Apple of my Eye

Location: Apple Family Orchard, 9:30 AM

The pigs were loose...Fucking perfect. I closed the gate...Why were they loose? I mean, unless I didn't...oh crap...

You remembered the latch you opened when you entered, but you don't remember re-doing the latch. Obviously, the pigs escaped from your little mishap.

SONNOVABITCH!!! You mentally curse yourself.

"Hold on Applebloom, I'm comin'!" Applejack reassures her sister as she rolls up her sleeves. Then, she turns to you with a death glare and points at your face.

"An' YOU! Ya good-fer-nothin' varmit can come with, seeing as how yer gonna help me round up every single one of 'em."

"Hey now, why do you have to be so harsh, it was just an accident is all..." Granny Smith came to your rescue.

Applejack seemed to calm down. "Fair enough, but he should still help us catch 'em right?" She had a stern look on her face.

"Well, I suppose so, just so he knows what to do in case them pigs get loose again."

Gee, thanks a lot, Granny...

"ALRIGHT! Come on, city boy!" She bellowed. You followed her out of fear rather than respect. She brushed her long blonde hair done in a ponytail to the side and high-tailed off to the barn. You could barely keep up and were panting loudly behind her.

She dashed in the barn and came out moments later with...a lasso!? Your jaw was agape as she came out with the rope in hand.

"Is that....a lasso!?"

"What gave ya the hint?" Applejack responded, twirling her lasso in her hand. "Now, I suggest ya go find them pigs before I use this here lasso on you!"

You ran out of the barn as fast as your legs could carry you. From the little amount of time you spent with Applejack, you knew one thing about her, and that was that she didn't kid around. And at the moment, the idea of her tying you up didn't appeal to you. Ohh no, you should save that for your late night fantas-

SLAP

You actually slapped yourself in the face for that one. You couldn't let your feelings for her flow freely like that, because then, it would turn into you desiring her. Then as your attraction to her grew, so would your anguish over knowing she could never feel the same way. You learned that lesson the hard way. It was best if you kept your feelings for her at bay. Still, you knew you were going to have to deal with them somehow...If you weren't next door neighbors to them, it might not be so bad. But no, you live RIGHT NEXT TO HER. And on top of that, you have to spend most of the day with her every day. That made your stomach queasy and your legs ache. Or maybe you were just sick to your stomach and your legs were tired. Anyway, it was time you snapped back to reality. You focused back to the real world and saw one of the pigs. You noticed that they had three. One was pink with brown spots, one was black with pink spots, and one was brown all over. The one you saw was the black one with pink spots. It was huge and surprisingly quick for a pig. You ran as fast as you could and leapt for it.

SPLAT

You landed in the mud empty handed. The bugger slipped from your grasp and as heading off towards where Big Macintosh was. You watched in awe as the pig ran by Big Mac, only to have him scoop the pig up and start to carry it off towards the pen.

"This one's a feisty one." Big Mac said in a calm tone.

As he made his way to the pig pen, Applejack had a pink pig with brown spots nestled in her arms, her lasso preventing it from escaping. Man, she must be a natural at that lasso. There's no way you could use that lasso for anything, let alone catch a slippery pig.

"Hey city boy, that brown one headed off to the barn. He's the easiest ta catch, so I trust ya can at least catch him right?"

She trusted you to do something? Meh, okay. "Alright, I won't let you down AJ." You said just to tease her.

If looks could kill, you'd be on the ground bleeding from every orifice of your body with the look Applejack gave you...

"Eheheh..I mean Applejack." Must not be in the mood for teasing, better do as she says or she becomes a health hazard. You think quietly to yourself.

You rush in the barn and see the final pig. Unfortunately, you start having second thoughts about retrieving it. It was swimming around in the slop tub having the time of it's life. It seems to look at you with a smug grin, sensing that you are now reluctant to go retrieve it.

You, mister pig, are going to be the death of me.

With faint courage, you walk up to the slop tub and hold your breath. Then, you reach your hands in the slop pen and bend down severely and shift your hands under the pig and start to lift.

The pig, surprised that you're trying to end it's fun, squeals and shifts around in your grasp, trying to defy your efforts to lift it out. You are running out of air and so you exhale. You attempt to inhale from your mouth, but gag since you can somehow taste the air, and it's not pleasant. You gag and forcibly inhale through your nose, causing you to lose your concentration more. The smell is so bad, and you're getting exposed to it for longer than you can handle.

Finally succumbing to the horrendous stench, you faint, your head landing in the slop. The last thing you hear is Applebloom screaming...

-*~*-

You wake up to the sensation of a cold jet of water being blasted across your face.

"I'M AWAKE ACKBLPTH!!!" You spring up and spit out the water that went into your mouth. You turn your head to the right and see Applejack with a hose in hand. As soon as you two lock eyes, she sprays again.

"DANGIT APPLEJACK THE WATER'S COLD!" You complain, shaking your head quickly.

"Aw, would the city-wity boy prefer it ta be hot water?" She teases, cocking her head to one side in mock worry.

"...Screw that, I'll stick with cold..." You hang your head in defeat. Applejack gives a cruel smile before blasting you again.

In spite of how cold it is, there's a refreshing feel to it. You're being cooled off, albeit very roughly, and the... *shudder* ...slop on your skin is being washed away. A weak smell lingers from where it soaked into your clothes, but it's bearable. However, it would help if Applejack wasn't enjoying it so much. As you're being pulverized with blast after blast of water, Granny Smith walks in with a few towels.

"Well now, it seems yer awake at last. We were worried sick 'bout ya since Applebloom said you'd drowned in the slop pen. Why, even AJ was mighty worried I reckon... since ya seem to be not real...cut out fer this, I'll let ya take a break, sonny. Consider it an apology fer not lookin' after ya properly. Jus' wait 'till AJ finishes gettin' off all that slop."

You couldn't help but be touched by Granny Smith's kindness. "Why thanks... heheh. I think that's just what I need right now..." You try and act your most pathetic for her and let out a few coughs. Granny Smith nods and leaves you to continue to be sprayed.

SPRIIIIIITZZZZ

Applejack gets you in the rear, sending a cold shock there that makes you yelp from surprise.

"Hey! Was that really necessary!?" You snapped, rolling over to protect your rear from any more surprise water-sex.

She giggles. "Just doin' my job, don't mind me." She sprays you across the chest to get off any more slop she missed.

You then remember something Granny Smith said earlier...

"So, Granny tells me you were worried about m-ACKPLSHTAGH" You are sprayed in the face again. Before you finish, you notice a blush had burned across her face.

"W-well yer no good of a farm help if yer dead, ain'tcha?" She replies with a nervous grin, the blush still present.

"Would you STOP SPRAYING MY FACE!? IT'S CLEAN!!" You shout out of frustration.

"Hmmmmmm....Nah." She sprays you again with a sadistic grin plastered to her face.

"Why must you make my life so miserable..."

"Cuz you were brought here to help and you ain't helping any."

"Not my fault I can't handle the same things you've been doing for years."

"Then I reckon you'll learn." Applejack gives you one more spray to the face before she throws you the towels. "Now git dry, city boy." She drops the hose and walk off.

You get up without hesitation and watch her walk away, using all your available willpower not to stare at her ass. You dry your face off and notice the hose on the ground. Suddenly, an evil idea pops into your head. You creep toward the hose, pick it up, aim at Applejack, and pull the handle.

SQURIIITTTTTZZZZZ

The jet of water is a direct hit to her lower back.

"WHAT IN TARNATION!?" Applejack turned around, only to see you drop the hose and run as fast as your legs can carry you, laughing hysterically.

"GIT BACK HERE, YA YELLER BELLIED GOOD-FER-NOTHIN' SACK OF SKIN! I'LL TURN YA INTO A BAG OF CHICKEN FEED ONCE I CATCH YOU!" She bolts after you, her green eyes seething with rage.

You don't pay attention, though. You probably did the stupidest thing ever, but the funniest thing since you've arrived here. You're terrified at this point, AJ shouting threats at you as you literally run for your life, but it only encourages you to go faster.

Applejack gains on you with surprising speed, and your lungs are starting to fail you. You've never ran quite this fast in your life and it seems...that it's just not enough. With a final burst of energy, you run faster than before and begin to actually go faster than Applejack.

That is...until you feel a rope wrap around you...

"OH COME ON, THAT'S CHEATING!" You shout as Applejack pulls the rope back and catches you in her arms.

"Shut up city boy, I got you where ya can't fight back, so it looks like yer at my complete mercy." She gives you a smug grin.

You quietly begin to think dirty thoughts after she says that....what? You're a guy, what else would you do? You think of her straddling you and pressing her lips to yours, her freckled nose pressing against yours. You're restrained by the rope, but you are fine with that in this case...

Your fantasy train is interrupted by Applejack beginning to drag you to the barn.

"Oh god, where are you taking me?" You start to panic.

"Hmmm...since ya like that there slop pen so much, I figure I'd just drop you off there." She holds her nose high and smirks.

You have a mini heart attack. "SAY WHAT!?"

"Relax, city boy, I'm just playin'. But I don't think yer gonna like what's comin' to ya." She has a playful grin, which makes you even more nervous.

"Ohmygoddon'thurtmeplease!" You sputter, struggling uselessly in the lasso. She does a mean knot!

"Oh no, I ain't gonna hurt ya, what I'm gonna do is much worse..." She pulls you up and pins you against the wall, further raising the fear and at the same time the sexual tension inside you.

"AJ...what're you doing?" An innocent voice asks out of purient curiosity.

Applejack turns around quickly and sees Applebloom who had just peered her head around the door. An intense blush forms across her face, making you wonder what she was going to do to you. Best not to find out you suppose...

"Oh um...hey Applebloom, I was just er...helping him dry off is all." Applejack said, adjusting the hat on her head.

"With your rope?" Applebloom said

"With your rope?" You added just to mess with her.

"You shut yer trap." Applejack snapped, causing you to shut up. "Yeah, with my rope. It squeezes all the water out of his clothes, y'see?" Applejack really was a terrible liar. Luckily for her, Applebloom bought it.

"Alright, just don't be late fer the rest of the chores." She turned around and headed off.

Applejack turned to you and spoke quietly. "Boy, yer luckier than a leprechaun that just found a seven-leaved clover tied to a lucky rabbit's foot." I don't think you would've liked what I had in store..." She narrowed her eyes at you.

"Erm...saved by the bell I guess!" You respond, regaining your composure. "Now untie me, you don't want us to be late do you?" You stare into her eyes grinning widely.

"Fine..." She sighs and undoes the lasso and you immediately stretch your arms. Man, you were about ready to shit yourself. She got you all hyped up and were saved by dear little Applebloom. You watch Applejack walk out, and you don't stare at her at all out of fear. Instead, you stay back a bit and catch your breath.

Unbeknownst to you, Applejack really didn't know what she was going to do. She entertained a few ideas in her head...Spraying your face some more, putting hay in your shirt...Things like that. She was frustrated when she considered just letting him go...she had always had a problem with his type since....well an incident in school...but that's another story for another time. For now, she just rolled her eyes at herself and went inside to meet Big Mac.

You finally got the energy and willpower to get up and walk out of the barn.

Man, you have GOT to stop fantasizing about her! She is not your type! You lie to yourself.

Yes she is... Your other side retorts.

Fine, I admit it! She's smoking hot. But still, you aren't her type! Your former side fights back.

So? Lots of couples didn't like each other at first. Said the other half of your brain.

Oh so you're thinking about DATING HER! Psh, like that's going to happen. You mentally roll your eyes at yourself.

And what if I am? It's not like there are any other girls around...plus she has charm, a cute face, natural beauty, great hair, captivating eyes, curvy hips, a great sense in fashion, and not to mention...dat ass. The other half of your brain seems to smirk as it knows that it has won.

Well...Yeah. She's pretty much perfect in every way. Save her sour attitude maybe... Your brain says.

That's true, but what if...what if you got off your lazy ass and made yourself better! You know, be more helpful, try to have a better attitude, all that shit. I bet she'd warm up to you. Your other half reasons.

You know what? I might do that. However, just know that I'm only doing it for her! You sigh mentally.

It's okay bro, same with me.

You ARE me.

Whatever...

After that awkward little brain conversation, you decide to do whatever you can to make a better impression on the Apple family until your shift was over for the day. You walked into the house and Big Mac greeted you with what you interpreted as the 'sup nod.' You waved back and asked if there was anything you could do to help.

The reactions for the Apple family were as follows.

Big Mac raised his eyebrows, the most change in emotion you've seen him do since you arrived.

Applebloom got a hopeful look in her eyes.

Granny Smith got a cheery look on her face, happy to see you willing to take on responsibility

Applejack's jaw dropped. Like literally, it dropped. If it were a cartoon, it would've hit the floor. You now think that you would've said what you did just to see that reaction. You looked at her and gave her a wry smile. She shook her head quickly and looked away.

Big Mac returned to his original expression and spoke, "Well, I suppose you could help me carry bushels to the tractor but..."

"I'll do it." You respond quickly.

He nods and leads you out to the place. It's another shed with apples on bushels on it. There's a tractor with a large transportation cart beside it, signifying that those apples are probably hauled off to the market.

"Now all you have t' do here is take the bushels and put them on the cart." He says.

"Alrighty." You say with faked enthusiasm at the mundane task. You pick up a bushel, it's a little heavy, but you're able to take it and set it on the cart. The branches and sticks poke and prod at your skin, but it beats hanging with Applejack. A few bushels later, Big Mac asks you a question.

"So, what's it like workin' here so far."

"...Hard I guess..." You respond weakly.

"I understand that. Ya aren't used t' this kind of work like we are, so I understand that ya need a breather every once in a while."

"...Thanks... I appreciated what you did for me earlier today."

"Think nothin' of it..." He responded. "By the way, I suppose yer wonderin' why AJ's actin' a might hostile around ya." He sets another bushel on the cart and looks your direction.

"Yeah, I have. What gives?" You say in a rather annoyed tone.

He sets another bushel on the cart before answering. "Normally, AJ's one of the sweetest and most dependable young women you'll ever meet."

Bullshit You thought.

"However." He continues. "She has always had a problem with people from the city since she was bullied in high school...being called a 'hick' and whatnot. She really went through some hard times, 'specially since she's a teenage girl."

"Yeah, you know how those hormones are." You add humorously.

You and Big Mac both share a quick laugh.

"But yeah, I can see why she'd be more cautious around new people...but she really is over the top threatening with me. Is there another factor? Do I look like an ex of hers or something?" You ask.

Big Mac only shakes his head. "AJ's never had a significant other, not sure why. She's purty enough, ain't she?"

You pretend to think for a minute to not sound to smitten with her looks. "Umm...yeah, she's okay I guess...." You lie.

Big Mac lets out a chuckle. "Heheh, judging by how you were starin' at her earlier? I reckon you're lying."

Shit...

"Okay, you caught me, she's gorgeous. Don't tell her, okay?" You plead.

He does the 'my lips are sealed' thing indicating that your secret is safe with him.

"Well now, it looks like we're nearly done, and it's close to four. I reckon you did a fine job." He praises.

"Oh um...guess we did. Thanks for your help, Big Mac." You sincerely thank him.

"No problem, jus' head on back to the house for some well earned rest and grub." You nod and start to walk away.

"Oh and, kid!" He adds. You turn to face him.

"If ya want to impress her, show her you're different from the other city boys. She'll warm up t' ya." He gives you a warm smile.

You nod in response and head back to the Apple family house. As you enter, you see Granny Smith and Applejack both cooking dinner. Judging by the smell of things, they know what they're doing.

Big Mac enters next and slumps on the couch. Your clothes thoroughly dried by working in the sun, then slightly dampened by sweat, you sit in a wooden chair. You don't want to stink up their couch...

"Hey Big Mac!" You hear Applejack call from the kitchen. " Ya hungry?

"Eeyup." He responds in his low voice.

"Good, cuz supper's just 'bout ready. That boy didn't give ya any trouble did 'e?" She comes out and casts a glare in your direction.

"Nope."

"Well....uh...good, good." Applejack seems to display a mixture of surprise, relief, and disappointment at the same time. It was nice to do something right, if not for a job well done then just to see the look on her face.

"Soup's on!" Granny Smith called as she brought out...soup? It was cream based and smelled really good. You could smell sea salt, white pepper, turmeric, cooking wine, and sherry vinegar. It made your mouth water slightly. The rest of the Apple family sat down as AJ served up the family.

Big Mac got two ladles of soup in his, Granny smith got two, Applebloom got two, she came to you and gave you one. You just looked at her with a face that said 'are you fucking kidding me?' She responded with an innocent grin and another ladle of soup. She then served herself two ladles of soup and sat next to you. She faced more towards the left though, which was away from you.

Fine. You thought. ...Be that way.

The dinner went on with no real conversations. The soup was delicious, and it filled you up. You were happy to have that little pep talk with Big Macintosh and you were very ready to hit the hay. (Figuratively speaking of course.)

After dinner, Granny Smith pointed out that it was time for you to go, much to your delight. You thanked the Apple family for the wonderful Dinner and even gave Granny Smith a hug which she accepted graciously. You said your goodbyes save Applejack who just sulked at the table. You walked out the door and started the long walk back to your house.

After you shut the door, Big Mac turned to Applejack and stared into her eyes.

"...What?" She said.

He kept staring.

"Did I miss something?" She averted her eyes from his gaze, not wanting to do what she knew he was implying for her to do.

He just kept staring.

"Aw come on...after all he's done to-"

His stare intensified.

"...Fine, I'll go apologize." She grumbled and walked out the door after you. Big Mac just smiled.

"Works every time." He said to himself.

You were walking along the winding path leading to the exit of their farm when you heard footsteps behind you. They were too agile to be Granny Smith, too loud to be Applebloom, and too quiet to be Big Macintosh. That only meant...

Oh shit... You mused to yourself. You turned around and instinctively flinched when you saw Applejack right next to you.

"Oh calm down, city boy, I ain't gonna bite." She narrowed her eyes a bit.

"I'm not letting my guard down! No way no ho-" You're cut off when Applejack wraps you in a warm embrace that you can't help but enjoy. Darnit, why do you have to like her so much?

"Look, I just wanted ta..." She swallowed. "Just wanted ta apologize fer today. I shouldn't have been as harsh as I was, and I hope ya have the heart to forgive me." She breaks the hug much to your dismay.

Then she pokes your chest firmly. "But don't you think this changes anything between us! Yer still just a city boy, and unless ya can prove that yer fit fer helping, I'm not gonna go easy on ya." She then grabs her arm nervously. "And uh...don't you tell nobody about that hug, y'hear?"

"Oh, so I should tell somebody, is that right?" You smirked, playing on her double negative.

"You know what I mean, sugarcube." She wasn't amused by your antics.

"You're no fun, I'll see you tomorrow." You roll your eyes.

"I'll be waiting, city boy!" She calls back, her tone almost threatening. Almost.

With nothing else to say to her, you walk back to your house.

You barge open the door and walk in like you own the place. (Not that you want to) And immediately head upstairs. Your dad sees you and smiles. "How was day one of wo-"

"Can't talk, sleepy." You cut him off.

Your mom calls you from downstairs. "Sweetie? Don't you want di-"

"Already had it, too sleepy to eat anymore." You keep walking to your room.

Your parents say nothing, working on the farm for that long has GOT to tire a fellow out and so they let you go without any more objections.

You walk into your new room and immediately jump on the bed. It's the same bed you had before, so it creaks and conforms to the body it knows so well. You relax in your bed under the full blast of your fan and think about today.

Applejack apologized. She might like me!!

Don't get your hopes up, man.

What if she does?

IF she did, that would be awesome. But I think she's just sorry. Simple as that.

Eh, probably true. But come to think of it, despite how sour she is to you...I think she's making this move seem better.

Maybe she is, maybe she is. I still wish I was back home.

You and me both...

YOU ARE ME!

If you keep arguing with yourself like this, you're going to go crazy~

Who says I'm not already? Today pretty much ripped my sanity out of my head.

...Good point...Night crazy self.

Night crazy self...

With your little mind argument over, you fall asleep quickly, dreading and anticipating the next day at the same time as Applejack both haunts and graces your dreams...