Paradise
Chapter 30: After Supper Action
Previous Chapter Next ChapterOpening the door the pair pushed onto the porch and stopped as Hank looked back and nodded to Zecora through the closing door as a signal to lock it.
The pressure of the small pony on the side of his leg Hank scanned the yard, not expecting to see anything but prepared for it.
“Forward.” The human said firmly as they slowly moved forward, his rifle at the ready while Rainbow looked at the bloodstains she was passing and then to the mutilated body of the wolf. The sight making her queasy Rainbow fell out of formation and before she knew it was pressed back to the human’s leg by his large hand.
“When you’re landing waste no time and get inside, rush right past me, now get in the fusking air.” With a slight nudge from the human’s shin Rainbow took off with a large gust of wind very uncharacteristic of a body so small, reaching altitude almost instantly which surprised Hank greatly at the sheer acceleration on display.
Rainbow on the other hand was slightly panicking being so close to the human and the severity to his orders was in no way comforting, she now believed completely that the human was more than skilled and knowledgeable in his craft. He had more years experience in the field than she had alive probably and as she reached a hundred feet her head and body twisted around rapidly to make sure the sky was clear. It always was so she really didn't know why it wouldn’t be now but with the events of the evening anything was possible.
Seeing nothing, Rainbow took a second to calm down before she started taking note of what was on the ground. Her eyes looking for any source of movement while her ears listened for what was and wasn’t making noise she realized that it truly was completely silent.
It was eerie beyond belief now that the phenomenon had been pointed out to her, not even crickets were chirping as they should be and as Rainbow circled the property while reaching the road, the sound of nothing but her wings beating and the gentle night air in her ears the pegasus felt… watched.
Circling around toward the house again Rainbow looked around the property for anything moving but didn’t even see Hank, “Something that big has no business being so quiet and stealthy.” The pegasus whispered to herself trying to shake the feeling of being watched.
Watching Rainbow circle away from the house Hank hung to the shadows, his ears strained to hear even the smallest of noises as he scanned the surroundings himself. Try as he might, Hank couldn’t see or hear anything other than the much dead body of the first wolf he had the pleasure of meeting.
This bothered him greatly, the only thing worse than hearing a lot of shit coming to kill you was hearing absolutely nothing coming to kill you. With no stimulation Hank's mind was free to wonder, and he did not need or want that in the slightest.
As such as he focused on Rainbow circling over for the third rotation he eagerly jumped as he heard grass and a singular twig be disturbed on the other side of the barn. About ready to silently push around to the other side of the barn from his position in between the large red structure and the house he paused as he heard the distinct sound of claws scraping on asphalt shingles as something scrambled to the peak of the barn.
Things suddenly much more interesting Hank, try as he might, could not get a visual on this new variable. Quickly looking to Rainbow as she felw over for her second to last time he tried to see if she would see it and react but as she kept flying over calmly he knew she didn’t.
That meant a few things, this thing’s coat was most certainly black and blended into the dark roof and that Rainbow was nowhere near as observant as he hoped. Then again, for someone to be as observant as him would definitely not be normal so maybe he was being a little too critical.
Looking back to the roof to where he heard most the sound come from originally the man saw it: Another one. Much like the first one it had an unforgettable side and under profile as he looked up at it from his still unknown position to the horrific worm on a string remake.
Realizing he needed a better shot and knowing the thing could only see forward and most certainly not down the man started silently moving toward the front of the barn to get a clearer shot at the beast before it could most likely pounce at the pegasus as she descended.
Watching at the human through the window with AJ and Mac by her side Zecora could tell he was looking at something as his demeanor and body posture changed, that hard chiseled look on his face from behind his rifle and tight movements that didn’t waste an ounce of energy as he kept his front toward the enemy and muzzle trained on his target.
She couldn’t tell what he was aiming at but by how his rifle was pointed up, strangely, and how he was positioning to get a better shot, very carefully, Zecora knew it wasn’t good. Seeing Rainbow coming in from her last pass she knew it was all about to go down, it’d be fast and loud.
Turning to AJ and then Mac Zecora gave an exasperated smile, “It’s about to get loud, prepare yourselves.”
Looking to the Zebra from outside as Hank suddenly stood still Applejack was confused at what Zecora said, “What ya talkin’ bout su-”
Cut off by a pair of loud cracks and bright flashes from Hank’s rifle the hellacious screaming and screeching started as something loudly dragged off the roof of the barn and fell to the ground.
“Get the fuck inside!” Hank yelled as Rainbow rushed behind him and up the porch, waiting at the door for a second that felt like a lifetime before being let in, a look of pure panic in her eyes at what happened and the screams that were still echoing from outside.
After scanning his surroundings Hank unshouldered his rifle while keeping his light on and began angrily marching toward the downed wolf.
“Your kind is really starting to get on my goddamned nerves.” He growled, the shuck looking back to him propped up on its front legs only, it’s back half dragging limply, a large puddle of blood spreading through the grass from the two bullet holes in its back.
Pure dread flooded the predator’s senses as the imposing figure of man approached. Lunging for the human, an attack in pure desperation, as he reached for one of its inoperable rear legs, all the Shuck caught was the buttstock of the rifle as it roughly collided with the side of its head making the world go even more dark.
Dragging the Shuck into the light Hank was about to finish the creature off but got an idea all of the sudden.
“Mac! Get your big red ass out here!” The human called out, the half paralyed Shuck providing the perfect cadaver for a first kill and test to see just what Mac was capable of.
Nervously stepping out of the house Mac looked all around for other threats before reluctantly making his way toward the man and the terrifying wolf still in his grasp as it eyed every step the large red stallion made.
Stopping a respectable distance from the man and heaving creature Mac looked to Hank as the man looked back to him firmly, “Kill it.” Hank instructed simply taking his knife from his hip and gently tossing it in front of the stallion.
“W-w-what?” Mac stuttered, taking a step back while looking at the knife.
“Kill it. You wanna learn about this kinda stuff right? What it’s like?” Hank asked, the stallion looking back to him like a deer in the headlights.
“T-this is really sudden.” Mac eventually forced out.
“Most situations that you’ll have to deal with in this line of work are. You’ll never have forward notice on when something is gonna try and kill you or your family, you must be ready on a moment’s notice to kill that which threatens you.” Motioning for the knife Mac reluctantly moved forward and picked it up in his hoof giving it a quick once over, “The one who reacts fastest and acts with purpose is the one that most likely survives. You need to know what it's like to kill something so it doesn’t cloud your judgement when shit truly hits the fan and I ain’t there to help ya.”
Gulping Mac took a shaky breath, “What do Ah do?”
Looking at the stallion confused for a second Hank realized that Mac probably didn’t have the slightest idea on how to kill someone where to him it was practically like breathing.
“Stabbing anywhere in between a rib is a solid target, you're pretty much guaranteed to get a lung. In between the fourth and fifth you can catch the heart and put a near instant stop to the fight. Slit the throat and they’ll bleed out, guaranteed to kill if you get deep enough but not instant. We’ll work on disabling cuts and other arteries later.”
“So do Ah jus’... push it in or?” Mac asked not knowing what to do with the blade.
“Yeah. Fuck yeah; if you wanna watch em slowly drain of life. Watch their eyes glaze over.” Hank grew a large unsettling smile that not only got to Mac but the others that were watching with rapt attention.
“Ah…”
“I don’t think that’s you though Mac.” Hank said, tightening his grip on the wolf as it hyperventilated as he looked to the stallion and the uneasy look on his face, “Put some force behind it. Ram it in over and over. In the chest, in the stomach, the neck. Run the sewing machine on him.”
Practically growling out the words as his left arm tensed like it was enacting the movements Hank was describing the human looked to Mac with that devilish smile, “This fucker wanted to take your family from you! Wanted to rip them apart as they screamed in pain, leave you all alone to suffer and to go insane!”
Reaching for the back of the Shuck’s neck with his other hand Hank grabbed a headful of hair and flesh before roughly pulling back to expose the underside of its body to give Mac a clear shot to the vitals while minimizing the threat to the pony.
“Watch it’s mouth, it’s big.” Hank informed as Mac took a tentative step forward, his heart beating harder than it ever had before, so fast he felt like he could pass out.
Looking at the terrifying creature staring right at him and then to Hank with his commanding presence holding the creature back.
Could he do it? It felt so wrong now that it was happening; sure the wolf in front of him wouldn’t hesitate to bite his head off, or any of his families’ heads off given the chance, if not for Hank it probably would have, or Rainbow Dash’s at least.
Still. He didn’t know if he could do it. He wanted to be like Hank so bad, wanted to be as strong and tough as the man. Command the respect that his mere presence did. Now though, as the final hour was upon him, his first test had arrived the stallion was full of more doubt than confidence despite his desires.
If he couldn’t do it what would that mean? Was that okay? Did it mean he was weak? Did it mean he was a failure. Would Hank be disappointed in him?
The thought nearly making the stallion’s heart stop despite knowing deep down there was nothing to worry about Mac knew that he just couldn’t risk it regardless. If he was truly going to become anything near the protector Hank was he was going to have to be able to kill in defence of those he loved.
He had always told himself that if it came down to it that he could but now that it was in front of him he was unsure yet determined to prove it to himself and everypony else, especially Hank.
Looking at his target and to the knife one last time Mac closed his eyes, stood up on two legs and lunged in, opening his eyes right as the knife rammed into the hard bone of the sternum and as the wolf shrieked in pain and panic as it frantically tried to escape Hank’s grip while thrashing about wildly with its claws while snapping its jaws at him.
His confidence that he had built up completely gone Mac’s eyes went wide as he narrowly dodged a swipe at his head and a snap from the jaws. Panicky pulling the knife out and stepping back panic filled Mac’s body as he fought the instinct to turn tail and run.
Grunting Hank rammed the Shuck into the ground stunning it into silence before pulling it back up and turning his attention to Mac, “You hit bone, get back in there and perferate this mother fucker! If you press right in on it, it won’t be able to bite or scratch you in any meaningful way. It’s called stuffing its range and you can’t pussy foot it. You gotta commit one hundred percent. Trust in the process Mac.”
Looking at the human as he spoke to him his sense of panic and the adrenaline in his system hadn't faded at all but he no longer wanted to run.
Feeling the knife still in his hoof Mac steeled himself and started to work up the nerve to do as Hank had said.
“Get the fuck in there goddamn it!” Hank barked the order harshly, making Mac spring into action, acting before his mind had an opportunity to object.
Finding himself pressed against the monster, his left shoulder pressed against the underside of the beast’s mouth Mac found that despite all the thrashing the beast could produce no claws were cutting his skin and no teeth were biting into him as he forced its mouth closed with his shoulder.
Looking down to the knife again and quelling the fear in his chest from being so close to the beast and hearing it’s screams he pulled back and rammed the knife in all the way to the guard.
“Again!” the human commanded.
Obliging Mac pulled the blade out and marveled at the blood on the blade that he was responsible for, for a split second before pushing forward again with all his might again.
Finding temporary resistance in the form of a rib Mac kept pushing and changed the angle causing the knife to slip in again.
“Again. Again. Again.” The human commanded watching as the pony started to get in the rhythm of it, his eyes no longer closed or locked onto the blade but looking into the eyes of the creature as it shuddered and gave it’s dying shrieks, his arm working on it’s own.
Feeling comfortable that Mac now had it under control the human let go of the Shuck and let Mac take control of all the weight. Taking a step back while taking out his revolver just in case Hank watched as Mac pushed the shuck over from their upright position and quickly took mount without even thinking about it.
Oh now, someone has instincts they weren’t lettin’ show just a few seconds ago. Hank thought, a happy smile growing on his face as Mac continued to stab before the wolf gave one last last ditch attempt and threw out a series of wild slashes with its claws.
Doing an outstanding job for a newbie Mac did his best at avoiding the slashes by pressing in but lent back as he tried to get another thrust in and as such caught a slash to his left shoulder.
Not able to see the wound from where he was Hank still knew it connected as Mac flinched and grunted in pain. Raising his revolver to finish it before it could get any worse Hank was forced to hold fire as Mac leaned completely forward over the Shuck smothering it under him while also leaning to his left using his free arm to pin the claw that had struck him before placing the knife on the Shuck’s throat and giving a quick pull.
The extremely sharp blade paired with the generous amount of pressure Mac had provided popped the jugular open like a balloon spraying Mac’s face and neck in thick red blood.
Blood trying to spray into his eyes and successfully spraying onto his grit teeth, Mac locked his eyes shut and sputtered trying to get the blood out of his mouth before hunkering down lower and riding it out while the Shuck quickly expired from blood loss and a punctured heart.
Finally opening his eyes and seeing that he wasn’t dead and that it was over, Mac slowly sat up from his position on the dead Shuck and looked over his handy work feeling a little sick to his stomach at the sight of all the blood and the small that permeated in the air.
Taking a few deep breaths Mac suddenly started to panic again when he realized he didn’t know where Hank was. Looking to his right where he was before and not seeing him, Mac quickly looked back left where he was met with a pair of legs that he then traced up to a familiar face that held a genuine smile.
“Ah did it?” Mac asked, looking for confirmation after such a shock to the system.
“Hell yes you did it!” Hank laughed and bumped Mac in the shoulder that held the noticeable but not at all serious cuts he had sustained during his first ever kill.
Squatting down to be closer to Mac’s height Hank laughed and gleefully put a hand on the stallion’s back before gently shaking him back and forth.
Genuinely laughing and smiling back Mac finally started to come off his adrenal high and quickly realized not only did he feel like he climbed a mountain physically, but mentally as well.
Calming down a little more Mac looked at a little closer as the human examined what he had done to the Shuck.
“Ya have a little… blood on yer face.” The stallion said to the human seeing the specks of blood on his pale face.
Giving a short laugh the Man turned to the stallion, “You should see yourself. You’re damn lucky you’re red.”
Looking back at his kill now and tasting the blood sliding down his throat the queasy feeling in his stomach grew rapidly without the presence of adrenaline in the stallion’s body. Taking a deep breath trying to calm himself Mac knew there was no fighting it and turned away from Hank to puke his guts out.
Knowing what was coming Hank held his ground, not afraid of a little vomit, and shook his head, “It sneaks up on ya sometimes from what I hear. It’s normal… not that I’d know.”
Dry heaving a few more times Mac groaned, “S-Sorry.”
“Nothin’ to be sorry about man, it’s a healthy and normal reaction to your first time, or first few times.” Hank reassured, patting Mac on the back, “Now let’s get over to that hydrant by the barn and get cleaned up a little.”
“...Alright.” Mac said after regaining his composure, “Here’s this.” Offering the human his knife Hank smiled and took it out of Mac’s hoof gently before wiping it off on his pants and putting it away.
Watching from the house the ponies didn’t know what to make of the event. Rainbow was still trying to comprehend the fact that she had about died and Hank was the one to prevent that while AJ and Granny were gobsmacked at watching the macabre coaching session and just what they had seen their seemingly harmless Mac stab a wolf to death.
“That was unexpected…” Zecora said, looking away as a much cleaner but wetter pair of stallions started walking back to the house.
“What do you mean darling?” Rarity said making eye contact with Zecora.
“Well…” Zecora thought about it for a second, looking for the right words in Equish, “He always tries to separate fighting and the ones he’s protecting. I do not know why he would have Macintosh do that.”
“Ah don’t know why, but Ah got a few choice words.” Applejack angrily said as the pair walked up the front steps and to the door before Hank knocked the pattern and Zecora opened it.
Walking in first the others first noticed the genuine smile on Mac’s face as he looked over his shoulder to Hank who was giving a small smile back. Noticing the small bandage on his left shoulder next Apple Jack immediately became worried.
“Are ya hurt Mac?” Applejack asked, walking up to her older brother, concern heavy in her voice.
“Huh? Nah, Ah’m fine. Just a small cut.” Mac said as Hank lovingly rubbed Zecora’s head and neck behind him, the zebra pushing back into the human’s hand.
“You better take a nice warm shower Mac, relax the muscles, let ya process.” Hank said standing up straight, done petting Zecora for the time being.
“Alright.” Mac replied, the idea of a warm shower feeling very appealing. Walking past the group of ponies he gave Apple bloom’s hair a ruffle as he made his way toward the bathroom.
“Oh and hey,” Hank called out, getting the red stallion’s attention, making him stop and turn around fully, “You oughta be proud of yourself Mac. It takes real bravery to do what you did tonight. Those self doubts you had? I think you can go ahead and forget those. ‘Ight?”
“Y-yeah. Got it.” Mac answered with one final nod and a small smile.
Watching the stallion disappear upstairs and hearing the bathroom door close Hank took a deep breath and rubbed his forehead while leaning into the wall.
“Useful teaching aid aside, we need to get rid of these wolves. They’re not supposed to be here and they jus’ keep getting closer and closer to civilization.” Opening his eyes Hank found Twilight and locked eyes with her, “I really need you to get a hold of Celestia and Luna both. This is far past serious now.”
Simply nodding, hearing how serious his tone was, Twilight started to think about the letter she would send tomorrow.
“I’m sorry you’ve had to go through all this tonight AB.” Kneeling down with a grunt Hank gave the small filly’s ear a scratch, “You’ve seen far too much for a person your age. Sorry all this had to happen so close to home.”
“It’s alright Hank.” Apple Bloom reassured as the human stood back up and started to walk into the living room, “Is this your… Job?” She asked following him closely.
Staying quiet for a second as he looked out the window Hank hummed, “Yeah, I suppose it is.”
“Well Ah’m glad it’s you who does it. Ah think it’d be too scary and tough for a regular pony to do it.”
Giving a closed mouth laugh Hank looked down to AB who was looking up at him, “I’m glad too.”
The rest of the gang followed the pair into the room soon after finding a few seats and trying to relax, though the tenseness in the air was nearly palpable due to the events that had transpired previously.
Going to find a seat next to Granny as Hank took a few steps closer to the window to efficiently look out, Apple Bloom and the rest of the room watched AJ walk up behind Hank and tap him on the calf.
“Hey Hank?” AJ said getting the human’s attention, a noticeable angry tone in her voice.
“Whats up?” Hank returned, turning around to look at AJ as she raised up on her rear hooves and pulled back her right arm to hit the human in the gut for putting her brother through what he had.
Loading up full force and aiming just below the human’s armor AJ sent her arm forward as hard as she could.
Seeing it coming a mile away Hank made no effort to get out of the way or retaliate in any capacity and only tensed his abdominal muscles to absorb the hit.
Making contact with Hank’s lower stomach AJ started to re-evaluate her options once she realized she did more damage to herself than Hank as the man didn’t budge an inch or make any indication that the hit hurt at all.
Feeling like the time she had punched a frozen pumpkin one winter, AJ’s ankle started to ache from being jammed.
“What are you trying to do here AJ?” Hank asked with a flat look.
Shaking her hoof to get rid of some of the pain the orange mare looked up at the man’s face as she stayed propped up against him, “What were ya thinkin’ gettin’ Mac out there to do… that!?”
Her voice angry and scared AJ hit Hank again, though much softer as she continued to look up at him, “You could’ve gotten him killed Hank! Why would you put him through that? Mac doesn't deserve that!”
Sighing, Hank knew he’d get grief from the others about what he had made Mac do, but he couldn’t pass up such a great testing opportunity to see what the stallion was made of and gauge where he would have to start with the stallion.
“It was all under control, if-”
“If it was under control why did he get his shoulder cut open!?” AJ interrupted, tears forming in the corners of her eyes thinking about what could’ve happened to her brother.
“When you get in a fight you’re gonna get hurt, no matter how good you are. The cuts are superficial and they’ll heal fine.”
Shaking her head AJ continued, “B-But why!? Why would you do that to him Hank?”
Feeling betrayed by the man for putting her brother’s life in direct danger Applejack was barely able to hold it together as she continued to look at the man who was as stoic as ever.
“Look, AJ.” Hank said while squatting down to get on a level playing field, “Mac told me he wanted to learn how to fight, and I said I’d teach him. I know it looks like I was risking your brother’s life and traumatizing him by having him do that and that I might not care, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s better I find out how he performs under pressure in a controlled environment than a “real fight.” Patting AJ on the shoulder Hank stood back up giving the mare a small smile.
“Are you gonna keep havin’ him do stuff like that?” AJ asked with a sniffle.
“No. I just needed to see how he would react under pressure.” Hank answered honestly, “I don’t wanna say this why he’s down here cause I don’t wanna inflate his ego too much but Mac shows exceptional promise. I don’t think it’ll take much for him to get easily above average when it comes to fighting.”
Calming down a little AJ took a series of deep breaths, “So uh, Ah’m sorry for hitting you.”
“It’s fine AJ.” Hank said walking over to the window and closely looking out of it, “I’m glad you did.”
Shaking her head AJ was confused by his statement, “Wha- Why?”
“Means you care about your brother, you’re right to be mad at me for what I did. I… just couldn’t pass the opportunity up.” Hank responded, pausing for a second while speaking as he focused on something before dismissing it.
“Oh.” Not expecting that answer AJ simply nodded in acknowledgement, “Well, Ah didn’t hurt ya did Ah?” Already knowing the answer before she asked it AJ felt obligated to ask nonetheless.
The smallest of chuckles coming from the man he didn't turn around as he answered, “No, we’re all good.”
“Okay good.” AJ said walking up next to the human and looking out of the window as well, “Ah’m surprised you didn’t… Ah dunno, respond in some way Ah guess?”
“And do what AJ?” Looking down to the mare with a raised brow the human asked.
It wasn’t that she wasn’t happy the human didn’t react and end up hurting her, she was relieved in hindsight now that she got off so easy after hitting the human. She doubted she could survive a hit like Princess Celestia had taken.Not that she thought he’d ever hit her but regardless she was still a little surprised he had just stood there and taken it.
“Well Ah dunno about all that fightin’ stuff but… blocked it or somethin’ Ah suppose.”
Turning to the pony Hank had a large smile on his face, “We both know my abs did a fine enough job blocking that hit. I saw you shakin’ your hoof. Are you alright there widdle pony?”
Lifting up her stetson and ruffling her hair AJ tried to fight to get her stetson back but finally stopped when Hank unceremoniously plopped it back down on her head sideways with a laugh.
“I’m gettin’ a drink.” The man said still chuckling to himself as he made towards the kitchen.
“Ah think you’ve had enough tonight youngin’.” Granny said as the man walked past her.
“I’m gettin water anyways.”
“There’s tea in the icebox still.” Granny shouted as she looked back to granddaughter as she blew the stray strands of hair out of her face and tried to get her mane and hat resituated all as her friends tried to hold their laughter in.
“What’re all you laughin’ at! You're small to him as well!” Cheeks red with blush AJ tried to recover from the embarrassing display.
If Hank was going to tease her she was going to tease him back, she couldn’t take it lying down!
“Ya know, Ah think you didn’t try anything because Ah punched too fast!” Calling out loudly AJ immediately regretted saying anything as all the sounds in the kitchen suddenly stopped.
Why did I say that? Why did I say that!? I’m so stupid, I can’t win at this… why am I even trying? Oh gods I messed up. AJ screamed at herself in her head before feeling her stomach sink and eyes go wide as Hank stepped back into the room, that signature crooked smile spread wide across his face as his eyes sparkled with glee.
“Ya think so?” He asked simply.
NO! “Y-yeah, Ah do.” Doing her best to calm down AJ held her ground.
Eyes lighting up even more at the challenge Hank walked further into the room.
“This should be good.” Rarity whispered to Fluttershy who nodded, a small smile on her face.
“Let’s test that shall we? Whatta ya say... sugar cube?” Hank teased, putting emphasis on Applejack’s signature phrase.
Starting to panic, especially as Hank got down on his knees in front of her, AJ started to try and dig herself out of the very very deep hole she dug for herself.
“W-well. Ah jus’ don’t think we need to do that…” The orange mare nervously laughed and rubbed her arm, “Ah mean we already got proof from before…”
“Oh nonsense.” Hank waved her off, “C’mon try and hit me square in the face, and I know you’ve thought about that before. I’m giving you a free shot… If you are as fast as you say you are.”
“Ah don’t know if Ah can. Ah mean Ah’m not mad or-”
Being interrupted from a poke to her nose Applejack sneezed out of reflex and then looked to Hank annoyed, “That ain’t- *sneeze*”
Laughing at the mare AJ squinted her eyes at the man and grumbled, “You’re- *snort*”
Growling at the man AJ rose up on her hind legs and cocked back an absolute rocket of a haymaker before sending right for Hank’s smug face that still held that crooked grin.
Her anger vanished almost immediately and quickly turned into regret again as Hank’s arms shot up and then toward her, she was helpless as Hank wrapped up her right arm and trapped it under his left as he shot off to her side, pressing into it with his own.
Pressed up next to the human Applejack focused on staying upright as she unwillingly went on the ride.
Grabbing her other hoof next with his free hand Hank, somewhat awkwardly, due to being on his knees, brought his left leg across hers, pressing his hip into her pelvis before lifting upwards and flipping her over himself and gently onto the wood floor. Keeping his arm lock Hank gently placed his knee on her side to maintain control before letting go and taking full mount on top of AJ, holding her arms above her head.
“Still think you punch too fast for me?” Hank asked, smiling down to Applejack whose mind was still trying to process what had happened, so much had happened so quickly, she couldn’t keep up!
Coming into the present and realizing that Hank was on top of her pinning her down she started to blush once she looked up and saw him grinning down at her, “Ah uhhhhhhhhhhh.”
“I’ll take that as a no.” Hank laughed and leant back, letting go of her arms, “So AJ…. How ya gonna get out of this?”
Trying to dig her hooves in and wiggle out she started to make progress before Hank’s thighs squeezed together a little and immediately stopped that in its tracks.
“G-Get off me!” Applejack cried in exasperation and embarrassment.
“Oh no. Hell no. There’s plenty I can do from here.” Hank said as Applejack continued to struggle. Getting tired of her wiggling Hank squeezed his legs together moderately hard for a second before letting off.
Feeling his large thighs squeeze the air out of her lungs AJ stopped struggling not wanting them to clamp down any harder.
“I have chokes from here,” Hank said as he gently placed his hands around AJ’s throat making her breath hitch and a spike of panic to flow through her veins, “I got arm locks,” Moving to her left arm next Hank applied the smallest amount of pressure to her arm as an example, “I have all sorts of strikes I can do.” Placing two fingers down on specific parts of her body like her ribs, throat, and jaw Hank kept explaining, “I have shoulder locks, among other countless joint locks that can all be turned into breaks,” Hank said letting go of the orange mare’s arm from the shoulder lock he was demonstrating, “And worst of all… I can poke ya on the nose all I want from here!”
Watching from the sidelines the others watched in amusement and sympathy for poor Applejack as she was tormented by the human, Zecora felt especially bad because she knew just how Hank could get when he felt like teasing somebody. She had been the target of it before after all, many many times, but she did ask for it most of the time she had to admit.
She would rib and tease him all day but then eventually he would always reach his limit and give it right back to her ten fold. There was no telling what he would do, but one thing did stay constant and that was that he would always use his size as an advantage. To put it bluntly Zecora was very used to being manhandled and carried around like a small dog. It was a strange feeling to be plucked from what she was doing effortlessly and then carried off to say the least, but she was growing used to it. She didn't know it that was a good thing come to think of it.
The same could not be said for AJ, this was the first time she had ever experienced such a thing from anyone before, let alone Hank. In all reality this was the first time any of them had seen this side of him before besides Zecora. And it was clear to see that Applejack was more than a little bit flustered. That is if the bright red blush on her cheeks and wide eyes were anything to go by.
“So AJ…” Poking the mare on the nose repeatedly as she tried to bat his hands away to no avail Hank said as AJ started to feel the pressure to get away from the teasing and embarrassment, “What are ya gonna do here?”
Nothing she did was stopping the incoming onslaught of boops and other annoyances so as a last resort AJ did her best to turn over and hide her face from the man.
“Ooooooh bad move.” Hank said as he temporarily stopped.
Her ears rotating back to face the man Applejack kept her face covered with her arms to both protect herself and hide her red face from both embarrassment and being flustered, and… maybe a hint aroused, but nopony else needed to know that.
“Showing your back to a threat is the worst thing you can do. It is always better, and I mean always better, to keep your front towards your enemy, no matter how bad you’re gettin’ your ass handed to ya. Even if you’re facing away from me I still have options for locks and breaks…”
Grabbing one of AJ’s arms and prying it away from her face as she let out a tiny groan, Hank demonstrated a new arm lock by chicken winging it behind her back and pushing up on her elbow and then another by pulling her arm out straight and pulling up while holding down on her shoulder blade.
“Besides that I can still choke you,” Going for a rear naked choke Hank gently slid his arm around AJ’s throat making her give a small gasp as he locked it in with his other arm. Simply flexing the muscles in his arms Hank closed the remaining space around AJ’s neck and applied just enough pressure to close off the carotid arteries for a split second before he let off and let the blood flow again.
The pure experience and in the field practice the human had with the choke matched with his size and strength was too much for the much smaller mare as she felt her vision blur and head go fuzzy after just one second of the choke being applied, and let out an audible sigh once Hank let go.
“Yeah that’s a bad one, you have maybe four seconds of consciousness before you’re completely out cold. It cuts off the blood going to your head and returning to your heart entirely.”
AJ could hear Hank’s voice but was hardly listening as her body continued to tingle even after full oxygen had been returned to her brain. Having Hank sit on her back while feeling around her body and manhandling her also didn’t help with the indecent thoughts she had about the stallion from time to time.
“Couldn’t you realistically… kill somepony like that?” Twilight asked, her ever inquisitive mind forming question after question about the completely foriegn topic, fighting, and Hank was obviously one of the most qualified creatures on equis to talk about it likely. Twilight wondered just how much he knew about the martial arts.
Turing to Twilight while placing two fingers on AJ’s neck just to check her pulse to be absolutely sure she was okay Hank sat up while still keeping his place over Applejack’s hips, “Absolutely. At around twenty… fifteen seconds if you’re really chrankin’ it’ll be fatal.”
Pausing to think about it Hank nodded a few times, “Give or take a few seconds due to outside factors, but...yeah, twenty seconds from my experience. It doesn't stop the heart, it just keeps the arteries closed for so long a vacuum or something happens and the arteries don't reopen. But I mean you can crush a windpipe easy with most chokes, even if they’re blood chokes, all ya gotta do is shift your pressure point from the sides to the front and back and squeeze till you feel a sudden pop.”
While the information was like nothing she had ever heard before it was also terribly macabre for not only Twilight but everyone listening, especially with how obvious it was that he had personally taken peoples lives that way before, most likely many a time.
“Most easy from this position, however, is… and sorry to be a little rude AJ, snap the neck. With no real way to defend yourself from the back I’m free to grab a handful of hair with one hand and under the jaw with the other before twisting like I’m trying to turn the wheel of a 1960 Peterbilt 281.” Hank said grabbing AJ’s hair and jaw gently but not twisting in any direction.
“Now obviously I’m not gonna demonstrate that cause well I’m kinda fond of you AJ so I don’t wanna break your neck and that I’m used to infected humans not a tiny pony so the effort needed is probably a liiiiiiitle different.” Giving a laugh Hank patted AJ on the back, and gave himself a second to appreciate and admire the muscles in her back and shoulders that he’d never noticed before letting up on the weight he was putting on her back and flipping her back over.
Eyes wide from the sudden change in orientation AJ looked up to Hank with that smirk of his and those teeth that sent shivers down her spike.
“I think I’ve tortured you enough so I’ll make it up to you by teaching you how to get out of this the best way I know.” Hank said, the smirk never leaving his face, the nervous look never leaving AJ’s.
“Needless to say I doubt you can thrust up with your hips to throw my balance off can ya?”
Staring up at the man with that deer in the headlights look AJ didn’t respond causing Hank to chuckle to himself, “Well c’mon, at least try now.”
Snapping out of it Applejack looked around and then looked down to Hank straddling her right above her pelvis and did her best to situate herself to push up against the human.
Taking a deep breath AJ Pressed her arms down into the floor as she tried her hardest to thrust her hips up.
“You’re…. Heavy,” AJ groaned out as she barely lifted her flank off the floor before immediately collapsing back down again out of breath.
Eyes as wide as they’d been in a long time Hank looked down to AJ as she panted, her eyes lazily looking up to his own, “Well god damn AJ, you have some muscle in those legs of yours. If it were a pony sat on you and not a guy pushing two hundred and… What did the scale read again three days ago?”
Looking over to Zecroa who had a small smile on her face she laughed as she opened her mouth, “It was two hundred and sixty dear.”
“Yeah. Two sixty,” He turned back to AJ, “If it were a pony you’d fling ‘em over your head, so remember that. Thrust up with your hips to disrupt your enemies balance at least, or send them into orbit in your case.”
Laughing as AJ blushed and looked away he took ahold of AJ’s arms again while leaning back forward, “Now put a hoof of my knee and one on my shoulder, the same side, or anywhere you can get a solid base depending on positioning,”
Guiding her hooves to the designated points Hank looked down to where AJ was pinned under him, “Now twist to your side, the side your arms are on, dig your hooves into something and push with your arms and legs.”
Doing as she had been instructed, AJ started to push herself free of where she had been trapped for the last three minutes, though it had seemed like a lifetime.
“Good, now once your legs are free you can put them somewhere on your target and push with them as well to gain some more space.”
Finally popping free AJ was about to spring to her hooves, relieved to be free after all that but found herself getting push right back down on her back by a single hand on her chest.
“Not quite AJ. Good hustle though.” The human said scooting closer to her, “Once you’re out what I want you to do and remember, just in case, is that once you’re free use those big old rear legs of yours and kick whoever it was that had you pinned right in the upper chest. And I mean as hard as you can.”
“Couldn’t that really injure somepony?” AJ asked, a little concerned.
“With any luck it’d kill them,” Hank nodded, completely serious making AJ gulp, “You need to realize how serious someone pinning you down in a fight is, they could easily kill you because they have control in that instance. If they’re willing to do that to you they accept the risk of what might happen to them… and you gotta be the one to remind them of that risk. Got it?”
Digesting what she had just learned the orange mare timidly nodded.
“Good. Now if you’re just playin’ with someone maybe don’t do that but otherwise do everything you gotta to win and survive.” Developing a smile after all the serious talk Hank hummed, “Now I think you’ve had enough.”
With one more boop to the nose AJ hurriedly backed away from the human and got to her hooves for the first time in what felt like a lifetime of embarrassment and confusing sensations before heading to the exit of the room, just wanting to be alone and get control of herself again, but not before looking back over her shoulder to the human who was just getting up and still smirking at her.
Watching AJ scurry out of the room and into the kitchen Hank laughed and looked to Mac who had walked in about half way through, “Did you catch any of that?”
“Ah uh… Ah think so.” The red stallion weakly confirmed.
“I hope so cause you’re next and I ain’t gonna go anywhere near as easy on you as I did your sister.” With a smile the human slowly walked over and took a seat next to Zecora who immediately leant onto his shoulder.
Gulping in response Mac nodded and took his own seat next to Granny in the chair AJ was no longer occupying.
Enjoying her time leaning against the human and absorbing his excess body heat Zecora had no intention of moving until she started to think of Applejack and what she had just endured. Hank might do what he does out of compassion but she also realized that his methods were a little strange and that not everyone would be able to see that he wasn’t trying to embarrass them, but that he just had strange ways of showing affection. She didn’t want to pull away from her massive space heater of a stallion but she also wanted to make sure that AJ was okay and at least knew that what he had done wasn’t meant out of anywhere malicious.
Pulling away from Hank’s arm begrudgingly the human looked down to Zecora questioningly as she got off the couch.
“I’m just getting a drink. Do you need anything?” Zecora asked while also answering the human’s silent question.
“Nah, I’m all good for now, thank you though.”
Smiling Zecora nodded and made her way to the kitchen spotting the only other pony in the room immediately as she sat in the spot Hank had been in earlier at the far end of the table.
Walking toward Applejack the orange mare gave no indication that Zecora was even there as she stared off, a mad blush still on her face and hair still a little messy, the hair ties laying on the table in front of her.
Pulling out the chair Applejack finally acknowledged Zecora’s existence with a small jump followed by a turn of the head to where Zecora was sitting down.
“Hey Zecora.” Calming herself down AJ greeted.
“Hello Applejack,” Zecora reciprocated with a smile, “Are you okay?”
Taking a deep breath AJ slowly exhaled it as she took a minute to calm her mane down, “Yeah… Ah’m fine.”
While it was obvious that the mare was still thinking about things Zecora knew that it was the best she was going to get and that she needed to say something about what happened even if AJ was a little preoccupied in her mind. Zecora wasn’t too terribly close with Applejack yet though, not that she didn't want to be, she just hadn’t gotten the time to develop a deeper relationship with the farm pony yet, so she didn’t quite know how to approach it.
She’d just have to start somewhere and roll with it, be genuine.
“I came to talk to you about what happened… with Hank.” Turning to Zecora the zebra offered a sincere smile to the orange mare, “I know it might not seem like it but when he does stuff like that, even though it can seem like he’s trying to humiliate you, he really is not in the slightest. It is just how he plays and one of the ways he shows affection. He only does that kind of thing with those he truly likes. It means he’s comfortable with you and trusts you, it’s just a strange way of showing it.”
“Ah’m glad he feels that way, other than the alternative.” Applejack gave a small smile and laugh, “Our relationship has been far from smooth… usually my fault…”
“He never speaks bad about you.” Zecora said seeing how down AJ seemed, and it worked, Applejack almost instantly perked up.
“He uh, talks about me?”
A small giggle escaping her lips at Applejack's obvious interest the orange mare blushed in return and nervously chuckled.
“Yes, he talks about you.” Zecora smiled.
“Well Ah mean… like, what does he talk about?”
“I cannot say too much when it comes to details but I assure you it has all been very flattering.” Zecora giggled again as AJ blushed further and gave a bashful smile, “He thinks very highly of you and your family.”
The conversation dying down temporarily as Applejack obviously was trying to work something out, Zecora happily sat with her own thoughts listening to the idle conversation in the other room, laughing slightly as she tuned in.
“There is no way a creature your size could weigh two hundred and sixty stones. The density required of your bones and muscle and everything else would be double if not more of anything on Equestria.” Twilight’s distinctive voice made its way to Zecora’s ears slightly muffled from the walls.
“Yeah, well you wanna test it? I’ll sit on your chest right now. No? Didn’t think so.” Hank’s much more bassy and commanding voice came across in his usual straight forward “no bullshit” style.
“Still! It's unheard of for anything being that densely packed! It’s simply not poss-”
“A-Ah got somethin’ I need ta say to you Zecora.”
Stopping her eavesdropping Zecora focused on AJ who briefly looked into her eyes before nervously looking away to her fidgeting hooves that were resting on top of the table.
Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes AJ started with Zecora’s full attention, “Ah wanna start by saying Ah’m really happy for you and Doc and Ah don’t want ya to think that this is me tryin’ to get between you two but I jus’ gotta say it and if Ah’m gonna tell anypony it’d be to his marefriend so… Ah…. Ah really like Hank.”
Zecora had a suspicion that this is where the conversation would go when she walked into the kitchen, Applejack’s body language and face especially were tell tale signs of a pony who was a little hot and bothered. It wasn’t hard to connect the dots especially with what Hank had told her before.
“Ah have for a while, it wasn’t right after Ah met him but pretty soon after that and Ah don’t know why Ah wanted to tell ya, but Ah did either way, maybe just gettin’ it off my chest.”
“I’m glad you did Applejack, the fact that you trust me enough to admit something like that is humbling, and I won’t betray it.”
Seeing that Zecora wasn’t responding in a negative way all the weight truly did start to be lifted from Applejack’s chest and a genuine and relieved smile spread across her face, “If Hank is courtin’ ya I know you have to be trustworthy and genuine. Ah know he has no tolerance otherwise.”
“No he does not.” Zecora shook her head, “If he trusts someone I can know they are trustworthy.”
“Absolutely.” Applejack nodded in agreement.
“I must ask though Applejack,” Zecora started after a short pause, “What do you intend to do with your feelings? While recognizing you have them is very important it's not healthy to not take them anywhere.”
“Well Ah dunno now that you two are a pair. Ah’m not gonna try and get between your relationship so Ah guess Ah’ll move on,” Applejack said somewhat solemnly.
“Did you intend on ever telling him about those feelings?” Zecora returned.
It took Applejack a second to think through it all but she finally nodded a few times and turned to the zebra, “Ah think so.Ah certainly wanted to but… well, to put it simply my feelings for Hank are real complicated. They’re over here one moment and over here the next.” She said while gesturing with her hooves.
“Are you talking about his past or ability in violence?” Asked Zecora who was simply curious.
“A bit of both really.” AJ looked at the zebra, “Don’t get me wrong Ah really like the stallion, obviously, but Ah won’t lie and say some of the things that he can do doesn’t make me a little nervous and scared really. Especially after he went into detail tonight. Ah mean it kinda excites me too though if Ah can be a little crass.” AJ added leaning in close and whispering.
Laughing a little Zecora nodded, “I completely understand on both fronts, he’d never hurt any of you though, he just really enjoys hurting the things that would try, and if I can be a little crass… it’s one of the biggest turn ons for me.”
“Well Ah can certainly understand why now.”
Both mares sharing a laugh Applejack and Zecora were both a bit more relaxed in each other’s company as they started to learn a key part about each other: their taste in stallions. For mares, and most stallions, you didn’t really know a pony until you knew what type they went after. It was a tad more important to mares however because sometimes a bunch of them would gang up on one poor, or lucky, depending how you look at it, stallion and a stereotypical herd would be formed. It also just so happened that if the mares were all friends before and got along before getting in a herd together and getting to know each other in extremely personal ways over a hopefully lifelong relationship the whole deal could go much smoother.
It was as ingrained in the culture as anything else and Zecora and Applejack were going to participate in it.
“Is it far to say that you prefer older stallions yourself? Or at least stallions older than you?” Zecora started as Applejack leaned back forward getting a little more serious.
“Absolutely, Rarity makes fun of me sometimes saying I have “daddy” issues,” Applejack gave an eye roll and a short laugh, “but really I just prefer a stallion that is mature and serious when it comes to family and work ya know? Also caring and protective…. Are ya starting ta see why I like Hank?”
A smile on her face Zecora nodded in total understanding, “I would say we have quite similar tastes in stallions, as long as you like them to be a little… rough may not be the word but I guess it’ll work, rough on the outside. Tough and strong looking maybe?”
“Nah you’re right,” Applejack nodded, “and yeah, Ah do. Rainbow likes those kinda skinny real athletic type stallions where they barely have any fat on em’. Ah dunno they look kinda ‘pretty’ ta me Ah suppose, kinda like they look like they’re always ready to get their picture taken for a magazine or somethin’. Apparently that’s the trend for stallions right now… it’s the way ta look…” Shaking her head AJ shrugged, “Ah don’t get it.”
“That look wouldn’t gain much traction in Zebrica, with the scarcity and plagues my country was stricken with hundreds of years ago having a good amount of body fat is considered a very very desirable trait in a partner. Both ways.” Zecora explained and then laughed, “which is fortunate for me because I have no issue putting on a layer of cushion if I let myself.”
“If it weren’t for all the work on the farm, applebuckin’ and haulin’, Ah know Ah’d have a very generous layer of cushion with how much Ah like to eat. This family always has been eaters though, you should see how much food we go through at the reunions.” Applejack laughed herself, “Ya know speaking of… You and Hank should really come next year.”
Zecora was flattered at the offer, it was a great honor to be invited to a function, a family function no less, she didn’t expect to be invited to such a thing considering this was one of the first times she’d truly gotten to know Applejack and her family.
“I-I’m truly flattered Applejack, that means a lot, I don’t know what to say.” Zecora said sincerely.
“How about ‘yes’? We’d be more than happy to have ya. We owe our lives to Hank, on more than one occasion, and Ah know we haven’t known each other for too long but we all really like you too Zecora.”
“In that case we’d be glad to come.” Completely heartfelt Zecora nodded before she leaned in for a hug which Applejack happily reciprocated. Zecora was so happy to finally find a set of real friends again after leaving her home, she was also very happy she had listened to Hank and taken the push to meet new ponies, she had been tremendously nervous about it at first but now that it was happening the zebra was moved to tears.
Pulling away from the hug Applejack was startled to see that the zebra was crying and immediately leaned back in putting her hooves on Zecora’s shoulders, “Oh my gods sugar cube! Are you okay? It ain’t somethin’ Ah said is it?”
“No no no, I-I’m not sad, I’m just so happy and relieved!” Zecora exclaimed as tears still slowly rolled down her face, “When I left my homeland… I left because of a bad situation. I had just lost my best and longest childhood friend in one of the worst ways I could ever imagine and on my over a year long trip here I didn’t know if I’d ever connect to anyone again.” Sniffling Zecora wiped her eyes as Applejack listened intently, saddened by Zecora’s previously unknown story, “I honestly started to think I never would, I thought I’d just sit alone in my new home and work on my potions… I’m so glad I was wrong…”
Having no idea what the zebra had gone through and hearing how she had felt Applejack went right back in for another hug to comfort Zecora.
“Ah’m glad you were wrong too.” Applejack said embracing with Zecora as she sniffled one more time and muttered a quiet ‘thank you’.
Breaking the hug for the second time the two mares shared idol chat as they occasionally listened to the conversation in the other room.
Thoroughly enjoying each other’s company the two had no idea how much time had passed before they heard Hank’s telltale footsteps start to move from the living room to the kitchen, stopping their conversation and turning their attention to the entrance they soon saw Hank’s large frame enter the room as Big Mac and Apple bloom head up the stairs behind him.
“How are two of my favorite girls doin’?” Hank asked, offering a quick smile as he walked to the sink to fill his canteen.
Giving a quick glance to AJ to see how she would react, Zecora smiled when she saw the mare’s blush before she turned to address her coltfriend, well more specifically, boyfriend.
“We’re doing quite well, how has your conversation been going?”
“Good.” Hank said before taking a large drink of water, “A lot more talking than I’m used to though, really dried my mouth and throat out.”
“Have you been getting along well with everybody?” Zecora asked, much more interested in this answer.
Nodding a few times Hank shrugged while taking another drink, “No real problems. Smoother than I expect I suppose, I mean, it's not like I have a confrontational personality or anything.”
Both the human and zebra sharing a small chuckle Hank pulled out a chair and sat down as the five other girls walked in looking for Applejack.
“Howdy girls, what’re y’all doin’?”
“Quite good dear,” Rarity answered, “We’re getting ready to go upstairs and head to bed, or the closest we can get after tonight. We didn’t know if you were coming.”
“Ah’ll be there in a second.” Answered Applejack, realizing how tired she actually was.
“Alright darling, goodnight.” Rarity said with a smile and offered the same to Zecora and Hank before leaving the room and heading upstairs.
The rest of the group doing much the same before heading upstairs, soon it was just a human and two ponies in the kitchen sitting in silence.
“Ah might need a little help gettin’ up top deary.” Granny announced appearing in the hallway.
“I gotcha Granny.” Hank answered immediately getting up and moving to help the elderly pony.
“Ooooh, Ah haven’t been carried like this in a long time!” AJ and Zecora heard as they saw Hank and Granny start to ascend the stairs.
Sharing a quick laugh at Granny’s antics the two fell silent before Zecora turned to Applejack, “Are you going to ask him?”
Straining to hear and make sure Hank wasn’t coming back down yet once she heard nothing Applejack leaned in toward Zecora, “Ah don’t think so, Ah’ll at least wait until you talk to him about, well, the whole polygamy thing. Ah know it's fairly common but who knows if it is with where he’s from. Ah don’t wanna risk really puttin’ him off.”
“Sounds good to me.” Zecora answered as Hank’s footsteps started back down the stairs, the man re-entering the room not long after.
Sitting back down in the same chair the two could see the human’s face fall as his eyes grew much more tired in an instant and his small smile completely disappeared. Running his hands through his short hair the human gave a sigh before laying his head down on his crossed arms.
It was entirely obvious the human was going through something as he rested his head down on the table, Zecora had rarely ever seen the man display anything that could be perceived as weakness, even if that was just tiredness. He was always alert and on top of everything no matter the circumstance so to see him show his exhaustion, in front of another pony no less was a very strange and worrying thing for Zecora.
“What’s the matter Hank?” Zecora asked, still more used to using his real name than a romantic nickname.
Not moving from his position the man exhaled deeply, “Long day.”
That it certainly had been for the man Zecora could confirm and she knew that his mind would have been racing with ‘what ifs’ probably since he woke up, but definitely since the first wolf he came across. It was just part of who he was, a part that had kept him alive in the face of very unfavorable odds, so it was obvious as to why it was so strong.
Frowning at the answer Zecora got up from her seat and walked over the human before standing on her hind legs and leaning / rubbing up on him. Reciprocating by wrapping an arm around her and turning his head just enough to look at the zebra he tried to give a smile but found he couldn’t.
Watching the man turn away from her and close his eyes, seeing the stress on his face, it hurt Zecora right in the heart, “It’ll be okay sweetie, I love you very much.” The Zebra said gently to the man before pressing her head into his.
Taking a deep breath Hank cupped the side of Zecora’s head turning her head to face him gently as he propped himself, “I love you too.” As gingerly as his weathered voice would let him Hank admitted with a small smile before letting go of his girlfriend and turning to the other pony in the room he had nearly forgotten was there who was looking between the two and the table in front of her with an awkward look on her face and a blush on her cheeks.
“Sorry you had to see that AJ, I know it's probably a bit weird to see me act like that.” Hank said, addressing the feeling in the room while still using his right arm to hug onto Zecora as she happily snuggled herself beside him.
“No, no, don’t be sorry Ah’m really happy to see y’all so happy, you’re both a good fit for each other.” Applejack said sincerely but with a somewhat gloomy smile on her face.
Noticing the look on AJ’s face Hank had a feeling he knew it was about but didn’t feel like it would be the best time to ask the farm pony if he was right. He had an inclination that Applejack might be interested in him since he well… overheard a fantasy that didn't sound like anything platonic. Then again maybe she just had the hots for him, which he found unlikely on multiple levels considering how he looked and what he was known to do. Hell, he felt like he tricked Zecora into being his girlfriend somehow even if she was the one to ask if he wanted to date her. He guessed that he still did have those self doubts pushed down somewhere deep he’d had since he was a kid.
Either way he didn’t want to ask something that very well may not be true at all and put he, and AJ’s, relationship under any more strain.
“You guys sure did talk in here a long time. Gettin’ to know each other?” Hank abruptly asked, attempting to alleviate the feeling of awkwardness in the room.
“Uh yeah, me and Zecora have a lot in common surprisingly.” The orange mare answered looking between Hank and the zebra she was talking about who was still pressed up against him and smiling at her.
“Yes, we really do. She invited us to the next family reunion they have as a matter of fact.”
“Really?” Hank asked looking from Zecora to AJ for confirmation from the source.
“Well yeah of course. Yer a part of the family Hank, it’d be wrong not to at least invite you, and after I talked to Zecora we’re getting along really well so Ah thought Ah’d just tell her cause well… you two are a pair after all.” Giving an awkward smile AJ looked up to the human momentarily, “Ah’m sorry about not invitin’ ya sooner, there’s just been so much goin’ on recently.”
Agreeing with AJ more than she could know in his head Hank nodded with tired eyes, “It’s no problem Applejack, and I’m flattered, I’ll do my best to make sure I can be there.”
A genuine smile growing on her face AJ’s mood lifted a little bit, “It’ll be nice to be able to finally introduce ya to everypony.” Getting up AJ gave a small stretch and started toward the door, “Ah think Ah’m gonna head ta bed. Goodnight Hank, Zecora.”
“Night AJ.” Hank said with a smile of his own as Zecora offered her own sentiment.
“See y’all in the mornin’.” AJ said as she walked out of the room and started up the stairs, leaving the couple alone in the kitchen.
Listening to Applejack’s hoofsteps disappear up the stairs while sitting in silence together Zecora pulled away from the man and got down on all fours again, “I need to use the bathroom. Be right back.”
Saying nothing and instead pointing a finger gun at his girlfriend in acknowledgement Zecora laughed and shook her head while she turned and started up the stairs herself.
Alone in the kitchen Hank spread his legs a little while getting more comfortable in the size too small chair and let his head fall back while closing his eyes.
All of the talk and conversation about friends and the stories the group had together had the man thinking about his own small friend group and how close they had been up until the day that it had all went down. He still had texts and contacts in his phone that belonged to his friends and family, still had voice mails that were saved, pictures, videos.
He wanted to look through all that stuff, hear his loved ones voices again, see their young faces, but he knew if he did that he would start spiraling into depression just as before. The best he could do is make sure he didn’t scroll too far in his camera roll or tap on the messaging icon, because he knew exactly what conversation it was on and if he read through that again it would rip him apart.
<><><>Okay this is the cut off where things get a little sexually explicit, no actual fucking happens but it will get kind’ve steamy from here till the end. If you don’t want to read this it’s more than okay to skip but this is a M rated story after all and there is a sex tag I’m gonna use. As you were.<><><>
The man was happy to hear Zecora’s telltale hoofsteps coming down the stairs. Whenever she was around he didn't feel the overwhelming loneliness and hopelessness that he had for so long before.
Not caring to open his eyes as the zebra entered the room to his right he heard her walk in front of him and expected her to haul herself up onto him like she usually did but instead he nearly jumped out of his skin as she bumped her muzzle into his crotch.
Looking down to the zebra between his legs pressing her nose into big jim and the twins he could see that mischievous look in eyes as her tail swished back and forth behind her.
About to open his mouth and ask just what it was that had gotten into her she suddenly lunged forward an inch grabbing the zipper to his pants in her teeth and yanking down before trying to go for the button.
“Jesus! Stop that you horny little ambushist.” He whisper yelled as he batted the giggling zebra away from exposing a certain part of his growing anatomy to the outside world.
Tail still swishing back and forth as her body was filled with hormones from the absolute olfactory overload Hank’s scent provided Zecora stood back and watched as Hank undid all of her process with a smirk on her face, content as she saw a rather large imprint snaking its way down his inner thigh.
“Just what has gotten into you?” Hank shook his head and chuckled with a smirk on his face, booping the zebra on the nose making her sneeze.
It wasn’t exactly a rare occurrence for the zebra to tease him and rub up on him, focusing a certain part of his body, trying to get a rise out of him, but what had just occurred was by far the most forward she had ever been.
“I am going to see that part of you someday, I am sick and tired of just seeing a hint of him here, or an imprint here. You get to see me in full view all the time, it’s only fair.” Zecora explained in a smooth and seductive voice as she walked back toward the man and propped herself up on his thigh with her left hoof while grabbing at his dick through the fabric of the pants.
Jumping a little at the unfamiliar stimulation Hank did nothing to stop the zebra as she smiled up to him with a sultry gaze.
“Oh you’re gonna do more than see it at this rate.” Hank fired back leaning forward, almost nose to nose with Zecora while the zebra smiled and gave him a squeeze.
Closing his throat to hold down any involuntary sounds, being a little new to this sort of thing, Zecora laughed and got back down on all fours.
“Why not now then? We are alone.” Zecora offered, her decision taking a back seat to her lust.
Raising an eyebrow a short laugh came from the man, “One cause if I do a good job you’ll be plenty loud, and two, because we’re in the Apple’s kitchen! You may be an exabitionist but I certainly am not.” Laughing at her forwardness Zecora rolled her eyes.
“Oh come on. Just let me see what you’re working with.” Zecora stamped her left rear hoof lightly in exasperation as the human continued to deny her just like he had done before.
Sighing, Hank leaned in and started to scratch behind Zecora’s ear getting a groan out of her as he found that perfect spot, “I’m sorry Z, not here, I promise we’ll get a little more intimate soon.”
“Whatever you say.” Zecora sighed, not believing the human entirely, starting to feel like maybe he wasn’t physically attracted to her like he had said before, “What exactly is holding you back? I can see the print in your pants, feel it in my hoof! If you have any anxiety about size it is terribly misplaced.”
Being quite possibly the best compliment a man could get about his body topped with a person that had rarely ever got compliments about his physical appearance, other than that he may taste good from the infected trying to eat him all the time, and even taking a few chunks here or there, Hank’s mind almost didn’t register the words and he stuttered, “W-What? Really?”
Rolling her eyes Zecora muttered something to the effect of “Stallions…” Before amusedly nodding, “Yes really, You’re the largest I have ever had… or may have eventually…” The Zebra looked up to the slightly annoyed, “Or even… “seen”, but well, I have never truly seen it either now have I?” Even more annoyed she questioned putting her hoof back on Hank’s miny me and giving a firm squeeze making him tense up again as she chuckled at his antics, “You must have heard about your size from your previous partners, unless this size is typical for your species.”
“W-W-Well….” Hank choked out a little over come with new sensations, but nowhere near stopping Zecora’s menstations, “I-I guess I realized I was above average in that department, I just didn’t know how I’d hold up next to actual equines, cause it’s not like I’m a freak of nature or anything.” He gulped as Zecora continued moving her hoof while smiling up at him sweetly with eyes full of innocence that was certainly a well constructed ruse, “Horses kind of have a reputation for being, well, hung. To put it lightly.”
“You’re doing better than any Zebra I’ve ever known, that’s for sure.” Zecora remarked as she looked back at the organ under her hoof and the tight fabric not able to hold back a small groan, “Sooooo much better.”
“OoHhh, holy shit.” Hank clenched the muscles all throughout his body as Zecora continued, giggling like mad, that fire in her nethers still burning hot as ever as she felt the human throb under her hoof and the distinctive smell of his sweat start to make its way to her nose. It was obvious she was doing a very good job.
“I Guess I… Well I… Oh my god.” Hank’s mind stopped being able to formulate words as she suddenly sped up.
Taking a few seconds to reboot as the Zebra slowed back down allowing the man to get his bearings Hank caught his breath before speaking again, in a little more dignified tone, “I mean I never would have heard it from anyone else cause well… I uh, I’ve never even gotten this far before.”
Taking a second for just what her colt friend had said to cut through all the hormones and endorphins that were flooding her mind and body, Zecora’s face slowly became more serious and she stopped rubbing Hank through his pants, returning her hoof to the floor.
“You’ve never even had a hoofjob before?” Zecora asked completely dumbfounded.
“Honey, I’ve never…” Trailing off Hank sighed, what he had feared would happen was happening. His inexperience in the subject was showing its head.
He knew it would happen when he said he would like to date the zebra, that things would get serious after a while, it was natural and healthy for relationships to have sexual intercourse in them after all, it was really strange if they didn’t really. He was afraid that his nervousness and aversion to anything intimate like kissing or sex would make his girlfriend feel like he wasn’t invested. He couldn’t blame her! He was dreading when this moment would come, not that he didn’t want to kiss Zecora or bend her over the couch and go crazy with her, he truly was extremely attracted to her, however, his inexperience and nerves made him want to stay away so he wouldn’t embarrass himself. He didn’t know how to kiss! Let alone how to please a woman after all!
He would rather be facing down a pack of winter starved infected with nothing but his hands than be sitting in the dark and peaceful farmhouse kitchen with his beautiful girlfriend, and that made him more upset at himself than anything had in a long time.
“Hank what’s the matter dear?” Zecora asked in concern, placing a hoof on the human’s knee making him jump again but not in the playful sensational way as before.
“I’ve never had sex before Z,” The human muttered looking at the zebra and then immediately away, “I’ve never kissed anyone before. You’re the first person I’ve ever been in a romantic relationship with.”
Eyes wide at the confession Zecora was gobsmacked. She couldn’t understand how a stallion that looked like Hank, acted like Hank, and was as old as Hank most likely was, could still be a virgin, let alone never even shared a kiss or a relationship before.
They had never talked about it before, they didn't even know how old each other were come to think about it, and while they might get along like they were made for each other Zecora started to realize just how strange their relationship was.
They knew more about each other than anybody else in some subjects but then didn't know cursory information like each other’s age, she had just learned of Hank’s full name tonight after all.
“I-I didn’t know sweetie I’m sorry.” Zecora stammered.
“No it’s my fault. We never talked about it.”
“It’s just as much my fault too.” Zecora said softly, getting closer to the human so she could make eye contact with the man as he hung his head, “We are a couple, it is both our responsibilities we communicate.”
“...Yeah.” Hank muttered.
“Is that why you’ve been so distant when it comes to kissing and anything to do with intercourse?” Zecora asked, feeling she already knew the answer.
Clenching his jaw and fists the human cursed at himself for letting it come to this, “Yeah.” He finally croaked meeting Zecora’s soft and caring eyes, “I-I just don’t know what to do or where to start. I don't know how to kiss! How to please you!”
Her heart breaking at the obvious pain in Hank’s voice and on his face she did her best to show her love by the man by rubbing her cheek against his.
The effect was almost immediate as the human started to calm down and relax, “I know how to kill, not love. I expected to die a virgin, never knowing a relationship, I accepted that so now that those plans have blown up in my face I’m lost. I’m nervous. Actually nervous! Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve been remotely nervous or scared?”
Zecora could see the nervousness in the man’s eyes as he opened up to her, scared that she would reject him for his lack of experience, he couldn’t be further from the truth.
Taking a long shaky inhale in followed by an equally shaky one out Hank opened his mouth, “Do you still wanna date me?”
Deflating at the question out of sheer empathetic pain Zecora felt her heart break further, “Oh sweetie, I love you for you. Nothing will ever change that. I may be a little surprised, I will be honest, but it doesn’t make me want you any less.”
“Oh thank god.” Hank’s heart taking its proper place in his chest again a massive sigh of relief left his lungs as he sat back up straight again.
“Does this mean you want to wait on any physical contact until you get more comfortable?” Zecora asked not knowing what the man would want to do.
“Fuck no.” Hank said firmly much to the surprise of the Zebra, “You have no idea how worked up your little stunt made me. When we get back home I’m going to finish what you started.”
Like a switch had been flipped the regular assertive human that Zecora had grown to love was back, it seemed like he just needed to get that secret off his chest and confirmation from her that it was okay that he may be inexperienced for a while.
“Now obviously you might need to help me with certain things and I’m still skittish about taking my clothes off so it’ll just be my pants probably but otherwise I think I’m okay.”
“Are you sure?” A smirk across the zebra’s face she asked.
“I’m pretty sure.” Leaning forward in an effort to cup Zecora’s cheek and scratch her ear the zebra unexpectedly stepped back from his hand with a smirk on her face.
Confused as to why she would move away from something she usually loved, Hank's eyes suddenly grew as the zebra slowly turned around and presented herself to him showing just how worked up she was as well.
A smile working its way across his face he couldn’t help but groan as he looked at what Zecora was so blatantly showing off.
She had flashed him from time to time in the past few weeks but this was much more forward, following the theme of the night to a ‘T’.
Acting before thinking Hank quickly grabbed onto the base of Zecora’s tail that was pushed to the side and pulled her into his lap this time eliciting a moan from the zebra before he grabbed her at the base of her front legs and pulled her onto his lap.
Her back pressed to his chest he hugged the zebra and chuckled at her as she panted, “You really are worked up. What made you want to do this tonight?”
“I could tell you had your mind on something and I wanted to help you forget about it.” Zecora answered as Hank continued to hug onto her tightly, showing how she wasn't going anywhere, not that she wanted to anyway.
Humming to himself amused he looked at the zebra trapped in his grasp, “Innocent enough answer, terribly uninnocent way to go about it though.”
“Did you not like it?” Zecora teased.
“Oh I never said that.” Hank laughed as Zecora did as well, pressing her head under his chin.
If he was going to be up all night anyway he might as well spend it with his girlfriend and get a little grabby. Maybe the night watch wouldn’t be too bad… as long as they could both hold themselves back that is.