When Applejack and Applebuck arrived at the park, A.J. looked around. She saw big, hardy trees with bright red and yellow leaves that fell softly to the ground and covered the path she was on, as well as a big lake, that sparkled from the sun's reflection. She and Buck chose an empty bench, and the two decided to sit there for a bit. At first they said nothing, and A.J. simply sat there, taking in all the simple pleasures of the stunning view, calm sounds, and gentle aromas of the quiet park. She then noticed that Buck was rather quiet, and discreetly using her peripherals she glanced at him, and noticed... that he was staring at her? She then quickly looked forward, and as his gaze was making her just the slightest bit uncomfortable (though she would not show it), she asked,
"Yes?"
Buck immediately shook his head as his cheeks started to become a bright red.
'I shouldn't have been staring...', he thought, but I just couldn't help it... this kind, sweet mare just showed up out of the blue, and practically gave up her dream, just to help some random stallion she didn't even know? Well, at this point we've spent enough time together to know enough about each other and to become good friends, but... could it ever be something more? Wait, what? It was then, at that very moment, that Buck realized... he liked this mare, very much. Maybe, he could even go so far as to say... that he loved her. As this realization slammed down on him, at the same time he also realized that she noticed him staring, and that he needed to respond to her question.
"Oh, uh, ah, eee.... I was just uh, um, well, uh... er-hem! Sooo... A.J.! T-thanks for helping me out with this contest and everything... i-it really means a lot to me. I really can't thank you enough..."
"Ahh, no problem sugar cube! It was my pleasure- there ain't nothin' like helpin' out a friend in need! Really, I am happy to do this. And we'll win this thing, together! We'll save your farm, you'll see!" Applejack said smiling, as she put a hoof on his shoulder. Buck stole a quick look at where her hoof was connecting to his body, and he started to become red again. He then took a deep breath, and forced his cheeks to return to the color of his fur. A.J. had touched him many times before, in fact they had even hugged at some points, too. Sure, he knew things would be different now, because of his realization, but she didn't know how he felt about her. It might be tough, but he would continue to hide his feelings as best he could and remain friends... at least until he gathered enough courage to maybe, someday, tell her.
"Haha, thanks! You know... you really are an amazing friend Applejack, you know that? You're so strong and straightforward, and always willing to help others at the drop of a hat... er, no pun intended. You really and truly care, you really are something else... a one in a million kind of mare." Okay, maybe that last part slipped out the wrong way... but could he be blamed? After all, everything was said not because of the way he felt about her, but because it was the honest truth. Except for the last part, which had been a little bit of both.
"Oh, uh... well thank you Buck! That really means a lot to me! Of course, you're really great too- you work hard and never give up, no matter how tough things seem to get. Your always there for anypony that needs you, and you're very thoughtful and caring. I'm really glad to have met you." A.J. replied. As Buck began to thank her, A.J. leaned forward and wrapped him up in a big hug. He froze and his eyes went wide. He became red a third time, and this time he couldn't make it go away. Thankful that she at least couldn't see his face, he hugged her back happily. As his mind began to fill with thoughts of them being together, how happy she made him feel, and if this could ever become something real... he began to lose track of time. Applejack opened her eyes and looked around. Thankfully nopony was staring at the lengthy embrace, but she decided to say something so that it wouldn't look like something it wasn't. Of course, not that it could never be like that... but it wasn't now, and she didn't want ponies to get the wrong idea.
"Umm... Buck? You can let go now..."
Buck's eyes shot open, and the red in his cheeks began to grow brighter. He groaned inwardly- he had had enough blushing for one day... but now she would definitely see it. He pulled back away from her and exclaimed,
"sorry, sorry! I guess I just uh, was a bit comfortable.. n-n-not like that though! I-I just... it was nice, you know? I should've let go sooner, I'm sorry A.J..."
Applejack then began to giggle and responded,
"Its alright, sugar cube! My goodness though, you're redder than the shiniest apple in the sun on a clear day! Relax, will ya? It was just a friendly hug, nothin' to be so nervous about! No one did anything wrong, okay? I promise." With that, Buck began to calm down. His flush went away, and he smiled.
"Thanks A.J., you always know just what to say... just another part about you that's so great. Umm I mean, err... why don't we get some popcorn from one of those stands? I'm pretty famished, how about you? Yeah? Okay, sounds like a plan!" Before Applejack could even react, Buck grabbed her hoof and pulled her along to one of the stands. She began to protest, but then just shook her head and followed along. Mostly cause she was a bit hungry herself, and popcorn sounded good right about now. Soon, after arguing who would pay for it (to which Buck ended up winning and payed for both,) they went back to the bench and ate their popcorn in silence. A.J. began to look around, and once again took notice of the calm serenity of the park. The quiet lake, colorful leaves falling softly, a family of ducks paddling out on the lake, and a few squirrels chattering on about who knows what in a lively conversation.
'Well, Fluttershy sure was right... this really is a great place to take your mind off of everything and take a break for a while.' She realized she needed this; the last few days had been incredibly hectic. She then remembered how quiet it was, and glanced at Buck- just to see if he was watching her again. He wasn't this time, and she relaxed a bit- but she also noticed that he was eating his popcorn slowly and looked as if he was deep in thought. This made her curious, what could he be thinking about? Well, there were obviously many things. She leaned back on the bench and asked, while still looking straight ahead,
"Something on your mind?"
Buck had not expected her to speak so suddenly, and he quickly picked up his head when she did. Unfortunately, he had also been chewing on a troublesome kernel, and the swift motion of him moving his head forced the kernel deep into his throat. A.J. stared in surprise as he began to hack and sputter. She reached over to try and help him, but he held a hoof out, keeping her at bay. He then relaxed his body, and gave a long, sharp breath outwards. The kernel dislodged and flew out of his mouth, and he sucked in the air around him greedily.
"Buck! Are you alright? I am so sorry, I-I didn't mean to startle you like that, I just-" Applejack started, but Buck interrupted her.
"Heh... I'm alright. It wasn't too bad, I knew I'd be okay. And its fine, A.J., it was just unexpected is all. I should've stopped chewing that kernel in the first place anyway, its my fault... but never mind that, its all over now. What did you ask me though?"
Applejack paused a moment before speaking, she wanted to argue that it wasn't his fault at all, but hers- she should've at least given him some indication that she was going to speak. She saw that that wouldn't get her anywhere though, so she decided make a deal of sorts instead.
"Well... I'm glad you're alright. And we'll both be more careful in the future, I'll give you some kind of hint when I want to say something, and you be careful when you eat. okay? Also I asked if you had something on your mind, you looked like you were mulling over something quite a bit there."
"Hmm... okay, I think I can do that. And ah, right... Oh! Uh... I was thinking about something... umm, A.J.? I-if you're not busy tonight... well, there's this restaurant that has these events with themes they run once a week, I go there pretty often with my friends to hang out. I... was wondering if you'd like to join us? Its just me and two other guys- in fact, do you remember the guardspony, Sturdy Hoof, that escorted you to the hotel when you were first here? That's one of my friends, he'll be there too. Y-you don't have to or anything, I just thought it might be a fun thing to do. The choice is completely yours."
Now it was A.J.'s turn to look deep in thought, as she decided on whether or not to go. Finally, she picked up her head and smiled.
"Buck, I think that sounds like a great idea. I'd love to go! I can't wait to meet your friends, I'm sure we'll all have a great time. Do you know the theme that they'll be having for tonight?"
"That's great Applejack! And... oh, well the theme for tonight is "Grand Galloping Gala", in honor of the festival. So... normally its pretty casual, but tonight ponies will be dressing up a bit more. I... guess I forgot that... well, we can always do something el-"
"You assume I got nothin' to wear? Well, it just so happens that I do. In fact, its the same dress I wore to the actual Gala when I went. My friend Rarity would, as she might say, "simply die" if she had let me forget some kind of formal attire. I... didn't think I'd need it for this trip, but now I have a reason. I'm glad though, seems a shame to have it here but not use it for anything. So, I think I'll be all set. Is that okay?"
"Oh, o-of course! That's perfect! So, um... shall I come to get you at... sundown, would that be alright?"
"Well, I'll have to check with Granny first, but aside from that it sounds great. So... its a date then?" A.J. said, grinning widely.
"A-a date? W-well I don't know about that, I-I mean I was just thinking a nice little meet-up get together type thing, but not actually a-a date... but I mean, if-" He paused when he noticed A.J. stifling a laugh, and he gave her a peculiar look.
"What?"
"Ahaha! Oh, I'm sorry... I was just teasin', I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable! I guess I didn't expect that... I'm sorry. Heehee..."
"Oh... haha! Yeah, I guess I did get a bit worked up... sorry, I should've realized, Its fine though. Anyway... we've been sitting here for quite some time. We should probably be getting back... what do you think?" Applejack agreed, and the two finished their popcorn and trotted home, to continue with helping with the plans for the contest, as well as make ready for that evening.