A Comforting Picnic
Big Macintosh flopped down on his belly against the couch as he released a sigh from his muzzle. He was glad that he was able to have a nice, peaceful break after a whole bunch of hard work out in the orchard. His young sister, Applejack was on a friendship mission to Manehatten with Rarity. His younger sister, Apple Bloom was invited to go to Fillydelphia with Sweetie Belle, along with her parents. And Granny Smith, well, she's not anywhere else, she's just in her room taking a nap. "Finally.", he mumbled, feeling the relaxation take over his body. He wanted to take a nap and sleep for a while, same thing that Granny Smith's doing. But, that wasn't an option at the moment, considering he heard a knock on the front door. He groaned in irritation, taking his body off the couch and getting on his hooves. All he wanted was to have some quiet time after all the he has done. But, he knew he had to answer the door whenever there's a knock.
He walked over to the door and opened to see a sad Sugar Belle. He gasped when he saw tears in her eyes, showing him that she was about to cry.
And so she cried, throwing herself at the big red stallion and wrapping her forearms around his neck.
"Oh, Honey Bun.", Big Mac said, having compassion for his marefriend. "What's the matter? You look like you've been yelled at today."
"Oh, Big Mac.", Sugar Belle sobbed. "It really did happen." She released him from her grasp and wiped a tear off her cheek.
"I'm... I'm really sorry to hear that.", Big Mac apologized. "Would you mind telling about it? It'll make you feel better."
"I was working at Sugarcube Corner with Mrs. Cake.", Sugar Belle started. "I got done baking a strawberry shortcake. I was taking it over to the counter. And before I could make it, I tripped over something I didn't see, the cake flew off my rump, and it landed on some stallion's head. He marched angrily over to me and started screaming 'What kind of worker are you! You're so clumsy! I can't believe the manager would hire you!' Then, he stormed out. I was so humiliated, so Mrs. Cake told me to take the rest of day off. And that gave the thought of coming to see you and see if you had any ideas on cheering me up."
"Oh?", Big Mac thought, tapping his chin with a hoof. An idea popped in his head. "I may have one. How about a picnic?"
Sugar Belle sniffed with a smile growing on her face. "Sure.", she answered. "That sounds nice."
Big Mac backed up into kitchen, allowing Sugar Belle to enter the house. "Come in and take a seat while I prepare.", he said.
Sugar Belle entered the house and walked over to the couch to plant her haunches on it. "Thanks, Big Mac.", she said. "I needed lunch anyway."
-0000000-
After twelve minutes in preparing for the picnic, Big Mac was now finished. He made four apple butter sandwiches, brought out two apple juice boxes and packed them in a picnic basket. A red and white checkered picnic blanket covered the food as it was folded and placed over the top of the basket. He hooked his hoof around the handle and lifted it off the floor. "Ready to go?", he asked.
Sugar Belle nodded. "Mm-hm.", she answered.
The two of them exited the house. Big Mac looked around the field full of apple trees for a spot. He laid his eyes on a twenty-five foot tall tree with bright green leaves and a thick tree trunk. "What do you say about sitting under that tree?", he asked, pointing at the tree.
"Sure.", Sugar Belle answered, looking at the tree Big Mac was pointing at.
They walked over to the tree before Big Mac placed the basket on the ground. They unfolded the blanket and laid it gently on the grass. They walked onto it, feeling the soft and soothing fabric underneath their hooves. They slowly lowered themselves until they connected their stomachs to the blanket-layered ground. In an instant, they began to eat their sandwiches.
A few minutes later, they were done eating. They were sitting next to each other with their chins craned up, watching the clouds go by. They've been quit as they did so. It was soon cut off by Big Mac.
"Ain't you glad that Summer's here?", the big red stallion asked.
"Of course I am.", Sugar Belle answered. "Sugarcube Corner's starting to become busy now that it's here. Ponies just come rushing in, trying to order milkshakes, just too much for me and Pinkie Pie to handle. But, you, you're the lucky one."
"What do you mean?", Big Mac asked.
"Sometimes you don't have busy days.", Sugar Belle said.
"Well, that is pretty true.", Big Mac said, shrugging. "Although some days during the Summer, me and my family have to work in these hot days."
"I know it's hard to work in the orchards when it's hot.", Sugar Belle sighed. "But, at least Granny Smith gives you and your siblings breaks to cool off."
"Well, Applejack' and I are hard workers," Big Mac stated, "and as for Apple Bloom, she does less on some days. Plus, she gets to spend time with her friends the most, because she's out of school. Doing stupid stuff and childish things. Applejack and I are happy for her, but sometimes when I see her having fun, I feel envious of her."
"You shouldn't be.", Sugar Belle chuckled. "I once heard you do childish things sometimes."
Big Mac flinched in shock. He slowly turned to his marefriend with a devilish smirk. "Oh, you want to consider me childish, huh?", he said. "I'll show you." He pushed Sugar Belle down on her back with a hoof.
"Hey-!", Sugar Belle started, before her yell turned into laughter by a pair of hooves digging into her gut. "No. Hehe. Please, stop. Hehehe."
Big Mac smiled as he playfully tickled poor Sugar Belle. He always knew that his marefriend was ticklish. He watched as she snorted and scrunched up her nose as her laughter continued. "You cute scrunchy little nose.", he teased.
The tickling was rudely interrupted when an apple came crashing in front of them. "Hey!", a sudden voice cracked. It was that stallion that yelled at Sugar Belle at Sugarcube Corner. The stallion's fur was grey and his mane and tail was black. He had a tie that stayed upon his chest. "It's you!"
Sugar Belle hid behind Big Mac in fear. "Big Mac, that's him!", she cried, pointing at the stallion.
"Who is this wimp you're with!", the stallion scolded.
Big Mac gasped at the stallion's insult. Feeling rage inside him, he darted one of his back hooves at the stallion's chest, kicking him to the ground. He then grabbed him by the neck tie. "You insulting my lady?!", he roared.
"What are you gonna do about it?!", the stallion scowled, spitting in Big Mac's face.
Big Mac growled and hurled the stallion at the tree (the one that he and Sugar Belle were sitting under) with more fury. He ran over and grabbed him by the shoulder with a hoof and raised the other one, getting ready to punch.
"BIG MACINTOSH!", an old western cracked, stopping the red stallion farmer from prepared his next violent action.
Big Mac looked over to see Granny Smith glaring at him. He slowly turned back to the stallion he attacked. "You ain't worth it.", he snarled. "I'm pressing charges against you." He squeezed his shoulder, cracking his bones.
The stallion cried in agony and fell on his back against the tree trunk.
Big Mac turned to Granny Smith, who was walking angrily toward him. "Big Mac!", she growled.
"E... Eeyup.", Big Mac answered, nervously.
"What in tarnation's gotten into you to attack somepony like him?!", the old mare asked.
Big Mac gulped, he was in trouble now. "I... I was just-", he stuttered.
Luckily, Sugar Belle was there to defend him. "Please, Granny Smith, it wasn't his fault!", she cried. "That's the stallion who yelled at me at Sugarcube Corner earlier. He was just protecting me from him, he was insulting us. He also spat in his face."
Granny Smith's anger turned to confusion as she raised an eyebrow. She looked at the stallion, clutching at his shoulder with agony. "Um, my apologies.", she said, sheepishly. She walked up to him and helped him to his hooves. "Guess your off the hook then, dear. But, if you're gonna attack another stallion, you gotta do it quietly. Because, I was having a nice nap, until I heard all this chaos." She began to bring the stallion over to the house.
"What are you gonna do with him?", Big Mac asked.
"I'm gonna show him a lesson for trying to hurt my grandson and his marefriend.", Granny said, proudly, shoving the beaten up stallion into the house along with herself before closing the door behind her.
Big Mac and Sugar Belle sat back down on the blanket. "Are you ok, sweetheart?", he asked his marefriend.
Sugar Belle nodded. "Thank you so much, Big Mac.", she chirped, kissing him on the cheek. "That was the bravest thing I've ever seen you."
"Oh, it was nothing.", Big Mac said, shrugging.
"Oh, it was something, alright.", Sugar Belle declared. "The Big Mac I like is strong and heroic. And if something happens to his marefriend, he'll always be there to help her."
Big Mac put a hoof around Sugar Belle's neck. "You're no fluke, Sugar Belle.", he said, pulling her close and kissed her on the nose, making her giggle.
Sugar Belle rested her head on Big Mac's shoulder, eyes closed. "Thanks for this wonderful picnic, Big Mac.", she whispered.
"Anytime, Sugar.", Big Mac responded. Getting no response, a snoring noise caught his attention. He looked over to that Sugar Belle has fallen asleep. He smiled tenderly, holding his marefriend tightly, as the both of them slowly laid down on their backs against the blanket. After he got comfortable, he decided to close his eyes and joined Sugar Belle in the peaceful darkness in their minds.