My hands over my face, I sat on my knees alone in the middle of Twilight’s house, crying like a little filly. Princess Celestia knew about Applejack and me, and she certainly didn’t seem to like it. What if she says no? What if I get banished and I never see her again? Much worse then that, what if Applejack is shunned and put to shame? Terrible and perhaps irrational what-if stories of all sorts were forming in my mind. I was under a lot stress thinking about my beloved and what would become of us. I needed her in my arms at that moment, but instead I was left with nothing but a sliver of hope that the Princess would decide favorably for us when they returned the next day. The only one who could nourish my pain, the one I so longed to spend the rest of my days with, was off on a perilous adventure doing Celestia-knows-what, having to deal with the awkwardness of being around her friends whom just witnessed all the drama. The only nourishment until I heard a soft, young, friendly, sympathetic, and familiar voice coming from behind a doorway to the next room.

“You can stay here with me tonight if you want.” I looked up, and slowly walking out from behind the doorway where he apparently heard the whole thing was Spike, the little purple dragon, looking at me with great sympathy and empathy. I didn’t think there was a single friend in the world I could’ve turned to at that moment other than Applejack. Yet here was Spike, Twilight’s assistant and afterthought to the rest of the Equestria, offering me his consolation. I was deeply moved, and I nodded my head. The sun was setting, and I certainly didn’t want to sleep alone that night. I didn’t want to do another walk through town getting all kinds of weird looks from ponies who saw Applejack and I. Oh gosh, I hope somepony doesn’t tell the Apple family what they saw. I loved the rest of the Apple family, but I dreaded the day Applejack and I told them about us. Still, it would be even worse if they found out like that, from some random pony looking for gossip. And besides, the only ones who know that Applejack and I are married are not even here, except for Spike. I highly doubt he’s gonna run over there and tell them.

I let out a deep gasp and wiped my eyes. Spike walked towards me and looked at the ground. It appeared as though as he was getting ready to speak, but he wanted to choose his words carefully and truthfully. He put his claw on the back of his neck and looked up.

“I know what it’s like to be like you. Truth is, I… I love Rarity the same way you love Applejack,” said Spike. Even though I already knew that, I was still touched by his confession. We truly had an uncanny connection. We lived with ponies. We acted like ponies. We had special someponies. But we ourselves weren’t ponies. I never thought I’d relate so closely on the subject of love with a baby dragon. I was, however, really happy to be with him at that moment. I smiled at him, and we both knew what the other was thinking. It's hard to explain, but we somehow didn't need to speak to know that that we appreciated each other in our hearts.

After, the moment of silence, he looked around the room for a second, then put his claw on his chin in thought.

“You can sleep in Twilight’s bed if you want,” said Spike. I smiled and managed a chuckle.

“I don’t mind sleeping in Twilight’s bed, but I think she would. I just spent the last hour running around like a fool, and so I don’t think she’d appreciate me getting her bed all sweaty,” I said. Spike smiled back.

“Oh. Well, what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her I guess, right?” he shrugged, and I couldn't help but laugh a little bit harder. It was like sibling rivalry between him and Twilight. When we finally got ahold of ourselves, I grabbed him by the shoulder.

“Spike, I think we were meant to be friends; we need to start hanging out more. I mean come on, the mares that we love are both best friends,” I said, and upon hearing that, Spike looked up at me rather affectionately. It occurred to me that maybe he needed a big brother of some kind. He was surrounded by pretty much nothing but fillies all his life, and he probably wanted someone to talk about Rarity with, because Celestia knows that wasn’t Twilight.

Spike went up to his and Twilight’s room and grabbed me a blanket. We said goodnight, and he went back up and got in his “bed” next to Twilight’s. I took my blanket and laid down on the rug in the middle of the library. I wasn’t there long before I reached into my pocket and pulled out the white cloth that Applejack had made me. I put my fingers on the silhouette of her, and ran it down over the apple-shaped heart that read “AJ + AJ” with an arrow going through it. I squeezed it tight and held it against my chest. All I could do at this point was literally hope to Celestia that I would be allowed to be with her. I started to wonder what she was doing at that moment. She’s saving Equestria right now, and she’s doing it like the strong, humble, dependable friend she’s always been.

I found myself lost in the Everfree Forest that night. I could hardly see anything in front of me, and I was bumping into trees and falling on my back. As I desperately scrambled around looking for an exit to this endless abyss, I could hear the voice of Princess Celestia taunting me; "You can’t love her! I forbid it!”  I covered my ears as I ran through the forest, trying to drown out her voice, but it was only getting louder. Suddenly, I looked through the trees and saw a dark figure hooded and cloaked walking slowly right at me. I stood there paralyzed, my heart thumping and my head sweating as the creature approached. I tried to run, but I couldn’t move. I looked on with complete terror until it stood right in front of me and threw off it’s hood and cloak. It was Applejack, shining like the sun and smiling at me with her most adorable face, holding her hat over her heart. The landscape around me changed to the most beautiful part of her orchard at Sweet Apple Acres, and red delicious apples glistened all around her. I stared into her eyes and felt the terror driven out, replaced with the most peaceful happiness.

“I’m dreaming,” I said, falling to my knees and looking at her with awe.

“Yes, you are. And you must wake now,” she said in her sweet, soft country accent. I pleaded with her.

“I don’t want to wake. I want to stay here with you.”

“And ah’ with you, sugarcube. But ya gotta get up now. Wake up, AJ, wake up.”

My eyes opened and I was back in Twilight’s library, lying on the rug as I had been. The earliest light of the sun crept through the window, and I looked up and stared face to face with an owl that was perched on the bookshelf. It called “who, who!” before it spread it wings and flew out the window. I rubbed my eyes and sat up, looking around for Spike or anyone else. Suddenly, I heard the sound of hooves approaching Twilight’s door. I could hear my heartbeat increasing and I held my cloth from Applejack tightly against my chest. Oh my gosh, they’re back. Here it is, the moment of truth.