Author's Note

I had almost 1,200 words left before breaching Dezmo's 10,000 word limit, which forced me drastically consolidate this scene to make it fit. Hopefully, its interesting enough to wet the appetite while potentially setting up a possible sequel in the future.

Comments and questions are encouraged!

Epilogue: An apple, a prince, and a talk.

“You’re seeing somepony aren’t cha?”

I knew the question was coming right around the second game of chess with Applejack, when the farm pony had casually noted a supposed change in my demeanor. I’d managed to avoid the question by ignoring it, and focusing on the game, but the stallion wasn’t one to buy a pitiful attempt at deflection. Seeing no way to hide it, I nodded as I moved my guard piece forward two spaces.

“What gave it away?”

“Well you aren’t the most subtle pony per say…” Applejack’s tongue was sticking out as a common trait of his when deep in thought, but eventually he made a similar move by moving a guard piece one square up. “...but ya lucky most ponies are too distracted by you to notice. Who is it?”

“That’s a bit forward there, don't you think Applejack?” I asked to hide the growing pit in my stomach as I didn’t expect to tell anypony about Nighty just yet.

“I would say so buddy, but I’ve been mighty curious as of late when ya started struttin’ like a roster in the hen house. Rarity is practically drooling at the implications, while several mares are asking me questions about cha.” He looked up and crossed his arms as he adjusted his posture to properly sit on his flank.

I sighed and knew what was to come as he only did that when he expected Applebloom to come clean with something. Of course, as a ruling prince of Equestria, I could avoid the question entirely if I wanted by waving some ‘royal decree’ excuse to escape this interrogation…

“She’s not what we would consider normal by our standards, but there is a genuine connection there.” The admission was more to free myself of this secret as it was to test the waters of a proper reveal down the road. Applejack’s ears pinned, but he remained mostly still.

“So she’s a griffon or something? Not completely surprisin’ given you being the Prince of Harmony and all, but whoever they are we’ll support your decision within reason Dusk.”

“And it's that ‘within reason’ I’m worried about, Applejack. She’s had a complicated path and let's say it strained her current image…”

“It's that Tempest mare isn’t it?” His statement caught me unaware, and I almost choked on my own saliva as I never viewed the domineering mare in that manner. It took some convincing to get Applejack to believe she wasn’t my special somepony.

Our game of chess was forgotten as he tried to pry open who and where I would meet up with my lover, but grew increasingly frustrated as I skirted his questions just enough to answer them without revealing anything more than what he knew. I will have to thank Celestia again for the lessons in Statecraft if myself or Nighty aren’t banished or forced to flee the country. It was around the fifth inquiry that he lost his temper, and almost slammed his hooves onto the crystal wood table.

“Consarn it, Dusk! I shouldn’t be prying like I am, but when my best bud is acting like a show pony, and avoiding my questions I start gettin a bit worried. This mare has you wrapped around her hooves, and for a royal that’s dangerous business!”

“I’m aware…” I partially lied as I cursed myself for not really considering how my attitude could be perceived by others, and Applejack must have picked on my insecurities because I sooner felt his left forehoof wrapped around my shoulders. I returned the gesture by wrapping a wing around his back.

“You’re not only a prince with a heap of responsibility, but more importantly our best bud. I for sure am worried about you getting in too deep with some pony that might be taking advantage of you, and leave you hanging out like the laundry. Sure, the country might suffer a tad bit, but it's you that will suffer in the long haul.”

“For a country bumpkin, you do offer some sound advice, Applejack.” Night’s training had been working for I barely flinched when he removed his hoof and slugged my shoulder.

“It’s called having some common sense brother!” He laughed, and I found myself joining in that moment as it seemed the air was finally beginning to clear. I was feeling confident enough to tell my best friend about Nighty, but not without requesting a Pinkie Promise if only to keep word from spreading.

“Pinkie Promise you will keep it a secret until I’m ready?” I must have said too seriously for his playful mood departed and the stern older brother made a return. After a moment of consideration he nodded, and made the gesture cementing there was no going back. So I told him everything.

It was therapeutic in a selfish way to export this secret onto another, and I knew it was the promise alone that held Applejack’s tongue as he listened to my tale of midnight romps in the old castle. It must have been only 20 minutes of explanation, but the entirety of our relationship had forever changed. I was exhausted, and he looked more stressed than any Applebucking season I’d ever seen, but like the good friend I knew he was had kept his cool, reluctantly thought it all.

“Whoa Nelly, that is something fierce. You really dug a deep hole this time Dusk, and I can’t for the life of me figure out how I should feel about it.” His posture was still tense as he made his way back to his seat on the opposite side of the table.

“I really do love her, you know?” I asked, like I was seeking his approval, and that in hindsight made me look more foalish.

“But does she love ya more than herself?”

“Do you love Rainbow Dash more than apples?”

I hit too close to home, but my point had been made. Even if they hadn’t officially announced their relationship, it was easy to tell the two were a bit more than friends that loved competing against each other. But the question proved a point, for my two friends had vastly different goals in life that would require equal sacrifices from each if they were to remain a couple. My question told Applejack, I knew the price I would have to eventually pay, and it was enough for him to finally breathe a sigh of relief.

“I still don’t like it.” He finally said. I nodded

“I don’t either, but as Cadence once told me ‘Love has a funny way of bringing ponies together’.” It was funny, but I felt myself smiling and I didn’t know why. Applejack watched me and would go on to ask a question that I will never forget in my entire life, and only reinforce our friendship for many years to come.

“When do you think I could meet her, Dusk?” He looked unsure, but the look in his eye showed a determination I recognized as an ability to overcome. My smile only grew.

"When do you have time?"