Recluse

"Mornin' Eliza."

"Mm."

It was Monday in this world, and it was just another morning for me. Applejackson catches me opening the wooden gates to his family's property and waves at me. I bought a new face towel yesterday after I spent three hours cleaning the cum rag that Fluttershy almost spotted when I was in the bathroom. She didn't mind washing the bedsheets whilst I only cleaned a rag, which was awfully kind of her. I had to throw away my previous work rag before she could notice the smell so I threw it in the trash chute. She did manage to catch wind of what I was doing with the bedsheets, though she admits to me that hers would have been the same if she was in heat. Rainbow blitz left when I got to Fluttershy's. His only explanation was that he felt 'uncomfortable' around lots of women. I called bullshit, but he left before I could utter those words. I spent the night cuddling Fluttershy like a teddy bear until we left in the morning to clean my sheets.

Applejackson kept a large grin as I walked towards him.

"New rag?" He said.

"Yup." I replied.

"Why though?" He asked.

"Someone else used it." I muttered.

"....Alright. Do women in your world often panic about who's touched their belongings?" Applejackson opened the doors to the barn-like house.

"Yep." I said.

I entered the household to be immediately attacked my Applebloom, who jumps into my arms. She screams out "Ellie!" right in front of my face as she dives for my breasts. I couldn't force her off without it looking mean so I decided to just roll with it and hug the ball of pony fur that clung to my body. I helped out with making the table and I promised to help out with cleaning after breakfast to honour the deal Applejackson and I made.

Breakfast was the same as always, which were apple-flavoured dishes. You'd be able to pass off a caramel apple into the mix and they'd consider it as breakfast. Granny Smith had her own mushy apple servings due to her age and because of her teeth. I ate what I could before my appetite started to hate the taste of apples. Applejackson sat next to me in a large wooden table whilst Applebloom sat on my other side.

I occasionally saw glances from him every now and then, but I ignored it.

After eating what I could before the taste of apples ruined my appetite I started to gather the empty plates to the sink. I felt a little bit embarrassed to see my own plate have some leftovers  whilst the others have it practically clean, but obviously I'm not accustomed to it like they are. I grabbed the nearest soap bottle so that I could start the dishes when Applejackson came to my side.

"Breakfast good?" He asks.

"It tastes of apples, like always." I reply.

"So it was good?" He peers closer.

"I guess." I mutter.

"Thanks!" He smiles.

I look back at him, raising a brow in confusion. He stands there with a goofy smile. "I made breakfast today." He adds. Oh, that's it? Why would you be so happy about that? I start making progress on the plates, scrubbing them like a pro. Applejackson took the liberty of drying the plates that I recently washed, making it easier for them later on in the day. Applebloom watched us from behind with a dreamy look on her face. That kid has a strange obsession about me getting together with Jack for reasons I don't know yet.

"Let's hurry Eliza, noon's risin'." Applejackson nudges me.

We head out to the fields, staring at the rows upon rows of orchards. I always feel a bit of pride when I know that I've helped in clearing such a large row of trees. It's that sense of accomplishment that you feel when you've read a big book or if you've finished a game. I guess that's the only thing I can get my hopes up for in this place unless I find a better job.

Applejackson removes his shirt, placing it on a nearby fence as he approached the nearest full orchard. I look at him, wondering why he took his shirt off. I approach the tree next to him, getting to business. I wondered for a few seconds whether his amber skin would reflect the sun's rays, but then I quickly dismissed it when those thoughts crossed over to thinking about his body...which obviously managed to slip in an image of his cock from the last time I saw him.

I tried to clear my head of those thoughts, getting horny on the job will do nothing good.

"How was your weekend?" Applejackson tried to initiate some small talk.

"Okay, I guess. I met Blitz and we did stuff." I replied.

"W-what kind of stuff?" He said, freezing for a bit.

"Well he saw me naked and offered to help me clean my shitty apartment. He really didn't do anything except sniff my bedsheets." I casually slipped the details out.

"W-what?" Applejackson flicks his ears up in surprise. "Na-naked?"

"Yeah, but he's a child so he'll probably forget it with his 10-second memory span." I reached up to get the last apple.

"How are you so tolerant?" He questioned.

I got down from the tree and threw the apples in my barrel. I look over and see that Applejackson has made no progress whatsoever. Normally he should be a barrel ahead from me by now, but he's done jack shit since he started talking about how my weekend has been. He's still looking at me, waiting for me to answer his question.

"I just am, now are you going to get working or are you just gonna stand there like an idiot? I'm doing more than you right now." I grumbled.

"R-right, sorry." Applejackson resumed his work.

My own boss is doing less work than me, which I definitely don't expect since he's a hulking monster who could probably snap a skinny pony in half. Something's wrong with him today, but I don't really get what it is. We continue as the day goes on, clearing row after row of orchards whilst having some breaks in between. Applebloom came by with snacks and drinks for us to use, which helped a lot. After the break we resumed the work in silence.

The atmosphere felt strange today, it wasn't like all the others. Applejackson hasn't been this mouthy ever since a few days ago at the barn. What was it that he said again? I don't remember. All I know was that he was trying to impress me for reasons unknown.

"Jack." I spoke out as we walked with the barrels.

"Yeah?" He said, carrying one in each arm.

I look at him to ask a question, but I quickly get stunned at the sight in front of my eyes.

His stetson is hanging low, showing his sly emerald eyes and his beguiling smile. His broad shoulders and strong arms beckon to me, which is something that I never expected. The sweat on his chest  make it shine and the scent of apples from his heaving breath oddly charm me in some way.

It was happening again, like last time. This stupid instinct inside me that makes me feel like I want him to ravish me. I've always had a weakness for strong men, what with their ability to hold me in their arms and keep me in their bear-hug embrace. The feeling of their hot body touching mine in a cold winter's night could be enough to get me going.

It's not my fault I have these feelings. Cavewomen would have the instinct to breed when a strong caveman came walking around, I'm no less different except for the breeding part.

I look away from him, calming myself down whilst I gripped the barrel hard. Pain has always been a cheap way to calm your mind, in my case.

"What's with you?" I face away from him.

"Whaddya mean?" He said.

"Why are you acting so strange?" I replied. "You're doing things that you've never done before, such as this." I take a moment to poke his half-naked body, relishing his soft skin before I had to force my finger away.

"Ahm just..hot, ya know?" He chuckles.

"You'd never have done that a few weeks ago." I flip the barrel over and I start rolling it instead of dragging it.

"Y-yeah, ah guess." His tone lowers. "Are ya mad at me?"

"Of course I am, I don't like change." I force out.

"Why not Eliza?" He stops carrying his barrels and moves in front of me, forcing me to stop. "Why don't you like change?"

I furrow my brow and I keep my sights away from him.

"I don't want things to suddenly change alright? I'm terrible at adapting to it." I start to move around him, but he grabs hold of my shoulder.

"You'd be terrible at adapting to me taking an interest in you?" He frowns.

Of course I fucking would, I'd have to deal with compliments day in and day out. Every day I'd have to work with another Applebloom, only with more muscles.

"Yes." I reply.

He lowers his hat, covering his eyes. He slowly walks away, leaving the two barrels behind. Ugh, I've done something wrong haven't I?

"Jack." I call out. "Come on." I follow him and grab his hand. "Why are you so sad?"

He sighs.

"Eliza, Ah just need some time to myself, alright?" He stares at me, red eyed.

"Are you crying?" I look closer.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Ah don't wanna tell ya." He said as he continued walking.

"Quit being such a foal and tell me!" I shouted.

He grips my hand tightly, causing me to yelp.

"Do ya wanna know? huh?! Fine!" He shouts.

"No need to shou-"

"Ah like ya Eliza! Ah've liked ya ever since ya met me all those years ago! You've been the only mare that's ever helped me at work without ogling me. You're not like the others, but that's why I like ya. For once somepony was brave enough to actually answer the poster that I've been littering around town years before you ever came." His tone calms down as tears rushed to his eyes.

"I know, I get it bu-"

"Do you know how it's like to be the envy of every stallion? Do you know what it's like to be every mare's dream? All ah've ever wanted is a pony that I could actually speak to without them tremblin in fear or in awe." He hold both my hands. "But when you came...I was too scared to even speak to ya, because I was afraid you just be one of those mares. But then you actually did what I wanted...and you just worked without a single peep."

"Am I really worth that much to you?" I asked.

"More than anythin in the world, Eliza. I've been tripping myself doing these stupid things in hopes of you actually lookin at me in a different light." He smiles deeply. "Ah have feelings for ya, and that ain't gonna change. All I ask of you is to acknowledge them."

But I don't want to.

"If I did that, then you'd act different." My lips purse. "And I honestly don't like the way you act towards me right now, sorry."

"W-whaddya mean?"

"I mean..." I sigh.

I know that something will happen when I say this, but goddammit I just can't handle a lovestruck pony interrupting my daily life.

"...I mean that I prefer the Applejackson who worked silently and gave a smile every now and then. I prefer the one who was my boss and not some friend." I cross my arms.

Applejackson lets go of me, surprised.

"I should have told you this before....but I just see you as a boss and myself as an employee, just like your 'Help wanted' poster said all those years ago." My body feels like it's getting pulled by something, but I just can't pin down what it is. It's been there ever since we started this conversation.

Applejackson stand there, mouth agape and with eyes wider than I've ever seen before. It wasn't long before they glared at me. He walks away.

"Elusive was right. You're just a penniless mare who cares more about herself than the friends around her."