Naked Emotions

A few months have passed since Astral started working on the farm. He does his chores and once they’re done he usually goes into town. He has started to forgo his shirt and goes into town bare chested, most of the pony commend him while others say he doesn’t have to if he’s still uncomfortable.

Astral merely nods at any response as he goes about his business.

One night at Sweet Apple Acres, sleep eludes Astral forcing him to get up out of bed and take a walk in the orchard. There he comes across a lone tree overlooking the entire orchard with a nice view of the open sky to accommodate it.

As Astral sits, alone in his thoughts, he starts to wonder to himself. ‘I feel at home here, though I love my folks and friends up in Canterlot, here I feel more at peace, the ponies here care for one another unconditionally,’ He thought to himself as he looked at the night stars.

The slight sound of a twig snapping underfoot caused him to turn his head only to see Applejack approaching him.

“Hey there,sugarcube, can’t sleep?” she asked as she sat down beside him, her muscles flexing as she bent down.

“Yeah, you could say that,” Astral replied, smiling sheepishly as Applejack sat beside him.

Handing him an apple, the orange mare smiled, “Penny for your thoughts,” Applejack asked as she smiled.

Smiling and looking up at the sky, Astral chuckled to himself as he looked at the apple she had handed him. “I’m just thinking, I came here just a few short months ago and it seems like it’ll be no time at all before my six month pilgrimage ends,” Astral said as Applejack listened closely.

“May I ask you somethin’ if ya don’t mind?” the farm pony asked with a curious tone.

“Sure, what is it?” Astral replied as he took a bite of the apple, the juices squirting out as the firm skin crunched beneath his teeth.

“Why did you come to Ponyville,” she asked as she stared at her farmhand.

Before answering, Astral finished his mouthful and then spoke. “I just felt empty in Canterlot, I was raised with a silverspoon in my mouth so I never had to work a day in my life. My parents run an elite school that advances the study of the weather and the cosmos, a school I am destined to inherit. It’s a full life but I felt empty, we had servants that would cook and clean for us, we treated them with respect mind you, but it just seemed off to me,” Astral said as Applejack hung on every word.

“But, what made you decide to move here?” she asked as Astral smiled.

“That would be when I gave my meal and some money to a homeless pony, he seemed so grateful that it made me feel good, when I was walking away I seen others following suit, I felt like I made a difference and was finally part of a community, but I also know not everypony in Canterlot would be so kind, so I decided to go on a self-imposed pilgrimage, looking at an atlas I found this place, and I must say, I love it here,” Astral continued, taking a pause. “So much so that I don’t want to leave,” Astral said smiling as he remembered the day and recounted the events to Applejack

Applejack smiled as he finished.”That was a sweet thing you did, but no matter where you go there will always be those who only care about status,” she said as she looked out over the orchard.

“But I haven't seen any here,” Astral said as Applejack smiled.

“Then ya haven’t met the wicked witch of the school board, Mrs. Spoiled Rich,” Applejack said, giggling at the nickname.

“Oh,” with dropped ears, that was Astral’s only reply

“I’m guessin’ you know her,” Applejack asked as Astral nodded.

“Mother and father would occasionally meet her at gatherings, they put on a decent face, but we all didn’t like her as much,” he replied.

“Nopony does really,” she replied as she got up and stretched. “Well I hope you don’t stay up too late,” she said as she started to walk off.

“There is one more important thing that I want to stay for,” Astral said, causing Applejack to turn around.

“What would that be?” the orange mare replied as Astral blushed.

“Well, it’s more of a who,” he replied as he looked down. Looking back up he took a deep breath. “It’s you, I like you, Applejack and was wondering if you would like to, maybe catch a movie after we finish our work on the farm,” Astral asked as Applejack blushed,

Clasping her hands to her chest, Applejack blushed. “I’d love to,” she replied with a tear in her eye.

Astral then got up and walked over. “Thanks for the talk, it really helped,” Astral said as he gave Applejack a quick peck on the cheek.

The two then grabbed each other's hand and made their way back to the barn, sleep threatening to overtake them as they walked hand in hand.

Once inside, Astral helped Applejack into her room when she suddenly wrapped her arms around him and planted her lips firmly onto his. Astral, though taken by surprise, soon embraced the kiss as he held her closer to his body; he had been sleeping in his pants so the only skin she touched was on his upper torso, her breasts pressed against his chest as they kissed passionately.

Breaking the kiss, Applejack looked at Astral fondly, her emerald green eyes sparkling with admiration. “I was hoping you felt the same way, I also developed feelings for you, but with you being of the upper class, I kinda thought you’d prefer somepony of the same status,” the orange mare admitted as she blushed.

Astral then gingerly stroked Applejack’s cheek as he kissed her again, looking deep into her eyes he soon spoke. “I’m not like that, I’m more like Fancy Pants who adores the working class, because they are the backbone of Equestria and hold an even more important role,” He said causing her to bless more as they continued to kiss taking it to bed before finally succumbing to the siren’s song of sleep.