Practice Date

by fluttercord45

Rating: everyone
Tags: Random, Applejack, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Romance, Spike
Length: 4118

It's said that practice makes perfect. So if Spike goes on a practice date with Applejack, he could make a date with Rarity perfect ,right? At least that's what Spike's plan is.

Applejack has been asked by a special little dragon to help conquer his fears and ask the mare of his dreams on a date.

Will she succeed in helping a friend in need or will she find herself seeing the young drake as more than a friend?

editor/proofreader: fluttershyone &NINJA-PON3

Feature

*5/23/15
*5/28/16

Published 2015-05-23 04:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2016-05-28 21:37:10 UTC

A 'Date'

"A practice date? I don’t know, Spike." Applejack said, seeing spike, who was on his knees, begging, as he held up both his claws towards his scaly chest.

"Please, please, please, please Applejack!" Spike said as he begged, "Just one small practice date. Once I do it, I’m sure I’ll have the confidence to ask Rarity out on a date!”

"Uh… Couldn’t you ask one of the others?" Applejack nervously answered while rubbing the back of her neck and trying to dodge the question.

"They were all too busy." Spike replied "Besides, I couldn’t think of any pony better than the most dependable pony in town." He began to give a big smile in an effort to convince her.

"I would, Spike, but I have chores that need to be done."

"Please, AJ, just this once, for me." His smile slowly faded turning into a small frown and his eyes a bit watery.

She couldn’t help but close her eyes to see if he would stop making that face. When she opened her eyes, they grew a bit bigger in shock.

"Fine... I’ll help" She surrendered, giving a little sigh.

"You will? Ha ha! Yeah! Thanks Applejack, you’re the best!" He said as he gave her a hug on her fore hooves.

Sighing again, though glad Spike was happy, she replied "Yeah. Meet me at the barn in a hour. I have to finish my chores first."

"Sweet! Thanks again, AJ." He let go from the hug and runs off.

"What have I got myself into?" Applejack thought to herself as she headed back to her chores.

As an hour went by, Applejack went to the barn, seeing Spike as he was putting on something on him.

“Okay, Spike, got everything you need for this practice date?” Applejack asked.

“Indeed I do.” Spike answered with a hint of smugness. He turned, revealing that he was now wearing a fancy black jacket with a white shirt, and finishing the ensemble with a neat little black bowtie. Applejack didn't say a word, but gave him the patented Applejack Inquisitory Eyebrow.

“Now, if you’ll follow me?” He began to lead her inside the barn. Inside it had changed, now looking like a makeshift restaurant. Applejack could barely believe her own eyes. looking around, seeing the windows covered making the barn feel like it was night, a table with two glasses and a single candle on top between them, plus a covered tray of food on each side of the table.

“Spike, how? When did you do all of this!?” Applejack said, stunned by the miraculous change.

“I had an hour to make things perfect, what else was I supposed to do? Now if you’ll be so kind, milady?” Spike said, offering his claw.

Applejack presented her hoof to him, recognizing the gesture. He escorted her to her seat. Once she was seated, Spike lifted the tray in front of her, revealing a freshly baked apple pie.

“Bon appetite.” Spike said, giving a little bow.

Applejack looked at the apple pie remembering the last time he baked a pie. It had looked very green, burned, and had some mane in the pie (where the mane came from, no one knows). but this time it smelled sweet, like it just came out of the oven and didn’t contain somepony’s mane. Applejack cautiously took a piece of the pie and tried it.

“What do you think, Applejack? I made it myself.” Spike asked eagerly waiting for her response

“It’s surprisingly good , Spike.” Applejack responded, giving him a smile. “I think Rarity will be impressed. How about a conversation, like you would ask her on the date?”

“Oh, right! Um… How was your day, ‘Rarity’?”

Applejack cleared her throat and (tried to) mimic Rarity’s voice. “Oh, you simply wouldn't BELIEVE the day I'm having, Spikey-Wikey.” as she began to whine a bit. Well, maybe a little more than a bit. “I wanted to put this particular ruby I found on this simply gorgeous dress, but it was than the worst thing happened. It was a tragedy! I was all out of rubies!” Applejack said, taking advantage of having an opportunity to mock Rarity.

“What did you do?” Spike asked, hanging on the edge of the seat.

“I had to use diamonds on the dress in an effort to make it presentable. I really need more rubies or it will a disaster!”

“I’d be happy to help find some rubies for you.” He said as he started to give her a lovely look.

“Oh, thank you, Spikey-Wikey. I simply don’t know what I’d do without you!” she said, patting his scaly head.

“Aw, shucks,” Spike said, beginning to blush a bit, “It's nothing for a lovely mare like you.”

It was strange. Applejack started to blush a bit herself when he said it. No pony ever called her that in her life. What did it matter, it’s practice! It didn't mean anything...

“Hey, Applejack, you okay? You’re turning a bit red.” he waved his claw in front of her face.

Applejack snapped out of her thoughts, looking back at spike. “I’m fine, Spike… Uh, how would you impress Rarity on your date?”

Spike went under the table, pulling out a box and opening it, showing applejack a large clear prism that started to reflect light on it, revealing a rainbow.

“I’m going to show Rarity this. It’s a rainbow prism, took forever finding this. I heard its really rare.”

“Spike, it’s beautiful. I’m sure rarity will love it.”

“I hope so.” Spike slowly frowned and gave a little sigh “What if isn't enough, though?”

“Sugarcube, I’m sure it’s enough.” Applejack said, putting her hoof on his shoulder.

“I've done so much already to get her attention, but it seems she still sees me as ‘Spikey-Wikey’.” He gave another little sigh as he closed the box, setting it down on the table “Why hasn't she noticed me?”

“Maybe if you show her you want to make her your marefriend, then show her you really lover her.”

“Believe me, I've tried… But, maybe it’s a lost cause...” he slowly moved away from her putting his head down on the table, staring at the box.

“Spike.” Applejack said softly

Spike looked up at Applejack with a small frown.

“I’m sorry AJ, this was supposed to be practice for me to ask Rarity out and I’m here moping. I should be happy. I’m here with a beautiful mare like you to help me.”

“Oh, it’s nothing, Spike.” Applejack mumbled, beginning to rub the back of her neck slowly.

“No, I mean it! You have more chores than anypony in ponyville yet you still agreed to help me. That’s a loyal friend.” He began to smile. “Any stallion would be lucky to have you.”

Applejack blushed. It would be nice to have a lucky stallion to be with, but who would like a hard working farm girl that doesn't have much, like other mares do?

“I’m kinda surprised you don’t have one already.” Spike added.

“Well, to be honest, Spike, I’m always so busy that i don’t have time to fool around.”

“Well you should. A mare like you needs a special somepony in her life.”

Could he be right? Having a special somepony in her life… Applejack thought about it for a minute, then stopped, looking back at the little dragon.

“I think you're ready to ask Rarity out.” Applejack said, changing the subject.

“You really think so?”

“I just know it.” Applejack said, giving a little smirk.

“What if she just laughs at me, thinking it's just some sort of childish crush and doesn't realize how much I love her?” He began to frown again as he picked up the box from the table, “Who’d like a silly love-struck dragon like me? I'm just useless.”

“Don’t say that Spike, you’re not useless!”

“I am…” He slowly started to head to the door, before turning towards Applejack. “Thanks for helping me, AJ.” He left the barn, leaving the farm girl alone.

When night had fallen, all the Apple family began eating their supper, except Applejack who hadn't touched her meal since Granny Smith served it. She stared at her plate for a while, thinking about Spike telling her to go and find a special somepony and tell how she feels inside and such.

“Something wrong, Applejack?” Granny Smith asked

“Nothing's wrong, Granny. I’m not hungry.” Applejack responded softly, not facing her.

“Are ya sick or something, sis?” Applebloom asked, after swallowing her meal.

“No, Applebloom, it's nothing...” Applejack said with a small, fake smile.

“I know that look on your face sugarcube… Does this have something to do with a special ‘somepony’ you're thinking about?” said Granny Smith with a smirk.

Applejack faced Granny Smith with a slight blush across her face. Every apple family knows you couldn’t hide anything when it comes to Granny Smith Parenting.

“Well… I guess you could say that…”

“My big sister likes somepony!” Applebloom shouted interrupted applejack “Who is he? Do we know him? Does he love apples?”

“Applebloom, that’s way too many questions for your big sister to answer. Right, Big Mac?”

“Eeyup” Big Mac answered before eating his meal.

“Tell him how you feel about him, and maybe you’ll find out he likes you back.” Granny Smith suggested, smiling

“But what if he doesn’t feel the same way, and already has a special somepony?” Applejack began to frown, and she began to look worried.

“Well, then-”

As Granny smith was about to answer her question there was a loud knock on the door. Applejack got up from the table headed from the door and open the it seeing spike holding a box with a orange ribbon on top.

“Hey Spike,what do you need?” Applejack asked.

“I just wanted to tell you that the plan work.” Spike answered with a smile “Rarity and I are going on a date”

“Well, that’s great Spike!” Something inside Applejack's heart broke upon hearing it. “Where are you taking her?” She forced herself to ask as she tried not to frown, but keep a fake smile.

“I’m taking her somewhere special where we can look at the night sky while having a picnic.” Spike had a bit of a lovestruck look, with little hearts floating in the air on his head. After a while he snapped out of it, and became serious. “I want to tell you… Thanks. Again. I couldn’t have done it without you, Applejack.”

Spike came close to her and hug her. Applejack paused for a while before hugging him back.

“No problem, sugarcube” Applejack muttered.

“Oh! I almost forgot. I brought you a gift.” Spike broke the hug and handed her the gift.

Applejack accepted the gift and began to open it. She picked it up and saw a shiny ruby shaped like an apple.

“When I was digging for the gift for Rarity, I found it. I was planning on eating it, but I thought of giving it to you. I know gems aren’t your thing, but I thought should get something to repay you for helping me conquer my fears to ask Rarity out. I hope you like it.” He said, giving a little nervous laugh and blushing a bit.

Applejack looked at the gem a bit, then back at spike, giving him a warm smile. “Thanks, Spike… This means a lot to me… Really.”

“Well… It’s what friends are for: helping each other.” Spike pointed out.

“Yeah… Friends… Hey, if ya need another practice date… I-I’d be happy to help again.” She asked giving a bit of nervous tone and rubbing her forehooves slowly.

“Well… I do need a bit practice. Does tomorrow afternoon sound good?” Spike answered.

“...yeah… I can do that.”

“Great, I’ll see you there, Applejack. Can you keep it a secret between the two of us? I don’t want anypony to know about it, they might think it’s embarrassing”

“Of course, sugarcube.” She gave a smile and patted his head.

“Haha… Thanks, Applejack. I better get going. Night, Applejack.” Spike waved goodbye and ran off.

Applejack waited until he’s out of sight before going back inside.

“... Yeah… Night.” she said to herself, and, letting out a sigh, headed inside.

Author's Note

This is my first shot story of doing an applespike.Not much good with it use to doing fluttercord stories ,but i thought i gave it a shot.

I want to tell you...

After many hours passed at the Apple Farm, they finally conclude practice,which that would help Spike sweep the mare of his dreams off her hooves.

“Now remember, Spike. Always remember to keep yourself clean,” Applejack instructed. “Y’all know Rarity doesn’t like a stallion being messy.”

“Right, but I’m a dragon, not a stallion though.” Spike pointed out.

Applejack laughed slightly. “Ya got a point there. Still, even a dragon needs to look their best for a date,” she said with a smile.

“I’ll remember that AJ.” Spike then began to take notes on his scroll of advice Applejack gave him. “Any other tips for me I need to know?”

“Well...” Applejack paused for a moment to think of what she hadn’t taught him, but nothing came to mind to her. “What else do you need to know about?”

Spike paused for a moment. He tried to think of anything that he might need to know for his pending date with Rarity. The little drake slowly twiddled his claw as he thought of what else he might need to impress the mare of his dreams, ’til it finally it hit him.

“Well, how about kissing?” Spike asked.

“Kissing?”Applejack responded with a slight blush. “Oh...Ah don’t know about that.”

Applejack then felt her forehooves be squeezed by Spike. She then looked down to see him giving her a pleading look.

“Please Applejack, I know it’s gonna happen sometime in the future and want to be...prepared, y’know?”

“Um...well…” Applejack stuttered.

Applejack felt conflicted. On one hoof, she'd be helping out a friend with an important part of a relationship. But on the other hoof, she knew that he loved Rarity and couldn't bring herself to betray Rarity practice or not, She knew she couldn't kiss him. So she opted to give him just basic advice.

“Um...well...maybe making sure you have a clean breath,” Applejack said nervously.

“Uh-huh What else?” Spike replied, as he wrote on his scroll.

“Well...uh...just relax and do what feels right.”

“What feels right?” Spike scratch his head of confusion.

“Well...you know...the right moment. Y’know when you feel the sparks fly.”

“Sparks? What do you mean by ‘sparks’?”

Applejack rubbed the back of her neck as she tried to think of the words to describe the feeling of love. “Well, y’know the feeling you get when you see her and you think of her as a treasure you wouldn’t let go off and would protect her with all your might.”

“Oh!” He said, as he continued writing down her lesson into his little scroll.

She then ran out of things to say and decided to wrap it up.

“I think that’s it for today Spike.”

“Oh, okay AJ.” He gets up from his seat while rolling up his scroll. “Thanks again for the lesson, AJ. I hope this will make things magical.”

“Ah’m sure y’all will have a wonderful time together as a couple,” Applejack spoke with a smile. Though she wore a smile, she was a bit saddened that it couldn't have been with her. She could’ve easily sabotaged the lesson, but her element wouldn't allow her to. As conflicted as she was, she knew it wouldn’t be right to do anything, but help Spike. She wouldn’t wanna risk ruining their friendship over something like that. She knew she had to be strong. “Good luck on your date.”

“Thanks AJ,” he smiled, as he quickly gave her a surprise hug. “I’ll see you later. Wish me luck.”

The young little drake then released his embrace and headed down the road. Once he’s gone, Applejack let out a small sigh and closed the front door.

“Apples for sale! Get some sweet and delicious apples here!” Applejack shouted. She was advertising her family’s world famous apples, but it was a slow day in the Ponyville marketplace.

Applejack then spotted Rarity walking. She noticed that the fashionista had a little spring step.

“Howdy Rarity,” Applejack greeted, with a wave of her hoof.

Rarity turned around toward and made her way over to her. “Oh,why, hello Applejack,” Rarity spoke with a soft tone. “Isn’t it a marvelous day?”

Applejack quietly laughed to herself.

“Well you look happy today. Something happened, Rarity?” Applejack asked with a knowing smile.

“Oh, I had the most wonderful time last night. I still feel I’m on cloud nine,” she answered squeeing to herself.

“I guess you had a wonderful time date with Spike, huh?” Applejack said with a slight nudge to Rarity’s shoulder.

The excited mare’s expression changed to one of confusion. “Spike? Darling, why would I go on a date with Spike? We’re just friends,” chuckled Rarity.

“Huh? You didn’t...” Applejack said with a confused look that matched her friend's (confuse look). “Then why are ya so happy?”

Rarity couldn’t help but giggle bouncing back to her to previous mood. “I’m happy because I was invited to one of Fancypants’ parties. It was a magical evening,” she explained.

‘That can’t be right,’ Applejack thought to herself, as she tapped her chin.

“Why would I go on a date with Spike?” asked Rarity with an arched eyebrow.

“Well, He told me the other day that you agreed to go out with him.”

“A date? Oh no no no no no,” Rarity responded, as she shook her head. “It wasn't going to be a date. It was just a friendly picnic, but the strange thing is he cancelled at the last second.”

“Wait, what do ya mean ‘he cancelled at the last second’?” The southern girl inquired raising an eyebrow as she leaned in closer to her.

The fashionista pushed Applejack back with her hoof to give her a little space. “Well, it started when I was getting ready for our picnic. I heard a knock on my door. When I went to check to see, I saw it was Spike. He told me that something came up and he’d have to get a rain check on the picnic,” she answered.

“Why though?”

“He said he had a few chores he neglected to do before Twilight gets back from her visit at the Crystal Empire today. I offered to help, but he said a lady shouldn’t subject herself to such menial labor. And he’s quite right you know,” she said with small laugh. “He’s such a gentledragon if I say so myself. Anyways, he apologized if I was disappointed. And to be honest I was looking forward to it. He makes the most divine daisy and lilly sandwiches, but there’s always next time. I gave him a kiss on a cheek and then he ran off. Later that night, I got a message saying I was invited to a party (being) hosted by Fancypants . I was so excited to go and when I did it was magnificent!”

Rarity then leaned against Applejack to keep from fainting from her happiness.

“That can’t be right, he said he’d asked her on a date. Somethin’ ain’t right,” Applejack muttered to herself.

“Well, I better get going AJ. Tata~” Rarity waved, as she trotted away.

‘Ah gotta find out what happened…’ Applejack thought.

She then closed shop early and made a beeline for the Golden Oaks Library.

At the library, Spike was in the middle of cleaning up. He then heard a knock at the door.

‘Who could that be?’ Spike thought to himself. He walked to the door and opened to see Applejack.

“Applejack!” he shouted in surprise. “W-What are you doing here?”

“I just came to see if everything was okay. Rarity told me you’d cancelled your ‘date’ with her at the last second,” Applejack said.

Spike gulped and rubbed on his scale head. “Oh you heard about that? Well...I...I just lost my nerves is all,” he lied.

He then motioned her inside and continued to sweep. He tried to stay calm as Applejack looked at him with her knowing big sister stare.

“Y’all sure that was all or is it somethin’ else?” Applejack pried.

“What? Don’t be silly,” Spike said, as he kept sweeping. “What else could it be?”

“Really? Then look me in the eye and tell me there's nothing wrong.”

“I-I can’t AJ, I’m way too busy with cleaning-”

Applejack then grabbed him by the shoulder and turned him to face her. “I know you’re hiding something, please tell me.”

Hard as he tried, Spike couldn’t look away from her. As he gazed into her emerald eyes he knew it was a losing battle to try and keep it from her. Before he could spill the beans, he tried to run away from her. He was immediately stopped by her infamous rope and he was drug back to her. “Applejack, Stop…” he begged, struggling to break free.

“You’re acting jumpier than a grasshopper on a trampoline. What’s wrong with you?”

“I can’t.” He then managed to cut the rope with his claw and ran quickly upstairs. Once he reached the top of the stairs, he dove onto Twilight's bed and hid under the covers. He soon heard her approaching hoofsteps coming up the stairs. He then heard her reach the bed. “AJ, please go away. I don't want to talk about it,” he pleaded, as he gripped the sheet tighter around himself.

“Were...were you still..afraid of Rarity laughing at you?” she asked as she sat on the bed.

“No.”

“Is it about...the kissing?”

“No.”

“Then what?”

“I-I…” Spike gulped and then took a deep breath. “Because I...I think I’m in love with you.”

As she heard his words, her eyes went wide with of surprise. She was completely rendered speechless. He loves me? Why would he like me? When she snapped out of her shocked state she looked to the ball of covers.

“Why me? What about Rarity?”Applejack questioned.

“Well, that’s the thing,” he began before he took another deep breath. “I’ve been chasing after her so long, that I never took the time to look at any other mares. Last night, when I was walking home, I thought about all the times you helped me out. How you did it because you’re a good and loyal friend to me. More importantly, I started thinking of how beautiful you are. It got my heart racing. I know you probably see me as just Twilight's kid brother, but I still wanted you to know. Even now, I’m a nervous wreck being here with you alone in the library.”

After hearing his confession, Applejack felt her heart began to race a bit faster. Though it was sweet that he love her too, she couldn’t believe how fast it was happening. Her mind began wonder as to where their relationship could lead. But as she sat there next to him, there was only one thing that she wanted to do.

“Spike, mind if ya come out from under there. There’s somethin’ I want to give you,” Applejack sweetly spoke.

Spike sat up slowly uncovering his head, his body still hidden under the blanket cover. Applejack leaned toward him and kissed him. This shocked the young drake and caused him to release his blanket shelter. He then stood up and returned the kiss. The two melted into their kiss as Spike put his claws on either side of her cheeks. It was then he felt a tingle throughout his body. He guessed this is what shehad meant by ‘sparks’ during the kiss. After a few moments, they broke the kiss and gazed into each other's eyes with a faint blush.

“So AJ, you wanna go on a real date me?” Spike said with a nervous laugh.

“Maybe~” she teased. “But are you sure you're over Rarity?”

“That's water under the bridge, besides I think she's not really interested in me. I'm done chasing the wrong mare. I've finally found somepony that’s worth my attention,” he spoke, a bit lovestruck.”I love you, Applejack.”

She then gave him a loving smile. “I love you too, Spike.”

Spike wrapped her in a tight embrace and nuzzled her chest. Applejack couldn’t help but lightly chuckle as she patted his head.Though it had started as a practice date, it blossomed into a real love between two good friends. And they wouldn't have had it any other way.