//------------------------------// // Applejack Approves // Story: Appledashery // by Just Essay //------------------------------// "And after another month or two, we can finally give Granny the operation she needs for her hip replacement," Applejack said from where she sat on a wooden stool on the farm house's front porch. She leaned forward with a bright smile. "I'm tellin' ya, Fluttershy, it's like a dream come true! Well... almost, that is..." She chuckled breathily, cupping a mug of tea in the crook of her orange hoof and lifting it to her muzzle. "There's still the chance that someday I'll settle down and have some foals of my own. But for the first time in my whole life, it's really lookin' and feelin' like the family's gonna have things all squared away!" She took a sip, swallowed, and added with a warm smile. "And the families to come from it!" "Heheh..." Big Mac rolled his eyes and sipped from his own mug. "Eeeeyup." "Don't you roll yer eyes at me, Macky!" Applejack half-frowned. "Just because I've been a hard workin' pony all this time doesn't mean I don't want a day to come when I can finally make the use of it!" She turned to smile at Fluttershy. "And besides, there's Apple Bloom's future that we can finally rest easy about. Why, I swear, Fluttershy, for a moment there I was afraid we weren't gonna earn the funds she needed to get the best education this part of Equestria has to offer." "Wow, Applejack..." Fluttershy smiled from where she sat besides Big Mac, cupping a mug daintily in her two hooves. "I am so, so very happy for you. And for the whole family." "Mmmmhmmm..." Applejack took a sip then quietly said, "And extra special happy for Big Macintosh, I reckon." Big Mac spat out his last sip. He reeled on his stool, wheezing. Fluttershy bit her lip, trying her best not to blush—and failing. "I... uhm... well... that is..." "Oh please, Fluttershy, relax, won't ya?" Applejack placed her mug down onto a table and leaned back with an easy grin. "That was meant more of a jab to Big Macintosh than anypony. But let's face it. There ain't no point in keepin' it a secret. Besides, I know my big brother... and everyday I aim to watch him like a hawk." She winked. "The two of ya have been seein' each other for an awful long time now, haven't ya?" "Applejack, don't get the wrong idea. It's..." Fluttershy bit her lip, fought an inward squeal, and eventually blurted, "It's not like you think..." Big Mac coughed. Fluttershy glanced awkwardly at him. "Ain't it, though?" Applejack tilted her hat forward. "And, really, Fluttershy—even if it was somethang a great deal heavier than 'I think,' do you really think I'm the kind of mare to disapprove?" "I, uh..." Fluttershy jolted, glancing up with wide eyes. "Huh?" Big Macintosh was also leaning forward. "Fluttershy, I love ya more than life itself, girl," Applejack said. "Apple Bloom and Granny Smith think the world of ya. Every pony in this here town knows you'd risk everything to save a pony in need. Yer kind, yer polite, yer respectable as all get out. And, to be perfectly honest, yer the darn prettiest mare Equestria has to show off. Why wouldn't I be tickled pink to have you gettin' along so well with my big brother. To be perfectly honest, I'm happy for the two of ya... and a might bit surprised you two haven't gotten together sooner." "S-sooner?" "Why, back when y'all were foals, and Granny Smith found yer poor tremblin' self in the countryside after you had fallen all the way from Cloudsdale, she just about played matchmaker then and there—" "AJ!" Big Macintosh blurted through a frown, almost making Fluttershy jump. "What?!" Applejack fought the urge to snicker. "I thought it was plum adorable! She had ya walk Fluttershy to the City Hall so her parents could pick her up! You were a perfect little gentlecolt—or so Granny tells me." "You know what...?" Fluttershy gasped, her muzzle agape. "I do remember that!" Fluttershy turned to gaze at Big Mac next to her. "I was so weak in the knees from taking care of so many animals after my fall. I could barely walk. You let me ride on your back as you walked us all the way into downtown Ponyville." "Awwwwwwwww..." Applejack fiddled with her ponytail, grinning from ear to ear. "Shucks! I didn't know about that part!" Big Macintosh bit his lip, his freckles disappearing against his red coat. "I... uhm... d-didn't want her to get her little hooves bruised..." "Hmmm-hee-hee-hee..." Fluttershy leaned in to nuzzle him. "Now I know why you have an apple half for a cutie mark." The stallion looked down at her. "Why's that?" Fluttershy smiled rosily. "Because you're always so full of sharing..." She winked. "And caring..." Big Mac gulped and chuckled to himself, avoiding her gaze. "Well, sometimes I just can't help it... especially around you..." Applejack whistled, causing the two ponies to look at her. "Oh, don't mind me," she murmured into her hoof as she leaned against the table. "Just amazes me, is all." "What does?" Fluttershy asked. "Big Mac." Applejack smiled. "Talkin' more than two words to another pony outside the family." She smirked at Fluttershy. "Guess that makes you one of us, sugarcube." At that, Big Mac and Fluttershy cleared their throats, leaning noticeably away from each other. "Let's not... erm... j-jump to any conclusions there, Applejack," Fluttershy breathed. "Eeeyup." "Heh... don't mind me. I just wanted to make sure you guys didn't think I was opposed to whatever sweet thang you've got going." "And... we're happy to know that you're happy with us," Fluttershy said. Suddenly she blinked. "Oh dear." She glanced at the catapult situated a few feet away from the porch. "The vampire fruit bats! We've been having tea this whole time. Could they have caused more damage to your crops?" "Oh, shoot... Where's my mind, lately?!" Applejack jumped up, causing Big Mac to flinch. "I swear by my corn husks! My head's full of straw!" She straightened her hat on her head and squinted up to the sky. "Y'know, come to think of it... I wonder how Rainbow Dash is managin' without me..."