A stormy morning greets Applejack with a loud crack of thunder loud enough to shake mountains. This wasn't the first time a random thunderous boom woke her from her slumber. She should have prepared for it. Rarity did tell her the night before that the Pegasi would be gathering clouds for the next day, she didn't expect the outcome to be so loud. Well whatever the matter it woke her up when she would normally get up anyway. So she threw her comforter out of the way, rolled over onto the floor, and groggily trudged out of her room.
Applejack was no stranger to exhaustion, but every morning for the past year has been the struggle. She was inexplicably drained every day, and she could never find out why. Dragging her hooves on the worn and creaky floor, she made her way aimlessly to the stairs leading to the kitchen. One misplaced step later she came tumbling down only before being caught by someone familiar.
“You know you need to be more careful.”
“Sorry, I wasn't watchin' where I was steppin'...”
“Open your eyes AJ.”
“My eyes are open Spike, now more than ever.”
“Spike? Really Applejack, open your eyes!”
“Wait a minute...” Applejack opened her eyes finding herself flat on her back while Rarity stood offer her with a judgemental eye. “Rarity?” she groaned.
“Yes, Rarity. And what are you doing walking around with your eyes closed? You could have hurt yourself even worse than before.”
“My eyes were closed the whole time?”
“Yes... I heard you get up, so I decided to offer you some assistance. I kept calling your name but you wouldn't answer. It wasn't until you reached the stairs that I panicked. So I tried my best to hold you back, which um, didn't work as well as I hoped. So here we are with you on the ground, possibly hurt. Again...”
Applejack laughed at her obviously frazzled state. “You ain't been around the Apple family that much, have ya? These stairs have been fallen down since Granny Smith was a little filly.”
“I don't care how long you family has been falling down them, are you okay?”
“Yes Rarity, I am one hundred percent okay.”
“Good, I'm going to go find your wheelchair.”
“Why? I don't need it.”
“You need to rest that leg, and the only way to do that is to stay off it, correct?” Applejack shifted away. “Am. I. Correct?”
“Yes, Mom!”
“Marvelous, I'll be right back.” she trotted happily away. As she left Applejack got back up and dusted herself off some. “I know she means well, but I ain't no little filly...”
“You do know what she's trying to do, don't you?”
“Damn, not you again...”
“Yes me again.”
“Wait, what do you mean?”
“What, about Rarity? Nothing, other than she'll try to steal your dragon.”
“No she wouldn't!”
“What was that intensity?”
“What're your talkin' about?”
“You yelled as if you know it to be true, which it is.”
“Why do you keep bothering me?”
“Why so you keep suppressing me? I've told you before who I am and what I represent,” Spike formed in front of her.
“Stop doing that. I know it ain't real...”
“It is as real as you want to believe. Just talk to me, I'm right outside.”
“And how could you possibly know that?”
“Because we can see me.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I meant that we could- I was saying- Just look out the Kitchen window, you'll see a big dope standing in the rain...”
“O-okay, thank ya kindly.” She woke up still on the floor at the base of the stairs. She could have sworn up and down that she had gotten up. Whatever the matter, she rose and made her way to the kitchen. Once again breakfast was laid out for her to enjoy. Pancakes topped with syrup butter and a slice of a Granny Smith apple, Apple fritters, and apple juice. There was no doubt that Spike was there, at one time at least. She inhaled a whole pancake, savoring the rich buttery flavor, and soft fluffy texture. “Most definitely Spike,” she gasped after taking a large gulp.
“There you are,” Rarity came with the wheelchair held in her magic. “Enjoying the breakfast?” she chuckled. Applejack nodded with building cheeks and a cheery smile. “Spike made the pancakes, I made the fritters, and the apple juice was from the cellar. I didn't know you had flat cider.”
“Something for the foals to drink...”
“I see.”
She pushed the stack away and picked up a fritter. “Speakin' of the big guy, where is he?”
“Who, Big Macintosh? He's in his room napping, I think.”
“No, I mean Spike.”
“Oh, he's standing out there in the rain. He's been out there for quite some time. I'll go see if he's okay.”
“Could I go?” Rarity looked on her with wide eyes. “If that's okay with you, y'know my injury and all...”
“Of course, but that is one ferocious storm. I don't know how he is able to withstand it all. Just proves how amazing dragons really are.”
“Yeah, they are pretty amazing...”
“Please don't stay out there long, I don't want you catching your death... Or worse.”
“Thank ya Rares.”
“Not a problem at all dear.” Applejack hurried out the kitchen in a flash of orange. “What just happened?”
Rain poured down, lightning flashed brilliantly in the distance followed by the roar of thunder. Spike sat on the muddy ground, his wings unfurled, and his head held high. To most, rain was somber and depressing, but to him rain was a familiar friend he loved to greet. When he was a baby dragon he'd stay up at night to watch what mother nature had to throw at Ponyville. His lament was cut short by hollow muddy hoofsteps approaching.
“I'm not coming in yet Rarity,” he said without looking to the intruder.
“It's me Spike.”
“Applejack?” he turned as quick as a whip. “What are you doing out here!”
“I uh j-just-” she moved her wet bang out of the way smearing mud across her forehead. “I wanted to- why are ya laughin'?”
“Because,”Spike snickered. “You smeared mud all over your face.”
“What, where?”
“On your forehead.”
She focused on the brown muck suck to the fur on her head. “I bet that’s really funny...”
“Well, not really funny but you did manage to make me lau-” Spike was cut short by a mudball slung directly towards his face.
“Haha! Is it funny now?” he didn't move. “Spike?” still no movement. “Spike get up. I know that didn't hurt you.” She approached him cautiously. “S-Spike?”
“Gotcha!” he rubbed a clawful of mud into her face. She stumbled back, wiped away the mud on her eyes, and began to laugh.
“Get ready big boy, cuz now you're gonna get it!”
Spike gulped loudly and tried to clamor to his feet before Applejack attacked. The mud was too slick. Every time he tried he fell back down. Something was off though. Applejack said that she was going to get him, but in his hastened panic he didn't notice she was nowhere to be found. He sniffed the air, but the mud masked her scent, he tried to hear but mud had gotten into his ears. Then he heard it. Loud, sloppy, wet hoofsteps coming fast. He found the culprit but it was too late. She tackled him to the ground in a messy heap of mud.
“Pinned ya!”
“No fair! You caught me off guard,” Spike protested.
“You weren’t paying attention. I saw an opportunity, and took it.”
“Yeah whatever,” Spike struggled.
“What’s the matter, can’t get up?”
“I can. This mud is slippery.”
“Admit it, I’m stronger.”
“I won’t because you aren’t.” Just then Spike found what he thought was sure footing only to slip. Applejack lost her hold and fell forward. Muzzle to muzzle they lay on the soggy ground. Spike’s breaths became short and sporadic while Applejack couldn’t breathe at all. A flash of lightning came down from the heavens behind them. The bright blue bolt shone in her eyes. Even wet and covered in mud and rain, she was one of the most beautiful mares he had ever laid eyes on.
To her he looked like a mess of purple and brown giving her a slack-jawed stare. His scales glittering under the rain, his eyes glowing against the darker ground. She caught her breath and stumbled to her hooves. With a violent shake she threw mud off in several directions. Then she calmly walked away leaving Spike on his back struggling to get free of the thick muck. “Applejack, wait!” he got to his feet then slipped and fell once again. “Applejack, please wait!” she was already inside.
That was it, the most intimate moment they would have, ruined by mixed feelings. Spike's heart sank, while Applejack's heart soared. She stood back to the door, holding her chest. The percussive thumping of her heart could almost be heard.
“Applejack, was that you?” Rarity entered to find a muddy and soaked mare clutching her heart. “Oh my goodness! Are you okay!” she put a hoof to her forehead. “Oh, I expected you to be freezing, but you're warm. Hot actually... Are you developing a fever?” Applejack shook her head slowly. “Then what could possibly be the problem. You look like you've seen a ghost.”
“You have no idea... I need to talk to Spike!” She opened the door behind her.
“Well, he just went home.” Applejack froze.
“Did he say what for?”
“He said that he was tired. He also seemed a little upset.”
“Upset? What do you mean?”
“He was quiet, and he looked sad really. I can't explain it, but I know something has troubled him.”
Had she hurt him in some way? All that happened was she tackled him, they were about to kiss and she- “No.” She ran past Rarity
“Where are you headed?”
“To straighten this out!” Rarity grabbed her back hoof with her magic and dragged her back leaving a streak of mud across the floor.
“I have obeyed your wishes up to this point, but no more. You are going to stay!”
“Let me go Rarity!”
“Why? It is muddy and wet out there. I am not letting you trudge around Ponyville, especially with your injury.”
“Let me go!”
“No!”
“Please, I need to tell him!”
“Tell him what!” Applejack struggled harder to break free. “Tell. Him. What!” Rarity roared.
“That I love him!” Applejack buried her face in her muddy hooves. She felt Rarity's magic fade. Rarity approached her, and lifted up one hoof. Applejack had her eyes shut tight with a frown. “There, are ya happy? The cat is outta the bag...”
“Well, more confused than happy,” Rarity replied simply.
“Why, because I love someone who isn't a pony?”
“No, because you felt the need to hide it.”
“What do you mean?”
She sat next to her. “It was obvious really...” Applejack looked up to her with begging eyes, asking her to divulge the information she kept. “In the hospital, when we were all there visiting you you were happy and joining in on our reunion, but when Spike arrived your eyes lit up and your smile widened.”
“Oh, you noticed that, huh...?”
“Oh yes, and when I picked you up, I heard you mumble “Spike” while sleep in the wheelchair.” Applejack looked away hiding her blush. “Also, he has been the only one to come visit you regularly, and I found him sleep in your room this morning.”
“Are you sayin' that he could like me too?”
“The only way is to ask him yourself.” Applejack got to her hooves.
“Thank ya Rares,” she said with a smile.
“Anytime dear, now you go and bathe while I clean up down here.” Applejack looked at the streaks and blotches of mud she left in her attempt to escape. “Good idea,” she chuckled. Applejack began to make her way up the stairs, but she stopped. “Hey, Rarity?”
“Yes?”
“Do you like Spike too. Like, are ya attracted to him?”
Rarity paused. “Well, I would be lying if I didn't say he wasn't attractive. For a dragon at least. He even looks better than some ponies, a lot of ponies in fact...”
“Rarity...”
“I am just saying, he's got this look about him now. It's just so alluring. And he most definitely does not lack muscle tone-”
“Rarity, I get it,” Applejack calmly interrupted.
“Right, sorry. I guess my mind went off on a few tangents.”
Applejack chuckled with a shake off her head and continued up the stairs. Now, she had to tell him. No backing out or acting shy and skittish. It shouldn't be too hard.
Or will it be?