Johnny and AJ's relationship goes through a few problems, and they try to become stronger
There are some things we are afraid to tell our significant others, sometimes it's about a past relationship or something we did in the past. Sometimes we hide things from the ones we care about.
Johnny and Applejack have been together for quite some time now. They're the kind of couple that you just know is going to make it all the way. Secrets come out, and things begin to get a little dramatic. The question is will these two become stronger for it, or will they go their separate ways because of this?
The only thing I felt was a searing pain in my arm and head as my body descended into the blackness. Voices muttering things, awful things, as I continued to fall. I felt lighter and lighter as my descent grew slower and slower, feeling like an eternity passing before me with each second. That was what I had chosen, after all.
“Worthless…”
I fell further and further until I finally stopped and felt a burning hot sensation against my back, yet for all the pain and heat I could not stand until some strange entity hauled me to my feet and caused me to stagger forward. The blackness was so intense I could not see anything past a foot before me, yet I heard the thing laughing.
“Pathetic. Loser.”
The darkness slowly began to recede, as the figures began to slowly come into focus. The first one, a woman in her fifties with a crooked grin on her face faced me, her eyes and nose crinkled into a look of malice. I instantly recognized her, she was my mother.
“You’re so pathetic, John. You’ll never make anything of yourself, you’re nothing.” She laughed as another figure came into focus. My ex-girlfriend, a woman my age with auburn hair, stood before me with another man clinging to her back.
“Wow, you are so lame, dude. I can’t believe I fucked you.“ She laughed. Another figure came into focus, one of my best friends, and he appeared to be in pain as his body fell apart, his head landing before my feet causing me to jump back.
“You caused this, you jackass! Your fear hurt me!” His head screamed at me as the ground opened up to swallow me whole.
“Johnny…”
My body fell through the inky darkness as voices continued their assault on me. I could hear whispers, faint conversations, even screaming at me as I continued to fall. My descent became faster and faster as my body felt like it was being torn, with the voices now laughing at me.
“Johnny…”
It felt like an eternity as my skin felt as though it were on fire, or being torn off inch by inch. I couldn’t tell which, but I knew it was incredibly painful. My mind was reeling, how could this have happened? I let things go this far, and yet I was still scared. I had let myself down. I had let everyone down. Memories played before me while I continued my descent into darkness and pain. Each one worse than the last, reminding me of all the times I messed up or did something stupid. I couldn’t take it anymore, I screamed for it to stop as the pain intensified. Every inch of my body felt like it was on fire. I wanted it to end, I had to make it end. I tried to look down, at the place where I was going, and I saw before me an enormous creature opening its mouth, rows of razor sharp teeth lining it’s mouth, and I panicked as I saw where I was heading. The pain suddenly stopped, and all fell silent as I started moving faster and faster. I felt my throat go numb as I tried to scream, but it was all in vain. Somehow, I knew it was over as my body finally reached the creature’s mouth.
“Johnny!”
---
I rocket into the world of the awake in a screaming fit, feeling sweat pouring off my body as I lift up off the bed. I look around, the library's familiar walls and shelves of books decorating them still visible even in the dead of night. I feel my face, it's completely drenched in sweat and my eyes are burning from the tears that also came.
Am I crying? I ask myself as I look over to the side. Twilight Sparkle is half on the bed and half on the floor, her hair a mess. She has a genuine sense of worry as she levitates a towel over to me with her magic. I dry myself off and pull off the drenched shirt and let it fall to the floor of the room.
"Twilight? Was I loud?" I ask her, my throat still scratchy from the sounds I had apparently made while asleep.
"Enough for me to hear you from the second floor, Johnny." She said as she tossed my shirt into the next room with the rest of our laundry. "Is this why you refuse to sleep over at Applejack's?"
I nod silently. While I was raised to not sleep in the same house as a significant other, I felt like it was ok if it was Twilight's library. After all, she had Spike, and I was practically her number two assistant at this point. I intend to overtake him one day and become the number one while he sinks into obscurity, but that will wait for another day. Applejack and I had discussed it, and it was a nice little arrangement. I would help with Twilight's studies and research in exchange for a place to stay for the night, while I would help on AJ's farm and earn myself some food as well as a bath and time with my favorite mare.
Yet for the longest time, I've always had nightmares. It was one of the reasons I didn't want to spend the night with Applejack. I really didn't want her to see me like Twilight just had, a shivering mess who could barely think straight.
"I've had nightmares for a long time, but this is one of those rare events where it gets," I searched for the word as I pulled the covers off and let me feet dangle from the side of the bed. "physical?" I said finally.
"I understand, Johnny." Twilight nodded as she hopped up on the side of the bed to join me. "If you want, we can take a small break from researching the effects of enlargement spells on individual appendages tomorrow to work on a cure for your nightmares, sound ok?" She smiled.
"What about your schedule? Surely you can't mess that up." I tried to joke with her.
"Schedule? Sometimes a friend has to come first." She said as she hugged me tightly. "Especially when that friend is involved with one of my best friends."
It's been roughly three months since Applejack and I became an official couple, and every minute of it has been amazing. Oh, we started out horribly, though. When I first arrived to Equestria, she thought I was there to steal from them and to violate her sister until Twilight set everything right. It wasn't until I risked my life to save her sister and the CMC from that burning warehouse that she finally began to love me, and I loved her back almost instantly. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that when I first knew of her, I saw her as this stereotypical hillbilly who just says "hey ya'll" and "yeehaw" and talks like she hasn't had a day of formal education in her life. Yet the more we were together, the more I saw the beautiful, smart, funny, and amazing pony I came to fall in love with.
And my god, her Southern voice makes me just lose it sometimes.
After a few more hours I got up early to fix a little breakfast for Twilight, Spike, and myself. Pancakes with syrup and a few pieces of toast. I even found a few gemstones for Spike to munch on.
"Thanks Johnny, you're the best! Where'd you find these?" Spike said with a mouthful of Emeralds.
"I found them when I was out at the rock quarry with Applejack looking for gems. We had a little free time, so..." I said as I blushed slightly.
"You sure you were only looking for gems, Johnny?" She and Spike winked at each other.
"Hey! What I do with my girlfriend is personal." I said through a mouthful of toast. "Besides, does Spike really need to know about this?"
Spike scoffed. "Dude, come on. I'm old enough to know about sex, at least the basics. Why do you think I was so into Rarity a while back?" He said matter of factly.
"Was?" I asked, wondering why Spike wasn't obsessed with the marshmallow colored pony anymore.
"Not my type, as it turned out. Or I'm not hers. Probably for the best, though, I hate drama. And believe me," He stuffed a few more gemstones into his mouth along with a few bites of pancakes. "She's full of it."
"Full of what, Spike?" Twilight giggled, knowing full well what it sounded like he was saying.
"Full. Of. It." Spike tried to enunciate through the food matter and gems.
"Spike! Watch your language!" I laughed as he turned bright red. He swallowed hard after that, barely choking on his meal. When breakfast was done, Twilight took me down to her little laboratory and hooked me up to a machine. The wires were stuck to my forehead via suction like things and hooked to a set of goggled that Twilight had fastened to her head.
"Ok Johnny, first thing I have to do is find the part of your brain that deals with memory. Then, using magic combined with these goggles, I can see the memory that's causing your nightmares. After that, we can work on sedating it or removing it completely. Are you ready, Johnny?" She asked me as she flipped a switch. I simply nodded, wondering how she would be able to find out what memory she needed without me having to relive it. She heaved a heavy sigh as her horn began to glow, and the wires connected to my head did the same. She fell into deep concentration as my mind began to fade, revealing only my memories and past experiences.
"Ok, so far so good. I need you to try and bring up a major turning point in your life that may have caused these dreams so we can isolate it." I nodded as I focused. It was terrifying, but for now I needed to trust Twilight Sparkle. I began to bring my memories into view, and she concentrated harder as her horn glowed brighter. It wasn't the machine that frightened me, nor the magic, but the memories. I can't lie, I was afraid that she would judge me if she saw them. I began to feel scared and worried, and finally depressed as my mind brought me back to a place I didn't want to visit.
"Ok, Johnny, is everything alright on your end?" I didn't answer, only allowed her to do her work as he horn changed colors. Suddenly, I heard a quick gasp from her as she broke her concentration and looked at me. "What is this?" She said almost sadly.
"Stop." I said in a whisper, but I assume she didn't hear me.
"Twilight, please." I said again as my mind began to reel. So many bad memories came rushing to me at once, and by extension they came rushing to Twilight. I couldn't help but look to the side, Twilight was sitting there motionless, her mouth open and small tears running down her face.
"Johnny, I-" I didn't allow her to finished, without thinking I ripped the wires off of my forehead, causing the glasses to fall off of Twilight's. Her eyes were bloodshot and filled with tears as she looked at me. For a full minute, she didn't say a word and neither did I. I stared at the ground and she simply stared at me. It was a full minute before she walked over to me and threw her forelegs around me, still sobbing.
"I'm so sorry..." She choked out. "How could that- Why would someone- How did you-" She could hardly finish each sentence as she sobbed. "Johnny, I'm so so so sorry."
"Please..." I said as I felt of her hoof across my chest.
"When I turned sixteen thought it couldn't get worse. Saw her ridin' on a horse and fell in love so bad it hurt!" I sang badly as I jogged down the dirt road to Sweet Apple Acres. I always liked singing country music when I was on a run or just going somewhere when I was stressed out, and boy was I stressed when Twilight used that spell to look into my memories. Not that I didn't trust her, I would trust that mare with my life, but I felt really insecure when she saw those things. I'll admit, I haven't had a good past, but there are some things I really didn't want anyone, or anypony, knowing about.
Sadly, Twilight saw one of those things. I like to think she won't think less of me for it, but part of me is still afraid of what she would say to Applejack, or how Applejack would react. I really don't want Applejack to know if I can help it. Finally I reach the gates of the farm and notice that nopony is working or even outside. I wonder why as I step onto the property, only to realize something very important.
It's barely morning.
Thinking it would be ok, I went around the corner and sat down in Granny Smith's rocking chair, hoping she wouldn't mind a human sitting in her usual spot. I thought to myself, I am really lucky. Applejack is probably the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, she has been there for me since I came to Equestria. Sometimes I like to think about the times when we were at odds, when she didn't trust me. However since then, we've been nearly inseparable.
I love her.
Not just for her looks, nor her accent, or even for our nights of love. And believe me, those nights are well worth it. But out of everyone I've ever been with, she is the one who I truly feel like I belong with. There are times when I think back to what Twilight said, about us getting married. Sometimes I do feel like I just want to break down and ask her, just ask her if she would consider being with me for good. Ever since the gate closed, I have been wondering if I could make a life here, though it means that I am officially stuck in this world until it reopens or another gate to the human world is found. It's led Twilight to attempt to duplicate an experiment of hers from a long time ago, to create a potion that can turn another being into a pony. I really hope she succeeds.
"Somepony's up early." I hear a familiar voice from behind me, a voice I've come to love. Applejack is right behind me, her head coming from around and planting a kiss on my cheek. "Did you sleep well, sugarcube?" She says slyly as she pulls me out of the rocking chair and onto the grass with her onto my back. "Cause ah've been thinking about ya all night." She rolled with me in the grass trying to pin me down as we fought for control. Finally I pinned her down on the ground and place myself between her legs so she couldn't get away.
"Ha! What now?" I said triumphantly, though she didn't struggle. She only smiled as she kissed me straight on the lips. I followed and continued the kiss, as she wrapped her forelegs around me and I placed my hands on her waist. This is what made me happiest, to have the girl of my dreams love me like this. I never wanted it to end, ever. Every time we kissed I wished we could stay like that. More than working on the orchard, more than swimming at the pond, even more than sex nothing put a smile on my face more than when her lips touched mine.
"Well, guess you win that one." I laugh as I break way, still holding onto her flank and waist. "Of course, you always do." She grinned as we got up. I forgot how she only came to just at my chest, so I usually bent down a little bit to stay at eye-level with her.
"Shoot Johnny, you get any taller and I won't be able to do this anymore." She jumped up on her hind legs and wrapped her forelegs around my neck, nuzzling my nose. I really loved it when she did that. "So, you ready for today? We got to get all the apples in from the South Orchard before sundown." I nodded, I hadn't forgotten. This week was one of the biggest times of the year for the Apple Family, the week before cider season.
"I hope I get some cider for all this." I laughed.
"Don't worry, we always save a barrel for ourselves at the end of the season, which really only lasts about another week or two. So stop worrying, RD." She joked with me.
"I'm gonna get an early start." I said, turning to walk towards the orchard. "Come join me when you take Applebloom to school, alrighty?" I put on the stetson she had bought me last week and picked up one of the baskets sitting by the gate to the South Orchard and made my way to the first tree.
---
"No, I got the most apples!" Applebloom yelled from across the table.
"Uh, heck naw. I did!" Applejack yelled back.
"Eeenope." Big Macintosh said bluntly.
"Now now, everypony. Does it really matter who brought in the most apples for the first day of cider season next week?" I said calmly. "Because, I'm pretty sure I did." I laughed just before ducking to avoid a mug being flung at my head.
"Them's fightin' words, Johnny boy." Applebloom leapt across the table and tackled me out of my seat. For a little filly she sure was tough, I felt like a train just hit me. Not wanting to lose to a filly, I picked her up and threw her over my shoulder on her back, causing her to flail constantly. "Putmedownputmedownputmedown!" She said before I dropped her onto the floor. Applejack and Big Macintosh busted out laughing before he came barreling towards me, pinning me to the floor.
"That's so not fair!" I laughed as I struggled to get up. Big Macintosh just stood there, messing up my hair with his hoof. "Come on, she attacked me first. I was just playing, get off!"
"Nope." He chuckled as he stood there, no letting me up. Finally after a few second Applejack tackled her brother, but forgot to tackle him away from me and ended up crushing me under the dog pile, or pony pile in this case.
We all laughed at the mess we had made, except for Granny Smith who simply continued with her dinner.
"Johnny, when yer done would you mind helping me with the dishes?"
"Oooh, Johnny's got dish duty. That means I'm safe!" Applebloom called out as she jumped onto the pile, crushing me even further.
"Yeah, well you still gotta pick up after yourself." Applejack pointed towards the mug that had been thrown across the room.
After we had gotten off of each other, or rather they had gotten off of me I went to help Granny Smith with the dishes in the kitchen. I enjoyed helping out around the farm, but this was the first time Granny Smith had ever asked me to help with something inside the house. Normally I was told to do some chore before I left or I went straight to Twilight's. This night was different, and I knew I was wanted her later than usual for something.
"Johnny, can I ask you a question?" Granny Smith finally broke the silence as we washed the dishes.
"Of course, Granny Smith."
"Why won't you spend the night here?" She asked softly. I knew that was coming, so I paused for a moment. "Applejack gets really upset at night after you had stayed that one time but didn't any day after that. She wanted me to ask why you spent the nights at her friend Twilight's library."
I knew what night she was talking about. It was the night about a month and a half ago, the first night we had truly spent together, the first night we had sex, and the first night we both woke up to each other's face. I had made the exception then, but for the most part I never wanted to spend the night with her.
"It's kind of a thing in my world. We don't normally spend the night with our significant others unless we're married." I told her the truth.
"Is that really it?" She raised her eyebrow, expecting something else.
"And...it's just..." I sighed. "I have a lot of nightmares, and sometimes I wake up and I freak out. I've always been kinda paranoid, and I'm afraid I would worry Applejack or upset her, or drive her away, and I just-" She stopped me with a hoof on my shoulder.
"Sonny, you don't have to worry about that. Applejack wouldn't up and leave you for no reason. She's a good-hearted filly. She's honest, loyal, strong, dependable," Granny Smith began, listing all the reasons I fell in love with AJ in the first place. "and she is so in love with you, Johnny." She said. "Not a day goes by when she doesn't talk about you. She ain't never been this in love with anypony before, and it goes without saying that if you ever did do something to hurt her, she'd come back in a heartbeat if you meant that you were sorry."
I smiled. "You really think so?"
"Johnny, you know that hat she gave you this morning? She looked all over Appleoosa for that kinda hat, the one just like my son used to wear. She had it delivered here 'specially for you, and when you put it on she couldn't stop smiling because she felt like she had down something good for you. That's how much she cares about you, and if she can love you that much and look over the fact that ya'll are two different creatures, then I'm not only obligated but I'm proud to call you a member of the family." She smiled as she patted my head with her hoof.
"Wow, I don't know what to say..." I said, feeling a sense of pride and happiness.
"Don't say it to me, say it to her. She's kinda hoping you'll do somethin sweet for her later." She winked. "Oh and Johnny?" Granny Smith pulled a small box and set it on the table. She opened it to reveal a gleaming, golden bracelet with a heart engraved into the side. I recognized immediately what it was, or could be.
I sat down on a small hill just outside the Acres after my talk with Granny Smith. Her words still echoed in my mind, forcing me to constantly look down at the golden band in this small box that I held in my hand. It caught the moonlight perfectly, shining brightly as I moved it against the moonlit sky. This was the band that Applejack's father had proposed to her before she had been born, and it was the one that Granny Smith had been given when she met AJ's grandfather. It was something of a family heirloom, that's what she had told me. Knowing that, I almost felt unworthy to be touching, let alone be keeping, it with me. Even so, I still couldn't believe how Granny Smith practically gave me the "OK" to ask her granddaughter to marry me. I know that from what Twilight had said, relationships in Equestria were a bit different than they were in my world. Some were polygamous, and a lot of ponies really didn't see sex as a big deal. The Apples were different, though. Applejack made it very clear that she was a one stallion mare, and I was happy to be that "stallion" right now.
I still have some time before I have to head to Twilight's, I thought to myself as I reached into a large hole in the tree behind me and produced an old guitar. I felt like Pinkie Pie, having random stuff stashed around Sweet Apple Acres and Golden Oaks Library, but I didn't want to officially move in with either of them, so I kept a few essentials stashed around the place. The only things I kept in any specific place at all times were my soap, toothbrush, and various other health products I kept around Applejack's house. That always got a little awkward, though, as AJ always managed to get in the bath with me for some lewd reason. Of course, I really didn't mind.
I tuned up the guitar and strummed a couple of chords. Perfect, I thought as I began to play a little bit. I saw the lights at Sweet Apple Acres slowly begin to go out, the Apple family starting to go to bed. How lucky was I to end up here? Granted it wasn't some grand adventure or some crazy thrill ride fighting evil monsters or some magic artefacts that needed recovering or explaining in the Everfree, but it was a simple life. I was so happy to be accepted here.
"I've been a walkin' heartache, I've made a mess of me. The person that I've been lately ain't who I wanna be but," I sang as I watched the last of the lights go out. "Ya stand here right beside me, and watch as the storm blows through and I need you~"
I immediately thought of Applejack, how she had saved my life after I rescued her sister and friends from that burning warehouse in the middle of the forest, and I realized that this had to have been meant to be. I had been hurt so many times in my world, and when I came here I just felt like I belonged. Despite how I felt about her before, I had grown to really care for her. I had really grown to love that little mare.
"Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs. God gave me you for the days of doubt. And for when I think I've lost my way, there are no words here left to say, it's true." I kept singing. "God gave me you~" I played until a sound behind me made me jump.
"That's beautiful, Johnny." A familiar voice came from behind me. The orange workhouse smiled at me, her hair rolling down her shoulders in a mess and tail un-tied. "Ah don't know who this 'God' fella is, but he sounds like a pretty nice guy." She chuckled. "Course if he's anything like Celestia, that's ta be expected."
I only laughed. Come to think of it, according to my parents I should have been struck by lightning by now considering how far her and I have gotten. "Perhaps he is." I smiled as she sat beside me. "Are you-" I noticed something on her back as I wrapped my arm around her. "Is that one of my shirts?" I looked over at her. Sure enough, there was one of my favorite button-up collared shirts hanging off of her. She smiled at me and shrugged. "Ah was cold, hun." She kissed me on the cheek. I knew that wasn't the case, this pony just wanted to wear my stuff. "Besides, ah hardly ever wear clothes anyway, and yours are a nice fit."
"Well, you could just ask next time, ok?" I held her closer to me.
"Hmm, nah." She giggled. "So Johnny, I have a question." She began. I kept my arm around her shoulders. "Would you like to have a little 'fun' tonight?" She blushed slightly. I lifted my arm off of her and stared for a second. Where did that come from, I thought.
"Uh, I would love to. But why are you asking? Normally we just let it happen, like last time at the pond." I smiled at the thought.
"Y-yeah, ah know. It's just..." She stuttered a bit. "Ah don't know how ta explain it." She rubbed the back of her neck slowly.
"Well, while you're thinking..." I strummed my guitar a bit and smiled at her. "Let there be cowgirls for every cowboy, and make 'em strong as any man!" I sang loudly, shocking AJ out of her thoughts. "Somethin' ya can't tame, she's a mustang! The heartbeat of the heartland. She's got a drawl, ya'll. Yeah, she's the salt of the earth that rocks my world. Let there be cowgirls!" I finished as Applejack burst into a fit of laughter.
"Oh my, Johnny! Haha! Wh-what was that?" She managed to get out through the fit of laughter.
"That was a song from my world. Little something I remembered." I threw an arm around her and pulled her close to me. "That song always makes me think of you. Well, that and the other one." I smiled. She didn't say a word, only finished laughing and kissed me right on the lips.
"Ah...ah guess ah just want you to sleep with me tonight, and not Twi." She said slowly, and winced as if expecting some form of retaliation. I only looked at her and kissed her cheek.
"Is that what this is about? You think the only way for me to spend the night with you is to have sex?" I asked almost in disbelief as she slowly nodded her head. "Applejack, I..." I tried to find the words, but then I realized something. I was Applejack's first boyfriend, she must have a hard time dealing with the fact that I have no problems sleeping over at another mare's house, but not her's. I've only stayed the night once, and since then she'd been wanting me to do so again. "I will, but on one condition." I told her as he eyes lit up. "Whatever we do tonight, is what you're comfortable with. Got it?" She nodded excitedly.
And without a second thought, I'm being pulled towards the farmhouse.
---
So far nothing had happened, but as I was putting on my shorts for sleeping in I had the urge to ask Applejack a really important question. Of course I had been in the closet putting up my clothes for the last five minutes, which was really not that different from a human closet, considering both our species actually used coat hangers.
"Hey, AJ?" I called to her from the closet.
"Yeah?" She said back.
"I need to ask you an important question, do you mind if I stop real fast?" I asked her before turning around, only to see a sight I never imagined before. On the bed, Applejack knelt onto her hind knees and arched her back just to where her forelegs were supporting her from behind. Her legs were spread apart just enough to allow the lingerie she wore to rise a bit to where it barely covered anything. My brain froze, I could only focus on the stetson wearing cowgirl barely clothed in front of me, her hair tied back up in its usual fashion, but her tail still undone. "Uh...uh I..." I had to cover my lower half slowly before I ended up showing a little too much excitement.
"Ah knew ya'd like it." She smiled lustfully in my direction. "Rarity made it for me. Never thought ah'd end up needin' it, but oh well." She winked as she tilted her head back, as if to beckon me onto the bed with her.
"Yes ma'am." I said happily. "But I really do need-"
"Tell ya what. Make me happy, and..." She kissed me slowly. "Ah'll. Answer. Anything. Ya. Want." She said with each kiss before wrapping her forelegs around me and pulling me down onto the bed on top of her.
