Baseballs and Bows

It had been a few weeks since the incident, and in all that time, First Base still hadn't been able to tell Apple Bloom's family about what he did.

Of course, that worry was not in his head much when he was with Apple Bloom. Since that day, he has helped her get used to walking with the cast on her leg, secretly enjoying it, helping her out with a big smile on his face. Not to his knowledge, though, Apple Bloom was enjoying him helping, as well.

Three weeks into the ordeal, Apple Bloom had received news that her cast would come off in just a few days. She shared with excitement with First that afternoon.

"Oh, I just can't wait to finally get this here cast off!" she shouted, bouncing on the bed with joy. First watched her jump, for the joy of it and to make sure she didn't hurt herself.

"Just imagine-being able to run after so many weeks!" She stopped jumping and got off the bed. "Plus, being able to help out 'round here again. Why, I'll be able to go apple-picking with mah sister again!"

"That's great!" First said. He didn't have much interest in apples, but he sounded gleeful anyway.

"I wonder what I should do first with my cast off! Skydiving? Trampoline? Zipline? Oh, I know Scootaloo would like that one!"

Thoughts of who Scootaloo was aside, First had a weird feeling. A feeling as if this was a perfect time to ask something. And as she continued spurting out options faster than a mailman assorts mail, his urge to ask got bigger and bigger, until finally:

"How about a date?"

Apple Bloom stopped and looked at him. Uh oh, First thought. Perhaps this wasn't the best time to say that. First backed away, slumping, blushing, and hiding his face. Why did he ask?

However, he saw Apple Bloom smile with glee and, surprisingly for the second time, kiss him on the cheek, making him and herself blush a shade of red darker than the apples right outside.

"Sounds fantastic."

It was Saturday. The day of the date. First had been waiting at Sugarcube Corner for a solid hour in order to make sure he was early to impress Apple Bloom. He wore nothing but a bowtie and his red baseball cap, thinking this date wasn't formal. After all, this was Sugarcube Corner. Everyone went her, formal or not.

In that spare time, he still tried to figure out his situation. It wrenched his gut to keep this secret from Apple Bloom's sister for so long, but he just couldn't say it. He didn't want to lose a friend. Especially one like Apple Bloom. Because she's great, First thought, not to mention kind, smart, willing....

Beautiful.

This was the only word that entered First Base's mind when Apple Bloom caught his eye. Her hair was curled at the ends, making her look like a movie star, like Scarlet Colthansson. Her dress was an orange-red blouse, with a captivating dark-orange skirt. Replacing her red bow that night was, instead, a red rose.

She smiled and crossed her front legs in embarrassment, trying to hide her dress. "Too much?" she said, a blush coming on.

First could only stare for a few moments. It was just too much for words. But finally, snapping out of it, he managed to say, "N-no. It's fine."

With that, Apple Bloom's smile grew bigger, along with her blush, and took his hand, making his own smile and blush grow, and together, they both walked into the Sugarcube Corner for the date.

The date started with First and Apple being commented by Mr. and Mrs. Cake, the owners of the store, as being the cutest thing, secretly giving First Base and Apple Bloom immense joy. Then, the Cakes gave them several desserts, including several flavors of ice cream, then many colorful kinds of cupcakes. Apple Bloom and First dove right in, not caring for how dirty their attire got.

Then, Apple Bloom and First just ended up, like normal, talking about their days, with Apple Bloom talking of finally getting the cast off, and First talking of his latest baseball game. This talk, in particular, though, was not normal, as this time, First and Apple Bloom paid attention to what each other said more than ever, with happiness in their hearts and more joy in their smiles.

Then came a surprise. Pinkie Pie, the pink party pony who helped run the store, managed to find some records of many good songs, and started playing them for Apple Bloom and First. They were reluctant at first, but eventually, First started dancing to the beat, with Apple Bloom doing the same some time after. Both had a blast, dancing along to some of Equestria's greatest songs.

The best part, for both, was when Pinkie, in an act of glee and cleverness, put on a particular song. "I Will Always Love You," by Filly Houston.

Immediately, Apple Bloom and First stopped dancing and started blushing once again. They both stood, not knowing what to do.

First was especially nervous. He looked at the Cakes and Pinkie. They were silently cheering him on, pointing him to Apple Bloom. After a few moments, he began to cheer himself on, hoping to get himself to do it.

Eventually, a minute into the song, First's courage jumped to extraordinary levels. He walked to Apple Bloom, giving her a look of confusion, and took her hoof. Then, he slowly swayed her in a circle, beginning a very slow slow dance. A few seconds later, Apple Bloom, smiling, got into the swing of it, and they both swayed in a circle, getting closer millimeter by millimeter as they danced.

By the time the song was done, Apple Bloom's head was resting on First's shoulders, and First had his head over hers, smiling the biggest smile he had ever had. This was definitely the change in life he needed.

A few minutes after that, First helped Apple Bloom walk home, still holding her hoof. A half-hour later, they were at Sweet Apple Acres, wishing that the walk lasted longer.

Applejack was waiting for them at the front door of the house. "Well, I assume the date went well now, huh?"

Apple Bloom nodded, blushing. "It sure did, big sis." First only nodded with her.

Applejack walked over and gave her a big hug, sort of closing off her breathing, making Apple Bloom cringe. First giggled slightly.

Applejack smiled. "It's real nice to see y'all as good friends," she said, sort of laughing, "given how y'all met."

First frowned, raising an eyebrow. What did she mean?

Applejack looked at him, amused. "What's wrong, First? Did ya get yerself some amnesia when ya hit mah little sis in the head with a baseball?" She began to chuckle profusely.

First could only double-take once more. She knew?! "Y-you...you know what happened?"

"Why, o'course," Applejack said, pointing to Apple Bloom, "AB told me."

"A-and you're not mad?"

"Aw shucks, now why would I be mad?" she chuckled. "T'weren't nothin' but an accident." She looked at him with a stern, yet amused, look. "Right?"

First stared for a moment, then chuckled. "Yeah. Right."

Applejack nodded once. "Well, I'll let y'all say yer goodbyes. Apple Bloom, come on in when yer done. First, hope to see ya another day." She chuckled. "Be careful wit them baseballs now, ya hear?" She laughed as she went in.

First watched the door close, then looked at Apple Bloom. She was smiling, sort of embarrassed. "She seems nice."

"Eeyup." Apple Bloom blushed, looking away.

First smiled, then lifted her head, putting his red baseball on top of it. "Not as nice as you, but nice." He looked deep into her eyes. "Nor is she as pretty."

Apple Bloom smiled bigger, tears nearly escaping her eyes. Then, mere seconds later, First was met with the greatest thing he had ever experienced since learning of baseball.

The kiss felt like it lasted for hours. But then, a minute later, it ended, First and Apple Bloom with faces redder than Big Mac's skin. With that, Apple Bloom opened the door and went in.

"See ya," was all she said, smiling with glee, before closing the door.

First stood there for a few moments, alone with nothing but a bowtie on his neck and his growing happiness. Then, he walked away, thinking of his new relationship. Then, on the way, he thought of practice at the field tomorrow, and just hitting the wall with the ball. Like usual. Just fine with him.

THE END