Love on the Orchard

“What was that sugarcube?”

“What oh nothing nothing.”

I was blushing most of the time that I was pulling the cart. My mind was flooded with silly images of romance between me and AJ but I kept shaking them off knowing full well that I shouldn’t have a special somepony. I was afraid of not being good enough for Applejack and so I kept burning the idea away from my mind.

My thoughts were broken when AJ spoke up.

“Rio we’re here.”

I unlatched the wagon from my waist and was about to start down the path toward PonyVille when I was stopped once again by AJ grabbing onto my tail.

“Hold on now do ya always help and disappear so quickly like that?”

“Sorry AJ its just.... I should really go.”

“Why sugarcube? Why so soon? I mean ya just got here don’t ya want te rest maybe or something?.... Please?”

I raised an eye brow to this and shook my head sorrowfully.

“Sorry Applejack I’m just here to help and be on my way.”

The voice in my head was telling me “I don’t want to hurt her by not being good enough to make her happy” kept playing over and over in my head. I once again started down the path toward wherever my home would be for the night when I was once again stopped but not by my tail but by a kiss.

She placed a kiss upon my cheek and I froze dead in my tracks.

“wh…why AJ?”

“Fer….Fer yer hard work. ah wanted to thank you Rio.”

My eyes were filled with shock.

“No…no… I’m sorry AJ ….I’m so sorry.”

I launched into the air without even thinking and flew into the everfree forest as quickly as I could. As soon as I landed I collapsed to the ground feeling as though a tremendous weight was placed upon my shoulders.

“Why celestia why do I have this love for her. Why am I so afraid at the same time. WHY CAN’T I JUST LOVE HER AND NOT BE AFRAID DAMN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

I flew back into the sky and quickly made my way towards PonyVille and to where the stream where I committed my first good deed was. I figured maybe going there and sleeping for a while would bring me back to my normal self again. I landed and curled up into a ball to keep warm and let the gentle night sounds ease me into sleep.

“Sleep well Applejack….I’m sorry…. and I….I lov....”

I stopped myself from finishing those words. The fear I held within my heart was too much for me to bare. I just couldn’t let that happen. It hurt so much but I had to protect her from me. I just had to.

The next morning I re-followed my pattern of waking up and helping everpony out but today was different. Today I was able to help but my smile was not there. Everypony was worried but I put on a fake smile to ease them away from their concerns.

“Rio hey you alright champ?”

One of the construction ponies asked

“Oh ya I’m fine just tired is all. Come on it’s me Rio lets get to work fellas.”

“Oh… well okay if your sure Rio.”

“I am… no worries my friend.”

A calm smile appeared across the pony’s face and I began my work. Afterwords I visited the local merchants quarter again and this time the apple stand had only Big Macintosh and Applebloom working it. I walked over and offered my help but was met with a different request for help.

The little filly Applebloom approached me with her question.

“You really want to help?”

“Well ya of course I do why?”

“If you want to help then go talk to Applejack….she needs you.”

“Is something wrong is she hurt?”

“No silly she likes you. A lot.”

“Why? What have I done to earn such emotion from her.”

“The townsfolk talk about you a lot and in ponyville good rumors about good ponies catch wind easily. She likes how kind you are to everypony around here. Please go see her.”

“I like her too but I can’t go see her Applebloom.”

“Why? Why cant ya go see her. She was feeling like she did something wrong last night after you left so suddenly. Rio did she do something wrong to ya. Did she hurt ya or something?”

“No…no she didn’t hurt me. I hurt her. Not physically just emotionally.”

“What did ya do Rio?”

“She gave me a kiss on the cheek and I freaked out okay. Look I had no idea what to do and I didn’t want to hurt her feelings its just I don’t…gah I don’t know okay?”

“Why are you afraid of hurting her Rio?”

“I just…. I don’t know. I like her a lot too. my heart beats so fast around her that I can’t help but blush and go all fluttery around her. I always have hold back though. It’s just the fear really. I wish I had a better response to your question and I’m sorry that I don’t.”

Then Big Mac walked up to me and laid some heart to heart knowledge on me.

“Rio your heart is in the right place and I know you respect Applejack and I thank you for it. Go see her though she really does need you right now even if she isn’t going to show it. When you see her I know you’ll know what to do. Now go…please.”

I’m not sure what it was but something about what Big Mac said to me made something click inside me. I nodded to them both and ran as fast as I could toward Sweet Apple Acres. I was somewhat excited to go see her. I was still scared as well but I felt like everything was going to be okay at the same time.

“Finally here.”

I began my search for Applejack and to be honest it wasn't hard to find her at all. She was sitting next to the single apple tree at the tallest hill on the orchard. Her back was turned to me and so I just walked up to her calmly expecting the worst. Until she spoke up.

“I told you Big Mac I’m fine just go and help Applebloom at the stall.”

“Hey Applejack.”

Applejack turned to see me standing there.