When I'm with you

1. Storm advice

Applejack refused to take another step, but Applebloom was running, almost jumping and taking the lead. They were heading to Twilight's castle, where the little girl would spend a good weekend learning spells, potions, and many other things with her two best friends; Cutie Mark Crusaders always got excited on those weekends where they would stray from their routine to learn new things and spend time together. They were all taken away from their routine, both them and their older sisters, who could take care of themselves for at least a couple of days.

"Hurry up!" said the filly.

"I'm coming, sugar cube," she said, hiding her annoyance "I don't know why you are in such a hurry. Anyway, you do this every end of the month".

"I know! Isn't it cool?"

"Super..." answered the mare without much encouragement.

The few remaining ponies in town were working out the details to protect themselves from the snowfall, or perhaps buying supplies for the winter. The weather pegasus announced a heavy snowstorm for the next few days, so it would not be highly recommended to go outside. In a way, Applejack suspected that this weekend, Twilight would get help from Rainbow Dash or maybe Fluttershy, as they were teaching the Crusaders together. It was not very clear, but she remembered that Rainbow spoke last week; something related to pets and wintering animals.

Anyway, when they reached the castle, he couldn't help a lump forming in his throat. Especially when she looked up at the second-floor window where Spike's room was. Not wanting to waste much time, she trotted a little faster to catch up with her sister, wishing it was the little dragon who would open the door. By chance or fate, it was her friend who did it.

"Hi, girls!" Twilight greeted. "Go ahead. I'll serve you some hot chocolate. Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo arrived a while ago".

Apple Bloom wasted no time and ran to the kitchen to meet her friends, while Twilight left the door open waiting for Applejack to enter, which did not happen. Noticing the absent gesture of her friend, she decided to approach her to ask if everything was alright. She barely managed to open her mouth when she noticed the farmer's gaze over her shoulder, heading straight for Spike, who was coming down the ladder.

"Applejack?" Twilight asked doubtfully.

The little dragon only managed to lower his head as he retreated into the kitchen without paying attention to them. Meanwhile, the farmer little by little erased her smile and lowered her arm with which she was greeting him from the entrance. Twilight was flabbergasted by the scene, especially since Applejack was also looking down, not saying anything. The weirdness of the matter increased when she realized it wasn't annoyance or anger at Spike's rudeness, but sadness.

"Something happens?"

Applejack took a second to breathe, trying to silence the crying that threatened to make a fool of her.

"Yes, many things happen," she finally answered, raising her face and showing a fake smile, although Twilight did not miss her voice on the verge of cracking. "Don't worry, I'll tell you later, okay?"

She decided not to inquire further, understanding that it was something too personal to talk about now, with the snow at the door, so Twilight only managed to hold her for a long time before letting her go. She expected her friend to blurt out whatever she had to say to him, but Applejack said nothing, nor did she cry. She just remained reciprocating the hug while she tried to hold back crying. Her body began to tremble, confusing Twilight by not defining if it was from the cold, or perhaps from resisting her emotions, as she used to do sometimes.

"I'll see you when the snow is over, take good care of her, okay?" Applejack said before leaving. "I'll be a little busy with the farm, you know. A few flaws and that's all, I'll rest a moment when I'm done. I'll do it quick; Big Mac is not in town to help me."

"Remember the storm" Twilight warned. "Don't risk it, please".

"Don't worry, I'll be fine."

That said, she walked off like nothing. Trying not to make eye contact with anyone on her way to the farm so they wouldn't see her unmistakable look of sadness; she also hoped not to meet any of her friends, for fear of talking that she did not feel like having for now. She just walked to the farm, feeling the icy winter wind gently kiss her skin, cooling her face and making her feel relieved to be getting away - at least for a while - from her troubles and worries.

On the other hand, inside the castle, Twilight was beginning to think how strange the situation was. She undoubtedly had to do with Spike, so she decided to take him out of the kitchen with the help of her magic under the incredulous gaze of the Crusaders. She was willing to follow him until they noticed the stern look from her mentor.

"May I know what's going on?" Twilight questioned as soon as they left the kitchen.

"What are you talking about?"

Twilight let go of Spike, who fell to the ground a little scared, trying not to drop his cup of chocolate. In other circumstances, he would have already run to avoid unnecessary talk, but Twilight's intrusion did not lead to escapes from her, especially since she could transport him in front of her with the help of her magic as many times as she wanted.

"It shouldn't matter to you" he just answered in a low voice.

"Well, I do care".

"Well, I don't want you to mind" he protested angrily. "These are my business. I don't stick my nose in your things, do I?"

Twilight watched angrily but understandingly, sighing and feeling her tension levels reach new levels that not even she knew. A very normal thing since Spike had started to mature. She had endured good tantrums before when he was little, but for a while back Spike would grumble, answer and get angry very easily. So irritating that he reminded her of Shining Armor before going to the military and even of herself, almost a decade ago.

"Applejack looked very sad," she said seriously, but in a low voice. "What happened? You know something or are involved, right?"

"N-no, well, yes" the poor dragon stuttered, relaxing a bit more. "Let's say some things didn't go well, okay? Let's not go into details, I don't want to talk about it, please".

The purple mare settled for that answer, but before continuing, she glanced around the kitchen to make sure the Crusaders weren't sticking their ears out the door to hear her talk. Instead, she saw them reading a cookbook, perhaps deciding what dessert to make after dinner.

"I can't imagine what could be so bad that you don't talk to her".

Spike was silent, staring at his steaming cup of hot chocolate.

"I think you should speak to her to settle this matter, no matter what it is".

"I can't even see her face, Twilight" he replied grumpily.

"She wasn't mad" That made Spike turn in disbelief. "She was greeting you, but you ignored her. For the same reason, I think you should talk to her as soon as possible".

Twilight was about to continue, but an explosion from the kitchen made her run there to see the mess caused by the fillies. Meanwhile, Spike decided to go to his room to think things over better.

Staring out the window at the cold landscape that Ponyville became in the winter, he pondered the past six months and how he went out of his way not to meet her on the street and not go out with Twilight and the others if Applejack was present. When Twilight mentioned that she was greeting him, he knew how much was messing things up with her attempts to avoid her.

Without thinking much more than an hour, Spike took the scarf from his wardrobe and ran out of the castle, not caring about the cold and completely forgetting about the snowstorm that was coming. He sped forward through the snow, knowing he would get in big trouble because he was even getting dark.

–

I am new to writing stories in English n_n

I made this translation with the help of "Grammarly". I appreciate any help and correction to make it better in the next chapter. Thank you very much for reading, I would appreciate your review and your follow. Until next time.