slice of life Daddy For A Day

[Sintanan 151]

"Mister Anon?  My school is hosting a daddy-daughter dance, but you know."  The little Apple filly's puppy eyes widen as you look down at her.  "All my friends are going, and I really wanna go too.  Will you go with me?  Please?"

 

"Come again?  You want me to go with you," she nods.  "To a dance," she nods again.  "As your dad?"  a third nod.

 

"All the other girls are going, and I don't want to miss out.  Again," she looks away from you, quietly mumbling that last word.

 

"Isn't there a pony that could take you?  What about Big Mac?"

 

"He's gone to go visit cousin Braeburn for the week, and there aren't that many folks around here that would want to do this.  Besides, you always said if us Crusaders needed anything, we could ask you."

 

You did say that once, as you were pretty much the de facto filly sitter whenever their sisters need to help Twilight out.  Besides, those puppy dog eyes started to get to you.  You knew you'd relent, one way or another.

 

"Well, you are right about that."

 

"So you'll do it!?"  Her hopeful eyes bore into you.

 

"Sure.  Where are we going, and what am I doing?"

 

"Oh Mister Anon!  Thank you so much!  I can just tell we are gonna have so much fun!"  As best as somepony so small could manage, Apple Bloom vainly attempts to tug you towards Sweet Apple Acres, all while excitedly chattering about how great the dance was going to be.

 

All while completely ignoring your questions.  Chuckling quietly, you let yourself be lead down the path to the Apple's farm.  They could wait until she calmed down.

 

*   *   *

 

So here you are, Anonymous the temporary dad.  If anything, that is your biggest flaw:  You really can't say no to any of the Crusaders.  Sometimes you regret that flaw.  But not tonight.  While Apple Bloom has many good ponies that love and car for her, none of them are parents, and for the young filly to ask you to fill in that role, even for just a night, it stirs something in your heart.

 

Something painful.

 

Something joyous.

 

You don't know what this feeling is, but you do know that there isn't anywhere in all of existence that you'd rather be.  You are exactly where you want to be.  In Ponyville's town hall, ears full of child-friendly music, dancing with the Apple filly. You're mostly flailing, badly imitating things you saw in music videos what feels like a lifetime ago back on Earth.  Apple Bloom is keeping up with you, bouncing and stamping with the endless energy of the young.

 

And she is smiling.

 

Partly at how bad you are.  Partly at how bad she is.  Partly from being able to share bad dancing with someone.  It makes your heart melt.  Her smile is so honest and innocent.  It lights up her face in a show of joy that makes you forget the hardships adapting to your new life, and be happy in this moment.  But the night has gotten late and there is only one more song.  A slow dance song to give everyone a chance to cool down before they head out into the night chill.  All the other fathers begin to lead their girls through the slow steps, supporting and guiding them through the song.

 

And you can't.

 

All the other songs you two could just flail and stomp in time with each other.  But you can't do that here - You're close to four times Apple Bloom's height. It is physically impossible for the two of you to do this dance as ponies do.  And she knows it too.  These are the last moments of your time acting as her father and you can't perform the final dance together.  You watch as her smile dies as she looks around at the other fillies dancing with their fathers.  There are no tears, but the unspoken sadness in her eyes is like a knife twisting in your heart.  You can't let it end like this.

 

Bending down, you reach your arms around Apple Bloom.  Deftly you pick her up, keeping her simple dress from getting in the way.  She gives a start as you lift her, but relaxes after a moment.  You hold her to your chest and begin to move in time with the music.  Slowly and gently you rock from side to side with the music.  Apple Bloom snuggles into your torso and rests her chin on your shoulder.  She closes her eyes and the corners of her mouth pull up.  The filly is warm in your arms

 

A pleasant, comforting weight.

 

*   *   *

 

The daddy-daughter dance was a big success.  You really made Apple Bloom's night.  Heck, you made her whole month.  With the large moon overhead folks start heading home, and you're not the only one carrying a tired filly as you exit the town hall.  Apple Bloom, half-asleep in your arms wriggles closer into your chest as a wave of chill air hits.  She nuzzles her chin against your shoulder, murmuring sleep-talk that means nothing.  It's a mile back to the farm, but Apple Bloom is light.  The night is cold, but you keep each other warm through the walk.

 

Back at the farmstead you sneak in with the sleeping filly.  Applejack is reading on the couch when you enter the home.  When she looks up you just raise your index finger over your lips.  She gives you an understanding nob and a smile.  Upstairs, Apple Bloom gives you a small whine as you let go of her to slip off her dress and tuck her into bed.  With a gentle stroke of her mane, you give her a peck on the forehead.

 

"Goodnight, Apple Bloom.  Sleep well."

 

She shifts the blanket tighter around herself as she settles into a deep sleep.

 

"G'night, Anon."

 

---

 

Gently you take your father's old stetson off and set it on the table beside the couch to enjoy the chill in the night air as you watch the moon crawl across the sky.  Your sister was so upset when she couldn't go to the daddy-daughter dance this year.  Big Mac wanted to be able to take her this year, but cousin Braeburn needed help, and Apple Bloom knew it.  But even when he did, it was never quite the same and all three of you knew it.

 

But something you never expected happened.

 

Apple Bloom asked Anonymous to take her, and he said yes.  At first you thought it was weird that she asked somepony who wasn't, well, a pony.  But as you thought more about it, the more it made sense:  He was always the friendly sort and willing to help out, even without needing to be asked to.  He was very much like your pa.

 

The door opening gets your attention and you see Anonymous carrying Apple Bloom in his arms.  The little filly is asleep, pressed tight against him with a smile on her face.  Glad she had a good time.  The human motions with a finger on his lips so as to not wake her up.  You nod in understanding and he takes Apple Bloom upstairs.

 

He really is like you remember pa.

 

*   *   *

 

You wait on the couch while he's putting your sister to bed.  You really did miss your father.  With shame you look to the stairs as a thought overtakes you.  Maybe Apple Bloom was onto something. Maybe Anon could be your--

 

Anonymous makes it way quietly back down the stairs, interrupting your thought as he moves over and sits on the couch next to you.  "Ah take it y'all had a good time."

 

"Yeah.  She really seemed to enjoy it."

 

"Thanks for tonight.  You'd be surprised how hard it is for a filly without her daddy.  Sure, she carries on and on with a tough exterior but--"

 

"Don't worry about it, AJ.  I'll always be here to help, even if it's just to play a father figure."

 

"Y'all mean it?"

 

"Of course I do, the Apple family has always been good to me so it is the least I can do in return."

 

"Then maybe, if you don't mind that is.  Maybe you could be," your speech trails off into a silence to put Fluttershy to shame.

 

"Could be what?"

 

"Maybe you could be my daddy too."

 

---

 

You give a warm smile as the orange pony looks at you.  A soft, silent chuckle works its way in your throat.  You adopt one Apple you get them all.  "Come on.  Give me a break, AJ."

 

Without a word she leans her head on your chest, "That were an awful nice thing ya done, Anon.  We all miss our folks powerful bad, but lil 'Bloom missed out on so much.  She was just a baby when they passed."

 

Applejack snuggles in tighter.  You realize she's lost something too, AJ isn't that much older than her little sister.  At heart she's still a kid who lost her daddy too soon.  Applejack may not be a little filly anymore, but she still feels her parents' absence painfully.  If you can provide her with a little comfort it's nothing less than she deserves.  You put your arm around her.  She smiles, happy to be warm and accepted.

 

"Want me to read something?"

 

She doesn't lift her head from your chest, "How about Humphrey Hayseed and the Biggest Apple?  It's there on the end-table."

 

You reach over for the book she was reading next to her hat.  It's a book for little foals.  It must have been the book her father used to read to her.  She looks up at you with big, adoring eyes.  "Okay."

 

"Once upon a time, Humphrey Hayseed grew a special..."

 

*   *   *

 

It's been two days since the daddy-daughter dance.  You've actually been feeling rather listless and you're not sure why.

 

"Anon!"

 

Apple Bloom shouts as she flies into you like a wrecking ball.  You've never been hit this hard by a filly before.  Staggering under the impact, you just manage to grab Apple Bloom without falling on your butt.  "Not that I mind surprise hugs 'Bloom, but next time can it be without the blunt force trauma?"

 

She tilts her head and raises an eyebrow, "Without what now?"

 

"Without you hitting me like a cannon ball."

 

"Oh!  Uhhh, sure.  Sorry."

 

You chuckle and shift her into a more comfortable position.  "Now, we did establish that I do like hugs, but why exactly are you giving me a hug?"

 

"Ah wanted to say thanks.  Thanks for being my dad for the dance."  The bashful look on her face is purest diabeetus.

 

"You're welcome 'Bloom.  I had fun and I'm glad you did too."  You give the filly one last gentle squeeze before setting her down.  "So did you have anything else that you were doing in town, or did you just come by to mangle me?"

 

"Yeah, I was lookin' for Scoots an Sweetie, but then I saw you and remembered that I hadn't said 'thank you' yet."

 

You give a nod and a smile.  "Well how about I help you look for the other Crusaders?  An extra pair of eyes should make things easier."

 

Her eyes light up with the offer.  "Sure!  That'll make it much faster!  'Specially seeing as your eyes are so high up."

 

"Well how about we get your eyes up high and make it even faster?"

 

"Wha-- Whoah!"

 

Slipping your hands around her barrel and under her ribs you swing Apple Bloom up and onto your shoulders.  She leans against your head as you grab her legs to keep the filly steady.  She laughs from above your head and points a hoof down the street.

 

"Let's go d- ...Anon!"

 

You're not sure what she stopped herself from saying...

 

...but you guess it doesn't matter.

Edited July 21, 2015 by Sintanan

[Treble Sketch 360]

The story is really heartwarming <3

Some grammar issues, but other than that, it is fine.

 

(I'm really bad at reviews )

[Sintanan 151]

The story is really heartwarming <3

Some grammar issues, but other than that, it is fine.

 

(I'm really bad at reviews )

 

Yeah, my grammar tends to be rough with things like this since I normally write greentext on 4chan.  Greentext is.. rough.  The goal is to get the points of the story across with as little wasted words as possible.  Heck, a lot of greentext simply begins with two words to tell you which character you're observing from.

[Treble Sketch 360]

 

 

Greentext is.. rough

 

Mhm, I couldn't agree more  

[Sintanan 151]

Mhm, I couldn't agree more  

 

*cough* Just what are you implying? 

[Treble Sketch 360]

 

 

*cough* Just what are you implying? 

I've seen a few examples, but I haven't presonally been on 4chan... yet *cough*

 

*cough*3yearsontheinternet,slowlygettingsomewhere*cough*

[Sintanan 151]

Never go 4chan.  Just a friendly warning.

 

If you must 4chan, lurk.  Lurk 5ever until you know all the rules.