Chapter 12: The 'L' Word

There are words that go down in infamy and get officially recognized by the letter they begin with so as not to offend or startle someone with the full word, like: The 'F' word or The 'S' word, but there is one word that has the power to churn a stomach or send you flying on wings of glory, and that's The 'L' Word.

---

Chuck's Tavern

"You know this place hasn't even officially opened, right?" I ask Quibble and Cheese, who were for whatever reason seated at the bar counter. "I don't even have a primary supplier yet." I gritted holding a broom in my mouth, I must say one of the most difficult things to get used to is having your mouth perform jobs your hands once did.

"Yeahhhhh... But at the moment, both of us are sort of... How shall we say... 'Housingly Challenged'." Cheese said.

"Not a real term Cheese." Quibble said. "What he means is we don't have a place to live at the moment, and you don't know this, but we've been living in the storage room for the past couple nights." He finished.

I put my hoof to my face. "You've been living in a storage room!?"

"Yep." They replied.

"I can't believe this." I sighed. "You realize there's probably apartments or even a hotel here, right?" I ask.

"Yeah, but free housing is so hard to pass up." Cheese said.

"He's got a point." Quibble nodded.

"Well, let me tell you fellas, now that I know, housing might not be as free as it was before." I said slyly. They gulped.

"But, since I'm so kind." I began. "I'll let you have some of my business loan, I didn't need a lot of it as I got the building for nothing and had it repaired for free. Now go house hunting, it won't last too long so jobs might help." I winked tossing Quibble a bag.

"Gee... Thanks!" He said.

"I'll go fetch our things out of that storage room!" Cheese said.

"Well, that felt good." I said to myself, it always feels good to do something kind. Hey, after you finish reading this chapter, go out and do something nice huh?

Suddenly, Applejack and Rainbow Dash came trotting in.

"Oh don't tell me you two are living in the storage room too?" I joked.

"You finally found out about that huh?" Rainbow asked. "Quibble told me about that."

"Mhm. I have them set out finding a new living situation. You two want anything?" I ask. "I don't have much to offer right now, a bit of leftover cider and the finest tap water available." I said.

"Two ciders." Rainbow said. "And what'll you have Applejack?" She continued.

"Ah'll have one a the ciders Rainbow Dash gets." She said with a smirk.

"Comin' right up!" I said. As I gave the two their ciders I remarked. "You're lucky, technically I'm not allowed to charge yet."

"Good. Consider it a part of that 'one' you owe us." Applejack said.

"Heh, alrighty then." I said leaning onto the counter. "So what brings you two here anyway?"

"We just thought we'd stop by and see how things are going." Applejack said sipping on her cider.

"Well, I'm doing quite well." I said while wiping the counter off.

"Not you. Well, yes you, but we meant things between you and Pinkie." Rainbow said.

"Oh! Well, things are doing great between us actually." I said with a slight grin.

"That's great sugarcube." Applejack said.

"Thanks Applejack."

"Must be nice." She continued. "The two of y'all in love like that." My eyes widened.

I chuckled nervously. "Yeah..." They seemed to catch how awkward I got hearing the word 'love'.

"Have you even... Said it yet?" Rainbow asked.

"I am absolutely sure I've said 'it' many times before." I said, I knew what she meant, but I was brushing it off. "It's one of those words that nopony goes without saying on a daily basis."

"That ain't what she meant." Applejack said.

"I don't think he has, Applejack!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. I flushed red.

"I know what you're talking about. and no, no I haven't!" I yelled out.

"Okay, simmer down sugarcube... It's not that big a deal." Applejack said.

"Thank you. I just... I don't want to feel like I'm rushing anything. Know what I mean?" I ask.

"Of course." Applejack smiled.

"Sorry if it felt I was eggin' you on there." Rainbow said. "I was just curious."

" 'Course." I nodded.

"But, I'm gonna be honest sugarcube, if the feelings there, what's the point of keeping it hidden?" Applejack said. I thought about what she said for a moment.

"Well, I'd better fly." Rainbow Dash said as she zipped out. Applejack soon followed, leaving 2 bits on the counter.

"Oh, Applejack! You didn't have to pay for that!" I called after her. She turned back.

"Ah wasn't paying ya, ah was leavin' a tip." She smiled.

"Oh... Well thank you for the tip, or should I say tips." I said considering the advice she also gave me today. I was going to have to think more about that.

---

Fluttershy's Cottage

"Thanks again for coming Pinkie." Fluttershy said pouring Pinkie Pie some tea.

"No problem!" Pinkie exclaimed. "It feels like forever since we've done this."

"Well it hasn't been forever..." Discord said. "Fluttershy and I had one just last week. You haven't been a guest in forever."

"Discord. Be nice." Fluttershy told him in a slightly more abrasive tone than normal. "So anyway, Pinkie, how have you been? We haven't really been able to catch up since your birthday party."

"I've been great! Pinkie exclaimed.

"That's good, how have things with Chuck been going?" Fluttershy asked.

"Oh yes. I am just dying to know." Discord said with a tinge... Well, not a tinge, more like a heavy load of sarcasm. Fluttershy shot him a stern look. He rolled his eyes. "Proceed Pinkie."

"Things have been swell! He gave me the sweetest gift for my birthday! But you wouldn't have known since you weren't there when he gave it to me! And when I say sweetest, I mean literally the sweetest! It was this super cute little cake! With me and him sculpted onto it..." Pinkie kept talking, Discord began to get bored and he plucked off his ears similar to that of a Mr. Potato Head. (Remember those? Damn those were fun.) "Piece and quiet..." he muttered to himself.

Pinkie and Fluttershy kept talking.

"I'm so happy for you Pinkie, I'm glad you've found somepony, everypony deserves somepony to love." Fluttershy said. She thought about what she said and got a little excited. "Ooh, has he said it yet?" She asked.

"Well, I mean... No." Pinkie said while looking down at her tea.

"Oh.. Oh dear, that's not... A bad thing though." Fluttershy said.

"Is it? I mean honestly I never even thought about it until now, now, now I'm worried!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"No, no it's not bad at all, right Discord?" Fluttershy asked. Of course Discord didn't hear her. He had been resting his eyes the whole time, suddenly there was a rather annoying tapping. He opened his eyes to see Angel knocking on his head. He groaned and flicked him off while putting his ears back in.

"Yes?"

"Is it a bad thing?" Fluttershy asked again. Discord looked at her.

"Is what a bad thing?" Discord seemed to scoff.

"Chuck hasn't said "I love you" yet." Fluttershy said.

"So?" Discord didn't care.

"I'm trying to tell Pinkie that she shouldn't worry." Fluttershy continued.

"Why is this our problem?" Discord rolled his eyes.

"It's what friends do." Fluttershy looked into his eyes with a bit of anger. Discord brushed it off.

"Not a bad thing at all." He said. "Not really important either." He muttered.

"I dunno... It seems like it's a big deal." Pinkie still wasn't reassured.

"Oh it is a big deal." Fluttershy said.

"What!? But you said it wasn't a bad thing if he hasn't said it yet!" She yelled.

"Well, in all fairness, it really doesn't matter at all, what you two consider 'love' is just an imbalance that forces animals to mate." Discord said in an annoyed tone.

"Don't listen to him Pinkie." Fluttershy said after a sharp glare at Discord.

"Yeahhh... Okay." Pinkie said. "I'd better be on my way..." Pinkie said excusing herself.

After she left Fluttershy glared at Discord. "It wouldn't hurt to be nice you know."

"She was interrupting teatime, our teatime is sacred!" He defended himself.

"I invited her!" Fluttershy moaned.

---

Later. Chuck's Tavern

"Love... Love... Love lovitty love love love." I muttered, I had been thinking about all that Applejack had told me, she was right, but honestly, I was worried I might be moving too fast, I never know how to do these things... Suddenly somepony burst through the door, guess these thought's would have to wait.

"Hey Loofah Mane."

"Hello Quibble. I see you've forgotten my name again." I said slightly sarcastically. "What can I do you for? If it's about the toothbrush I threw it out."

"No no... Not that, I just wanted to stop by and say thanks again for the bits, and in return, I think I can help you with something." He said.

"And what could that be?" I asked.

"Well, I know a pony up in Manehatten who could supply the drinks for your bar, good prices too!" He said.

"Are you pullin' my leg or something?" I asked.

"Nope. Here's his mailing address, name's Barstool." He said slipping me a sheet of paper.

"Wow... Thanks!" I said looking at the address.

"Hey, least I can do, and sort of an apology for being rude to you before." He said.

"It's all in the past." I said with a smile.

"Great, thanks." He said walking out. Well that was kind of him, I'd have to send Barstool a letter then, get my business up and running. But that thought was still burning in my head. Suddenly I heard a big 'poof' noise. Guess I wasn't alone with my thoughts anymore yet again. I turned around to see Discord.

"Why hello, what brings you here?" I ask.

"I'm here because Fluttershy told me to come here. Well, not here, but she wanted time to herself." He said.

"And you chose here? Of all the places and dimensions, I'm flattered." I said. I knew there was an insult coming on, 3... 2...

"No, no. Oh no, I didn't want to come here, I just thought I'd let you know about a little conversation Fluttershy and I had with Pinkie."

"Oh yeah? What about?" I said sipping a drink.

"Oh she's all freaked out about 'love' and all that..." He began.

"Love? Love huh? What about love is... Is she so freaked out about?"

"Oh she's all worried and neurotic because you never said anything about love, silly huh?" He cracked up, it may have been funny for him, but I nearly spit out my drink.

"Yeah..." I gulped. "Silly."

"Well, I'd better be off, I'll probably die of boredom sticking around here much longer." And like that he was gone.

"Dick." I muttered. Well this is perfect isn't it? Apparently now I'm a chicken about this and shes nervous!

---

Sweet Apple Acres

Applejack and Big Mac were hard at work harvesting apples out in the orchard, because what else? Rainbow Dash was there because she promised to help, but so far the only help she'd put in was eating the apples.

"Ya know..." Applejack said as she bucked at a tree. "These apples ain't gonna last long if ya keep eatin' 'em." She said rather annoyed.

"Hey! I'm just doing some quality control." Rainbow defended herself before taking a bite of another apple.

"You'd be lucky if Ah don't charge ya for eating all those." Applejack muttered.

"Eeyup." Big Mac said in agreeance. Suddenly Pinkie came walking onto the orchard. Rainbow Dash flew over to meet her.

"Hey Pinkie! Wanna test some apples with me?" She asked.

"She ain't testin' 'em, she's just eatin' 'em!" Applejack yelled over.

"Not really Rainbow, thanks anyway." Pinkie said kind of glumly.

"Hey, what's the matter?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Nothin..." Pinkie said.

"Come on Pinkie, you can tell me." Rainbow Dash said.

"Now don't torment her Rainbow Dash." Applejack came over. "If she don't wanna tell ya, she don't wanna tell ya." Applejack suddenly looked at Pinkie. "Somethin' is definitely wrong though." She said to Rainbow Dash.

"Duh!" Rainbow said to her.

"Look you guys... I don't know if you can help me with this." She said.

"We can try, can't we Rainbow?" Applejack said.

"Sure!" Rainbow nodded.

"I dunno..." She looked down.

"If ya don't wanna tell us, that's fine, just know we do want to help ya." Applejack said. Pinkie looked at her.

"Do you think Chuck... loves me?" She asked. The two exchanged a silent look, suddenly Rainbow Dash cracked up, soon Applejack started laughing too. "This isn't funny!" Pinkie pleaded.

"Oh, it is! It really, really is!" Rainbow laughed falling backwards.

"Sugarcube, is that really all ya were worried about?" Applejack asked wiping away tears of laughter.

"Yes!" She exclaimed.

"Look Pinkie..." Rainbow started getting up. "It's not really that big a mystery." She said.

"She's right." Applejack agreed. "You shoulda seen him getting ready for your party, he got all tense and queasy with anxiety, all neurotic and such."

"Remember how tired he was the morning of the party?" Applejack asked Rainbow. "I don't think he slept a wink all night!"

"Really?" Pinkie asked.

"You bet he was." Rainbow said. "Trust me, he's head over hooves for you!"

"Definitely." Applejack nodded.

"You mean it?" Pinkie beamed.

"Oh yeah. Anypony who get's that annoying has got to be in love." Rainbow said. Applejack laughed. Pinkie started to feel better as she let out a little laugh.

"Thanks you guys!" She gave the two a hug.

---

That Evening: Sugarcube Corner loft.

Pinkie was sitting down on the couch in the upstairs loft of Sugarcube Corner looking out the window at the stars in the sky when I walked through the door.

"Hiya hon." I said with a smile.

"Hey Chuckie." She said back. I sat down next to her.

"How was your day?" I asked, pretending not to know about the tea party.

"It was fun! Spent some time with Fluttershy, and I even visited with Rainbow Dash and Applejack!" She said.

"No kidding!" I said lounging back.

"What about you?" She asked.

"Meh, just tidied up the bar... Should be able to open not too long from now." I said slightly awkwardly.

"Fun... Fun." She said, catching how awkward I was being. I sat up a bit and put my front leg around her. She looked at me for a moment, then relaxed onto me. I sat there silently for a moment feeling her breathe on my chest, I sighed happily, but with a bit of frustration with myself. I had everything that I had wanted in life, and I couldn't say a damn three words? I could feel her nuzzle her face against my neck, which seemed to calm me down a bit. I couldn't hold back anymore, I had to say something, but what? Suddenly I could feel a familiar song coming on...

Me: Wise folks say... Only fools rush in..

"What?" She asked.

"Hm?" I ask.

"What do they say?" She asked. I gulped, I guess this is it, I played it cooler than I felt at the moment.

"Well, if you wanna know..."

Me: Wise folks say... Only fools rush in.

But I... Can't help, falling in love with you.

I smiled at her, she beamed at me, which made me feel 10 feet tall.

Me: Shall I stay? Would it be a sin?

If I... Can't help, falling in love with you?

She looked at me with such joy, I grinned at her.

"I love you." I said. She wrapped me in such a tight hug.

"I love you too." She said into my shoulder.

Me: Like a river flows

Surely to the sea...

Darling so it goes,

Somethings... Are meant to be..

Take my hoof,

Take my whole life too.

For I... Can't help, falling in love with you.

Pinkie: Like a river flows

Me: Surely to the sea...

Pinkie: Chuckie, so it goes,

Me: Somethings... Are meant to be..

Pinkie: Take my hoof,

Me: Take my whole life too..

Both of us: For I... Can't help, falling in love with you...

No I... Can't help... Falling in love... With... You...

/

We embraced in a tight hug. A single tear rolled down both our faces.

"I love you.." She said.

"I love you too." I gave her a kiss, she smiled at me for a moment before kissing me back. After that, we didn't go to bed yet, we just spent hours cuddled next to each other, neither of us said a word, we just sat there together, and all was at peace for us.

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That's the end of another one! Hope you enjoyed it, hope to see you again the next chapter!

Song used

"Can't help falling in love with you". By Elvis Presley.