2607592 / 2607594
She looks to her brother, now confused, "Mac, how long has this been goin' on?!"

2607614

"A while. I've loved Rainbow since she helped me with making apple cider. Remember the Flim Flam brothers?"

2607631 "Course Ah do," she said simply, with a bit of a half smile. "So, all this time, fer 'bout a year now, ya been holdin' a crush on one of mah best friends? And ya didn't tell me?" Her tone of voice sounds sincere, but also concerned as she continued, "How come? It's not like Ah woulda made fun of ya or anythang."

2607649

2607649
2607658

"Yes, I did."

2607658 "Somethin' wrong, Twi?" Applejack inquired as she took note of her friend's expression. "Ya look ya jus' saw a ghost."

2607661 "Wait, now hold up-" she stopped, taking a moment to think. "First, Ah wanna know two thangs: one, why yer in love wit' Dash, and two, why ya didn't tell me. Mac, c'mon, Ah'm yer sister, fer pony's sake!"

2607663>>2607661>>2607672

I'm fine.

Am I going to be included in this conversation?

2607672

"Telling you didn't come to mind. Dash is just beautiful, but she's also fierce, independent, loyal, and doesn't give up. Nor does she take any excuses from anyone."

2607677 / 2607680
"You'll get yer turn t' talk when Ah can finally wrap my head 'round all of this," Applejack sighed, as she rubbed her temple and took a moment to think.

Never did she ever think she'd see the day where her brother fell for her best friend, but she was no controller of time and fate. What happened, happened - and apparently, she had to deal with it.

"So... what Ah'm gathering is," the farm mare finally spoke up. "Mac, yer into RD, an' RD, ya said some thangs that made him upset?"

2607695

"Correct."

2607695

Yep, and Twilight here tried to help Big Mac.

2607696 / 2607700
"Ah see," Applejack mused, only before she glared at Dash. "So this whole dang fiasco is yer fault?"

2607707

What? No.

2607712
"Really now?" the earth pony mare drawled. "'Cause what Ah gath'r, all my brother wanted was t' know if ya felt th' same, but right here, he looks mighty upset t' me. And seein' how Twi here said ya were rude t' him- ...well, Ah ain't the egghead here, but Ah got common sense to figure th' rest out."

2607712
2607726

The red stallion just watched the fiasco grow worse.

2607726

It's his fault for liking me! And Twi's for-

2607730 / 2607727
"It ain't his fault!" Applejack argued. "If he likes ya, he likes ya - that's that! Nopony can control how they feel!" She looked to Twilight. "Who's side are ya on here? Mine or Dash's?"

2607736>>2607727

Your's.

-She likes him!

2607736
2607738

The stallion decided to try to sneak away. He carefully crept off, trying very hard to not make a sound.

2607745

Rainbow blocks him. Hey!

2607747

The farmer just goes around her.

2607738 / 2607745 / 2607747 / 2607748
"Mac, get yer flank back here!" Applejack called. "Now, correct me if'n Ah'm wrong, but is this some kinda love triangle goin' on?"

2607753

Except I don't love either of them!

Rainbow! I think you just broke Big Mac's heart again!

2607748 / 2607758
"So," Applejack said slowly. "Twi, y'all have a crush on Mac, and Mac, you've got a thang for RD, but Dash - you ain't into either o' 'em?" She took a moment to realize what was going on and hesitated. "Well... shoot."

2607753
2607758
2607767

"Oh great." Macintosh muttered.

2607932
"Ah dunno what t' say now," Applejack sighed. "This is somethin' Ah wish Ah could help y'all with, but Ah can't. Love is a messy thang, an' the lot of ya only made it worse!"

2607941

Macintosh was doing an unthinkably good job at hiding his rising anger. It was impossible to notice otherwise, but even so, the stallion kept silent.

2607941>>2607994

Sorry?

This is hilarious!

2608089

Rainbow's remark pushed Macintosh close to the breaking point. He still kept his emotions in check, but it was becoming more apparent.

2608089
"How in the hay is this hilarious?!" Applejack questioned in shock. "You three got yerselves in a mess like this - and yer laughing?"

2608089
2608103

Macintosh as trying very hard not to snap now.

2608103

It's funny because it's over me, but I'm not the one liking somepony!

2608775 / 2608401
"Still, RD, can't ya look past yer own ego and think 'bout other ponies fer once?" Applejack countered. "Look - mah brother looks like he's 'bout t' blow a fuse an' Twi's embarrassed! Can't ya be useful?"

2608790

What do you need my help with?

2611038 "T' act normal 'bout this!" she huffed. "Ah dunno how anypony can laugh."

2611038
2614388

Macintosh's eye began to twitch. The Pegasus he love- ahem, loved was being such a... Such a...

2614388

Sor-ry.

2620166

What's the matter, Big Mac?

2621878

His eye kept twitching.

2621901

Are you okay?

2621915

His eye wouldn't stop. He was obviously at breaking point.

2621953

Big Mac?

2621976

No response.

2622074

Don't worry, she'll come through.

2622074
"Mac?" Applejack said, in hesitation. "Are ya ok?"

2622074>>2622111

What do you need me to do?

2622092
2622111

There isn't any response.

2622143
2622111

Then, with no warning, Mac just says, "I quit." With that, he turns and leaves.

2722527>>2622111

Quit what?

Where are you going?