Staring. That's how most of Big Mac's mornings usually started. Staring at the ceiling before he managed to roll out of bed. Taking long, deep breaths, he rubbed his forehead. 'The same dream again?' he thought to himself with a sigh, slowly assessing on what he could remember from it. Running to something and nothing in particular at the same time. Running and running, but never actually reaching his goal... 'But what is my goal?' he grunted.
Slowly slipping out of bed, he stretched with a low groan, bones giving a pleasurable pop where they were needed. 'Time to get this day started,' he thought. 'No sense in gettin' worked up over something silly.' Being careful not to wake the rest of his family, he slipped out of his room and crept down the worn wooden stairs. Nudging Winona lightly, he made his way into the kitchen, where she eventually followed. Grabbing an apple out of a bowl placed in the center of their table, he savored the light and refreshing juices sliding down his throat before opening their back door.
The light gray sky gave way to the faint orange and crimson hue of a sunrise across the horizon. Before almost anypony was awake, he could enjoy something so beautiful that Celestia granted them each and every morning. Sighing, he began stacking baskets into a wagon to take with him to the orchards. Slipping easily into the harness of the wagon, he and Winona set off for some apple picking.
Humming to himself, with Winona at his side, and the baskets awaiting their delicious reward, he quickly set to work. Placing a basket under his first tree, he kicked the center with quick and precise ease. Several apples fell into the basket, filling it about half way. He pulled the basket a few feet to the next tree and repeated the process. About midway through his task, he could see the faint silhouette of a familiar cowboy hat and a long ponytail. Wiping his brow, he leaned against his current work station, waiting for his sister. As she approached, he read annoyance all over her face.
"You coulda woken me up, Big Mac. I woulda helped you get started," his sister exclaimed, while scratching Winona lightly behind the ears.
Big Mac chuckled softly to himself, shaking his head, "It's fine, AJ. I haven't fed the animals yet, why not get a head start on that?" He offered helpfully.
"Okay. But, at least let me know once you're finished, so I can help load the baskets," Applejack said, nudging her brother's shoulder, with a grin across her face.
Big Mac smiled lightly, picking up where he left off once his sister headed towards the old barn."Eeyup," he called over his shoulder.
After filling his last basket, he placed it next to the others. Whistling for Winona to follow, he started for the farm house with his wagon in tow, to see what Granny Smith had been baking. About half way, he met up with Applejack, he contently listened as she excitedly discussed the upcoming Applebuck season. As the pair approached the house, the aroma of apples and cinnamon filled the air through an open window. Licking his lips, he pushed open the back door.
Through the archway, he noticed Apple Bloom already sitting at the kitchen table, coloring on a few sheets of paper. Tugging playfully on her pink bow, the red maned filly let out a giggle and hugged her big brother.
"Hi big brother, hi sis!" She said cheerfully.
Big Mac smiled warmly, returning the hug. The trio of siblings sat down just as Granny Smith was pulling a pan of apple turnovers out of the oven. Big Mac's stomach gave a very audible rumble, causing his family to burst into the laughter. Grinning, he took the opportunity to dig in. Later, once breakfast was over, Applejack and Big Mac began putting the baskets into the wagon for their trip into the market.
"I'll take the baked goods this time, Big Mac. It didn't go over so well for you last time," Applejack said, with a playful smirk, before disappearing back into the house.
Blushing lightly, he slipped into the harness, "Nnope." he called over his back. He stuck a sprig of wheat out of the side of his mouth and set off towards Ponyville.
Big Mac had always enjoyed taking the long walk by himself. It gave him a chance to clear his head. With everyone around him always talking, there wasn't a lot time to do that, unless he was alone. Chewing lightly on his sprig, he thought about harvest season and how much that needed to be done from now until then. The soil needed to be tilled for food, hay needed to be bailed, he and Applejack needed to fix the rain gutters on the house at one point, and eventually getting around to making their apple cider. He made a mental note to start on the gutters once he was finished with the market.
Making his way up the last hill, he reached the top to see the happy little town. Rainbow Dash and her weather team had been hard at work to make this day completely clear and seasonably warm. As he made his way into town, he noticed that other ponies had already to begun to set up shop. He set the wagon in a desirable location, placing several baskets around his wagon. Just as he had finished, he looked up to see Applejack on her way over, with her own small wagon of apple fritters and pies.Fluttershy was among the first to their stall. Applejack smiled warmly at her best friend, Fluttershy returning the gesture, redness warming her cheeks.
"Howdy, Fluttershy!" Applejack said with enthusiasm. "Do you want your usual, or would you like to try some delicious fritters Granny Smith whipped up?"
"Ooh... No. Just half a dozen apples, please, " the yellow mare said shyly.
"All righty," the orange mare said, while placing the apples into a small paper sack, "That will be five bits."
With a light smile on her face, Fluttershy placed the bits into Big Mac's hoof, where he in turn handed her a small basket. "I'll see you later, AJ," she said, turning to leave.
"Good-bye, sugarcube," Applejack called to the mare, "I'll meet up with you and the girls a little later!"
The rest of the morning went along as it usually did. Most of the fruit was nearly gone, and would be used for tomorrow's baked goods. Applejack had already left, having plans at Sugarcube Corner with her friends. Big Mac was about to close down shop, when he noticed a peach mare with a mahogany mane slowly approaching him, glancing behind her every so often. She was cute, but it looked like she was nervous for some reason. He had never seen her before, so he took a moment to get a real look at her. Soft brown eyes, smaller build, almost delicate, so she probably wasn't a farmer. Freckles splashed across her nose and cheeks, and a cutie mark that represented some sort of artistic ability, a criss-cross match of a paint brush and a pencil.
The mare smiled up at the red stallion, "Hello. I heard that you've got the best apples in Ponyville. Can I have four, please?"
Big Mac simply stared at the mare for what seemed like an eternity. Not finding the words to say anything significant, "Eeyup," escaped his lips. He placed the apples in a sack and handed them to her, just staring.
The peach colored mare blushed, making the freckles spread across her cheeks stand out even more. Making a mental note to make her blush more often, he missed the question he had asked her.
"...I said, how much do I owe you?" the mare asked again politely.
"Oh.... uh.... on the house," he said slowly. "Really?! You don't have to do that, that's really nice of you. Thank you. I'm Flair, by the way," she added with a grin across her face.
"Big McIntosh. Friends call me Big Mac," he answered.
"Nice to meet you," Flair said, "Say, if you aren't doing anything, would you maybe like to grab a bite to eat?"
Big Mac had a hundred thoughts running through his head, 'Why out of all ponies, would she notice me?' He thought to himself. He didn't know what to say, she seemed harmless enough. 'Maybe just a drink or two, and a walk through the park,' he thought with a furrowed brow, 'I may never even see her again after this.'
"Eeyup," he finally said with a small smile.
A infectious smile spread across her face, making the red stallion return it, "Great," she said. "I noticed a small pub just around the corner, how about we meet there around six?" she suggested.
Big Mac could only smile and nod politely, before getting back to work. She turn to leave, and he couldn't help but watch her walk away. 'What am I getting myself into?' he thought to himself. 'You can do this, Mac, it's just a mare. She's probably only doing this to be nice.' With his last thought lingering in his head, he headed back towards Sweet Apple Acres.
Author's Note
Hey, guys! First of all, I would like to thank each and every one of you for reading this. This is my first fanfic, so go easy on me. :D Secondly, I work over 40 hours a week, so please be patient with chapter updates. My job doesn't really allow a lot of free time, so I'll try to update every week or two. Thoughts or ideas to the story are more than welcome, as well as constructive criticism. So just drop me a PM. Have a great day, everyone! :)
