Bedtime for Ponies

You step into the bedroom and fumble your hands on the bedroom wall, looking for the light switch. Your left hand eventually rests upon the familiar metal surround, and you flick the switch on with a satisfying click. The room fills with a gentle yellow light as you look upon the bed you've prepared for the night.

A simple arrangement this time, you think, as you regard the bed. Two plain red pillows, and a chequered pattern duvet cover should be perfect. You walk over and remove the hot water bottle from under your arm, sliding it into the correct position so the bed will warm through. As you step back, you hear the sound of hoof steps upon the stairs, alongside a bumping noise. You turn to face the door, only to see the flank of a red pony appear within the door frame. He walks into the room backwards, much to your bemusement. However, you soon realise why. Gripped between his teeth rests the blonde tail of Applejack, the small filly being dragged along the floor on her belly, her hooves frantically gripping at every possible object in reach.

Lil Mac turns to face you, continuing to pull AJ into the room. “She's a stubborn one,” he mumbles, not wanting to release his grip on her. Unfortunately, Applejack saw a chance for escape as he regarded you. She stands up and kicks out with her hind legs, bucking Lil Mac square in the nose. He reels backwards, and lets out a moan of pain, unintentionally releasing Applejack from his grip. She flies backwards with Lil Mac, landing on his belly, laughing loudly. She quickly stands up and jumps off of him, bolting for the doorway.

Spotting the little filly making a break for it, you quickly cut her off and slam the door shut, just as she neared her beloved freedom. She stops dead at the door and looks up at you, frowning. You bend down and put your hands under her stomach, picking her up before she starts attempting to kick the door down.

“Come on Applejack, it's bedtime!” you say, holding her at arms length from your body, just in case she tries to kick you too. She squirms and struggles in your arms all the same, still refusing to go to sleep. You walk over to the bed, followed by Lil Mac, who was rubbing his nose with his hoof, grimacing. You put AJ into the bed and hold her steady as Lil Mac grabs the corner of the bed cover in his mouth, and pulls it over AJ, making sure she was comfortable.

“There ya go, sis. Ain't too bad once you're in!” Lil Mac says, smiling at her, despite his sore nose. Applejack looked at his nose, now brighter than usual. She giggled, before reaching her fore hoof out and poking it gently. Lil Mac ruffled her mane and forgave her, despite her earlier aggression.

You stand watching the pair now smiling happily, and decide to speed up the bedtime progress, just in case AJ grew bored. You head over to the bookcase and pull out a book to read, turning it over in your hands. You turn back to face the duo, only to see Applejack now sits in bed, shuffling about, her eyes clenched shut in annoyance. Her brother looks on, a confused expression upon his face.

“What'sa matter, sis? Don't cha like your bed? Ah think it's very nice!” he says, trying to calm her down, only for AJ to continue to squirm. You walk over and gently shush AJ, who opens her eyes and looks up to you, a small bead of sweat running down her brow. She begins kicking her legs under the covers, when you realise what the problem is.

You put the book down on the floor, and bend down, reaching carefully under the edge of the bed cover. You fumble around for the hot water bottle, desperately trying to avoid AJ's flailing legs, not wanting to break a finger. You eventually manage to get a hold of it and pull it out, which immediately calms AJ down. Lil Mac looks at the hot water bottle, prodding it with his hoof. He gives a knowing expression when he realises what it is.

“AJ doesn't like ta be too hot, ya see,” he explains. You nod your head, silently chastising yourself for not asking him about it before hand.

You place the bottle on the bedside table, and hand AJ a glass of water to help her cool down. She sits quietly and sips at it for a bit, making little slurping noises as she does so. She soon gestures she's had enough, holding the glass out to you. You take it and put it back on the table, before sitting down on the edge of the bed, book in hand.

You open the story and begin to read, only to see AJ is still squirming about, trying to get out of bed. You put the book down and rest your hand on her head, surprised at how hot she is. Lil Mac looks at you and nods.

“She'll cool down in ah minute,” he says, smiling. “Ah know what ta do, it's happened before.” Lil Mac steps closer to AJ, and begins to blow air onto her face, huffing and puffing as he tries to cool her down. Applejack giggles at his expression and the breeze, but still looks uncomfortable. You decide there is a quicker way, and stand up to leave the room, fetching an electric fan from a nearby cupboard.

You come back and plug it in, aiming it at the bed, turning it on to the slowest speed. The air begins to flow smoothly and cleanly onto AJ, who sighs contentedly at the feeling, letting out a smile. Her blonde mane blows in the breeze as she lays down on her back, and closes her eyes, now seemingly willing to go to bed. Lil Mac walks over and stands next to you, out of breath.

“Thanks for that,” he says, panting. “I don't like doing that at all!”

“Not a problem!” you say, smiling at him, trying not to laugh at his red nose and flushed face, as he lays down on the floor, worn out.

You walk over to the bed again and sit on the floor next to Applejack's pillow, and pick the story back up. You begin to read aloud as AJ rolls onto her side, facing you and the fan. She lets out a small smile, and nuzzles her head into the pillow happily. You continue reading, when you hear a quiet 'pfffft' sound, and look up, only to see AJ smiling even wider, giggling aloud. You laugh quietly. I'm glad I'm this side of the fan, you think to yourself, as you carry on reading the book, the sound of Lil Mac snoring in the background.