Happy birthday, Sugarcube
A long day managing the community farm, a longer evening tending patients at the field hospital. Applejack was hardly in what you’d call a party frame of mind. She frowned at her reflection in the mirror. Her mane, loosed from her typical messy bun, tumbled across her shoulders in unruly waves. She hadn’t bothered to cut it since, well, before, and it was longer than she’d realized. It had crossed her mind to do something different with it, if only in recognition of the fact that parties didn’t occur too often nowadays. Luna had given all the bolts the night off to celebrate , and she was invited, and she felt determined to make a go of it.
She caught the eye of Lyra Heartstrings, slowly packing her saddle bag. “I shoulda just chopped it all off, huh?”
“Are you kidding?” Lyra frowned. “It’s gorgeous.” She closed her locker. “Want me to braid it for you?”
“Um, sure. That’s awful kind of you. Thanks”
“Don’t mention it.” Lyra fished a comb out of her bag and with her magic began to patiently tame and style AJ’s mane. “You must be going to that party at the Wonderbolts campus?”
“Yeah. I gotta say, I’m pretty beat tonight, but Dash’ll have my hide if I don’t show up for at least one drink.”
Lyra hummed in response “Yes, I’m sure Dash would be sorely disappointed.” The braid was taking shape nicely. It reminded Applejack of how it had looked that day in the Crystal Empire, what felt like a lifetime ago.
“You’re really good at this!” she exclaimed, but looking at Lyra in the mirror she saw the tears that had quietly begun to fall. She held still, gaze steady, waiting. Sometimes a pony’s tears were a prelude to confession, sharing. Sometimes the private sorrow just needed to manifest physically. Between her own tremendous loss and her work at the hospital, she’d learned the art of ‘wait and see.’
“I used to do this for Bon Bon.” Lyra whispered. “She never wore it like this out but sometimes at home... I always liked to play with her mane.” Despite the nature of their work together this was the first crack Applejack had ever seen in Lyra’s strong, resolute facade. She couldn’t help but want to do something and so she said impulsively “Come with me tonight.” She saw her expression in the mirror, wavering. “C’mon,” she urged gently, “the more the merrier. Dash’d love to see ‘ya. We don’t have to stay long. Free drinks?”
“Okay.” Lyra smiled a bit and rubbed the tears away. “You got me.”
The din of music and excited voices, the smell of food and alcohol spilled out of the Wonderbolts’ reception hall well in advance of their approach. There was no mistaking the sounds of desperately needed celebration. The birthday colt, Soarin, was surrounded by his teammates and a not inconsiderate number of empty tankards. His happy grin only grew when they stepped through the doors and with a mighty flap of his wings he shot up out of his seat, knocking it over in the process.
“Applejack!” he called out delightedly. Beckoning energetically in case she somehow failed to notice. “Come sit with me!”
Lyra raised a slow eyebrow at a reddened Applejack, who was waving back sheepishly. “Looks like we’re sitting at the head table.” AJ giggled. Lyra hadn’t pegged her for the giggling type.
“Hang on, cowgirl.” Applejack felt the soft brush of Lyra’s magic, settling her braid just so and fluffing her tail. She rolled her eyes but, honestly? It felt great. It felt normal. Just walking into a party with a friend at her side. A friend willing to make an extra fuss about her, because they knew she could hardly be bothered.
It took Soarin a few inebriated attempts to pull out a chair for Applejack but Misty Fly smoothly presented Lyra’s on the first shot. Rainbow Dash swooped over with a foamy mug for each of them.
“I’m really glad you made it, Applejack.” Soarin beamed at her.
“Glad to be here, Sugarcube.”
“Have I told you I love it when you call me that?” he swayed precipitously as he tried to move his chair closer.
“ I gotta be honest, hun - I call everypony that.”
“But when it’s me you really mean it, right?” He winked and Applejack winked back over the rim of her drink. She had caught on some time ago that Soarin was always aiming to cheer her somehow, to make her smile and laugh. If by ‘caught on’ you meant that Spitfire pointed it out to her. She hadn’t completely unpacked what it all meant to her but she knew she appreciated it - and that it usually worked. She could already feel her shoulders loosen, her face relax into a smile. That silly pegasus was like a literal balm to her, no two ways about it.
About an hour in Lyra whispered “We’re taking off,” and Applejack glanced behind her to see Misty lingering expectantly by the doors.
“Have fun, Sugarcube.” she whispered back “If you’re late to work in the morning I’ll cover for ‘ya.”
“You’re the best, AJ.” Lyra embraced her quickly, tightly, and then slipped off. Not that two grown mares needed her approbation but Applejack approved, heartily. They all needed to go on living, right? She turned back to Soarin to find him studying her thoughtfully and she wondered how much he’d noticed.
“Would you like to dance with me?” It almost sounded like he was wondering aloud versus actually asking, but Applejack pushed her drink away and nodded “I would.”
Soarin took her hoof gently and led her out to the makeshift dance floor. The music was loud and energetic. His athleticism counteracted his inebriation, somewhat. They danced one, two, three songs together. Then the fourth one was slow, and he surprised her by pulling her close, wrapping a leg and a wing around her already overheated body. She heard, as though from a considerable distance, Rainbow Dash and Fleetfoot give a few whistles and cat calls. But it didn’t stop her from responding instinctively, embracing him back, leaning her head and neck against his. Their coats rubbed together silkenly. Applejack made a small sound of satisfaction. It felt nice to be held. She felt cherished, secure.
“This is the best birthday present I could possibly ask for” he murmured into her ear.
“You’re drunk, Sugarcube.”
“Hey!” he nipped playfully at her braid “No reason those can’t both be true statements.” She found herself trembling a bit when the song ended. Could he feel her heart pounding out of her chest? Something was happening here. Soarin drew back only slightly. Those emerald green eyes were so close. Goddess, he smelled really good. She flashed back to Misty and Lyra slinking away. Was Soarin thinking what she was thinking? How drunk was too drunk? As if in answer, there was a loud crack as Rainbow Dash crashed into a chair and lay in a feathery heap, alternately moaning in pain and cackling maniacally. Applejack smiled apologetically “I guess I’d better get that rascal home” she said, stepping away reluctantly.
“AJ, I ....”
“Happy birthday, Sugarcube.” Fleetfoot booed and tossed some popcorn at her as she made her way over to Dash.
Rainbow was able to get most of the way home on her own, albeit weaving wildly along the path, but gave up at the front door and had to be carried upstairs. “I can’t believe you didn’t even kiss him!” she exclaimed as Applejack dumped her on the bed.
“Oh yeah?” AJ tossed the covers up over her friend’s head with a snap. “And whose fault is that?” A loud snore was the only response. Muttering to herself she tugged the blanket back off Dash’s face and headed downstairs. Despite her earlier fatigue she now felt restless and jittery. It didn’t seem right that her night was already ending. She stalked out onto the porch, kicking the door closed behind her. Luna’s moon was bright and close and exquisite. Her body still hummed with anticipation, which was why she was not surprised by a sudden breeze and the sound of wings flapping.
“I was hoping you’d still be up.” Soarin landed lightly alongside her. She cocked her head.
“Party over already?”
“Nah. That’s definitely going on all night.”
“Without the guest of honor?”
“They’ll hardly know I’m gone.” he seemed to have sobered up a bit, his tipsy bravado replaced with something more earnest. “Is Crash okay?”
AJ snorted. “She’ll live. She’s upstairs, sleeping it off. She’s a real deep sleeper, that one.”
Soarin was rubbing the back of his head thoughtfully “Uh huh... well, good to know....” he cleared his throat. “Listen, I can’t help but feel like we were a little, you know, interrupted back there.”
With a deep breath to calm her poor heart Applejack turned to face him. “Yeah, you’re right. So, umm, where exactly did we leave off?”
“I was just about to kiss you.” The frank admission briefly startled and froze her. Soarin gazed steadily into her eyes. Recovering quickly she stepped right up to him. “Well then let’s pick up right there, Sugarcube.” He cupped her face with his hooves and smiled down at her sweetly before they both closed their eyes and - finally! - kissed, first with tenderness and then increasing fervor. When they broke apart they both gasped a little. Soarin’s hoof had slid down her body and he tugged her closer against him, nuzzling firmly into her neck. Applejack clutched at his head. It’s finally happening! her inner voice cheered. Underneath, though, there was the tiniest stab of fear. Was she really going to open herself up to this? It was bad enough watching Rainbow fly off on all those missions. She’d known plenty of sleepless nights waiting for her last best friend to return. Was she ready to send another loved one off with her? But the decision - if you could call it that - had long been made. She knew what was in her heart and whether their time be long or short , so help her, she was through wasting any more of it.
“Soarin?”
“Mmpfh?” he lifted his head, still holding her ear in his teeth.
She started tugging him back toward the house “Remember what I said about Dash being a real deep sleeper...?”