Broken Wings, Chapter 4 - We're Just Friends (light clop)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB1chYE-6H8
>Man…what a week.
>When AJ asked you to keep an eye on Rainbow Dash during her hospital stay, you didn’t realize just how…difficult she could be.
>Oh sure, when you’re there with her, she’s a perfect patient.
>It took the nurses very little time to figure this out.
>You’ve never had to babysit a patient getting a bedpan changed so often.
>A BEDPAN.
>WHY DO YOU HAVE TO SIT IN ON A BEDPAN CHANGING?
>You miss the days when the horses were big dumb animals and shat wherever they stood sometimes.
>”Hey, anon?”
“Mmm?”
>”Ah know yer’ run ragged watchin’ Rainbow, but you gonna eat that omelet or use it for a pillow?”
>What?
>You open your eyes.
>Yup. Ham and cheese headrest.
>You grunt and sit up, using a napkin to wipe egg from your face as you pick a hair out of your breakfast.
>Applejack just giggles.
“Glad at least someone got something out of my food besides a nap.”
>She giggles even harder as you poke around your breakfast with a fork, trying to avoid the cheek-marks.
>AJ just takes a bite of her dandelion bagel and looks at you.
>”Anon…Ah want to thank you for all your hard work in keeping an eye on Dash for us at work.”
“AJ, for the last time, I’m not doing a whole lot. You really don’t need to thank me.”
>Applejack sets her food down with an audible clank, causing you to jump in your seat.
>”Now Anon, that’s a load a’ cattle droppins and you know it. You’ve been takin’ extra shifts and doin’ stuff no one else would do just t’ help her out, and when yer home, yer’ dog tired. Don’t you tell me ya’ don’t do nothin’!”
>You gulp a little.
>AJ sighs and shakes her head, looking up at you with those damnably green eyes she’s got.
>”Ah’m sorry fer snappin like that, Anon, it’s just…ah wish you would talk t’somep0ny about yer problems, instead of just bustin’ yer butt for us without any desire for thanks.”
>You sigh. You know better than to pick an argument with the one mare more stubborn than you are.
>Well, besides Rainbow when it’s sponge bath time.
>”Anon…just…remember, if ya’ ever need somep0ny t’talk to, I’m here for ya, alright?”
>You nod.
“Thanks AJ…you’re real sweet, you know that? I don’t deserve a friend like you.”
>You don’t notice AJ turning redder than her brother in the cheeks as you assault your mostly-hairless hash browns.
>Wait, that’s not a hair.
>That’s a feather.
>Goddamnit Frank…
>”Hey, Anon.”
“Yeah?”
>”Ah think ya’ need a break. After you get off tonight, what say you an’ I go out to th’ Hay Seed?”
>Hmm, out drinking with AJ? It has been awhile.
“Why, I declare, are you asking me out?”
>AJ just glares at you, trying to hide the blush in her cheeks.
>She does a good job, you don’t notice.
>”You big galoot, ya’ wanna go or not?”
>You just laugh.
“That sounds divine. I only have one surgery scheduled, plus Rainbow, so I’ll see you tonight.”
>AJ smiles warmly, catching you a little off guard.
>It reminds you of watching a sunrise.
>”Alright then, Anon. It’s a date.”
>She’s just being coy…right?

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJsy5jJ7Dp0
>One of these days, that mayor is going to be more plastic than p0ny.
>First a tail lift, then…
>You sigh and rub your eyes as you walk in to Rainbow’s room.
>For her effort, she is putting on the most innocent face she can muster.
>”Look, I swear, the nurses are making waaaay to much of it.”
“Rainbow…I told you, if I’m in the middle of a procedure, it’s REALLY HARD to get work done when a nurse comes in and tells me you won’t let them reset an IV.”
>”Well, if she could find a vein to save her life, I wouldn’t need you in here to supervise, would I?”
>It’s a good thing you’re going out drinking tonight.
>You sigh and sit down, rubbing the bridge of your nose.
“Look, Dash, Nurse Coldheart is a very…”
>Choose these next words carefully, Anon.
“…competent nurse. Why do you always need me in here? I don’t mind coming in to visit and reading you books, but this is starting to get ridiculous!”
>You pause as you look over at Rainbow, who is looking down at her casted legs, tears welling in her eyes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlv2_96KARg
>”I-I know, it’s just…look, I just don’t like hospitals, alright? All this sitting here, being unable to move…it’s driving me nuts!”
>She looks up at you, tears still welling in her eyes, but her face decidedly more angry and frustrated.
>”I have to poop in a tin bucket, for hoof’s sake!”
>Rainbow looks away, closing her eyes, as if she’s ashamed to look you in yours.
>”It’s just…you make it easier to deal with, you know? All the nurses and the gowns and stuff…yeah, the girls help when they’re here, but they have their own lives. Their own responsibilities.”
>She looks at you again, and you’re taken a little aback.
>Man, she’s giving you that same look Applejack gave you, just magenta instead of green.
>”I just feel more comfortable here when you’re around…”
>Dash…
>You sigh and smile, ruffling her mane.
>”Ey! Stop that! Just because the truth is a little mushy doesn’t mean you can get all weird on me, ok?”
>You just laugh.
“Tell you what Rainbow. I’m not going to be here tonight, but tomorrow we’re going to x-ray your legs.”
>Rainbow nods. “That’s good, right?”
“Yup. If everything is good, I’ll take those rods out that afternoon, and then the next day we can get to getting you started on rehab, at least get you walking again.”
>Rainbow looks like you just gave her a million dollars.
>”REALLY? YOU MEAN IT?”
“Promise.”
>Rainbow tries to avoid bouncing for joy, settling instead on a relaxed posture and a warm smile.
>”Thanks, Anon…I really appreciate that.”
“Any time. I’m going out with Applejack tonight, you want me to read to you before I go?”
>Dash blinks. “Applejack?”
“Yeah, we’re going drinking…”
>Wait a minute, something’s not right here.
“…is something wrong with that?”
>Rainbow frowns before turning her gaze back to the ceiling.
>”Nah, you two go ahead and have fun. You deserve a break from dealing with me every now and then.”
“Alright…see you tomorrow then.”
>Rainbow watches your back as you leave, her eyes drooping with…dissapointment.
>”Yeah…see you tomorrow…”

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNuenYfSNaU
>Oh man, did you ever need this.
>You recline on the hay bale serving as a barstool, toasting your first round with Applejack.
>The Hay Seed. Quite a lively little dance bar. You can see why it’s popular with the local farmers.
>You spent quite some time in places like this in college, now that you think about it.
>Might explain those extra two years spent in vet school.
>”Cheers Anon!”
“Cheers!”
>The two of you take big gulps.
>Hard cider. Goes down smoother than cheap beer, and boy does it pack a kick.
>”So Anon, how’s it feel ta’ git out and have some fun fer’ once?”
>You barely have time to gulp down your drink before your spittake reflex kicks in.
>Whew, crisis averted.
>You like this shirt.
“For once? I am ALWAYS fun, Missus Jack.”
>AJ snorts and gives you an annoyed look, drawing a laugh against the music from the band as she takes another drink.
>”Alright then, Mister-Fun-Times, why don’t ya’ put yer bits where yer’ mouth is and come dance with yer’ pal AJ?”
>Oh, is that a challenge?
>I do believe it is.
“Get a few more rounds in me, and I’ll dance yer’ hat off, madam.”
>AJ grins and orders another round.
>Did…did she tie her hair off with a bow?

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>Hoo boy.
>For a four-legged creature, AJ sure does know how to dance.
>Gave you a run for your money.
>But hey, everyone had a good time.
>After all the cider the two of you drank, even pissin’ on a wall would be a hoof-stomping good time.
>The two of you are laughing it up as you stagger towards home.
>Drunkenly leaning on each other like an A-frame built by cub scouts.
“And that…that’s when he put d’saddle…aroun’ is WAIST!”
>This proves too hilarious for Drunkerjack, collapsing in the grass on a hillside overlooking Sweet Apple Acres in a giggly fit.
>Without your support, it’s not long before your chuckle-y butt meets the cool earth too.
>The two of you just lie together, laughing in drunken bliss as the stars twinkle overhead like diamonds.
>”..ey….ey Anon.”
“…yeah?”
>”Wha…what ya’ said at breakfast this mornin’…about…how ya don’t think ya deserv’ a friend like me…”
“…yeah?”
>”Did’ja mean that?”
“Yeah…”
>AJ manages to roll onto her side, looking at you.
>”Anon…if…if ah was a human…what would ya’ think of me?”
>You snort, withholding a giggle.
“I’d probably make you my girlfriend, first chance a’got.”
>”…really?”
“Well, yeah…AJ, you are freakin’ awesome. I gots plenty a’friends here, but nobody else brings me lasagna t’work. Your family is great and yer’ always there for me.”
>”…but…if ya’ love someone, somep0ny…does it really matter wha’they look like?”
>You ponder this conundrum.
>Alcohol is apparently great for melting down mental quandaries you have with complex concepts.
>Is there anything it can’t do?
“Nah…I guess not.”
>”…Ah agree.”
>Huh?
>You blink and roll over.
>Just in time for Applejack to press her lips against yours.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3aw9yLaZ8Y
>Woah…soft.
>Tears start welling in her shut eyes as you feel her muffled breath splash against you.
>For a horse, it sure does feel like a regular girl.
>How did you feel about Applejack?
>You can’t think straight, thanks to the cider.
>Hell, you can hardly feel straight.
>AJ breaks the kiss, the water in her eyes catching the moonlight.
>Making them sparkle like emeralds.
>Her breath catches in her chest as your warm hands wrap around her.
>You don’t know if it’s the alcohol or your true feelings, but the one thing this feels right now is…
>…right.
>”A-Anon…”
>You pull the orange mare close, and return her gift in kind.
>Your memories of that night are spotty and hazy.
>You remember making it to the barn.
>The feel of fine horsehair against bare skin.
>The smell of apples and orchids in wild, sunkissed hair.
>The sound of your name muttered in husky breaths.
>The sound of her name groaned in the heat of passion.
>Her warmth enveloping your very being as hungry hooves hold you close.
>Your own sense of lonliness as Applejack snuggles into you in the hay, awash in post-coital bliss.
>As the two of you fall asleep, you wonder.
>Is this true? Is this just a drunken mistake?
>There will be plenty of time to answer that in the morning.