’t answer. He just chuckled at the implication. They climbed up the stairs, and paused in the hallway. Braeburn glanced at North.
“Well… I’m goin’ ta bed.” he said. “Ah guess I’ll see ya tomorrow mornin’.”
“Good night.”
North hugged him, and Braeburn returned the embrace. Braeburn nuzzled his coltfriend, then let go.
North turned to go to his room, but Braeburn touched his shoulder, making him pause.
“Listen, North?” North turned back to face him. “Big Mac… he told me about yer… sleepin’... issues.”
North blinked, but didn’t respond. Braeburn hoped he wasn’t making him uncomfortable, since there were less innocent ways to look at the situation than the truth.
“I just want you to know… if… if ya ever feel the need… ya can come’n bunk with me. If ya want.”
“Thank you” North said, looking relieved.
“G’night sugarcube.”
“Good night.”
North and Braeburn went to their own rooms. Braeburn took off his clothes, and got in bed. He fell slowly asleep, thinking happy thoughts about the stallion sleeping across the hall.
Outside, clouds placed by the pegasi in the late evening felt their time come. They committed themselves to the task that nature had given them.
It started to snow.