Anon wants a date

Your mind is racing. What? Why would Rarity kiss you? Looking into all the hazy memories of your interactions together since you first arrived you can't fathom an interaction that would suggest to you that she would be even remotely interested. Your suddenly clearer mind reeling you get up off your front porch and slowly make your way back into the kitchen. Setting up your coffee machine you quickly start making yourself a pot of coffee.

While your coffee machine burbles you decide to go look at your tree and presents. It seems there are four gifts that Rarity brought. Judging by the wrapping paper colors one is from her, one is from rainbow, one is from applejack, and one is from pinkie.

Pouring yourself a cup of joe you sip and sit before your fireplace and pull the one from applejack closer. The wrapping paper slides off quickly and you see a simple brown box. Opening it up there is a solid grey cowboy hat inside with a note affixed to the rim.

“Dear anon, I know you’re still struggling but know you’ll always be part of the Apple family to us. We sure miss ya at the farm and Granny Smith wants me to invite you to dinner tonight. Happy hearths warming!”

Smiling you pull the cowboy hat on and tip it slightly to the side and mock pull out gun pointing your finger at an empty bottle sitting on the top of the fireplace.

Taking a larger pull from the coffee then splashing in some Apple Family Rumtm you pull the pink box closer to you. Pulling the blue bow loose you open the box and reveal a brand new shovel. Its bright green handle matches your eyes. Of course Pinkies gift is thoughtful and useful. She was always a good gift giver, plus your dingy old shovel needed to be retired.

Taking a small sip of the spiked coffee you judge its mixture level to be just right and sip a bit longer while you pull the bright blue box with the rainbow ribbon to yourself. Opening the box you find a small stack of free drink tokens for berry's bar. They were stuffed inside a bright blue replica of what looked like a mare's... parts. needless to say her raunchy gift would not come to use any time soon and she will take the mickey out of you for even keeping it. Contemplating heavily about just throwing it away you decide to stash it in the closet. Maybe you can use it to prank RD back sometime.

Coming back from your room you notice that the cabin has gotten pretty warm, your fire had been restocked while you hid in your room like a coward so at least you wont freeze to death opening your last present. Looking at the wall clock you realize its already past 6 and Dinner with the apples would be well underway by now. Cursing to yourself you open the closet and grab the few gifts you've stock piled for the apples.

sighing and closing the fire grate you wish you could stay longer in the warmth. Dressing in your heavy coat, snow pants, boots, and brand new hat, you stick the presents in a large sack and head out the door feeling like Santa Claus.

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The cold starts too seep through your clothes as the big wet snowflakes stick to your face and hair. Maybe you should have worn a scarf but its too late to turn back now. It only takes you 20 minutes to reach the gates of Sweet Apple Acres, and only another five to reach the homestead. Knocking on the heavy wooden door you wait patiently for entry to the farm. You know you should have brought some food or something, more than just gifts. They won't care either way now though they will just be happy you showed up.

The door creeks open as you see a large red frame come into silhouette the light pouring out of the door. A small smile and tip of the hat greets you as he opens the door wider and lets you in to brush off the snow and wet. You hear AJ call from the dining room.

"Is it Anon? Did he finally get here?" Her southern twang made your heart feel just a bit lighter.

"Did uncle 'non make it bro?" Blooms higher but equally adorable voice rang out less than a second after.

"That young'n better 'ave made it or I'll tan 'is hide myself." Grannies called out last. chuckling a bit and passing mac you start to remove all your excess winter gear. Finally getting it all off you turn to see Big Mac still looking at you with your Santa Sack on his back. His smile looks much more forced and concerned than before.

"Glad you made it Non." His deep voice said quietly and he hoofed the bag back over.

"I almost didn't, It's quite cold out there." you smile weakly and pull a Bright red box out of the sack and hand it over to him, He smiles and rests it on his back while walking you to the kitchen. Rounding the corner you see a sight for sore eyes. AJ, Bloom, and Granny sat around the dinner table with a large pile of food half gone onto plates there. Smiling wider than you have in a while you take a seat and slump your sack to the floor opening it back up and rooting around for the gifts you brought. Taking out an Orange box you pass it over to AJ, A yellow box and pass it across the table to Bloom and a lime green box for Granny.

"Why thank ya Non, We all Appreciate the gesture." AJ says while tipping her hat.

"Ya thanks Nonny!" Bloom squeaks as she immediately pulls at the ribbon only to be stopped by Granny.

"Thank ya kindly sonny, and wait till after supper Bloom" Granny replies as she sets her gift on the counter and passes a dish across the table to you. Smiling you take the plate and start helping yourself to the plethora of food at the table.

"No thanks necessary Apple clan. I really appreciate all the hospitality given since I arrived here." You set your plate down and start to dig in. General merriment was had as the evening passed by slowly filling yourself on apple family staples. When dinner was finally over you all retire to the living room and you start to stoke the fire. Adding logs and opening your sack up one more time you pull out a bottle of Lunar Black Berry Moonshine. It was a bit pricey but you know the apple family drinks their own liquor enough to be happy to have something they haven't made on special occasions. You find the tumblers on a side table and pour Four glasses for you and the three adults.

"Whoo-ee that's a mighty fine bottle you've gotten for us tonight Non, Thanks again." AJ says as she takes a small nip and sighs. Mac just nods and smiles while taking a larger sip. Granny smith knocks the tumbler back like a seasoned pro and taps it against the coffee table indirectly asking for another pour. Laughing you pour her another drink and take a sip yourself.

"Nonny, can I have some? I'm a mare now I got my Cutie Mark and Everythin'!" Bloom exclaims as she puts a tumbler for herself on the table. Raising an eyebrow you look at AJ, who in turn looks to Granny and she nods. "But only a bit yer still a young'n even fer a mare." She says while rocking slightly in her chair.

You pour her just more than a nip for her to taste while chuckling to yourself. She smiles wide and tries to take the entire shot at once. When the drink hits her mouth she cringes and spits it back into the glass making the entire room start laughing.

"BLEH! how can ya'll drink that stuff. It smells OK but tastes like the hospital smells!" She complains as the laughter increases in volume.

"It'll put some tuft on yer chest when you get older, now don' let it go to waste just take smaller drinks now till its gone." Granny replies after she finally calmed down enough to speak.

When the laughter finally comes to a stop everyone grinning at each other mac is the first to pull his Present out and pull on the lime green ribbon on his red box. When he pulls out his gift he grins wide and pulls you in for a hug.

"Some new O&O mini's and a new paint set. You know just what to get me Non" He says as he releases you from a tight hug. You ruffle his bright orange mane and just say "Eeyup"

Laughing again the room now focuses on Bloom as she pulls open her present. Pulling the box set of Beginners Potion Ingredients and the book "Supernaturals: Natural Remedies and cure all's that are simply super", she squeals and hugs you close. Smiling and giving her a half hug back you look at granny and nod.

Nodding back and smiling at the display she opens her box and gasps lightly to herself. Pulling out a new cast iron skillet and a piece of paper stuck into the center of it. Her eyes water a bit as she reads it.

"It's my moms Apple Cobbler recipe, It might not be as good as an Apple Family Original recipe but it means a lot too- OOF" Grannies hug takes you by surprise.

"This means a lot, Family is whats most important round here and you sharing this means yer family Non." Her warbling voice made you feel closer to the Matriarch then you ever had and you feel a tear go down your cheek as you hug her back. AJ, Mac, and bloom all gather around and hug you as well. This truly made you feel like part of the family. After a minute of hugging and finally pushing them all away while laughing you settle back down and finish your drink and pour everyone another. (Except Bloom)

"Right, now, It's my turn." AJ says as she pulls her present closer to herself smiling at you. Now you were nervous. AJ had been your closest friend and you took a long time deciding what to get her and in the end you figured simple is best and took a stab in the dark. It took a bit of work with your boss but you managed to pull some strings at the graveyard. When she opened her thin orange box and only saw a piece of paper she was confused. Until she read it and she started crying. She didn't even say anything as she raced to you and hugged you tight.

"I can't believe ya'll we're able to do that fer us. How can we ever repay you?" She sobs as she hugs tighter. Mac and Granny look over the paper and get teary eyed themselves. They look at you and pull you back into a hug.

"Geez guys we just did this." You chuckle as you squeeze what you can back and finally push away.

"What's the big deal? It's just a plot ah land by the cemetery?" Bloom says while looking confusedly at the paper.

"It's not jus' a plot ah land bloom, Its big one that'll let us relocate mom n' pa AND let us plant tree's at the head of their graves. And enough room for at least 3 more generations of apples to be buried there, Extended Family and all." AJ replies pulling bloom tight. Bloom looks at you with big eyes.

"But how'd ya 'ford something like that non?" Bloom asks while looking from Granny, to AJ, then to you.

"Well I told old Tombstone I'd pick up extra shifts if he gave me a discount on it, Safe to say I won't have much time off the next few months." You chuckle and scratch the back of your neck. None of the ponies around you say anything but smile at you as you take another swig of your glass.

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A few more hours go by and Bloom falls asleep on the couch pretty quick, followed by Granny on her chair while you and AJ talk and mac interjects every couple of minutes. Eventually Mac scruffs Bloom and puts her on his back then brings her to bed. Staying upstairs you figure he'd gone to bed as well. The Fire starts to wane and you add a few more logs to the fire. The bottle almost empty you pour out the last shots for you and AJ. She puts her glass up for a toast and you meet hers.

"To being part ah the Family." She says as she clinks her glass to yours.

"Cheers." You reply and take your shot as she follows suit. Her cheeks are rosy as are yours most likely, She looks back up at you smiling.

"Thanks sugar cube. Fer everythin' today. Ya'll really made it special this year." She scoots a bit closer and leans her shoulder to yours.

"Of course AJ, Your family has been very kind to me since I got here so I had to return the favor." You turn your head slightly and look down at her, Her large emerald eyes looking into yours.

"Yer family now, In all ways but name n' blood." She replies and looks at you slightly differently. You can't tell what look it was but it changed. Then she wraps a leg around your neck and gently pulls you down into a kiss. You pull back after a second and look at her confused.

"AJ?" you ask confused, This has to be the liquor talking she couldn't feel like that for you could she? Her hurt eyes quickly harden back to normal and she smirks.

"Just a lonely mare tonight, sorry about that my hormones got tha better ah me tonight." She turns to the fire and stares into it.

"Yeah... Sorry I can't help with that... I..." You trail off. Applejack turns back to you.

"I''ma head off ta sleep. The extra room is there if'n you need it." She ascends the stairs and you turn back to the fire.

"She's been holding those feelings in fer a long time ya know." Grannies voice comes from her chair.

The fire crackles as you pull out the flask from your pocket.

"Ah, I see. I... I don't know if I feel the same." You pull from the flask and turn to Granny. "Even if I did, I'm not sure if I'm good for anyone." You get to your feet and start pulling on all your winter clothes.

"You've been good fer us so far young'n. Don't you ferget that. You mean a lot to us now." She knocks back the remainder of drink that was in her glass and starts heading up to bed herself.

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The walk back to your house was better than the walk to Sweet Apple Acres. The skies had cleared and the moon shone bright. And the warmth of liquor in your stomach made it much more bearable. The stars and moon made you stop out on your porch to watch for a bit. Pulling your flask out you drained it within a few minutes just enjoying the sight. When you finally started getting cold enough to head in you turn and enter your abode.

Closing the door you brush as much snow off your boots as you can and remove them but keeping your coat and snow pants on. Getting to the Hearth you open the grate and start a fire as quickly as you can before grabbing your last bottle of liquor you have in the house. You'll need to restock soon. It keeps going quicker and quicker and you don't feel proud of that. Taking a long pull you finally start to strip off your winter gear and sit in front of the hearth till you feel like the house has warmed up. It takes almost a full hour till the home is feeling cozy again. Almost half the bottle is gone and your head is so foggy you can barely see straight. You decide its too much effort to stand and just pull the couch pillows and cover to yourself as you lie in front of the fire. Making sure to add another few logs before you drift to sleep.

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