Hammer & Anvil

“Oh that was so much fun!” Rarity said with delight.

Rarity and Jackboot had now returned to the castle after leaving Fancy Pants’ party. While they were there, Jackboot ran into an old classmate, Dive Bomber. Who of which had bullied him when they were in school.

As the two trotted down the hall towards the royal suite, they spotted a certain red pegasus walking down the other end of the hall.

“What the? What’s he doing here?” Jackboot asked.

His question wasn’t out of anger, but surprise.

The red pegasus turned and saw Jackboot.

“Hey Jackboot!”

He then flew over to the gray unicorn and landed in front of him.

“I thought I’d find you here.” He said. “How are you?”

“I’m well.”

Jackboot didn’t have anger in his voice, but legitimate surprise.

“What brings you here? Weren’t you supposed to report with the Wonderbolts?”

“I asked Spitfire if I could come and find you.” Dive Bomber explained. “I wanted to apologize.”

Jackboot was even more surprised. He came all this way to apologize?

“Really?”

“Yeah.” Dive Bomber said. “After I saw you today, it brought up some memories that I’m not proud of. So when I found out you were staying at the castle from Cookie, I decided to come and apologize.”

Jackboot was quiet as he calculated what Dive Bomber was saying to him.

“Although, unless you don’t forgive me, I understand.”

“Actually…” Jackboot finally said. “…I should be the one who should apologize.”

Dive Bomber and Rarity were both surprised.

“What?” The former said with confusion in his voice. “I bullied you and you’re apologizing to me? Why is that?”

“I’m apologizing for beating you up like I did.” Jackboot explained. “After all I did get expelled for it, so I guess you can say I was punished for it.”

“But looking back you were pretty justified.” Dive Bomber said. “After all what did lead to your watch getting broken. By the way, did you ever get it fixed?”

"I'd show you but I left it in Ponyville." Jackboot said. “And before you ask or say anything, yes, I do forgive you.”

“Really?!” Dive Bomber asked.

“We were colts were we not?” Jackboot asked. “Besides, after Rarity and I spoke earlier, I thought it rather pointless to hold a grudge.”

Dive Bomber produced a large smile on his face.

“Thank you, Jackboot.” He said. “It means a lot to me.”

The two stallions then exchanged a hoof bump. Little did they know, a certain lunar mare was watching.

Celestia yawned as looked up at the moon her sister had raised earlier. She was in the middle of looking over papers and scrolls.

Suddenly door opened and the Princess of the Moon, Luna, entered the room.

“Good evening sister.” She said. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

“Good evening, Luna.” Celestia said in greeting. “And no, you’re not interrupting anything. I’m actually almost finished. Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Actually I came to tell you that I saw something you’d want to know.” Luna said. “I saw Jackboot earlier.”

“Oh, is he doing well?” Celestia asked as she rolled up a scroll.

“Apparently he had been reacquainted with an old classmate. If I am correct, it was the same one that had bullied him.” Luna explained. “And from what I seen, they had reconciled.”

“Oh that is very good.” Celestia said happily.

She then let out a small chuckle.

“What is funny, sister?” Luna asked.

“Have I told you how he ended up as my student?” The Sun Princess asked. Luna shook her head. “Well, as you know I’m friends with the principal of the school Jackboot had attended.” Luna nodded. “We were having tea one day and she had told me about this certain colt she had to expel for beating up another student. When he did so, he well, teleported.”

“Teleported?” Luna asked with interest. “At that age?”

“I was surprised as well, so I had to find out who this colt was.” Celestia continued. “When I found him, I asked him to enroll in the Magic School.”

Before Celestia could continue, a scroll suddenly materialized before her.

“What do we have here?” She asked as she took hold of the scroll.

“What does it say?” Luna asked as she approached her older sister.

Celestia cleared her throat before reading the letter aloud.

“Dear Princess Celestia

I know that I had just sent you a letter, but I couldn’t wait to tell you about this. I have had a very good day. How I had a good day, you ask? Well, I got to spend time with a very lovely mare. Her name is Octavia Melody, and she is just wonderful. She is a very talented cellist who will be performing at the Celebration this coming Friday. Anyway, I had the honor to sing in front of and her friend, who will also be performing at the Celebration. And guess what, they liked it! So I have been thinking of considering performing at the Celebration. I thought I‘d tell you that myself. Hopefully between then and now, and more hopefully after the Celebration, I get to spend more time with Octavia. As I have completely fallen head over hooves for her.

Yours ever,

Ballpin”

Celestia produced a smile on her face and Luna followed suit.

“I’m glad that he is doing well.” The latter said. “Has Jackboot learned about Ballpin yet?”

“No he has not.” Celestia said to her sister. “Either way, he had been a great help to Jackboot. From what I’ve heard from him, he is almost finished with his project.”

“I really hope to see this extraordinary device.”

“I too, Luna.” The Old Sister said. “I too.”

The doors to the royal suite opened as Jackboot and Rarity entered.

“I must say that I am proud of you Jackboot.” The latter said as Jackboot closed the doors. “Normally some ponies would merely just hold on to such a grudge.”

“Well, like I said, I find it pointless to hold on to a grudge.” Jackboot said as he took his homburg off. “Especially since it was over something from when we were just colts.”

Rarity threw herself down onto the bed with a loud, satisfied sigh.

Jackboot saw this and smiled.

A sudden idea came to his head, an idea that he immediately acted on.

He ran towards the bed and threw himself onto it, causing Rarity to bounce up from him landing, letting out a loud laugh.

The two looked at one another and smiled as they lied down.

“Such a beautiful mare.” Jackboot thought.

“Well I’m going to take a shower.” Rarity said as she stood up. “We have to get up in the morning if we want to go home. And you need to get those domes, yes?”

Jackboot nodded in agreement.

As Rarity walked over to the dresser and removed her jewels, the moonlight reflected off her mane like it had done earlier.

“So beautiful.”

That thought managed to slip out like it had done at Rarity’s boutique back in Ponyville.

“Did you say something darling?”

This time however, Rarity heard it.

Jackboot’s eyes went wide.

“Oh, nothing.” He said. “Just thinking out loud.”

Rarity smiled and nodded.

Despite this, Jackboot felt as if something was biting at him.

“Tell her!” A voice in his head shouted. “Tell her!”

Jackboot looked over at Rarity as she made her way towards the shower.

“TELL HER!”

“Rarity!”

Rarity flinched when Jackboot got her attention.

“My goodness, what is it darling?”

Jackboot realized that he had shouted.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to be that loud.” He with a chuckle. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.” She said. “With the way you got my attention it must be important.”

She then walked over to the bed and sat down next him.

“What did you want to ask me?” She asked.

Jackboot stood up and paced around the room for the moment before clearing his throat.

“What do you think of me?”

“What do you mean darling?” Rarity asked.

“Just, in general, what do you think of me?”

Rarity thought for a moment.

“For one, I think you’re very nice stallion. You’re hard working…” She said. “…you’re kind, you’re handsome…”

She suddenly stopped talking.

“What was that?” Jackboot asked.

Rarity sunk her head slightly.

“I said you’re…”

She then murmured the rest of the sentence.

“You think I’m what?” Jackboot asked, not understanding.

Rarity took a deep breath.

“I think you’re…” She seemed rather anxious rather than reluctant. “…handsome.”

Jackboot’s eyes went wide.

“Really?” He asked with surprise. “You think I’m handsome?”

Rarity looked finally looked at Jackboot and gave him a warm smile.

“I do. I think you’re one of the nicest, handsomest stallions I’ve ever met.” She said.

Jackboot’s heart fluttered.

“A-are…” He stuttered. “…you serious?”

Rarity nodded.

“I am. After all, a couple of oven screws don’t just pop off. And I did leave that cute little heart I put on the note I left you.”

“I knew it!” Jackboot thought.

“But, it’s not just because you’re handsome.” She continued. “You’re different.”

“How so?” Jackboot asked.

“Well, the other stallions I’ve had a crush on have been either already spoken for, not interested…” She then produced a look of displeasure. “…or is nothing but a complete buffoon. Like that idiot Blueblood. Seriously, what grown stallion is so frightened by a little cake frosting?”

Jackboot knew what she was talking about. He had heard Blueblood talking about how a mare covered in cake soiled his clothing and mane.

“But then I met you.” Rarity continued. “You were a Canterlot stallion who wasn’t rude, or snobby, or, well, taken.” She giggled. “Not only are you a good looking, but you’re not afraid of work either. Seriously, I can’t believe you were working all those several days on your own. Granted that friend of yours came, but still.”

Jackboot blushed.

Inside he could not believe that such a beautiful mare cared about him so.

“I think I should tell you what I think of you in return.”

He then sat down next to the mare.

“The minute I saw you, I thought of you as one of, if not the beautiful mare I have ever seen.” He said. “The other two being Celestia and Luna of course, but that’s without saying.”

Rarity was in shock. Did this stallion just compare her looks to that of the princesses?

“You think I’m that beautiful? That’s…”

She was at a loss of words.

“…that’s the sweetest thing anypony has ever said to me.”

“Rarity you deserve to be treated as such.” Jackboot said. “And…” He paused. “…I want to be the stallion to do so.”

Rarity then suddenly latched onto Jackboot with a tight hug.

Jackboot returned the hug.

“Yes!” He cheered in his mind. “She does like me!” She does like…”

His thought was suddenly cut by the feeling of lips being pressed against his cheek.

Rarity had just given him a kiss on the cheek.

The two then looked at one another eye to eye.

Before either of them could realize, the space between them was shrinking…

…and shrinking…

…and shrinking…

…and shrinking until suddenly, their lips had touched.

Jackboot’s mind was running at full throttle. It continued so as they both went from sitting upright, to falling onto the bed.

“I’m kissing Rarity!” He thought. “I’m kissing Rarity!”

The kiss was sweet. The taste of the mare’s lips was better than any candy Jackboot had ever tasted.

After what felt like an eternity. They parted to catch their breath.

They both had a gitty smile on their faces.

“That was…” Jackboot said. “…great…”

Rarity nodded in agreement.

“That was my first kiss.” The former said. “And I’m…” He took another breath. “…I’m glad it was with you, Rarity.”

Rarity smiled affectionately.

“Me too, darling.”

She then gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

“Me too.”