A Taste Like Apples - Chapter 1

>You go about your work in the barn of Sweet Apple Acres, sweeping the ground free of grime and dirt.
>You're a farmhand for the Apples, tending to the facilities and keeping the logistics of apple farming in order while the pony siblings do the brunt of the hard work.
>It's really a quite charitable setup - you've got your own place to stay, a weekly stipend of money for days out in town,
>and the satisfaction of seeing the town's most dashing pony out in the fields, every single day that you work.
>The last light of day is receding over the horizon; as you conclude your task, you hear the bell for dinner ringing from the household.
>Giving the building a cursory glance, you're quite satisfied with yourself; hay bales stacked, cider barrels arranged, and the floor near-spotless.
>You head outside, catching up with the Apple siblings as they gallop in from the fields.
>"Hey there, bud, you finish cleanin' up the barn?" Applejack inquires in a friendly tone.
"'Course. How was the harvesting?"
>"A bit sparse, but that's to be expected this time 'a year." The smell of apple custard wafts by from the kitchen, and the pair run off expectantly, though you don't hold their enthusiasm against them.
>A short time later, you are sitting with the Apple family, the five of you hoof in hand, offering thanks to the Princesses for prosperity in labor and life.
>When the prayers are done, meals are served; grilled hay, black bean and vegetable stew, sauteed asparagus, and a dozen different preparations of apples.
>Adjusting to a vegetarian diet has been the hardest part of Equestrian living, though the Apple family has taken pains to ensure you get a balanced diet of grains, vegetables, legumes, dairy, and, of course, apples.
>Deep-fried apple fries are a bit much, though. You consider informing them about potatoes.
>As you dig into your meals, Applebloom speaks up, with a cheery smile directed at you -
>"So, how're you liking Ponyville?
"It's pretty nice! Haven't gotten out much with the farm, but I've made friends with Dr. Hooves and some of the guys, and everyone seems really friendly."
>The young filly giggles into her hooves. "And what do you think of the mares?"
>You choke on a stalk of asparagus, and Applejack elbows her sister in the side, eliciting an "Ow!" from the filly. Granny Smith seems to find it funny.
>"Ah don't think that's proper mealtime conversation, young lady..." You suspect AJ is onto you, but obviously haven't brought it up with her.
>Big McIntosh eats his meal in silence, apathetic or oblivious the subtext behind the girls' conversation.
>The dinner concludes in uncomfortable silence.
>Some time later, you are walking out to the barn, intent on getting some rest in the private loft the siblings so graciously fashioned for you.
>You're stopped, however, by the tapping of a hoof; swinging around, you find Big McIntosh stopped before you.
"Oh hey, Big Mac. What's up?"
>Strangely, he simply stands there, staring into you with his dusky olive eyes. Rather foolishly, you tremble for a second before composing yourself; the laconic and powerful stallion simply has that effect on you.
>He speaks up after a few beats. "Ah was... wonderin' something. Y-you see, for the longest time, it's just been me an' my sisters out here, and Granny, and uh... well, it's hard to find ponies to talk to, and 'a course some topics ain't proper for mares and family. Ah guess what Ah'm trying to say is, d'you wanna talk sometime?"
>Clearly not in his element, you're flattered by his offer, though you successfully suppress the true motive behind it.
"Of course, Big Mac. You busy right now?"
>This takes him by surprise. "N-nope."
"Come on in, then!"
***
>Several hours later, the two of you are sitting on hay bales, laughing and chatting like best pals. Several hours ago, you'd had the idea to loosen him up with drink, and there currently sits a pair of half-emptied cider tankards in your laps.
>"Heh, heh, heh... And Ah said to 'im, if you wanna get friendly with mah sister, you'd best get friendly with me!" The crimson stallion is flushed even beyond his usual tinge, and quite talkative when plied with half a barrel of cider.
>It's well past midnight, your early morning talk illuminated by a lantern hanging on the wall. Not once this entire time has Big McIntosh mentioned sleeping.
>"S-so, 'bout what Applebloom was sayin' at dinner." You blush even beyond the inebriation, dreading the stallion's next words. "Ah know you have a favorite."
>What could you even possibly say to this? You don't want to lie to your new friend, nor to yourself.
>As sweet, and pretty, and friendly as all of Applejack's friends truly are, there's only one pony in Equestria you really, *truly* want.
>You uneasily stand up, wobbling over to the scarlet stallion sitting on his haunches, confused about your intentions.
>"W-what're you-" he goes silent as your hand slips behind his neck, slowly petting his shaggy, gamboge mane, slipping your fingers through it, feeling its bristly texture.
>You lower your head to his, staring into his eyes as he slowly realizes the truth about you, and beam the widest, happiest smile you can conjure,
>before you lean in close, and seal his lips to yours.
>His shock gives way to a heart-pounding excitement, tail thumping up and down behind him, as he clumsily leans into your kiss,
>making a drunken attempt at affection that only fuels the joy radiating from your core.
>You slide your free hand up his left side, sending him into a fit of chuckling that breaks off your kiss. Big Mac's ticklish!
>He suddenly wraps his forehooves around your waist, intent on taking some control of the situation, but as he attempts to stand, his drunkenness brings you both tumbling onto the ground,
>where you share a hearty laugh and silently gaze into each others' eyes.
"You really like me, Big McIntosh?"
>"Eeeyup."