A Spark in the Snow

by Anonymule

Rating: teen
Tags: Rarity, Romance, Big Macintosh, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Comedy
Length: 10628

In need to find a Hearth's Warming tree before the approaching holidays, Rarity enlists the help of Big Macintosh to help her find one. RariMac one shot, written for a contest.

After being coerced by Sweetie Belle to use a real Hearth’s Warming tree, Rarity finds herself to be in quite the dilemma. Because of how late in the season it is, there aren’t any Hearth’s Warming trees left in town to be sold. Frustrated, Rarity vents to her friends during their weekly lunch date. Unfortunately for her, all of her friends are busy, and are unable to help her with her problem. Applejack, wanting to help suggests enlisting the help of her older brother Big Macintosh to help Rarity get her Hearth’s Warming tree. Spending the day with each other, the fashionista and the draft horse soon develop a friendship.

As the holidays approach, could this newly formed friendship turn into something greater?

RariMac one shot written for the Hearth's Warming Romance Contest in the Unloved Couples Group.

Special thanks to metallusionsismagic and saloony78 for their assistance in the pre-reading/editing of this story.

Published 2013-12-27 01:40:02 UTC
Last updated 2013-12-27 01:40:02 UTC

A Spark in the Snow

A Spark in the Snow

By

Anonymule

Pre-read and edited by: metallusionsismagic, saloony78

~~~~~<>~~~~~

It had been three weeks since the annual Harvest Festival in the small town of Ponyville. A light blanket of snow lay on the ground, crunching softly underneath the hooves of passing ponies. Looking lazily out of the frosted window pane, a pair of emerald eyes followed the passersby. A small white-coated foal with a curly bi-colored mane of light pink and purple stared out into the street from the windowsill of her sister’s shop. Raising a hoof to get her mane out of her eyes, she jumped down from the window and made her way into the kitchen.

“Stupid Rarity,” Sweetie Belle grabbed a festive cookie from the plate in the center of the kitchen table. The foal sighed as she finished her first cookie. Reaching for a second one, her hoof was smacked away by the wooden spoon her sister was using.

“Sweetie darling, no more cookies, you’ll ruin your supper.” Rarity chided as she walked over to the range to check on the vegetable stew she had been simmering.

The foal sighed again, and left the table. She walked into the living room of the boutique, noticing the box of Hearth’s Warming stuff that her older sister brought down from the attic. Sweetie Belle began to rummage through the box, and found a section of the fake tree that her sister used religiously every year for the holidays.

She pulled the section out of the box, shaking her head at how utterly cruddy it looked. Shrugging, Sweetie Belle put the section of tree back in the box, turning her attention to the glass ornaments that her sister forbade her from touching. It made no sense to her as to why her sister would spend so much on the special ornaments, yet spend so little on the tree itself.

Sweetie Belle didn’t like fake trees, she felt as if using a fake tree would devalue the holiday itself. Every year she would ask her sister to get a real tree, and every year Rarity would refuse. Perhaps it could be different this year. Maybe she could use the same tactics she used to get Rarity to go camping. Hopefully, her sister would not make her pull the tree as she did with the cart; at least the cart had wheels to make it easier to pull.

“Sweetie Belle, dinner’s ready!” Rarity called out from the kitchen.

Emerald eyes pulled away from the decorations as the school aged filly got onto her hooves, and headed for the kitchen.

“Take a seat dear, while I fetch you a bowl.” The older of the two took a bowl from the nearby drying rack and levitated it over to her sister in her magical aura.

Sweetie Belle looked into her empty bowl. She looked up to see her sister’s horn glowing, pulling the pot of tomato soup off the range before placing it in the center of the table. Rarity took the ladle from the pot of soup, giving a generous helping to Sweetie Belle before doing the same for herself. Sweetie Belle took the spoon in her magic, the way her sister had taught her a few weeks ago, and began to sip the soup quietly.

Rarity looked over at her sister who was eating her soup quietly. Earlier during the day, their parents dropped Sweetie Belle off at her house, while they went shopping for Hearth’s Warming.

Rarity’s thoughts were interrupted as a loud belch came from across the table. “Sweetie Belle, could you please refrain from doing that at the table?” She scolded.

“Oh, excuse me,” the foal said hastily.

“Um… Rarity?”

“Hmm?”

“Do you think that, maybe we could get a real Hearth’s Warming tree this year?” Her bright emerald eyes met the gaze of her sister’s .

“Darling, you ask me this every year,” the white mare snorted, “yet you expect a different answer each time.”

Face scrunching; the foal threw her forelegs into the air. “Why is the answer always no?” She complained, “Do you have something against real trees?”

Rolling her eyes, Rarity flipped her mane with a hoof. “I have nothing against trees,” Her eyes met her sister’s as her face hardened. “I just don’t look forward to picking up the fallen needles, nor do I look forward to picking them out of Opal’s fur.”

“But—” Sweetie Belle tried to reason.

“No buts, why are you so adamant that I should get a real tree?” Rarity questioned, “Whatever is wrong with the one you have at home?”

Slumping in her chair, visibly deflated, Sweetie Belle huffed. “They’re not getting a real tree either.”

“And why is that?”

The foal gulped, “Because… um, I kinda forgot to water the last one, and it died before we could use it for Hearth’s Warming.”

“Oh yes, I remember mother telling me about that.” Rarity raised a hoof to her muzzle as she chuckled into it.

“It’s not funny!” Sweetie Belle yelled cheeks ablaze in embarrassment.

“It really is,” Rarity dabbed a napkin on her cheeks, ridding herself of any soup residue.

Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. “So…”

“Sweetie, I don’t know.”

Putting on her best pout before looking her sister in the eyes, “Please Rarity?” The foal questioned.

Returning her sister’s out with an unamused smirk, Rarity exhaled. “I know all of your tricks darling; it’s going to take more than a puppy dog pout to get me to change my mind.”

“Oh come on,” Sweetie Belle frowned, “You can’t have Hearth’s Warming without a real tree.”

“Says who?” Rarity questioned, “Hearth’s Warming can be just as good, regardless of whether you use a fake tree or not.”

“Nu-uh, that’s like having the Harvest Festival without pumpkin pie, it’s just not the same without it!”

“There’s just no talking to you, is there?” The indigo maned mare hissed.

“I learned it from the best!” The furious filly answered with a hiss of her own.

Sweetie’s last remark set the older mare into a frenzy. She jumped out of her seat and tackled her little sister to the ground. Bringing her fore-hooves down on her sister’s sides, her attack was relentless. The foal thrashed about, trying to avoid her older sibling’s unrelenting hooves.

“Augh, stop, please!” the floundering filly pleaded with her attacker.

Her cries ignored, the madmare’s assault continued. An evil laugh filled the room as she began to really torture the filly. The foal squealed and thrashed around, trying to avoid the torturous actions of her assailant, not knowing it was about to get much worse. Smirking, the sociopath’s face contorted into a wicked smile. Bringing her head down, much like how a snake would strike an unsuspecting rodent; she struck the foal’s unsuspecting belly, giving the most devastating raspberries the world has ever seen.

The defeated filly breathed heavily, hoping the worst was over now. She looked with a questioning gaze into the deep azure pools of the insane mare standing above her.

Wiping the sweat trickling from her brow, Rarity’s resolve broke. “Ok fine, but I get to choose the tree.”

Jumping down from the table Sweetie Belle ran over to her sister, and wrapped her in a big hug. “Thank you!” she shouted into her sister’s chest.

“You’re very welcome,” Rarity rubbed her sister’s back, wondering how she would be able to find the right tree to suit her needs.

~~~~~<>~~~~~

“… And that is why I need to find a tree for Hearth’s Warming.” Rarity took a small sip of her peppermint shake.

The five other mares around the table mulled over what their fashionable friend just told them. Rarity’s weekly rant was a common part of their weekly get together at Sugarcube Corner. Usually the white mare’s rants revolved around the destructive nature of her sister, or the occasional rude customer. This week’s rant was a doozy. Their friend’s quest to find a Hearth’s Warming tree when most merchants had already sold out of them was going to be quite the challenge.

“It would’ve been better if you got the tree a few weeks ago; most places have done sold out by now.” Applejack said before chomping into a piece of apple pie.

“I realize that, Applejack—,” Rarity sipped air, her shake now empty.

“What’s so important about getting a real tree anyway?” Rainbow Dash interjected while throwing her hooves on the table.

Rarity groaned, not wanting to explain yet again why she needed the tree. “I’ve already told you, I planned to use my artificial tree, like I do every year. This year however, Sweetie Belle insisted on a real tree.”

“Why did you wait until this late to put up your tree?” Twilight chimed in.

The white mare shook her head and scoffed, “What, and put my tree up a month too soon? I’d look like a crazy pony.”

The lavender mare coughed awkwardly, as she usually puts up her Hearth’s Warming Tree soon after the Harvest Festival, and she wasn’t crazy… right?

Twilight cleared her throat, “So Fluttershy, what kind of tree do you prefer?”

Fluttershy jumped slightly at being called. “Oh, well I prefer the fake ones, at least with them you don’t have to kick some poor animal out of its home.” The shy mare said solemnly.

“We usually go an’ find us a tree in the forest, ‘fore we take it home and give it all the fixins.” Applejack interjected, telling her friends what her family did in preparation for the holiday.

“Meh, too much work,” the cyan mare sighed.

“What do you normally do for Hearth’s Warming, Dashie?” A hyperactive Pinkie Pie bounded out of the kitchen, a tray of snacks on her back.

“Nothing really, I usually don’t have ponies coming over to my place.”

Pinkie Pie gasped, “You guys! We could have the Hearth’s Warming eve party at Rainbow’s house!”

“I wouldn’t mind if you guys come over, or anything. But, I doubt Twilight could cast the cloud walking spell that much. Also, if you fell through the cloud, Rarity would probably give you a black eye before I could rescue you.” Rainbow Dash chuckled a bit before shoving Rarity lightly on the shoulder.

Rarity rubbed her shoulder, “Don’t joke about that, I almost died.”

“But you didn’t, I saved ya.”

“And I thank you for that, but I’d rather keep my hooves on the ground if at all possible.” Rarity shuddered briefly recounting her fall at the Young Flyers Competition.

“We could have the shindig at my barn,” The farm mare suggested.

“But your barn isn’t even insulated; we would all freeze to death!” Rarity moaned.

“Naw, with all of us in there, it’ll be plenty warm.” Applejack said with assurance, licking around her mouth picking up traces of apple pie.

The white mare nodded. Rarity moaned sinfully as she took a bite from one of the red velvet cupcakes Pinkie had brought in on her tray. Quickly fishing her treat, she wiped her mouth clean of any residue. Turning her friends, who were immersed in conversations of their own, she sighed trying to think of a solution to her problem.

“Ah got it!” Applejack exclaimed suddenly, causing Fluttershy to fall out of her seat and onto the floor.

Helping Fluttershy to her hooves, Rarity looked over to the cowpony. “What do you have, Applejack?”

“A solution to your tree problem,” the apple mare stated with a smug grin.

Intrigued by this prospect Rarity raised her eyebrows. “Ooh, do tell, dear.”

“If Ah’m not mistaken, Mr. Greenhooves has a couple Douglas-firs over at his place.” Applejack said while scratching the back of her head, unsure of her statement.

“That’s fine dear, but I am not interested in trees with fur on them.” Rarity chuckled at the prospect of seeing a fur-covered tree.

The farm mare sighed deeply, before looking incredulously at her friend, the ‘socialite’ of the group. “There ain’t no fur on the tree, ya yuppie, that’s just what they call it.”

“I suppose that does make much more sense.”

“Yes, it does. Listen, Ah’’m not doin’ anythin’ tomorrow, so Ah can take ya up there and we can getcha a tree.”

“Thank you, as long as I—” Rarity was interrupted when the front door slammed open, nearly clear off its hinges.

“Applejack! Applejack! ” Apple Bloom came careening into the bakery, almost slamming into the table where they were seated.

Looking down at her panting sister, Applejack’s eyes widened. “What’s wrong, Apple Bloom?”

“Caramel lost the seeds again!” Apple Bloom uttered frantically.

Applejack’s faced softened, “Well, I expected that.” The blonde-maned mare chuckled, “Just how much seed did he lose?”

“All of it, it’s all gone!” The farm filly cried.

“How is it all gone? That’s next year’s seed! Without that seed, there ain’t gonna be no food!” Applejack began to panic.

“He was transporting the seed from the storage shed to the barn, and a big wind came and blew it all away.” Motioning the scene with herself in a weird form of charades, Apple Bloom finished her act, looking at her sister with her big orange eyes.

“That darn dolt makes me madder than a pony without teeth eating a marshmallow.” Applejack exhaled, almost hopelessly, before turning to Rarity. “Ah’m sorry Rarity, but I gotta spend tomorrow running around to see if I can find any seed.”

Rarity swallowed, disappointed, “that’s fine darling, I’m sure if I look hard enough I’ll be able to find a tree.”

“No, Ah gave you my word, and Ah’m gonna honor it.”

“Applejack it’s fine, you cannot be in two places at once.” Rarity said confidently, looking into the strained eyes of her friend.

Brainstorming on how she could keep her word, a light bulb went off in her head. “Ah know that.
Tomorrow, head on over to Sweet Apple Acres and get Big Mac, he’ll know what you’re there for.”

Rarity thought about spending the day with Applejack’s older brother; he was respectable and a well-mannered gentlecolt. The only thing that she worried about was that she would have to spend the day with quite possible the most introverted stallion in existence; therefore, she would have to entertain herself for the day.

“Thank you, I’m sure Big Macintosh will show me a wonderful time.” Rarity replied.

Rainbow’s eyes went wide, a smirk appeared on her face. “I bet he will. Just keep your hooves to yourself, ‘cause I don’t think Applejack wants to be an aunt yet.” Rainbow Dash fell to floor, howling with laughter at her friend’s expense.

Soon the whole table erupted into laughter, even Fluttershy got in a chuckle or two. The only ones not busting a gut were Applejack and Rarity. The former wearing an unamused expression, while the latter licked the top row of teeth, a smirk soon graced her lips.

Rarity’s horn ignited in a sapphire blue glow, and a bit of her magic surrounded the tip of Rainbow’s left ear. With a well-placed tug, the pegasus stopped laughing and clutched her throbbing ear.

“OW! Jeez, I was joking!” Rainbow exclaimed while in pain.

“Of course you were, dear.” Rarity said with her trademark smirk.

“Yeah, what are you thinking Rainbow? There’s no way Rarity would be into Big Mac anyway, she’s into all those uppity stallions from Canterlot.” Applejack smirked, taking a jab at her white-coated friend as well.

Rarity rolled her eyes, the room yet again burst into laughter; eventually Rarity herself joined in and shared a laugh with her friends.

~~~~~<>~~~~~

A yawn escaped the lips of a snow-coated mare as she stretched her tired limbs. After rolling out of bed, Rarity’s horn ignited, pulling away her pink nightgown and matching sleep mask before putting them in the hamper to be washed. Walking to her vanity, she checked her appearance in the mirror and nearly gasped at seeing the state her mane was in. trotting quickly to the bathroom she let the bath water warm while she headed to the kitchen.

Taking the carafe from the sink side drying rack, Rarity put it under the facet adding enough water for at least five cups. Filling the reservoir of her machine before putting the carafe back in its place, the drowsy mare rummaged her cabinets for her special brew. A tablespoon surrounded by a baby blue aura added two spoonfuls of premium coffee ground onto the clean white filter. Flicking the spoon into the sink, Rarity closed the top of the coffee maker before turning it on.

Trotting back up the stairs and into the master bath, she found the water temperature to be just perfect. The mare sighed as she slipped into the warm water, after cleaning her body she dried herself before slipping on a robe. Now completely dry, she headed back to the kitchen finding her coffee to be done.

Levitating the fresh pot of coffee over to the far side of the kitchen, she emptied its contents into a thermos. After adding little sugar, and just the right amount of milk, Rarity pulled a breakfast pastry from the fridge while putting the milk back in its proper place. Heating the pastry with her magic, she blew on it and took a bite from it. After breakfast, Rarity went back to her room to pick out a suitable winter coat.

Twenty minutes later, she narrowed her choices down to two hooded coats. The first was a thin pale blue jacket with golden trim. The second, a slightly thicker jacket that was mainly a deep purple with a surrounding white trim. She brought a hoof to her chin, contemplating which coat should be worn.

“The blue one is starting to get a bit tight around my midriff.” Rarity said to herself while holding the garment in question in her magical aura.

Selecting the purple coat, she slipped it on. Pulling her mane that hung loosely at her sides into bun, she then donned a purple beanie further protecting her delicate ears from the cold. Pulling the hood of her coat over her head, she left her bedroom and went downstairs. Trotting quickly past the entrance to the kitchen, she grabbed her thermos and locked the door behind her as she left her home.

Walking briskly through the town, saying hello to those she knew before turning down a side road that lead to Sweet Apple Acres. A swift wind blew suddenly, making the mare shiver a tad, as she made her way to the front entrance to the Apple’s farm. The farmhouse now in sight, Rarity quickened her pace, making her way down the path. However, before she reached the house, a clanging noise from inside the large barn next to the house.

Her attention piqued; she crept quietly to the barn’s large doors before peering inside. Her eyes met a massive red form, her friend’s brother no doubt. Rarity watched Big Macintosh for a moment as he gathered an assortment of tools, putting them in the back of a medium sized wagon. Her presence still unnoticed by the large workhorse, she cleared her throat. Taking his eyes off the tools he was collecting, the stallion’s large red ears flicked at the sound.

“G’mornin, Miss Rarity.” The hulking stallion said, a straw of wheat hanging from his mouth.

Stepping into the shadow of the large red draft-horse, “Good morning to you as well Mr. McIntosh,” she fluttered her eyes. “I assume you know why I am here.”

Rolling his jaw, the large red stallion exhaled. “You’re here to go get a tree; Applejack’s done told me you were coming.” Turning around to finish his work, “If you want to, you can head up to the house and get yourself something to eat,” Big Mac suggested.

“Thank you, but I’m—” her stomach growled, “on second thought I just might do that.” Rarity quickly excused herself from the barn and left.

Trotting quickly to the farmhouse, Rarity let herself in and headed into the kitchen. Upon entering the kitchen, she noticed the matriarch of the apple family hunched over the stove with a spatula in her mouth. A hissing filled the air as the batter was cooked into delicious pancakes. Taking her attention away from the cooking mare, Rarity looked over at the kitchen table and noticed three familiar faces.

“Hey sis,” Sweetie Belle swallowed. bits and pieces of syrupy pancake stuck to her muzzle.

“Hello, Sweetie Belle,” Rarity seated herself at the table in front of her sister, removing the hood and beanie from her head.

“How’re ya doing, Ms. Rarity? Just give me a second an’ I’ll have you a plate fixed.” The old mare chimed in before turning back towards the stove.

“Thank You,” Rarity passed the time by having small chat with her sister and her sister’s friends. Apparently, today they planned to play in the snow that had accumulated on the ground. She hopped that her sister, as well as her friends didn’t stay out too long and catch a cold while playing. Rarity was in the middle of a conversation with her sister when a plate of pancakes was put in front of her.

Her mouth watered at the sight, a stack of pancakes garnished with a few apple slices and a pinch of powdered sugar. Licking her lips, she levitated the syrup that was on the table and poured a healthy amount on her breakfast. Daintily eating, moaning with every bite, Rarity enjoyed her breakfast. Cleaning any pancake residue from her face with a napkin, she thanked Granny Smith and went outside.
Adjusting her beanie, Rarity walked back towards the barn.

Upon entering the barn, she saw that Big Macintosh had finished gathering the supplies and had hitched himself up to the harness.

“You ready to go?” He asked, as he got ready to pull the cart.

Rarity simply nodded and waited by the door.

Big Macintosh soon met Rarity by the door; he nodded to her as she began to trot beside him. The red stallion started to admire the picturesque landscape. Bare apple trees on snow capped hills that seemed to go on forever. He turned to his side and saw that Rarity was enjoying the sights as well.

“It’s just beautiful this time of year, is it not?” Rarity asked to softly no one in particular.

“Eeyup,” he answered simply, unsure if the question was rhetorical or not.

Together they walked in silence for a few moments, thinking of winters past. Rarity had trotted ahead, leaving Big Macintosh a few yards behind. Up ahead Rarity stopped by the front gate of the farm, waiting for him.

“Just where are Mr. Greenhooves` trees, if I may ask?” Rarity turned to look at the massive stallion.

The large stallion exhaled, pausing for a moment. “If my memory serves me right, they’d be in the lower left corner of his property.” The stallion replied as he approached the gate to Sweet Apple Acres.

Taking a right out of the entrance of Sweet Apple Acres, they trotted down the dirt road, talking sporadically to pass the time. Between their short bouts of conversation, Rarity studied the surrounding landscape, brainstorming for new designs. A few minutes later, they reached the edge of Mr. Greenhooves` property line. Walking by Mr. Greenhooves, who was sitting against an old oak tree, Big Macintosh nodded towards him, earning a nod in return.

Looking around, Rarity was confused. “Where is the path?”

“There ain’t one,” Big Macintosh motioned with his head, “We’re gonna have to make our own.”

She followed him as he started to trek towards a tree line off in the distance. Her eyes traced the landscape, before falling on the pony in front of her. Rarity watched the stallion’s muscles stretch and relax as he pulled the heavy cart behind him. Flustered, she turned away, ashamed at the thoughts now running through her head. While he wasn’t really in her tastes, she now saw why so many mares gossiped about him. Consumed in her thoughts, she failed to notice the tree branch coming towards her that Big Mac had unintentionally sent her way.

*THWACK*

The oblivious mare let out a shriek before falling to the ground, clutching her throbbing muzzle.

Hearing the mare scream, Big Macintosh unhitched himself from the cart. “You alright?” he asked, standing over the mare.

“I-I’m fine,” Rarity sniffled “It just startled me more than anything.”

“Here, let me help you.” Big Macintosh said, leaning down to assist Rarity to her hooves.

Twitching her still red nose, “Thank you,” Rarity said.

“You’re welcome.” Now being more careful, Big Macintosh made his way through the tree line, hoping to avoid hurting the poor mare again.

Coming into a clearing, the pair was now on top of a very steep, snow-covered hill. At the bottom of the hill were the Douglas firs they sought. Her prize in sight, Rarity started to make her way down the hill. However, before she could make her way down, she felt a hoof on the small of her back.

“Be careful now, that there hill is a might steep.” Big Mac warned the careless mare.

Shrugging his hoof off her back, Rarity rolled her eyes. “Don’t chide me like a foal, I’m more than capable of going down a hi—,” her rant was interrupted as a shrill squeal came from her when she slipped on the icy snow.

Screaming the whole way down, Rarity flipped and tumbled down the hill. Her wail ended when she slammed into a snow bank at the bottom of the hill. Encased in a snowy coffin, Rarity squirmed trying to escape from her chilly doom. Hearing the crunching of snow under hooves, she flicked her ears. Rarity yelled for help, but she was muffled by the snow. Suddenly a hoof punched through the snow and wrapped itself around her, pulling her free from her snowy demise.

Big Macintosh opened his mouth to say something, “Don’t say ANYTHING!” Rarity shouted, accentuating the last word with force.

“I’m not gonna scold you or nothin’, I’m just glad you’re alright.” Big Macintosh stated simply.

Rarity wiped the excess snow off her cotton colored coat, making it damp where the jacket wasn’t covering her. “Could this day be any worse?” She groaned dejectedly.

“Of course it coulda been worse. If you didn’t wear your jacket, I never would’ve been able to find you.” Big Mac joked while re-hitching himself to the cart.

An unamused smirk was now on Rarity’s face as she made a snowball about the size of a foal’s head. “Oh, Big Macintosh?” she asked angelically.

“Yes, Miss Rar—” *PAFF* interrupted when a snowball exploded all over his face, the farm stallion swallowed some snow that had landed in his mouth.

Cackling louder than a mad hatter who had just huffed mercury fumes, Rarity put a hoof over her mouth to keep from laughing so hard. Her revenge complete, she looked up to see a white blur in her peripheral vision.

“Wha—” *PAFF*

Throwing a volley of his own, Big Mac let out a hearty chuckle when the cold projectile connected with the side of her face. It only took a second for Rarity to realize what had happened. Her horn came to life; its radiating heat melted the snow off her face. Multiple balls of snow were launched by the now irate unicorn, creating a hailstorm of the fluffy white stuff.

Making complete foals of themselves, they ducked behind trees as a storm of snow surrounded the two of them. Where Rarity had the advantage of rapid fire due to her magic, Big Macintosh had pure strength in his throws. After an intense and fierce battle, the snow rained down less often, before stopping completely. Confused, he weaved through the trees, looking for the normally more reserved mare.

All of a sudden, a series of cracks came from the tree above him. Before he could see what had caused the noise, Rarity landed abruptly on his back, almost making his legs buckle.

“Ha, I’ve got you now! Eat snow, you—” at this moment, Rarity’s stomach decided to make its presence known, setting her cheeks ablaze in embarrassment.

“Are ya,” Big Macintosh wheezed, “Hungry?”

Quickly sliding off the wheezing stallion and onto her own four hooves, “Ah Yes, I suppose I am quite famished.”

Motioning with his head, Big Macintosh led the mare over to the cart. Leaning up into the cart, he grabbed the picnic basket he had packed earlier. Placing the basket on his back, he retrieved the red and white checkerboard picnic blanket. He went to layout the picnic blanket, but he was interrupted when a hoof tapped his back.

“Do you need any help?” Rarity asked the stallion with a blanket in his mouth.

His mouth occupied, he nodded and let the picnic basket slide off his back onto the ground. Each pony took hold of opposite sides, flicking their heads upwards to straighten out the blanket. Laying the blanket down gently, they both took a seat on top of it. Reaching into the basket they pulled out a selection of apple based foods.

“Is this alright?” Big Mac asked, gesturing towards the food.

“Yes.” Rarity stated simply before she began to munch on a pair of apple fritters.

Spending the next few minutes eating, Rarity enjoyed another fritter, while Big Macintosh must have had at least a bushel of apples. After their late lunch, they sat on the blanket to let the food in their stomachs settle. Rarity looked across the blanket at her guide for the day. Hoping to avoid offending him, Rarity just had to know, it had been bothering her all day.

“Um, Big Macintosh?” Rarity asked, almost unsure.

“Yes, Miss Rarity?” Taking his eyes off his food and onto the mare in front of him, the stallion replied warmly.

Noticing his eyes on her, she gulped. “I hope that this does not come out wrong, but I expected you to be more reserved.”

Confused, Big Macintosh only raised an eyebrow in return.

“Well that is to say, I expected you to be very quiet; everypony always says you’re so quiet, and hardly ever talkative.” Rarity strung her words together loosely as she stammered out an explanation.

“Oh well,” Big Mac paused, thinking for a moment. “It isn’t that I can’t talk well, or that I don’t like to talk, usually I just say as few words as possible, so that I can get back to work.”

“Ah, so it is not fair to say that you’re not talkative,” Rarity thought for a moment, “Only that your speaking is usually more... utilitarian than most.”

“I haven’t heard it put like that before, but yes, I suppose it is.” Big Macintosh replied after a moment of thought.

“I hope you’re not forcing yourself to talk more, just because of me.” Rarity said concerned.

“No, no, it would be downright rude of me if I ignored you all day.” His large emerald eyes met her sapphire blue one as he eased her concerns.

“Besides, AJ warned me about how chatty you are.” Big Mac added.

Her eyebrows rose, “Oh did she now?” Rarity asked quizzically.

“T-That ain’t to say you’re a chatterbox or anything, just that you’re a more talkative pony than I’m used to.” Realizing how his last sentence came out, the workhorse stammered out a reply, not wanting to cause a rift between his sister and Rarity.

Rarity grunted. “Really? You could have fooled me; we have been constantly chatting together all day.” She rose to her hooves, and began to slowly trot around the stallion.

“Well again, I didn’t want to ignore you.” Big Macintosh watched the mare trot around him, his eyes tracing her form.

“Why thank you Mr. McIntosh, I really appreciate it.” Rarity leaned down to Big Mac’s face, looking deep into his eyes as if she were gazing upon his very soul.

Big Macintosh gulped. “Y-You’re very w-welcome.” He stumbled over his words, almost afraid to look into the eyes that were gazing so deeply into him.

She leaned in closer, so close that her breath tickled the hairs in his ears. “Let’s get the tree, shall we?” Rarity turned away from the stallion, heading back towards the trees, snow crunching under her hooves as she left.

“Eeyup,” Big Macintosh said to himself, before rising to his hooves and following the mare.

Rarity led them back into the trees at the bottom of the hill, before stopping in front of the tree where she had leapt onto Big Macintosh’s back. She walked around the tree to see that it was as full as a natural tree could be. Lifting a branch with a hoof, she inspected the dark green needles. Only on a Hearth’s Warming tree would a dark green color be anywhere near fabulous.

“This the tree?” Big Mac asked, interrupting Rarity’s tree inspection.

“Yes, I believe it is.” Rarity answered, removing her gaze from the tree, looking in his direction.

“Alright, I’ll go get the tools.” He turned away from the mare, leaving her alone in the forest.

A few moments later Big Macintosh returned. Behind him was the cart that had the tools, and would soon be transporting the tree. Unhitching himself from the cart, he retrieved a saw. Rarity raised an eyebrow in concern when she saw the stallion stare at the base of the tree; it was as if he was studying it. While Big Macintosh continued to stare at the tree, Rarity looked at the saw. It had two grips on opposite sides, but what confused Rarity was that the grips were too small for even her dainty hooves, much less Big Macintosh’s own monstrous hooves.

Looking up she saw that Big Mac was… building a snowpony?

“W-What?” Rarity asked, gaining his attention.

“This here is a game that the loggers play when falling trees.” The large stallion added a few final additions on an overall very simplistic snowpony.

“So, logger ponies build small snow ponies for fun?”

“Well it ain’t just for fun; they put the snowpony where they think the tree is going to land, and if their math is right it should land there.”

“Why snowponies? What if there isn’t any snow?” Rarity asked gathering a hoof of snow.

“It doesn’t have to be a snowpony; it can be a tin can, a stake, maybe even a relative you’re not too fond of.” Big Macintosh smirked at that last bit.

Shaking her head, Rarity chuckled a bit. “That was terrible.”

Grinning, Big Macintosh leaned underneath the tree. “Care to help me with this?” he asked.

“Of course, what do you wish for me to do?”

“Just grab the other end,” The stallion bit onto the saw handle. “Wyk phis,” he said, his voice muffled by the plastic grip.

Nodding Rarity bit onto the saw handle, waiting for Big Macintosh’s next instructions. Without a word of warning, Big Mac jerked his end of the handle, almost taking off the poor mare’s head. She realized what she now had to do; she pulled back hard, straining her jaws and teeth. After a few moments, Rarity was sure she would need major dental treatment. She wore braces through middle and most of high school, and now she was worried she’d need them again.

Looking at the tree in front of her, trying carefully to avoid lodging her horn in it, she saw that they were only half way finished. Snorting, she tried to get her mind off the tree, and on to how she would decorate it. A few minutes later, she heard the tree groan, letting the saw fall out of her mouth as she took a few steps back while the tree fell. The tree fell right on top of the snowpony, obliterating it.

A short time later, they had the tree loaded on the apple cart. Rarity had to trail the cart, picking up any debris that fell off the tree while they made their way to her house. Soon they arrived at her doorstep. Big Macintosh waited by the door, not wanting to come into a mare’s home unless he was invited.

“Welcome to my home and place of business.” Rarity quickly invited the stallion in, and led him into her den.

“This where you want the tree?” Big Macintosh looked around the den, eying the luxurious furniture and décor of the room.

“Yes, now be a dear and fetch the tree, while I get my tree stand and tree mat.” Rarity quickly turned away, trotting off, she left the stallion alone in her den.

The stallion soon left himself, bringing in the tree on his back; when he returned, he saw that Rarity was setting up the base for the tree. Walking over, he let the tree slide off his back, and into the tree stand as Rarity locked the stabilizing bolts. Rarity soon left again to get a pitcher of water for the tree. While watering the tree, Rarity’s front door slammed open as a foal ran into the shop.

“Hiya sis, Hiya Big Mac.” Sweetie Belle greeted the two. She was soon followed by two reluctant cohorts who drug their hooves.

“We’re here to decorate the Hearth’s Warming Tree.” Apple Bloom half said, half groaned, looking over to her unicorn friend who was much more enthusiastic than she was.

“Yea,” Scootaloo added.

“Oh right, I did say you could decorate it. Didn’t I, Sweetie Belle?” Rarity questioned turning around to face her sister.

“Yep,” Sweetie Belle stated simply.

“Well alright then, you girls get to it while I have a chat with Big Macintosh.” Rarity left the foals to decorating, while Big Macintosh simply shrugged and followed the mare into the kitchen.

“Alright girls, let’s get to it.” Sweetie Belle cheered.

Not saying anything, her friends followed her over to the box of decorations. “What colors should we use?” Apple Bloom asked, hoofing through at least six different colors of garnish.

“What about red and gold?” Sweetie Belle said grabbing the garnish.

Her friends simply shrugged and helped her drag the box over to the tree.

“Here Scootaloo, you put on the garnish.” Sweetie Belle told her friend, pushing the garnish into her chest.

“ ’Kay,” Scootaloo began to wrap the garnish around the tree as neatly as she could.

A short time later, Scootaloo finished her job while her friends picked out the ornaments.

“Hey, Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Yes?” Scootaloo turned from the tree, and towards the farm filly.

“It looks a little crooked to me.” Apple Bloom critiqued her friend’s work, circling around the tree.

“Nah, it’s fine,” Scootaloo dismissed her friend’s criticism.

“Ok, now that the garnish is on, all we have to do is add the ornaments.” Sweetie Belle stated.

The three fillies spent the next few minutes decorating the tree. Quickly they reached a problem; because of their stature, they were unable to reach the top of the tree with their ornaments. Unlike with the garnish, they couldn’t just throw the ornaments up there. It also didn’t help that the silver ornaments were made with delicate glass. Soon however, they finished decorating the tree, and called in Rarity and Big Mac.

“So, what do you think?” The Cutie Mark Crusaders asked the adults excitedly.

“Looks good y’all, real good,” Big Macintosh congratulated the foals, eyeing the tree over a few times.

“Yes, quite good,” Rarity looked at the tree, admiring the colors the foals used.

Rarity began to trot around the tree. The garnish was wrapped around the tree a bit crookedly, but given that they are foals, and the fact that the tree is almost five times taller than any of them, they did a wonderful job. Ornaments of a silver color were placed on the tree, in some places they were bunched, but generally, they were placed well. Everything was looking great, until she walked around to the back of the tree.

“Sweetie, dear?” Rarity asked, trotting around the tree to her sister.

“Yes?” The foal questioned walking over to her sister, before sitting in front of her.

“You forgot to decorate the back of the tree.” Rarity said.

“The… OH!” Sweetie Belle face hoofed, “Wait, we can fix it, just give us a minute.”

“No, that shan’t be necessary dear,” Rarity thought for a moment. “I suppose I could put it in the corner or something”

“Well, I guess we ought to get going, AB.” Big Macintosh told his little sister.

“Yea, I gotta get going to, my folks are going to want me home for dinner.” Scootaloo said, gathering her things.

“I’ll show you three out.” Rarity offered, leading them to the door.

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom left the boutique, leaving Big Mac to hitch himself up.

Rarity walked over to him. “Thank you for today, Big Macintosh, I had a wonderful time.” She thanked him, giving him a small embrace.

“You’re welcome.” Big Macintosh said, returning the embrace. “You’re going to the party this weekend, Right?” He asked as she broke the embrace.

Smiling softly at him while fluttering her eyelids, “I’ll see you there,” Rarity said huskily.

~~~~~<>~~~~~

The sun kissed the horizon, a sign the party was fast approaching. Rarity was running around her boutique in frenzy, after all, she only had an hour to get ready. It had only taken her forty-five minutes to get ready, now all she had to do was get her sister ready to go. She left her room and headed to her sister’s, inside she found Sweetie Belle running a brush through her mane.

“Sweetie Belle, are you ready yet, darling?” Rarity asked, leaning in the doorframe to her sister’s room.

“Yes, I’m almost ready.” Sweetie Belle struggled a bit with getting her mane brush through a bad tangle in her mane.

“I’ll wait for you downstairs until you’re ready then.” Rarity said turning tail and heading down the stairs to the first floor of her home and business.

A few minutes passed as she waited for Sweetie Belle to come down. Looking over to the clock on the wall, Rarity saw that she only had ten minutes to get to the Hearth’s Warming Eve party. With nothing better to do, she began to walk around the first floor of her shop. Walking into her workroom, she checked her progress on a few of this week’s orders. Seeing that they were on schedule, she left the workroom and headed back into her den.

“Hey sis, where were you?” Sweetie Belle questioned, trotting up to her sister.

“Just checking on something in the workroom, darling,” Rarity walked to her coat rack, and soon donned her jacket from the day before. Levitating her sister’s baby blue jacket beside her, she gave it to Sweetie Belle, so she could put it on.

“Are you ready to go now, darling?” Rarity asked while waiting by the door.

Using her teeth to zip up her jacket, Sweetie Belle stepped next to her sister, “yes.”

“Well then, let us be off.” Rarity led her sister out of the door, and into the snow-covered streets outside.

Once outside, the two sisters admired the snowy winter wonderland. Rarity walked onwards, while Sweetie Belle hopped behind her. Looking from side to side, they saw the many decorations that the townsponies had put out a few days prior. With the exception of the two of them, the streets were devoid of any ponies; most were either asleep, or had plans of their own. After trekking across town, they soon found themselves in front of a very familiar tree in the center of town.

Raising her hoof, Rarity knocked on the library’s front door.

With a sharp creak, the door opened. “Hello? Oh, um h-hey Rarity,” her scaly, not-so-secret admirer answered the door.

“Hello, my little Spikey Wikey.” Rarity stooped low, pinching Spike’s left cheek with her hoof, before giving him a little smooch on his forehead.

Seeing Spike’s silted eyes glaze over, Sweetie Belle rolled her own two emerald orbs, and stepped in front of him.

“Hiya Spike,” Sweetie Belle greeted the dazed dragon, hoping to snap him out of it.

Shaking his head, Spike blinked “Um, hello, Sweetie Belle.” Before Spike knew what was happening, he was enveloped in a rib-crushing embrace.

“Are Apple Bloom and Scootaloo here?” The excited foal let go of the dragon, attempting to peer over his shoulders.

Trying to reclaim the air that was forcibly removed from his lungs, “Yea, they’re in the kitchen,” Spike huffed.

Not giving a response, Sweetie Belle hopped around Spike, heading to the kitchen to see her friends.

Watching her sister bound happily into the tree house, Rarity turned her attention back to Spike. “I hope they won’t be too much of a bother.” Rarity sympathized with the young drake in charge of the troublesome threesome while she went to the party.

Spike waved his hand apathetically. “Nah, Don’t worry about it. Twi’s giving me the day off tomorrow for watching them.” He said with an air of confidence.

“Well thank you, Spike.” Rarity said her goodbyes and turned to leave.

“Rarity!! Wait!” Spike suddenly shouted.

Turning around, Rarity looked down at Spike. “Yes?” She questioned.

“Um, have fun at the party.” Spike said as he closed the door.

“I will Spike, thank you.” Rarity called out to Spike, turning tail to leave.

Making her way out of town, Rarity started to walk down the country road. She soon found the tracks that her friends must have made earlier. Quickening her pace, she could only hope her friends wouldn’t mind if she was a little late. Soon she made her way through the front gate of Sweet Apple Acres. Seeing the farmhouse in the distance, Rarity went down the road to the Apple family homestead.

A few minutes later, Rarity found herself in front of the Apple family’s barn. Hearing the Hearth’s Warming music from inside, she went to let herself in, but was pulled in by a pair of orange fore-hooves.

“We was wonderin’ when you’d show up!” Applejack exclaimed, slapping Rarity’s back with her hoof.

Placing her winter apparel on a hook next to the door, Rarity turned to face Applejack. “I apologize for being late, but I had to drop off my sister and—” her apologizing was interrupted when Applejack passed her a glass of festive eggnog.

“Don’t you worry about it. Come on, the girls are in here.” Applejack led Rarity through the barn and into a back room.

Walking into the room, they saw their friends sitting around a small folding table chatting to each other.

“Look who finally decided to show up.” Rainbow Dash mocked jokingly, her rear hooves propped up on the table.

“Well hello to you too, Rainbow Dash.” Rarity dismissed her friend’s gibe, taking a seat at the table.

“Hey Rarity! Where have you been?” Twilight asked from beside her, nursing her own eggnog.

Taking a sip of her eggnog, Rarity’s face contorted briefly at how strong it was. “I had to drop Sweetie Belle off before coming here.” She replied taking another sip of her eggnog.

Twilight chuckled. “I just hope Spike can handle those three; they’re like a trotting tornado of trouble.”

“I hope so too.” Rarity paused, “Well at least he has the day off tomorrow.” Rarity added, finishing off her first eggnog.

“He’s going to need it.” Twilight snorted, finishing off her eggnog as well.

“Do you girls want some more?” Pinkie Pie bounced over to them, a pitcher of eggnog on her head.

Twilight raised her glass, holding it aloft in her magic next to Pinkie Pie. “Yes please,” Pinkie Pie filled her glass, and Twilight went back to sipping it.

“I’ll have some more too, Pinkie dear.” Rarity let Pinkie Pie fill her glass before taking a sip. “Does this have any alcohol in it?” She smacked her lips a few times to see if she could taste any alcohol.

“Yeppers!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, still balancing the pitcher of eggnog on her head.

Rarity simply nodded, drinking her eggnog quietly while her friends talked about this and that. Looking across the table, she saw Fluttershy who was immersed in a conversation with Rainbow Dash. Her two pegasi friends were chatting about pegasus Hearth’s Warming traditions. Looking back at Fluttershy, Rarity remembered something she wanted to ask her.

“Fluttershy, dear?” Rarity asked.

“What is it, Rarity?” Fluttershy questioned, turning towards Rarity.

“Oh, I just wanted to know how Angel liked that darling little outfit I made for him.” Rarity said, before taking a sip of her eggnog, coughing a bit as it went down wrong.

Pausing until Rarity had finished coughing, Fluttershy exhaled. “Well I liked it, but Angel didn’t. He…um, bit me.” Fluttershy rubbed over a bandage on her hoof.

“I’m sorry to hear that. He didn’t hurt you did he?” Rarity asked, taking a hold of Fluttershy’s injured hoof.

“No, he only nipped me.” Fluttershy said, retracting her hoof.

“You really should take control dear,” Rarity finished her eggnog. “You really shouldn’t let him—” Rarity felt a hoof tap her on the shoulder.

Turning to see who interrupted her, she saw Applejack with a sly smirk on her muzzle. “Yes Applejack?”

“Did you enjoy your day with Big Mac?” Applejack looked over Rarity’s shoulder at something across the room.

“Why yes, I had a wonderful time with him. Why do you ask?” Rarity raised a brow, unsure of where Applejack was going with this.

“I bet he done talked you ears off, didn’t he?” Applejack asked, knowing how her quiet brother was about as sociable a fencepost.

“Well, I don’t know what you’re doing to him—“

Applejack snorted.

“—But he was talking to me all day, very well for somepony who’s usually more reserved.” Rarity stated before asking, “Speaking of Big Macintosh, where is he?”

“That big lug has been sittin’ in the corner over yonder, ever since Rainbow embarrassed him.” Applejack pointed to the corner where the large stallion had went unnoticed until now.

Rarity looked over to the corner, and saw him drinking something that definitely wasn’t eggnog. “Good heavens! What did Rainbow Dash do to drive him to drink?”

Applejack scoffed. “Rainbow was being real cheeky earlier—”

“Heh… cheeky,” Rainbow Dash giggled.

“— Shut up, Rainbow.” Applejack glared at her friend.

“Anyways,” Applejack continued, “She thought it’d be real funny to take the mistletoe down, and tie it to her tail; After she did that, she walked over to him, bent down and asked him for a kiss.”

Rainbow Dash suddenly burst into hysterical laughter. “You shoulda seen his face, it was so red—.”

Her friends looked at her quizzically.

“—Well, redder than it usually is.” She finished.

Feeling a familiar pressure, Rarity stood up from the table. “As much as I’m enjoying our little chat, I’m afraid I have to use the restroom.”

“You can use the one at my house, just be quiet ‘cause Granny’s asleep.” Applejack said, adjusting her hat.

“Thank you,” Rarity looked over to the stallion in the corner, “Big Macintosh?”

Turning around slowly, he looked at the blue-eyed unicorn mare. “Yes, Miss Rarity?” He asked in his deep masculine voice.

“Would you accompany me outside? I don’t want to go alone.” Rarity requested, looking at him with her deep blue eyes.

“What are you, six?” Rainbow Dash interjected.

“I didn’t ask you!” Rarity snapped at her friend.

“Um,” Big Macintosh mumbled until Rarity winked at him, unannounced to her friends. Shrugging, he got to his hooves, and followed her out of the door.

“I bet they’re going to—” Rainbow Dash was silenced by an orange hoof.

“Don’t even say it Rainbow, just don’t even say it.” Applejack warned, retracting her hoof from the Pegasus’s Mouth.

~~~~~<>~~~~~

Not saying a word until they were both out of the barn, Rarity turned to Big Macintosh.

Clearing her throat, “I’m sorry if that seemed a bit abrupt, but I knew I had to get you out of there,” she apologized before exhaling deeply.

Shaking his head, “After growing up in a house full of mares, I’m used to them teasing me,” Big Mac chuckled, remembering siblings’ constant attempts to mess with him. “You ain’t got to stay out here for my sake, go back in and enjoy yourself.” He added, motioning to the barn.

“No, I don’t believe that’s a good idea. I think I feel a headache coming on and,” Rarity’s face contorted as a brief flash of pain went through her, “My body doesn’t process alcohol well, you see—.” Her eyes dilated as a concerned look came across her face.

“Are you ok?” Big Macintosh questioned, looking at the mare’s uneasy gaze.

“I forgot why I came out here in the first place!” Rarity began to trot in place. “Where is your- Oooh,” Rarity suddenly squealed, looking very uncomfortable.

“Down the hallway, two doors down on your right, you can also find some aspirin in the medicine cabinet.” Big Macintosh listed out.

Muttering a word of thanks, Rarity bolted into the farmhouse. She returned a few minutes later, visibly relieved.

“Thank you,” Rarity muttered, walking over to Big Macintosh, she looked at him, “Care to go for a little walk, Big Macintosh?” she asked, brushing against his side.

“Fine by me,” Big Mac replied.

They walked down the road chatting about this and that, admiring the snowy landscape along the way. The icy winter wind picked up, causing Rarity to shiver violently. A few steps into their walk, she realized she had forgotten her jacket and beanie, which until now she thought she didn’t need. Flattening her delicate ears against her head, Rarity’s teeth chattered against themselves.

Seeing the mare in distress, Big Macintosh led them to a familiar structure off in the distance. Approaching the building, his littlest sister’s tree house, he led Rarity up the ramp. Still shaking, Rarity followed him into the Cutie Mark Crusader’s clubhouse, its walls offering a welcome reprieve from the freezing cold wind outside. Big Macintosh looked over at the still shaking mare; sighing, he began to rummage through the cabinets in the corner of the room. After finding some plans and diagrams, which quite frankly disturbed him, he found what he was looking for.

Taking the blanket in his mouth, he went over to the shivering mare in the center of the room. Wrapping the blanket around her, at the same time wrapping her in an embrace, Big Mac tried to warm the freezing cold mare. They sat there for a moment sharing their body heat. Rarity buried her face in his face, inhaling his scent deeply.

Rarity lifted her head from his chest. “Thank you, for everything.” Rarity started to nuzzle the stallion. She nuzzled his neck, moving up to the side of his muzzle; she gave him a peck on the cheek.

“You’re w-welcome,” Big Macintosh’s heart skipped a beat at the suddenly affectionate mare. Rarity nuzzled his chest again, taking an even bigger whiff of his scent. His emerald green eyes met her sapphire blue ones. Taking initiative, Big Mac leaned in for a kiss, but was stopped by Rarity’s hoof.

Big Macintosh pulled back. “I’m sorry, am I being too quick for you?” He apologized, hoping he didn’t scare the mare. Not hearing a response, he looked up to see Rarity sobbing softly. He went to embrace the mare, but decided against it. A moment later, she looked up at him with tears running down her face.

Lip quivering, Rarity threw her forelegs around Big Macintosh. “I-I’m sorry, it isn’t you, it’s m-me,” Rarity wailed, burying her face in his chest. Letting the unicorn mare cry, Big Mac started to rub up and down her back. He comforted her, much like he would do for Apple Bloom whenever her schoolmates’ teasing became too much for her.

A few moments later, Rarity pulled herself together. “I’m sorry for that, it’s just that—” she stiffened as she felt another wave of tears approach.

Big Macintosh rubbed her back again to comfort her. “There, there. You can tell me when you’re ready.” He said, giving her a kiss on her forehead.

A couple of tears later, breathing deeply, Rarity looked up at him. “I apologize. You see, I have this friend. He is very much in love with me, but I don’t feel the same way. I just—” Rarity paused thinking of what to say.

“If you don’t feel the same way about him, that’s just the way it is, you don’t have to beat yourself up.” Big Macintosh interjected, looking deep into her eyes.

Turning away from him, Rarity started to cry again. “But I’ve known of his feeling for me for a long time now, yet I feel like I’m just leading him on.” She visibly deflated, falling limp in Big Mac’s forelegs.

Rarity awoke to Big Macintosh rubbing circles into her chest. “You shouldn’t stress yourself so much. Why, I bet it’s just plum awful for your complexion.” He started to chuckle, soon joined by Rarity, the two had a much needed laugh.

Rubbing the happy tears from her eyes, Rarity looked at Big Macintosh. “I needed that, but how do I explain to him, that not only do I not return his feelings, but I have found another as well?” Rarity sighed dejectedly.

“I don’t rightfully know; all I do know is that you won’t have to do it alone.” Big Macintosh took her hooves in his own. “I mean, if you’ll have me.” He added, looking at her hopefully.

Instead of replying, Rarity wrapped her forelegs around his thick neck, kissing him deeply as she leaned on him.

Big Macintosh broke the kiss. “I hope I ain’t forcing you into anything, I just—” again, he was silenced by Rarity’s hoof.

Removing her hoof from his muzzle, she shook her head. “I cannot believe I’m telling you, of all ponies this, but,” Rarity put her hoof under his muzzle, “Please, stop talking.” Not waiting for him to respond, Rarity mashed their muzzles together in a passionate kiss.

A few yards away a rainbow maned Pegasus had a stunned look on her face. “Whoa, they’re really getting into it now!” Rainbow Dash nearly yelled from behind the binoculars.

“Gimme that,” Applejack snapped, swiping the binoculars away from her friend. Looking into the binoculars, she saw that her friend wasn’t just yanking her chain, her older brother and one of her best friends, were indeed sucking on each other’s faces.

“They’re putting on quite the show, aren’t they?” Rainbow Dash commented on the unsuspecting couple, smirking at her orange friend.

Shaking her head, Applejack sighed. “Will you do me a favor and tell our friends to meet us in the living room?” She looked over at the barn from the tree they were sitting in. “Ah got business to attend to.”

“Uh, sure,” Rainbow Dash simply nodded before gliding away to fetch her friends.

Back in the tree house, the two ponies continued their extended make out session, unaware of the incoming threat. Rarity and Big Macintosh head a few loud thumps from outside, but they ignored them. The thumps came closer and closer until the door to the clubhouse nearly blew off its hinges, slamming into the wall. That caught their attention; looking up, they saw an irate orange mare with a bucket in her mouth.

“What—” Rarity started.

“Ah ain’t ready to be an aunt yet.” Applejack said, her voice muffled by the bucket. Not waiting for them to respond, she doused the two with ice-cold water.

“AIEEE!” Rarity shrieked when she was doused with the freezing water.

“Now, what was that for?” Big Macintosh suddenly boomed.

“Ah done told you,” Applejack chuckled at the two soaked ponies, “Ah’m not ready to be an aunt yet.”

“Are you implying that I—” Rarity gasped, “What kind of mare do you take me for? I’ll have you know—”

Applejack smirked. “Ah ain’t saying you were, Ah just don’t want a late Hearths Warming present come August.” Reaching beside herself, she grabbed a few towels, tossing them over to them. “Now dry up, you two are gonna catch a cold.”

Not saying a word, only grumbling, the two drenched ponies dried themselves.

Soon they made it to the farmhouse, walking inside they were met with a blast of confetti in their faces.

“Congratulations!” Pinkie Pie shouted, wrapping both Rarity and Big Macintosh in a huge hug.

“I still don’t know where she got the confetti.” Twilight commented, sipping on a glass of water.

Shrugging the pink mare off her, Rarity looked at her friends. “As much as I would like to stay and chat, I have to go dry my mane and tail.” She left the room, a small trail of water was making a path behind her.

A short while later, Rarity left the bathroom. Walking down the hall, she found Big Macintosh in the doorway to the hall, being pestered by her unrelenting friends. Stepping beside him, she chided her friends for their rude behavior. After quieting her friends, she looked at them questioningly as she noticed they were staring at the two of them expectantly.

“What?” Rarity questioned, her eyebrows raised.

Rainbow broke the silence. “So, are you and the big guy dating now or what?”

Looking over to Big Macintosh who merely shrugged, Rarity faced her friends. “I suppose we are,” Rarity said, kissing Big Mac on the cheek.

“Sweet,” congratulated Rainbow Dash.

“I’m so happy for you two.” Fluttershy smiled softly.

“I gotta throw a party to celebrate your new relationship!” Pinkie Pie suggested excitedly to Rarity, while hopping up and down.

“Ah ain’t got no objections.” Applejack assured, sipping on a glass of apple juice while sitting on the couch.

“I happy for you two and all, it’s just that—” Twilight was silenced by a death glare from Pinkie Pie which caused her to gulp nervously.

“It’s just that what, darling?” Rarity questioned sternly, eyes a blaze staring at Twilight incredulously.

Thinking on the fly, gulping nervously, Twilight answered. “It’s just that, now with Big Macintosh off the market, a lot of mares will be heartbroken.” She chuckled, nervously looking around at her friends who were staring at her questioningly.

Satisfied by her friend’s explanation, Rarity turned away from her. “Well, now that that’s out of the way, I—” Rarity was interrupted by a raised blue hoof.

“What is it, Rainbow Dash?” Rarity questioned, unsure as to why her friend interrupted her.

“Look where you two are standing.” Rainbow Dash pointed with her hoof at something behind Rarity.

“In a door frame?” Rarity said after looking around her and Big Macintosh.

Rolling her eyes, Rainbow Dash scoffed. “No, not a door frame, look above you,” she stated, gesturing with her hoof.

Looking above her, Rarity saw what Rainbow Dash was talking about. “Well how about that, a mistletoe,” Rarity looked deep into Big Macintosh’s eyes. Moving closer to him, she wrapped her forelegs around his neck, bringing them into a very deep kiss.

The rest of the mane six looked at the two of them, each with their own reaction to the kissing ponies’ shared passion. Applejack looked away, not wanting to see her older brother snogging somepony. Rainbow Dash forced air between her forehooves, whistling at the two . Twilight looked at the two with a bemused expression on her face. Pinkie Pie started to bounce around the room happily.

Fluttershy got a nosebleed.

~~~~~<>~~~~~

Author's Note

Thank you for reading!

If you see any grammar/writing issues in the story, please let me know in the comments.