Big Mac heaved the harness onto the ground.

Dust flew up from where it hit the dirt, and danced around in the air. Hit by the light streaming through the door, he could see the moment it touched his nose. As such, it was absolutely no shock when the sneeze started welling up. Mac could tell that this one would be particularly violent.

"ACHOO!"

Small coughs caused by the irritation in his lungs and a large, wet sniff followed the sneeze. Big Mac blinked repeatedly, trying to clear the tears from his eyes. He shook his head, trying to clear the dust away from his face. At least the work was done. He had managed to get all the early spring equipment out of storage, and sorted. It was all ready to go for the upcoming weeks.

“Big Mac!”

The stallion perked up at the sound of Applejack’s voice coming from behind him. He turned to the source, spotting his sister trotting quickly toward him, a slight glare on her face. Winona was not with her. The dog had evidently opted to take a nap somewhere, that being the only reason she ever left her mistress’s side.

“Where’ve ya been, Big Mac? I’ve been lookin’ all over the orchard,” she said, annoyance clear in her voice.

“Here,” Mac simply replied.

“The hay ya have,” she accused, “I came by here an hour ago, and you hadn’t even started unpackin’.”

“Done now,” Mac retorted, amused by his sister’s high emotions.

“You were nappin’, weren’t ya?”

Big Mac pondered the question for a second, then decided there was no point trying to lie.

“Eeyup.”

“Dangit, Mac! Ya know how much work we gotta do. Ya need to stop wastin’ time like that!” Applejack fumed.

Big Mac smiled. As annoying as her lectures could be, especially when they were as hypocritical as this one, Applejack looked undeniably cute when she was mad. He listened idly, as she berated him for his laziness, her tail swishing around with agitation. Her lips moved around over her mouth furiously, her ears laid flat on the top of her head. Her brow was knitted, and her eyes sharp.

“Ya know the farm’s in trouble, Mac. We can’t afford any of us to be slackin’ off at this time a’ year,” She said, beginning to pace.

Big Mac barely stopped his face from cracking into a wide amused grin.

Applejack wasn’t the best with math. She had no idea just how stable Sweet Apple Acres was. It definitely wasn’t the most profitable orchard in the country, but it was one of the most trusted. The unique flavor of crops grown so near to the Everfree had attracted quite a few loyal customers, even outside Ponyville. There wasn’t another farm in Equestria that had produce like the Apple family’s; and Zap Apple products and cider sales just boosted their profits. All while completely ignoring non-apple crops and animal products.

Just because there was only the two of them to work over a thousand trees did not mean that they were going to go bankrupt from a slightly drier harvest. Not that a short nap every blue moon could possibly influence the crops. Sweet Apple Acres had some of the hardiest trees in Equestria.

“Your selfishness could put us in the red, an’ I ain’t gonna let that happen,” Applejack accused, looking Big Mac right in the eye.

Selfishness? That was just uncalled for. Big Mac could easily claim that he did most of the work around here, and AJ would be hard pressed to argue. He decided to start with a different point, though.

"So," he started, cautiously, "I suppose there's absolutely nothin' wrong with you spending half th' afternoon runnin' around th' orchard looking for me?"

"Don't you try to change the subject!" Applejack snapped, furiously.

“I want ya to swear that you’re not gonna do something like that again,” she said with a huff, glaring at him with a dare to disagree.

“Nnope,” Mac returned.

“What was that?” AJ growled, her gaze growing steely. Big Mac knew that he had to act quickly if he was going to get out of this alive.

“I’ve been workin’ my tail off ever since the Wrap Up. I haven’t had a rest or any time to myself since Estrous started. I think I deserve a little break, every now and then,” he explained, completely sure of his position.

“Oh, ya do, huh?” she replied, snidely, “Yeah, maybe you’re right. The farm’ll die, but you definitely deserve a break. Ya don’t want to miss out on your beauty sleep.”

“The farm is a lot hardier than you think it is, sis. Nothin’s gonna happen to it if I leave it be for an hour,” Mac shot back.

“Oh, don’t even try ta hide your laziness. You just wanna leave all the work around here on my shoulders,” AJ remarked.

“I work harder than you do most days, Applejack. Even on the days you don't run off with your friends an’ leave me here alone, to look after the farm, and Granny, and Winona, and Applebloom, and her friends. Don’t you dare call me lazy.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry I’m not around very often, McIntosh. I’ll be sure to stay here and help you work, the next time the world needs saving!”

“Oh, here ya go again, Ms. I’m-so-special. Feelin’ all high and mighty ‘cuz she’s got a shiny necklace! Too important ta care for her family!”

“Don’t you dare tell me I don’t care about my family! Every time I go out an’ risk my neck, I do it to save my family,” Applejack said, her voice finally rising to a yell, “And how many family members have you saved, Mac? Mom an’ Dad? Ya did a great job there!”

Big Mac was stunned.

A dark silence fell between the two siblings, neither knowing how to react to what had just happened.

Applejack was the first to recover, and she started stuttering out an apology, “I… I’m so sorry, Big Mac… I didn’t mean–”

“Yes ya did, sis,” Mac interrupted, “And you’re right.”

Applejack violently shook her head, “No, Mac. I was wrong ta even–”

“I got some work ta do,” Mac said, slowly trudging away, “and so do you. I’ll see ya at dinner.”

Applejack watched him walk out into the orchard, guilt weighing heavily on her heart for what she had just done to her gentle brother. She hung her head, and closed her eyes.

“What did you do, Applejack?” She chided herself.

Author's Note

Proofread by: Shadowflash

Edited by: Roman Empire

Well, shit. The story is taking me in places I didn't expect it to go. Oh, well.

Sorry for how long it took. I can only blame my incredible laziness, as well as a feeling of inadequacy.

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