Crimson and Cobalt Country Skies
"I'm just so happy for you and Braeburn," Applejack commented, walking alongside Fluttershy.
"Thank you Applejack, he really means a lot to me," the sweet mare replied, brushing a lock of her pink mane away from her eyes.
It was harvest season and Fluttershy had offered to help her future sister-in-law bring in the Red Deliciouses. The fresh scent of crisp, juicy apples wafted over the farm, the gentle breeze whistling through the leaves. Fluttershy and Applejack dropped off the last of the Red Delicious apples, checking over their hard work. Shutting the doors on the storage barn, Applejack took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air. She turned back to Fluttershy, who seemed to be enjoying the nature as well.
"I just can't believe one of my best friends and my favorite cousin are engaged," Applejack said, wiping a few beads of sweat off her brow.
"I'm excited too," Fluttershy replied with a sheepish smile.
The orange earth pony smiled at her friend, adjusting her hat. Applejack just couldn't seem to stand still. Fluttershy watched her with curiosity. She could almost see the gears turning up in Applejack's head.
"Is something wrong?" Fluttershy asked with genuine concern.
"Oh, Horse Apples, you caught me," Applejack muttered with a small laugh, kicking at the dirt with her hoof. "Braeburn told me you two have a surprise and he wouldn't let me know until the wedding."
"I'll give you a hint," Fluttershy replied with a giggle, "It involves me moving."
Applejack's eyes lit up, "Are you two moving here?" She asked hopefully.
"Yes! We're going to build our own house out towards the back of the property!" Fluttershy squealed with excitement.
Applejack threw her arms around the Pegasus mare, showing her excitement. Fluttershy blushed from all the attention, gently hugging Applejack back. Backing a few paces, Applejack faced Fluttershy again, a wide grin spreading across her face. Fluttershy turned her head when she heard hoof steps to her left. She looked just in time to see Braeburn coming their way.
"It's exciting news isn't it?" He asked, smiling at Applejack.
"It's way beyond exciting! That's perfect! I have to go tell Granny and the others!" Applejack called, cantering off towards the farmhouse at the top of the hill.
"Hello Braeburn," Fluttershy greeted, gently laying her wing over Braeburn's side.
"Hey Flutters," Braeburn replied, kissing her softly on the cheek.
Fluttershy blushed, her cheeks turning a rosy pink. Even though her and Braeburn were engaged and would soon be married, Fluttershy still blushed at the slightest bit of attention.
"Come with me," Braeburn whispered in Fluttershy's ear, taking a small step forward.
Fluttershy nodded, a soft smile on her face. The two walked down the narrow dirt path until it faded, overcome by the wild grass. Leading Fluttershy down a gently sloping hill, Braeburn tipped his hat back, looking around the property. He walked side by side with his fiancée, wandering through the rows of fragrant trees, looking up at the ripe apples above and the rotted ones below. Fluttershy spoke up, breaking the soft silence.
"These apples really are just like life. You have to enjoy the ups and be happy, while all you can do on the downs of your life is think back on the times you enjoyed and hope they come back," Fluttershy breathed, her voice soft and light.
"Spoken like a poet," Braeburn affirmed in a breezy tone.
The two paused for a moment before Braeburn continued on his path, letting Fluttershy follow behind him. The trees parted, revealing long, rolling hills. Braeburn stopped at the top of the hill and laid down, Fluttershy settling in right next to him. She once again drapped a soft, downy wing over Braeburn, able to feel every rippling muscle under his coat.
"Here we are," Braeburn announced.
"It's beautiful," Fluttershy beamed, letting her cyan eyes drift over the landscape and up into the sky.
"I love seeing the cobalt sky, the crimson sun setting over the hills," he replied lightheartedly.
"Country, sunset skies are always the prettiest," Fluttershy agreed, leaning against her Braeburn.
She could feel his side rising and falling with each breath. Fluttershy turned her head to face Braeburns's, looking into his bright eyes. Her heart beat faster and so did his, their love clear. Fluttershy leaned into Braeburn, pressing her lips against his. Braeburn returned her kiss, wrapping a hoof around her neck. As the kiss went on, it became more passionate. Fluttershy's wings extended out to the side and she reached around Braeburn's neck, pulling him closer. It seemed even the smallest amount of space between them was far too much. Braeburn pulled away, sweeping a few light pink strands of hair back behind the pegasus's ear.
"I love you Braeburn," Fluttershy said gently, blushing furiously.
"Shh, let your actions speak for themselves," Braeburn whispered, running his hoof across her bright red cheeks.
Braeburn pulled Fluttershy closer again, melting into her embrace. He kissed her cheek and moved back up to her gentle lips, running one hoof over a soft wing while the other held her close. Fluttershy flapped her wings gently, stirring up a small breeze. All the scents of nature: grass, earthy soil, crisp apples, and cool water floated a around them, seeming to shield the engaged couple from all the bad in the world. Though she couldn't get enough of Braeburn's love, Fluttershy gently tilted her head down, breaking apart their kiss. She rested her forehead on Braeburn's muzzle, taking in deep breaths. Her heart slowly descended back to its normal rate. A few drops of rain fell into her silky mane. Fluttershy looked up then laid her head back on Braeburn's, the rain picking up a bit, forming a curtain that cascaded down from the crimson and cobalt country sky.
"We should get up to the house," Braeburn suggested, looking down at the beautiful mare.
"No, stay here with me," Fluttershy pleaded, holding Braeburn close.
"Fluttershy, it's raining. We need to get going."
Fluttershy reluctantly stood up beside Braeburn with a sigh. She looked up into his eyes with a kind gaze. Braeburn let a warm smile slip onto his face as he began to walk back to the farm house. Fluttershy followed, her normally thick, sweeping mane plastered straight down. Her tail dragged in the mud puddles behind her. Braeburn glanced back at his fiancée, making sure she was following. He couldn't help but notice how elegant she looked with her hair straight and long, a slightly darker shade from being wet. He returned his gaze forward, climbing up the hill that led to the old farmhouse. Braeburn held the door open for Fluttershy who came in to the small kitchen, still dripping wet. Shutting the door behind them, Braeburn looked over the Apple family at the table, who had clearly been told the news they would be moving in.
"Fluttershy dear," Granny Smith started, "Go ahead upstairs and dry off then come down here and join us for supper."
"Of course Granny Smith," Fluttershy said warmly, walking up the creaky wooden stairs.
"You can dry off in the bathroom down here Braeburn," Applejack added.
"Thanks cousin," he replied with a smile, heading that way.
* * *
Braeburn had already sat down and began to eat when Fluttershy came downstairs. Her pink mane that had perviously been matted down over her eyes and dripping wet, was now dried and carelessly curled, showing her natural beauty. Braeburn had to remind himself not to stare when she sat down next to him. Fluttershy took a bite of her dandelion apple salad before the conversation began.
"The wedding is in a month, and I know you two wanted to have it here," Applejack began.
"More than anything!" Fluttershy exclaimed with a wide smile.
"I was thinking Big Mac could build a fancy, little gazebo and paint it white. It could go right in front of the south field and stay there as a sort of memento of your wedding," Applejack suggested.
"As long as it wouldn't be too much work for you Big Mac," Braeburn added in.
"I'm sure it's fine, right Big Mac?" Applejack replied quickly, turning her glance to her older brother.
"Eeyup," Big Mac confirmed.
"That would be lovely," Fluttershy agreed in a sing-song voice. "And of course, you would be my Mare of Honor, Applejack."
"Aww shucks. That means a lot to me Sugar Cube." Applejack said, heat rising to her cheeks.
"And you the Best Stallion, Big Mac," Braeburn pitched in.
"What about me?" Apple bloom questioned, feeling left out.
"You are our Flower Filly," Fluttershy informed her.
"Alright!" Apple bloom exclaimed, stuffing her mouth full with corn.
"I'm just so pleased you all were so kind in letting us have our wedding here. It is surely extra work that you didn't need," Fluttershy stated.
"That's what family is for," Applejack replied warmly, leaving a long pause after.
"I guess that's all settled then," Granny Smith concluded. "Now who wants dessert?"
"I'll be alright. Fluttershy and I will be having dessert at her cottage," Braeburn said with a mischievous grin.
