The Most Yanderful Time of the Year

>Delivery day in Dodge Junction.
>At least it would be if the delivery cart's wheel hadn't busted miles from town.
>Anon lost at hoof, horseshoe, hay bales and ended up being the one to walk to town in search of help.
>Poor feller just couldn't get the mechanics of it down and you could hear him ranting long into the distance as you and Big Mac just chuckle at his misfortune.
"Doesn't help he always shoots hoof though."
>"Nnnope."
"Fer all his moanin' and groanin', Ah do appreciate having an extra set of legs to shift around cart haulin' duty."
>"Eyup."
"Reckon he'll be gone long?"
>"Hmm... Nope."
"Well at least we brought the covered wagon. Wouldn't want the sun beatin' down on all this cider fer Cherry Jubilee."
>"Sure don't"
>Your brother was never too good for conversation anyway.
>That does however leave you alone with your thoughts.
>And lately they consist mostly of Anon.
>You crawl into the back of the wagon while your brother stays up in the driver's seat to keep an eye out.
"Say Mac."
>"Hmm?"
"What do y'all think about Anon?"
>"He's alright Ah suppose."
>At least Big Mac seems to think kindly of him.
>"Why do ya ask?"
>Aww, horseapples the one time he decides to follow through.
"Just wonderin'. Anon's been a mighty big help around the farm lately and Ah was just tryin' ta see if'n y'all thought the same."
>"S'pose Ah do. Can't help but feel that that's not the only reason y'all were askin' though."
>Just couldn't sit back and enjoy the quiet could you Applejack?
"Well yer not wrong... *sigh* let's say Anon were a pony who acted the same and put in the same amount of work. He'd be considered husband material right?"
>"Don't see why not."
"But he ain't a pony. So we wouldn't exactly be able to start a family like that would we? Assumin' it ever came to that."
>"Nope."
>That much should've been obvious but it doesn't exactly make you feel better about it.
>"Then again, we Apples are already a mighty big clan and as Ah recall family is what ya make of it. So it shouldn't matter none if he's a pony or not."
>Oh Big Mac you big softy.
>"As long as he feels the same way."
>And once again reality hits you square in the nose.
>All this time you've spent with Anon and you haven't been able to see how he feels about you.
>Doesn't help the way you get cold hooves whenever you're alone together with him but you would've hoped for some sort of development by now.
>Grabbing Anon's coat from the front, you throw it over yourself and hope he isn't gone long enough to need it.
"If only Ah knew."
>With that the conversation dies down and you both return to the long wait for Anon to get back.

"The Krusty Krab... Pizza... is the pizza.. for you and me..."
>Crawling on all fours, you weakly drag yourself over the hill and thank your lucky stars that Dodge Junction was finally in view.
>You really shouldn't have been the one to walk all the way to town after the cart broke down considering it was already near the end of your pulling shift.
"That fucking horseshoe game is rigged, I swear."
>Getting back up onto your feet, you dust yourself off and gingerly make your way towards Jubilee's cherry orchards despite the protest of your aching feet.
>Making your way to the door of the farmhouse, you knock sharply in hopes of getting someone's attention.
>A pale yellow earth pony arrives at the door with a reddish brown mane and cherry shaped cutie mark.
"Evenin' miss. I'm Anonymous with the Sweet Apple Acres here about that delivery of cider barrels."
>"Well it's about time. We expected y'all hours ago."
"That's the thing, our cart busted a wheel quite a ways back so I came here looking for a bit of help."
>"Why didn't you say so then? No wonder you look so worn out, let me round up a couple boys and cart, y'all just come in and have a seat. And the name is Cherry Jubilee hun."
>She leads you inside to the living room and presents the large couch for you to take advantage of which you do by collapsing onto it lengthwise.
"Ohhh yeeeaaahhh..."
>"Poor thing. I'll comeback with some hot tea after I get everything set up."
"No rush miss. I'm just glad to be off my feet."
>Once she's gotten her crew ready and filled up your canteen with tea, she hops up into the driver's seat and pats the seat next to her.
>Hoping in shotgun, you lean back as the air turns a bit chillier with the setting sun.
>The only thing as merciless as the desert heat during the day is the bitter cold of it's nights.
>You regret leaving your jacket behind but the thought leaves you as Jubilee tosses a saddle blanket your way.
"Much appreciated."
>Pulling one end over your shoulder, Jubilee grabs the other with her teeth and closes the gap between your bodies to let the blanket cover you both.
>"So how long have y'all been working with Sweet Apple Acres?"
"About a year this winter, I mostly handle field work but with our cider all barreled up and ready to move, they've got me helping out with deliveries. Shame this had to happen on such a big order."
>"As long as everypony's okay then there's no harm to it sugar. Been doing business with the Apple Clan long enough to know that they always pull through."
"Indeed we do. Well, they do. I'm not exactly family, just a hired hand.
>"That make you freelance then?"
"I'll do the odd job here and there if the pay is good."
>"I could always use some extra help come summer when cherry season's in full swing. Especially from someone the Apples trust to tend their orchards."
"I'll keep that in mind miss."
>"Got any plans once winter hits?"
"Winter apple harvest. Preserving apples and shoveling snow for a quick bit."
>"I didn't mean work wise hun, but I guess you won't have time for much else."
>Sad but true, you would've hoped to not spend another holiday season single but you let yourself fall into a routine and suddenly you realize how long you've been living on auto pilot.
>"Oh come on now, suge. I didn't mean any harm by it. Just figured a big strapping thing like you would be taken. Kinda glad to hear that y'all aren't."
>Huh, if you didn't know any better you'd think she was flirting with you.
>In less than a quarter of the time it took you to walk to town, you spot Big Mac as he waves down your cart in the distance.

>"Hey sis, Anon's back."
>Stirring from your nap, you notice how dark it's become and that you've managed to completely snuggle up inside of Anon's jacket.
>You don't want to leave its warmth but at the same time you don't want to be caught red hoofed enjoying its scent.
>Maybe if you just stopped breathing it in so deep you could pay attention long enough to notice that mare hanging off Anon's arm.
>Your eyes darken as you see Cherry cuddled up nice and cozy next to Anon while they share a laugh at something he said.
>They turn their wagon around and pull up next to yours while the ponies pulling it unstrap themselves and move around to help load the cider into their wagon.
>When Anon comes around back to grab a barrel, he's met with your stare.
"Welcome back sugarcube, was wonderin' what was takin' y'all so long."
>"Hey boss, sorry for the wait. Cherry and her boys are gonna help tow our wagon back to town and hopefully tomorrow we can get the blacksmith to fix the wheel or sell us a spare. Mind if I grab that jacket back?"
"Y'all seemed nice and toasty bundled up with Miss Jubilee. Ah reckon Ah'll just hang on to this fer a spell."
>With that you turn away from him and return to sitting up front while the menfolk move the gear.
>Unfortunately you can't be left alone to brood as none other than the mare or your current ire jumps up to take a seat next to you.
>"Well howdy Applejack, pleasure to see y'all again."
"Pleasure's all mine." You respond dryly.
>"C'mon now hun. No need to be sore over a little breakdown. Couldn't be helped right?"
"Right."
>The cart shifts occasionally with the unloading of cargo while you try to avoid further communication.
>"So..."
>This just ain't yer day fer peace and quiet.
>"That Anon fella is quiet a card ain't he?"
"Barrel full o' laughs that one."
>"Too true, has he told y'all that joke about the cannibals and the clown? What a riot!"
>Oh come on.
"He only tells them lame jokes when he don't know how to keep a conversation goin'"
>"Well I thought it was hilarious."
"Y'all wan't funny? Ask him to tell ya the story about the Zap Apple Shine, the manticore and the buffalo girl."
>"Oh dammit Applejack. You know I still catch flak for that one from Rainbow."
>Anon comes around the front with some rope to attach your busted wagon to the back of Jubilees.
"Now, now sugarcube. Ya know that there ain't many folks who could say they've done the same as you."
>"Ok, now I just HAVe to know."
>"*sigh* Fine. Let me finish up here and I'll tell it on the way back."
>Once your group is on the road back to Dodge Junction, Anon and Mac take your seats on the busted wagon while Cherry and yourself sit on the back of hers.
>"Ok, there's a whole other story about Discord that precedes this but all you need to know is that the only we could win was to face his challenges and it came down to me to save the day."
>Anon takes a deep breath before continuing.
>"Right. So Discord zaps up this wall with two doors and a bottle of Zap Apple Shine. He passes me the jar and tells me that I need to drink the entire bottle, go into the first room to wrestle a manticore then come out and go to the other room to take a buffalo girls virginity."
>You can't help but giggle as you recall that day's events.
>"So I remove the lid and start chugging the shine and once I've got it all down, I'm already half past wasted. After that I make my way into the first room with the manticore."
>Big Mac and Jubilee lean forward in interest as neither one has heard the story before while you try to stifle your laughter.
>"I'm sorry, do you wanna finish the story for me boss?"
"Ya know what, Ah'd be glad to. So Anon is in that room for a good fifteen twenty minutes and all we could hear outside was a whole lotta roarin' and things breakin' until finally he walks outta the room covered in scratches and missin' half his clothes."
>"So he actually wrestled that beast down?"
"Oh y'all could say that. Just as we're gettin' ready to ask if'n he's ok he burps and says to us, ("Now where's that buffalo girl Ah'm s'posed ta wrestle?")."
>The punchline floats in the air for a minute while Anon just sits with his face in his palms until it finally clicks in Big Mac's head and he starts laughin' riotously.
>Cherry just cocks her head to side and repeats the joke to herself until what happened dawns on her and she nearly chokes on her own laughter making Anon contemplate whether throwing himself off the wagon would be enough to kill him.
>Pulling up to Cherry's orchard, her boys park the wagons in a barn while she brings your group in to make yourselves at home.
>"Y'all just get comfy while I go find some blankets and pillows."
>Big Mac mosies over to a recliner takes a seat before kicking up the footrest.
>Anon decides to lay along the big couch and bury his face in a cushion.
>Rather than take the smaller couch, you throw yourself onto his back with your back against his.
>"What about the other couch?"
"She said get comfy and that's what Ah aim ta do. Or are y'all calling a lady heavy?"
>"You leave Rarity's love for tea cakes out of this. Besides it's not so bad sharing a little warmth I guess."
"Shared quite a bit with Cherry didn't ya?"
>"Is that a hint of jealously I'm detecting AJ?"
"N-no. Just don't want ya scaring off clients with yer friendliness."
>"Well for your information boss, she got close to me. I know how to maintain a professional relationship."
"Yeah, y'all have maintained ours for this long."
>"What's that supposed to mean?"
>Shoot, you were supposed to think that last part.
"Nuthin', now get some shut eye."
>"But then who am I supposed to invite for a few drinks at the bar?"
>Cherry walks back into the room and sets the blankets down on the small couch.
>"Seems like I'm already covered in mares, but who am I to say no to a few drinks?"
>Anon rolls out from under you before getting up and stretching.
"Ah take it that's an open invite?"
>"Of course. Big Mac dear, will y'all be joining us?"
>He thinks about for a minute before reclining the chair back and yawning.
>"NNope."
>"Then I guess it'll just be the three of us, shall we?"
>She opens the front door while tightening a scarf around her neck.
>You're the first one out and as Anon moves to follow, she tosses another scarf over his shoulder which he thanks her for and you can't help but feel a little guilty for keeping his jacket on so you move to take it off.
>"Don't worry boss, I'm a big boy. You can hang on to that for now."
"Thanks sugarcube..."
>And that nice gesture just went and made ya feel even worse.

>A brisk walk later and the three of you make it to the bar in question where the scarce amount of patrons alludes to just how cold it must actually be this time of night.
>Finding a side booth, you and Cherry sit across from Anon while a bar maid comes to take your orders.
>"A round of beers please suge."
>"Then what will you two drink?" Anon says jokingly.
>The other mares laugh at his quip and you just fiddle with a coaster all the while.
>Despite being this close to him, you can't help but feel lonely as he laughs and chats with Cherry.
>A few rounds later and you excuse yourself to use the restroom.
>Finishing up your business, you wash your hooves and make your way back to the table when you see something that makes your breath catch in your throat.
>While you were gone, Cherry and the bar maid have taken up either side of Anon and a third mare you don't recognize sits across from them as they all fawn over him.
>You can feel your heart breaking but at the same time you feel something snap.
>Your teeth grind in anger and you make your way towards the table when a stallion steps ahead of you.
>"S'cuse me miss, can't help but notice you're not from around here. Mind if I buy y'all a drink?"
"Fine."
>At least somepony here wants to treat you nice.
>Joining him at the bar, he orders himself a hard cider and an Appletini for you.
>You'd throw the drink in his face but he seems to think of you as a more delicate mare.
>Besides, free booze.
>As you sit and pretend to listen to him prattle on about his third place rodeo belt buckle, you ponder whether or not to tell him that you had actually won first place that same year as well the year after and several years before in a row.
>Unfortunately he seems to be thicker than the insane amount of hair gel keeping his mane slicked back and it's getting really hard not to just walk back over to Anon's table and beat those other mares off with a stick.
>"Enough about me though, how long you stayin' in town missy?"
"Just the night then I'm headin' back home ASAP."
>"Then why don't you and I make the most of what's left of the night?"
"Ah really shouldn't. Ah got a long trip ahead of me and Ah should probably get back soon."
>"Oh but I insist."
>He lays a hoof over yours while shooting you a sultry smile.
>You'd gag but you're afraid you'd throw up all the free drinks you've had.
>You move to get off the seat but he hooks his foreleg around yours.
>"Now don't be like that."
"Y'all are barkin' up the wrong apple tree. Besides, Ah'm spoken for."
>"Oh really? By who ya little apple tart?"
>"By me."
>Anonymous' arm comes down hard between the two of you and at the end of it he's holding his boot knife which has just been lodged deep enough into the bar counter, you wonder if it broke through to the other side.
>With a firm yank, he pulls the knife out along with a few wood chips before staring down the stallion.
>"G-guess I'll just, uh... be on my way then."
>With that the nuisance makes a break for the exit while Anon puts his knife down and takes the seat next to you.
>"Sorry about that AJ. I know you could've handled him yourself but he just made me so mad that I had to step in."
"No worries Anon. Ah do appreciate the help."
>"I noticed you had been gone for a while but when I turned to look for you I saw sitting up here with him. Apparently i was so distracted that Cherry and the waitresses left. Cherry left a note saying she'd leave the door unlocked for us. Kinda wish she didn't leave it on the tab but what can I say?"
"Figures. Any chance Ah could get ya to escort me back? Had a little more to drink than Ah probably should've and Ah'm feelin' a bit tipsy."
>"My pleasure. I could've sworn you spoken for though."
"Ah wasn't. Least not until now."
>"Guess I have no choice then? Not like I'd choose otherwise."
>You reach your hooves out to him and he picks you up in his arms while you nuzzle against his chest.

>The following day after getting the wheel replaced, you and the others are getting ready to leave as you help Mac get his harness on.
>"Ah'll be just a minute fellas. Gotta go thank Cherry one more time fer her hospitality."
"Give her our thanks too. Dammit Mac, your hoof goes through here."
>"Sorry."
>Applejack enters the farm house and returns shortly after looking chipper as can be.
"Awful nice pony isn't she?"
>"Yeah she's swell."
"I'll have to come back in the summer to help with the cherry harvest."
>"Oh don't you worry about that sugarcube. Ah'll find a way to keep ya busy."
"Sounds good Applejack." You say throwing an arm over her shoulder.
>"Besides, now she knows that yer taken."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
>"Just an agreement between mares is all."
>Oh well, you pry into it any further.
>Back in her home though, Cherry is gonna have an awful hard time prying that kitchen knife out of the wall next to where her head was.