Two Hats n' One Heart

From inside, the pair could hear the muffled rain as it continued to batter the roof and walls of the barn. For the most part, the structure was insulated, though gaps in the boards lead to some leaks.

The barn creaks softly under the duress; under no risk of folding, but an old barn will complain nonetheless.

They had done their best to dry off, using what they had in the barn. Cass had even pulled his Poncho from his little pile of items he left in the barn, wrapping AppleJack tightly with it and using it like a towel. She went to protest, but was stopped by Cass who said he "Wouldn't mind too much if it smelt like her more than it did him". While a simple tease for Cass, smell played a big role in Pony affection, and the comment slipped a lot deeper than he likely intended. Marking a partner with their others scent? The thought brought a heat to AppleJacks chest.

Now, Cass lays on his usual pile of Hay (the same one he was found on) supported by several blankets and an old pillow. His usual sleeping fare since staying with the Apples, until they figured out a better housing situation, considering he barely fit in the house as is. This time, however, nearly double the blankets were added both under, and on top of his usual spot. And between them, tucked directly beside himself, fur to skin, was AppleJack.

Other then passing moments or friendly gestures, AppleJack hadn't actually made prolonged physical contact with Cass before; and sweet Celestia above, he was warm. Without fur like hers to keep it contained, it made a little more sense why he wore clothes the whole time. Now though, this close to him? Her nose was treated to the wet smell of a hard-working colt, pressed right up against her. And it was driving her wild.

At first, it was tentative, trying to politely position themselves under a blanket, with only an old lantern that AppleJack scrounge up for light. But as the chill settled in and the rain gave no sign of stopping, AppleJack eventually caved and nestled in tightly against his side. Cass's comforting smile did little to abate her growing feelings, as she felt his own body turn and twist to press against hers; an arm draping overtop of her, pulling her close, his legs rising up to rest against hers.

It was a new experience for AppleJack, being held like this. Even when other Ponies were affectionate with Hugs or laying their head on the other, they couldn't do... this. Then a thumb idly brushes her side, curving over the edge of her hefty flank, tracing up towards her neck; a shiver runs up her spine. She glances up at Cass, ready to accuse him of being forward--but he's simply staring towards one of the larger gaps in the barns walls, simmering in thoughts. AppleJack eventually relents, sighing softly. With Cass only in his underwear, she could feel the rugged smoothness of his skin... the curvature of latent muscles, and the ticklings of what hair he did have on his body. Without noticing it, she's started to rub her hoof across his taut stomach in turn. She pauses, realizing, taking a cautious glance through the bangs of her messy hair... no, he's still stewing on something. His hand roams up the side of her face, gently stroking her cheek. Oh, Apples.

AppleJack takes a deep breath, thinking back. Remember what Rares told you. Forward. Like you couldn't make it any clearer. Just... say how you felt. How he was making you feel.

Right as she goes to speak, Cass finally looks at her--locking direct eye contact. The wind instantly leaves her sails, the words in her throat freezing up. He speaks softly, tilting his head slightly.
"Miss Jack... pardon if this is a might blunt, but... I don't think it'd be right of me t' keep silent 'bout it, and I apologize if this... affects things 'tween us."

AppleJack stares with wide eyes, heart racing. She can feel his beating faster, too.
"Y-yeah, Cass?"

The strokes against her check pause, his hand resting still. He speaks softly, searching her expression.
"...Think I might be mighty sweet on ya', Miss Jack."

The quiet silence, backed by the ambient rainfall, is chock-full of tension that could be cut with the dullest knife.

It's finally broken as AppleJack starts to laugh. All the tension and worry that had been building in her chest was released, nestling against his chest and wrapping a hoof around him. Cass tilts his head; not quite either of the reactions he'd been expecting, but a smile slowly takes his face as she presses closer, enjoying the southern belle tinge of her laughter.

She starts to stutter, before huffing; her hoof softly slaps his chest.
"I... well... ah, buck you, Sugarcube. Ah've spent th' last week sweatin' an' tryna' wrestle with how I was gonna tell you!"

She sighs, resting her head against his torso. Cass' thumb slowly rubs against her fuzzy cheek again, watching her freckled face.
"I'd apologize, Miss Jack, but... ah' think it was worth it, gettin' t' see you laugh like that."

She starts to blush, frowning and giving him a playful glare--before a soft kiss is placed directly on her forehead.
"Though if it's any consideration, Ah've been sweatin' 'bout this for th' last two." Cass whispers.

"Seriously?" AppleJack mutters back, raising an eyebrow.

"Swept me off m' feet, ya' did." Cass affirms, letting his hand stroke down her neck, and long her side again. This time, AppleJack does little to muffle her enjoyment of the contact, making an audible whinny. Her eyes widen when she does.

"Huh. Didn't think you'd make them kinda noises." Cass teases, before a firm hoof presses against his chest.

"Hush, you. If yer' gonna stay 'round here, with me, yer' probably gonna hear more than that." AppleJack says firmly, before she breaks eye contact. "I-if, you were, uh... keen on stayin'."

Cass's hand takes AJ's hoof, clasping it tight.
"Course. Might, uh... try t' get out th' barn, course -- not that the stay ain't been pleasant, but... reckon I'd like a proper bed, 'ventually. Stayin' here, with you though? Absolutely. I've had my fill of wanderin'. Spent most of it lookin' for somethin' like this."

"Sounds like someone's got a good couple a' stories." Applejack muses, nuzzling against him.

"Well, dunno 'bout good, but I'll tell ya' a few of 'em. Put enough drink in me, I'll even tell ya' a few more." Cass mumbles.

With the rain continuing, and the looming, distant crackle of thunder, it seemed like whatever was going on with the weather was going to keep happening. With no short respite in sight, the two nestled in close, keeping warm with each other. They began sharing stories; AppleJack telling of some of the adventures between her and her friends that took them beyond Ponyville, and the villains they had to fight; including the ones that became friends. Cass told her of his journeys across the west; while there was no grand villain or strict battles, his stories were of long, lonely nights punctuated with showdowns. The two continued to find even more in common with each other, long past the point where the barn became dark, with only the lantern offering any light. Of which, was about to run out.

Applejack groans, squinting out from under the blankets at the fading lantern.
"S'pose ah' should refill it, seein' as we're gonna be stuck here..." She grunts, dreading leaving this blanket-wrapped nest of warmth they've made. She didn't know what the hell those Pegasus were up to, messing up the weather schedule this bad... but she might not complain about it tomorrow, considering.

Cass, however, has other ideas; planting another quick kiss on AJ's head (and softly chuckling at the huff she makes), he slips himself out of the covers before she can protest, wrapping her back up.

"Ah know yer' tryin' t' be gentlemanly an' all--" She mutters from the blankets. "--But yer' half th' reason these things r' warm, so y' best hurry."

Cass scoops up the lantern, none too dissimilar from what he was used to. Honestly, what made the transition so easy was how... similar, their worlds were. But, thoughts for later. He glances back to the orange-coated Mare staring at his rear, who huffs softly when noticed.

"Back corner, on th' top shelf." AppleJack mumbles from the covers.

Cass complies, and in a few moments, the tentative flicker returns to a proper glow, the barn lit again.

He sets the lantern down where he'd gotten it, but is stopped before he can climb back into the hay-blanket-bed-pile by a raised hoof.

"Hol' on." AppleJack mutters. Her tone is... huskier.

"Mmhm?" Cass hums, resting a hand on his hip.

"Ah, uh... request, if you'd hear it." She practically huffs. Was she up to something under those blanket?

"...If 'm capable, 's yours, Miss Jack." Cass nods, raising an eyebrow.

"You've, uh... seen me as ah' am plenty of times. But, uh... y' wear clothes n' such." She starts, eyes flicking up and down his near-bare form.

"And I take it you'd like t' have the playin' fields evened?" Cass guesses, a thumb tugging at the band of his underwear.

"...Mayhaps." AppleJack mutters, staring.

His hand roams to his chin, pondering something. It was certainly a bold request... but if that's how she wanted to play it... maybe Cass could go bolder.
Cass approaches the haypile, AppleJack watching curiously as he stops beside it. At this height, with him standing and her laying atop the hay, she was positioned at waist-level. This was something AppleJack noticed immediately, eyes widening as Cass' growing bulge now sat inches from her face.

"Y-y didn't have t-t' do it s-so... close." AppleJack mumbles, a long breath drawing in his scent through her nose. It sent shivers, her tail flicking under the blankets. Seems she didn't mind.

"Actually... had a counter proposition." Cass whispers. Her eyes flick up to his face expectantly.
"How 'bout... on one condition."

AppleJacks ears flicker, waiting.

"...Y' have t' take them off yer' self." Cass teases.

AppleJack does her best to bury the blush from this very bold flirtation with a cough, squinting from the covers.
"If'n ya hadn't noticed, Cass, ya've done bundled me up that ah' can't get a hoof loose. 's cute of ya, but--"

"Your mouth isn't." Cass casually informs.

Another cough escapes AppleJack. Her eyes rapidly flit between his casual stare, and his... now tenting linens. Every time her eyes wander, her breath takes in another whiff of his scent. She was beginning to wonder if Cass had a talk with Rarity about being forward, too. Though, it didn't last long. Her mind was preoccupied with... other thoughts.

"...Deal." She whispers, eyes glued to his package.

Cass takes the final step forward -- the tip of his member, straining against his underwear, presses against AppleJacks nose. For a moment, she doesn't move. Slowly, she swallows, before straining her neck outward, hooking her teeth around the band as the tip taps her chin. Her brazen green eyes roam slowly up from his pelvis, his torso, watching his face, as she starts to pull them down, fighting the resistance from his hardness.

It flops free, resting beside her face. AppleJack takes a deep breath, staring at it for a long moment. Shit. She could work with that.

"...Everything alright, Miss Jack?" Cass asks quietly, a hand roaming to brush the other side of her face.

The only response Cass gets is AppleJacks tongue slowly sliding across his now loose member, underwear forgotten. Now it's Cass' turn to have the shiver run up his back, a surprised gasp escaping his mouth.
"Erh, Miss Jack--" Cass starts.

"Should ah' stop?" AppleJack whispers, staring at him. Cass swore he could get lost in those eyes, lightly-obscured by her messy blonde mane. Any thought of asking for back into the blankets was gone. He'd live.

Cass shuts his mouth.

AppleJack accepts that as an answer -- before softly kissing his tip. Her lips are surprisingly plush, wetted from her tongue.

"Now, ah' uh... don't quite know what ah'm doin'..." AppleJack starts to mumble, before kissing along the sides of it.

"Could've fooled me." Cass groans, reaching to lean against a nearby beam. She flashes him a look, though it doesn't last.

"...But." She mumbles, sliding her tongue back up it, and circling the tip.
"...Won't be lackin' in effort..." She says stoutly; before opening her maw, wet tongue lolling out. Slowly she slides him inside of her warm, wanting mouth.

Cass' grip on the beam tightens. Oh, it was going to be a long night.

Wet from the rain, to dry -- to back to wet, drenched in each others sweat.

The blankets were strewn about, thrown without a care throughout the barn, mind for the one they both laid on. The thunderous rain muffled the grunts, groans, whinnies and gasps as they clung to each other, soft orange fur rubbing against bare skin, the slaps of their pelvises meeting carrying in the open space. AppleJack was under him, hooves wrapped around Cass as he held her close, supporting himself atop the hay, pistoning inside her over and over. Their lips pressed roughly together as their tongues tried to explore the other, failing from the fervor of Cass's repeated plunging, and AppleJacks gasping as he bottoms out each time.

"S-Still?!" She groans, body numb. Complex sentences had escaped her a while ago. Apparently, Humans had a lot more stamina than Colts. A lot more.

Cass's only response was to bite her ear.

"B-Buck." AppleJack bites her lip, melting as she realizes what she just signed up for.

Day 32
"Are y' sure, Miss--" Cass finds a hoof pressed to his lips. He's sat beside AppleJacks bed on the floor, his few belongings getting neatly stored in their own corner of her room.

"Sugarcube, we're a lil' bit past callin' me 'Miss'. Yes, I want y' to stay in my room. No, th' family don't take issue with it. They know it's til' we can get your own place on the Acre built." AppleJack says sternly, but slowly flits into playfulness -- evidenced by the removal of her hoof, and the kiss she places on his lips. "And I'd prefer you in my own bed, as much fun as th' barn is."

Cass relents, smiling as his hand roams down her side.
"An' you said th' family was out today on chores...?" He whispers. A haughty huff escapes AppleJack.

"Colts. Only ever got one thing on their mind." She teases.

"Like you weren't thinkin' the same thing?" Cass counters.

AppleJack smiles, pulling him onto the bed.

Day 63
"How's she treatin' ya, Cass?"
AppleJack sits outside the porch of the newly-built house, a welcome basket from the local residents beside her,a small paper invitation sticking out of it. A simple place just up the lane from the main Apple house; single story, but with doors actually spaced for a humans head. A fact Cass keeps forgetting after two months of living in Equestria. He keeps catching himself ducking under his new doors, before remembering he doesn't have to. Then, he gets used to not ducking, and hits his head on the rest of the doors in town. He'll learn.

"She's mighty fine, AJ. I'm more than happy t' finally have a place t' call my own, without straws of hay t' pull out my butt. But, some parts of me'll miss th' barn. Some, uh... good memories, there." Cass grins, leaning against the doorframe.

"Well... ah' heard that you've got yourself a proper bed, now. Care t'... relive some of 'em?" AppleJack teases through half-lidded eyes.

The welcome basket found its way to the kitchen table, while the spunky couple found their way to the new bedroom.

In said bedroom, however, they forgot about Pinkies "Welcome To Your New Home" party, and walked in on a good chunk of the town, who got a good view of the intrepid couple with their tongues in each-others mouths. Woops.

Day 237
Cass and AppleJack sit on the Apples porch, slowly sipping a cider each, enjoying the tender, quiet morning of a warm day.

"...We ever talk 'bout havin' Foals, Cass?" AJ asks quietly from behind her drink.

Cass promptly spits his all over himself.