I Just Want to Make You Proud

“Are you sure they’re not gonna hurt me?”

“Yes, Yan, they’re gonna like ya,”

“Are you sure?” Yan was kicking at the dirt, looking everywhere but at Applejack.

Applejack sighed before standing directly in front of the tan pegasus. “Ah promise, Yan, the only pony in my home you need to worry about is my Granny Smith, and that’s cuz she’s crazy as she can be. Nopony’s gonna do anythin’ ta hurtcha, mkay?” Yan’s shy side had increased tenfold ever since he and Applejack had begun dating. With her, he would act like such a goof, but the second he’d be near her friends, he’d say nothing.

Upon learning of her older brother’s size and strength, Yan had become even more frightened. He’d heard once from Desert that one of his marefriends had a very buff older brother, and that the two…highly disagreed. Desert had informed Yan that he had to watch out for the older brother, because he might want to cause a disturbance.

“Ya know, if it’s Big Mac you’re worried about, don’t be. He’s the gentlest giant you’ll ever see.” Applejack reassured once more. “C’mon, Yan, yer gonna be fine, quit being paranoid.”

Even though it seemed like a humungous hassle, Applejack didn’t mind at all. He told her all about his past, and she completely understood why he felt this way.

“W-why do they want to meet me anyways?” Yan asked.

“Cuz, they wanna meet their kin’s coltfriend. They want to see who they’re puttin’ their trust in. Now, come on.

Not even two seconds after Applejack opened the door, the bundle of youthful energy Applejack called her sister came bursting out.

“Howdy! I’m Applebloom, Applejack’s younger sister! She prolly already toldja that, but whatever. She’s told us a lil’ but ‘bout you, but we still wanted to meetcha!” Standing there was a small filly, probably around eight years old. She had a big red bow in her darker red mane. Her voice was a higher, younger version of Applejack’s.

“U-Um, h-hi. How are you?” Yan felt a little at ease due to Applejack’s presence, but the sudden burst of energy still startled him.

“Uhm. Fantastic.” Applebloom sounded disappointed. “C’mon, Yanny, no need to be all shy,” she nudged him with her elbow, “we’re all friendly here!”

“Okay…” Yan didn’t comply.

“C’mon, let’s go inside,” Applejack said to him before pushing him in.

“Well, hello there sonny, I’ve heard a lot ‘bout you. I’m Granny Smith.” An elderly, green mare approached Yan and squinted. She seemed to look all around his face, sizing him up, except a lot creepier.

“…Hi?” he greeted, backing up slightly. Now I know what Applejack meant by Granny Smith being completely insane, Yan thought to himself. He did his best to smile, but his grin had an obvious nervous feel about it. Yan looked about the innards of Applejack’s living room, trying to get his mind off of the old mare examining his face for some unknown reason. It was definitely modest. There was a comfy looking sofa with puffy, red cushions, and an equally comfy chair a few feet away from it, the same tint of dark red. The wallpaper composed of orange and red stripes that made their way around the square den. The trim composed of Red Delicious apples, all connected by a green vine. It seemed most of the house contained a theme relative to apples in one way or another.

“You chose right, A.J.,” she finally spoke.

“Huh?” Applejack inquired in confusion. “Whaddya mean?”

“Oh, never mind me, dear. Has Big Macintosh met your little coltfriend yet?”

“No, but-“

“Then go and introduce him, he’s been dying to meet Yan.” Granny Smith interjected. All Yan could do was gulp in fear.

“Well, alright then,” Applejack sighed. “C’mon, Yan let’s go meet ‘im.” Applejack nudged a shaking Yan out towards the field.

Yan caught sight of a big, burly dark red stallion conversing with a cow. Yan heard of the singular talking cow, so he didn’t question the linguistic ability of the animal. What he did question, though, was his sanity. Why was he here? Why was he about to meet the buff, protective older of his marefriend? Oh yeah, he was in love. He tossed his self-security in the wind for her. Technically, he still considered himself insane for coming anywhere near this muscular, tough, manly stallion.

“Hey, Big Mac!” Applejack called out. The tall stallion turned his head to the direction of her voice, and smiled once he saw her. He said something to the cow which Yan couldn’t hear, then approached the pair.

Oh no, ohh noo, oh no, oh please, please no… Yan’s heart was beating ninety miles a minute, gaining speed every centimeter Big Mac got closer.

“Hey there,” Big Macintosh greeted the pair with an incredibly deep voice.

“Howdy, Mac. This here’s Yan, my coltfriend. Ah know Ah mentioned him to ya, right?” Applejack sounded completely calm, but inside she knew Yan was having a small seizure in his mind.

“Eeyup.” He responded. “Hello, there. As you already know, I’m Big Macintosh. I’ve heard a lot about you.” Strangely, when he heard Big Mac’s voice, he calmed down.

“I have only heard a little about you. Other than your name, I don’t even know you.” Yan said, his heart slowing down a considerable amount.

“Well, ain’t that a shame.” Big Mac had a small omnipresent smile.

“Yeah, it is.”

Applejack stood with her jaw dangling helplessly. Yan’s…calm?! He was practically wettin’ himself not 20 minutes ago over Mac, and now he’s jus’ as docile as ever?! Oh, sweet Celestia, you’re in for it now.

“Ya know, I had mah doubts ‘bout you,” Big Mac gestured with his hoof for Yan to get closer. “I could tell that Applejack had it for ya hard,” Big Mac lowered his head to whispere in Yan’s ear, “she would be goin’ off like a schoolfilly whenever she talked about ya, even before y’all were together.  She thinks highly of ya, so don’t let her down.” Big Mac lifted his head, and stepped back.

“Uh…” Applejack said, confused, “Ah’m still here, ya know…”

“Yes, I know. I jus’ needed to tell him a lil’ somethin’.” Big Mac just stood there with an obligatory smile.

“Don’t worry, it was nothing important.” Yan said in a calm voice. Why am I so calm? He’s humongous, and muscly, and scary…Still, Yan couldn’t lie. Maybe it was his ever-present smile, or his mellow, deep voice.

“Well, y’all seem to be calm about it, so Ah guess it’s nothing I should worry.” Applejack resolved.

Soon after the small introduction to Applejack’s family, Yan was dragged into many activities, most of which being something to do with Applebloom. The little filly, with all her youthful energy, dragged Yan by the mane to do countless things. Applejack chuckled as she witnessed a muddy, exhausted Yan stumble into the kitchen through to back door, and collapse to the floor, panting.

“Woohoo! That was fun!! Let’s do it again!” Applebloom burst in after him, equally muddy, but infinitely more energetic.

“Save me…I can’t…go on….” Yan groaned in pain.

Applejack chuckled as she helped Yan stand on his exhausted hooves.

“Awww, but Ah wanted ta play with him more,” Applebloom bit her lower lip, and her eyes grew large and wide.

“Cantcha see he’s had enough?” Applejack gestured to the collapsed Yan.

“Ah guess…”

A few hours later, Granny Smith left to the market to gather some things, and Big Mac and Applebloom left for the orchard.

“Don’t get into any trouble, ya hear?” Granny Smith chuckled as she left for the market.

“Ah’ll keep him in line, don’t you worry,” Applejack responded. After Granny Smith turned and walked down the dirt path, Yan was dragged back into the house.

“Um…Applejack what’s going o-“ Yan was caught off by a pair of soft lips being meshed against his.

“You don’ know how long Ah’ve been wantin’ to do that today,” she said after breaking the kiss.

“U-um…” Yan’s face was bright red, and he had a confused, yet joyous look on his face.

Applejack clenched her teeth around Yan’s mane and guided him up the stairs.

“Wh-what? What’s going on…?”

“You’ll see,” Applejack said quietly. Truthfully, Yan had little idea what was going on. That is, until he saw Applejack guide him into her bedroom.

“Er…Ap-“

“Hush, Yan,” she said, just before throwing him onto her bed. She promptly pinned him down, then strategically placed her legs on either side of Yan’s hips.

“B-but, I-“

“Quiet down, sugarcube, you don’ gotta do a thing…” Applejack instantly brought her lips to his once more, holding the kiss for a long time. Her hoof left Yan’s, then slid downward.

“Are…are you sure?”

“Yan, I’ve never been so sure in my life…” Applejack tossed her hat to the floor, not needing it for what was to come next. “Let this be my way to show you just how much I love you…”