"It was my fault.." Sharp mumbled, tears still running down his cheeks. "I should have been the one.. Not Pin, not him.."

"No, don't say that."

Applejack replied in a soothing tone, holding the crying stallion close. She had been listening to Sharp's tale, letting him cry and open up. Her heart broke for him, she had never seen a stallion cry like this, never seen any pony in such pain before. It hurt to see, and she found herself wanting to take his pain away. There was sadly not much she could do other than be there and listen to him, hopefully that would be enough for now.

Having laid down again, Applejack had pulled Sharp close, wrapping him in her hooves, trying to be an anchor for him during the storm. He responded to it, curling up near her, trying to keep his mind straight. It was like comforting a scared foal, but Applejack didn't think any less of Sharp for it. While she didn't understand fully before, she knew now just how broken Sharp was. Looking back, it was amazing how well he kept himself together, it had to be tiring.

Sharp continued to sob, though she could tell he was trying to get himself together again, trying to patch himself up, only to then be broken again by another roar of thunder. He was shaking, his breathing was fast and uneven, so she pulled him closer, letting her body shield him from the world.

"It's okay, Sharp, it's okay.." She whispered, stroking his mane, doing her best to keep him calm. It seemed to work, he shook less and less, and his sobs became less frequent.

After a while, he looked up at her, an embarrassed and even ashamed look in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Applejack.. I didn't mean to-"

"No," she cut in quickly. "It's okay, sugarcube, you have nothing to apologize for." Applejack looked at him with kind and understanding eyes. "You're home, you're safe.." She hesitated for a moment, but then leaned forward slightly, planting a tiny kiss on his forehead. "Try to get some sleep, I think the storm is dying down."

Sharp blushed slightly, but then nodded. "Okay, maybe I should.." He was about to move to his own sleeping bag, but Applejack still held on to him.

"You can stay, I don't mind." She whispered.

"I don't know.." Sharp replied, having straightened out his body so much, laying so his head was on the same level as her. "I don't want to be a bother."

Applejack rolled her eyes. "You're not, and you never have been. Just go to sleep.."

Sharp let out a chuckle, taking a deep breath to calm himself, then closed his eyes. "Goodnight, Applejack."

"Goodnight, Sharp."

Morning came a few hours later.

The storm had passed, and now the sun was out, greeting Equestria yet again. The birds were out, greeting the new day with their chirping. Applejack, still in the tent, slowly opened her eyes, expecting to find Sharp asleep next to her, but he was gone. "Mmm, Sharp..?" She mumbled, sitting up.

"I'm out here." His gentle voice called from outside the tent.

Yawning once, she got up and trotted outside, not bothering tying her mane yet. She found Sharp, sitting by the campfire he had relit, looking at the morning sun as it slowly moved up from the horizon. "You're up early.." Applejack stated in a slight teasing tone.

"Sorry, I just couldn't sleep any longer." Sharp replied in a more flat and far away voice, like if his mind was hundreds of miles away.

Applejack frowned, trotting over to him and sat down beside Sharp. "Something on your mind?"

Sharp didn't reply right away, instead he sat in silence, simply looking out at the horizon. Applejack didn't push him, letting him gather himself and find the right words. "A lot of things," replied Sharp after maybe a minute of silence. "I'm sorry about the whole situation yesterday."

"No, I told you not to worry about it." Applejack said, putting a little sternness into her voice. "You've been through a lot, and after what you told me, well, I guess I don't really have the words for it, but you don't have to apologize." They sat again in silence, both thinking about the events of last night.

The pained expression on Sharp's face was still clear in her mind, his guilt written and tearful eyes as he told her the story about his friend Pin Point. "You never finished the story.." She suddenly said, surprising herself. She knew it was a sensitive subject, and yet she asked about it. For a moment she worried she might have overstepped, but if she had, Sharp made no sign of it.

Instead he let out a sigh, closing his eyes as if to recall the events after that night. "Believe it or not, Pin survived stepping on the mine, but he was never the same after." His eyes remained closed, but it was like he pressed them tighter shut as he spoke. "Pin was always the active daring pony that got you into trouble. After the explosion though, he lost both his hind legs, and was sent home."

Applejack was about to say that was a good thing, and he should be glad Pin survived, but she stopped herself from doing so. The way Sharp spoke told her it wasn't as simple as getting wounded and just going home, so she remained silent, listening to Sharp as he told her the rest of the story.

"Of course I tried to see him," Sharp said, letting out another sigh and opened his eyes. "But he didn't want to see me, he told me to go and leave him alone. I figured it was because he was still dealing with the loss of his hind legs, that he needed time to heal and come to terms with it." Sharp bit his lip, feeling a lot of emotions, but remained calm. "I only saw him again once after that.."

Sharp grew quiet again, seeming to recall his last meeting with his old friend. This time Applejack could not help herself, she asked the obvious question. "What happened?"

Again, he didn't answer right away, in fact, it looked like he really didn't want to continue the conversation. Still, he answered after a few seconds of silence, standing up as he did so. "He wasn't exactly thrilled to see me again.. Let's leave it at that." And with that, the conversation was over.

Sharp didn't blame her for asking, nor did he feel annoyed about the conversation itself. He had just reached his limit for now, and couldn't get himself to share anymore than that for now. Turning to the tent, he trotted inside and started packing, leaving Applejack to eat breakfast.

She wanted to comfort him, but she knew now was not the time. Right now he did not need comfort, he needed time to himself, and so she ate in silence.

Once Applejack had eaten breakfast, and gotten herself ready, they were on their way again. Sharp had packed away the tent and loaded into the wagon, so after putting out the fire and hitching themselves to the wagon, they were traveling down the road towards Ponyville.

Sharp seemed to be in a better mood now, and as they traveled they started talking again. This time it was back to the lighter topics, Sharp seeming eager to hear about the time they defeated Nightmare Moon, and saved princess Luna. He listened with interest, and she too found it interesting to hear how they had reacted at the time.

Sharp had been overseas at the time, so when the mare in the moon suddenly vanished, and they got strange messages from Equestria, she could imagine the panic it had caused. Thankfully, Applejack and her friends dealt with it before things went out of hoof, but it was nice to know that if they had failed, help would be on its way.

They continued to travel throughout the day, and as expected, they arrived back at Sweet Apple Acres in the late afternoon. They had barely moved through the gate and gotten to the front yard before Apple Bloom came running out of the house. She called out their names, and it made the two adult ponies pause.

Applejack glanced at Sharp Shooter, seeing a small smile grace his lips. She smiled, looking back at Apple Bloom who was running towards them. "There's no greater feeling."

"Hm?" Sharp looked at her, puzzled.

Applejack just chuckled. "There is no greater feeling than when you return home to your loved ones, knowing the ponies you care about have missed you, and are waiting for you with open hooves." She looked at Sharp. "You have that here too."

Sharp blushed, looking again at Apple Bloom who finally reached them, hugging Applejack. "You're back!" She hugged Applejack tighter. "I've missed you." Then, to Sharp surprise she looked at him, then slipped over, hugging him. "Both of you."

He hadn't expected a hug, well, maybe a little one, but not that she would have said she had missed him. Sharp looked a little unsure, glancing at Applejack who was just smirking knowingly. Letting out a relenting sigh, Sharp smiled and hugged the foal back. Apple Bloom giggled, unwrapping herself from Sharp and hurried towards the barn. "C'mon, Big Mac is in the barn. He'll help you get unhitched!"

When she ran off, Sharp looked at Applejack with a little shy smile. "Maybe," said Sharp, looking towards the barn, the house, and then finally Applejack again. His blue eyes looking straight into her beautiful green ones. "Maybe you're right."

Applejack chuckled, bumping her flank against his in a playful manner. "Don't think there's any maybe about it, sugarcube. Now come on slowpoke, if we keep standing out here we'll grow roots."

They went to the barn, and as Apple Bloom had said, Big Mac was there. He bid them welcome, asked how the trip went while he helped them get unhitched. Sharp let Applejack do the explaining, and was happy she left out the part with him breaking down. It wasn't his proudest moment, and he had wished Applejack had never seen him like that. Even so, he was glad she was there for him, something he wasn't about to forget.

Granny was equally as happy to see both of them back, giving them a hard time about being so slow. That was just playful teasing, but she was happy they were back and could help Big Mac focus on the last bit of harvest. Apple Bloom talked about all the shenanigans her and her two friends had been up to, which was quite a bit. Sharp was kind of amazed how much trouble three fillies could get themselves into.

Big Mac didn't talk much, as usual, but it didn't mean he wasn't sociable. Like before, he and Sharp found their brotherly bond return, and Sharp could feel Big Mac was happy to have another stallion to help him again. As for Applejack, she and Sharp had created a bond of their own. There was no denying that, and Sharp knew she had seen a side of him he did not want to show to just any pony.

She'd been there for him when needed her, when he was most vulnerable, and through that a stronger bond was forged. However their relationship had started when he'd first gotten here, it had been forgotten, washed away, and there was no longer any doubt about the friendship they now shared.

Or maybe, it was something else?

Sharp felt more aware of where she was sitting now, more aware of her whole being. While she had sat beside him multiple times by now, he couldn't help but feel extra aware when her body graced his. Her leg would suddenly touch his for a second when she moved, or her foreleg would bump against his own. He wasn't sure why, but it almost hurt him, but in a good way, like each time she touched him, whether by accident or not, he felt just a little bit more excited.

It was, of course, Granny Smith who put it into words. She cackled, gaining every pony's attention. "Well, looks like you two have gotten a lot closer. Can I finally expect some grandfoals?"

It was only then that Sharp and Applejack realized how close they were sitting to each other. Both of them blushed red, and each making a small scoot away from one another, though it only made a small difference. Applejack looked at Granny Smith, her voice embarrassed.

"Granny!"

Before she got any further, Apple Bloom cut in. "Grandfoals? Does that mean I'm going to be an aunt?!" She sounded excited about the prospect.

"What? Now hold on a minute!" Applejack exclaimed, turning her attention to Apple Bloom.

But before she could start denying anything, Granny Smith cackled even louder. "Eeyup! The Apple clan always seem to expand, now I remember when I was your age. Back then we could still host every family member in the barn!" She laughed. "So with the addition of your younglings, maybe we should."

It went on, and on, and on, and on. Applejack desperately tried to join in the conversation, trying her best to explain nothing had happened. Granny kept talking about the past, and the future, it was like seeing storytelling defy the laws of physics. Apple Bloom kept asking all sorts of questions, though when she asked where foals came from, Big Mac tapped out, and made Apple Bloom come with him and help him clear the table, much to her disappointment.

Poor Applejack looked like she was about to hit overload, but Granny seemed to notice and finally stop her teasing. Chuckling, she went to the kitchen to help out, leaving both Applejack and Sharp alone. The mare let out a long sigh. "Sorry about that, partner. You know how my Granny likes to tease."

Sharp chuckled. "It's fine, I've gotten used to it by now." The two sat in a bit of awkward silence after that, both of them trying to find something to say. Sharp was the one who came up with something first, though the transition from the subject was less than elegant. "I like your mane untied.."

"What?" Asked Applejack, looking a little bemused.

"I like your mane untied.. I just noticed it this morning, the way it looked on you in the light of the morning sun." He blushed, looking away. "You looked beautiful.." He blushed even more, but didn't come close to Applejack who looked away as well. "Not that you don't look beautiful now!" He quickly added, making Applejack giggle.

"I get it," Applejack replied. "Thank you, no pony has really called me beautiful before, except for family."

Sharp chuckled, looking over at her. "Well your family knows quality when they see it." He winched. "I'm sorry, that came out wrong."

"Sharp." Big Mac's deep voice called.

Sharp jumped in his seat, looking towards the red stallion. "Y-yes?!"

Big Mac looked slightly amused, but didn't comment on Sharp's nervousness. "Wanna grab a bottle of cider?"

"Uhm," Sharp glanced at Applejack, she smiled, giving a small nod. "Sure."

The two stallions made their way outside to the porch, a place they usually sat after a hard day's work. They found their usual spots, Big Mac had already gotten two bottles of Apple Cider waiting for them, so when they sat down they both opened theirs up, and drank.

Sharp hadn't realized just how thirsty he was, but when he pulled the bottle away from his mouth, he let out a loud. "Ahhh, that hit the spot.."

Big Mac chuckled. "Eeyup."

The two looked over the green scenery of the apple orchard. There were still apples on these trees, which was because the apple family liked to start the harvest farthest out, and then move inwards towards the farm. So when these trees had been picked, then the harvest season was over.

"Harvest will be over soon."

"Eeyup."

Sharp glanced at his red friend, then hesitated for a moment. "You think there still is a place for me here after the harvest?"

"Eeyup."

That wasn't really the question Sharp wanted to ask, and they both knew it. "You've brought me out here to have a talk about Applejack?"

This time the red giant's reply came later than usual. He took another swig of his bottle, then looked at Sharp. "You tell me."

Sharp bit his lip, what could he say? Or rather, what should he say? Looking back over the orchard, he thought back on his time here, on his time with Applejack. He couldn't deny there was something about her, something that he had only now started to realize drew him to her. She had seen him at his worst, and most vulnerable.

The first time being at the failed party Pinkie threw him, that was at his worst. Now she had seen him sob like a foal, listened to him as he recalled the night his best friend lost his legs. She knew of the guilt he felt, and his demons, and she had listened to it all without judging him.

Her opinion of him had changed dramatically since their first meeting, and had both moved past it, seeing each other as friends. But was friends really the end station for them? What did he want? What did Applejack want? He couldn't answer Mac, not because he didn't want to, but because he had not figured out the answers yet.

He decided to be honest, and tell Mac just that. "To be honest, I don't know yet.."

Big Mac just gave an understanding nod, almost like a sage. "That's fair, you just let me know when you figure it out."

Sharp gave a nod back, taking a swig of his bottle. "What about you?" He asked Mac, making the large stallion look at him again. "Have you ever been in doubt about your own feelings?"

"Eeyup."

"What did you do?"

"I figured it out."

Sharp let out a small laugh, looking at Big Mac. "Really? That's all you're gonna tell me?" Mac eyed him for a moment, looking back out at the orchard as he considered. Sharp smirked. "Is it a mare?"

"Eeyup."

"And you figured out your feelings for her?"

"Eeyup."

"Is it somepony I know?"

"Eeyup."

"Is it Fluttersh-"

"Rainbow Dash." Mac cut in.

Sharp was stunned for a moment, doing a mental double check on that one. "Rainbow Dash?? The element of loyalty? That Rainbow Dash?"

Mac chuckled, seeming to blush a little. "Eeyup..."

"Didn't know you liked that sort of mare." Sharp then said, his voice thoughtful. He didn't mean anything bad by it, but he supposed he was not alone in assuming Big Mac would go for someone like Fluttershy. "Have you told her?"

"Nope.." The large stallion seemed a little embarrassed, a sight Sharp was sure he would never witness. "But I don't need to."

"Why?"

Big Mac shrugged. "I'm a farmer, I like my quiet and simple life. A mare like Rainbow Dash, well, I don't think she would enjoy the kind of lifestyle I live."

True enough, while Sharp didn't know Rainbow Dash as well as Applejack or Big Mac, he didn't imagine she was the type to settle down into a quiet life. "What made you fall in love with her?" It was a strange turn of events, Big Mac had taken him out here to talk about Applejack, and now here he was, talking to Big Mac about Rainbow Dash.

"Hmm, that is complicated." Big Mac said, considering his words carefully. "Well, she is the most stubborn mare I've ever met, that's for sure. She's headstrong, and got the sense of a fence post." Sharp raised an eyebrow. "But, when she puts her mind to something, she works hard and never stops trying, even if she fails. She's tenacious, loyal, and.." He blushed. "She is very..." He hesitated, but Sharp got a sense of what he was trying to say.

"Athletic?" Sharp grinned, knowing it was just another secret and polite way to point out Rainbow Dash had a nice body.

Big Mac blushed even redder, if that was possible, but he nodded. "Eeyup.."

Sharp chuckled, seeing Mac's point now. If he was being honest, he could actually see them compliment each other pretty well. He took another sip of his cider, looking at the orchard, and the sun. "Well, you should tell her. Better to have tried and failed, than never having tried at all. Always wondering what could have been.."

Mac nodded, letting out a small sigh. "Sounds to me you know an awful lot about that?"

"More than I ever wanted to, comes with being a soldier. Always second guessing every choice you made, thinking of what could have been." Sharp explained, thinking back on the little filly, on Pin, and so much more. "I can't help but wonder what would have happened If I had stayed home, never went off to war." Sharp finished the bottle, placing it next to him. "I've learned to live with my choices, liking them or not, there is no point in thinking back, what's done is done." He looked back at Mac, sending him an encouraging smile. "So, I say, take a leap of faith, see what happens."

Mac listened to Sharp, feeling that while Sharp said he had learned to live with his choices, he got the sense he still lived with a lot of guilt. When he turned to look at Mac, his small smile almost took the red stallion by surprise. "Hm.. I'll consider it."

Sharp smiled. "Good." Then he stood, taking the now empty bottle as he did so. When he turned to head back inside, Mac looked back over at him.

"And what about you and my sister?"

Sharp stopped, not looking back at him. After a few silent seconds, he shrugged. "That's something I have to figure out, just like you have."

And with that, Sharp went back inside, going to bed not long after. The day's events, while nothing too exciting, still had been rather draining. Though as he laid in his bed, closing his eyes and thinking back, he could still see Applejack before him. He could still feel her touch, smell her. He opened his eyes to his dark room.

He wondered, was this love?

The following days were spent harvesting, with Sharp going with Applejack, and Big Mac able to remain, they were actually ahead of schedule. Big Mac had commented it was nice not having to worry about it this year, and Applejack fully agreed.

It meant that the Apple family could spend more time together as a family, to which Sharp was invited. The Apples fully treated him as part of the family now, and Sharp responded to it well. While he still struggled with his nightmares, he found himself relaxing more.

With their added free time, Big Mac helped Sharp setting up a shooting range. It was far away from where any ponies would normally travel, and they set it up so the bullets wouldn't just fly off, but hit a small hill of sand and dirt they had set up. Sharp appreciated it, and it felt strangely good to be firing off some shots once in a while. He even showed Mac how to use the rifle, letting him fire it a few times.

Granny still teased him and Applejack, but more than that, she was always there for him to talk to. While Granny had never been a soldier, she understood the struggles of one, and was therefore always ready with some advice. Sharp found himself turning to her whenever he was in doubt about his place in the Apple household.

Apple Bloom was still very much Apple Bloom, and treated him like an extra older brother. She was a sweetheart, and more than once had Sharp treated her and her friends to some ice-cream, even though Applejack would scold him for spoiling her.

Through Applejack, Sharp found himself in Ponyville more often than before. He helped her whenever they would open their stall in the market, or when she needed supplies. It started off as him just helping her carry whatever the farm needed, but with him helping, the extra time, they decided to make an event out of it, enjoy a lunch in one of the cafes, or just take a walk around the town.

The more they did it, the more ponies in Ponyville came to recognize him, and even started to greet him on occasion. That took some getting used to, mostly because he came from Trottingham, and even though it wasn't a city, it was still a town bigger than Ponyville. So he was a bit unused to the whole tight community kind of thing. Though he was starting to get used to it, even taking a liking to it, even if he preferred the quiet of the farm.

During their visits to town, Sharp started to visit Twilight's library from time to time. With his life calm again, Sharp found his old love of reading once again, and so visited to borrow books and read them back on the farm whenever he had time. When Granny saw him on the porch one afternoon with a book, she had joked he had started to grow roots. Sharp could hardly deny it, he was coming attached to this place. The Apple family, the farm, and Ponyville.

Maybe this was the place for him to settle? He would have to find out, for more than one reason.

One day, while out with Applejack they came across something Sharp hadn't thought he would see in this town, nor Applejack. After setting up the stall for the day, they saw protestors coming into town, all of them carrying signs and banners. They weren't doing anything bad, and they heard from another pony with a stall that they were passing through Ponyville to go to a demonstration in Canterlot.

While he was not in uniform, Sharp couldn't help but keep himself back, focusing on helping with the apples and other tasks, rather than the selling part, which he left to Applejack.

Sharp found himself watching the protestors, watching them as some waited for the next train, while others were preparing to do a march to Canterlot. Most of the protests hadn't been violent, and mostly they would happen without issue. Some ponies however couldn't help see soldiers as villains. They were against the war, and protested it, but they saw any pony who had joined up by their own free will as willing killers.

They had a right to feel however they wanted, but it was when they got into confrontations with soldiers that the trouble happened. Sharp felt sick to his stomach thinking back at the protestors that had yelled insults at him, even trying to spit on him.

Everything was going fine, until two stallions walked up to the stall, both of them were in uniform, both wearing steel helmets, and rifles. When Sharp saw them, he knew they had just come back from Saddle Arabia, both looked tired, and their eyes showed they had seen the same horrors as him.

Sharp stepped up to the makeshift counter. "Hey, you guys just came back?"

The stallions looked slightly surprised, if not a little suspicious. "Yeah, what of it?"

Sharp waved a hoof to dismiss his concerns. "I didn't come to call you names, I just wanted to say, welcome home."

A silence fell between the three stallions, and looking at each other, the two stallions understood. "You've been over there?"

"Over and back.. How are you doing?" Asked Sharp.

"Exhausted, looking for a good meal." One of them replied. "Where did you serve?"

"Camp Solaris." Both stallions looked impressed. "And if it's food you need, then you won't find better apples than the ones from Sweet Apple Acres." Applejack was already filling two bags with six apples in each and placed them on the counter. Sharp smiled at them. "My treat."

"Really..?"

Sharp gave a nod. "When I first came here, a mare showed me a bit of kindness. Like you I was tired, and felt out of luck. Her kindness gave me a chance at life. I know it ain't much, but hopefully this will help either way." Applejack smiled at Sharp, knowing he was talking about Granny Smith. The two stallions gratefully accepted the two bags, smiling, and seemed to actually relax a little.

"Thank you, brother." One said, and Sharp just gave a nod.

"Where are you heading off to?" Sharp then asked.

"Canterlot, we are looking to join up. We don't really have anything else to do, being a soldier is our job, so we figured we could join the guard force. We will be staying with my sister until then."

Sharp nodded, reaching out with his hoof and shook theirs. "Well, good luck to you both."

"Thanks, and thank you for the apples."

"Don't mention it."

When they said their goodbyes, the stallions left, getting a few glances from the protestors, but thankfully nothing happened, and no insults were yelled. Sharp returned to his duties, but soon stopped when he noticed Applejack giving him a look.

"What?"

Applejack just chuckled. "That was mighty kind of you, Sharp."

Sharp just shrugged. "It was just a few apples."

"It wasn't just the apples, you showed them some kindness. I could see how much it meant to them."

"I just did what Granny did for me." Replied Sharp, a little embarrassed about the compliments.

Applejack chuckled, rolled her eyes and trotted closer to him. "Well, I thought it was mighty sweet of you, and it just shows what kind of stallion you really are." To Sharp's surprise, she leaned in and nuzzled him. Then, realizing what she had done, she blushed, taking a step back. "Sorry, I shouldn't have done that."

"No no, it's okay.." Sharp quickly said, taking a step closer, putting his hoof on hers. "Thank you, Applejack. It means a lot to hear you say that."

Her green eyes turned up, looking into his with an intensity he hadn't seen before. "I only speak the truth.."

Sharp felt his heart beat faster and faster, it was like his heart was gonna explode. He was painfully aware where her mouth was, and how close it was to hers, but then a voice called out, snapping them both out of the trance.

"Uhm, excuse me! Can I get some service over here?!"

When the day was done, and the apples sold, Sharp and Applejack packed away the stall. The protestors had moved on without any incident, and it seemed everything was as it should be. Applejack trotted beside Sharp, who was pulling the cart along. She looked at him with a smirk. "You know I could have taken that."

"Wouldn't be much of a gentlecolt if I'd let you take it alone."

Applejack snorted. "I'm not some flower who can't handle herself."

Sharp just laughed. "I know, but you've worked harder than me today, so it's only fair."

"Whatever you say." Applejack replied with a roll of her eyes. "By the way, with harvest almost over, we were thinking of holding a party, you know, for family and close friends."

"Okay?"

"It isn't anything big, but we like to celebrate a good year, and good work, and you have well earned an invitation." She smiled at him. "What do you say?" Sharp still remembered what happened at the last party he attended, that didn't end well. As if reading his thoughts, Applejack quickly added. "No party cannons, promise."

Now it was Sharp that snorted, smiling as he shook his head. "Alright fine, but promise me I won't have to wear a suit."

"This ain't some fancy Canterlot ball, mister. This here will be a real Apple party!" Applejack grinned, and Sharp laughed.

As the two made their way down the dirt road, Sharp thought he saw a rainbow shoot out from the orchard. Rainbow Dash? But what was she doing in the orchard? Applejack hadn't seen, so he decided not to bring it up, could be she had just been napping on a branch again, or, maybe...

Once back, Granny called out to them. "Applejack, get ya flanks in here, your old Granny needs ya help!"

"Be right there, Granny!" Applejack called back, looking at Sharp.

He just waved her off. "I'll take care of the wagon, you go."

"Thanks." She smiled, then hurried off into the farm house.

Sharp watched her go, and it was only until she was fully out of sight that he moved towards the barn. When he came closer, he spotted Big Mac coming out of the orchard, he looked happy. It wasn't hard to guess why. "You look happy." Sharp called out, gaining the attention of the large stallion.

"Eeyup!"

"Does it have anything to do with that rainbow trail I saw earlier?"

Mac chuckled, looking a little embarrassed. "Eeyup."

Sharp grinned. "Congrats, Mac. Why don't you help me get this off, and then you can tell me about it."

"Eeyup."

The two stallions walked inside the barn, Sharp doing his best to park it at the right spot, though needed a little help from Big Mac. Once done, Sharp got unhitched. "Well, tell me, what happened?"

"I asked her to the Apple harvest party." Mac smiled proudly.

Sharp waited for him to continue, but when he didn't, he made a hoof gesture for him to go on. "Aaand?"

"And nothing, I asked her to the party as my plus one." Mac stated, seeming no less proud of it.

"Is a plus one even a thing to this party?"

"Nope."

"And you didn't tell her how you felt?"

"Nope."

"So, uhm, why are you so happy?" Sharp asked, not sure if he understood this right.

Big Mac just chuckled at his confusion. "I'm going to tell her at the party."

"In front of everypony?"

Mac made a face. "Nope, gonna wait until we can be alone."

Sharp smiled. "Nice. Well, I hope everything goes well for you." He said, about to turn away and head back to the farmhouse.

"And what about you?"

Sharp stopped, looking back at Mac. "About me?"

"Eeyup."

Sharp chuckled, sitting down on the floor. "You mean about me and Applejack?"

"Eeyup."

"Hmm." Sharp looked outside, thinking for a moment. Then he looked back at Mac, still smiling. "Yeah, I like her. She is a beautiful mare, she is strong, and kind. Her heart is as good as those sweet apples you sell. I've never met a mare like her." Then he chuckled. "Though, I'm sure you feel the same about Rainbow Dash."

Mac chuckled. "Eeyup."

The two smiled at one another, and Sharp let out a sigh. "I don't really have a plan like you do. You probably had more time to come to terms with your feelings, I'm still getting used to my own."

"So, what do you want to do?"

Sharp shrugged. "I don't know, see where things are headed, take it slow." Then he looked serious, his smile almost turning into a frown. "But I'm damaged, Mac. I have a lot of issues I need to get through, stuff I need to work out. I don't want to burden Applejack with that." Then Sharp chuckled a little. "You know I almost kissed her today?" Big Mac raised an eyebrow, but Sharp continued before he could ask any questions. "We were interrupted, but if we hadn't, I think we would have kissed."

"Is that a bad thing?" Mac asked.

Sharp simply shrugged. "I don't know.. Your family has done so much for me already, but my mind is still haunted. The trip to the Rock Farm only proved there is a lot I need to uncover. I don't know if I'm coltfriend material right now."

Mac frowned, almost glaring a little bit. "My sister can make that decision for herself."

"I know," admitted Sharp. "I'm just saying, I don't know if I could do it. Applejack is so strong and kind, she deserves a stallion that can be there for her all the time, and I don't know if I'm that stallion."

"Yakshit."

"What?" Sharp blinked, confused and surprised.

"Yakshit, you're scared." Mac said as a matter of fact, something that made Sharp glare a little bit.

"Are you calling me a coward?" Sharp asked, standing up.

"If you're afraid to go into a relationship with my sister, then yes."

Sharp let out a laugh. "Says the stallion that was afraid of asking Rainbow Dash out a week ago."

"Eeyup, I think you're scared of losing my sister." Mac replied, not backing off. The two stallions glared at one another, both of them feeling they were right. Then Big Mac suggested something Sharp hadn't seen come. "You'll come with me tonight, then we can settle this dispute."

Sharp shook his head, confused. "What are you talking about, Mac?"

"I'm telling you to shut up, come with me after dinner, and then we settle this." Mac smirked, seeming confident. "I have a challenge for you, and if you beat me, you won't hear another lick from me."

"And if I lose?" Sharp asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Then you tell Applejack how you feel at the harvest party." Sharp's eyes went wider, looking at Big Mac like he was crazy. Mac just smirked. "What's the matter, Sharp Shooter? Are you scared of losing?"

Sharp bit his lip. "Think again, Macintosh!" Sharp held out his hoof, and Big Mac met it, shaking on it. "You're on!"

"Eeyup!"

Author's Note

Artist: Hoodwinked MCShelster

Editor: Jason Monroe