Paradise
Chapter 17: To Bed
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Eyes suddenly snapping open Applejack lays in her torn apart bed, sheets and pillows alike strewn about randomly as she panted.
“Wha--” She begins looking around her room, not remembering how she got there before her eyes snap open in panic, “Oh buck! The north orchard!”
Rushing to get out of bed a wetness between her legs makes her slow down, her priorities suddenly shifted. Confused and more than a little embarrassed the orange apple farmer lifts the bedsheets and looks between her legs at the, definitely noticeable, wet spot turning the otherwise white sheets gray with moisture.
Applejack was not a lustful pony, she knew this about herself very well, which caused the large spot of liquid arousal matting the sheets and the inside of her thighs strange to even her.
“Ah ain't goin’ into heat am Ah?” She mumbles to herself, “No, it’s too early for that yet.”
The smell being just as obvious as the sight of the stain on the sheets AJ rolls out of bed, covering the stain with the other sheets hoping that nopony would wonder into her room and smell what she did when she was sleeping until she could do some laundry.
Walking across the hall and into the bathroom the confused orange mare steps into the tub, hoping a shower would wash away the scent of her arousal and make her feel better.
Walking down the stairs, the sound of cooking filling her ears Applejack walks into the kitchen where Granny and her little sister were preparing supper of what smelled to be fried hay and daisy sandwiches, something simple and easy.
“Uh, hey Granny,” AJ calls out, her mind still stuck on what she woke up to, the cold shower not helping any.
“Mm, yes dearie?”
“How did Ah get ta my bed? An’ why was I sleepin’ when the north orchard had to be done by today?”
“Hank carried you in asleep in his arms and put ya there.” Granny answers honestly cutting a piece of bread from the loaf that was fresh out of the tin, still warm to the touch.
Upon hearing the simple four lettered name of the strange creature Applejack heart starts to pick up as the memories of what she fantasized about while she was sleeping come rushing back to her. Hank’s big muscular frame towering over her as he pinned her to the bed and rutt-.
No! AJ berated herself shaking her head and pinching her eyes shut, Why am Ah thinkin’ ‘bout him like that!? She yelled in her head having no idea what was causing the fantasies playing in the back of her mind.
“Somethin’ wrong Sis?” Apple bloom peeped looking at her sister with worry.
“N-no Apple bloom, I’m jus’ worried ‘bout how Ah’m gonna get the north orchard done now that Ah fell… was put ta sleep. Ah don't know who we’re gonna make those bits back.” Looking with honest concern she sighs and shakes her head, “Things ‘ave been so hard as a late.”
“Well ya shouldn’t have to worry ‘bout the north orchard at all.”
Looking to granny as she continues to make the sandwiches, using the same amount of love as with all her other dishes, “What do ya mean, Mac’s leg get better all the sudden?”
“No, Hank did fix that though,” The old mare looks to AJ out of the corner of her eye setting a complete sandwich on the one of the plates, “He’s been goin’ back and forth dang near the whole day. Baskets full of apples under his huge arms of his each time.”
Groaning AJ winces, “Will ya stop talkin’ ‘bout him like that all the time?”
“What? I can’t look at a well built stallion? Ah may be old but I’m still a mare damnit.” Granny laughs at her granddaughter’s groans as they both blanch, “Someday y’all’ll be right in my shoes, then you’ll understand. The both of ya!”
Shaking her head, her still damp and let loose mane shaking with it Applejack rolls her eyes, “Well is he still out there?” She asked telling herself she didn’t want him to be, even though she very much so did.
“Ah think so, he hasn’t came by in a bit, would ya mind going and checkin’ on him? He’s been goin’ at it mighty rough, running back and forth with the baskets instead of walkin’ for the better half of the afternoon and evenin’.”
“Yeah he looked a little… wobbly the last few times he ran to the barn.” Apple bloom adds starting to get worried about her big tall friend and his absence.
“Well… Ah mean it’s Hank, he’s prolly okay, Ah don’t really need ta go…” She rubs the back of her neck with her hoof.
Turning all the way around Granny looks at her middle grandchild, “What’s the matter with you AJ? Hank’s part of the family and yet ya still treat him like he’s some criminal. What’s yer deal with him?” The green mare scolds making AJ falter and look to the floor.
Ah don’t know what her deal with him was either.
Looking back up to Granny the young orange mare sighs, “Yer right, I’ll be right back.” She turns and heads out of the kitchen and to the front screen door that was open letting the cool evening air into the house.
Walking further into the darkening north orchard the young pony tries to act brave but jumps at the unexpected crunch or rustle of wind in the darkening trees. She really hoped she could get to Hank if he was even out here at all.
No. She shook her head and continued on, listening to everything as she went, Hank was out here and she would be safe when she got to him.
Using that line of thinking she pushed on through the freshly bucked apple trees.
He’s been busy…, She thought, a loud series of steps adorned with canine esk panting raced past her just out of eyesight in the dark.
Ponies did not have the best night vision, despite their large eyes, they didn’t have very good eyesight at all compared to a predators like humans. This eyesight is further degraded when in a panic, and Applejack was certainly starting to panic. A brave mare she may be but dying in a orchard for her family to find later by some mutated wolf that had jaws larger than a pony, it didn't help any when the same sound zipped behind her.
Spinning around, almost falling over from how fast she turned the orange pony tries to tell her legs to move but has no control over them. She didn’t know why she was so scared, she’d knocked out a few timberwolves before but the sight of that huge black wolf Hank showed them few weeks ago flashed freshly in her mind, freezing her to the ground where she stood.
“H-hank-” She calls out in a wavering voice, her last hope being the human or maybe if she could get the will to move.
The unknown antagonizer running directly in front of her but louder as it seemed closer, the outline of its figure barely visible to the pony until it disappeared back into the trees. The creature now circling her, sizing up its meal she stands hopelessly trying to gain the will to fight, run, do anything.
Getting back to where it disappeared into the cover of the trees its steps and breathing suddenly stop as a loud crack of wood on wood echoes through the trees, watching intently, the what turned out to be timber wolf, is thrown out of the darkness whimpering not a second after the crack rang out, silencing all of the night insects calls.
Staring from where the timberwolf got thrown from AJ sees, much to her relief the familiar tall and wide form of her human friend, a five hoof long branch in his hands. Switching to the downed timberwolf she sees the blood pouring from its cracked skull as it tries to crawl away, still weakly whimpering.
Not able to look away Applejack watches with bated breath as the human approaches the timberwolf, club raised off his right shoulder, no doubt to deliver the final blow. The branch falling upon the wolf’s head before she had any warning she goes to look up to Hank but notices that he wasn’t satisfied yet.
Throwing the branch away Hank bends over and grabs either side of the wolf’s cracked skull in both hands before starting to try to connect to his hands together, the wolf skull being the only thing from his goal.
Staring into the wolf’s eyes in a rage, deep red eye piercing into the soon to be erased soul of the wolf AJ watches in extreme amazement and slight horror at the human’s strength and brutality, a small crunching sound starting to make itself known as the human’s arms start to shake.
Opening his mouth, a hoarse and anger villed growl rumbling from his lower throat he pushes as hard as he could one last time the wolfs head finally collapsing, his hands coming together as green blood and brains explode all over him.
Throwing the wolf’s corpse to the ground as if it were less than garbage the angered human stands at his full height and yells to the sky holding his arms out at his sides, fingers tensed.
Mouth wide open as she looks at the beast in front of her not sure if it were Hank or not, the amount of animalistic savagery never being experienced by the pony, or any other she was sure of.
Calming down Hank just realized that there was a presence behind him, tunnel vision setting in half way through killing the lone timberwolf. Lowering his arms and slowly turning around he’s somewhat surprised at the presence of Applejack. Not knowing what to say, the mare’s face still showing her shock at what she had just witnessed.
“Uh, hey AJ.” The human raises his right hand briefly and greets unsure of what to do after that.
Shuffling a little Applejack closes her mouth finally, “H-hey Hank.” She greets back unsure of what to say as well.
Just noticing her let down hair Hank couldn’t help but stare a little at the mare, her hair making her look completely different.
“S-somethin’ wrong?” AJ asks, an instinctual part of her making uncomfortable under the predatory gaze even if she knew Hank would never hurt her.
“N-no.” The human holds his hand out in front of him, caught red handed, “Ya jus’ look really good with your hair like that. Not that your regular style looks bad or nothin’! I jus’.... I uh… Jus’ stop talkin’ ya idiot!” Hank says to himself turning around and smacking himself in the face, “Why am I so awkward?” He mumbles just loud enough for the orange pony to hear.
Turning back around Aj feels a shiver run up her spine at hardened look on the humans face, an air of confidence surrounding him, “What I was trying to say before the old, shy, me kicked in was that ya always look great, but you look absolutely stunning with your hair let down like that.”
The orange ponies face starting to look more like her brothers in color, she hoped that Hank couldn’t see it in the darkness just as she couldn’t see the fine details of his.
Nodding his head Hank walks past AJ for the last basket of apple that needed to be brought back to the barn. Walking about three feet from the blushing pony she catches a strong nose full of his strong, almost overpowering scent, the fragrance causing her blush to instantly deepen and another certain part of her anatomy to respond.
Rubbing her thighs together with a groan she follows the human automatically, hoping to get more of the intoxicating aroma that he was the source of.
Looking back over his shoulder he notices the pony following after him and smiles.
Walking a ways through the dark winding trees of the north orchard AJ has snapped herself out of the trance like state she was in and was thinking about the human to her front right.
He’s not nervous at all walking through the dark with timberwolves around, let alone the Shucks. Applejack thinks, more nervous than she’d like to admit, the timberwolf incident only a few minutes ago aiding in this anxiety.
He doesn’t have to be afraid, he can crush a timber wolf's head with his hooves, things should be afraid of him. The mare continues to think, his scent finding her nose making her forget about what she was thinking for a second.
Shaking her head she calms herself before realization hits her like a truck.
That’s what’s making me act like Ah’m in heat! His… scent. I thought Rarity was lyin’ ‘bout scent an’ aphrodisiacs an’ all that. Looking at the human’s back as he limped toward the barn she jumps at a sound behind her and accidentally rubs up against his leg as she got closer to him for comfort.
“Ya alright AJ?” Hank looks down to the pony.
“A-Ah’m fine, jus’ a little nervous after what happened.” The apple farmer replies looking to where to noise came from. Nothing showing itself she still gets closer to the man, feeling much safer just from the proximity.
Now closer to the man she could finally start to notice that something was definitely off about him, he wasn’t limping, he was wobbling his feet sometimes hanging up before quickly finding where to go before he fell over.
“Uh, are you okay Doc? Ya look a little worse fer wear.”
“I’m good.” The human simply states, not confident that he’d be able to formulate a coherent response with the head injury and lack of blood in his body. The tunnel vision from earlier still hadn't dissipated yet and he was hearing more of the noise in his own head more than anything else, but Applejack didn’t need to know any of this. Hank didn’t want to worry her.
The lights of the house and coming into view not too long before the actual structure was visible hank lets out an audible sigh of relief that the work was done.
“Will ya come inside? Feedin’ ya is the least we could do after all ya done.” Hoping he’d say yes she offers.
“I’m jus’ gonna go home.” Hank mumbles, not wanting to be a burden.
“C’mon Doc,” AJ percists wanting to show some hospitality following him into the barn before stopping in awe at the amount of full baskets of apples filling the building, “Are ya sure ya didn’t do more than the north orchard?” She questions the amount, the yield being more than what the north orchard usually yielded.
“Eh-” Hank grunts with a shrug, setting the last basket of apples on the ground. Turning around he steps past AJ, the pony turning around to follow him.
“Ya sure ya don’t want to come in ya could grab a warm shower… not that ya need one.” Applejack whispers under her breath. Looking up from her hooves her hot skips a beat at the frozen posture of the human.
Did he hear me!? Oh no no no nonono-
“Did ya say warm shower?” The pony could she his head turn to the side, not being able to see the fine features of his face she could still tell he was staring directly at her.
“Yeah?”
“Then I’m in.”
In an almost unbelievable amount of speed the human had started walking toward the house and had stripped off all his outer armor. Hanging the armor on his arm bent at a 90 degree angle he holds his helmet in the same hand and his rifle in the other.
Seeing that his hands were full AJ catches up to the newly invigorated human and opens the door for him.
“Thanks.” The man nods stepping past AJ and into the house gear in hand.
Stepping inside herself Applejack closes the door behind her. Turning around she realizes why Hank was so enthused about a shower as she watches him pile his stuff against the hallways wall. Standing up while he leans the rifle against the wall as gentle as a parent lying their baby into a crib her breath catches in her throat at the sight in front of her.
The left side of his head was matted in blood, the hole where it came from easily visible as the blood trailed down his neck soaking the white shirt to the mid-lower back. His left arm was gashed open, the skin flap that had been pulled off a purplish color causing the area from where the gash was to his hand to be crusty with dried, dark, blood; the only difference being that his arm seemed to be completely done bleeding where as the blood from his head was a mix of largely dry but some fresher blood.
“Ya got anythin’ ta drink?” The injured human asks, looking through his vest, making sure everything was still there.
“Sure.” The stunned mare drawls on before quickly making it past the human and into the kitchen to get him a glass of water. Rounding the corner she was met with the eyes of Granny, Mac, and Apple Bloom, all looking up from their plates.
“Sorry ‘bout startin’ without ya sis but Mac finally woke up and we didn’t think you’d be so long.” Apple bloom explains while AJ makes her way to the sink, getting a glass from the above cupboard.
“It’s ‘ight, Ah ain’t too hungry anyways.” The farm mare explains, a hasteness to her voice.
“-Still fuckin’ bleedin’.” The three hear the familiar deep voice grumble from out in the hallway.
“Oh Hank’s here!?” AB excitedly bounces in her seat, the loud footfalls of the bipedal human announce that he was approaching.
Walking into the doorway of the kitchen the excited atmosphere of the three ponies quickly dissipates as their smiles fall at the sight of their friend. Turning around herself Applejack feels herself droop further at the picture of Hank’s face.
It was obvious he had a bloody nose, hell of a bad one if the blood going down his front was anything to go by. The thing that caught everypony’s attention though was his left eye. Completely bloodshot the dark spot that was his pupil was barely visible under all the red.
Raising his hand up a little in greeting he points to the glass Applejack was holding and walks to her before reaching for it.
“Thanks.” In a gravely tone the human takes the glass before walking over to the sink basin.
Placing the glass to his lips he tips it back drinking all but one mouthful. Keeping the portion of the water in his mouth he swishes it around, pushing it through all of his teeth. Stopping he brings the glass up to his lips before spitting the water in his mouth into it, the clean and clear water now tinted red with blood.
Clearing his throat he examines the glass and hums, “Better.” In a clearer voice he mumbles before looking to his left at the open window above the sink. Throwing the bloodied water out of the window in one quick motion he returns the glass to the sink and pumps some water into it from the tap to wash it out before dumping the water and sitting the empty glass into the basin.
“What in the Maker’s name happened to ya Hank?” Granny sets down her sandwich looking to the human with sad eyes.
“I went to town.”
“Ya went to town?” Mac interjects, not understanding how going to town could end up in looking like you went four rounds with a bear.
“Yeah. Went to town. Got a brick to the head an’ arm from two ponies. Came back.” As simply as possible the human states, not having much patients but not wanting to be too rude.
“What happened ta the ponies that threw the bricks?” Nervous for the answer Mac is almost wishes he didn’t ask.
Already staring off at something on the far wall Hank’s lips tug until a chilling smile is left on his face making all three of the ponies in the room a little nervous.
Smile slowly falling the human looks away from where he was staring off, “Most likely dead, or seriously injured. When ya get thrown into a wall that hard and fast things usually go wrong in yer body.”
“You threw them into a wall?” Granny looks at the human unbelieving. She knew he was strong and capable but she had no idea of just how good he was at using his strength for violence.
“Well one went into the wall, the other I threw onto the roof after breaking two of his legs at least.”
“On the roof!?” AJ’s time to chime in the orange pony looks up to the human as she turns to look at her, “You threw a pony onto a roof!?”
“Yeah, fucker flew.” The human crudely states with a laugh.
“Why’d ya do that!? Ya didn’t have ta kill ‘em!”
“AJ don’t-” Granny tries to stop her granddaughter from agitating the human but is to late.
“Ya know I could really go fer a day where I don't get criticized by your orange ass, AJ.” He points the the mare obviously pissed, “ Ya have no FUCKIN’ idea what situations I’ve been in yet ya act like you have the right ta judge every damn thing I do.”
“What need is there to throw a pony onto a roof!?”
“When yer in town gettin’ a time to go over to a nurse's house that hasn't had a day off in two years and make supper fer her to unwind an’ ta show ya ain't such a monster, but instead end up getting an attempt on your life made because I ain’t a pony.” Hank explains, “What would ya do if a brick busted open your head out of nowhere? Stand there and think “huh what an insterestin’ feeling having my mastoid cracked open” or are ya goin’ ta defend yourself?”
Not expecting the question and situation presented to her Applejack doesn’t have time to respond, instead getting caught with her mouth open as Hank continues.
“Do ya want me ta jus’ stand there and not protect me and my company? Or do ya jus’ want me to go off into the Everfree and die so I wouldn’t be a burden no more? Ya wouldn’t be the only one.” His suddenly calm tone making what he said stick even more AJ freezes for a second before shaking out of her stupor.
“No, Ah don't want that at all, Ah’m sorry, Ah hope Ah never made it seem that way.” AJ apologizes, “Ah’m jus’ not used ta how ya do things, the violence is new ta me.”
“Well gettin’ bricks thrown into my head fer no reason other than bein’ different is new ta me, so could ya be a little more understandin’?”
“Ah’ll try… Ah’m sorry.”
“Forget it, jus’ stop tellin’ me what ta do when ya have no idea what the situation was.” The human rubs his forehead, “Now where’s the shower?”
“Up the stairs to the left, first room on the right.” Apple Bloom informs.
“Thanks Ab.” The human looks to the small filly with a smile. Smiling back at him Hank turns and walk into the hall, grabbing his rifle before heading to the bathroom.
------
Letting the warm water wet his left arm the human laughs at the sensation.
“It’s been Two. Damn. Years since I had a hot shower, that’s a long time.” He sighs almost not believing how long it had been himself.
Pulling his arm out of the warm streams of water hesitantly, afraid the gift would go away if he didn't keep tabs on it at all times. Stripping completely naked in the matter of seconds Hank jumps in the shower with a loud groan, “Oh my fucking god,” Letting the water wet his entire form he smiled widely as he looked up into the shower head with closed eyes, “I can die happy now.”
Rubbing his face with both hands, the darkened dry blood finally getting cleaned off he gets to work on cleaning the rest of his body, being extra careful of his head wound.
All of the blood removed from the human’s skin, his hair smelling like apples from one of the bottles of mane shampoo and tangle free for once, he sits static in the shower, letting the warmth of the water run down his back.
He didn’t care if he had to partially crouch down to get his entire height under the shower head, his thighs could handle it without locking up, plus any pain he may have been experiencing was being completely ignored by the human as he drank in the old, but wonderfully new, feeling.
By the time that Hank had realized where he was again ten minutes had passed and his fingers and toes were thoroughly pruned by the extended time spent in the water. Standing up, his thighs aching and knees popping from the extended time spent partially crouched down. Standing at his full height the powerful jet of water blasts him directly in the dick and balls making him flinch back and cover himself.
“God damnit. Right in the boys…” The human groans while the telltale and terrible ache starts to flare up in his stomach, “Ohhhhh...why? I was havin’ such a good time.”
Still shielding himself with one hand he approached the stream of water cautiously, reaching his other hand forward and turning off the water. Stepping out of the shower he grabs a towel from one of the shelves and unfolds it. Looking at the towel in disappointment he shakes it around trying to get it to unfold further.
“That’s it? Really? It’s like the size of a washcloth.” Over exaggerating the human tisks his nads still aching.
Having used both sides of the towels to dry off he hung the, now soaked, towel over the shower curtain rod before starting to cover his exposed frame with the dirty clothes he had worn all day. Underpants going on first of course, shirt following immediately after, Hank is about to put on his pants before a dog barking comes right from outside the farm house.
This wasn’t the booming gurgle of shucks, or the snappy growl of timberwolves, this was a regular bark of a smaller dog one would have as a pet. Instantly intrigued the human opens the bathroom window above the countertop and sticks his head out to observe what was making the sound.
Looking out into the area just in front of the house he could just see a border collie barking into the darkness as the lights from the house illuminate the brown and white dog. Always knowing to watch to what animals were doing and to use their actions to see what was happening he could tell it wasn’t barking at nothing.
The hair along its back raised up as it lowered its front to the ground in a defensive manner it continued to bark while switching from side to side, seemingly tracking things beyond the light.
Switching his attention to whatever the dog was barking at he could just barely make out shapes moving back and forth but he couldn’t tell what they were.
Grabbing his rifle and putting the muzzle out of the window, just in case, he waited for something to happen.
“Winona!?” He hears from downstairs as the dog he was watching stops barking and turns to face the house. A mere second after the dog stopped looking at what was in the darkness they started to approach.
“Shit.” Lining his sights up on the Shuck closest to the dog he hears the heavy wooden door swing open and Applejack call out for the dog. The three Shucks noticing as well he hoped AJ could see them but feels his heart drop as he hears hoof steps come out onto the porch.
“Where ya been Winona? C’mon.” The dog froze as well as the Shucks as their enlarged meal Hank looks back through is sights at the Shuck.
“Get inside AJ!” He yells flicking the gun off safety.
“Wha-?”
Snapped out of their surprise the Shuck the human had his bead on took one step forward before catching five rounds to the head and neck. The sudden booms of the rifle springing everything into action like he knew it would the border collie rushed toward AJ, AJ screamed at the Shucks that themselves sprinted toward the pony and open door, and loud hooves on wood beat into the house before a loud crash sounded from the wooden door followed by more screams and yells.
All this happened while Hank was firing rounds at the Shuck he could see, hitting it one or twice in the torso out of four rounds. Pulling the rifle out of the window and rushing over to the door; swinging it open in one motion, Hank steps into the hallway rifle in hand in only tee shirt and underwear before practically gliding down the stairs.
Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs the human saw that Mac was trying to hold the Shuck out of the house while it snapped and tried to claw at him from its sideways orientation pinched between the door and the frame.
The red pony’s hooves slipping on the wood flooring as the Shuck forced more and more of its body into the door. Finally losing foot, after a good fight, the red stallion falls to the ground on his back as the Shuck lands on all fours in the doorway.
The black wolf loading its legs to bolt into the house just barely moves forward before catching all two hundred and fifty pounds of angry human in the form of a flying right knee to the face. The blow pushing the Shuck outside with Hank as his momentum carried him the dazed Shuck tumbles down the porch stairs onto the grass below, many of its teeth missing.
Twisting to the right, barely missing the flying maw of the third shuck, the human aims his rifle from the hip and pumps the dazed wolf full of lead. Catching movement in his peripheral vision to his left the half naked man tries to dodge out of reflex but doesn’t have enough time.
Hitting the porch hard, immediately on the defensive, pushing the wolf’s snapping teeth away from his throat, Hank wraps his legs around the wolfs torso locking his feet so he couldn’t slip under the wolf’s body and right into its awaiting teeth.
The enraged K-9 staring into the equally enraged human’s eyes it tried desperately to shake the human loose by throwing its head left and right, slamming his head into the doorframe and sliding him into its jaws.
Nothing worked, the human only got madder at the dog, never feeling a blow as he delivered his own.
Hank was enraged at the gall of the Shuck. It thought it could come onto his families property and try to eat them!? No! He was going to extinguish the very being of this atrocity from the universe, and upon seeing that he was sliding back into the house his plan began.
Unlocking his legs and rolling them to the right he shrimps out just far enough so his right leg was in front of the Shuck’s left front leg. Placing his hands on the back of the Shuck’s head at the same time and pulling down, clamping its mouth shut and partially shutting down its airway at the same time, he thrusts his hips up extending his legs before folding his right leg at a 90 degree angle across the back of its neck and dropping his other on his foot that was acting as a hook to lock in place.
Squeezing his huge thighs together to the point that they were shaking, the human tried to crush the dogs neck like a watermelon, all the while making the triangle choke even more effective by holding his hips up into the air while pulling the Shuck’s head down into his stomach.
Realizing that it could no longer breathe the Shuck started to try to pull out of the choke, its effort severely dampened by its right front leg being stuck in the choke a well.
Panickedly scraping its claws on the wood as it realized its efforts were only aiding the beast latched on like a vice it stops struggling and with its last few seconds before its vision completely went black looked at the snarling grin of the monster that like many of its kin would take its life as well.
Going limp minus a few last spasms of consciousness Hank unwraps from the wolf and rolls with it until he was sitting on its chest with his legs pinching either side.
“You think you can fuck with my family!?” He slams his fist into the unconscious Shuck’s trachea before pulling back and loading it again, “Try to kill them!? Another equally strong punch falls square on the Shuck’s throat causing blood to spurt from the wolf’s muzzle, “Try to eat them!?” One last punch crashes upon the wolf’s already flattened throat making more blood erupt from the wolf’s throat like a balloon was popped, sending spray everywhere.
“See I’ve already lost everybody I cared and loved once before,” Standing up while flipping the wolf onto its stomach, blood running out of its mouth in numerous small lines, he grips his left hand on the underside of the blood covered muzzle while his right goes to the long hair on the back of its skull, “and I ain’t gonna let that happen ever again.”
In one fast and smooth motion Hank snaps the Shuck’s neck making its head face backwards. Holding the head backward for a second and starting into the empty eyes of the Shuck that was only moments ago in peak physical condition his manic grin fades to a stoic glare
Huffing the human lets the wolf go, its body falling to the hardwood floor with meaty thump immediately after.
Walking backwards out of the door he drags the Shuck with him and throws it roughly down the stairs. Picking up his rifle the human stands and checks the chamber. A curt nod signaling that the the chamber was hot he points the M16 down the stairs before emptying the rest of the mag into the corpses.
Hot brass raining onto the fading wood as the muzzle flashes illumenates and reflects off the dark blood the running from the mouths and bullet holes of the Shucks onto the ground.
Clicking as the last round was ejected from the chamber, the bolt locking back, the angered human lowers his rifle and grumbles. Pushing the bold release and pulling the trigger, dry firing the gun.
“That’s It! I’ve made up my mind!” The human suddenly exclaims after a few moments of starting at the corpses, startling the ponies that were watching him from inside the house, “I’m gonna kill every single one of these damn things.” Turning around he looks at the Apple family, “Three strikes, you’re out. They’ve crossed the line into ‘no return’ territory. In fact, I’m putting their entire species at the top of my kill list… with a little asterisk next to it for ‘execute with extreme prejudice’.” He explains squinting his eyes at the end.
Pinching his nose and leaning his head back he lets out a tired sigh. Tilting his head back forward he looks to the ponies in front of him in the hallway, noticing the stares they were giving him.
Not all the ponies were just looking at him in geral with astonishment and confusion like Apple Bloom was. The other three were focused on his lower body, they had all seen the scars on his arms, but his legs were easily just as scared, their attention was drawn especially to the long and wide gashes that had long bubbled scars filling them on his upper left thigh.
Although, while they were looking at his scars another part of his anatomy was very easily visible through the tight white fabric of the human’s undergarments. Almost peeking out of the bottom of the underpants near his mid-thigh, Hank’s manhood was very easily visible to the three, and the chance to examine the curiosity known as Hank, other than his arms, head, and neck, was not being squandered.
Looking down to see what they were so fascinated on his eyes widen as he notices that Hank Jr had gotten excited during the scuffle and was making his presence known by snaking down his right thigh.
Looking back up and shrugging the human makes his way back inside, making sure to close the door behind him.
“Now we’re even Mac.” Hank laughs patting the red pony on the head as he walked past to go back upstairs and get dressed the rest of the way.
Blushing at the remark knowing that he was referring to when he’d accidentally gotten an erection while Hank was fixing his leg Big Mac gave a small smile while AJ and Granny looked at him with confusion.
“What’d he mean Mac?” AJ asks asks her brother turning her attention from Hank as he disappeared up the stairs.
“Nothin’.” Mac dismisses before noticing that AB was starting out of the family room window at the dead wolves while petting their beloved Winona after she had been missing near a month. Leaving his other sister and grandmother in the hallway he goes to comfort AB and turn her attention to something else.
Leaving the two mares alone Granny looks over to AJ with a smirk, “Wasn’t hurtin’ fer size was he?”
“Granny!”
Snickering at her granddaughter’s reaction she rolls her eyes, “You’re a grown mare AJ, don’t pretend like ya weren't lookin’... Ah was.”
“Still Ah wish ya wouldn’t always bring up stuff like… That.” Following her grandmother into the kitchen Granny just laughs again.
“When Ah stop gettin’ such a rouse out of ya is when Ah’ll stop.”
“No ya won’t.”
“No. Ah won’t.” The old mare smiles sliding a glass of tea to AJ before pouring one for herself.
Both of them taking a second to drink a little from their respective glasses granny starts again, “Well Ah can tell ya that he’s better equipped than a minotaur already. Well at least the one Ah had contact with way back when.”
“Ah didn’t need ta know that.” AppleJack grimises picturing her grandmother with a minotaur.
“Ah know, just an innocent observation is all.”
“There ain’t nothin’ innocent with that observation.” Deadpanning at Granny the orange mare sighs.
Smiling at her Granddaughter while taking another drink Granny had no intention of stopping now, “Honestly I wouldn’t mind seein’ how big he is when he’s really rearin' fer action.”
Groaning and letting her head fall and impact the wood kitchen table, a solid thump reverberating causing the tableware to rattle. Thinking about what granny had just said the young picks her head up, a questioning look adorning her features, “How do ya know that wasn’t all there was?”
Finally having her granddaughter interested Granny laughs before starting to explain, “Well if it were it’d be standin’ straight up away from his body. C’mon, yer twenty one AJ, ya have ta know how this stuff works, Ah know how young mares talk.”
“With a stallion yeah, but he’s no stallion.”
“More than a stallion if my what my nurse told me is true.” Granny mumbles just loud enough for AJ to hear while looking at her drink before looking back up to the orange mare, “ He might not be a “stallion” sure but he is a stallion, and all stallions no matter what species they are act the same down there.” The old mare smirks, “There isn’t just ‘no excitement’ and ‘max excitement’ there’s plenty of settings in between.”
“Well he’s jus’ so different an’ all.”
“His looks may be but inside that head of his he ain’t.” The old mare laughs.
Deciding to leave the conversation there to avoid further awkwardness AJ turns the conversation, “Can we talk ‘bout what Hank can do though? I’m tired of jus’ pretnedin’ like any of that’s normal.” Their conversation being a good distraction from what had just happened minutes ago, now that it was over AJ was starting to feel the nervousness in her stomach again.
Reading that her granddaughter was honestly distressed, with good reason, if it had not been for the century of experience she had Granny would be more worked up as well, “Take a seat AJ.”
Sitting down with a groan Granny sits down next to her granddaughter with a kind smile, “What exactly do ya wanna talk about?”
“Ah uh… Well ya know how ya told us about the Shucks and how hard they were ta kill? Takin’ a team of at least four to take on one?”
“Yeah, Ah remember.”
“Hank jus’ killed one with nothin’ but his legs… his legs!” Applejack whisper yells.
Looking off for a second Granny gives a small huff out of her nose and smiles, “That he did. He’s one hell of a fighter.”
“It don’t bother ya that, at any moment, he could do any of that? I’m not sure anypony short of the princesses could stop him.”
“Are you scared of Hank AJ?” Granny asks.
“Well no…but, yes. Whenever Ah’m around him Ah feel all nervous and weird.” Looking down at the top of the table, the young mare’s eyes going back and forth as she thought about how she really felt and how to put it into words. “It didn’t start at first like when we first saw him after savin’ AB and her friends but from the first time Ah got up an’ close with him Ah jus’ get this feelin’.”
“Why do ya feel this way AJ?”
“Because Ah’ve seen what he can do. When Ah went out ta find him a timberwolf found me and Ah froze up, Ah thought Ah was dead but then after a loud crack and a yelp it came flying out of the woods with it’s back broken. It didn’t even know he was there…” Quieting down AJ explains looking more and more distraught, “A timberwolf got snuck up on by that giant, he jus’ appeared, and then when it was tryin’ ta crawl away he comes out of the trees with a branch over his shoulder, not like a little one or nothin’, a branch twice as thick as my arm and smashes it over its head. Then, Ah’m still not done, he smashed its head between his hooves. Ah’m dead serious, he. Smashed. Its. head. Between. His. Hooves. Like a pumpkin.” She mimics his movements by holding her hooves apart before forcefully colliding them together with a dull clop.
Taking a second to processes what AJ said, on account of her saying it so fast, Granny thinks back to what she’d seen Hank do, she understood why AJ felt the way she did, she couldn’t blame her, but the old mare still thought the concern was there without reason.
“Did ya hear what he said when he was killing that Shuck at our door?”
Still looking down at her hooves on the table AJ shakes her head, “No, Ah didn’t”
“He called us his family. Not only that but he would never let his family ever get hurt again.”
Looking up from her hooves AJ looks straight into her grandmother’s eyes, “Did he really?”
Family is one of the most important aspects in the Apple family, it was before all else, if a family member, no matter how distant, was in trouble or needed help they would all come, no questions asked. The Apples prided themselves in this and took family extremely seriously, for this reason what Hank had said held an exceptional amount of weight to the ponies.
“He did.” Granny confirms, “It’s clear to me that he’s extremely protective of what he has and the ponies he cares for, as seen jus’ tonight, he’s willing ta die protecting what he holds dear. I’d say that we have no need ta be fearful of him, if anythin’ we should be afraid for what tries to harm us.”
Suddenly feeling guilty for feeling afraid of a man that only wanted to protect her and her family she thinks back to the incident at the town hall, “He told a sergeant of the guard that he’d kill him if he such as touched a hair on my head.” She says as much to herself as to Granny remembering the event that she previously tried to repress.
“Ah’d say he’s particularly protective of you AJ.” With a smirk she says to her granddaughter, “Sure he’s skilled and proficient in ending life and isn’t afraid to use his skill, he ain’t afraid to work all day and get dirty neither, he’s also shown ta me at least that family is as important ta him as us. Frankly Ah don’t know what’s bad about any of them traits. If he weren’t here tonight we’d all be dead.”
Drinking in all of what Granny had just said and realizing that he’d never ended a life just to do it, as most of the ponies in town, and even a few of her friends, believed and were constantly talking about she feels some of her nervousness fade away.
“Yeah we woulda been.” Laughing once or twice the gravity of the situation finally hits her, “Wow, Ah was right out there and Mac held the door jus’ long enough for him ta get down stairs.”
“It was a close one, closer than Ah’ve been in a looong time.” Granny laughs getting AJ to chuckle a few times as well before they both burst out laughing, what really happened moments ago finally becoming realized.
The duo’s laugher drawing the attention from the other two in the family area, Big Mac and Apple bloom followed by the recently returned Winona find themselves walking into the kitchen trying to find what had made the two break out in such rambunctious laughter.
“What’s so funny y’all?” AB asks looking to Granny and her sister with a cocked head.
“O-oh nothin’ Apple bloom.” AJ waves off knowing that her little sister wouldn’t have the same reaction.
“Granny?” Big Mac questions looking from his sister to the old mare.
“It’s nothin’ dearie.” She dismisses while stifling a few last giggles.
“Well…” Looking to her grandmother and sister suspiciously, “We got Winona back!” She turns her attention to the dog and starts petting her making it rub into the pets happily.
“Yeah how is she?” AJ slides out of her seat and starts giving Winona some attention as well.
“She’s a little skinny but she’ll be jus’ fine in a week er two.” Mac smiles.
“I’m surprised she’s back, it’s been a little over a month now.”
“Yeah, where ya been girl?” AB asks the dog as it just looks back happy and yips once in response.
Everypony in the kitchen paying attention to Winona, the dog loving every second and happy to be back with her family. Panting with excitement everypony looked to the dog equally as happy before she suddenly dropped her happy demeanor and turned around growling, the hair on her back raised.
Startled by the sudden switch everypony looks to where Winona was expecting to see another wolf. Looking to the bottom of the stairs they all sigh in relief upon seeing that it was just Hank standing at the bottom of the stairs after managing to descend them silently enough that nopony had realized he was in their presence again.
Continuing to growl at the fully dressed human as he walked toward them he locks eyes with Winona as she growled at him and bares his teeth and growls back.
As if a switch was flipped Winona stops growling and stats whimpering as her ears press against her skull. Still showing his teeth to the dog the ponies watch with wonder as she lowers to the ground and rolls onto her back showing the human her exposed belly while watching him and occasionally whining.
Closing his lips over his teeth and bending over he slowly places a hand on Winona’s stomach, causing her to flinch, before rubbing up and down in a friendly manner.
Almost instantaneously calming down and becoming her regular happyself Hank gives a small smile while scratching the underside of her chin, “That’s right, you know who’s in charge here don’t cha?”
Yiping once in response the human gives a curt laugh before standing and walking the rest of the way to where his gear was piled.
Confused as to what just happened everypony looks to Winona questioningly as she panted just like her old happy self. Turning to look at Hank next as he replaced the magazine in his rifle before charging it, the action causing a series of harsh metallic sounds that the ponies didn’t like at all, they watch him sort through his stuff as he pays them no attention.
“What was that all about?” AB peeps up finally.
“What?” Not looking away from his stuff he questions.
“What jus’ happened between you an’ Winona.”
“She felt threatened about her family so I showed her that I was no threat.” He states matter of fact while picking up his black plate carrier.
“Whatta think yer doin’?” Granny interrupts AB’s questioning as the human started putting his armor on.
“Goin’ home…”
“No yer not.” Granny shakes her head ‘no’, “Yer stayin’ right here for the night.”
“Nah.” He waves off putting on his vest anyway.
“Colt! You better listen to me, you’re stayin’ here for the night.” Granny puts her hoof down, the other three ponies almost shivering just hearing her famous strict tone.
“All due respect Granny, I can’t sleep nowhere else but my home an’ I already don’t sleep all that well there.” Not affected by the tone at all he continues to strap up.
“More of those Shucks could be out there.”
“Bad for them.” He darkly laughs.
“That kind’ve macho mind set is gonna get ya killed.” Granny frowns.
Picking up his chest holster he starts to put it on, “Hasn't yet.”
Completely immune to the old mare he straps the chest holster the rest of the way on before picking up his suspenders, the ponies watching silently. Even Granny knew she couldn’t tell Hank what to do, much like her, he was set in his ways.
“Ah’m not underestimating your fightin’ skills but yer hurt pretty bad.” Mac tries to reason with the human, “Maybe goin’ out in the dark where ya can’t see, are already injured, and tired isn’t the best idea.”
The human’s fatigue was apparent, his usual commanding posture was more slouched and loose showing how exhausted physically he truly was, even if he was trying to downplay it.
“Had worse.” He states with a slight slur.
“Can ya please stay? Ah’m scared.” Apple bloom pleas.
Stopping the process of getting back into his kit he looks over and down to the young filly, “It’s fine, I’ve already cleared the house. It’s completely safe.”
“But... but what if more come an’ they get into the house when we’re sleepin’!” AB was truly scared, a hint of panic leaking into her voice, “What can we do if you aren’t here? You’re the only one those wolves are scared of.”
Looking from Apple bloom’s big eyes and the door a couple of times the tired man sighs and hangs his head, “Fine.”
Smiling wide the young filly rushed over and wraps herself around his left leg, hugging it as tight as she could, “Thank you.”
Smiling he crouches down and gently ruffles her hair before standing back up and starting to take off everything he had just put on.
“Well ain’t you jus’ a regular ol’ softie?” Granny laughs as the human hums taking his vest off.
“Ya know, that’s the second time I’ve been called that today.”
“Oh really?” Perplexed Granny thinks to who could’ve said that, “By who?”
“Doubt y’all’d know her but there’s a Zebra who lives a little ways from me an’ this mornin’ she told me the exact same thing.”
“A zebra? Livin’ in the Everfree?” The old green mare looks to Hank, “How long she been here for?”
“Oh she got here ‘bout when I did.” He nods putting his chest holster back on over his dirty white tee shirt.
“Y’all good friends are ya?”
“I’d die for her.” The human says with complete casualness throwing the ponies off a little.
Holster strapped firmly in place the human next goes to a knee and starts taking his boots off.
“Well Ah don’t know where ya want ta sleep but you’re welcome wherever.” Granny yawns, “But it’s time fer me ta go ta bed so I’ll let y’all set that out.”
Turning around, saying her goodnites that everybody reciprocated, the elderly pony made her way slowly down the hall to a door just before the stairs on the right.
Looking back to the human as he continued to un-lace his right boot they watch in silence before he stops and looks to them out if the corner of his bloodied eye.
“Would y’all stop starin’ at me?” Slipping his boot off he looks to the ponies as they immediately look away to avoid his gaze. Looking back from the ponies he slips off his boot showing the white sock underneath.
Pulling up his pant leg he hooks a finger on the opening of the sock that went half way up his calf and pulled it down before off completely.
“What are those?” AJ asks already having a hunch but writing it off quickly. No pony would wear socks all the time would they? Or out in public? Unless they were extremely promiscuous perhaps.
“Socks.” Starting on his other boot he states.
“Socks!?” She whisper yells looking around for Apple bloom who had wondered of into the family room to play with Winona, “Do you wear those all the time?”
“Pretty much yeah.” He nods not knowing why AJ was freaking out.
“Don’t ya know what socks are?”
“Uh, A protective barrier between my feet and my boots to provide cushion and comfort while cutting down on rash.” Pulling his other boot off he explains.
“Oh.” The farm mare looks to her brother who also looked less surprised.
“What’s the big deal about socks?” He asks taking off his other sock.
“Not so loud!” She hushes.
“What the fuck is the big deal about socks.” He whisper yells at her holding up his sock before throwing it into the pile of his stuff.
“Well they’re… lingerie.”
“Ooooh gotcha.” The man nods before smiling, “So you own any socks AJ?”
“What? No.” Surprised by the question she takes a step back.
“Mac?” The human switches to the large red pony who quickly freezes.
“Uhhhhhhhh, Nope.”
“Yeah I don’t believe either of you.” He gives a firm laugh standing up, “Especially you Mac, quiet guy like yourself? Nah.”
“Why would Ah have linger… lander… lindera,” Not knowing how to say the word he sighs, “Buckin’ clothes?” Mac finally, and extremely eloquently, blurts getting a elbow to the ribs from his sister.
“Mac!” Applejack chastises causing him to only roll his eyes.
“Not to sound cliche, but the quieter a person is the stranger they usually are as well.” Walking past them and into the kitchen he explains himself.
Both following him they both watch as he picks up the glass he used earlier and fills it from the sink.
“What about you? Yer quiet, are you strange?”
Taking a drink the man smiles, “Do you really have to ask that? Think y’all both know I’m a liiiiittle off.”
“So does that mean ya have lingerie?” AJ smirks.
“Of course.” The human casually shrugs in response.
The smirk on the orange pony’s face fading almost immediately her brother beats her to her question.
“What?”
“What? You asked.” He sets the glass back in the sink.
“Ya can’t jus’ say that ya have lingerie and not elaborate. Yer a stallion fer Celestia’s sake.” AJ beats Mac to the punch, clearly surprised. Mostly because how open about the subject Hank was. Stallions from Equestria would never announce that they owned anything of the nature of lingerie because they would be made fun of and most of their credibility would be stripped away.
“I can't keep a gift from a friend that is most likely dead?” He leans back onto the countertop while crossing his arms.
“Of course you can keep gifts.” AJ backpedals, “But why would they give ya lingerie of all things?”
“That’s what me and my friends did. Gag gifts. I got her back though,” He starts to chuckle, “Gave her massive black dildo in a fancy wrapped box that she opened in front of her parents and close friends. The look on her face.” He rubs his head with his right hand, “Good times.”
“What’d the lingerie look like?” AJ asks.
“Oh wouldn't you like to know.” Smirking himself AJ’s cheeks start to redden.
“Now if you’d both get out of the door way I’ve had a long day and would love to try to get some rest.”
“Oh right. It is late ain't it?” AJ looks to the clock in the kitchen noticing that it was nearly ten o’ clock, thirty minutes past when she liked to be asleep. Trying to think of why she was still so awake she remembers her nap that lasted all day as her face starts to really turn red as what happened in those dreams is brought back to the front of her mind.
“You can sleep in my bed if you’d like.” Absolutely no ulterior motives other than hospitality driving her offer, none at all.
“I won’t be takin’ anybody's bed. Out of the question. Unless you’re sleepin’ in it too there’s no way. Plus I wouldn’t fit. I’ll just take the floor in the livin’ room.”
“There’s no way.” AJ steps in front of the human blocking him from walking out of the kitchen, “You’re our guest. Ya ain't takin’ the floor.” Continuing to block him as he tries to step around her he finally gives up with a sigh.
“Really? How are ya goin’ to stop me?”
“We’ll jus’ keep doin’ this until ya finally give in.” Lightly stomping her hoof with complete determination she holds steadfast against the human nearly three times her size.
Sighing again Hank leans over and picks up the orange pony under her front arms and holds her up in front of him in one clean motion, “Oh really? You were gonna stop me?”
“Consarnit Hank! Put me down! This ain’t fair!”
“Life ain’t fair.” He squeezes harder making the pony in his grasp stop her attempt to wiggle free.
Realizing that she was completely at the mercy of the human she gives up and hangs limp, “Would ya please sleep in a bedroom at least? Granny would never us me hear the end of it if we let a guest sleep on the floor in the family room. ‘Specially since it’s you.”
“I don't want to invade anybody’s space like that.”
“You’ve been invited to. Now let me down!” She kicks her hind legs for emphasis.
“If I agree will you stop?”
“Yes, if ya out me down!” Frustrated with the human’s stubbornness matched with how powerless and embarrassed she felt, getting held like some pet, AJ slightly growls at the human causing him to roll his eyes.
Loosening his grip under the prange mare’s arms he spins her around so she was facing away from him in one fast motion causing the pony in his grasp to squeak in surprise. Setting her down gently he simply steps over her and back into the hallway as the mare stands there still recovering from the rapid spin.
The entirety of his gear in his clutches he stops and looks to Aj as she slowly looks up to him, still clearly disoriented, “So where am I sleepin’? I wanna try to get some rest.”
“Ya can settle down in mah room if you’d like. Ya know which it is.” Mac offers.
Remembering what had happened earlier Hank looks to Mac’s leg that had been recently reset and notices that he was still standing on it a little lightly.
“Say, how is your leg doin’?”
“Much better.” The red pony nods with a smile.
“Remind me in the mornin’ to check on it.”
“Is that really necessary?” Mac rubs his front legs together in a shy manner.
Not having to say a word Hank only has to look at the stallion before he yields and hang his head down a little, “Fine.”
Smiling down at the red pony AJ clears her throat getting Hank’s attention, “Ya can share my room if ya’d like as well.”
“Nah, that’s fine AJ,” Hank waves, “I’ll jus’ take the floor in Mac’s room.”
“Ya sure?” Never have seeing the orange pony look anything that could remotely be called bashful the human was a little thrown off to say the least by her tone and body language.
Hank wasn’t even good at at picking up on how people felt, but even he could tell, so it had to be obvious, and by the way Mac was looking at his sister the same, something was up.
“Uh… I mean it’s whatever, I don’t care…”
“Ah don't either! It’s jus’ that my room, bein’ that it’s on the end an all an’ has two windows, it has a better breeze an’ is cooler. Ah was jus’ thinkin’ that since ya sweat so much it might be better ta stay cooler.” She laughs still rubbing her front hooves together, “Ah was jus’ worryin’ ‘bout comfort. That’s all!”
Hank looking to Mac and Mac looking to Hank at the same time, both equally perplexed at AJ’s strange actions Hank decides to just go along with it to save any further awkwardness.
“Sure… Yeah, sounds good.” The human nods getting a smile from the orange mare, “But can we get on that? I’m more than a little tired.”
“Yeah, sure.”
Answering quickly and turning around before starting to ascend the stairs Hank looks over to AJ’s brother and shrugs before following. Not really knowing what to think of his sister’s actions he shrugs as well before going to get Apple bloom.
Climbing up the stairs, Applebloom in tow, Mac reaches the stairs and pops open his door before letting his little sister enter, on account of her asking if she could sleep with him tonight because she was still scared, how could he say no?
The red pony looking over to his other sister as she opened his door he looks to his friend Hank and smirks, “Could you two at least try to keep it down tonight? Ah don’t want ta explain what’s happenin ’ in the other room ta AB if Ah don't have ta.”
The comment catching both AJ and Hank off guard, Hank laughs while AJ looks to her brother extremely unamused.
“Ah can’t believe ya’d think that Mac.” AJ scolds.
“I can.” Hank states abruptly before disappearing into the young mare’s room. AJ’s face turning bright red Mac takes his turn to laugh before walking into his own room leaving the orange mare alone in the hallway.
Completely embarrassed Applejack does her best to calm the warm blush on her cheeks before following Hank in entering her room. Closing the door softly with her left rear hoof as she walked into the room she looked around for the large human but becomes slightly nervous when she couldn’t spot or hear him.
“Hank?” She calls out worriedly.
“What?” The signature deep and slightly gravelly voice of the human sounds from the corner of the room AJ was looking at, his entire form hidden in the darkness of the corner the received no moonlight.
“Oh! Ah couldn't see ya.” Squinting her eyes at where she heard his voice she still could just barely see a faint outline of the human as he sat with his back against the wall.
“I’d figure that with eyes as big as yours you’d be able to see me no problem.”
Not knowing if to take that as a compliment or just an observation Aj decides to play it safe, “Ponies can’t see all that well in the dark.”
“Huh, I knew that ponies didn’t have all that great overall eyesight but I figured that with the sheer size, I mean your eyes are fuckin’ huuuuge, that the pupil would be able to dilate and absorb more light in dark environments.”
Listening to him she could tell that he was moving his claws while he spoke but she couldn’t tell what emotion was on his face, not that it mattered, it was extremely hard to read what emotion was on the human’s face anyway; it also didn’t help that he seemed to be especially stoic in the first place.
“It’s actually kinda, I don't wanna say freaky, but weird for sure.” The man says with a light laugh.
“What is?”
“The size of y’all’s eyes, your faces are all so expressive.” She could tell that this was something that had made the human curious by the sound of his voice but she decided to turn it around.
“How do ya think Ah feel with how small everything on yer face is? Ah can never tell what yer thinkin’ about.”
“Oh?” Leaning forward and out of the shadow Hank’s form slowly becomes visible to the mare, “Does the sense of mystery make me more... alluring?”
Laughing while he leaned back into the the darkness AJ just rolls her eyes while walking over to the table next to her bed and lighting the kerosene lamp, casting the room in a dull warm light.
“Now ya sound like one of Rarity’s romance novels she’s always ramblin’ on about.” Scoffing and deflecting the comment verbally her mind takes a different route, ...Maybe. A slight blush coming to her cheeks once again she walks over to her closet making sure not to look at the human and show her blush.
“Well then you’d really hate how I was gonna say just how romantic the light in this room is.”
Dropping the pillow she had held in her mouth in surprise she looked back to the man as he quietly laughed, his eyes full of mirth.
Shaking her head she picks the pillow back up, and using her extremely strong neck muscles, flings it at the man aiming for his face.
The pillow traveling directly at its intended target the human’s left arm suddenly shoots up and snaches it out of the air. Still laughing he takes the pillow and fluffs it a little, “Ya know I’m jus’ yankin’ your chain, AJ.”
Throwing the blanket to the human next, which he swiftly catches, AJ snorts and shakes her head, “Yeah Ah know, stallions jus ain’t usually like how you are.”
“Whatta ya mean?” He starts to unfold the blanket further.
“Stallions ain’t usually the ones doin’ the flirtin’, and well nopony is as open as you are with what they say, you don't have any filter, but they ain't such a tease as you are neither. Mares do that more predominantly.” Jumping onto her bed she finds it hard to look at the human in the eyes due to his left one looking completely black from where she was.
Nodding to what the mare was saying he sets the pillow behind him against the wall, “ If the teasing bugs you that much I’ll stop, but that’s jus’ how I am, there are far more important things than worryin’ about what folks say or what they talk about.”
“Ah know, it’s jus’ different is all.” Settling into bed the pulls up the covers.
“Fuck the norms.” The human states bluntly with a huff, “There’s no fun in being ‘normal’.” He says the word as if it tastes bad, “The sooner you stop caring about being fuckin’ normal, the better.”
“What’s wrong with normal?” Asking out of pure curiosity to why the human seemed to absolutely hate the word and the notiotion it brang she sits up as he leans back against the wall.
“For one,” He holds up a single finger, “In a survival sense when things are, quote on quote, normal; for too long you get complacent. When you get complacent, you die. It’s really that simple.” Holding up two fingers he clears his throat, “Two. It may just enlighten you a little. Instead of pushing things away from ya out of reflex to be normal, try somethin’ out, if ya don’t like it so what? At least you can say ya tried.” He laughs once again, “Don’t take this personally, but I personally think that the entire pony species could do with a little different. Humans were bad about it too, don’t think I, or my species as a whole is innocent of pushing things away, but maaaaan… you ponies are a sheltered bunch.”
“That may be true, but it’s also fair to say that yer plenty different.” Both pony and human laughing at the comment they both quiet down at the same time.
“That’s most definitely true AJ,” Hank chuckles a few times before seeming to deflate a little, something the young mare picked up on instantly making her smile slowly fade away to a face of worry.
“What’s the matter?” AJ asks.
Staying silent for a few moments Hank just sits looking down at his hands before responding, “Sometimes I feel like y’all think I’m so different that you forget that I’m a person too. Ya forget that I can feel. I know that killing and death is new to ponies but still, I’m a intelligent being.”
The silence in the room being almost tangible Hank sits tracing the scars on his forearms with his eyes while AJ looks at the human with worry not know what to say after that.
Pushing her uncomfort away Applejack deeply exhales through her nose while slipping out of her bed, the contact of hooves on hard wood making a subtle clop the that human flinched in response to but didn’t bother to look up.
AJ didn’t know what to say but she knew that saying something would be ten times better than saying nothing. She herself felt a little upset because even she had neglected to realize that Hank, at the end of the day, no matter the differences, was still a pony. Not some emotionless animal, no matter how few emotions he showed.
Walking up to the man as he rubbed his left forearm roughly as if to wipe off the scars she stops in front of him as he darkly laughs and drops his hands.
“Hey,” Pushing his right shoulder with her left hoof she almost has to take a step back from her own push due to how tense he was, but nonetheless gets the attention of the human causing him to look up and directly into her much larger eyes.
Her heart rate rising immediately under the predatory gaze that he seemed to have all the time, she forgets what she was going to say and stalls out for a second, “Uhhhhhh…” Looking away she grumbles something to herself before looking back to the human, “Ah know that Ah haven’t been the most friendly to ya. Ah’d even say that Ah was down right rude to ya sometimes… but Ah want you ta know that Ah care about you, Ah know ya have feelings, and Ah know that this entire family feels this way. Other ponies are gonna think what they think but Ah want ya to know what we think.”
Looking at the pony as she spoke Hank was about to angrily dismiss all the lies she just told him before stopping himself. He had no reason not to trust what she said, and her tone, as well as her face was sincere. Putting a cap on the pilot light of anger that was always lit within him he smiles to the pony and gently laughs, “Thanks.”
Smiling back the young mare nods, “Ah’m jus’ tellin’ ya how it is.”
Turning around and climbing back into her bed she reaches for the still lit lamp while look back to the human as he sat looking at her before smiling. Smiling back she extinguishes the flame putting the room back into its state of darkness.
Sliding back under the covers and pulling them up she sighs, “Night Hank.”
“Night Apple ass.” She hears the same human snicker from in the corner while her cheeks madly darken to red. Hoping that the human couldn’t see her blush through the dark she chuckles herself before lying down.
<><><> 2 hours later <><><>
Waking up in a mad sweat and sitting up stock still AJ frantically looks around the room for any Shucks, a nightmare inspired by the night’s earlier events plaguing her sleeping mind. Calming down, her breathing returning to only slightly elevated as she realized where she was the young mare slipped out of bed. Remembering that the human was in the corner she started to slowly but frantically make her way to the corner where he was.
Using her front hooves to feel where she was going, her eyesight being only fractionally better than being blind in the darkness that had consumed the room, AJ slowed and started feeling about more, “Hank?” her voice wavering she calls out.
“I’m right here.”
Upon hearing the human’s voice she felt the ache of fear start to ebb away. Sighing in relief Applejack uses where she heard the voice to start to inch forward once again, “ Ah’m…” She pausing not wanting to admit she was scared.
“Shh…” She feels the human’s hand in the back of her neck and his thumb rub her cheek making her breath catch, “I’m right here.”
Not resisting as the hand guided her in she hesitates as her right hoof steps on something warm and firm. The hand still pushing her forward she has no other option than to follow before ending up standing on top of the man.
Pushing her down on top her left side she lays on top of turned out to be the man’s stomach and chest as her head rested just below his collar bone. Listening to the strong and slow thumps of the human’s heart as she wiggled around adjusting herself further she found herself relaxing, as if lulled by the metronome in his chest. Taking a deep breath as the human ran his fingers through her mane on the back of her neck a content sigh escapes her mouth.
Not saying a word the pony allows herself to completely relax, feeling completely safe, and almost immediately slips back to sleep with help of the human’s ministrations.
Little did the pony know that the man she was laying on was anything from asleep.
As hank ran his thumb over the diamond shaped scoring on the hammer of the revolver in his right hand, letting his thumbnail drag across the surface sliding in and out of every line, he kept a grip on the revolver as he listened for anymore of the sounds he was hearing outside the house earlier.
Listening extremely closely for any sounds of forcible entry, ready at a moments notice to spring up to defend the home and the ponies within, all he heard was the brisk beats of paws on earth and the occasional growl.
It was enough evidence of the human though, he already knew what was just outside of the farm house, and it infuriated him. Tomorrow he would start his plan on killing every single Shuck in the forest, and he would start on his home turf in the apple orchards.
Looking down to the pony on his chest as she slept peacefully he continues to run his fingers through her hair lovingly, nothing would hurt any one of the people he came to love in this world, and if anything did… whatever it was would have less blood in its body than what was covering the ground.
A slight grin was brought to the man’s face at the thought.