Author's Note: A bit of a time jump here, just to move forward a bit faster. Also, thank you to anyone who even clicked on this story, or who has read this far, I really appreciate it. :)
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After Liam's first magic lesson and Arron's first flying lesson, things started to move forward for the brothers. They quickly let the painful memories of their father's death slip into the backs of their minds and focused on what they had here and now.
Liam continued his magic lessons with Starlight and Twilight, eventually getting the hang of using his magic with little to no strain. He learned levitation fairly easily, as well as self levitation and short distance teleportation, something that proved to be more difficult than he thought.
After 2 weeks, things seemed to be normal, the brothers were regularly seen around town, Liam began to listen to Equestrian music, which he thought was not as good as human music, but there were gems. Like Countess Coloratura's comeback album "Throwing off the Veil" which reminded him of Adele.
Liam eventually felt a little lazy. He usually did his magic lessons, then either went into the record shop in town, or listened to music in his room. Liam felt like he needed to work, not just on magic, but on an actual job, something that could get hims some spending bits. In a way he felt guilty, being a freeloader, living off Twilight's generosity, something he wanted to thank her for. So, Liam got an idea one day.
Liam left the castle immediately after lessons one day and trotted his way down to Sweet Apple Acres. When he got there he noticed Applejack bucking trees over in the orchard. Liam admired how strong she was to be able to literally kick trees for a living. "Looks kinda painful." Liam said to himself as he approached the orange earth pony.
Applejack was about to deliver a strong buck to another tree when she was startled by the sudden voice, "Hey Applejack!" the voice called, making Applejack lose her balance and start to fall forward, but before she could land face first, she was caught in a levitation spell that lifted her back up to her hooves.
"Oh, hey Liam, thanks." Applejack said, rubbing her arm. "No problem, sorry I distracted you, I need to ask you something." Liam said walking over to the buckets she placed under the tree. "Uh, sure, what is it?" Applejack asked. "I was wondering if I could get a job here, on the farm." Liam said. Applejack went wide eyed, Liam wanted to work at Sweet Apple Acres?
"Well, uh, I could ask Granny, but why in tarnation would you want to work here when you could probably get a ton o' bits singing and playin' guitar?" Applejack asked. Liam sighed, "Back home, I was a hard worker, now, all I do is listen to music and do lessons with Twilight, I feel like I'm freeloading, so I want to have a job so I can actually do some hard work." Liam explained. Applejack was surprised by all of this. "That's awfully noble of ya Liam." Applejack complemented.
Liam blushed slightly at the complement, he then looked up and saw all the apples still in the tree and the empty buckets under it and got an idea, "Here's my resume." Liam said before using a spell and levitating a large group of apples into one of the baskets under the tree. After levitating most of the apples on the tree into the buckets he smiled and bowed his head.
"Wow, Twilight's been training you well." Applejack said, this made Liam smile. "I would hire ya now, but I need to talk to Granny first, she's the one who runs the farm after all." Applejack explained as she hoisted a bucket of apples onto her back. Liam then levitated 2 buckets into the air in front of him. Applejack rolled her eyes, "Now don't go showing off." Applejack said as she started walking towards the barn.
The two walked down the path through the orchard mostly in silence, until Liam spoke, "I don't know if it'll help me get the job, but when I was thinking of places to work, this is the first place I thought of." Liam said. "Really, not even the record store crossed your mind first?" Applejack asked. Liam shrugged, "Yeah, but this place seems prettier, it also has a better atmosphere, and you're here." Liam said, slightly blushing and turning away at that last remark. Applejack also blushed and turned away.
Over the past few weeks, Liam and Applejack had talked on a few occasions, and Liam had become friends with both her, and the rest of Twilight's friends. But Liam always felt awkward around her, like he had never experienced a crush before, which was both true and not true for Liam, he had lots of crushes, just never on a pony before.
Eventually they reached the barn and dropped the buckets on the ground, Liam looking slightly worn out after the walk. "Still getting used to lifting heavy things with magic?" Applejack asked as Liam wiped the sweat off his forehead. "Yeah, but practice makes perfect." Liam said.
"Would ya like some cider?" Applejack asked. Liam smiled at the prospect of getting some nice apple cider, "Sure, that'd be appreciated, thanks." Liam said, still panting. "No problem, I'll also ask Granny about your possible employment. Truth is, we don't get that many applications for farmhands." Applejack said as she moved toward the open barn door. "Okay, cool." was all Liam said before Applejack was gone.
Liam slumped to the barn floor and breathed normally, trying to relax after slightly straining himself with lifting the apple buckets, he almost dozed off when a small voice startled him. "Hey Liam, what are ya doin' here?" Liam opened his eyes and saw Applebloom walking into the barn. "Oh, hey Applebloom, I was just talking to your sister about getting a job here." Liam said nonchalantly while still sitting on the floor.
"You seriously wanna work here? It's a lot of work." Applebloom warned. Liam put on a smug smile, "I'm always up for some challenging, hard work." He said, placing his hooves behind his head and laying back. "Well, don't say I didn't warn ya." Applebloom said as she pushed a few boxes into a corner.
Applejack re-entered the barn with a bottle of cider and a few wooden mugs, she saw Liam and Applebloom chatting about something. "Good to see you two getting along." Applejack said as she walked over. The two looked up and noticed the cider. "Finally, I need to drink something." Liam said as he looked at the bottle. Applejack walked over and gave a mug to both Applebloom and Liam. "This is normal cider right? Not Hard cider?" Liam quickly asked. Applejack chuckled, "Don't worry, we don't make hard cider. Besides, you think I'd be giving my sister hard cider?" Applejack said.
"Yeah, I guess not." Liam said as Applejack poured cider into his mug. Using magic, he lifted the mug to his lips and took a sip. It was like an explosion of flavor went off in his mouth. The cider was definitely the best he had ever tasted. "Any good?" Applejack asked, noticing the look on his face. Liam then downed the entire mug in nearly one gulp, he then looked to the other two and sarcastically shrugged, "It's alright." Liam said. Applebloom scoffed, "Yeah right, it's the best dang cider you've ever tasted." Liam then smiled at the filly, "You're right, quite right." Liam said before levitating his mug over to Applejack to fill it again.
Applejack rolled her eyes with a smile and poured him another mug full. "Oh, and Granny says that can work here." Applejack said. Liam's eyes widened, "Wow, already? She must like me." Liam said. Applejack nodded. Applebloom then jumped for joy, "Yay! Somepony else to handle some of the chores." Applebloom cheered, Applejack looked like she was about to scold the filly, but when she noticed Liam chuckling at AB's behavior, she chuckled as well.
The three continued to drink the cider and chat until late into the evening. Eventually, Applebloom fell asleep. "Well, looks like its bedtime for somepony." Applejack said as she walked over to the filly and put her on her back. "Alright, thanks for the cider. When do I start?" Liam asked. "Stop by tomorrow, and we'll get ya started." Applejack said as she carried the sleeping filly over to the barn door. They all exited the barn and Liam started towards the path back to town, while Applejack started for the house. "Sounds good, see you tomorrow AJ!" Liam shouted as he trotted back towards town. Applejack simply waved back at him. "Goodnight Liam." Applejack said quietly as she and Applebloom entered the house.
...
While Liam was heading back to the castle, Arron and Dash were having another training session. Arron could get into the air at this point, but still needed work gaining speed, slowing down, and turning. Arron was trying to follow Dash as she weaved in between trees and buildings, but had trouble keeping up. Eventually he ended up clipping his wing and crashing to the ground in a field just outside Ponyville.
Dash saw his crash and immediately landed next to him. "Are you okay Red?" Dash asked as she helped him up. Arron got up and groaned, "Uh, I don't think I'll ever get used to crashing." Arron said as he rubbed his temple. "Yeah, crashing is never pleasant, but don't worry, you're getting better." Dash complemented. Arron looked back at Dash and smiled, "Thanks for the compliment, and for teaching me, you're really great." Arron said, making Dash blush.
"To be honest, I'm used to hitting my head. Back home I used to get hurt all the time playing sports." Arron said. "What sports did you play?" Dash asked. "Oh, football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. All of which gave me injuries, broken bones, concussions, stuff like that." Arron explained. "Cool." Dash said. The two sat there in the field, watching the setting sun, and seeing the sky turning to night. At some point, Dash started resting her head on Arron's shoulder.
Arron eventually noticed and his face turned even more red than it already was. He had no idea what to do. "Uhhh..." Arron muttered. Dash then quickly stood up with a face almost as red as Arron's. "Oh, sorry, I didn't realize how tired I am." Dash said before letting out a fake yawn and stretch. "I guess I better go." Dash said turning away.
"Wait, I didn't mind." Arron said before covering his mouth. Rainbow then slowly landed back next to Arron and raised an eyebrow with a small smile, "Really?" she asked. Arron simply nodded, "I ...think...you're...uh,...cute." Arron said quietly, his face turning a darker shade of red. Rainbow was also blushing deeply. "Really?" She asked again, this time turning away. The two of them facing away before Arron spoke up. "I know were just friends now, but I really like training with you, not just the thrill of flying, but because you are such a cool pony to hang with, you're competitive, athletic, and like I said, cute." Arron said, getting a little louder as he continued talking.
Rainbow Dash turned back to him. "Nopony's ever said that to me before." she said quietly and slowly. Arron was surprised by this information. "Well, I'm saying it now." Arron said, taking a step towards Dash. Dash looked into his brown eyes, and saw a warmth in them that made her feel something she never really felt before. Arron looked into her eyes, and lost himself into how amazing they looked, being a color that was not normal back on earth.
The 2 then leaned in and kissed. It only lasted a few seconds, but it felt incredible for the both of them. The two stood smiling at eachother before Dash finally spoke. "So, would you like me to fly you home Red?" Dash asked. Arron was dumbstruck for a few seconds before coming back to reality. "Uh, sure, yeah." Arron slurred out. The two then flew into the air and took off towards the castle.