The Shy Apple

After showering and getting myself dry, I rush over to Applejack, who stands beside a tree with a large empty basket, wearing her usual cowgirl hat. Behind her are many other trees that are filled with apples that make my mouth water with her tasty apples.

"I'm coming," I shouted, catching her attention.

As I come close, I place my hands on my knees to catch my breath.

"Jus' catch your breath first," chuckled Applejack.

As my heart rate slows down, I stand up straight and wipe the sweat from my brow.

"Okay, let's do it," I said, picking up the basket that stands beside her. "Let's get some fine apples for the pie."

"That's the spirit, sugarcube," she said, as she turns her back behind a tree close by.

She lifts her right leg and swiftly smacks it hard against the tree trunk, bringing down many apples, as they land onto the grass below. I want to admit it, but Applejack has some very strong legs than any woman or mare.

"Phew," said Applejack, as she takes her hat off and waves her hair back and forth. "I sure do love a good apple buckin'."

"Applejack," I said, as I walk beneath the tree. "You sure have some strong legs."

"I get that a lot," she replied, as she puts her hat back on.

"Better than any mare in Ponyville."

"Aw shucks," she said, showing off a small blush.

"It's working," I thought. "I'm so glad I got advice from Granny Smith."

I look up to see all of the apples gone from their stems, except for one, which sits on a high branch.

"Looks like you missed one," I said, pointing up the tree.

"I did?" said Applejack with surprise before looking up to see the apple that still sticks to its stem. "Looks like I'll give this tree another buck."

"Wait!" I said, before Applejack could prepare to buck the tree. "Let me go catch it."

"Are you sure? It looks to high."

"I can at least try," I said, grabbing one of the branches, pulling myself up.

"Be careful, Richie. I don' want you to break anythin'."

"It's sweet that you care for me," I said, making her blush grow.

"Just go get it," she said, looking away from me.

"She's so cute when she blushes," I thought, as I climbed up the tree, with my feet now off the ground.

I slowly and carefully move my left left leg to a nearby branch, allowing me to move up higher. I am very close to the apple, as it gleams for me to reach it. As I stick my hand out, I stretch a little further out, until one of the branches snap. I come tumbling down and slammed down onto the floor, knocking the wind out of me. I lean up, feeling a sharp pain on my left arm.

"Richie!" said Applejack, as she helps me up to my feet.

"S-sorry if I couldn't reach it," I said, placing my hand on where the pain on my arm is. "But my left arm hurts."

"Let me see, sugarcube," she said, as I remove my hand away from the spot, showing a cut that oozes out a little of blood. "Gosh, that looks bad."

She reaches into her left pocket and pulls out a red bandana and ties it around my cut.

"That should do," she said, as I look down at the tied bandana. "Don' ever clim' trees again, sugarcube."

"Sorry for worrying you," I said, looking away. "I just wanted to impress you is all."

"Impress me?" said Applejack, cocking a brow. "You wanted to get the apple to impress me?"

This is going bad; worse than what I imagined it to be. Perhaps this is the time I tell her my feelings.

"Applejack, I have been wanting to say this for a long while, but I like you more than just a friend."

"Wh-what?" said Applejack, blushing again.

"You are the best mare I will ever know and you took me in when I had nowhere else to go."

"That's very sweet of you, sugarcube, but why bring it up at a time like this?"

"It's... It's... tch!"

I run past her as fast as my legs can take me, taking me to a place where I usually like to be when I feel like being alone.

"Richie!" shouted Applejack. "Come back!"

I ignore her calls, as run past many trees with the sounds of crunching twigs from each step I make.

"I'm such a coward!" I shouted, as tears run down my cheeks.

Fifteen minutes have passed, as I sit on a rock that stood near a lake. I rest my head on a hand, look down at my reflection, feeling shamed of my shyness getting the best of me. This spot is one of the best places I like to go whenever I feel down or when I want some peace and quiet. I grab a small small rock that sits beside me and tossed it into the water.

"I feel pathetic," I said to myself, as I look at the ripple that slowly disappears. "I can't do this, Granny. I'm too shy to even ask your granddaughter my feelings to her. I'm sorry... but perhaps I should give up."

I look around the lake to see two ducks swooning over one another, making feel happy for them, knowing that they are in love. However, I can feel my heart sinking down into my stomach.

"Perhaps... this romance is never meant to be..."

A tear slides down my left cheek, as it falls into the lake, creating a tiny ripple.

"Richie?!" shouted Applejack's voice in the distant, making my wipe my face. "Come out! I want to talk to you!"

I turn around, as Applejack appears, looking worried about my disappearance.

"I'm over here!" I shouted, waving my hand.

She looks over to where I sit, making her rush over to me. As she gets closer to me, she wipes sweat from her forehead.

"Why did you run away?" she asked, as she sits beside me with a hand on my right shoulder.

"It's... not important anymore," I said, not making eye contact. "It's just... stupid."

"Do you really like me?" she said, making me turn my head towards her.

"I do," I replied. "You are the best mare a human like me can ask for. You and your family are the only friends I ever had. Back on Earth, making friends is difficult for me because I'm too shy to even talk to them."

"It's okay to be shy," she said, patting my shoulder. "Fluttershy is also shy and look at her, she has friends."

"That's true."

"It's because she has the courage to push away her shyness. You can do the same. I can see it in you."

"You think so?"

She takes a finger and pokes the tip of my nose.

"I'm bein' honest," she said with a giggle.

"I can see why you're known as the element of honesty. You're the best, Applejack."

The both of us turn around, looking around the lake and the trees on the other side, as a breeze flows through its leaves.

"This is a very beautiful spot, Richie. How did you come across this place?"

"I like to come here to be alone, clear my head, or whenever I want peace and quiet. I found this place one day while taking a stroll."

"It really is peaceful," she said, bringing me closer to her, feeling her right breast touch me.

"Applejack?" I said, feeling blood rush up to my face.

"Yeah?"

"Do you... like me?"

"As a friend?"

"More than that. If not, that's okay."

As I look towards the lake, I then felt Applejack shift and then, a pair of soft lips touching my cheek. I look back to Applejack, who gives me a soft smile.

"You know, sugarcube, I have been startin' to like you the past year. You are a great help around the farm and you are like another brother to Applebloom."

I couldn't resist a smile, as I take her hand and give it a kiss.

"Is this okay?" I asked, worried that I may have screwed something up.

"You may give me more, sugarcube," she said, making me feel confident.

I trail my kisses up her arm, making her give out a giggle.

"Your kisses tickle," she giggles.

"Shall we go deal with the apples now? I'd like to continue where we left off."

"Sure, but one more thing."

"Yes?"

"How's your cut?"

"Still stings a bit," I said, bringing up my left arm with the tied bandana.

"Can I see it?" she said, as she begins untying it.

As the bandana comes off, the cut has closed, but it still looks rather unpleasant with dry blood. However, Applejack brings her lips to the closed cut and gives it a gentle kiss, as though she doesn't notice.

"I hope that'll make it feel better," she said, making the sting slowly disappear.

"The sting... it's slowly going away," I said with surprise.

"Looks like that kiss really helped," she said, before tying up the bandana around my arm.

"Applejack, you really are a nice mare," I said, making her blush.

"And you are such a cute and shy human," she said, making me blush. "Now come, let's get some more apples before lunch."

As the two of us stand up, I can feel Applejack's tail wrap around my sides as the two of us walk away from my favorite spot and past through the trees, as the wind blows through our hair.

"Perhaps... our love is meant to be," I thought, as I wrap my arm around her waist.

A few hours have passed, as Applejack and I walk back to the farm with a basket full of apples.

"I can't wait to have that pie," she said, as she continues holding onto the basket, with her breasts squished against it.

"Y-yeah," I replied. "I always loved Granny's pies."

As we get closer to the farm, we hear a loud cowbell ringing.

"Lunch is ready, kiddies!" shouted Granny Smith, catching our attention.

"Let's go eat," said Applejack, as she and I walk forward to the farm.

"Yeah, I'm starving," I replied.

The two of us follow behind Granny Smith, along with Big Mac and Applebloom behind us.

"Hey, you two," I said, waving to them. "Found those ingredients?"

"Yep," replied Big Mac, as he holds up a paper bag.

"We waited in a very lon' line," said Applebloom. "Then we stopped to get a drink before makin' it on time."

"At least you got the ingredients," I said, as I ruffle Appleblooms hair, making her giggle.

As I retract my hand, the four of us spot Granny Smith placing a tray of grilled cheese sandwiches with glasses of water on top of a small table. As we take our seats, each of us grab our sandwiches and take a bite into it.

"I have to admit, Granny," I said with my mouth full. "You make the best grilled cheese sandwiches."

"Thank you, sonny," she said before sipping her water.

"These are delicious, Granny," said Applebloom after swallowing.

"You're welcome, dearie."

"Anythin' else you want us to do, Granny?" asked Applejack.

"I'd like you an' Big Mac to go into town to fin' me another ingredient. I forgot to put down cinnamon."

"No problem," said Applejack before taking another bite into her sandwich.

"What about me an' Richie?" asked Applebloom.

"I'd like the two of you to help make the pie."

"Really? I can help make the pie?! Fer real?" said Applebloom with beaming eyes.

"You are old enough. Richie and I will help alon' the way."

"Yay!" shouts Applebloom with glee.

"But finish your lunch first, then wash your hands."

"Yes, Granny," said Applebloom with a nod before taking another bite into her sandwich.

"Say, Richie," said Granny, getting my attention.

"Y-yes?" I replied.

"When you're done, I'd like to have a private talk with you."

"Oh? Okay, Granny."

"Also, why do you have a bandana around your arm?"

"I had a little accident," I said, putting a hand on the bandana. "It's okay. It's just a cut."

"Just checkin', sonny. Before our talk, put some disinfectant on it."

"Sure, no prob."