“Ugghhhh, was it always this hot in the summer?” asked Sweetie Belle, as the rotating fan completed another sweep, giving her curls a light breeze, before moving in the opposite direction.

The three ponies were hanging out in the Apple Family’s kitchen on Sweet Apple Acres. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were trying to get as much “less-warm” air from the fan on the kitchen table, while Applebloom worked away at the stove, stirring the contents of a large pot.

“Hey, you want hot, cum on over here n’ help me make cider,” said Applebloom, feeling the heat from the stove. “Ah swear it’s hotter n’-“

“No thanks,” replied Sweetie. “Couldn’t you have waited until it was a little cooler to make cider? We should have gone down to the swimming hole today.”

“Hey, Granny Smith said to strike while the iron’s hot, and ah owe it to Granny to make mah mark.”

“Like that one?” asked Sweetie, reaching out and poking at the bit of cutie mark peeking out from under her friends cutoff jean shorts.

“Hey, poke yer own,” smirked Applebloom.

“But ah wanna poke yers NOOOOOWWWWW!!!” whined Sweetie Belle, causing Scootaloo to burst into laughter.

“Don’t start with that,” sighed Applebloom, feeling her cheeks flush a little. “I feel embarrassed enough thinkin’ how much ah whined about gettin’ mine.”

“Whut’s all the ruckus down there?” came a familiar voice around the corner, followed by several thumps on the stairs.

Applejack soon appeared in the kitchen. A little plumper around the hips and a little leaner in the face, the thumps were due to the crutches she used, as she maneuvered herself into one of the kitchen chairs, and elevated her bandage-wrapped right ankle onto another chair.

“Now girls, no roughhousin’ round the stove,” she said, matter-of-factly. “We don’t need anymore accidents on this farm, y’hear?”

“Yes, Applejack,” they replied in unison.

“How’s yer ankle this mornin’, sis?” asked Applebloom.

“Stopped throbbin’, thank Celestia,” replied AJ. “If it keeps on behavin’ like this, I kin get back to-“

“Uh-uh, no way,” said Applebloom, waving her cider spoon at her sister. “Doctor said you need to take it easy fer 3 weeks, and then they’ll see if yer good to go.”

“Aww, that doctor’s just bein’ overly-cautious.”

“Well better t’be overly-cautious than make thangs worse closer we get to harvest season.”

“Jus’ don’t plow through our apple reserves tryin’ yer experiments. We need to rely on those til’ we pick more.”

Applebloom ignored her sister trying to change the subject, turned back and took a slurp from her cider spoon.

“Think ah cracked it,” she said, putting the heat on low. “We kin let it cool a bit before tryin’ sum.”

“Hellooooooooo!!!” came a cheery voice from the open-top dutch door, as a familiar pink-maned pony clasped at the lower-half and stuck her head inside.

“Oh, hi Pinkie,” called out Applejack.

“Hi Applejack,” smiled Pinkie, waving cheerily. “Hi, girls.”

“Hi Pinkie,” the trio replied in unison.

“So, whut brings you all the way out here t’day?” asked Applejack.

“Wellll, we have a new stallion in town,” said Pinkie. “He’s right here with me!”

“Why’d you bring him all the way out here, Pinkie?” asked Applebloom.

“He said he was looking for Sweetie Belle, and I saw her headed towards Sweet Apple Acres this morning, sooooo...”

Sweetie Belle’s eyes opened wide, as her friends slowly looked at each other, and smiled mischievously.

“Well bring him on in!” said Scootaloo.

“Okey-dokey-lokie!” said Pinkie, opening the door, allowing a familiar blue stallion to cross the threshold. He was wearing a tank top with the letters CRC in Celestia’s hair colors, dark-grey (and tight) shorts, and had a well-filled duffle bag slung over his shoulder.

“Hi girls,” he said to Applebloom and Scootaloo, before turning and going: “Hi, Sweetie Belle.”

Hi, Chrome Shield!” Applebloom and Scootaloo responded in unison.

“H-hi,” blushed Sweetie Belle, giving him a dainty wave.

“Oh, you know him too?” asked Pinkie Pie.

“Sure do,” said Scootaloo. “He and Sweetie Belle-“

“We were both in Twilight’s advanced magic class this year!” interrupted Sweetie Belle, suddenly getting up noisily from her seat, and guiding Chrome across the room, with a hand on his shoulder. “Chrome, why don’t you come meet Applejack?”

“Sure,” he replied, extending a hand. “Nice to meet the Element of Honesty.”

“Aw, ah haven’t been that in years,” said Applejack, shaking his hand. “Jus’ call me plain ol’ Applejack.”

“Is your leg okay?” Chrome asked, out of concern.

“Gettin’ better. My lil’ sister keeps sayin’ it needs sum more time to heal.”

“Better to be safe than sorry.”

“You said it,” said Pinkie Pie from the doorway. “Well, I’m gonna head back to Sugarcube Corner, but stop on by while you’re in town, Chrome. I’ll treat you and the girls here to a free round of cupcakes on the house!”

“Sounds nice Pinkie,” he said, waving as she disappeared out the door.

“Byyyeee!” She called out, before her voice chirped. “Oh, hi Big Mac!”

The well-toned red stallion soon entered the kitchen, going straight to the icebox where he pulled out a pitcher of lemonade.

“Almost dun’ in the barn?” asked Applejack.

“Nope,” replied her brother, pouring himself a glass and downing it. “Not even halfway done.”

“What’s going on?” asked Chrome.

“Oh, Big Mac, this here’s Sweetie Belle’s college friend, Chrome Shield.”

“Nice to meet you,” said Mac, shaking Chrome’s hand.

“Same,” he replied. “Nice grip. You ever joined up with the cadets?”

“Nope. Born and raised right here on the farm mah whole life. Applebloom’s the first of our family here in town that’s gone off to college.”

“Looks like you got yourself a down-home education,” chuckled Chrome. “Say, if you need a hand, I’m more than willing to pitch in.”

“Chrome doesn’t need to,” said Sweetie. “He just got into town and-“

“No Sweetie Belle, it’s fine,” said Chrome, laying down his duffel, and beginning to take off his shirt. “I was stuck sitting on the train for so long, I need to flex a bit.”

All three of the young fillys’ eyes dropped to Chrome’s torso as he tossed his top onto the duffel.

“Can I get a glass of that too?” asked Chrome, pointing to the lemonade.

“Shore can,” said Applebloom, quickly grabbing a glass for him.

It wasn’t long before the girls and Applejack were sitting outside, under the shade of an apple tree near the barn.

The doors were open, and they were all engrossed in watching Big Mac and Chrome Shield work on moving stuff around.

“He’s shore keepin’ pace with Big Mac,” noted Applejack.

“Yep,” smiled Scootaloo. “He shore likes to work with his hands.”

At this mention, Sweetie Belle turned her head, trying to hide her blushing cheeks.

“Speaking of which, I’ll be right back,” said Applebloom, getting up and sprinting towards the kitchen door.

A few moments later, she emerged with some glasses of iced cider on a tray.

“Chrome!” she called out. “Big Mac! Break time!”

The two stallions emerged into the sublight, their half-naked figures glistening from the sweat.

“Thanks,” said Chrome, taking a glass. “What is this?”

“Iced apple cider,” said Scootaloo. “Applebloom’s been experimenting on adding a new offering for the Cider Festival this fall.”

“Cider Festival?”

“Yeah. The Apples here hold one every fall, and ponies come from far and wide.”

“Well, here’s looking at you,” nodded Chrome, and took his first sip. “Say, that’s not bad.”

“Really?” asked Applebloom. “Yer not jus’ sayin’ that, right?”

“No, really, I mean it.”

“Y’know, he’s right,” said Scootaloo, taking a drink. “It’s pretty good.”

“Yeah,” said Sweetie Belle quietly, after taking a sip.

By the time she had taken a few more, Chrome had chugged his glass.

“Sorry,” he said, “guess I was thirstier than I thought. Can I get some more?”

“Shore can,“ said Applebloom. “And Sweetie Belle here kin go with ya back to the kitchen.”

“That’s alright. I can fetch it-“

“Oh no-no-no,” said Applebloom, setting her tray down and pulling her friend to her dainty white hooves. “She’s coming with you!”

“I hate you right now,” whispered Sweetie Belle.

“You’ll thank me fer this one day,” chuckled AB quietly to her friend.

“If you insist,” shrugged Chrome. “Guess we’ll be right back.”

“Take yer tiimmme,” sang out Scootaloo, as the blue and white figures made their way to the kitchen.

“So,” said Chrome going over to the pot on the stove. “I take it I just-“

Suddenly, there was the closing of one door, and then another. Turning around, Chrome saw that Sweetie Belle had fully-closed the dutch door, and was looking rather upset.

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“W-what do you mean-“

“I mean, ‘what-are-you-do-ing-here?’” she asked, ‘spelling out her demand as if she were talking to a child.

“Sweetie Belle, you said in your note I could come and visit you in Ponyville.”

“Yeah, I did. But usually it’s customary for visitors to tell people they’re visiting, that they are coming.”

“But I did! After I left Canterlot and went home to my folks, I sent you a letter saying when I was coming. Brother, Mom made such a fuss over what I told her about you.”

“Well I…I never received any letter,” said Sweetie Belle, her accusatory tone softening a little. “And your Mom…wh-what did she say?”

“That you seemed like a very smart and beautiful pony,” he replied, using the chance to refill his glass with cider. “And, she wanted me to bring this for you.”

Setting down his glass, Chrome rushed over to his duffel bag, and moments later, brought out a loaf of bread and handed it to her.

“Your Mom bakes?” she asked.

“From time-to-time. Usually she’ll do it for our neighbors, but she insisted I bring this for you.”

Sweetie Belle was looking at the loaf, as well as noticing a strange half-smile creeping across Chrome’s muzzle.

“Can you guess what kind it is?”

She looked at it, and shook her head.

“It’s sweet bread,” he chuckled. “Get it? I told her your name, and she thought it would be cute!”

Sweetie Belle stifled a giggle.

“Well, thanks,” she said. “No one has ever baked me bread before.”

“But I swear to Celestia, I did send you a letter,” he insisted. “I even put double-postage to make sure it got to you.”

“Well, I guess now you’re here,” she said, feeling a little awkward, holding a loaf of his Mom’s bread in her hands. “Um, could I maybe, serve this to my friends?”

“You can do whatever you want with it,” said Chrome. “Mom made it for you.”

“Okay,” she said, taking it over to the counter.

As Chrome watched, her horn glowed green, and a cupboard and kitchen cabinet door opened. Moments later, he watched as a cutting board floated underneath the loaf, and a sharp knife began slicing into it.

As Sweetie Belle was focusing on the task, he quietly moved up behind her and embraced her from behind, causing the magicked knife to stop cutting.

“I missed you,” he said, nuzzling against her left cheek.

“I…I missed you too,” she said. The open back of her top meant she could feel his sweaty torso against her, and his familiar scent intermingled with the perspiration, tickling her nose.

Chrome and Sweetie Belle emerged from the kitchen some time later, with Sweetie Belle carrying the sliced loaf on the carving board to the others in the shade.

“Closed the door,” smiled Applebloom. “And that was quite awhile fer gettin’ sum cider.”

“We just had a little chat,” said Sweetie Belle. “Caught up on some things.”

At this, Scootaloo gave Applebloom a sly little nudge.

“Anyways,” continued Sweetie, “Chrome brought me some sweet bread that his Mom made, and I thought we could share it!”

“Well, we got ourselves a nice lil’ picnic under the tree,” said Applejack.

Soon, the group dug into the bread.

“Mmmm,” said Scootaloo, “nice and cinnamon-y.”

“Does yer Mom make this kinda bread often?” asked Applejack.

“Only on special occasions,” replied Chrome.

“Well, nuthin’s more special than seein’ Sweetie Belle,” smiled Applebloom. “Say Chrome, how long are ya in Ponyville fer?”

“I thought maybe I’d stay a few weeks before going back to Baltimare. Then I’ll stay there with my folks until August, and then head back to Canterlot for basic training.”

“And where are ya staying while in town?” asked Scootaloo.

“Not sure yet. Figured I’d look for a place near the train station-“

“There’s a nice comfy couch at Sweetie Belle’s place.”

“Shore!” said Applebloom. “Or even better, her folks got her a nice big comfy bed last year after-HEY!”

“Oops,” said Sweetie Belle, seeing her glass of cider had spilled onto her friend’s lap. “Sorry Applebloom, guess my hand slipped. Anyways, I’m sure Chrome will have no trouble finding a place to stay. He’s resourceful, right Chrome?”

“All part of being a Royal Cadet,” he replied.

“Well,” said Big Mac, finishing his piece of sweetbread. “That was tasty, but we still got sum more work to do. Chrome?”

“Sure thing,” Chrome nodded, chewing on his own piece before standing up.

“Hey, I just got a great idea,” said Scootaloo. “After you guys finish up in the barn Chrome, why don’t me, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle take you back to her place for dinner?”

“Now Scootaloo,” said Sweetie Belle, “Chrome just got into town. And he’s gonna be all dirty and…and sweaty from all that work in the barn-“

“Aw that’s no big deal,” said Applebloom. “He kin use the shower in your parents’ bedroom. And by the way Chrome, Sweetie’s parents are outta town.”

“Oh really?” he asked, a tiny glimmer in his eye.

“Yep, off on another cruise. Ah don’t think they’ll be comin’ back til’ after you leave town either!”

“Chrome?” warned Big Mac, impatiently. “Come on.”

“Right,” said Chrome, getting to his hooves. “We can talk more about dinner afterwards, okay Sweetie Belle?”

“Umm, sure?” she replied.

And with that, Chrome followed Big Mac back to the barn, where the two soon disappeared into the shadows.

It was then that Sweetie Belle narrowed her eyes at her friends, who in turn returned some knowing, mischievous grins.

“Uh, girls?” asked Applejack. “Is there sumthin’ going on here that ah should know about?”

“Nope, nothin’ out of the ordinary here,” said Sweetie Belle with a forced smile. “Just a few fillies stickin’ their noses in certain places.”

“Ahhh, don’t follow,” said Applejack.

“Aww, Sweetie Belle’s just a bit shy,” said Applebloom, “seeing as how her boyfriend-“

“You know what?” interrupted Sweetie Belle, picking up her glass. “I need a refill after accidentally spilling my drink. Anypony else like more of that tasty cider Applebloom made?”

“I’ll take some more,” said Scootaloo.

“Top me off too, Sweetie Belle,” said Applejack.

And soon, Sweetie was carrying a tray of glasses into the kitchen.

Those two, she thought to herself.

Author's Note

Yes, we’re back for some shenanigans in Ponyville after Sweetie Belle’s sophomore year.

After all that work finishing off the main story (and that crazy detour writing about Mam Marella), took a months hiatus to relax, before jumping into these.

Nothing is more fun that dealing with embarrassment and mischievousness, though my old friend “drama” will be rearing its head very soon.

Plus, the next chapter will deal with some characters I’ve never used before, but excited to give them a spin regarding the position Sweetie Belle is in.