Big Macintosh's Lesson
Part 10F: Reconciliation?
by Neoraichu
Twilight Sparkle X Applejack (X Spike?), Dash X Pinkie Pie, Big Macintosh X Fluttershy
...
When Rainbow Dash entered Applejack's room, she noticed that Applejack was sleeping while Twilight lay next to her reading a book through a tight reading lamp that was otherwise the only light in the room. The curtains were all closed tight and the lights off to aid Applejack in her efforts to remain asleep.
Twilight glanced up from her book and said quietly, "Hello Dash, what brings you around?"
Dash tip-hoofed her way up to the bed before saying softly, "Spike sent me to check up on you and Applejack."
Glancing over at Applejack, she added, "Applejack is still feverish, but I am expecting her fever to break fairly soon." Then she paused to add, "I'm doing fine." However, she was contradicted by the rumbling sound in her stomach.
"Well you don't sound like your being fed well enough, and you know how much that would worry your Number One Assistant Spike. Aren't Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom feeding you?"
"No," replied Twilight in a low growl, "I think they'd rather have me leave and let Applejack suffer until Granny Smith gets here."
"Why?"
"I have no idea."
"I think I do. I believe that Big Macintosh feels threatened by how much attention your giving to his little sister, Applejack. He feels like you're trying to take her away from him and the farm."
"That's just plain ridiculous," murmured Twilight, "I'm just concerned about Applejack's well being. I just want her to get better."
"I think deep down, Big Macintosh knows that too."
"He practically brought us together in the first place," protested Twilight.
"I think he secretly regrets that."
"Well I can't change how I feel about Applejack."
"And he can't help how he feels either," replied Dash.
"Are you taking sides?"
"No," protested Dash quietly, "but I don't want to see lifelong friends torn apart over this either. When I moved in with Pinkie Pie, there was no deep family ties on either side to break. It just was. If Applejack decides to live with you, there will be a huge tear in the Apple Clan that might take years to heal."
"I'm not asking Applejack to leave her family."
"Perhaps Big Macintosh needs a little reassuring along those lines then..."
"Then I'll jus reassures him maself..." muttered Applejack.
"I'm sorry," said Twilight softly, "did we wake you?"
"Na... not really..."
"Have you overheard what we've been saying then?" asked Twilight curiously.
"Oh, a little of this'n'that..."
"So what do you think of all this?" asked Dash quietly.
"While I loves Twilight an all," she mused, "I ain't ready ta leave the farm. I loves my family too an I can't see me leavin the apple fields any time soon... u'less Big Macintosh drives me away fer some reason..."
"I think the last thing Big Macintosh is thinking about doing is driving you away," assured Dash.
Twilight checked Applejack's temperature with the back of her fetlock, and announced, "I think the fever has broken. You're well on your way to getting better."
"Well I'm getting you both some food whether Big Macintosh approves of it or not. He's out in the fields right now, so I don't think he'll miss a little something from the kitchen."
"I don't want you getting in any trouble because of me," protested Twilight.
"Don't worry," replied Dash, "I seriously doubt that I can't handle things."
"Thank you," replied the violet unicorn, "thank you very much. I'm so fortunate to have friends as good as you, Dash."
"Aw go on," replied Dash with a blush, "You're makin me blush over here..."
Twilight and Applejack both let out a soft giggle. Dash turned and softly left the room as she crept down towards the kitchen.
Down the stairs she went, around the bend and down the hallway to the kitchen. She pulled out a loaf of bread from the bread storage, a jar of mayonnaise, some lettuce, some tomatoes, and large block of cheddar from the fridge. In short order, she had fashioned a platter of cheese lettuce and tomato sandwiches to take back upstairs.
She froze when she glanced up and realized that Big Macintosh was looking at her through the window.
"That's a bit much fer one, ain't it?" he asked quietly.
"No," she replied, "It's for three. Are you going to make a fuss about feeding Twilight?"
He paused for several seconds before finally replying, "Nope."
"Thank you," replied Dash, "I know you want to see Applejack and Twilight stay together, and you know Applejack isn't ready to leave the family yet, do you?"
There was another pause of several seconds before answering, "Ayup."
"Thanks for understanding, big guy," she sighed as she left the kitchen to go back upstairs.
Twilight asked "Did he see you?" as soon as she was back in the room.
"No way," lied Dash as she set the tray down on the bed, "Now dig in, dig it?"
All three started downing sandwiches as quick as they could, especially Twilight, who was truly famished. It only seemed like a matter of moments before all of the sandwiches were gone. Twilight even managed a belch, which was quite uncharacteristic for her.
Then there was a polite knock at the door.
"Yes?" asked Applejack.
The door opened slightly so Big Macintosh could stick his head in and asked, "Is y'all feelin better, little sister?"
"Her fever has broken," offered Twilight, "I'm sure she'll be right as rain for tomorrow morning... and I'll be out of your hair then too."
"I jus wants ta thank ya Twilight, fer lookin affer mah little sister even tho I've been quite tha... jerk... bout tha whole thing..."
"I understand how you feel," she replied quietly, "so don't worry about it."
He nodded, and closed the door after he pulled out of the room.
"I'll take the tray back downstairs," offered Dash.
"Thanks," said Applejack and Twilight as one. They then glanced at each other and giggled.
Dash picked up the tray and carried it back down to the kitchen. She noticed Big Macintosh heading back out to the fields as she said, "Just let things go the way they want to go, otherwise there will be nothing but pain and resentment in the end."
He glanced towards Dash and nodded quietly before continuing on his way out. Dash felt in her heart that they had reached an understanding. While the future remained unclear, it would continue that Applejack would live on the farm and still love Twilight Sparkle.
~fin~