I'd Do Anything

  My morning started off with something warm balled up against my side along with a cold fall breeze blowing up into my blankets, making the warm ball cuddle closer. Which is odd because it's summer, why does it feel so cold...? I let out a sigh as I looked down to see Mom cuddling me. We used to cuddle all the time when I was younger, now Mom's always ninja cuddling me. I don't know why I don't cuddle her as much as I used to, and I don't think it's because I'm "grown up". I guess I feel weird cuddling Mom when I'm seventeen. But right now, it doesn't feel to bad. Mom woke up with a sleepy groan and she laid her head on my stomach.

"Morning." She groaned.

"Mornin' sleepyhead." I replied. "If you wanted to cuddle you could've just asked."

"Eh, I thought it'd be better if I waited for you to fall asleep and surprise you." Mom said.

"Well you sure did a good job at it." I sighed.

"Can we stay like this for a bit longer, you're really warm." Mom cuddled closer.

"I think all that warmth is you Ma." I stated.

"Oh well, it's still comfortable." Mom sighed.

"Yep, you got that right." I muttered.

  We both let out a sigh as we continued cuddling. The two of us stayed this way for a couple hours before Mom sat up and stretched. She jumped off the bed, allowing me to sit up and stretch out as well. I slid out of the bed and shuffled into the kitchen while rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. I stretched my back, getting a loud popping noise as I sat on the couch. Mom stretched her wings out with a light squeal. She let out a groan and jumped onto the couch next to me.

"Want a massage?" I asked sleepily.

"Later, when you're awake." Mom replied.

"Fair enough." I said.

"Although I could use something to kill some time." Mom muttered.

"It's early in the morning, why would you need to kill time now?" I asked.

"I just feel like today's gonna be a boring day." She replied.

"I knew I felt something too, heh." I chuckled. "Why don't we go out somewhere?"

"With?" Mom asked.

"Um, who else?"

"Applebloom?" Mom grinned.

"Don't torture me." I said.

"Oh come on, bringing Applebloom along helps with the situation you're in right now." Mom stated.

"I'm not ready for it. Plus I'm saving it for a later time." I replied.

"Heh- whe- a later time? Red, by the time school starts I'm pretty sure there isn't going to be a later time. Because you're gonna be to busy and shy to confess to her or she'll be taken by somepony else. You gotta make a move. Your deadline is the end of summer."

"Jeez, why're you giving me a deadline to confess?" I asked.

"Because I care about what happens between you and Applebloom." She retorted.

  I gave a sigh and leaned back. She was right after all. And I've been tearing myself up with it. There have been so many times when I could've easily confessed, especially that night I spent at her place. But I just don't seem to have the courage. Two years worth of opportunities, and I've missed all of them. But I'm still trying. Uhm... somewhat...

"Why don't we just go out, you and me?" I asked.

"Really?"

"Sure why not?"

"Well, I guess I don't see why not." Mom said.

"Then where do you wanna go?" I asked.

"Let's just stay here. And keep cuddling." Mom replied.

"I can dig it."

  The rest of the day we spent cuddling. This feeling of warmth reminded me of when Applebloom hugged me, but it was Mom, so it made me feel calm instead of excited. Not that kind of excited... I didn't feel this way when I was younger. I guess because I was still too young to understand emotions somewhat. Those things that say "cuddling can help with anxiety, depression" feel right at the moment. Cuddling is probably the greatest things I can do as a person next to massaging. I don't know why. Out of the ponies I've cuddled (Dash, Pinkie, Lyra, and Twilight, all of which except for Mom forced me to) have told me "gosh you're really good at cuddling". I don't know how you can be "good" at cuddling. I guess it's like, "you're really good at being warm and comfortable".

"You and Applebloom need to do this soon. I'm sure she'd enjoy it." Mom said.

"Hopefully." I sighed.

"Well, why wouldn't she?" Mom asked.

"I dunno." I replied.

"Well then you don't have anything to worry about." Mom assured.

"Hopefully." I muttered.

"Shh." Mom pressed her hoof against my lips and nuzzled my stomach.

  I let out a sigh before giving a smile and leaning my head back. I let Mom's warmth lull me to sleep. My snoozing was interrupted me as I felt a tight squeezing around my waist. I opened my eyes and look at Mom to see her squeezing me.

"Mom?"

"It's been so long since I've cuddled you. You grew a lot from two years. You were such a little thing back then." She smiled.

"What's with these sudden flashbacks?" I asked.

"You've grown up a lot, and I feel proud of you. Even though I didn't raise you for all seventeen years of your life, it feels like I have." She answered.

"Yeah well, for a different species, you did a great job. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." I assured.

"Thanks hon." Mom said.

  I grew another smile as I wrapped my arms around Mom and held her tightly. The warmth grew and I let out a comfortable sigh. I realized that I never got to give that massage that I offered to Mom earlier today, but I can't really care at the moment. The only thing on my mind as I tried to sleep was Mom and Applebloom.

Applebloom... I wonder when I'm going to confess. And my deadline is the end of summer. Yeesh, what am I going to do...