//------------------------------//
// Taking it Easy 
// Story: Elements of Heroism Interlude: Vacation 
// by Bahamut0 
//------------------------------//

Applejack stirred in place. Right now, she was doing the one thing that she almost considered impossible. She was trying to sleep-in. She, the girls, and the guys were all on vacation. But she used to working hard most days. In fact, her family had pretty much enforced this period of relaxation on her. Applejack sighed as she tried with all her might to return to slumber. Fortunately, she caught a whiff of something coming from the kitchen. "Mac, Apple Bloom, and granny are out and about. So that leaves..." Applejack got out of bed, and saw Magnet North cooking breakfast.

"Morning Applejack!" North greeted with a smile. "I take it you got bored of sleeping too?"

Applejack chuckled. "True enough sugarcube." Applejack walked over to North and shared a kiss with him. "Mighty sweet of you to get breakfast ready again."

"Well, I might've been planning on surprising you with breakfast in bed." North said with a slight blush. "But I suppose I at least succeeded with the first half." North pulled out a chair for Applejack, and noticed how restless she was. "You're...not quite used to having time off. Are you Applejack?"

Applejack shook her head. "Not exactly. Around winter is when we've usually got a lot of freetime. But Ah guess that after that fight with Tirek, we could all use a bit of rest." Applejack stretched. "Though...Ah guess Ah've never been on vacation before. Livin' here on the farm all mah life."

"Well, maybe I could teach you." North said with a small smile. "It'd be my pleasure."

Applejack chuckled. "Guess Ah'll take you up on that North." The two polished off their breafast, and then set about strolling around town. "Um, North? Ah thought we were gonna do somethin' relaxing?"

"Baby steps lass." North said with a smile. "Given how used you are to working so hard, it's best to take things at a slow pace." North took in a deep breath. "Besides. A little walk always help to settle your stomach after a meal." North then took Applejack by the hand. "I'm with you every step of the way."

Applejack smiled and blushed at North holding her hand. "Ah know." With that, the two resumed the walk. "Sure is a nice day out." Applejack then tightened her hold on North's hand. "Especially with you around." Applejack then looked North in the eyes. "You know? I just realized something."

"What's that?" North asked.

Applejack smiled as her mind ran through the first day she'd met North and all the events that had passed since then. "Every time trouble rears it head over me and mah family, there you are. Always risking yourself for the sake of us. And you act like it's nothing. You ask for nothing. If that ain't noble, Ah don't know what is. Ah know you're an element of heroism. But..." Applejack then put her hands on North's shoulders, and rested her head on one of his shoulders. "You're my hero North."

"There's a reason why I never asked for anything Applejack." North said as he closed his eyes, and put his hand over Applejack's. "It's because you given me everything I've ever wanted. A home. A family. But most of all..." North opened his eyes and looked Applejack in the eye. "You've given me someone to love. You're genuine, strong, and beautiful."

Applejack's heart began to race. "North..." She then turned North around to face her. "C'mere sugarcube." Applejack pulled North into a deep kiss. A minute passed before Applejack broke the kiss with a blissful smile. "Just thought you'd like a little something as sweet as you are." Applejack then embraced North. "Actions speak louder than words North. And yours have come in loud and clear since the first time I met you."

"Glad to know you're listening lass." North said with a loving smile as he returned the hug. "So. Anything else in particular you'd like to do today?"

Applejack thought for a moment, and an idea came to her. "Ah've got a good idea of what to do next. But we'll need to head back home. And you'll want to wait for me a couple minutes. Ah guarantee you'll like it." Applejack led North back to Sweet Apple Acres, and headed outside. Not a few minutes later, Applejack returned clad in a swimsuit. "Well sugarcube? You like?" Applejack asked with a wink.

North's face was flushed red. "I was right. You do know how to make strength look beautiful" North said as he took notice of Applejack's toned and built body from all the years of farmwork she'd done. "So...where to now?"

"C'mon." Applejack said with a giggle as she took North by the hand. Upon reaching their destination, Applejack smiled. "Bet you weren't expecting to see this here now were you?" Applejack motioned to a small lake far past the orchards. "Well. No sense in stayin' put!" Applejack leaped into the lake! Creating a large splash! Applejack then popped up a second later. "C'mon North! The water's fine!"

North scratched his head. "Uh...Applejack? I kind of...don't have...any trunks."

"Well just lose your shirt and shoes." Applejack said with a pout. "Ah've jumped in here in shorts plenty of times."

North took a deep breath. "Alright then." North slipped off his socks, shoes, and shirt, and jumped in! North surfaced a few seconds later. "I must say. This place sure seems like the perfect place to cool down after work."

"Sure is." Applejack said with a smile as she swam over to North. She then ran a hand across his stomach. "Well Ah'll be. Looks like all that work you've been doing is paying off." Applejack then gazed lovingly into North's eyes. "Gotta say. Yer mighty cute when yer blushing."

North smiled as his blush returned in full force. "You...look quite lovely yourself Applejack." North wanted to inch his face closer to kiss Applejack, but she tilted his head by the chin.

"Just relax North." Applejack said with a loving smile. She then kissed North with all she had. "Feeling relaxed now sugarcube?"

North returned the smile. "Best thing that's happened to me all vacation." And with that, North dived into another kiss. "You're pretty sweet yourself."

Applejack giggled. "Maybe Ah should've brought some fizzy cider. That way we can really kick back here." Applejack then nuzzled against North's face. "But to be honest? Ah'm really comfy when you're around."