A puddle is what almost caused the red workhorse to trip and fall face first into the mud, but he had somehow managed to keep his balance. He lifted his foreleg and wiped at his eyes, the sky hitting him with heavy bullets of water that were already beginning to soak him. Even the cover of the apple trees weren’t very helpful in the winds that seemed to blow the rain towards them.

Big Macintosh made sure to look behind him every few moments to make sure Caramel was keeping up. His hooves splashed down against the muddy ground and kicked up mud as he galloped along. He had to squint his eyes to make out more than ten feet ahead of him in the icy downpour falling down on his body.

His breath was heavy, and he has to constantly push his wet mane from his eyes to keep going. He was careful not to drop the tied up blanket on his back as he galloped along, Caramel close behind and seeming to pant even louder than him.

“This way, Sugar,” Big Macintosh said loudly through a crash of thunder that he saw made Caramel jump. He resisted the urge to grab Caramel’s hoof, knowing the only thing that would help would be getting out of this rain. He weaved his way through the trees and eventually spotted a familiar sight. His bright red barn took in the distance, and he found himself picking up in speed before he threw open the door.

Caramel’s gallop was closer to a brisk walk by the time he stumbled in the doorway of the pitch black barn. Mac squinted his eyes and from the light of the doorway he was able to make out little more than a cart, some hay, and wooden beams that held the whole place up. He took a moment to catch his breath and soon felt Caramel lean up against him.

“Is it okay?” Caramel asked, his hooves shaky as well as his breath. He grabbed the blanket from off of Mac’s back. Big Macintosh let him snatch it away before he took several steps into the open room. He was careful to watch where he placed his hooves in the darkness so not to trip, and felt his hoof along the walls.

“It’s soaking…” Caramel mumbled. Mac glanced back and saw Caramel’s hooves touch the slop that covered the blanket with a disgusted look on his face. He flicked whatever stuck to his hooves and pushed his dripping mane from his eyes. Mac frowned, but still turned away and walked along the wall until his hoof brushed up against a hook.

He could feel and make out the outline of a lamp with his hoof, which he quickly snatched up. he was thankful there seemed to be a box of matches with them when he heard a crash of thunder that made him jump and Caramel exclaim a yelp. Mac’s eyes darted back to Caramel and he saw the tan stallion cover both his ears with his hooves and shut his eyes. Water dripped off the end of his nose and he tightened his body the best he could.

“Sugar,” Big Macintosh spoke softly when he approached Caramel. He let his eyes wander to the blanket to see what was once apple pie before it had gotten soaked and mashed up in the mad attempt to gather everything. There were bits of greens and oats that were part of salads. That had gotten mixed up as well. Whatever it was, the mess certainly wasn’t edible anymore. “Can ya light this while Ah look fer somethin’ ta dry us off?”

Mac set the lantern and matchbox next to Caramel. He put his hooves on Caramel’s own and lowered them from his ears. He didn’t expect his lover’s muscles to be so tense, but they were. Caramel was cold, and the touch of the other made the workhorse frown. When he looked into Caramel’s eyes he saw they were watering.

“I-I’m sorry Mac,” Caramel nearly whimpered the words. He quickly hugged himself and sniffled loudly before he clamped a hoof over his eye. “I should have listened, you said it would rain and I… I didn’t listen. C-Can we just go back to the house?”

“Nope.” Big Macintosh shook his head. “This here’s a back barn, not the one near the house. House is a good five minute run from here, an Ah don’t want ya ta get a cold.”

The workhorse got to his hooves again and heard Caramel fumble with the lantern. He tried to walk to the cart slowly and put his hoof over some apples. He could see just a tiny bit better once the lantern was lit, and out of the corner of his eye he spotted a white towel. He snatched it up with his hooves and quickly returned to Caramel, placing the towel over his mane and seating himself behind him.

“M-Mac, I can dry myself,” Caramel protested with a bit of a squirm. His voice was edging on being choked. Mac didn’t reply, but instead pressed his lips down against Carmel's damp mane. He ran the towel up and down Caramel’s back just enough so he wouldn’t be dripping any longer. Thankfully Caramel didn’t seem to trample through the mud as much as Mac did, so the towel was still clean enough for Mac to begin

“I wanted to surprise you…” Caramel mumbled. He looked into Mac’s eyes for just a brief moment before he bit down on his lip and stared at the mess before them. Wind blew up against the barn, and the rain only seemed to grow louder as time passed.

“Surprise me with what?” Mac questioned. He could feel Caramel’s muscles tense when another slam of thunder hit.

“A-Applejack’s been teaching me how to make your favorite pie,” Caramel tried to force a chuckle, though it sounded more like a sniffle. “I’ve been practicing and she says I’m getting good, and I made you some and… I was excited for you to try it.”

Caramel’s eyes seemed to linger on the dancing flame of the lantern. He wiped at his eyes with his damp hoof. Mac reached out to touch him and realized he was cold. Without much warning, Mac wrapped Caramel in his forelegs and brought him closer, seating the smaller stallion between his legs so he could hold him close.

“M-Mac, what are you doing?” Caramel squirmed in Mac’s arms when he was dragged. His face pressing up to the base of Big Mac’s neck seemed to calm him down.

“Yer gonna catch a cold.” Big Mac blinked his eyes and stared down into Caramel’s own. He ran his hoof over Caramel’s mane and kissed his forehead gently. “Don’t worry ‘bout the pie.”

“B-But… I didn’t listen to you and we both go- WAH!” Caramel’s babbling was stopped by another crash of thunder. Mac felt himself be squeezed back, and a warm cheek was soon pressed against his fur. Caramel whimpered and seemed to dig his hoof into the dirt floor. “I’m sorry… You pay attention to this more than I ever do. I should have trusted you and listened and… not gotten us both stuck here till the storm passes.”

“Stop beatin’ yerself up, Caramel.” Big Macintosh pushed away Caramel’s body and held him at a forelegs reach. He stared firmly into Caramel’s eyes and made it a point not to blink. “Ya made a mistake, it’s alright. Ah ain’t even mad, see?”

Caramel ran his hooves in circles over Mac’s damp chest. He wiped at his eyes yet again and sniffled for what felt like the tenth time. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, but never seemed to decide on an answer.

“But…”

“If ya say ‘but’ anythin’, Ah’ll find a way ta make ya stop bein’ so mopey.” Mac tried his best not to smile with a flash of what could only be described as terror popped into Caramel’s eyes.

“But Mac!” Caramel tried to protest, but Mac simple shook his head.

“Always the direct approach of just ticklin’ ya, but that’s too easy.” Mac teased. He held Caramel in place with his hind legs and pressed a hoof against his belly. “Maybe Ah’ll just grab this belly of yers, ya always smile when Ah do.”

“M-Mac, c’mon,” Caramel’s mouth was wiggling and trying to suppress a smile. He pushed away Mac’s muzzle and turned his head so the workhorse wouldn’t see him blushing. He ran his hooves over Caramel’s round belly and licked his lips.

“Ah got all the Caramel here that Ah need. Why would Ah want a pie?” Mac questioned. He could feel Caramel squirm and he simply forced his lips down against Caramel’s cheek. Caramel burst out in a fit of giggles and Mac simply smiled.

“O-Okay I get it, stop teasing me!” Caramel was giggling at this point. Mac pulled Caramel closer until their bellies pressed together and simply smiled at him.

“Ain’t the worst place ta get stuck in a storm,” Big Macintosh whispered to Caramel. He ran his hoof up Caramel’s leg and over his cutie mark. “Plenty of entertainment. Ya can show me how to make that pie. Ah bet it has some apples all over the sugar.”

“Pfff… hehehe...” Caramel bit down hard on his lip. He closed his eyes and held back laughter that Mac couldn't help but frown at. He used both his hooves to cover up his face and giggle helplessly.

“W-What’s so funny?” Mac’s demeanor broke for just a moment. He could feel his own face grow warm.

“Too far.” Caramel nearly whimpered through his giggling. Mac realized Caramel’s muscles had loosened, and he was so busy giggling that a burst of thunder didn’t even seem to phase him. Mac blushed and scratched at his own ear, though Caramel soon sat up and pressed their lips together. “Y-You’re such a dork.”

"No Ah ain't..."

Caramel managed to push Mac on his back in one simple push. Out of the corner of his eye Mac saw the dancing flame of the lantern. Caramel’s damp fur felt cold on his warm cheek when he kissed Caramel’s neck. He soon realized that Caramel was indeed spreading Mac’s legs.

“O-One corny line an Ah’m on bottom?” Mac laughed loudly, a sort of laugh that came from the bottom of his chest.

“I can’t take you seriously now,” Caramel smiled down at Mac when he spoke. He pressed his lips against Big Mac’s, and all the desire to protest to melted away. “You're right though. Plenty of entertainment."

And with that, Big Macintosh suddenly had no reply. Caramel kissed him again, and the bullets of rain began to sound rather soothing. Big Macintosh closed his eyes, and felt warmth overtake his body. His face felt warm just like the fire of the lantern, and Caramel's advances were certainly no help in the matter.

Not that the workhorse was willing to complain.

Author's Note

Now that I teased the audience, next chapter might actually have some explicit material.