Roots

Grass Roots’ first week as a farmhand went pretty well, and he was making some new friends. Whether it be Apple Bloom, Big Mac, or any of the other workers, he was well liked and appreciated for his efforts. Granny Smith was one heck of a cook, her apple pie was to die for. Roots was certainly enjoying himself.

As Friday came, he grew excited for his first Guy’s Night since he got back from his accident. It was going to be great to see all his pals, they were always a blast to hang with.

On that Friday, Grass Roots worked very well, and made the various apples truly look beautiful. It was about 4:30 when his shift ended, and saw Caramel sitting by the porch.

“Hey Mel, we still up for Guy’s Night?”, Roots asked his friend.

“You bet, Roots! We’ve missed you at the bar, so it’s gonna be extra fun tonight. Ah heard that the guys are antsy to see you, too.”, Caramel said happily.

Just then, Big Mac and Applejack trotted up to them. Roots and AJ had been talking a bit for the week, telling stories and learning about each other. He’d always heard about her adventures, but to hear it from the mare herself was amazing.

“Howdy fellas, what’s up?”, Applejack asked them.

“Hey, AJ, Mel and I were talking about our Guy’s Night tonight”, Roots explained.

“Well, don’t that sound fun. What do y’all do?”, Applejack asked.

“We drink and tell stories down at the Berry Punch. It’s quite the night, Ah’ll tell you that”, Caramel added.

Roots then noticed Big Mac, and had an idea.

“Hey, Big Mac, why don’t you join us? I’m sure the guys wouldn’t mind”, Roots asked the big stallion.

Big Mac thought about, then Applejack spoke up.

“Say now, that’s a great idea. You should go with them, big brother”, she said to him.

“Ah dunno, AJ”, Big Mac said hesitantly, “Ah’ve never gone out drinkin’ before”.

“Come on, Mac. Ah promise it’ll be fun!”, Caramel pleaded.

Big Mac thought about it, then spoke.

“Alright, Ah’ll go”, he said, “Just let me put my yoke up, and Ah’ll be ready”.

The other stallions cheered, while Applejack laughed:

“Y’all have fun now, you hear? Don’t get too tipsy either. Good night, Roots. Ah’ll be seeing you tomorrow. Come here at 5:30, then we’ll go”, Applejack said before retiring for the night.

Roots said goodnight, and when Mac came back they were off for the Berry Punch. It was a good fifteen minute walk to the pub, but they got there.

“Well, Big Mac, welcome to our watering hole”, Caramel said as he pointed to the bar.

It was an average looking bulging, and it had massive neon sign on the top of the owner, Berry Punch, sipping a martini.

They went inside, and were instantly greeted by all the regulars. They welcomed back Roots with hellos, until they heard Noteworthy.

“Hey, guys, over here! Come take a seat!”, Noteworthy shouted.

They looked over and saw a table full of stallions. There was Noteworthy, Stitch, Time Turner, Lucky Clover, Comet Tail, and finally Thunderlane.

They approached the booth and took their seats, to which Thunderlane greeted them.

“Welcome back, Roots! We heard about everything you’ve been doing”, he said slyly, “Why don’t you tell us what that may be?”.

Everypony at the table was staring at Big Mac, who was looking uncomfortable. Roots noticed, and spoke up.

“Hey guys, I’ll do that later. For now, I want to you all to meet Big Mac, he decided to come with us. I hope that’s ok”, Roots said.

“Of course it’s ok, mate. Why, we love new friends right fellas?”, Time Turner said to massive response.

Big Mac felt a little less uncomfortable, but still kept to himself. They soon began ordering drinks, and quickly began to tell some stories. Noteworthy had been writing, Lucky Clover has gotten lucky with somepony, much to the table’s surprise.

“Well I’ll be dipped, Lucky scored! Tell me who was it, Carrot Top? I know you’ve had your eyes on her for awhile now”, Thunderlane asked.

“Ah lad, a gentleman never kisses and tells”, the Coltish stallion said has he sipped his brandy.

There were some more stories, but it wasn’t until things got to Grass Roots that it got interesting.

“So Roots”, Thunderlane said to him, “What’s this I hear about you getting a job at Sweet Apple Acres?”.

The whole table perked up, because they knew it was a big deal. The only ones who didn’t were Big Mac and Caramel.

“Well, after my accident, Applejack was really sorry and offered me a job. The reason being is that since my booth got destroyed, my boss terminated the position. I’ve been working there for about a week, and it’s best job ever”, he said with a smile.

“Does that mean that Applejack has finally noticed you, lad?”, Lucky asked.

This made Big Mac very curious, and he looked over to Roots. Roots noticed, and thought about what to do.

“Say, Big Mac, can I talk to you outside for a bit?”, Roots asked carefully.

“Eyup, Ah reckon you should”, Mac said with some confusing.

They went outside, where the conversation began.

“What was Lucky talkin’ bout, bout AJ noticin’ you?”, Mac asked with raised eyebrows.

Roots sighed, and decided that he should tell the truth.

“Mac, I want you to listen, because I mean no disrespect at all. You see, for the last six years, I’ve been...infatuated with Applejack. In my six years working as a vendor, she’d always come to market, but she’d never notice me. Before you ask, no, I didn’t throw myself in front of your cart in purpose. I had to save that filly, and in that moment that was my main concern. Anyway, I had it in my head that she’d never notice, and that’s how things would stay. The guys know about my crush, and that’s why they were shocked, because they know how long I’ve liked Applejack. If you hate me now, or if you want to fire me, I understand. I’m sorry if I’ve upset you”, Roots finished sadly.

Mac sat there for a moment, drinking it in, before speaking.

“Grass Roots”, he started, “Ah’ve know you for about a week now, and Ah’ve come to know you as a polite, hardworking stallion who gets enjoyment from making mah apples look good. You’re on honorable man, Roots, you really are”.

He paused for a moment, leaving Roots unsure.

“As for your crush on mah sister, Ah have no problem with it. Ah ain’t the overprotective brother that you might think I am, but Ah’m a little concerned. Ah support you, as long as you don’t break her heart”, Mac finished.

Roots was stunned. He managed to speak after about a minute of silence.

“Thank you, Mac. I’m glad I don’t have to worry. I’d never break your sister’s heart, Big Mac. If I did, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself. I don’t think I’ll even get a chance too, honestly”, Roots said.

“What do ya mean?”, Mac asked in confusion.

“Well, Mac, I don’t think she likes me like that. We’re friends, but I think that’s all we’ll ever be”, Roots said sadly.

Big Mac put his hoof on Roots’ shoulder.

“Roots, Ah ain’t no fortune teller, but Ah believe you might have a chance. Ah ain’t never Applejack look at anypony the way she looks at you. She might not know it now, but Ah think she might like you back”, Mac said with a smile.

Roots was a bit taken back by this, but he still smiled back.

“Come on, Roots”, Mac said as he walked into the bar, “We got some fun to have.

Roots smiled; it was gonna be a good night.

———————————————————————

That was probably the best Guy’s Night in history! Time Turner went home with the mailmare, Thunderlane beat a large stallion in a chug off, Lucky went home with another mare, Stitches told the funniest joke of all time, one that doesn’t bear repeating, and most shockingly, Big Mac got hit on by several mares, all of which respected his wishes just to drink.

For Grass Roots, it was an important night for his potential relationship with Applejack, as he got Big Mac’s blessing.

As he lay in his bed, slightly hazy from the margaritas, he slept soundly, awaiting tomorrow’s party.