An Old Apple Friend

Cookie wondered into the living room, clumsily, walking into low tables and swaying from left to right like a spirit on a chain, caught in the wind. He stood over the couch, trying to stay standing, but after all that work, his body simply couldn’t. His knees notched and his legs bent, sending him falling sideways onto the couch. He landed heavily, squishing the air out of the cushions under him, making a loud ‘POMF’ as he landed, at this point, he couldn’t even think about his top priority, looking presentable. His head smacked against a soft cushion, also forcing the air out from under him. He was physically exhausted. He could barely hold his eyes open, and his jaw hung open. His legs flopped down and swung around by the side of the couch.  Out of all the things he’d done, all the work and flying, he’d never been more tired.

Applejack stepped into the living room, glaring at Cookie who had melted into the couch. “Y’alright Sugarcube?” She asked hesitantly.

Nothing but a muffled ruffle came from the pillow under Cookies face “mff, hmm phmmuff uf”

Applejack moved closer and tilted her head “err, what was that hun?”

Cookie gathered some strength to lift and turn his head, before dropping it again, except now he was facing Applejack. “I’m fine, just a tad tired”

“Ya look more roughed up than tired” Applejack said, looking at the still clear red mark of the horse collar from the cart, moulded into Cookies back. She examined the rest of his body, and set her eyes upon his back right leg.

Cookie looked down at his leg to see a measly cut, followed by a small, narrow bruise. He forced himself up, sitting upright on the couch. He looked back up to her and locked eyesight with her. “Don’t worry about me” Words he truly meant.

Applejack backed up and turned “Can’t help it sugarcube” she echoed as she left the room.

Cookie stretched out to see where she went. But fell back, once again deflated, letting his body just rest. He closed his eyes; he could hold them open any longer.

A few minutes later, just before Cookie dozed off, he was disturbed by the sound of hoofsteps coming towards him. But he kept his eyes closed. He hoped whoever it was wouldn’t bother him.

Before he could start concentrating on falling asleep, a blinding pain overwhelmed him. His eyes flashed open, and his body shot up, he also let out quite a girlish squeal, a noise even he didn’t know he could make. By the time he covered his mouth to prevent anymore silly noises escaping, he was able to see the cause of the pain.

On his leg, just over his bruise, he saw a small, brown, soaked sack, and holding the sack in place, was smiling Applejack, just about as giggling point.

Cookie cleared his throat and put on his manliest voice “Et hmmm, what er…what was that?” he said deeply.

Applejacks face was bursting; she could hard keep her laughter in.

Cookie sighed “……. Go on”.

Applejack exploded with laughter, shaking the sack under his bruises. Cookie flinched as the sack moved around on his wound. “Ouch”

Applejack wiped away her teary eyes with her free hoof “Ha.. Hmm haha..fewww, sorry sugarcube” she steadied her hoof on the sack. “jus’ not a noise ah was expectin’”

Cookie took is embarrassment well, and sort of got a kick out of it himself “You and me both”. He looks again at the sack, squashed on his leg “What’s that?” he questioned.

“Vinegar” she answered. “Ta keep the swellin’ down”

“Thanks AJ”

Applejack smiled up at him, and quickly turned her attention back to the sack “Now you keep that on there for a couple more minutes, ya hear?” she got up.

Cookie nods and holds the sack in place.

“ya need a little nap too before dinner, if you really are ‘just a tad tired’”

Cookie smirked and looked up at her again “yes mother”

She grinned “I’ll call ya down for dinner”

After his nap and a pleasant Dinner, Cookie slept soundly in his bed, well, Macs bed. He wasn’t properly in bed, he looked like he’d just fallen in and the covers had grown over him. Even after his nap, he was still too tired to try and get comfortable.

Just like the night before, he was provoked by the familiar sound of hoofsteps in the hall. His ears twitched at the sound of the hoofsteps and with every twitch, his eyes opened slightly. He sat against the head board of the bed. A shadow, danced around the stage of the door. And again, the door swung open. Cookie wasn’t as surprised to see Applebloom standing at the door, not as hesitant as last night, or as frightened. Be she looked nervous; she hid her line of sight behind the bed footboard.

“Bloom?” Cookie called out gently.

Applebloom stood there in silence, looking down and scanning the floor, inching forward into the room as she did, before she softly spoke. “ah er…ah had another bad dream again”

Cookie was shocked. This time she knew Big Mac wasn’t sleeping in his room, but Cookie. And from conversations earlier in the day, she now knew he was sleeping on the couch in the living room. But, he didn’t need to ask any questions. For all he knew, the Filly was just scared of another silly dream. He smiled, and lifted up the corner of his duvet. Applebloom beamed, and swiftly maneuvered into the bed, under his leg again, just like last night. With Bloom swaying further down into the bed, trying to get comfy. When she was, and when some time had passed; Bloom sat up a bit, closer to Cookies ear.

“Hey, Cookie, ya ‘wake?” she whispered.

His eyes were still closed “mmmm” He hardly responded with.

Applebloom bit her lip, and proceeded to whisper “y’are ma Special Coltfriend aren’ cha?”

Cookies eyes shot open faster than they did when Applejack put the sack of vinegar on his bruise. “you-your what?” He hollered lightly.

“Ma Special Coltfriend, y’ are, right?”

Cookies looked up at the ceiling and the first thing that went through his mind is ‘I’ve just been asked out…but a filly, not even one fifth my age’.

How could he say no though, no to a friend, no to a Filly who looked up to him, no to somepony as cute as Applebloom. He had a few seconds of inner thought, before leaning down and whispering into Appleblooms ear “You know I am” He planted a kiss on her forehead.

Applebloom giggled and turned light pink “Ah knew it” she said in a proofed tone.

Cookie kissed her head one more time, before resting his head on his pillow again. Applebloom shuffled some more and slid further under the covers. Cookie wrapped both his hooves around her, pulling her up and closes, squeezing her tight.

“Night Cookie” Applebloom said satisfyingly.

“Night Bloom” He responded. Wrapping tighter.

Cookies first thought, was ‘I’m sleeping with my Marefriend’. But that thought quickly eluded him, and he drifted into the darkness of sleep, yet with Bloom next to him, or should I say his Marefriend, the darkness seemed…warmer.