>as you made your way home you noticed a familiar orange pony coming your way
>she rubbed her face against you
>”c’mon, let’s get you home, I got something to show yah!”
>the two of you made way back to sweet apple acres
>but applejack took sudden turn leading you through a more open area
>behind the cover of a few trees there was a grassy hill looking down at a clear pond
>but most importantly you saw applebloom and big mac sitting behind a basket
>big mac gives you a confident smile but appleblooms is the widest and happiest grin you’ve ever seen
>”Yah hungry ‘non?”
>applebloom flips up the top of the basket and presents everything
>”applejack told me all about how much yah liked zap apple jam”
>she digs through the basket and lifts up a big jar
>”so we brought’cha a whole ton of it!”
>she presents both the jar and her wide smile to you
>before you could properly thank her the idea of the sensation of eating it causes you to drool
>out of embarrassment you quickly wipe your mouth 
>the three of them start laughing 
>their joy rubs off on you as you join in their laughter
>it felt nice to finally have a moment of peace to enjoy with them
>once the laughter dies down you finally spoke
“Thanks applebloom, that was really generous of you…”
>you pick up the enormous jar
>applebloom seemed to be the manager of the whole ordeal as she sets out silverware on plates and a big blanket to sit on
>applejack hands you one of the spoons, presumably for the jam
>excitedly you pop open the jar and take a big spoonful
>the flavor was just as amazing as you remembered 
>the taste and sensation were the same as before yet still just as elusive 
>before you could take another bite applejack offered you some other options
>of course, mostly apple related
>as the four of you ate your meals you all began to slow down as your appetites subsided
>applebloom turned to big mac
>”C’MON, LET’S GO SWIMMIN’!”
>before he could react applebloom bolted down the hill
>big mac slowly made his way down obviously more in the mood for a nap than to swim
>nevertheless his journey down hill continued leaving you and applejack alone
>right as you turn to her she sneaks in a sudden kiss 
>it was quick and unexpected leaving you with little to say
>”I love you… by the way…”
>her words left you even more unable to speak
>”I’m sorry, I, I just wanted to be the first to say it…”
>within the time it took her to speak you regained your composure
“...I love you too AJ…”
>a gentle smile formed as she locked her eyes to yours
>she slowly made her way closer to you and brought you into a hug
>her forehead pressed against the side of your neck
>”I’m just so glad you’re home now…”
>the sounds of applebloom and big mac playing in the nearby pond only seem to add to the moment rather than distract you from it
>the combination of their joy and the love you share with applejack only further solidifies your sense of belonging

>as applebloom and a very tired big mac make their way back up the hill you and apple jack pack everything up
>the walk home was uneventful but enjoyable in a relaxing way
>by the time you got home it was dark out
>applebloom yawned and wished you all good night
>big mac didn’t have the strength to even speak 
>he simply walked slowly up the stairs and crashed into his bed loud enough it could be heard from the front door
>he didn’t even bother to close his door
>just as applejack is about to close the front door a lone stallion ran up to you
>”anon!”
>he spoke in a whispered shout
>”sorry i’m late, i’ve got your order right here!”
>thinking nothing of it you thank the blacksmiths son and take the package
>while he walks off applejack eyes the delivery in your hands
>”whatcha got there anon?”
>her question immersed you back into the reality of your situation
“It’s… um… I can’t tell you right now”
>she gives you a confused look
>”how come?”
>it’s difficult to think of an excuse but you need one now more than ever
“Well… you’re going to find out soon anyways, so just be patient”
>despite her acceptance of it the wording felt so wrong
>it wasn’t going to be a pleasant surprise for her
>or for anyone…

>the two of you made your way upstairs 
>you toss your box next to your rifle
>apple jack opens her closet
>”ya know anon, did i ever show you my old record player from when i was little?”
>before you could respond she dragged out some kind of wooden box
>it looked quite nice but definitely worn to some extent
>she opened the top to show it with a record already inside
>”we got it from a relative in manehatten, the record came with it too”
>”here, go up on the bed and get cozy, i wanna show it to ya”

>https://youtu.be/9E6b3swbnWg (The Preservation of Innocence)

>she lets the record play and climbs up into bed next to you
>you both cover yourselves in the blanket and lay down near the edge of the bed facing the record player
>neither of you spoke
>rather, you sat and listened to the performance of the machine
>the two of you were extremly close to each other
>faces pressed together cheek to cheek
>both of you could have moved away at any time
>but the comfort of being this close was too much for either of you to give up 
>as if you couldn’t get any closer, she climbs onto your back
>over the left shoulder and under your right arm, she wraps around you giving you an abnormally tight hug
>her face burrows into the side of your neck no longer focused on the record player
>you were her only focus now
>as time passed you felt her breathe draw air across you
>in
>out
>it’s pacing slowly became unsteady
>in
>in
>in
>and a shaky breathe out
>you could feel something damp on your neck after her stuttered breathe
>as the song ended her uneasiness was more audible
>the wet sensation became more evident
>you moved your hand over to caress her
>once she registered your touch she spoke
>”I hate when things change anon…”
>”I just want to wake up and show you things that make you happy”
>”I love seeing that innocent excitement you have”
>she goes silent for a moment
>”I just wish you didn’t have to go…”
>”I wish we could have beat king sombra on our own”
>”I wish I could have been there for you in canterlot”
>she pauses for a second
>”anon… I know what’s in the box…”
>you’re paralyzed by the thought of what she said
>”it’s okay… I know what’s going on”
>”it’s the changelings, isn’t it…”
>you can’t find a way to respond
>”I hate this anon, I really do…”
>”but i know how severe things are now”
>”just promise me… don’t ever stop being the sweet anon that I know”
>”I really wish you didn’t have to shoulder this responsibillity”
>”I get so scared that it’s gonna change you somehow”
>”I don’t want you to come home… different… than you are now”
>”Ponyville is my whole world anon, it wouldn’t be the same if you changed”
>she takes a few labored breathes
>”I was always so worried you were going to change some day, that your sweet side was going to be replaced by this hard, bitter shell”
>”that’s why I was always so secretive with you, that’s why I acting so overprotective”
>”I couldn’t stand the idea of your adorable ways being torn apart by how cruel the world can be sometimes”
>”but even now, you’re just as sweet as ever anon, I can’t tell you how relieved I am”
>”promise me you’ll always have that innocent joy, and when you come home, promise me you’ll stay for good”
“...”
“I promise…”

>last nights rest was not as good as you had hoped 
>as nice as it was to be with applejack again you struggled to keep a clear mind while falling asleep
>even your dreams were filled with high speed nonsense
>there’s so much you wish you could get done but so little time
>the more you think about it the more you realize there’s nothing meaningful you could get done within the last day that you have
>applejack, being the most hard working pony you know left bed an hour ago
>you’re still laying in bed thinking it all over
>every innovation that could prove useful would take weeks to do
>mustard gas, flashbangs, spikey armour?
>half of your ideas would never turn out anyways
>but spikey armour would sure as hell get changelings off of you
>as ridiculous as it sounds, it’s a lot better than a repeat of canterlot
…
>It’s terrifying to think about getting swarmed by those things
>but with an army plus the princesses there fighting along side you, you should be fine
>the goal is to end the war quicker
>that’s all it is
>as overwhelming of a force the equestrian army should be, both you and big mac should be home relatively soon
…
>the pressure of it all begins to lift
>it won’t be so bad after all
…
>”anon? You been sleeping all day?”
>you jolt awake realizing you fell back asleep
“Aj? How long was I asleep?”
>”uh, well”
>she pulls the blinds back exposing the room to the orange glow of the evening sun
>”about that long…”
>damn
>”don’t worry about it anon, you’ve had a rough week”
>”the only thing im worried about is if you’re gonna be tired enough to fall asleep again tonight”
>she snickers to herself a bit
>”don’t wantcha stayin’ up all night, maybe go tire yourself out a bit while there’s some sun left out”
>can’t argue with that

>before you can get dressed there’s a knock at the door
>you can hear applejack answer the door with confusion
>as you put your clothes on you hear a mild argument between the two
>what the hell are they on about?
>just as you get yourself fully dressed applejack calls down for you
>”anon, somepony wants to talk to ya!”
“One second”
…
>oh shit, that’s probably shining armour 
>you rush downstairs to see the visitor
>as you catch a glance of him on your way down you notice it most definitely isn’t shining armour
>rather, the doctor
“Uh, can I help you?”
>he opens his mouth to speak but notices applejack behind you
>”why don’t we talk outside for a bit”
>you step through the doorway as he closes the door in front of applejack

>”there’s been a change of plans”
>”pack light, we’re only going to be there for a day at most”
>only a day?
“That’s, that’s great news!”
>”when ur ready get in the balloon, it’s gonna be a long ride”
>you quickly make your way back inside
>”so what in the hay was that all about?”
“Just a minute AJ”
>she gives you an pouty scrunch as you rush back to your room
>you grab the box and your rifle
>if it’s only going to be a day you won’t need much of anything besides that
>you pop open the box and fill your rifle as well as some of your spare pockets with a decent amount of pellets
>with your rifle slung over your back you make your way back downstairs
>”ANON YOU BETTER EXPLAI-”
>she notices what your carrying and freezes
>”ah-anon, are you leavin’ already?”
>she asks in a nervous tone
“Yeah, but i’ll only be gone for a day, isn’t that great aj?”
>you cup her face with your hands 
>she smiles with closed eyes
>”that’s the best news i’ve heard in a while”
>but her tone changes when she opens her eyes
>”make sure you’re stayin’ safe anon, I know you can handle yourself now, but that don’t make me worry no less”
“Of course aj”
>you give her a big kiss before heading out
>”see ya when you get home anon!”