As The Seasons Change

Disclaimer: I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. It belongs to The Hub, Hasbro, Studio B, and Lauren Faust. I do not own any of these characters in any way or how, nor do I claim ownership to the pony franchise. These characters are simply my toys.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"How on earth could I forget somebody like you?"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As The Seasons Change

Chapter 1: Rest Stop

Big Macintosh paused briefly as he contemplated the words that had just left his sisters mouth and entered his ears.  He wasn’t sure what exactly distracted him from hearing the words the first time, nor did he bother to think about it much.  The gentle breeze sweeping under the branches of the trees began whipping the tufts of his orange mane and casually cooled off his sweating body as his hind legs left the apple trees behind him.  He braced himself for the sudden increasing of weight on his back as hoards of apples landed in the baskets on either side of his body.  He let out a small grunt as he worked his leg muscles to put himself back up normally.

“What was, AJ?” Big Macintosh questioned, his deep voice slightly raspy, as if he hadn’t used it to speak more than a few words in quite a long time.  The curtains of his eyelids opened and shut several times.

Applejack gave her brother an annoyed glance out of the corner of her eyes.  “Ah said,” The orange earth pony stated in a matter-of-factly tone of voice, stomping one hoof on the ground to catch her brothers eye, as if to make sure he was paying attention this time around.  “Remember our cousin, Braeburn?” She asked, her emerald green eyes lighting up.

Big Macintosh had to contemplate this question for several moments as him and his sister stood in the orchard of Sweet Apple Acres.  The trees surrounding them would have confused any common pony, but both he and his kin knew the land by heart.  It was their home, their work, almost everything about them revolved around their orchard.  As the large red stallion thought about this question, he found himself cocking up a brow.  “Brae… burn?” He asked.  Nothing was coming to mind, not a single thing.  How on earth the topic of their family had come to Applejack’s mind was beyond him in the first place.

“C’mon Big Mac, me and him used to play together as foals all darn time at every family reunion!” His sister said, his sister’s own eyes lighting up once more as she reminisced in fond memories “Me an’ him used ta get in all kinds ‘er trouble together when we were little, heck I just visited him to deliver Blumberg not even two whole months ago!”

At that instant it clicked in Big Macintosh’s mind who exactly his sister was referring to.  “The… cousin in Appleloosa?” He asked on a whim.

“’Course ya featherbrain!” His sister teased, trotting over to him and nudging his side with her upper leg, winking with one of her eyes.  “Did ya think I was talkin’ ‘bout Granny’s old apple pickin’ cousin?”

Big Macintosh focused on the freckles on his sisters cheeks, having a dozen dots stare at him was better than her teasing glances.  He became glad for his red coat as he felt a hint of pink come upon his cheeks, which he quickly hid and signs of by shaking his head and moving on.  “Why… why would ya bring him up at a time like this?”

“Well,” Applejack began, kicking her front leg lightly on the ground, kicking up a large cloud of dirt as she took several steps in front of her older brother.  “Aunty Gala sent us a letter about him.” She stated innocently.

Big Macintosh cocked up an eyebrow.  He could always tell when his little sister was hiding something from him.  “That so?” He murmured out.  “What ‘bout?”

Applejack paused briefly, as if wondering how to phrase the next part of her speech.  “Apparently she’s gettin’ mighty worried for him, he is just refusin’ to settle down with a mare.  She’s gettin’ worried that he’ll grow old and alone or something like that.”  Applejack paused, glancing at her brother.  “Like ya need to worry ‘bout.” She added.  Big Macintosh became relieved she didn’t push this side topic any further.

“So, she wanted him to try and find a mare ‘round these parts!” Applejack said.  She looked away from her older brother as he slowly followed behind her.  “An’… ah might er told her that he could stay here for a while… just a while, not that long.” Applejack said.

“W-Wait, what?” Big Macintosh asked, bewilderment in his voice.  “You didn’t even ask me ‘bout it?” He didn’t seem angry, just a tad shocked.

“W-Well, he is family after all, gotta look after our kin and such!” Applejack said, turning to glare at her older brother.  “Wouldn’t ya have decided the same darn thing?” She asked.

Big Macintosh rolled his eyes as he stepped forward up to his sister.  “You aren’t just doing this to get Aunty Gala to spread connections for sellin’ these here apples, are ya?” He asked, looking down at his little sister with a cocked up eye.

The red stallion was greeted with a hoof in his side.  “S-Shut it, he’s kin, like ah said!” Applejack defended herself, her cheeks flushing a pale red.  She put her nose up and began to trot off.  “Anyways, he’ll be here sometime tomorrow?”

“Droppin’ this mighty suddenly, aren’t ya?” Big Macintosh asked, trotting up to his sister once more.  “Ah mean, couldn’t even give me a little warnin’?  We’re entering the cold season soon, we’ll be strugglin’ for rations as it is!”

“Brae ain’t a baby!” Applejack stated “He’ll pull his own weight, don’t worry.  He’s used ta apple buckin’, a little colder climate ain’t gonna change that!”

“But…” Big Macintosh stopped his conversation at that point, knowing full well that he wasn’t going to be able to convince his sister otherwise.  Besides, if he was arriving tomorrow, he would already be on the train.  It would seem rude to just send him home or to not let him stay with them for a while.  It was only going to a while anyway.

“Big Mac, ya comin’?” Applejack called as she walked down the memorized path back to the barn “Granny an’ Applebloom gotta eat tonight, ah’ll go on ahead and fix us all some apples fer dinner.”

Big Macintosh simply nodded to his sister and watched her gallop off with barrels full of apples on her sides.  He simply took it slowly, allowing himself time to take in the world he knew so well around him.

The red stallion blinked his emerald eyes open and shut, open and shut.  It was just like Applejack to drop some big news on him like this so suddenly, she didn’t usually take the time to think in advance of this she thought weren’t all that important.  If anything, Big Macintosh was shocked he wasn’t hearing about the news tomorrow three hours before his cousin came.

“Sure is pretty.” Big Macintosh mumbled to himself at the green leaves beginning to be dipped in paints of orange and brown.  As he wondered what life was going to be like with another family member around, the stallion simply enjoyed the scenery like it was brand new, golden, not yet to rust by the sands of time.

Big Macintosh felt the tips of his hooves glide softly upon the glass of the pictures he stared at what was held behind the frames.  Black and white pictures of Granny Smith and her family when they first came to Ponyville, newer pictures of his parents before their tragic death, and some scattered about of the family around Equestria.

The red stallion’s green eyes shifted across the glass frames, following his dragging hoof until he came to a picture that caught his eye.  He slowly reached out his other hoof and grasped the picture on either side before pulling it down.

The sounds of running water hit his ears, he imagined both Applejack and Applebloom must be doing the dishes, it was their turn this week after all.  Big Macintosh looked briefly at the light coming from the kitchen and then turned his head back to the picture, and stared at his Aunt Gala.  Her orange coat that matched Applejack’s was almost uncanny as she wore a cowpony hat, sitting down with a blanket wrapped up in her arms.  It was a small blanket, obviously something was tucked inside of it.  Or perhaps it was more certain to state that it was somepony wrapped in that blanket, likely cousin Braeburn.

The earth pony stared closer at the blanket, making out the tip of a yellow ear.  The more he thought about it, he could picture his little sister and another pony running around when he was not quite a colt yet not quite a stallion yet.  Aunt Gala and his parents were awful close to each other, likely more than the rest of the family was to each other.  That must have all changed when both his parents died and Applejack started becoming more stubborn, and he himself stopped talking as much.

Big Macintosh remained silent as he stared at the picture.  He knew he had a cousin named Braeburn, he just couldn’t picture his face in the slightest, nor his mane or cutie mark.  He could remember him… mostly remember him… just that darn face.

It was always comfortable living with his Granny and sisters, so comfortable in fact that besides the family reunions, which Braeburn and Aunt Gala never attended, he sometimes thought they were the only ones in the family… but the fact remained that he did indeed have a cousin, a cousin around Applejack’s age.  A cousin who was going to start living with them tomorrow…

Big Macintosh focused on the yellow ear for a long time.  The face of his cousin Braeburn still wasn’t coming to mind, and he was positive this was the only picture of his relatives over in Appleloosa.

The earth pony let out a small sigh, closing his eyes and leaning his head down a few inches.  Braeburn had to be at least five or six years younger than he was…  that was how much younger Applejack was.

Big Macintosh’s ears erected themselves as the sound of water ceased, as did the small talk of his two sisters about school life and work life.  The stallion quickly placed the picture back in its proper place and turned, trotting in the darkness to the stairway up into his room.

As the stallion traveled up into his room, he allowed the subject of Braeburn to slip into the back of his mind, deciding to pick it up once more in the morning.

Big Macintosh refused to let the sun beating down on his back bother him.  Celestia’s sun may have been causing his body to sweat and his coat to become sleek as he pulled along the cart filled to the brim with fresh apples.  He allowed himself to lift up a hoof and whip it across his brow to remove the moisture from his eyes.  The stallion didn’t slow down in the slightest however, he was used to work in this kind of weather with his body in even worse condition than this.

But the stallion had to admit, it was hot as hay outside today.  Perhaps Princess Celestia was giving the final days of summer extra heat, for autumn was quickly approaching.

The red earth pony opened his eyes once more.  Braeburn should be here at nightfall is what Applejack told him, at least if he remembered correctly.  He would sleep in the living room for a few days until they managed to fix up the guest room they had currently been using as a storage room for the past years.  Why Applejack hadn’t told him earlier so he could clean out the room himself, he would never know.

The earth pony picked up speed a tiny bit, wanting to simply take these apples to Sugar Cube Corner, both Mister and Miss Cake wanted to use them for Apple Fritters and Apple Pie recipes, and collect the money so he could go and get a head start on Braeburn’s room, at least then he could sleep in his own room tonight.

“Horse apples…”

Big Macintosh ceased as those words entered his ears.  He wasn’t sure why that simple voice of annoyance stood out in the large crowd the most.  He was in the center of town for pony’s sake, there were dozens of voices!  Perhaps it was the fact that the voice was different from the rest, or perhaps the frantic tail whipping past his head as the voice traveled next to him, and the source even bumped into the cart, although it didn’t affect the contents whatsoever.

The stallion blinked a few times as he turned his head around.  The first thing that met his eyes was the long, flowing, golden mane of the stallion that just passed his cart.  He had a cowpony hat atop his head, and a vest on his body.  Both of the items were worn, old and tattered yet wearable, showing the stallion was a hard worker.

Big Macintosh let his emerald eyes drift down to the ground as he spotted a small bag, its contents had spilled out and several golden bits showed themselves on the ground.  The stallion didn’t know what came over him as he called out “Sir?” his voice gave no response from the stallion becoming lost in the crowd.

The red stallion quickly let the cart drop from the horse collar around his neck and trotted over to the bag of spilled bits, gathering them back up and tying the knot with his hoof.  “Sir?” He called again, galloping forward, dodging between unicorns and pegasi alike as he got closer to the yellow stallion.

As he got closer, he reached out a hoof and tapped the stallion’s back.  He watched the pony jump and whip his head around.  His green eyes met Big Macintosh’s in silence, the gentle blowing breeze blew his golden mane slowly as he raised a brow in question.  Big Macintosh was silent for several moments, he wasn’t sure why, but he thought he was blushing…

“C-Can ah help ya?” The stallion asked, his clear accent breaking through.

Big Macintosh jumped at the words.  “T-This!” He stated, earning a confused look from the earth pony before him.  He quickly shook his head, and held out the small bag.

The yellow stallion’s gaze fell to the small bag before his eyes widened.  “O-Oh, gosh,” He quickly spit out, taking the bag back and stuffing it in his vest, cheeks turning a pale pink.  “Ah… Ah didn’t even realize ah dropped it!” He paused briefly, as if summoning the courage before raising his head and looking into Big Macintosh’s eyes.  “T-Thank ya kindly.” He said, smiling softly.

Big Macintosh found himself looking away from the stallion in front of him.  He still wasn’t sure why, perhaps the heat was getting to him or something like that.

“Eeyup.” Big Macintosh found the words leaving his mouth.  He quickly ducked his head and turned away, not allowing himself to speak another word, nor for the other to thank him further.

That stallion stuck in his mind the rest of Big Macintosh’s trip to Sugar Cube Corner.

Big Macintosh carried the bag of bits in his mouth as he drug the empty cart.  He had picked his share of apples early today, so he could spend the rest of the day attempting to fix up Braeburn’s room at the very least.  He knew Applejack would make him do most of the work anyway, might as well get a head start.

The wind gently whipped the stallion’s orange mane, the horse collar around his neck began to feel heavier.  He knew he was going to be exhausted by day’s end.  The things he would do for his family never surprised him, but he wished that he wasn’t the only stallion with enough strength to do all of the heavy lifting at times, even if he was used to it.

The red earth pony blinked several times as he glanced at the sky.  It had to be around three at the very least.  That gave him plenty of time before Braeburn arrived.  The area was still bustling with ponies, although they were in less numbers.  He lifted his head, the breeze at least felt nice.  He passed by random houses and businesses as he wandered around the town.

It was around the time Big Macintosh was pondering what exactly to do with all of the junk in the spare bedroom that something caught his eye.  He turned his head as he saw him again… the stallion from before.  He was currently sitting on a bench next to the fountain in the middle of the town market center, he seemed to be fiddling his hooves impatiently.

Normally Big Macintosh would have simply walked by the stallion and not stop for anything.  But something… perhaps the golden flowing mane, or simply the way he was acting held his attention no matter how hard he tried to push it away.  The stallion sighed, quickly backing up the cart into an alleyway he usually used to put it, and unhooked it from his collar.

What in Equestria was he even doing?

The stallion found himself trotting forward across the hoard of ponies, not really sure of what was coming over him to make himself do this.  He planted his rump down on the bench next to the stallion, hearing him gasp softly in surprise.  He saw out of the corner of his eye the yellow face turn and the large eyes blink several times.  “Oh, it’s ya!” The earth pony said, pointing out a hoof.  “Thank ya kindly again, ah woulda gotten an earful if ah lost this!” He said.  Big Macintosh turned his head to see the yellow stallion hold up the bag of bits from before.

Big Macintosh simply nodded.  Why was he even here, shouldn’t he be fixing up Braeburn’s room?  He paused for a while.  “Ya ain’t from round these parts, are ya?” He mumbled.

The stallion blinked several times.  “Yeah… it’s the accent ain’t it?” He said, chuckling nervously.  “Ya got the same one, ya travelin’ too?”

Big Macintosh shook his head.  “Born and raised in these here parts.” He mumbled, reaching a hoof behind his head to gently rub his mane, trying to calm his nerves.  He was shy when talking to anypony, all except for his family.  Normally he would have just replied “Eeyup” or “Enope” and gotten the question over with.  Why was he so talkative with this stallion?

The smaller stallion nodded.  “Yah, ah got here a little early, supposed to meet somebody here, train was real fast though.” He said.  “Reckon ah got myself a few hours.”

Big Macintosh felt his cheeks tint, and became thankful for his red coat once more.  “So, you’re new here, never been here?” He asked.

The stallion shook his head.  “Not since ah was barely more than a foal, ah don’t ‘member nothin’ ‘bout these parts.”  He looked up at the sky.  “Sounds silly, but ah’m a little nervous.  ‘Round my house there’s nothin’ but earth ponies… here there are all kinds er ponies, unicorns, pegasi…” He mumbled.

Big Macintosh shrugged.  “Ain’t nothin’ ta worry ‘bout.” He almost whispered.  “Almost everypony ‘round here is friendly.” He was waiting for the other to reply, it took him a few moments before he realized that he was not going to get a response.  “So…” He mumbled.  “If ya want… ah can show ya ‘round these parts…”

What in the world was he saying?  He needed to go home and work?  He should take it back now… right now…

“Really?” The stallion asked.

“Sure.” Big Macintosh replied at once.  What was wrong with him today?

The golden stallion sat up “O-Okay, thank ya!” He quickly said, flashing a smile warmly, tipping his hat off of his head.  Big Macintosh didn’t know why, but he blushed at that smile.

“A-Anyway.” Big Macintosh said, standing up quickly and turning away from the yellow earth pony.  “W-Where too?”

The rest of the afternoon was somewhat simple to Big Macintosh.  Both him and the yellow stallion traveled around the whole of Ponyville, one of the only places they didn’t visit was oddly enough the red stallion’s home itself.  His plans of fixing up Braeburn’s room were distracted… he still wasn’t sure why.  He hoped the stallion wouldn’t mind sleeping in the living room for a few days.

“This town sure is pretty nice.” The yellow stallion said softly to himself as they found their way back to the bench they started at.  The twilight sky above was quickly fading to stars and darkness, Luna’s moon began to rise in the sky, not as powerful as the one a few nights before, yet still providing light for all.  “Nicer than my home, it’s more… alive.” He mumbled.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac found himself mumbling out of habit.    It was easy to get caught up is saying the same old thing again and again.  As he followed the other back to the bench, watching him sit down.

The yellow earth pony looked up at Big Macintosh.  “Thank ya kindly… ah feel a little more at home now.” He admitted, blushing gently for no apparent reason.  He looked down.  “Truth really is… ah didn’t wanna come here in the first place really…”

The red stallion blinked several times, cocking up a brow in question, waiting for the stallion to reply.  “W-Well,” The yellow pony mumbled “Ah would have been happy just stayin’ at home, but my folks are worried ‘bout me… specially my mom… she thinks I’ll grow old and alone if ah don’t find a “mate” soon.” He mumbled.  “I don’t really care about that stuff…” He paused briefly.

Big Macintosh paused.  That sounded… familiar… “Why not give it a shot?” He asked, watching the stallion lift up his head “You might like it…”

The stallion looked down.  “Ah suppose…” He mumbled.

Big Macintosh paused, staring at the smaller stallion for several moments.  “W-Well… ah have ta go.” He mumbled, turning away, feeling a tad awkward.  He tried to think of why he had spent his time with this stallion he didn’t even know the name of… he didn’t know… he honestly didn’t know.

“W-Wai-”

“Braeburn!”

The sound of his sister’s voice caused Big Macintosh to lift up his head in surprise.  “A-AJ?” He mumbled.  His eyes watched his sister gallop up.  “Mighty sorry ah’m late, looks like Big Macintosh came to greet ya!” She called out.

The red stallion's mouth fell open, he began whipping his head around and looking at Braeburn.  He instantly felt stupid for not making the connection at first sight, he watched the other’s cheeks burn as he got up and walked to Big Macintosh.

“Yer… yer my cousin?” He asked, his eyes wide, voice curious.

“Ah…” Big Macintosh began before his sister got up to speed with the two.  His cheeks were burning.

“Looks like ah didn’t have to come after all… anyway, let’s get you home, Aunt Gala already sent your stuff, so you can sleep on the couch till the room gets ready.”  She trotted forward, and then glanced back.  “C’mon ya two, we need to get somthin’ in Braeburn before he passes out!”

Big Macintosh looked at his cousin for a long time, Braeburn looked back at him.  His cheeks burned, and he had no idea why once again.

It was always comfortable living with his Granny and sisters, so comfortable in fact that besides the family reunions, which Braeburn and Aunt Gala never attended, he sometimes thought they were the only ones in the family… but the fact remained that he did indeed have a cousin, a cousin around Applejack’s age.  A cousin who was going to start living with them… today…