Smolder’s eyes snapped open and immediately closed shut as the bright light of day made her headache all the worse. Sitting up after a moment of recuperation, clutching her head, the dragoness was surprised to see she was in her personal quarters in the Palace of Friendship. She felt bandages wound around her head. Smolder couldn’t remember what had happened, but she had the sensation she’d rather not think about it, so she decided to avoid the recollection until someone else arrived. Fortunately, there wasn’t long to wait as Ocellus popped in within fifteen minutes.

“Oh good, you’re awake!” the changeling beamed and rushed over to the bedside, “Is there anything you need? Painkiller? Water? A fresh pillow? A warm towel?”

“Nah, none of that,” Smolder grimaced as she felt the pain wax and wane with every sound and movement she or another creature made, “I just need to know what happened… It’s all fuzzy for me.”

“Ah… the doctor said you might not remember…” Ocellus inhaled sharply, “How do I put this…? You went crazy with Dragon Greed and tried to rape Spike.”

Smolder blinked slowly, eyes staring through the changeling, before falling backwards into bed and clutching her face in agitation. The mental block was gone and the whole terrifying experience played back through her mind. What had started out as a hopeful attempt at confessing to Spike when he and Applejack had broken up had turned into an absolute nightmare when her lust had overwhelmed her senses. Greed could mean many things to many dragons, and at that moment, her desperate desire to have Spike for herself had driven her over the edge. Pulling her hands away she saw them wet with tears and realized she was crying.

“He hates me…”

“I don’t think he hates you Smolder,” Ocellus frowned, “He might be a little frightened for a bit, but he knows about the Dragon Greed. I’m sure, in time, he’ll forgive you.”

“I can’t believe I could do something like that… All those lessons on friendship, all my work as a representative for ponies to dragons and vice versa… all of it wasted in an instant!”

“I think you’re overreacting.”

Smolder didn’t say anything, curling up into a ball on her bed to ruminate over the actions that had been beyond her control. A simple lapse had led to her destroying her friendship with Spike, and any potential romance with him, not to mention his friendship with Applejack – one of her mentors. There was also the potential of the scandal ruining her career and giving her a bad reputation. To go crazy with Dragon Greed and pillage was one thing, but to go nuts with lust and try and rape someone was far worse. Such a trespass was taken very seriously, and it was likely that every creature except for dragons would see her as absolute scum; dragons would either view her as an embarrassment, unable to control her urges, or a sex-crazed freak. Smolder wasn’t sure which was worse: the shame she’d earn, or the lines of perverts who would make passes at her for sexual attention.

“Are you alright?” Ocellus’ voice broke through her thoughts but did nothing to stop her dread.

“No,” the dragoness confessed, “I need some time alone…”

“If you think that would help. I’ll check in on you after work.”

After the changeling left, Smolder only felt her despair worsen as waves of guilt, shame, and paranoia stabbed into her mind.

…

Applejack had thought mornings on the farm were lonely when she had actually been physically alone, but they were practically joyous compared to her current situation. Spike, her partner, her closest friend, was nearly always silent, his eyes staring off into the distance, never fixed on anything. She occasionally asked him what he was thinking about, for he had the vacant look of a creature deep in thought, but he always replied with ‘nothing’. She could believe him, too; the vacancy went beyond deep thought and into a realm of thought-suppression.

As they finished up their morning routine and prepared for lunch, the mare pondered how she could help the dragon cope with whatever trauma he was dealing with. Normally she’d recommend he talk to a specialist, keeping names out of the equation, but the only head shrink she trusted in town was Twilight. Even if the Princess of Friendship could find the time, Spike wouldn’t talk to her about this situation. Applejack knew he wouldn’t because if she had been the one nearly raped by an older sibling figure, the last person she’d want to talk to about it would be the pony who had been like a mother to her all her life.

The silence drove the farmer to looking at the photos on her mantle, particularly those of her parents. What would they do in a situation like this?

Pa would probably beat whoever tried something like that on mom – drunk or not – from here to Manehattan and back, Applejack figured as she looked at the portrait of Bright Macintosh before her eyes shifted to the one of Pear Butter, Ma, on the other hoof, would probably know that doing something like that wouldn’t change a thing, but that we’d still need to take some kind of action…
After a few moment’s thought, only one thing came to mind. It wasn’t a pleasant thought, but Applejack had come to learn that letting things lie and fester for too long soon made small problems worse, whether they be a splinter in one’s hoof or a lack of resolution in a conflict. Every day that went by without Spike addressing the issue, without talking to Smolder, would only give him more time to think on the situation, more time to lament and relive the terror. What if she and her friends had simply put off dealing with Spike’s Dragon Greed as soon as it had ended? What if they had ignored resolving their emotions? Spike would have been isolated, paranoid, distressed, while each of the mares would have become increasingly unwilling to deal with the issue, unable to find the resolve.

No, they had to deal with this quickly, like removing a bandage that had stuck to the skin.

“Sugar,” she made sure to address him by his pet name, though when the dragon looked at her it was clear she meant business, “we’re going to the Palace of Friendship.”

“Why?” Spike’s eyes widened.

“You need to talk things out with Smolder before things get too awkward.”

“There’s nothing awkward between us,” Spike’s voice betrayed the lie, “What makes you think there is? I understand she wasn’t in control, so why do I need to talk to her about it?”

“Spike, for Celestia’s sake, look at yourself! I’ve never seen you so sullen and silent, moping around the house and staring off into the distance… I know there’s a lot going on in your head right now, but I also know that both of you know no one was at fault. You need to talk to her or else this whole thing’s just gonna rot under the skin until you both avoid each other.”

“You don’t think that maybe it’s a little soon?” the dragon scowled.

“Why put off until tomorrow what you can do today?” the farmer recited, grinning, “Come on, now.”

The dragon opened his mouth to protest but only shook his head with a sigh before following her. The walk back to Ponyville was quiet but didn’t drag on painfully. Spike occasionally shot glares at his filly-friend, but Applejack maintained a knowing, confident expression that slowly withered the dragon’s pessimism away. Perhaps he was overthinking things; maybe Applejack was right and talking to Smolder would help resolve any residual confusion. As Ponyville neared and the Palace loomed ever higher, that confidence began to erode. Fearful flashbacks of a possessed Smolder reverberated throughout his mind. Sparing a frightened look at Applejack, he felt her confidence radiate back into him. He wasn’t convinced, but it kept him from stopping completely.

Before he knew it, they were outside of Smolder’s room, led there by Ocellus.

“Are you guys sure about this?” the changeling asked, confused, “I mean, I know every creature handles these sorts of things differently, but I never expected ponies and dragons to be so… forgiving.”

“Are you saying changelings would just let something like this go?” Applejack asked, bewildered.

“Not exactly, but our entire culture was built off of taking love for ourselves by force. Let’s just say that, many times, that involved seduction or physical force. If we were unwilling to forgive others for doing something like that, then there is no way we could forgive ourselves or our ancestors.”

“I suppose that makes sense…” the farmer eyed the changeling, skeptically. Ocellus had only been a little older than Apple Bloom when the changelings were evil; had Chrysalis encouraged such taboo methods of feeding even that young? Applejack decided it wasn’t her place to ask; what’s done was done.

Ocellus opened the door after making sure they were ready. The three walked into the room and Spike couldn’t help but worry at the eerie silence. As they approached Smolder’s bed they heard the dragoness groan out.

“Leave me alone, Ocellus… I just want to sulk…”

“If I had known you’d just shrug off work like this, I might have reconsidered making you my replacement,” Spike didn’t need to force amusement into his voice; it was actually a relief to see Smolder beating herself up. How’d that old adage Twilight used go? Misery loves company?

The dragoness sat up quickly, paling as she saw both Spike and Applejack before her. She was about to shield herself from what she assumed would be a quick and bloody revenge, but noticed neither of them seemed overly-angry or even concerned. In fact, both had smiles on their faces. Smolder’s brow crumpled in confusion.

“You two aren’t… mad?”

“Oh, I’m still pretty furious, myself,” Applejack confessed, smile not faltering, “but I also recognize that you weren’t yourself yesterday. I’ve, uh… experienced a little too much cider in the past and know that when your mind is addled, one tends to lose control.”

“I’m not angry,” Spike agreed with his lover’s assessment, “but I was scared. Terrified, even. I hate to admit it, but I’ve had a fear of Dragon Greed since I nearly destroyed Ponyville as a drake. Coming face to face with it again, being powerless as you tried to… well, y’know. It scared me, but I know it wasn’t you – not the real you, I mean.”

“I’m so ashamed,” Smolder sighed, rubbing her temples, “I just felt like such an idiot when Spike hooked up with you. I’ve been trying to get him to notice me for months, after having a crush on him for years, and then he just slipped through my claws! When he was available again, I kind of just… lost my cool. I’m sorry.”

“I suppose I could understand getting that worked up after years of planning,” Spike offered a smirk, “Don’t worry, Smolder. No harm was done and no one outside of the four of us needs to know what happened.”

“I appreciate that but I still feel so guilty!” the dragoness groaned, “Is there anything I can do to make it up to you two?”

“Well, actually…” Applejack smirked, “we could use some more dragons to spice up the haunted hay ride…”

“Sure,” Smolder grinned for the first time, “Anything else?”

“Come through on that, and I think we can consider ourselves even,” Spike said, “Oh, and never try that again, please.”

“Why don’t you head on out, Spike?” Applejack suggested, “You too, Ocellus. I wanna have a chat with Smolder alone; Spike-admirer to Spike-admirer.”

Concern clear on their faces, the dragon and changeling left. Smolder felt her pulse increase as the mare narrowed her eyes at her. Was this where Applejack would achieve bloody revenge?

“Can you harvest your fair-moans?” she asked instead.

“Excuse me, what?” Smolder shook her head in confusion.

“You know! Those moan things that made Spike all… docile.”

“My pheromones?” the dragoness’ eyes widened, “Wait, you want my pheromones to use on Spike?”

“W-well, maybe.”

“Forget it,” Smolder grimaced, “Dragons have very specific scents, you understand? If you seduced him with my pheromones, then that would mean that anytime he’s around me, he’d be attracted to me. I-I’m sorry for what I tried to do, but if he comes onto me… I don’t think I could resist, even if I knew it was betraying your trust…”

“I see… that is a dumb idea,” Applejack tsked, “Well shoot, I wish I could get him attracted to my scent! Having him be like that, but for me? That’d be something.”

“It’s a shame you aren’t a dragon,” Smolder chuckled, “Then you’d have your own pheromones and he’d be even more devoted to you. You’re very lucky to have him, you know that?”

“Oh, I know,” the mare chuckled with her friend before stopping to think. Suddenly the lotion Zecora had made didn’t seem nearly as terrifying… Applejack made to leave when she noticed Smolder try to say something and stop herself. “Something else on your mind? It’s alright; just us two here.”

“It’s… not important right now,” the dragoness confessed, “Is everything cool between us?”

“That depends,” Applejack smirked, “How bad does your head hurt?”

“It feels like I tried to head-butt the train while it was going full speed…”

“Then I’d say things are just fine between us,” the mare chuckled as she left, “Just remember that feeling anytime you feel yourself losing control,” then she grew deathly serious, “or else.”

“I won’t forget it anytime soon, I can guarantee that,” Smolder mumbled as Applejack left and Ocellus entered.

Spike was waiting, more than a little anxious but heaving a sigh of relief as he noticed Smolder was fine and Applejack was in good spirits.

“Really now, Spike, why do you look so surprised?” the mare asked with a knowing smile, “Did you think I went in there to hurt her or something?”

“No, of course not,” the dragon chuckled, feeling silly that he had actually entertained the idea, “Thanks for making me come here. I was worried I’d be rushing things but… well, if we hadn’t come here, I’d probably keep making excuses not to.”

“Boys are the same no matter what species,” Applejack giggled as she led him towards the exit, “You need a swift kick from a good mare every now and then to do what’s right for your health.”

“I certainly can’t argue with the ‘good mare’ part.”

“Now, let’s get home and finish our work for today,” the mare’s eyes were hooded as she smiled back at him, “then, if you’re feeling up to it, maybe we could have some fun?”

The dragon smiled back, and the farmer felt her heart lift. It appeared her decision to force closure actually worked. More than the uplifting sensation she felt in her heart, however, was the slow burn going on in her core – a burning she had to suppress for the time being. The pair of them walked back to Sweet Apple Acres, blissfully unaware of the purple alicorn watching them from one of the castle’s towers.

…

“Pinkie,” Twilight Sparkle began, narrowing her eyes as she watched Applejack and Spike depart together, far more familiar than she’d ever seen them, “what can you tell me about Applejack and Spike?”

“Applejack and Spike?” the energetic pink mare repeated, hopping around the princess’ study. She had been harassing Twilight nearly every day for several months with her attempts at getting her old friend out of the castle and Twilight had long since given up trying to bar her entrance. No amount of guards in Equestria could keep Pinkie out of a place she wanted into. “I honestly don’t know. I’ve been spending so much time trying to get you out of here that I’ve gotten a teensy-weensy bit out of touch with everypony else.”

“That’s ironic, don’t you think?” the alicorn asked, slightly amused, “I didn’t even realize Spike had moved out until word reached me from Ocellus. He resigned from both of his jobs to move onto Applejack’s farm, and I might be reading into this a little too much, but I think they’re dating…”

“What?” Pinkie laughed, “Spike and Applejack? Applejack and Spike? That’s crazy!”

“Maybe,” Twilight murmured, “They just seem really close.”

Pinkie trotted towards the balcony and squinted at the departing couple, watching their movements and expressions. Gentle touches mingled with hooded eyes and easy smiles. The pink mare laughed loudly as Twilight shifted uncomfortably.

“Oh, Twi!” Pinkie grinned, “You worry too much! To be dating, they’d have to have been on a date! I might be a little out of touch, but I would have heard about something like that!”

“I suppose you’re right, but why are they so close?”

“Oh, that’s easy!” Pinkie snorted, dismissively, rolling her eyes, “They’re totally engaged in a romantic, explicitly sexual affair!”

“What?!” Twilight demanded, wings outstretched as panic overtook her, “Spike?! H-he’s mating?! B-but you said they weren’t dating!”

“Just because they aren’t dating doesn’t mean they aren’t in a relationship. Duh.”

“I need to put a stop to this!” Twilight prepared to give chase.

“Why?” Pinkie’s simple question forced her to stop.

“Because-!” the alicorn stopped, brow furrowing in thought, “Because… It just makes me uncomfortable, I guess. Spike is like a son to me, and Applejack is like a sister.”

“Yeah, but they aren’t really,” Pinkie pointed out, “I mean, you’re like a sister to me, but that would never stop me from dating you!”

“What?”

“This is just like when Fluttershy and Discord started dating, remember?” the pink mare expertly ignored Twilight’s question, “Boy, we all freaked out about that one!”

“Ugh… don’t remind me,” the alicorn grimaced. She had been the most adamant believer that it had all been part of a larger lesson or scheme by Discord, unwilling to be lulled into the idea that an immortal creature of chaos could genuinely fall in love with innocent Fluttershy. It wasn’t until a year into the marriage the princess finally accepted, much to her embarrassment, that Discord’s love was absolutely genuine. “I need to talk to him, still. I feel like I’ve been neglecting him, and now he’s shutting me out of one of the most important chapters of his life…”

“I have an idea!”

“Yes?”

“What if we all go out together to congratulate them on their relationship?” Pinkie suggested, “You and me, Applejack and Spike – we could eat at the Hay Café! They do couples specials!”

“That sounds like a good idea,” Twilight agreed, then felt curiosity get the better of her because of what her friend had said earlier, “It actually sounds a little like a double date…”

“I love double dates!” Pinkie bounced up and down, grinning, “Are you asking me out?”

“I was under the impression you were asking me out.”

“If you insist,” the pink mare giggled, “I’ll invite Applejack and Spike along so we can have a double date this weekend! I can’t wait!”

Twilight blinked as she watched her friend leave the study in an excited hurry. Apparently she was going on a date this weekend with a mare she had – until that very moment – always considered a really good friend. Not that she was opposed to the idea of dating Pinkie Pie, per se, but it had simply never crossed her mind. Now, all at once, she had been maneuvered into a double date with her closest friend, a friend who was like a sister to her, and a friend who was – for all intents and purposes – her adopted son.

“Wait, what just happened?” she asked herself, absently.

…

Applejack gave a mighty buck, feeling the comforting sensation of her back hooves colliding with the springing bark of her apple trees. Very little in the world could compare with the satisfaction she felt watching an expertly-delivered buck liberate every fresh apple from its perch, filling a bucket to overflowing. Even that glorious sensation was taking a backseat, for once, to the overwhelming joy she was feeling at Spike’s good mood. His dread and brooding had finally ended and they were back to their usual friendly banter and flirting.

“Okay, how’s this for a name?” the dragon said as he filled a bucket on his second kick; he’d probably never be as good as an Apple at the art of proper bucking, but even getting a tree in two kicks was impressive, “Quill.”

“Quill?” Applejack snorted, “You wanna name our foal after a pen?”

“Why not? Every name you’ve suggested has ‘apple’ in it.”

“That’s a family tradition. I suppose we could hyphenate… ‘Quill Apple-the Dragon’ doesn’t quite roll off the tongue, though.”

“I’m sure the perfect name will present itself in time.”

“I guess I’ll have to wear those boots again if you’re still so dead-set on filling with me foals,” the mare sighed, but couldn’t resist smiling. It faded the more she thought about how to get around their little handicap.

There was only one way to keep their relationship going, and despite some residual frustration on the matter – not to mention frustration regarding Smolder – the farmer decided that perhaps Zecora’s cure was the right course of action. Besides, if things didn’t work out, Zecora could probably brew up an antidote, or Twilight could use a spell. If worse came to worst, there was always Starlight’s time travel spell. So it happened that, when the sun began to set and they put their buckets away, Applejack meditated over the pros and cons of using the lotion in her head, all throughout making dinner and the meal itself.

“You don’t have to use Zecora’s potion if you don’t want to,” Spike said as they walked upstairs, as if he had known exactly what had been eating away at her for half the day, “It’s not fair for you to make changes on my behalf. I’ll go to her tomorrow and ask if she has a remedy to make my body temperature less… lethal.”

“No you won’t, mister,” Applejack chided, halting their progress, “It’s only now that I’m realizing this, but you’ve been the one who’s been making all the sacrifices so far. You left a meaningful career behind just to spend time with me – and that was before either of us thought about sex, much less romance. You left your home, your proximity to Twilight, everything! There’s no risk in me using this lotion, and if there is, I’m sure Zecora or Twilight can find a way to fix it.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“I can’t say I’m sure, but I wasn’t sure about a lot of things this past week,” the farmer gave a kind smile, “but I can say it was all worth the risks I took. Now get into bed; I’ll be there as soon as I butter myself up.”

“I wonder if it’s coconut-scented…?” Spike mused, half-joking as he made his way into the bedroom and waited.

Applejack grabbed Zecora’s potion from where she left it and entered the bathroom. She looked at the bottle and herself in the mirror, still contemplating. Was it worth it? To change herself on some fundamental level just so she could have sex with Spike without being set on fire? Fluttershy had said she’d gladly do it for Discord, and the farmer suspected Smolder would make a similar sacrifice if needed to be with the young dragon. Aside from fireproofing, there were also potential beneficial side-effects, like being able to produce pheromones. The fact the mare wanted her own pheromones to further attract Spike to her only served to verify her interest in him was genuine. She didn’t just want to have sex with him to enjoy the act; she wanted it so she could bind herself closer to him.

“Here goes nothing,” she murmured to herself as she began pouring the concoction onto her coat and massaging it into her skin.

The process was arduous and Applejack was forced to wonder why ponies even used lotion. It seemed rather inconvenient to have to rub so long just to get the substance through to the skin beneath, and then what was the point? So ponies could feel smooth skin under their fur? Maybe it was just intended for ponies with really dry skin. After the bottle was empty and her skin fully-lathered, Applejack stared at her reflection in the mirror, waiting for some kind of visible difference to manifest itself. She didn’t feel any different… Wait, there was some minor change.

The mare lifted her foreleg in confusion, wondering why she felt heavier. Letting the limb fall, the thump was significantly louder than normal. Checking her eyelids, she found nothing, but when she opened her mouth she noticed she had developed slightly enlarged canines. A little off-putting for her, but far from some grizzly mutation. Seeing nothing else out of the ordinary, she left the bathroom and adjusted to her new weight.

“Well, that was almost disappointing,” she confessed as she entered the bedroom, drawing the dragon’s eyes to her, “All that changed was my weight and I’ve gotten a little long in the tooth.”

“I’m not sure why, but fangs look really good on you,” Spike rubbed his chin, grinning, “I kinda like it.”

“You do?” the mare stopped for a moment before continuing to the bed, “I was going to see about visiting Minuette to try and fix them, but they don’t feel uncomfortable, and if you think they look good… I really only have to look at them in the mirror.”

“You mentioned a weight change?” Spike asked. He exhaled suddenly as Applejack jumped onto him, straddling his stomach. “Ah… I see.”

“It’s not too heavy, is it?”

“No, just takes some getting used to,” the dragon winced at the sound of her bedframe straining, “We may want to invest in a stronger bed soon, though.”

The pair of them took the time to disassemble the antique bedframe and lay the box spring and mattress flat on the floor before returning to bed. Applejack resumed her position, straddling the dragon while grinning, bracing her fore-hooves against his scaly chest and she slid herself backwards. She yelped in surprise as she felt his erect member poke her flank.

“I see you’re already ready to go,” she noted, pleased.

“How could I not be?” Spike practically drooled, his eyes taking on the same quality she’d noticed yesterday during Smolder’s assault, “That lotion smells amazing!”

Applejack raised an amused eyebrow. The lotion had held no odor she could detect, and while dragons were supposed to have a heightened sense of smell, she suspected what he was smelling wasn’t the lotion at all, but rather her newfound half-dragon-ness. As much as it hurt her pride to admit it, she was quite pleased that she had, indeed, acquired pheromones after all. No need to let him know that, however.

“Just sit back and enjoy the ride, sugar,” she instructed, lifting herself up and aligning her marehood with his dick with his assistance, “I know I will.”

Both mare and dragon hissed in pleasure as Spike slid into her, his barbed length grinding along her moist, soft interior and filling her. Perhaps, she recognized, not filling her; stallions’ members were larger, she had seen, so it was logical that she could take far larger than what Spike was providing. All the same, it was more than enough to satisfy her just knowing it was Spike. A dirty smile stretched across her lips as she also recalled the possibility he would grow larger still.

Heh, she thought to herself, relationship goals.

She increased her speed as Spike basked in her beauty. Slowly his mind began to clear until the enhanced attraction was just a subtle background sensation. Logically, he realized, the potion might have given her something like pheromones. Also logically, the only reason he had been so easily floored by them – twice – was because he simply hadn’t been exposed to dragon scents often. Now, though, he was adjusting and where the scent had been overwhelming before, now it was just an irritant – an irritant that brought his blood to a slow boil and made him want to ravage the mare riding him.

Applejack shifted in surprise but didn’t stop her ride as Spike suddenly sat up, tongue flicking along her cheeks, clawed hands digging into the flesh of her flank with as much pressure as could be applied before damaging the skin. He raked his fangs along her shoulders and she found herself caught up in his scent nearly as much as he had been with hers. So, apparently that pheromone business swung both ways, did it? No matter; she rather enjoyed the extra layer of sensuality in their experience.

“This… is great!” Spike huffed out before slipping his tongue into Applejack’s mouth. She let him wrap the organ around her own tongue before unfurling and swishing around her teeth. “By Celestia, I missed that sweet apple flavor!”

“Spike, it’s only been two days,” the mare chided, “but I missed this too.”

“AJ, I’m getting close…”

“Time to see if this potion works. I haven’t felt any of your heat this entire time; you’re warm, but not any warmer than any other pony I’ve touched before.”

“Get ready, then, because here it comes!”

Applejack descended a final time and bit her lower lip to keep from screaming out as Spike erupted inside her. There was definitely an increase in temperature inside her, but it was more like their first time together – a sweet sensation of molten iron without any actual risk. Spike grunted as he felt himself release a pent-up amount of seed. Applejack collapsed on top of him, overwhelmed by the sensation of being filled to overflowing, and she rested upon his chest as they both caught their breaths.

“I guess it worked,” the mare chuckled once her voice was level, “Boy howdy, I didn’t think I’d miss that feeling so much after just two days…”

“So… you don’t regret using Zecora’s potion?”

“I don’t see why I should,” Applejack sniffed, “I’m heavier, I suppose, and I sprouted a fancy pair of fangs, but that seems like a fair trade off for being able to be intimate again. And for those fancy fair-moans or whatever they’re called.”

“Pheromones.”

“Whatever.”

They laid there for a moment, simply enjoying the afterglow. Applejack noticed that there was a warmth deep inside her she had never felt before, similar to the sensation she had sitting around a fireplace with her family. There was heat, but also comfort, solace, and a general sense of security and peace. Was that some sort of result of her physiological changes, or was it simply because things between her and Spike were on the mend?

“How much do you think my body’s really changed?” she asked, “I mean, is this really it? Just some extra weight and teeth and a fancy smell?”

“I like your fancy smell,” Spike chortled, “it smells like-”

“If you say apples again…”

“Uh… who cares if you’ve changed a little,” Spike dodged, “what matters is that you’re still the beautiful, loving mare I love on the inside.”

“Celestia, Spike, that’s cheesier than an apple Danish,” the farmer giggled, “but very sweet. Thank you, sugar.”

“I know we have to be up early tomorrow to finish the harvest, but…” the dragon scratched his cheek, smiling sheepishly, “do you think we could go again?”

“Oh sugar,” Applejack reclined onto her back, spreading her legs as she smiled up at her lover with hooded eyes, “all you have to do is ask.”

And so the dragon and mare risked waking up late the following day as they bucked the night away.

Author's Note

Just want to point out how unrealistic this conflict resolution is; I highly doubt in the real world this could be positively resolved for both Smolder and Spike within a few days, but fortunately this isn’t the real world. This is just one of several conflicts that will be in the story, so there wasn’t a need to devote a complicated arc to its resolution.

Also, I will no longer respond to comments/reviews that ask me when I’m going to update. I’ve explained in author’s notes before that I have other things to do than type stories, and on top of that my laptop is really old and struggling to even do that much. Delays could be very long, or very short – it depends on inspiration, motivation, time, and ability. I’m glad people look forward to my updates, but I do this as a hobby. I apologize for any infrequency in updates.