The Apple Does Fall Hard for the Tree

Fluttershy immediately began backpedaling and wilting, collapsing in on herself amidst a miserable chant of “Sorrysorrysorrysorry--” but Applejack had expected that, and was ready with a pounce before the poor butter-colored mare could try and stuff herself under the couch.

“Fluttershy, I want to, you pro'ly don't know how much I do, but...you're actin' like a mare in heat, and t'ain't fair of me to take advantage of that.”  She felt ridiculous reciting this little speech, sprawled across 'Shy's lusciously plush body, pinning her to the rug, one of her forelegs securing each of the pegasus'.

Fluttershy whimpered and squirmed beneath her, doing nothing to ease the ache in AJ's dribbling sex.  “I kn-know what I want!  What I need!”  A hint of 'New Fluttershy' crept into her voice, assertive and demanding.  “You're right here and you-you-you want me or...you say you do,” her voice softened, trailing down into a range so quiet AJ had to guess at every other word.  “What could you be waiting for?”  She squeaked at last, eyes squeezing shut, forcing a hot tear out of the corner of each.

It cracked Applejack's heart to see that, and she ducked her head down to cover 'Shy's lips with her own, head tipped to one side, allowing one pony muzzle to mesh with the other.  Fluttershy's mouth was frozen and unresponsive for all of a second, before ravenous passion drove her back against AJ.  She kissed the sweet pegasus as long as she dared, soft flexible lips massaging one another, wet tongues thrusting and swirling, before the pair separated with a gasp.

“S-Shy darlin', I'm gonna treat you like you deserve, and give you a proper chance to choose me, not just take me 'cuz I'm here, and convenient an'all.”  She saw Fluttershy's eyes fill with hurt and her mouth open, brimming with protests.  She covered her moist lips with a hoof.  “I don't think I want just a fling with you, sugar cube.  Call me greedy, but I want more, a lot more, and I don't think we oughta start this way if we want to build anything that'll last.”

Fluttershy's eyes grew wider by the second as AJ spoke, and the orange mare could swear her cheeks were about to catch fire by the time she finished.  “You...want to date me, Applejack?”

“Call me old fashioned,” she sighed, gingerly lifting her other hoof from its pin against Fluttershy's and rolling onto her back beside the other mare.  “Whaddaya say, 'Shy honey?”  AJ turned her gaze from the ceiling towards her friend, only to find her lips brushed right into place for another kiss.

“Pick me up at six.”  Fluttershy sighed the words over Applejack's nose and lips, longing warring with impatience in her voice.  “Now, you'd better go.  I have some pie to eat, and I d-don't know if we'd be able to...”  Flutter's blush spread down her neck and up to her ears.

Applejack nodded in a bit of an orange and blonde blur, scrambling up and searching for her hat.  “I reckon yer right hon; I don't know if our self control would outlast a dessert binge like that.  I'll see you in a few hours!”  She scooped up her fallen hat, jammed it on her head, then swung about to give 'Shy's cheek a tender brush of a hoof.  “I'm...I'm right-glad you stopped by the farm t'day, 'Shy.  Really opened my eyes to a lot, some things I should have noticed a long time ago.”

Before Fluttershy's blush could creep any further down her coat, AJ grinned, and slipped outside into the autumn afternoon.

Fluttershy was half up to her ears in the second pie when a knock on the door startled her upright, sugary apple goo shining on her face and crumbs of crust sifting off her chin.  A quick swipe of her tongue took care of a lot of the mess, and a hoofed cloth finished the job before she raced to the door, heart thudding hard against her ribs.

~Is that AJ?  Back so soon?  D-did she...change her mind?~  Thoughts of dread warred with the excitement of seeing her special friend again, as she opened the door.  Spike stood there, paw raised to knock again.  Behind him sat a wagon piled high with cages of various sizes.

“Oh, there you are Fluttershy!  I'm glad you're awake.  Um, I hate to do this to you, but Twilight and I have been called away to Canterlot on urgent business, and we can't watch the animals the last week you'd asked us to.”  Spike spread his talons helplessly.  “I wish I could stay to help you unload, but we need to leave now, so...um, bye!”

“G-goodbye Spike...”  'Shy called softly to his rapidly retreating tail, before turning her attention on the wagon.  It would take hours to properly unload and re-house her animal friends, so she'd better get started.  Various squawks, chirps, barks and chitters chorused from the cages as she drew near.

“Oh, I missed you too my friends.  Let's get you back into your homes so you can relax.”  The sun rolled inexorably towards the horizon, six o'clock drawing closer, and 'Shy hadn't even gotten a start on getting ready for her date.  ~I guess that quick trip to the spa is out.~

Applejack was right on time, and Fluttershy was so frazzled she actually considered playing sick for a moment.  When she knocked again...the last blow hesitant instead of louder, 'Shy shook her head and flew across the living room, throwing open the door.

AJ stood there, resplendent in an especially cute little vest Rarity had made her a few months back (“For rodeos!” the fashionista had crowed, and no one had the heart to tell her such fine clothes wouldn't hold up five seconds through the competitions Applejack participated in) and a finer version of her Stetson.  She hadn't gone all out, and for that at least Fluttershy was grateful.

“Uhh, 'Shy, are you alright?”  AJ took a cautious step inside, waiting for the pegasus to move back and let her in completely.

Fluttershy squeaked and scrambled back a few feet, letting her friend in, then slipped past the earth pony to shut the door.  “I'm, um, not quite ready yet.  Sorry Applejack.”  She stood on three legs, rubbing one foreleg with the other, knowing AJ was looking her up and down, seeing the twigs in her mane, the honey in her tail, and an orange stain on her flank where Angel had chucked a cup of carrot juice at her in a rage.

“It's alright sugar cube!”

'Shy let her eyes drift slowly up to meet AJ's, and saw nothing but affection and encouragement in that gaze.

“I made our reservations for seven so we could take our time strolling over.  We'll just have to canter rather'n mosey, and we'll be fine.  Do you want any help with your mane or tail, before you hop in the shower?”

Fluttershy let out a soft sigh, foreshoulders sagging as tension ran out of her, and pecked AJ on the nose.  “Please.”

It was easy to see why Applejack had wanted the pair to take their time trotting to the restaurant.  There wasn't a cloud over Ponyville, and Celestia was just setting the sun, letting Luna's stars really pop out and shine.  Cool breezes washed over them, and Fluttershy crowded against Applejack, blushing at how much sooner her body pressed against the other mare's than it would have in the past.  She would have to readjust her awareness of her personal space.

~There's more of me now, and...that's a good thing.  AJ likes it, I like it, and...and...it doesn't matter what other ponies think.~  Even as she thought it, Fluttershy knew she was kidding herself.  The eyes of her neighbors, and even worse, strangers, would be on her tonight.  ~I won't look at them, I won't see them.  I have somewhere else to rest my eyes tonight,~ she sighed to herself, leaning over to brush her nose along AJ's neck.

Strong, sweet, honest Applejack.  She couldn't have asked for a better pony to reassure her she could still be beautiful.  While it wasn't as if AJ couldn't lie, she was so terrible at it there wasn't much point in the exercise.  ~As transparent as one of those crystal ponies,~ she thought, giggling.

“What's so funny, darlin'?”  AJ asked, as the pair passed out of the residential portion of town and neared the town center.

“I was just thinking how lucky I am that, of our close friends, it was you who first saw me after I'd left the house.”

Applejack mulled that over for a moment, the two passing a number of ponies who didn't pay them much mind.  Street lamps were being lit by a unicorn, and laughter drifted out of a second story window.  The town felt relaxed tonight, not bustling by any means but just active enough that you felt the community was close at hoof if you needed something, even company.

“Well, I'm glad as can be Rainbow Dash didn't find you first.  She'd have stuck both hooves in her mouth shoulder-deep in less than ten seconds flat, for sure.  Twilight Sparkle would've tried to figger out an exercise regimen and diet on the spot.  Rarity?  I dunno, other than makin' a big 'ol fuss about needing to let out all of your dresses...  On the other hoof, she'd get excited about designing new ones for you too.”

Fluttershy giggled, bobbing her head over each guess.  “I think you're right, on all counts.  What about Pinkie Pie?”

Applejack screwed up her face.  “I don't rightly know!  Wait—I know.  She'd g-aaaaa-sp and demand to know if you'd been attending parties'n eating cake without her, or if you'd found some amazing new recipe you couldn't get enough of!”

The pegasus nodded, a gentle smile stretching her lips.  “That sounds just right.  Is this the place?”  Applejack had paused outside the frosted glass doors to a restaurant she'd never been inside, but had passed a number of times.  The sign read 'McGillaCuddies.'  “Is this a...cow bar, AJ?”

“It started as one, but the food's so good they've been drawin' in anyone with hooves, pretty much.”  AJ wedged a hoof into a handle and pulled open the door, letting 'Shy precede her into the restaurant.

Cow bars were known for providing large quantities of fodder for a good price, as well as enough cider to make even big bovines good and tipsy.  A half-dozen cows were present tonight, ensconced in cozy-looking combinations of booth and paddock that allowed them to relax and socialize while eating.  A scattering of ponies were in evidence, as well as a couple of goats and one donkey.

The earth pony barkeep winked at Applejack, and nodded towards a more conventional booth in the corner.  Fluttershy let her mane hide much of the room from her, cutting down her peripheral vision until just Applejack was visible, following the orange beacon to their seats.

The booth was surprisingly plush and comfortable, even given her newly-enlarged dimensions.  AJ nestled in beside her with a smile she couldn't help but return, and 'Shy brushed her velvety nose against the other pony's. “Thank you for this, Applejack.  Maybe...maybe you're right about slowing down, building...well, us up properly.”

Applejack's ears flicked, and smiled in a way that seemed to promise an 'oh shucks' was coming, but it was cut off by the arrival of their waiter.  Both ponies scooped up menus and scanned the bar's offerings.

“I'll have a small harvest salad, a small serving of buttered haystack pasta, and a bottle of 'Acres cider.”  AJ skimmed the menu across the table back over towards the wall, and peeked at Fluttershy's.  “I recommend the medium sizes for you, darlin'.”  She whispered, raising a faint blush on 'Shy's cheeks.

“May I please have a medium harvest salad, a large-” Applejack gulped, “order of sweet potato and asparagus souffle, a large order of cheesy crispy Cuddie-fries, aaaaaand...” Fluttershy turned the menu over, “six bottles of cider, and the Devil Made Me Do It chocolate cake.”

“A slice or...?”  The sweating waiter ventured cautiously.

“A cake, please.”  Fluttershy smiled, setting aside the menu.  She reached over and gently nudged Applejack's gaping mouth shut with a click.  The waiter nodded, and kept nodding as he trotted off towards the kitchen.  He was still nodding the tiniest bit when he returned with water and their cider.

Fluttershy felt giddy, and didn't waste any time grasping one of the bottles, slick with cool condensation.  She tugged out the cork with her teeth, and tipped a good few swallows down her throat, letting the sparkly sensation of the precious cider tease her taste buds on the way down.  She could see Applejack following her example beside her, and when a deep gurgle rumbled up from her barrel, both of them grew intensely flushed.

“Sounds like we arrived in the nick of time,” AJ whispered, sliding a foreleg back to caress 'Shy's soft middle.

“I hope I'll be able to squeeze out of this booth still, after dinner.”  It was both a genuine concern but a calculated tease for her date, and seeing AJ stammer and bite her lower lip sent a thrill of pleasure through Fluttershy.  ~Amazing how much I affect her.~  She bit her own lip, remembering the scent and humid heat of the mare just inches from her nose.  ~It's definitely a two-way street.~

Their salads arrived in short order, though their waiter had to make two trips.  Fluttershy's medium was too large to carry anything else with it.  "Oh my," she murmured, peering over the rim of the...vat of greens that ended up in front of her.  Applejack's salad would have been considered enormous in any of the restaurants she was used to, but the medium was like a joke!  "I feel like I should be using a rake to eat this."

AJ laughed, and kissed her neck.  "I can't wait to see wut the large is like.  Do we sit in it and row the dish home afterwards?"

Fluttershy giggled, relaxing once more, and brandished the rather over-sized fork she'd found in her napkin.  She tucked big wad after wad of fresh, emerald green leaves into her mouth, the light vinegar dressing doing an excellent job tying together the pine nuts, cool pickled beets, and roasted root vegetables.  There was something else that added a nice bit of flavor, but she couldn't put her hoof on it until she happened to glance at Applejack. "Apple...peel?"

"A-yup!  If you chop it into fine enough pieces, it's great in dishes like this.  They chop it so fine here I'm not really sure ah've spotted a piece yet!"

Of course AJ finished her salad long before Fluttershy could, and after watching 'Shy plow her way through half the enormous bowl, Applejack gently stole her mini-pitchfork and secured it to her own hoof with its band.  "Here hon, let me do the lifting for a bit."

Fluttershy relaxed back from the table's edge, and just opened her mouth for each forkful, feeling that heat flush her  cheeks again.  It didn't last long though.  It was relaxing, being fed like this...and then slowly, exciting, as the pegasus stroked her forelegs across the front swell of her tummy.  She didn't miss AJ's reaction to that self-caress, and actually had to move her head to make sure the fork landed in her mouth and not her ear when the other mare grew a bit too distracted.

"Sorry sugar!  My my, got a case of the wanderin' eyes for sure."  AJ shook her head, grinning.

"I love seeing you look at me like that," 'Shy whispered, using a volume low enough she wasn't sure whether even AJ could hear her.  She wondered if she'd wanted her to hear, and when Applejack ducked her head but couldn't...or wouldn't tear her hungry gaze from Fluttershy's, she knew she had indeed wanted AJ to know.  Applejack fed her faster, and it seemed like just moments later, the salad dish was empty.  Fluttershy celebrated with another bottle of cider, sharing sips with AJ, while the waiter cleared  their dishes and returned with the next course.

Two waiters in a harness pulled a cart the size of their entire table up to them, leaving it parked there.  A gorgeous souffle big enough to contain three snugly-compacted ponies loomed over the pair, its heavenly aroma swamping them.  Applejack's pasta was set anticlimactically on the table before her, not big enough to make a proper garnish for Fluttershy's entree.  While both were still gaping at this mountain of food, a second cart squeaked out of the kitchens with the cheesy fries, which did fit on the table...barely.  The fact that they were stacked four feet high helped in that regard.

"I think I'm in trouble," Fluttershy squeaked.

"Applejack?  Fluttershy?!  I didn't know you two liked bar food!  We should have a party in here soon!  If we time it right we can do it on square-dancing night and show everyone some fancy hoofwork!  Wouldn't that be AWESOME?"

'Shy and AJ craned their necks past the souffle to see Pinkie Pie waving furiously at them. "Well," AJ whispered, "I guess we're gonna see how accurate my guesses were sooner'n expected."