>You grunt as you set down the last basket of apples in the back of the cart.
>Applejack asked you for help packing the wagon so her and Mac could take them into town to sell.
>It was some heavy lifting, but at least the task was simple and straightforward compared to some of the other farm chores.
>You’ve been getting stronger lately from all the manual labor anyway, so you certainly don’t mind it.
>”Thanks for helpin’ me load up the cart sug, those hands o’ yours make for some mighty quick liftin’.”
“Yea, no problem AJ…”
>Your lean against the wagon for support as your voice trails off into a yawn.
>You rub your eyes tiredly, and hear Applejack giggling as you do.
>”Feelin’ tuckered out?”
“Mm, sorry. Just a little tired is all, you know how it is.”
>She gives you a sympathetic smile.
>”Didn’t sleep so well again huh? And I don’t imagine movin’ around all them heavy bushels of apples helped much neither.”
>Applejack knows you’re a bit of an insomniac, and don’t have the best sleep patterns.
>You manage to get your work done fine regardless, but you do usually end up being at least a little drowsy almost all the time.
>”How ‘bout takin’ a nap? That oughta help perk ya up a bit.”
>You’ve considered it before, but you don’t think naps would really do much for you.
>It takes you too long to fall asleep, and it might make trying to go to bed later all the more difficult anyway.
“Nah, I’ll be fine. Can just power through it ‘til the night like I always do.”
>”You sure? We’ve got a good pace on the chores, so there’s plenty of time for it if it’d help ya feel more rested.”
>Plus, with how hardworking AJ and her family are, it feels a little weird to just go off and sleep in the middle of the day when you’re supposed to be working.

“You’re really fine with me sleeping on the job? ”
>She waves her hoof dismissively.
>”Ah c’mon, you think me n’ Mcintosh don’t take little rests out in the orchard? We may not spend as much time sleepin’ as Rainbow does, but a little nap every once in a while don’t hurt nothin’. Besides, you’ve been workin’ real hard today, so far as I’m concerned you’ve earned one”
>Applejack is good at talking you into just about anything.
>Even so though, you’re still unsure.
>With how long it would take you to doze off in the first place, how much sleep would you even be getting if you napped?
>”Heck, I’ll even come with you if it makes ya feel better about it. It’s always easier to sleep when ya got sompepony close by anyway.”
>A nap with Applejack?
>That definitely appeals to you, even though BigMac probably wouldn’t approve of you sleeping with his sister.
>But who says he has to know?
>Even if you don’t manage to get much rest, at least being off your feet in the shade for a little while will be a nice break.
“Well… if you’re okay with it, I guess we could try it out”
>Applejack smiles at her success in getting you to relent in your opposition.
>”Great! Follow me, I’ll show you the spot I like to relax at.”
>She starts trotting off towards the trees, and you quickly follow behind.
>Applejack leads you through the orchard, a bit near the side near where Apple Bloom and her friends have their clubhouse.
>Eventually, the two of you come up to a large apple tree.
>Applejack takes a deep breath, looking up wistfully at the branches.
>”This here’s my favorite tree for relaxin’ under after a hard day’s work. It’s actually one of the oldest in the orchard, planted way back in Granny’s day.”
>Just looking at it, the tree definitely seems a little older than some of the others.
>It’s a fair bit taller, and it’s branches stretched out further around it – creating a wide circle of shade on the ground.
“It certainly looks it.”
>She leads you over to the base of the tree, and plops down onto the ground, laying on her side.
>”Why don’t you lay your head here on my barrel? Be a might softer than the ground.”
>You don’t argue.
>Laying on her would be a lot more comfortable than sitting against the tree like you were planning on doing.
>You kneel down in the grass beside her, putting a hand on her barrel before fully laying down.
>Her coat feels soft, and despite how much more muscle she has compared to her friends, her body isn’t all that hard either.
>You lay down on your side, facing towards her front, and gently set your head against her fluffy coat.
>As you settle your head on her barrel, she gently whips her tail over your shoulder, draping it across your torso.
>”There ya go. Now – you just close your eyes ‘n relax. I’ll get you up when it’s time to get back to work, you just focus yourself on restin’.”

>AJ herself wastes no time in getting to sleep.
>You never cease to be amazed at how easily other people can fall asleep in just a few minutes.
>Her heart beats steadily in your ear, and the gentle rise and fall of her barrel with each breath feels like a gentle rocking lulling you to sleep.
>You have to admit, this is very nice.
>You wouldn’t mind spending all day like this.
>Farm life really isn’t so bad, especially here with the Apples.
>They work really hard to help you feel like a part of the family.
>Applejack especially goes above and beyond for you.
>Everything seems to be so much more enjoyable with her.
>You glance up at Applejack’s face.
>She’s laid there with a contented smile, the brim of her hat covering up her eyes.
>She looks pretty happy right now too.
>Maybe she wouldn’t be opposed to doing this more?
>It’s a little surprising, actually, now that you think about it.
>You’ve heard before that equines will only lay down to sleep if they’re feeling really safe in their environment.
>They are prey animals, after all.
>Even if they aren’t exactly the same, these ponies must still be at least a little similar.
>They do still seem to be a bit prone to panicking.
>And from that story Applejack told you, the whole town was down right terrified of that Zebra lady that lives out in the woods.
>So if she’s this relaxed around you, skittish as these ponies can be…
>Does it mean she really trusts you that much?
>That thought makes you feel oddly warm inside.
>Other ponies can hardly look you in the eye sometimes, yet here Applejack is, letting you sleep on her without a single care.
>It’s so simple, such a small thing, yet you can’t deny just how profound it feels to fully realize.
>She trusts you.
>You never thought something so minor could feel so… good.
>Obviously you trust her.
>After all she’s done for you, how could you not?
>But that she would actually trust you too, and to this degree, despite how different you are?
>It was unthinkable.
>And it’s one of the best feelings you can think of.
>You close your eyes and start matching the pace of your breaths to hers.
>You actually do find yourself a lot more relaxed, slipping into unconsciousness much quicker than you usually do.
>Maybe she’s right about this being easier with somepony close by.
>Because you could easily sleep like this every day.

>You tilt the brim of your hat up.
>Anon is sound asleep on your barrel, his face the picture of serenity as he rests against your fur.
>You knew all he needed was some company and a calm environment to put him at ease.
>Poor thing, you ain’t ever had a problem sleeping before, so you can only imagine how tired he is every day.
>You wish you could find a more permanent fix for his problem, but until you do, this oughta help keep him energized during the day.
>At least if you can convince him he’s allowed to take breaks without you telling him first.
>You lean closer, and give him a little peck on the forehead.
“Rest up sugarcube. Y’all earned it.”
>With that, you put your hat back down over your eyes, and get back to catching your own dozing.
>Today’s a fine day for a little snooze, after all.
>Ah heck, any day is a fine day for a snooze at Sweet Apple Acres.
>And hopefully Anon sees that now too.