The air was crisp with the fresh scent of ripe apples, underlined by the heady aroma of the earth from which they grew from. The warm, rich, hearty rays of the sun permeated everything in sight. Everything just seemed more vibrant, more real for the Polo shirt-wearing unicorn that was trotting dreamily through those vast, verdant fields. And why shouldn’t it be? Trenderhoof was in love.
Coming to Ponyville for the town’s upcoming heritage celebration, he never would have expected to find love here of all places. But there he found it, bucking trees and working up a mighty sweat under the noon sun. Coat of softest orange, those firm flank muscles, the way apple juice cascaded with every bite she took of her harvest. That Goddess of the Land was called Applejack, and he had instantly been smitten the moment he laid eyes on her.
Being the trendsetter that he was, Trenderhoof could spot “amazing” from a mile away. Yet his encounter there on Sweet Apple Acres came as an utter surprise to him. He needed to know more, had to understand just who this wondrous Applejack was. The celebration coordinator had been no help, and thus he set out to seek the answers straight from the object of his swooning affection. Only problem was, he had completely lost sight of her.
Hence what brought the lanky unicorn trotting around aimlessly through endless rows upon rows of apple trees. For the past several minutes he had been keeping his ears trained for the sounds of hoof-on-wood, but to no avail. Remarkable how such an industrious worker had become so silent, he thought. Also a bit odd that other unicorn, Rarity, hadn’t stuck with him as well, but that was of little concern. This was a quest he believed best undertaken alone… though it was starting to get a bit bothersome.
However, after much fruitless searching he eventually spotted movement. With a smile and newfound direction, he quickened his pace to find his blonde-maned stetson-wearing Venus. Just over the crest of a hill, though, he found something entirely different: a very large and muscular build, large green eyes, a short crop of orange-colored mane, and intensely red everywhere else. Trenderhoof stopped himself and stared down at the thick-muscled stallion, who raised up a back leg to buck a lone apple tree. A rain of apples fell from the impact, filling up the wooden baskets waiting by the base of the tree. Another farmhoof, Trenderhoof thought, and a mighty strong one as well. There were several carts loaded down with apples, and yet there wasn’t a bead of sweat on him.
He would probably know where Applejack, he thought in reminding himself of his soul-searching task, and immediately trotting down to meet the larger stallion. In seconds he had approached the tree, as well as catching the attention of the red worker.
“Hello there, good sir,” Trenderhoof began. “Wonderful weather here on this farm, eh?”
“...Eeyup,” the stallion replied, not quite sure what to make of the unicorn with the well-coiffed mane talking to him.
“I see you’re putting in a good hard day’s work. Always so refreshing to get out in the outdoors to earn one’s keep, wouldn’t you agree?”
“...Sure?” Trenderhool instantly recognized the confusion and discomfort forming on the worker’s face. Better reassess.
“Oh, so sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Trenderhoof. You’ve probably heard of me and my many exploits?”
“Uhh, nope.”
“Oh. Well it doesn’t matter,” Trenderhoof quickly refocused. “Have you seen Miss Applejack around? I was wanting to ask her some questions.” Oh all kinds of questions, he mentally added.
“I think she just went to town with some of the crop,” was the simple reply, which elicited a gasp from the bespectacled unicorn.
“The town! I’ll have to hurry back if I’m going to catch her!” He spun around and galloped a few steps, but stopped and just as quickly turned back around. “Thank you for the information, my apple-bucking friend. Don’t overstrain yourself, and try not to get heatstroke.”
“Um, thank you kindly?”
“Oh my absolute pleasure, good sir.” Trenderhoof gave a smile and nod, then spun around and resumed his run to the town. Getting back to the top of the hill, Trenderhoof felt something pass over him, almost like a breeze. He slowed down to a canter, and then a complete stop before looking back around. The red stallion was looking up in his direction, but started and looked away the moment he saw his returning gaze, and resumed work as usual.
At first Trenderhoof thought it a little odd, but then something occurred to him that made him grin. Been awhile since he had this sort of encounter, he reflected. The day just kept on getting more and more interesting. But putting aside these thoughts, he resumed his dash back to town, and hopefully a clandestine one-on-one with the pony of his dreams.
The next day was even more heavenly for Trenderhoof. Following his success in meeting up with the elusive farm mare, he was even more fortuitous in being able to follow her around during her daily work routine on the farm. A most enriching experience to be sure: to watch that well-toned mare bucking trees, and plowing the fields like it were nothing. For some reason Rarity came along to do some “field work” too in a sparkling farm filly’s outfit. Right peculiar she’s been he vaguely noted, since his thoughts were better devoted to understanding what makes a farmer as amazing as Applejack.
His blonde-maned muse had been rather curt, uncooperative in a way. No doubt intimidated, Trenderhoof assured himself; most ponies can be that way around strangers, especially celebrity ones. As the day wore on and a thirst began to build in the inquisitive globe-trotter, an opportunity presented itself: what better way to ease tension then over a refreshing glass of lemonade! He praised himself and immediately offered to go get some for the undoubtedly thirsty mare, not taking into account that she was nowhere in sight when he made this declaration.
Luckily he didn’t find himself wandering aimlessly like yesterday: it’s very hard to overlook a house as massive but fashionably quaint as that of the Apple family’s. A marvelous clash of white gutters and shingles with the red of the rest of the house, it was the very model of picturesque. The ideal dwelling for the ideal farmer. Trenderhoof would have to write that down when he got the chance.
The house seemed quiet, so he allowed himself in without delay. Hardwood flooring, ragged but comfy-looking couch, walls draped in family pictures, a rocking chair. Such authenticity in humble living to take in, but Trenderhoof couldn’t allow himself further distraction. With a fast glance, he spotted what had to be the kitchen area and proceeded thus. Through the archway he found a table with checkered table cloth and chairs, plate cabinet, and assorted dining accoutrements. He also found an awfully familiar, surprised-looking red stallion. A little off in his sense of direction, but still pretty close.
Looking to cut the awkwardness of barging into somepony else’s house, Trenderhoof coughed into his hoof and gave the worker stallion his full attention. “Ah, hello there. Fancy running into you again.”
“Um, yeah. Can I help you?” the massive stallion asked in that strong but gentle accent of his.
“Oh, uh, yes! I had come in to find some lemonade to bring out to Applejack. Saw nopony home so I thought: help myself. Hehe, uh, but it appears I was wrong about that last part, huh?”
“Eeyup.” A neutral nod.
“Say, would you happen to know where the lemonade is, if there’s any at all? Just so I can be back on my way, you know.”
“There’s some. In the kitchen.” The red stallion nodded toward another archway. “I was lookin’ to help myself to some. I’ll bring it out for ya.”
“Ah, that would be swell. Thank you.”
The earth pony merely shrugged and trotted into the next room. The trendy unicorn found left to his own devices once more, but after the sound of an opening and closing refrigerator door, the red stallion had returned with a tray ladened with several cups and a tall glass pitcher of delicious lemonade, with ice cubes even.
“That simply looks wonderful!” Trenderhoof praised. “Hm, just looking at it makes me want a taste. I suppose a quick sip wouldn’t hurt.” Without pause he lit up his horn and lifted the pitcher and cup, pouring himself a modest amount before bringing the cup to his lips. A light sniff, followed by the aforementioned quick sip. After pecking his lips for flavor, his eyes brightened up.
“That is divine! Indescribably tasty! Guess it’s true what they say: nothing beats home-made.” He took a longer sip, then noticing the stallion still looking plainly at him he said, “Here, let me pour you some as well. Courtesy where courtesy is due. That sounds like a good country saying.”
Without waiting for a response, Trenderhoof levitated the pitcher back toward the stallion while bringing up another cup. That one he brought nearly to brimming before placing it before the workhorse, who simply replied, “Thank you kindly.”
Trenderhoof made himself more comfortable by pulling up a chair and taking a seat by the table, the other pony doing the same. Relaxing even further into a quilty sphere of agrarian simplicity, Trenderhoof thought the mood perfect for a chat.
“So, you’ve been working long here on this farm? You must admit that there can’t be a nicer, more refreshing slice of heaven on earth than this? Such fresh air, bountiful crops, and all-around pleasant living environments. Can’t you just… feel its coziness just seep into you out there? Appreciate that natural country splendor?”
“Sure can, since I live here.”
The flat response knocked Trenderhoof’s high down a notch. “Oh, do you? Well, forgive me on that. So then I take it you’re part of the family?”
“Eeyup,” the other stallion replied with a nod, followed by a hearty sip of lemonade.
“An… older brother, I assume?”
“Eeyup.”
“Huh. Should’ve known from the apple cutie mark. Hmhm.” Trenderhoof took another sip to collect himself, then straightened up with a start. “I just realized I never got your name from yesterday! To think I’d forget something important like that. I apologize greatly for my rudeness from before, or any from here on out.”
The red stallion kindly shook his head with a grin. “It’s no problem. My name is Big Macintosh.”
“Ah. It certainly fits, if you don’t mind me saying. So nice to properly meet you.”
“Eeyup.” For a minute the two sat in relative comfort of each other’s company, taking the occasional sip of their drinks. Unable to bear the stifling silence any further, Trenderhoof took it upon himself once again to engage.
“I imagine Applejack had been working the fields since a very young age.”
“Eeyup.”
“Same as with you?” A nod in affirmation. “That is just so fascinating, as well as inspiring. Working the land, day after day, just for the hard work and satisfaction of bringing in a bountiful harvest. No worries about modern trappings or keeping up with the fast-pace of city social life. Simple contentment in an enclosed plot of paradise… I’m not wrong in saying all that, am I?”
“No, I say you’re well close to it.”
“Ah, that’s great! Always good to know I still have that way of words that best captures the essence of a moment in time, to describe moments so dear and intimate but are otherwise overlooked and taken for granted. That’s something of a talent of mine: I take the mundane, normal, and unappreciated and make them relatable. And I can see all kinds of relatability with what you have here.”
“Nice of you to say.”
Deciding to switch tracks, Trenderhoof continued, “So, is it just you and your… sister, living and working here?”
“Applejack’s my sister, you’re right. And nope, there’s also Apple Bloom and Granny Smith. Apple Bloom’s the younger one, and you’d probably guess what Granny is.”
“Oh, haha, of course. But where are they, if I may ask?”
“Apple Bloom’s at school, and Granny is in town helping prepare for the celebration.”
“Ah, most productive for somepony in their advanced years. Quite admirable.” The unicorn took a modest sip in triumph for getting this stalwart worker to finally open up. Yes, he still had the knack. “No doubt every day is a treat when you’re spending it with family.”
“That’s the truth. Though it can get a bit vexing at times.” The red stallion allowed himself a chuckle at that, which Trenderhoof followed with his own.
“That’s right: the paradox of family living. I was born an only child, but both my parents were very kind and educated. Sometimes I wondered what it would’ve been like to have siblings, but I’m still happy with the way things went. I was able to find a love of the world, and got to see many interesting places, and meet many interesting ponies. Yes, it’s been a delightful ride, though I’m still fairly young.” He then took attention of the other stallion, who seemed to be listening complacently. “But I’ve rambled on enough. I’m sure you’d want to say a thing or two about your goings ons.”
“Nah. I’m not much of a talker.” As though to confirm that, Big Mac raised his glass and drank, ending the topic right there.
“I see. Well, nothing wrong with the strong and silent type. But I can probably imagine that you best express yourself in your actions, rather than your words. Out there, you and nature, just working your whole being, freeing your mind of worldly concerns and just letting it flow like water in a stream. Out there, as the saying goes, a stallion can really be a stallion, and not have to worry what everypony else thinks.” A pause. “Oh, I’m rambling again. Please, don’t hesitate to stop me if I become too much of a bore.”
Another friendly head shake. “It’s all good.”
“That’s good to know. But yes, as I was saying, when it’s just you and the dirt, a stallion knows who he is and what he’s all about. What he likes, what he wants, all laid out like a well-furrowed field. Me, and no doubt a lot of ponies, would probably like such a simplistic yet empowering point of view.”
Big Mac only shrugged. “I suppose.” For Trenderhoof, this was the great success to his subtle conversational skills. What was a silent mystery had opened himself up with little hassle, ready to loosen up and speak comfortably at home, fittingly enough. Normally he’d be satisfied with this knowledge in of itself, but for this day he decided to make the interaction a little more loose. More convivial, he mentally added with a smile before proceeding.
“You know, I couldn’t help but notice you making glances at me as I was leaving yesterday.” A friendly enough remark, to be sure.
“Umm, what?” Seems he spoke too quietly. A slight error, easily fixed with a raise in his voice.
“I saw you watching me go. I’m not offended; I do cut a striking figure to all kinds of ponies, so it happens often. I can practically feel every trailing gaze that’s on me, though I find them more complimentary if anything. Selfish I admit, but that’s how I view it.”
The red stallion seemed to get redder as his eyes darted around before uttering a word. “Uh, I reckon you saw things wrong. I-I wasn’t glancin’ or anything.”
Curious. “I said I’m not offended. There’s nothing to be bashful about.” Trenderhoof chuckled before taking a sip. “If you’re keeping it secret, don’t worry: I may be a traveling journalist, but private matters like this I always keep a zipped lip on. It’s all part of journalistic integrity and respect.”
“I d-don’t know what you’re talkin’ about. I got no secret or-or anything like that. N-nope.”
Trenderhoof straightened at once. The stuttering; the stiff movements; the quavering tone in his voice. They were signs of something the unicorn was also familiar with: something rather unfortunate in a number of cases. It appeared the workhorse had more mystery to him yet. Trenderhoof gave Big Macintosh a careful look before continuing.
“Hold on. Are you… in denial?”
Big Macintosh gave a start at that. “Uh Uh Uh, denial about what? No denial about anything, no sirree. Not at all.”
Oh dear, Trenderhoof thought. Something like this could lead to serious trouble if allowed to continue. As a free-thinking and compassionate pony of the world, he needed to step in on this stallion’s behalf.
“Hey, there’s nothing to be on edge or scared about. Being gay isn’t the taboo it may have been fifty or so years ago. It’s even fashionable in some of the coastal cities I’ve been to—”
“I-I-I’m not gay!” Big Macintosh practically shouted, turning redder still. “I’m straight. Eeyup, I love them mares. I-In fact, there’s a nice sweet mare who teaches over at the school I often see. A pretty one, at that.”
Trenderhoof’s eyebrow rose a notch. “Is that a fact?”
The red stallion crossed his forelimbs and nodded with a satisfied look. “Eeyup.”
“I see.” A more eased response, very confident. No question about the honesty, but there was no mistake about what took place yesterday, nor the flustered behavior. Trenderhoof’s eyes widened at fresh realization. This just became more interesting, he thought.
“But you happen to like stallions as well?” he asked carefully. To this Big Macintosh stiffened, losing the smile.
“Uhhh, n-no?” And there was the source of the discomfort. Another successful deduction. Now to tread carefully with how to ease the poor stallion’s tension. Beginning with a slight lean-in to get his attention.
“Being bi-sexual isn’t something to be ashamed of. It just means you find both parties attractive, and there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, it could be considered a plus by a lot of ponies.”
“Uhhhhhhh… Am I really having this conversation?”
“Yes, and believe me it’s for your own good.” Trenderhoof helped himself to a refill, letting his words sink in to better settle the farmpony. A delicate subject cannot be rushed, especially given the circumstance. “I know this seems bizarre for a relative stranger to be telling you all this. Perhaps offputting. But I’ve seen plenty of stallions and mares in the same kind of mental straits as you, thinking it has to be one or the other. We’ve had generations of conditioning to thank for that, but now we’re in a new, more accepting age. And again, bisexuality isn’t as hard to swallow as being completely gay. It certainly kept my options diverse, hmhm.”
Now it was Big Macintosh’s turn to widen his eyes. “You?”
“Oh yes. Between you and me, it helps sell an image if you’re portrayed as either straight or gay. In regards to magazine notoriety and sales, of course. But I do dabble in the sexes as with most everything in my travels. Heck, I used to be called ‘Swingerhoof’ back in college.” Only a blank stare from the red stallion. So much for humor. “Not really, heheh. To be honest, I was pretty shy and uncertain of my orientation for a good while, and it was in college I started properly exploring it. And let me tell you, there’s no relief quite like accepting what you truly are.”
Silence on the part of the other stallion, although he looked down to the side as though in thought. Just that little push to get the ball rolling; making those gears turn can go a long way.
“Just looking at the ponies that live here, I can imagine you haven’t had anyone calling you out for being different, or even noticing for that matter,” he continued. “So I can see why you wouldn’t be in a position to question and better understand yourself in certain regards. But, all I’m saying, is you’d do yourself no favors in limiting your perspective. I may have gone to places far and wide, well-known and obscure, and seen far more things than your average pony, but you don’t have to go far from home to see things in a fresh light. Who knows: you might find that it makes things more fun.”
More of those distracted, thoughtful looks, followed up with, “Ehh… I dunno.”
“I mean, do the townsfolk subjugate and judge based on who you’re attracted to?” Can’t allow any doubts to linger, he reminded himself. Could wind up with a messy, self-hating relapse.
“No. They’re right kind bout that sort of thing. There are some gay couples living in town I heard about.”
“Ah, a wonderful town indeed. Acceptance really is a beautiful thing to behold, for both the individual and society in general.” With a nod, Trenderhoof got up on his hooves and went over to the tray with the drinks that remained next to Big Macintosh. “Anyway, I believe I rested and talked for long enough. Really should get this out to Applejack. Oh! Probably should refill on ice first.”
Without asking for assistance, he trotted into the kitchen and used his magic to open the freezer, then scooped out some ice cubes and dumped them into the lemonade pitcher. Then with a casting of a yellowish aura over the tray, he went about returning to his original task. Before leaving the dining room, he looked back at the red stallion, who still appeared distracted in thought.
“Just think about it, when you can,” he encouraged. “I’ll be in town until the festival is over, so don’t be afraid to come and ask me any questions you might have. And thanks for the lemonade again!”
With that, he trotted back out into the fresh afternoon with his tray of liquid delights, an added spring to his step at his unexpected act of goodwill. If he could get someone as stoic as Big Macintosh to open up, then getting Applejack to do the same would surely be a cinch!
As for Big Macintosh, he still sat in silence, his eyes fixed on a corner of the room as his mind mulled over the questions and perspective posed before him. Plenty of things to think over, if only for a little bit. One thing was made certain, though: there was more to this Trenderhoof than just looks and a sophisticated voice.
A shame then he never said exactly where in Ponyville he was staying. But as it would turn out, that wouldn’t be a problem.
Author's Note
The going's gonna get good next chapter. Promise ;)
The following day at Sweet Apple Acres, Big Macintosh was milling about the living room of the family homestead deciding what to do with the afternoon. In a few hours the town celebration would kick off, and his sister was doing who-knows-what out in the barn for the occasion… probably. With all the work for the festivities taken care of, there wasn’t much to do around the farm until nightfall. He finally settled on getting something from the fridge, and afterward do a bit of house cleaning. Not that there was any critical need for it, but it never hurts to dust a little, either.
As he made for the kitchen, he stopped at the sound of the front door opening. He turned his head and was struck by a peculiar surprise: it was Trenderhoof, but not in his usual debonair wear. Instead he was dressed in shabby blue coveralls with ragged seams and a red patch sewn on the flank, as well as an equally ragged straw hat. Strangely enough he still wore his white designer glasses, which really did nothing to cover the dejected, mildly embarrassed look on his face.
The unicorn glumly trotted a few steps into the living room with a sigh, but stopped when he looked up and saw Big Macintosh giving him a curious look. He quickly made a meek smile.
“Oh, hello again,” he said, with considerably less enthusiasm than the previous day.
“Uh, hi yourself,” Big Mac replied with a tinge of concern. “Yer lookin’ a bit… interestin’, today.”
“Yeah, that I am.” A heavy sigh. “You would probably be amused to know that I had come here looking to retire from journalism to become a farmer.”
“Oh, really?” Big Mac was on the verge of smirking, but seeing Trenderhoof’s mopey eyes, he chose to restrain himself.
“Yes. I had planned on giving it all away, to spend the rest of my days working the land and being close to my sweet Applejack.” Trenderhoof looked to the side more dejectedly. “But then I was told the undeniably true lesson about the folly of changing one’s self to impress another. Made me realize the kind of fool’s game I’ve been blindly playing these past few days, and it’s certainly done a good job at making feel like a bonafide fool.”
“Oh. Uh, sorry to hear that. But, uh, it still worked out?”
“Thankfully so, I suppose,” the unicorn said, slightly less glum. “Your sister is as wise as she is captivating. Definitely has a good head on her shoulders, as well as good friends. Anyway, I came in here to see if I can get a change of clothes. The festival will be starting in the few hours, and I left my sweater back at my room. Certainly don’t want to go there dressed in this, ha ha.” He tugged at his stone-washed garb for some emphasis, making a weak attempt at a lighthearted smile.
“We ain’t got much to offer,” Big Mac answered. “Nothing sophisticated like what you wore. We ain’t much for clothing, either. Sorry.”
Trenderhoof, despite his mood, grinned. “That’s okay. I could try going in the buff: most everypony else in town seems to be comfortable with it.” At this, he loosened up and chuckled. One-sidedly, but a far more sincere effort. “Though for all my open-mindedness, I could never really be comfortable without having a shirt on at least. Stick with what you’re good at, if anything can be taken from this trip. Always refreshing when you’re just being you, and not covering it up. Well, when it comes to thoughts and feelings at least, hm.” The unicorn turned himself around. “I’ll just hurry back in town as this, maybe slip back indoors before anypony notices. I’ll see you tonight for the festivities.”
As Trenderhoof made his way back to the door, he halted at the shouting of “W-wait!” He looked back to see Big Macintosh holding out a forelimb, as though to further stop him. Realizing the posture he was making, the workhorse dropped his hoof and composed himself before resuming.
“Hey, uh, I’d been thinkin’ about, um, what ya said, yesterday, and…” Big Mac brought a hoof up to the back of his head and rubbed it, making for an awkward pause.
“And?” Trenderhoof was quick to disrupt the silence.
“Well, I been thinkin’ about what you said. About, the… accepting what ya are, you know? You said if I had any questions I could ask you. So, um, I was wondering…”
“Yes?”
It was an even longer, more uncomfortable pause. But like the hardened worker he was, Big Macintosh pushed through and replied to the curious unicorn.
“How… how can a, can a pony be… you know, more…”
Trenderhoof tilted his head in minor confusion, but in seconds he grasped what was being asked. “Are you asking how you can be more bisexual?”
A short pause, then replaced with, “Uhhhh, yeah.”
Trenderhoof blinked a few times, then his face scrunched up as he laughed lightly, which caused some dismay to flash over the red stallion’s face. The unicorn collected himself at seeing this reaction and stopped.
“It’s nothing at all special: you just behave as you would in any other intimate encounter,” was the prompt answer. “The only difference is whether it’s a mare or a stallion you’re talking to, and having to adjust accordingly.”
“Yeah, but, I wouldn’t know how. With stallions, I mean.”
“You talk with stallions on a regular basis, right? With pals and the sort?” Trenderhoof asked.
“Yeah. Just not… like with mares. Intimate, and, yeah…”
Trenderhoof nodded in understanding as this latest hurdle presented itself. “I see. You’re unsure of how to express your attractions to the same sex. Or rather, never had to chance to develop any experience. But like I said, it’s really not all that different from talking to a mare. Tell me: have you ever kissed before?”
“Yeah, I have!” Realizing he yelled that answer, Big Macintosh reeled back his tone and his gaze. “Just, not with a stallion…”
“Then you’re not wholly unprepared,” Trenderhoof assured. “Basically, you just need to find a stallion suitable to your tastes, and go about it like you would with a mare. Well, except in a more masculine matter… most times. But after a while you get a better grasp of the kinds of personalities out there among stallions. Again, just like with mares.”
“I see…” Big Mac looked down to the side in thought.
“I hope that answers your question, Big Macintosh.” Trenderhoof turned back around. “Now I really should head back to town.” He began trotting out, but once again an exclamation halted him.
“W-wait.” Upon turning around, Trenderhoof saw Big Macintosh averting his gaze and shifting around, practically fidgeting. “About finding stallions more suitable to my tastes… Not, too many around town, but… Like you mentioned, ‘bout me casting glances the other day…”
Trenderhoof’s eyebrows slowly rose. “Oh-hoh…”
“Got me wonderin’, ya know?” Big Mac continued, not doing a very good job looking composed. “And all you said yesterday made me more curious, and I, and I… uhm…”
“Wanted to try kissing me?”
The red stallion’s eyes bulged, but looking at Trenderhoof’s sincere face, he relaxed a little, but still looked sheepish with a blush developing. He could only manage an “Uhmm…”, but Trenderhoof helped him out yet again.
“First, I want to say I’m flattered that I was what stoked this new acceptance of yourself. Secondly, you’re not the first bashful stallion to make that kind of proposition. And to be honest, you’re…” He paused to look the farmpony up and down. “Quite the specimen, yourself.”
Hearing that sort of compliment gave Big Mac a start. “Uh, you do?”
“Why yes: well-groomed; muscular, but not too much; polite and of the friendly persuasion; and not to sound demeaning, but your discomfort in talking about these things makes you look adorable.”
To that remark, Big Macintosh fidgeted even more, even making an indistinct whimper. As he yet again averted his gaze, the shabby-dressed unicorn trotted up to him, so that when the earth pony looked back up, Trenderhoof was less than a foot from him with softened eyes trained on his own.
“It would be an honor and a pleasure to help you discover yourself, Big Macintosh.” His voice came out sultry, inviting, which only made the red stallion stiffen and blush even more, his mind abuzz by the surreal unfolding of events.
“Umm, uhh, you sure?” To this, Trenderhoof chuckled softly.
“Well if you’ve never had experience before, wouldn’t you want to try it with somepony you like? Or at least, drawn to and, more importantly, open to the idea?”
“Uhh, yeah, I guess.” Big Mac gave a nervous rub to the back of the neck before looking back to his inexplicable intimacy adviser. “So, uh, how do we, eh, do it?”
“Very simply: with a kiss.”
Trenderhoof leaned forward and up, looking to close the short distance between them. Big Macintosh glanced around nervously, but unable to tear his eyes from the awaiting unicorn for long, he too leaned his head forward, only with some trepidation. With about an inch separating their muzzles, the farmpony was stuck as to how to proceed. Trenderhoof waited patiently, not making any comment. In an instant, Big Mac thought back to Trenderhoof’s earlier remarks, and began to visualize his past experiences with Cheerilee. Few and far between, but they still made good reference material.
With mental association in place, Big Macintosh eased himself, closed his eyes and puckered his lips. Trenderhoof responded in kind, and taking the initiative once more, he closed the gap between the stallions and made contact. Initially Big Mac was struck by the awkwardness of his lips touching those of another stallion, but it went away before the soothing nature of their touch. It was very simplistic, practically a peck. However, finding himself emboldened by the heat of the moment, Big Mac took it a step further and moved his tongue, pushing it slowly into the other stallion’s mouth.
Trenderhoof opened his eyes slightly at this sudden assertiveness, but hummed and permitted the larger stallion access past his teeth. Big Mac cautiously moved his tongue around the skinnier unicorn’s mouth, getting a feel of its roof, gums and tongue, which had also begun moving in response to the newcomer. There were a few times Big Mac had kissed Cheerilee and other mares in this manner, and if he didn’t already know otherwise, this would have seemed just the same. Even better, though, as the other stallion was more deft, firm yet flexible, being more explorative and reciprocating than the others he experienced. For all his clumsy flopping around, Trenderhoof was quick to meet him and make each contact warm and sensual, ensuring they never completely lost touch throughout the whole endeavor.
After what felt like minutes, Big Mac pulled back to catch his breath, leaving only the most miniscule string of saliva to connect the two stallions briefly. The kiss had been unfathomably fulfilling, leaving his thoughts sluggishly content and flustered. Words failed to register as his mouth remained agape and his eyes closed, but like stirring from a restful nap, he opened his eyes to behold the grinning unicorn before him.
“Your lips are soft…” was the first thing he managed to slur out.
“I like to care for myself where it counts, hmhm.” Big Mac looked over Trenderhoof’s face, more consciously this time, before continuing.
“Yer pretty good at that.”
“Well, I did hint somewhat about my expertise yesterday.” Trenderhoof gave a wink. “So, what did you think?”
“It was… good.” Big Mac allowed himself a smile. “Pretty darn good. Real nice.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Trenderhoof said a bit smugly. “I figured you’d be uncomfortable, but you did that very well, very relaxed. So you see how easy it can be with the same gender?”
“Yeah, I guess I do.”
“That’s great! Glad to have helped once again.” Trenderhoof looked back toward the door, but stopped and hesitated briefly before looking back to Big Mac. “So… did you have any other similar questions?”
“Uhhhhhh, well…” The red stallion looked to his shifting hooves, momentarily dumbstruck by what just happened, and the opportunities that had suddenly opened up before him. With how well things had gone so far, why waste the chance? That in mind, he bucked up his courage and looked back to the skinny unicorn. “For a while, I been curious about more uh, uh, intimate things. In the, um… you know…”
Trenderhoof blinked twice, mostly out of surprise to the farmpony’s hesitant boldness. “In the bedroom?” He finished, to which Big Macintosh gave a shaky nod.
“E-Eeyup.”
A very interesting and surprising state of affairs indeed, was what the traveling journalist thought. The kiss had been pleasant enough, but for this kind of suggestion to come up from a pony who, perhaps only a day ago, had been in denial of his sexual identity? Something about that struck Trenderhoof as thrilling in a secretive sense. Furthermore, it could help remove some of the sting of what had happened in the barn. Salve for one heart, experience for another? Or something like that; he’d have to jot that down for future consideration.
“Well, normally such a proposition would seem incredibly forward,” he said, getting back to the present. “But since you’re the one suggesting it, then I don’t see any real qualms. That is, if you’re absolutely okay with it, and not in any… hurry.”
A heavy silence between the two, which, either through tact or plain dumb luck, Big Macintosh broke calmly.
“I got nowhere to be… for a while.”
The soft, almost breathy way the earth pony said that made Trenderhoof’s skin prickle a bit. It was scintillating how quickly this shy tamer of the land had come around. Trenderhoof practically swelled with accomplishment… among other things. A promising afternoon, indeed.
“So would you want a demonstration here, or… in the living room?”
“...My bedroom would probably be best.”
Despite the flow of newfound excitement and lust, Big Macintosh still remembered that his sister was somewhere around the farm, and having her walk in would spoil things into unprecedented realms of awkwardness. To his statement, Trenderhoof humbly nodded, adding, “The privacy wouldn’t hurt.”
Big Mac nodded back, then turned and led the way to the stairs up to the second floor, his unicorn companion trailing behind. Up the steps they went, soon reaching the next landing. After passing the doors of his two siblings’ rooms, Big Mac reached the door to his near the back of the hall and pushed it open, leading Trenderhoof in. It came as no surprise to Trenderhoof at seeing the wide dimensions of the room, as it’d only be fitting for a large stallion to have a large room.
What caught the unicorn’s attention next was the fittingly-large bed, very plain but close to queen-sized. Only two dark blue pillows against a brown headboard atop a purple and white checkered comforter, with a little nightstand beside it: even more quaintness inherent to the Apple domicile, Trenderhoof noted. His observations were disrupted when his eyes wandered to the room’s owner, who had turned to face him and stood looking at him shyly. A little rude to keep his host waiting, he admitted, but he was more than willing to make up for it.
“It all looks very cozy up here,” he complimented, to which Big Mac nodded.
“Eeyup.” His response was met by the delicate lips of the world-savvy unicorn, who decided to rekindle the warmth from downstairs with passionate vengeance. Big Mac accepted this happily, engaging back with more passionate force in his oral maneuvers. As the stallions wrestled tongues in the playful struggle of the enamored, they managed to step in the direction of the bed, despite having their eyes closed and minds otherwise focused.
The world outside the invested kiss registered to Big Macintosh when his rear hoof knocked into the bed, and opening his eyes he looked back to the obstacle, then into the violet eyes of Trenderhoof, who looked at him amusedly. Big Mac curved his mouth into a sheepish grin, but the little misstep was quickly forgotten as Trenderhoof pushed him gently back into the bed with his skillful muzzle.
The great stallion leaned back and scooched over the covers before Trenderhoof’s unrelenting kiss, feeling as though he finally hit a cloud in this surreal bit of heaven he was experiencing. Once his body was nestled fully atop the bed, head resting against the pillows, Trenderhoof finally pulled back, letting Big Macintosh take some much-needed breaths. It also allowed him the opportunity to finally behold the studly farmhoof’s package.
“Oh my…”
Befitting of the name, he thought. The mottled reddish-black specimen was already out of its sheath, sporting a rather impressive twelve inches. Though only half erect from the kissing, its girth alone was enough to give Trenderhoof pause, as it was almost half the width of his forehoof. No doubt it would prove a considerable, even intimidating challenge for later, but Trenderhoof had years of practice and “field testing” to handle the task. He just needed the right preparation.
“It’s, it’s not too odd, is it?” Big Macintosh asked in response to Trenderhoof’s comment. The unicorn, meanwhile, hovered his face before the stallionhood, marveling it as he brought a hoof to its leathery surface.
“Oh no, I dare say this is exquisite. Some of the finest in au naturale physiology, if I should say.” He began to lightly stroke the member, a mischievous grin forming at the corner of his mouth. “Though I think he could offer so much more.”
Trenderhoof sped up his hoof movement slightly, delivering a moderately fast and caressing stroke. For all his special alone times, Big Macintosh never felt his cock handled this firmly yet smoothly. He squirmed before this newfound sensation to his member, giving a low moan as it steadily hardened. In little time Trenderhoof’s expert hoofwork had Big Mac’s Little Mac at full mast, a towering testament to the benefits of hard work and clean living. No question it was close to three quarters the length of his own foreleg, with a bead of precum already forming at the tip.
The unicorn raised himself up to the top of that fine stallionhood, eyeing that growing pool of seminal fluid with increasing want. Though he had gone a long dry spell in the way of stallions, it didn’t stop him from desiring that liquid like maple, or in this case, apple syrup. He brought his nostrils over the tip and breathed on it, getting some of the heady musk while also making the red stallion squirm more from the sensual teasing. His smile growing bigger with anticipation, Trenderhoof lowered his head down slightly before opening his mouth, allowing more warm air to pass over the shaft before him. Slowly he brought out his tongue, letting it dangle and move around the short space between muzzle and penis. Half-lidding his eyes, Trenderhoof started to close the gap, looking to dip into that hot, rounded head… but then he opened his eyes and withdrew his tongue, taking on a more concerned look as he looked to his pleasured host.
“Not going too fast, am I?” he asked sincerely.
“Uh n-n-n-no, no, not too fast! Yer doing great.”
“That’s good to know.” Trenderhoof looked back to the stallionhood, resuming his previous smile. “Consent makes it all the more enjoyable.”
And immediately the assault began. First he brought the tip of his tongue down to scoop up the tantalizing bead of pre, finally savoring the farmer’s flavor. Strong and fairly sweet, with only the slightest hint of bitterness. Next he began to lick around the rounded head, giving it a good film of saliva before bringing attention to the rest of the shaft. The taste of the pre and the radiant warmth of the stallionhood spurred him to lavish it with his tongue, covering every pulsing inch, and taking a moment to playfully lap at the medial ring. After tending to the shaft with his tongue, Trenderhoof brought his head back to the tip, noticing a pool of pre having formed from his ministrations. Not holding back, the unicorn dove right in and engulfed the head of the stallion’s dick with his mouth.
The girth and sheer length of the package made deep-throating it an impossibility, but judging from the fluids flowing into his mouth and the way his paramour was writhing in pleasure, that wouldn’t be too big a concern. He could still try to give it his all regardless, he thought as he began the measured pumping motions over the upper third of the earth pony’s shaft. As he pulled up from each pump, he made it a point to try to get in a little deeper upon going down, centimeter by excruciating centimeter, maintaining a pace to provide prolonged satisfaction for both him and, hopefully, his host.
All the while Big Macintosh was lost in indescribable bliss. The sensation wasn’t unfamiliar to him; Cheerilee had done her own sloppy display in one previous encounter, so it greatly surprised him that this scrawny stallion was working it so damn well. He could only lean back further against the pillows and headboard as the unicorn worked his mouth magic, moaning erratically as his pleasure mounted.
In the meantime, Trenderhoof grew a little more vigorous with the blow job, managing to make it down to the medial ring and wrapping his tongue all around the hot flesh. His straw hat had begun to slide forward, but he adjusted himself slightly and focused more on the top quarter of the stallionhood. At that point the tip was practically gushing precum, but Trenderhoof decided to eke it on further by caressing the shaft with his left hoof and gently fondling the sizable testicles with the right.
Trenderhoof then noticed that his enraptured partner had begun shuddering, and decided to give both himself and Big Mac a rest, if also out of fear of drowning. Opening and pulling back his muzzle, he looked over his hoofiwork: much of the shaft was glistening in saliva, with a fountain of precum flowing down the side. Very amply prepared, he thought with a husky grin. Holding that grin, he turned his attention back to the stallion at his mercy, who was panting in ecstasy.
“Enjoying yourself?” he asked coyly. Big Mac barely had the cognition to open his eyes, but he managed to succeed before speaking.
“Y-y-yeah…” So very cute, Trenderhoof thought.
“Good to know I haven’t lost my touch.” He paused to lick his lips, taking in more of that tangy liquid. Nothing beats a diet of home-grown produce. “I should say you’re more than warmed up for the… next phase.”
Big Mac’s eyes widened fully upon hearing that, and he lifted his head enough so he could look at Trenderhoof directly with those deep, green eyes. The unicorn only laughed softly at the look.
“Don’t worry: I may not look it, but I’m pretty flexible where it counts. And no doubt this bad boy would give me one unforgettable ride,” Trenderhoof said, giving a loving stroke to the staff of stallion pride before him. Only a straight face and shifting eyes met him at the remark. “Or are you not comfortable with going that far yet?” he asked with a concerned tone.
“N-no, it’s just that I’m… well, *cough*, more toward uh… receivin’.”
“...Oh. Well, you’re not the first pony of your stature I met who was more the submissive type.”
Trenderhoof admitted to being surprised: a fellow as big and “gifted” as Big Macintosh, he assumed he’d be a natural top. But first impressions are often misleading. Not that he could really complain, as this reveal meant saving him a rather sore, shaky walk back into town. That new bit of relief quickly developed into newfound excitement at this latest prospect.
“Just let me get a little… better suited, so to speak,” he continued, before whipping on his magic to do so. His shabby straw hat was the first to come off, and then carefully he pulled back the suspenders from his shoulders and smoothly removed his coveralls, placing both the items neatly near the bedroom wall. He kept his glasses on though, wanting to get a better look at the task at hoof. It also allowed him to notice the door that was left slightly ajar, and promptly had it shut telekinetically. Really dodged a bullet there, he mentally remarked as he breathed a sigh of relief.
Free of his garments, Trenderhoof’s own half-erect stallionhood was free to dangle in the breeze, as it were. By no means a blue ribbon candidate like Big Mac’s, but it was a good average size, and it never gave concern to past partners, be they mare or stallion. Removing the constrictive coveralls gave his member a nice tingle upon contact with the air, and he could already feel some of his own precum threaten to drip. Encasing his schlong in his magic, he gave it some pumps and squeezes to get it up to full erectness. At the same time, he crawled up onto the sheets and got his rear knees onto the end of the bed, positioning himself more squarely between Big Mac’s upraised hindlegs.
He looked to Big Mac before saying, “Just need to better prepare you. Remove the sting as much as possible.” The farmpony nodded dumbly at this, and thus Trenderhoof began the next stage of preparations. Given that his host was a very modest and mostly repressed kind of stallion, he doubted there would be a bottle of lube lying around. So he decided to use a more natural lubricant, which he was developing more of with each stroke. Certainly helped in a pinch several times before.
With his cock fully erect, Trenderhoof scooched forward and aimed his dripping lower head to the spot beneath Big Mac’s testicles. Placing his forehooves on the stallion’s well-toned flanks, the unicorn carefully rubbed his moist tip against the tight, wrinkled anus, employing both his hips and magic in making sure it got nice and lubricated. Big Macintosh watched in breathless awe at the cooling sensation of another stallion’s pre being applied to his backdoor. With a good layering of seminal fluid covering the entrance, Trenderhoof turned to the second stage of preparation: his own tool.
Much of his personal lubricant had already been used, but inspiration struck when he looked once more onto the throbbing red shaft he had been servicing previously. Rivulets of apple gloss were going down the excited stallion’s member, and without hesitation Trenderhoof used his magic to help himself to a few scoopfuls. With resupplied lube in hold, he set about lathering his member in a generous coating. Technically this sort of thing was unsanitary, but Big Macintosh looked like a clean stallion, and judging from his gaping expression, it only intensified the arousal.
Soon enough Trenderhoof’s dick was covered and ready to go. He raised himself up and aligned his shaft against Big Mac’s puckered ass, then stopped to look to his host.
“You ready?”
“Y-yeah.”
Trenderhoof nodded, then looking down, he took a breath and pulled back slightly. Then, without delay, he forced himself past the muscular barrier with a quick thrust. A good two inches managed to get in on the first go, Big Mac hissing at the initial penetration. Like the gentlecolt he was, Trenderhoof allowed him to relax and loosen up before resuming. Big Mac took a breath and eased himself, allowing the unicorn to pull back enough so only the head of his penis remained inside. Then he made another quick thrust, adding another two inches into the workhorse’s rectum. Another clench and a groan, but a nod from Big Mac assured Trenderhoof he could proceed. And proceed he did, with gusto.
Trenderhoof began a steady rhythm, slowly pumping his cock in and out of Big Mac’s ass, putting his meat pole deeper into the earth pony’s warm recesses. Big Mac breathed heavily in time to the pull and push of his paramour, losing the sense of pain and steadily being filled with an entirely new form of pleasure. Soon, Trenderhoof managed to get his entire length in, and with the farmer’s rectum properly adjusted, he could finally put on some speed.
The increase in his thrusts were gradual, but he quickly grew more vigorous, forgoing his earlier cautions and relishing in the wondrous confines of Big Mac’s plothole. Big Mac on the other hoof only groaned and reeled his head back from the ebb and flow of pressure to his insides, his cock flopping about and throbbing from each impact and leaking precum profusely. The two stallions became lost in their love-making, their grunts and pants adding to the symphony of a bedroom romp, which included the obligatory bed squeaks and the sounds of flesh on flesh as Trenderhoof’s balls slapped repeatedly against the dock of Big Mac’s tail.
The session would prove to be short-lived, however, as the red stallion squirmed and shuddered, his cock twitching and flaring due to the earlier blow job and these unrelenting sensations. He tried to say something, but words only came out as moans and breaths before Trenderhoof’s mind-blowing pace. The unicorn could tell he was at his limit, though, and while he wanted to make this last a little longer, he chose to help wrap things up for the both of them.
That in mind, he began to jackhammer into the farmpony, eliciting a cry of ecstasy as all concept of time was lost to the poor apple bucker. The fast-paced ramming proved too much for Big Mac after six thrusts, and reeling his head back with a groan and an soundless cry the dam at last broke. His flared cockhead twitched uncontrollably as a great length of semen fired, covering the space along his barrel and chest and ending along the tip of his nostrils. Several more spurts shot out with lessening force, streaking much of his body in white though some managed to hit the sheets. In seconds his spunk came out as a weak dribble, coating his shaft and balls in warm apple cream.
Trenderhoof had kept pumping the whole time, enhancing the orgasm further for his partner. Once the stream of spooge had ended, he allowed himself release and with one last hard thrust he jammed himself deep into Big Mac’s rectum. His penis flared and fired sperm deep into the earth pony’s hot recesses, and though not as voluminous as that of Big Mac, it made enough of a giddy sensation that could still be felt by the mentally worn-out stallion. After a few spurts Trenderhoof had finished, and giving into exhaustion he let himself drop down onto the belly and spent dick of his lover.
For minutes the two stallions just laid there, basking in afterglow and cooling semen. Trenderhoof snuggled against the resting lummox with a warm grin, but eventually he separated himself from the stallion by raising himself up. He was a little taken aback at feeling the semen that had clung to his chin and upper neck, but raising up a hoof he wiped off a spot of it and brought it to his mouth for a taste. As flavorful as the pre, but much thicker and more pungent. He looked down at the red stallionhood that was slowly receding into its sheath, then leaned down and gave it a loving bit of licking to clear away some of the drying spunk. Humming at the lingering taste of apple and salt in his mouth, he pulled himself back to free his flaccid penis from Big Mac’s ass, allowing a small dollop of cum to flow out.
The unicorn paused briefly to regain the feeling in his limbs, then he scooted backwards and dangled his legs over the bed to get his hooves back onto the floor. As he stood, the airflow of his movements made him more aware of the cum that covered him, but he looked to the stallion on the bed, who still appeared blitzed and in a state of recovery.
“How was that?” he asked a bit slyly.
“That… bucking awesome…” Big Mac barely managed to answer between breaths, not even bothering to lift up his head. Trenderhoof chuckled to himself.
“I made a bit of a mess of myself there. Could I perhaps borrow your shower, and maybe where I can find it?” He had to wait some seconds for a response.
“Sure…” Big Macintosh lazily raised a forehoof and made some vague pointing gestures. “Second door, on the left… when ya walk out…”
“Much obliged.” Trenderhoof turned to the door, but looked back to the dazed stallion. “Care to join?”
“Naw… gonna… gonna rest a little…”
“Hmm, alright. You do just that; I’ll be back shortly to check on you, if you want.”
“Eeyup…”
With a flick of his amazingly unmussed mane, Trenderhoof opened the bedroom door with his magic and saw himself back out into the hall, a contented smile on his face. After a quick clean-up he’d get put back on his shabby farmer’s clothes and return back to town as originally planned, only with more spring to his step and a much lighter heart. The afternoon tryst had proven rather therapeutic in the wake of his fallout with Applejack, he reflected. He also got to do an invaluable service for a fellow bisexual, while also unwinding and having a little fun in the bargain as well.
He made a mental note to say a proper farewell to Big Macintosh before leaving, and to make sure he had properly recuperated. No doubt he would be in town when the festivities kick off that night, so at the very least he could count on there being a male correspondence to spend the celebration with. Some cider, a bit of dancing. It could even lead to something more…
Yes, Ponyville was certainly a wonderful little town.
Author's Note
So, yeah, my first and likely only clopfic. Didn't see that coming, huh? Neither had I, but I figured I'd do at least one of these as a kind of challenge, and for this particular couple that's kinda how it was. But I'm satisfied with how this turned out, and so is the person I wrote this for. What do you think? Comment, or fap, or comment while fapping. Though to be honest, this may not be all that fap-worthy. Still, a nice interesting diversion XP
For those of you new to my writing, you can check out my less smutty but far sillier and stupider works, and some that will make you cry. No fap material, unless you're really into video game-esque shenanigans and parody... or into BowserXSombra. OTP, yo!
