Love You To Your Core

Thorax lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. He had been up for hours, memorizing the grooves in the carved wood. It’s not what he really wanted to do, but what else was there? Thorax couldn’t exactly leave this room. Well, he could, but it would be weird for him to wander through someponies house.

He tore his eyes from above, looking out the window to the dusk-ridden sky. Though the bed was soft and the room was welcoming, Thorax couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy. Sure, he rested well, but not long. How could he sleep when he was in someone else's home?

Guilt crept into his chest. He was being no better than any other spying changeling. This family had invited him in with open arms, and he had lied to them. And Thorax knew he couldn’t just stop lying. That would make things worse!

How would a family react to having a changeling in their home? Surely they’d kick him out. Or even worse; attack him!

He just knew that deep down, a part of him was waiting to pounce. Thorax whined, curling his hooves to his chest. He had to be better than all of the other changelings, right? He did leave the hive of his own accord.

Thorax’s worrying thoughts broke away as he heard hoofsteps travel down the hallway. His ear twitched as he listened. The steps were heavy, thudding across the floor.

Who was up at this hour? Something inside Thorax urged him to be nosey. But that wouldn’t be right. Snooping was a changelings job, and he had to be better than the others.
The hoofsteps traveled down the stairs. Very distantly, Thorax heard the sound of a door clicking shut. Curiosity overtook him. Who could be up at this hour?

The changeling sat up, shuffling to the edge of the bed. He placed his hooves on the nearby windowsill, peering downwards.

That stallion from last night--Big Mac--exited the house, making his way to the orchard. Thorax screwed his face in confusion. What was he doing up so early? The sun was barely over the horizon!

Did ponies have morning patrols like changelings? If they did, Big Mac had no right going out alone. Sure, he was bigger than most, but what if he got ambushed?

A pit of guilt formed in Thorax’s stomach. How could he be lounging around when Big Mac was out doing Chrysalis knows what!?

He was a guest, and a guest should make themselves useful! Besides, being in the dark as a pair was much better than being alone; that was just a basic changeling fact.

Thorax hopped from his bed, carefully padding across the floor. He slunk from the room and down the stairwell.

He crept through the house and pranced out the door.

The early morning air was cool yet dry. Thorax made his way to the direction Big Mac had gone.

He was going to be the best guest! Thorax trotted through the acres, his body bouncing with pride. Now that Thorax was outside, it had occurred to him that he hadn’t planned on what to say. Would it be weird to offer to help? Some changelings took offense to it.

And Thorax wasn’t exactly the most social creature out there. How would he even help Big Mac? Doubts began to flood his mind.

What was pony etiquette like? For all Thorax knew, he could be intruding! Would it be too late to turn around and-

Thorax collided head-first into Big Mac’s flank, knocking him to the ground. The red stallion stood over him, a twinge of confusion in his eyes.

His green eyes pierced into Thorax, sending a shudder down his spine. He couldn’t leave now; he had already been spotted.

“Do you need…help?” Thorax squeaked, catching his breath. Big Mac looked Thorax up and down before giving a shrug.

“I won’t stop ‘ya.” Big Mac muttered, continuing his trek through the orchard. Thorax hopped up, trailing behind the large stallion.

Thorax kept his head low as he followed the much bigger stallion. Was he doing the right thing? What if Big Mac was upset with the help? He was a big guy; he could probably handle this entire orchard with a hoof tied behind his back.

The ‘ling shook the worries from his head, puffing out his chest. He couldn’t show his fear; he was better than that. Thorax could be just as strong as Big Mac if he wanted to be.

“You know anything about apple-bucking?” Big Mac broke the silence.

“I don’t think so,” Thorax muttered. Big Mac tilted his head toward a tree as if to say, ‘Watch me.’

He threw his hind legs out, his strong hooves colliding into the tree. The tree shook, nearly snapping in two from impact. Apples fell, landing perfectly into the baskets below.

He turned to Thorax, giving him an expecting look. That didn’t look too hard. Thorax lined himself up with the tree, shuffling his weight to his front hooves.

Thorax approached a tree, slamming his hooves into the trunk. The tree ricocheted back, snapping from its roots. The remains of the tree thudded to the ground, shaking the earth beneath them.

The pair stared at the tree with wide eyes. Their silence carried through the acres. Thorax glanced at his hooves, a blush forming. Were changelings really that much stronger than ponies? He had no idea.

“...I should do something else,” Thorax muttered, his face burning red.

“...Eeyup.” Big Mac responded.

Thorax quickly shuffled away, his face burning red. That tree was probably around for centuries, and he had taken it down in a single blow!

What if that tree had fallen onto Big Mac? Thorax shuddered at the thought.

He wandered toward the barn. Maybe he could count blades of grass. That could probably be useful to some farm folks.

“Hey, Bronze Hoof!” Someone shouted, pulling Thorax from his thoughts. Thorax looked up to see Granny Smith peering through a window. “Give this to Big Mac, will ‘ya? He forgot it!” She asked, tossing a scroll to the grass. She slammed the window shut.

Thorax looked down at the scroll, before picking it up between his teeth. He turned on the heels of his hooves, making his way back to Big Mac.

“I got somefing fur you,” Thorax mumbled, his mouth still full. He spat the scroll at Big Mac, it landing a few inches from his hooves.

Big Mac unfurled the scroll, his eyes scanning it.

Thorax peeked over Big Mac’s shoulder, eyeing the scroll. By the looks of it, it was a list of what they needed to do.

While it was long, it didn’t seem too difficult. Half of the tasks were already marked off. They could probably get all of this done in a matter of a few hours.

Big Mac rolled up the scroll, tucking it under his yoke.

“You know how to light fires?” Big Mac asked. Thorax nodded. He lifted his hoof, pointing through a bushel of trees.

“Go light the cauldrons. Come back here when you’re done.” Big Mac instructed

In an instant, Thorax ran in the direction Big Mac pointed to.

Soon enough, he reached a row of picnic tables. Near to the tables rows upon rows of cauldrons sat on bundles of wood. Thorax peeked inside one of the cauldrons. Gallons of oil sat inside.

Thorax looked around, searching for a lighter, or matches. Unfortunately, there were none in sight. How was he meant to light these? He scrunched his muzzle. He hadn’t thought this through.

Thorax looked around the orchard, seeing no one in sight. A little changeling magic wouldn’t hurt.

No one was around to see. Thorax closed his eyes, letting his disguised horn spark. In an instant, the logs lit ablaze.

“That was easy.” Thorax grinned, making his way back to Big Mac.

Thorax buzzed with pride. He had done something right! Maybe he wouldn’t mess it all up.

The changeling skipped all the way back to Big Mac, a smile on his face. The red stallion walked out from a row of trees, wiping sweat from his brow.

“Just finished setting up the relay race.” Big Mac informed.

“What’s next?” Thorax asked a little too excitedly.

“Breakfast!” Granny called from the window, interrupting Big Mac. Thorax frowned. They were taking a break already? But they had so much work to do.

What if nothing was prepared when everyone showed up? Thorax couldn’t let that happen.

Big Mac turned to Thorax expectedly, as if to say ‘Are you coming?’

“Oh, I’ll stay out,” Thorax stated. “Works gotta be done.”

Big Mac shrugged.

“Suit yourself.” He muttered, entering the barn.

“Hey, uh…can I have that list?”

“Done!” Thorax wiped the sweat from his brow. The outhouses were cleaned, the picnic tables were set up, and the quilt station was ready.

In all honesty, Thorax was proud of himself. He had done a few hours of work in less than an hour. With a mix of his strength and magic, he got through everything with relative ease.

He couldn’t imagine an earth pony doing all of that work by themselves. He was actually relieved that he had followed Big Mac out. Who knows how long this would’ve taken him?!

Big Mac approached, catching Thorax’s attention.

“Let’s get moving. Got caught up and breakfast and the family will be here soon.” Big Mac informed.

“Oh, I’m actually finishing up!”

Big Mac blinked in surprise.

“You did everything?” Big Mac asked with a hint of disbelief.

“Nearly!” Thorax said, holding up the checked-out list. Big Mac took the list, examining it closely.

Though he didn’t say anything, Thorax could feel his confusion and disbelief. Even though Big Mac didn’t say it, Thorax could feel his appreciation. It gave Thorax a warm, tingly feeling inside.

“There’s only one thing left. I didn’t finish the apple bucking because…well, you know.” He blushed.

Big Mac looked at the row of trees behind him, before looking back at Thorax.

“I’ll teach you.”

Thorax’s eyes lit up.

“Really?”

“Eeyup.” Big Mac confirmed, approaching a nearby tree. With one explanatory kick, apples fell.

Thorax furrowed his brows. How did he do it? Surely a strong stallion like him was just as capable of knocking down trees.

He shifted his weight, letting his hoof tap against the tree.

Big Mac chuckled, placing his hoof on Thorax’s flank.

“Hold your hindquarters like this.” Big Mac instructed, adjusting Thorax’s waists. Thorax planted his hindlegs firmly on the ground, copying the stance.

Thorax threw his hindlegs out, much slower than before. The tree shook gently, the apples gracefully thudding into the basket.

“I did it!” Thorax cheered. Big Mac smiled, before pointing to a row of trees.

“Let’s get through that group.” He instructed.

Before Thorax knew it, they had bucked every tree in the area. He had to admit, it was a bit therapeutic.

His hindquarters were sore, but the guilt in his chest had withered away.

“They’re here, they’re here!” A yellow filly cheered from the top of a hill.

The ground beneath them rumbled. From the hill ahead came hundreds upon hundreds of ponies. They barreled toward them, all filled with different emotions.

Thorax took in a deep inhale.
Love, excitement, fear, longing. All of those scents made his stomach growl, and his heart swelled.

So many ponies in one place! And so much love! It made Thorax’s head whirl with excitement.

Despite this, Thorax couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness in his heart. All of these ponies were made for each other. They had each other; histories, relationships, actual bonds.

This wasn’t for him.

This was for all of the ponies that actually knew and loved each other! Who was he to be at someone else's reunion when he didn’t have a family of his own? He was intruding!

It would be best for him to sit out. He didn’t want to be in anyone's way, after all.

He sat alone at a table, rolling an apple between his hooves. A part of him wished Pharynx was here. He knew Pharynx wouldn’t enjoy this, but the company would be appreciated.
Thorax sighed, laying his face on the table.

Maybe if he ignored the noise, he could sleep through the whole thing.

His thoughts were interrupted by a ‘thump’ that shook the table. Thorax peeked up, seeing a yellow filly grinning down at him.

“You’re Bronze Hoof, right?” She asked, her tail swishing happily. Thorax eyed the child curiously, sitting up.

“Yes?” He responded, it sounding more like a question than an answer.

“Well, I’m Applebloom. I practically run this farm.” The filly greeted happily. “Goldie was talking about you all during breakfast.” She informed.

Someone was actually thinking about him? Thorax blushed at the thought.

“Since you’re here, you have to meet everyone!” Applebloom instructed. She hopped from the table, running behind Thorax. She yanked at the stallion's tail, forcing him from his seat.

Thorax stumbled back, quickly catching himself.

“Come on, you have plenty to meet!” Applebloom squealed, leading Thorax through the reunion.

Mothers, fathers, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents. It was all so much, yet so exciting. There was no way he’d remember everyone's name.

Thorax thought back to the hive. He didn’t think anyone was actually related to anyone in the hive. Sure there were siblings, but that was just someone you were hatched near; not actual blood relatives. He wasn’t sure if he even had parents.

Appleblooms happy hopping abruptly stopped, her legs locking into place.

“And that’s…” Applebloom trailed off, pointing to a filly. “That’s my cousin Babs Seed.”

A familiar feeling came from the filly. A mix of fear and excitement. Thorax curiously tilted his head. Was there something wrong with that particular filly? Was she dangerous?

“Is something wrong?” Thorax urged. Applebloom bit her lip, her ears flattening.

“I really wanna talk to her, but…”

“But?” Thorax urged.

“But she’s a full year older than me! She might be too mature for me.” Applebloom sulked. “And look at her! She’s so cool!”

Thorax looked at Babs. He arched a brow. Did age matter that much to ponies? She looked like an ordinary child to him.

“Then go talk to her. She is your cousin.” Thorax encouraged, nudging the filly toward her. Applebloom shuffled, looking in between Babs and Thorax.

“Are you sure?” Applebloom hesitated. Thorax nodded confidently.

“Of course! Anyone would be lucky to be friends with you.” He complimented. Applebloom blushed, looking at her cousin.

“I guess I’ll try.” She muttered, awkwardly shuffling to Babs.

Though Thorax couldn’t hear from this distance, he watched intently.

Applebloom looked a bit tense, yet still spoke. Babs blew the hair from her face, before pointing to Appleblooms flank. The yellow filly lit up, clearly excited.

The fillies ran off together, laughing delightfully. Thorax smiled.

“Ahem.” Someone cleared their throat, catching Thorax’s attention. Big Mac stood behind him, still expressionless.

“I heard y’ant got no family.” Big Mac stated rather bluntly. Thorax’s face flushed red.

“Where did you hear that?” Thorax asked. Big Mac shrugged, tilting his head toward the sewing area.

“Heard Granny talkin’ about it.”

Of course, he had. Thorax was a bit ashamed of it, but it was true.

“I can hire ya on the farm if it’s needed.” Big Mac said. Thorax blinked in surprise, lowering his head.

“Would…that be okay?”

“Eeyup.”

Thorax’s heart pounded, and a smile crept on his face.

“I’ll do it.”