The Favor that Changed it All

As the day rolled by from the conflicting events that took place several hours ago, the four ponies continued to sleep and cuddle with each other; Esbin sleepily opened his eyes and yawned as he glanced happily at the three mares who were still sleeping casually around him. Just then he heard the ringing sound of the clock tower a few streets away from the house, it read 6:00 P.M. As much as Esbin didn’t want to wake his friends up at a time like this, he had to explain everything to his parents, he gently nudged each of his friends and whispered, “Girls…girls…it’s time to wake up now. Wake up.” Sweetie Belle was to the first to wake up, Apple Bloom was second, but Scootaloo still slept while hugging to Esbins side. “Come on Scootaloo,” Esbin whispered a bit louder, “It’s time to get up.” But Scootaloo didn’t wake, she merely held on tightly to Esbin like a teddy bear and muttered, “Ah but daddy, can’t I sleep in a little more, it’s Saturday.” The girls including Esbin chuckled softly as he nudged again in a normal speaking voice, “Scootaloo, it’s time to get up sleepy head.” Scootaloos grip loosened as she opened her eyes with a yawn, she blinked a bit before giving him a sleepy smiling and said, “Morning you stallion, did you sleep well?” “Best sleep I’ve ever had with you three,” Esbin said happily, “and I think it’s the late evening.”

“You’re looking much better,” Sweetie Belle said to Esbin which made him smile, Scootaloo got off the bed side and stretched out her wings; pretty soon Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle got off and gave light stretches before giving Esbin enough space so he could get off. “Okay here’s the deal,” Esbin said with a yawn, “Apple Bloom you go get you big sister… and maybe bring Big Macintosh to make sure she doesn’t do something we’ll all regret. Sweetie Belle you bring you sister Rarity if she hasn’t gotten too into her dresses for the night. And Scootaloo you can have Rainbow Dash join in if you want.” “I’m sure she wouldn’t mind,” Scootaloo said, Esbin walked over to the door, opened it and held it open for his marefriends to make their way out to bring their friends and relatives back to the house. As he watched them trot into down the street, he waved to them before he went back inside and began to process on what he was going to say to his parents and his marefriend’s family members. Esbin trotted over to the couch and sat in the center cushion; he let out a sigh and muttered, “Celestia, please in your name let them understand, please.”

After what felt like about an hour, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo came back to Esbin home with their family to discuss an important topic. Soon Margret and Charles came down the stairs, greeted the guests as they came in, and lead them to the living room. Just as they all found a place around the room, Esbin and his friends sat on the couch sharing the same piece of furniture, Charles then asked, “Alright, what is all this about Esbin, we kind of need some answers.” “Was it about not having your cutie mark,” Margret asked, “Did you feel like you were getting left behind your friends?”

“Wait, Esbin got his cutie mark, way to go you stallion,” Rainbow Dash cheered as Esbin readjust so everyone could see his flank.

“I must say it simply looks marvelous,” Rarity said after examining the cutie mark.

“I’ll say, but uh…what exactly does it mean,” Applejack asked with a scratch of her head.

Esbin rubbed the back of his while Apple Bloom and the others coughed feeling a bit awkward of the question that left a tense silence in the room as everyone looked at them for an answer. Esbin sighed heavily and looked up to face his parents, Apple Bloom older siblings, Sweetie Belles older sister, and Scootaloos favorite Wonderbolt in all of Equestria, Rainbow Dash looking at him. At first he still couldn’t find the words to explain to everyone in the room and realized that his front hooves were shaking until Apple Bloom placed her hoof on his and said with a smile, “It all right Esbin, were all with ya.” “Yah, we’re with you all the way to help you out.” Scootaloo added in as she placed her hoof on top of his. “Friends always help friends,” Sweetie Belle said as she placed her hoof on his shoulder for comfort. Esbin started to feel a bit relieved in a way as he took a deep breath and said, “Well… it goes like this…”

-One long explanation later-

“…and that pretty much sums it up.” Esbin said finishing his explanation to everyone. No one said a single word; the room was as silent as it did when they were waiting for Esbins answer, only the tension in the air felt thicker than it did before. Finally Charles lightly shook his head, not in complete disapproval but in a form of concentration. “Well…that…that is…honestly I don’t know what to think,” Charles said as he tried to wrap his head around what he heard. “Well I’ve always imagined our son having the perfect mare for him to go out with,” Margret said as she placed a hoof on her husband’s shoulder, “I… I just never though he would have three mares who loved him that way, personally, I think if this is what make you happy Esbin, than I suppose I’m happy as well. Wouldn’t you agree Charles?” Charles still had the hard concentrative expression on his face as he glanced down at the floor, he smacked his lips for his mouth was dry as he said, “Well…I think that…” Before Charles could even give a straight answer, Applejack leaped from her seat and shouted out, “NO! No way, no how is mah own kin is gonna be having relations with a stallion how already has TWO other mares by his side! Ah simply won’t have it, come on Apple Bloom! We’re leaving!”

“Applejack stop, you don’t understand!” Apple Bloom cried out as she was being pulled by her older sister.

“Quiet Apple Bloom you’re too young to understand any of this, we’ll discuss your punishment first thing when we get home!” Applejack exclaimed harshly at her younger sibling.

“Applejack please calm down…” Rarity said trying to maintain her ladylike composure.

“Ya‘ll stay out of this miss pretty pants, ah said come on Apple Bloom,” Applejack shouted out still pulling her sister toward the front door.

“No,” Apple Bloom said with a cry.

“Apple Bloom, let’s go,” Applejack said in a firmer tone of voice.

“NO,” Apple Bloom said with a shout.

“Apple Bloom, don’t make me have Big Mac carry ya all the way back ta the farm, now for the last time LETS GO!” Applejack said with a moment to look at Apple Bloom with her grip growing tighter.

“AH SAID NO DAMN IT!” Apple Bloom shouted out as loud as she could with a quick pull of her wrist to get away from Applejack, she and everyone in the living room went wide eyed from Apple Blooms outburst, including Big Mac. “Listen Applejack, ah am old enough to understand! You said that ah should show how much ah love the stallion ah care for during the reunion, and I love Esbin. Even if he has two other mares that he has relations with, I was his first! Ah don’t care if ya hate me for it, but ah do love Esbin.” Applejack stared blankly at Apple Bloom for a moment, she soaked in her little outburst; she swished her lips around before she said with a sigh, “Big Macintosh, would ya please talk some sense ta ya littlest sister, please?!” Big Mac trotted in front of Esbin who was going to pull Apple Bloom away before she shouted out; he looked straight into his eyes with his usual bold expression and said, “Esbin, let me ask you something, do you love Apple Bloom?”

“Y-y-yes sir I do,” Esbin answered trying not to feel so small compared to the broad draft horse in front of him, Big Mac nodded slightly from his response.

“Do you love her as much as you love her filly hood friend’s right there?” Big Mac asked as he pointed a hoof behind Esbin at Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo sitting on the couch looking at them.

“Yes sir, I do.” Esbin said with a more confident voice, again Big Mac nodded from this.

“Would you treasure her as you’ve treasure your friendship over the years since you’ve met her and her friends?” Big Mac asked only with a slightly bolder tone.

“Yes, yes sir I will.” Esbin said with even more confidence in his voice, this time Big Macintosh didn’t nod at him, he merely stared down at Esbin for a moment and finally said, “Than you have mah blessing, treat her well ya hear.” Applejack stared blankly at her older brother as he bowed his head as he closed his eyes before she looked like she was going to pass out, but she didn’t. She let out a sigh and said, “Esbin, let’s get something straight here, ah’ll let ya be with Apple Bloom but only because I only want what will make her happy, not what will make me happy.” Esbin could only stared at Applejack in shock from her sudden change in attitude as she trotted up to him and embraced him in a hug. When she pulled away from the hug, her soft smile changed to a frown and said, “But if ya even think ‘in about hurt ‘in Apple Bloom like that again, ah’ll buck ya six ways ta next year ya hear.” Esbin only gulped when Applejack trotted over to Apple Bloom and giving her a hug as well, “Ya keep an eye on him Apple Bloom,” Applejack calmly, “We’ll meet ya back home and ah do mean when this is all over.” “Sure thing Applejack,” Apple Bloom said with a smile as she waved to her older sister and brother as they made their way out of the house.

Rarity trotted over to Sweetie Belle and said, “My goodness, I’ve hardly ever seen Applejack like that before. Now Sweetie Belle, it may not be a practical relationship for an old fillyhood friend, but I just want you to know that if there is anything that you need for any occasion, I’m more than willing to be of assistance. ” “Oh Rarity,” Sweetie Belle said feeling a little constricted by her sister, “I know how to take care of myself, and the only thing you have to worry about is your job as a fashionista. Besides I know he can take care of things if anything were to happen.” Rarity started to form tears from her eyes as she soon gave her younger sister a hug and said happily, “I just find it hard to believe that my own sister has found her own prince charming. If I would have known that Esbin was going to be your coltfriend, I would have told you years ago! Mother and father would probably not approve, but then again, maybe they don’t have to know all the details. I love you Sweetie Belle.”

“I love you too sis,” Sweetie Belle said, smiling softly.

“I dare say this will certainly be quite the relationship to handle. Wouldn’t you agree Rainbow Dash?” Rarity asked the cyan blue Pegasus lounging on the recliner.

“Honestly, it’s not my business who Scootaloo dates or who she shares him with, I’m just glad she just found somepony else to bug around besides me. But just don’t spend all of your time with him okay, I still got some Wonderbolt tricks to teach ya.” Rainbow Dash said as she gave Scootaloo a noogie with a hoof.

“Don’t worry Rainbow Dash, I’m still gonna train for the Wonderbolts and join them in their airshows. You can count on me, I’ll be ripping through the skies and put all audience in shock with my wicked new stunts.” Scootaloo said with enthusiasm as she gave slight salute to the Pegasus, Rainbow Dash trotted alongside Rarity as the two ponies exited the house and turning in for the night. But even though Esbin had the blessings or approvals from his marefriends family and friends, he still needed to get one more opinion in the house, his own father. Esbin turned to face the fully grown stallion on the other side of the living room who was staring at his son with an expression very much like Big Macintosh’s. “Um dad,” Esbin said, “look I’m sorry if this didn’t turn out the way you would think it would for me but I just want you to know…” “Esbin, before you say anything else,” Charles interrupted, “I’ve watched you grown from that little colt from Canterlot into the proud gentlecolt I see today. You’ve had great friends that watched over you over the years and I am honored to say they are part of the family…”

“Dad…” Esbin said in a concern voice, afraid of where his father was going with this.

“Let me just say I may not approve of this sort of relationship when it comes to others, but being that you are my son, I will not disown you for such decisions. You’re an adult now and I’m well aware that you can handle your problems on your own. But if you truly think you can handle this kind of responsibility, then I support all the way…just promise me and your mother that you’ll never cheat on any of them or break their hearts like any pony would.” “I…I promise dad, I promise. A-and thank you,” Esbin said with a weak smile as he extended his hoof out to shack hooves with his father, Charles gave a slight nod and let go of Esbins hoof. “Well, now that this personal matter is out of the way,” Charles said lightening the mood, “I believe it time for dinner. Esbin, say goodnight to your…marefriends, me and your mother will meet you in the kitchen. Good night girls, pleasant dreams to you all.” Esbin wiped away a loose tear as he turned to face the three mares who were standing by the entrance of the living room, he took a few steps toward them with a half goofy smile on his face and asked, “So…I guess I’ll see three tomorrow I suppose?”

“You can count on that Esbin, see you tomorrow.” Scootaloo said as she gave a gentle punch of the shoulder before she planted a kiss on his cheek and gave a saucy gaze as she trotted into the streets.

“I’m happy that you treasure our relationship as much as our friendship Esbin, sweet dreams.” Sweetie Belle said, when she took a few steps outside she turned to face Esbin, kissed her hoof and blow that kiss to him.

Apple Bloom trotted up to Esbin with an alluring gaze and asked, “Ah guess this makes us all more than just friends, huh?” “Yah I uh… I guess so,” Esbin chuckled with a quick rub of the back of his neck, “Good night Apple Bloom.” Apple Bloom giggled with a smile and said, “Good night Esbin, I’ll see you tomorrow.” She leaned in closing her eyes, Esbin was taken back for a second but he closed his eyes and leaned in toward Apple Bloom. Their lips met as they kissed gently in the doorway as a warm sensation washed over them both, not even the cold chill of the night bothered them as they both pulled away from the kiss. Apple Bloom giggled again and took off in full gallop as she blankly disappeared by the darkness and the few lights on the street, Esbin sighed and said, “Those are by far the greatest friends a stallion could ever ask for.” “Esbin, dinner's ready.” Margret called out from the kitchen, Esbin smiled softly and said, “Coming mom.” He closed the door behind him and made his way into the kitchen to enjoy dinner with his parents after a long stressful day.