I was awake before I opened my eyes the next morning and the only sounds I could hear were the soft neighs coming from Applejack and the serene songs from the birds that were nesting inside the barn. I could feel the hay, which turned out to be a shockingly comfortable place to sleep, under my back and in my hair as I rubbed my eyes open. The sun was shining through the lone window on the side of the barn, and I took a deep breath and thought about the family dinner that had taken place the day before. I started to laugh as I recalled how awkward it was when Apple Bloom announced to the Oranges that we had married in secret. Well, that just was a disaster waiting to happen. I let out a deep sigh. I wish I could click with Uncle Orange for Applejack’s sake. If he only knew how much I loved her.

I never seriously thought that they would be perfectly fine with their niece marrying a human, but I hoped they would get past the initial shock/surprise and come around, which Aunt Orange seemed to do. I thought about what happened after dinner, which was how I ended up in the barn in the first place. I still just couldn’t believe that someone had the nerve to tell Applejack that she was nothing special, and that Applejack herself had always felt like she was nothing but an afterthought to the town of Ponyville. I felt the need to hit something or someone for giving her that vibe. As you probably know by now, I am prone to fits of rage, especially if Applejack is mistreated or in danger. She brought out the gentle, loving side of me when she was around me, but she also brought out the tough, protective side of me if I felt like she was threatened. I felt a lot better when I recalled how happy she was when I told her how special she was to me.

I looked up, and Applejack was lying perpendicular to me, but to my great delight, she was resting her head snuggly and innocently on my belly as she slept. Awwww. It was always one of my favorite things to sleep with my head on her in the same way, but to see it reversed was almost too cute. I took a minute and just admired her as she slept. The white freckles always got me, and she was just so pretty with that golden mane and sherbet coat. How could someone not adore your country charm, or your innocent heart, or your love for your family? If they don’t want to know or love you, then that’s their loss, because I think you’re the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. I rested my hand on her head and let mine fall back as I stared up at the ceiling. I wonder what we should do today besides work. Call me crazy, but as I’ve mentioned before, I really enjoyed working the hard labor on the farm with her and her family, even if I couldn’t buck apple trees. Whatever we did before working, I was going to have a blast with the sweetest, most admirable wife a human or pony could ask for.

I laid there happily for a few more minutes with her head still resting peacefully on me, but I knew I had to wake her up or else she’d be mad at me for letting her sleep in so late. Besides, I couldn’t resist any longer; I picked up a piece of hay and gently touched it to her ear. When it started to twitch frantically, I pulled the hay back and held covered my mouth with my hand to prevent myself from laughing out loud. I touched it once more to her ear, and just as it started twitching again, Applejack sat up startled and looked around.

“Huh? What?” she said, as I fell back on the hay laughing hysterically. Applejack looked at me surprised for a moment, and then broke into laughter. “Why, you little whipper snapper!” she said. She ran over to me and put me in a headlock with her front leg and started rubbing my hair with her hoof. “Take that!” she said, as we both continued to laugh and giggle. She released me and fell back on the hay, where she tilted her head up at me with a big smile. I got up and brushed the hay off myself.  

“Come on, let’s go get some breakfast at Sugarcube Corner,” I said, trying to be casual. I didn’t feel it was necessary to bring up the day before even though it ended joyfully; I wanted this day to continue on the same course and be a light-hearted one, full of fun and laughter and carefree like it always was when we were with each other.  

“Oh, so ya’ll want a healthy breakfast today. Hehe, ah’m just kiddin’, that sounds like a mighty fine idea! ” she said, standing up and grabbing her hat from the hay. I walked over to the ladder that goes to the lower level of the barn and climbed down. I waited at the bottom and shot her a smile as she stepped down onto the lower level, but just as I was about to walk toward the door, I felt her pull me back with her front leg. I eagerly spun around to see what she needed, but she was just smiling at me. Just like the night before, there were strong feelings of love and appreciation in her eyes that made their way into my heart and gave me comfort and joy on the deepest level I have ever experienced.

“Hey, sugarcube… thanks fer makin’ me feel so much better last night. Ah’ll do somethin’ real special for ya, ah’ promise,” she said, which I thought was funny. Being around her was special; like a privilege. Whenever she played with me, whenever she did a simple act of kindness or taking care of her friends or family, whenever she worked in the orchards until she was sore; those were all special things to me.

“Aw, it’s nothing, Applejack. Come on now, let’s get some food; I know how country girls are. Besides, you’re already doing something special for me,” I said. Applejack laughed and hit me on the shoulder with her hoof.

“What am ah’ doin’ special for ya right now?” A gentle smile came across my face as I stared into her angelic eyes. I blushed; I was on a collision course for another tender moment with the Earth pony that I have a perpetual crush on.

“The way you’re looking at me now.”  

She smiled at me even wider and her eyes sparkled, and as we happily stared at each other yet again, I think we realized that we needed each other. We didn’t even need to speak to understand what the other was thinking; it was as if we were telling all of our feelings for the other simply by looking each other in the eye. Her ears went down as she walked forward, another little emotion that always got me. She reached her front leg around for a hug, burying her head into my chest. I rested my head on her mane, which was more pleasant to the side of my face then a feathered pillow, and reached my arms around her neck and hugged her right back. My innocent little apple flower, I would do anything to make you happy. I could especially feel my heart joined to hers when we hugged, partly because I could feel her love, which seemed stronger then the sun. For me to be the source of comfort for the one whom I dream about even when she is right next to me was like special nourishment for the soul. We hugged even tighter, and time seemed to stop as magic flared up inside us.

The special moment came to an abrupt end when the barn doors flew open without any warning whatsoever and Apple Bloom trotted in with an envelope in her mouth. She caught us off guard, and we both stepped back from our hug quickly and laughed uncomfortably. To make matters worse, Rarity was standing behind her.

"Oh hey there Apple Bloom, whatcha got there? Hey Rarity," I said, pretending as though they saw nothing.

"Uh, g'morning sis! Howdy Rarity!" said Applejack, doing the same as me. Rarity gave us a smug smile and it was too sappy for Apple Bloom given the look her face. Well, that was bad timing.