Love on the Orchard

by Rio362

Rating: everyone
Tags: Romance
Length: 7480

A romance between Rio Earthstrider and Applejack

Luna created Rio on earth for a man named Rio who named his son Lil Rio which is where this Pony got his name. Luna gave Rio the power of flight when she created him by placing a magical symbol of a pair of wings upon Rio’s heart which to this day is why he unlike other earth ponies can fly. He was raised in Calgary by Rio and then he was forced to leave his home and father in order to protect Equestria and create the Earthstrider divison of the Wonderbolts who are meant to help protect Equestria from various threats Ex: changlings. He has many new friends and found his very special somepony in equestria.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-04-26 05:40:02 UTC

New beginnings

        My name is Rio Earthstrider and it’s been approximately three months since I arrived in Equestria from earth. Even after three months my heart is still hurting from the fact that my father Rio is no longer around. He had to stay on earth and I couldn’t stay with him. That’s what my mom or Luna told me.

I miss him more then anypony could ever hope to imagine. I continue to bury it within me not matter how much it hurts I must keep it buried down as far as I can. So in order to help keep that pain hidden I have kept myself busy. Luna let me stay with her in Canterlot while I was there but after a short while I decided to go out on my own and live on my own.

Granted it didn’t go well at all. I was spending the nights outside in the cold looking for either a grassy place or a tree to sleep in. Needless to say I never truly got enough sleep only because I needed to stay awake enough to know whether or not I was going to be attacked by timber wolves. I could easily just go back to Canterlot and be safe and warm with my Mother but I just felt as though I should be able to be on my own by now.

I love my Mom and I know she loves me too so I didn’t leave Canterlot because I was mad at her or anything. I just needed to be alone for a while. The next morning the sun hit me hard in the eyes when I awoke but my blue coat of fur had absorbed a lot of the Sun’s rays to the point of being a very toasty blanket.

I had decided that since it was morning and that there was no need to worry about timber wolves I could sleep in for a while. Near in the afternoon I awoke once more and made my way into PonyVille’s town center. I noticed a foal of purple body and blonde mane and tail playing with their ball. seeing the smile on her adorable little face brought a slight smile to my muzzle.

I never thought I would smile even slightly ever again. I was thankful that I was wrong about my prediction and could feel some spring to my step again. My ears perked up when I heard a splash and the smile on the foal’s muzzle changed to that of a tear filled frown.

Without even thinking about it I dove into the stream and grabbed the ball between my teeth and let myself float back to the surface. I shook off as much water from my fur as a could and gave the little filly back her brightly coloured ball.

“Here you are little one. careful not to lose it again okay?”

“Thank you mister.”

My smile remained and with the good deed I committed to this little filly I felt some joy from it. I knew my father would be proud and oddly enough even though I was smiling tears began to stream down my face. Thankfully my face was still pretty wet from my recent dive into the stream so I was able to play it off as my face still being drenched.

I continued to make my way into the city centre and noticed the town hall was damaged so I went inside and noticed that the construction ponies had most of it sealed off. I offered my aid to them and they were a slightly taken back by my offer. I knew I was strong enough to help out so instead of waiting for a response I simply walked past the barriers and began working without hesitation.

the tasks that lay before me were simple and quick to accomplish. Stacking planks and palates upon the ground and sawing the planks into shape and leaving them upon the palates took me no time and afterword the workers were thankful yet still shocked that I volunteered without them asking for help.

One of the ponies spoke up with question.

“Wait hold on… why did you help us like that out of the blue?”

I responded with an odd answer but a truthful one.

“My father taught me kindness without hesitation and as such I wished only to do my part in spreading kindness to all. It’s what he would have wanted and it’s what I love to do.”

“Th…thank you mister?”

“Rio. Always happy to help out whenever I’m needed.”

“Thank you mister Rio. We appreciate it.”

I shook his hoof and left the building. I found myself drifting from one end of the town to the next without so much as a thought crossing my mind. No matter where I went I would help any and everypony out of the blue to show them kindness and to make my father back on earth happy and proud.

Eventually I found myself at an orchard and hearing sounds of apple trees being rocked but not softly. They sounded as if they were being impacted by a strong force in order to shake the apples from them. I ventured further into the orchard to see this unknown force for myself.

The Orange angel

“YEEEHAWW!!!!”

My attention was refocused on where those words originated from.

“Hello….. Who’s there?”

I worked my way around all of the apple trees and eventually saw it for myself. My heart began to beat faster and I couldn’t believe my eyes. What I was gazing upon was that of pure beauty. She stood tall and her body was colored orange with her blonde mane and tail done up into a pony tail held together by red ribbons.

Our eyes met and she came towards me in order to greet me.

“Well howdy there stranger what brings ya te these parts.”

“I….I… uh….I”

I could barely speak and words. My stomach had butterflies in the millions and I found it hard to breath. I tried to keep my composer but I felt as though my legs would give out.

“Are.... you alright sugarcube?”

I gave her my name instead of giving her a real answer. Which must have sounded pretty stupid.

“I…my name….is Rio.”

“Well its nice te meet ya there Rio. Name's Applejack.”

I replayed her saying her name to me in my head numerous time until I blacked out right in front of her. The feelings I had for her at first sight were too much for me to handle so my body reacted the way it felt was best. Unfortunately for me it was embarrassing.

I awoke leaning against an apple tree with her appearing every once in a while to see if I was alright. My head hurt a lot I assume it was because when I blacked out I must have struck my head upon rock or tree root on the ground. There was some blood coming from my head injury. I had decided to get up off the ground and make my way to wherever my next sleeping spot would be.

I was stopped by Applejack grabbing onto my tail with her teeth.

“Now hold on just a minute there mister Rio. Where da ya think yer going?”

I could barely understand what she was saying at the time but I figured she was expressing concern toward my injury so I responded.

“Applejack I just need to get going I’ll fix this up myself. Really its okay.”

I lost my footing in an attempt at making my leave and falling to the ground. Apparently my head injury was worse then I thought. I blacked out for a second time but not because of my feelings this time. I felt warmth around my entire body yet my eyes we still closed.

“Wha….where am I?”

No one was around but my wound was covered with a bandage and the bleeding had stopped. I felt much better then before thankfully but I wouldn’t let myself feel welcome in a bed that was not mine. Granted I appreciated the kindness toward me but I made my way to the front door of the house that lay upon the orchard field and was stopped by a young filly with a big red ribbon tied on her mane.

“Um excuse me miss but I really must get going. Uh are you going to let me through?”

I asked with a gentle tone and was responded to with a kind answer.

“Sorry but I can’t let you go. Applejack told me that you might leave without being properly taken care off and so I can’t let you leave.”

"This was my fault and so I will take care of it. Thank you for your kindness towards me but I will not allow myself to be a burden on anypony.”

I walked up to the little filly and opened the top part of the split door and leaped over her.

“HEY WAIT!!!!”

The little filly blurted out.

“I’m sorry and thank you for your kindness I pray that you won’t hate me for this.”

I spoke as I walked down the path which was lit up for me by the moon. On my way down the path that lead to town I could hear galloping toward my direction and I already knew that the little filly had alerted her sister.

“HOLD IT RIGHT THERE RIO!!!!! How could you?”

“How could I what Applejack?”

“How could you just leave without being fully taken care of?”

From the trees came a stallion who was about the same size as me. He had a red fur coat with an orange short mane and tail. He a had calm look upon him and seemed as though we would never hurt a fly even though his stature was rather intimidating.

“What do you want from me?” I asked clutching onto my head.

“Why won’t ya just let us help you? It’s late…. just stay here with us and if ya like ya can leave tomorrow?”

I was blushing and I think Applejack knew that and was slightly flattered by it but I broke the slight emotion between us.

“I’m sorry I won’t allow myself to be a problem from you.”

“goodbye Applejack please be safe and happy.”

I closed my eyes and out of nowhere I began to rise into the air right in front of them. I am an earthpony and as such I should not be able to fly but I was granted the power of flight through my mother placing a mark of wings upon my heart when she created me.

“What in the hay….how are ya doing that? Wait Rio don’t go!!!”

I flew off into the night sky shedding tears behind me. I flew off toward Canterlot and made my way to Luna’s balcony to find her reading a book near the fire place for warmth and light to read better with.

A mother's love and a second chance

“Mom….mom my head hurts.”

Luna turned her head towards me and a soft smile appeared across her muzzle.

“Come here my little Rio and let me take care of you.”

She removed the bandage on my head and her horn began to glow. She placed it upon my wound and the scab began to heal over with renewed blue fur covering it as though there never was a wound in the first place. I’ll be honest I truly thought I was just going to heal it myself but for some reason I just wanted to be held by some pony. My mom was that some pony tonight.

“Get some rest my little Rio and tomorrow morning will be a new day of adventure.”

I looked upon her with tired eyes and a sleepy smile across my face. She opened a wing to let me snuggle close to her body for warmth while she continued to read her book. Every once in a while she’d nuzzle my mane with her nose to comfort me.

I felt like such a mamma’s pony but I didn’t really care. I was hurting in more ways then one and so I did this to ease my pains. Tomorrow I would do what I did today minus hurting and embarrassing myself in front of a pony that I had just met and had feelings for.

“Goodnight mom. I love you.”

Luna looked over to me with a loving look and spoke softly in my ear.

“Goodnight little Rio I love you too.”

That night I had no dreams and yet my body was sad and tears had found there way from my eyes during the night which Luna took notice of. I also began speaking in my sleep. I was begging for my father Rio. I called out to him softly.

“Daddy….Daddy I miss you so much…. please daddy I want to see you again.”

I awoke the next morning with no pain what so ever and Before I made my way to Ponyville to see what good I could do for the citizens there I gave Luna a kiss to her cheek while she was still asleep and flew off from her balcony.

When I reached PonyVille I was greeted by the construction worker ponies who were still working on the town hall and so I decided to go and help them once more. when that was done I went out to the merchants area to see what they were selling.

The flowers, the oranges, the various toys that they sold for foals to play with. My mind was filled with happy thoughts of the things I could eat tonight. For some odd reason though I could not get Applejack out of my mind all day as well.

“Excuse me mister might I interest you in a bushel of apples today to calm that craving you may be having.”

I knew the voice sounded familiar but even so I turned around and made my way to the apple stand. Low and behold Applejack and her sister Applebloom were standing there. As soon as Applejack saw my face I knew that I might in for some trouble.

“Oh hey there Rio….how is yer head feeling?”

I thought she’d be angry with me but instead her voice was just that of worry and I noticed that she was blushing slightly. Granted I blushed every time I saw her.

“Um its uh… its fine thanks. How are you today?”

“ah'm fine….listen ah'm sorry about yesterday ah was just so worried that ah didn’t want to let you leave without being completely fixed up first.”

“Thanks Applejack but I just couldn’t let myself be a problem for you.”

Her voice relaxed a little to that of calm friendly chatting again.

“how could ya think you’d be a problem fer me?”

“I’m not sure to be honest I just like helping everypony and not being a problem for anypony. I guess I don’t really know how to explain myself to you AJ….sorry.”

“It’s alright sugarcube. Do ya still feel like helping out though?”

“Ya of course I do.”

She tossed me an apron and beckoned me over to help her out at her apple stand. I was there for hours but it only felt like minutes. Every once in a while I would glance over at Applejack. Her smiling face, those glorious emerald green eyes and that beautiful blonde mane. I couldn't help but be distracted by her.

When all the apples were finally sold and the bits were stored I helped Applejack put the chest of bits on the wagon and strapped myself to the wagon to pull the chest to her house. She was a little shocked by my helpfulness toward her but it just felt right in my heart.

“Rio its okay ya don’t have to do that.”

“AJ if I’m helping you out it makes me feel better. It’s okay really I want to.”

I spoke under my breath so as to not be heard by her.

“If it’s for you then it makes me even happier too.”

War within the heart

“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.

The Dragon and a welcome ally

“AJ…I”

I was cut off by her angry response

“Ya what!!!! what do ya want Rio…. there’s nothing here for ya te help me with so just leave already.”

“AJ I want to give you something as a means of saying I’m sorry for the way I have been acting towards you.”

“Oh ya and what could that be.”

I sat next to her in the grass and when the sun shown brightly it added a wondrous glow upon her orange coat. I noticed silver streaks running down her face. I leaned over and wiped a tear from her cheek.

“I’m fine just leave me alone Rio I don’t want or need ya here.”

I kept calm and remembered what Big Mac had told me. I did I felt was right. I leaned in and gave her a soft kiss on her cheek. her eyes lit up in anger and I was given a harsh front hoof to the side of my face. I fell to the ground and looked up at her in confusion.

“How dare you do that to me. Ya come here hoping fer what? Some form of forgiveness fer what ya done. I cared about you but now ah just want ya gone. Goodbye Rio.

My mind was so lost and looking for answers as to what just happened but I got up and was only able to look her into her eyes one last time before I flew off into everfree forest. When I finally landed I felt the weight once again as if in an infinite loop yet this time I kept myself on all fours and decided to go clear my head.

A few hours passed and I felt upon the earth rumbling. It got louder and stronger.

“What in Celestia’s name is that.

It felt like an earthquake but I was wrong. It was a dragon.It was massive and green with razor sharp scales to boot.

“Oh no this isn’t good at all.”

“BLASTED THIEVES STEALING MY GEMS HOW DARE THEY!!!!!!”

I spoke up through his roaring and tried to get his attention.

“Um excuse me. Dragon sir is everything alright.”

“YOU THERE YOU HAVE NERVE SHOWING YOUR FACE AROUND HERE AFTER WHAT YOU HAVE DONE. HOW DARE YOU STEAL MY GEMS YOU MISERABLE WHELP.”

The dragon was obviously not willing to talk and he attacked me with his foot slamming the ground where I stood. Thankfully I dodged out of the way in time.

“Wait hold on please listen to me I didn’t steal your GAH!!!!!!!!!!!”

The dragon swung his tail and it slammed against my body sending me into some nearby trees. a tree branch pierced through my side leaving me with a pretty bad wound.

“I… I didn’t .. steal your gems I swear.”

“IF NOT YOU THEN WHO WEAKLING!!!!”

I passed out before even being able to answer. Was this it I wondered as chrimson streams found their way down my blue fur. I could feel my body growing colder from my blood loss and I felt as though my time was truly up when I heard a voices coming from the distance.

The pony I saw was not one I knew but I sensed a kindness about him. He created portals around the dragon and with a swift and powerful kick he sent the dragon to some far away area of equestria and had saved my life. He noticed me laying there barely hold on to life. His coat was gray and his mane and tail were of teal color. He had a scarf and leather leggings held together with belts along side two saddle bags.

He had the look of an adventurer about him. He was strong confident and able to handle any situation that would be thrown his way. One day without my knowing it we would become as close as brothers.

“Who are you?”

I begged.

“My name is Dimensional storm Captain of the Warptrotters. Are you alright?”

I let out a painful chuckle and told him.

“Oh sure heh I’m great aside from the fact that a tree branch has found it’s home within my body.”

“Heh I guess it was kind of a silly question but don’t worry today is not your day to pass. Let me get you outta here. There is a barn nearby and the folks there are kind, caring, and I know they’ll take better care of you then I could at the moment.”

I knew the farm he was talking about but I didn’t have the energy to fight back with an argument so I just let myself pass out in his care and awaited my arrival to Sweet Apple Acres. When we arrived the grandmother of the Apple family came to see us.

Her name is Granny Smith and her heart knows only kindness and as such she expressed much concern for my well being. A fact that truly warmed my heart. Demi as he was called for short, with Granny Smiths permission warped me up to a bed room on the second floor and left me there to be healed and taken care off.

“Hopefully one day we’ll meet again under better circumstances. Please get well soon my friend.”

I could not answer him at the time but I truly did wish to see him again after I was healed and well enough to move on my own again. There were no lights on inside of my borrowed room. The branch was still wedged within my body and the pain was nearly unbearable until a familiar voice came into the room.

Hearing that voice eased my pain somewhat but I knew her anger would follow suit soon enough. Applejack walked into the room medical kit in mouth ready to heal. Until she stopped and saw me there in her bed. The medical kit fell from her mouth to the ground and she looked upon my broken body. My only words to her were.

A son's past and a bright future love

“I’m sorry AJ.”

Her crying became uncontrollable and she became frantic. She called upon Big Mac and Apple Bloom to come into the room to help her. The branch that was sticking out of my side was quickly pulled out by Big Mac while Apple Bloom and Applejack held me down.

“GUUUUHHAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! Ugh… uh… hhhhh.”

“Rio….Rio no please wake up RIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

From what I could feel my body was being bandaged quickly and with precision. In my mind however I could see my father’s image right in front of me and he began to speak to me.

“Hey Lil Buddy I missed you. How are you?”

“D…Dad…DAD!!!!”

I jumped into his arms and held on tight not knowing how long I’d have to be with him. I didn’t even know if was dead or not. He already knew however.

“Rio we don’t have much time. I have some advice for you before you wake up.”

“Dad wait please don’t go please not yet. I miss you so much. I love you dad please I’m begging you don’t leave yet.

“Rio listen to me son.”

He knelt down while still holding onto me tightly.

“Rio never let your fear take over who you truly are on the inside. Always let the real you shine brightly so that everyone can see your soul for what it truly is. I love you son and I always will. I promise you we’ll see each other again but much later. I’m proud of you Lil Rio. I always have been. Bye for now.”

“Dad….no wait DAD!!!!”

I awoke to AppleJack sitting by my bedside. When she noticed I was awake the first thing she noticed was my tears.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ5mqXgSmhY

Cred goes to Pony Evening Star for this incredible music. Please listen to while reading. thanks.

“Rio are you okay. You’re crying whats wrong?”

“I just…. miss my father. He took care of me and raised me and I guess when I passed out I saw him. He held me close and lovingly just like he use to when I was just a foal.”

I beckoned AJ over to my side.

“AJ my actions toward you were not how I truly felt about you. Applejack I’m going to be completely honest with you here and now.”

“Rio its okay you don’t have to if…..”

I raised my hoof, caressed her right cheek and spoke up.

“AJ I want to do this. I want to do this for you and for me. AppleJack I want to share with you my true feelings about you.”

“Rio I….I.”

“Applejack the day I first met you it was like looking at an angel. You looked so happy and cheerful. I couldn’t help myself when I looked at you. My heart was beating so fast and even at this moment it still is whenever I see your face.

Applejack when you kissed me on the cheek that day I couldn’t get that moment out of my mind. I kept replaying over and over in my head each time my smile grew.”

“But Rio why did you fly away then? Why were you so scared?”

“I didn’t want to hurt your feelings by me not being ready to share them. I’m ready now. I want you to know that this is coming from the deepest part of my heart. The part that only holds a place for you in it.”

“Applejack I love you.”

Her ears drooped and she had a look of confusion and tears. Until I made my move with what energy I had.

“R..Rio…I…..I.”

I leaned over fighting through my pain and kissed her square on the lips and held it there till I could feel her breathing calm down. When the kiss was broken I gave into the pain and let myself fall back into the bed.

“I hope you’re not mad at me for what I had to do. I’ll leave in the morning and you’ll never see me again if it’s what you wish.”

As my eyes began to close to fall asleep I felt pressure on my chest and I opened one eye to see Applejack resting her head there.

“Rio…don’t leave me tonight please.”

“Aren’t you mad at me?”

“No Rio I’m not the least bit mad at you.

Rio ah love you too.”

“Y..you do AJ?”

She nodded with a tear filled smile. I let out a relived sigh of joy but was reminded of my pain when a breeze of cold air made its way into the room from the open window. Now normally one would just shake it off but with my wound it hit me pretty hard so my body began to quiver and the pain quickly returned to me.

A soft smile appeared on AJ’s face and my pain was taken away from me once more when my whole body was flooded with warmth. She joined me in the bed, cuddled herself next to me and held me as close as she could to keep me warm.

Becoming part of the Apple family

“AJ….I….”

“Shhh. Just rest and get yer strength back Rio. Please…. for me sweetheart?”

“Anything for you AJ. I love you. Goodnight…and thanks.”

“I love you too Rio. Goodnight and you’re welcome any time.”

I rested my head in her arms and drifted off to sleep. It was happening I was in love and for the first time I felt like my sorrow from missing my father so much was fading away. Her body was so warm and her breathing was calm and soft. Being this close to AJ I felt as though this was as close to heaven as i’ll ever be.

The next morning I awoke to AJ sleeping peacefully next to me. I reached over and gently stroked her mane she let out a happy sigh. there was some minor distance between us in the bed from when we tossed and turned and so I bought her into a hug and then let myself fall back asleep for another few minutes. She must have woken up to what I did because she began to gently kiss my neck and then I could here hear beautiful voice again.

“Good morning sweetheart how did ya sleep?”

I gave her a kiss upon her nose and spoke.

“Good morning AJ I don’t think I have slept this good in months. Thank you for sharing your bed with me Applejack.

She began to blush and I could see a big smile forming on her muzzle. I had started to get myself out of bed when Applejack stopped me.

“Wait Rio. Your hurt remember sugarcube. Let Granny Smith take a look at  cha and make sure ya just get plenty of rest till yer strength is back to full.”

“But AJ I need to go help out the ponies over in ponyville. I can’t let them down.”

Applejack held a soft smile upon her and sweetly nuzzled me.

“Its alright Rio. They’d understand and I’m also sure they’d want cha to get back to full health before ya go helping them all out again. They’re worried about you Rio and they care about you too so you can still do them a kindness by getting better. Okay sweetheart? You can stay here until you get better hun."

“You’re right Applejack and until I am fully healed I’ll stay here and get back to my former self. Thank you for all of this AJ. I love you.”

I held her hoof in mine and rubbed it softly against my face enjoying its warmth. I kissed her hoof and then brought her in for one as well. after the kiss was broken we exchanged loving looks upon one another and then she made her way downstairs to begin morning chores.

I lay there in the bed still in awe as to how I found Applejack and fell in love with her at first sight. It seemed fairly silly to me what with the whole aspect of “Love at first site” and all. However I was as happy. Happier then I have been in a long time.

My wound began to hurt as I tried to move around and eventually I grew tired of laying there useless and broken. So I gathered my strength, my glasses, my sweater, my shoes, and made my way downstairs to find Grannysmith knitting in her rocking chair and nodding off every once in a while.

“Good morning Grannysmith how are you today?”

She was half asleep when I spoke with her but she gave a smile until she realized it was me. She nearly leaped out of the chair in surprise.

“What are you doin up? You should be asleep Rio. Why are you going and scaring me like that?”

“I’m sorry Granny its just I want to help and well I feel useless without being able to anything so I figured I’d take it easy but still find a way to help out around here.”

She gave me a questioning look and I knew I wasn’t making much sense what with my injury.

“Granny is there anything at all that I can do to help out around here? Please there has to be something?”

She smiled and told me if there was anyway for me buck apples from the trees outside that I could give it my best shot. However she stopped me before I left for the door.

“Hold a minute there Rio. I gotta ask ya.”

“What is it granny smith?”

I asked with a smile.

“Why are ya so intent on helping everypony so much even when you’re this badly injured?”

“I’ll be honest Granny I’m not even sure myself. I merely follow the will of my heart and that usually guides me to do the right things. At least it has so far.”

“Yer an odd one Rio but I can respect a hard worker. You’re a good pony you are. I’m sure your father would be proud of you.”

I almost began to tear up after I heard that and I think Grannysmith knew because she walked over to me and rubbed my head and gave me a smile.

I walked out of the house and slowly made my way to the nearest tree and tried my first tree bucking. First few attempts were terrible and I quickly lost morale what with my injury not letting up. I eventually got so angry that I rammed my head into the tree and with that all of the apples landed on the ground.

It didn’t even hurt either.

“Huh well alright lets give this another try.”

I rammed my head on the next tree to my right and low and behold all of the apples fell into the baskets. A smile appeared across my muzzle and I began to ram every tree within eye sight. One tree after another and the more I did it I felt better and better. Granted the pain was still there but it was numbed by how I felt at the time. I was helping Applejack with her chores even though I should be bed ridden. I felt fantastic granted I did feel sort of bad for not listening to AJ but it was for a good reason and it's not like my injury was bothering me.

I felt strong. I could feel as though my dad was watching over me and was proud of what he was seeing me do. It had been a few hours before Applejack could hear the apple trees being struck off in the distance where I was hard at work ramming the trees and gathering apples for the harvest. She made her way towards the sound of my apple bucking when she past through some bushes to my area to see me charging a tree that was near her. I’m amazed I didn’t notice her there watching me.

When I took my first break for the day that was when Applejack walked up to me and smacked me across the face.

“Ah what was that for AJ.”

“I thought I told you to stay in bed so you could regain your strength and then you could get back to helping everypony.”

“AJ I’m sorry okay but….. HUAHH!!!!!”

My words were stopped when Applejack tackled me to the ground with an embrace. The tangy yet succulent taste of apples could be felt on my palate once again when she gave my lips the gift of true love. Unfortunately every kiss must be broken at some point and when this one was done the words she spoke were of praise. She relaxed with me on the freshly hoof pounded ground and crossed her arms on my chest so as to make something of a pillow for her head to rest upon.

“Rio even when you’re hurt you still insist on giving your full being of kindness to everypony. I can’t quite understand why you do this but I must admit. heh yer some kind of stubborn.”

“AJ I just figure…”

She gave me another less lengthy kiss to my lips but this was only to cease my speech for a moment to speak.

“Rio you’re something else. I love you sugarcube I bet your father would be amazed by your spirit.”

Our eyes met and I knew she meant every word of what she just said. I felt my whole body begin to relax and the pain eased away as if my wound was non-existent. I let out a long exasperated sigh of relief as if my body had just finished placing down a weight that had been resting upon it for generations.

“Honey are you alright?”

Every time she spoke I could hear that accent of hers and every time I did it always added a smile to my muzzle. I answered her question after a few moments.

“Applejack?”

“Ya sugar?”

I’m more then okay. However I must ask. Will you be my very special somepony?”

Her glorious emerald green eyes met mine when she lifted her head to meet my gaze. Her face held the cutest shade of red. A soft smile appeared across her muzzle. She leaned her head down slowly closing her eyes and another kiss from her soft lips graced mine with their presence.

When the kiss was finished I had my response yet she still had words to speak in case I somehow didn't get the message.

“Did you really need to ask Rio?

“I…well I just wanted to ask just in case. You know to be polite. Heh.”

“I wouldn’t want anything more in the world then te be yer special somepony. I love you Rio.”

“I love you too Applejack.”

A slight breeze began to take flight blowing past us and I was once again graced with seeing her beautiful blonde mane flowing in the wind. We knew that from that day forth and forever more our love would never fade. Though I have felt it many times, each kiss still feels like the first we ever shared and I could never have enough gifts such as these from her.

She arched her back placing her front hooves upon my chest for support while raised her head to let the breeze fully brush through her mane. A sight like that was like art in motion. After a few moments of shear bliss seeing the beauty that is Applejack her loving eyes locked with mine and she lowered herself down to me. She whispered into my ears and her soft voice caused my body to relax from head to hind hoof.

“Hey there partner…mind if I keep ya company here fer a while?”

Slowly her ribbons fell to the ground around her with a silent yet swift motion of my hooves. When her mane fell around her shoulders falling just short of reaching my chest. I began to make a path with gentle kisses from her neck to her own succulent lips. After enjoying the kiss I raised my mouth to her ear level and whispered sweetly.

“Did you really need to ask…..darlin?”

Fin.