First Times

"So, Darling," Rarity began with her usual charm, "Not that I don't enjoy your company, but I was a tad surprised when you mentioned you wanted to join me and Fluttershy on our next trip to the spa."

The fashionista lifted a curious eyebrow in Applejack's direction, taking note of the slight blush that seemed to be a permanent fixture on the farmer's face.

Currently, the three of them were sitting in the massive hot tub that was the central feature of the Ponyville Spa, soaking in some mix of minerals that Applejack didn't even try to pretend to know. Rarity and Fluttershy sat next to each other, and Applejack across from them.

"Well, there's nothing wrong with wanting to spend some time with some of ma' best friends, right?" Applejack asked, the nervous undertone in her voice making it all too clear to Rarity that there was a bit more to it than that.

The cocked eyebrow returned once again, seemingly tearing into Applejack's hastily constructed excuse. Applejack fanned herself with a hoof, doing her best to look at anyplace but Rarity's inquisitive gaze.

"If this is about you and Brutus' big date tonight, you can just tell us, Applejack," Rarity said, a small smirk on her face.

The slight tinge of red on Applejack's face exploded across the farmer's freckled cheeks, the mare looking at her friend in some degree of surprise as she was found out so easily.

"How do y'all know about that?" Applejack asked a bit too quickly.

"Well, if you must know. The maitre d' of the restaurant Brutus is taking you to just so happens to be a semi-regular customer of mine. When she mentioned to me that one of my friend's coltfriend just so happened to reserve one of the finest tables in the restaurant, not to mention the honeymooner's sweet, I couldn't help but be curious could I?" the fashionista said, doing her best to appear innocent, "Us mares do love to gossip."

"Yeah… Gossip," Applejack replied in a flat voice.

Evidently not hearing, or just not caring about Applejack's dry tone, Rarity stood up and made her way over to the cowpony.

"And I, being such a good friend of course, am positively dying to know why one of my best friends decided to keep this information from me?" Rarity continued with her usual dramatic flourishes.

"Well, maybe I just wanted to keep it to myself is all," Applejack replied, trying to hide behind her nonexistent hat.

"Oh please, you haven't been like this about dates with Brutus since he first asked you out. He's practically all you've been talking about since then," a thoughtful look formed on Rarity's face, "No, no, something must be different about this time."

The fashionista paused, her hoof connecting invisible dots as she leaned closer to Applejack. Eventually, a positively devilish grin appeared on Rarity's face, Applejack leaning away in fright as the former locked eyes with her.

"Oh Applejack, you naughty mare," Rarity said, her voice low and dangerous. "That's why you're acting so different, after this date you and Brutus are going to go up to that bedroom and share a lovely night of.... intimacy. Aren't you Applejack?"

"Oh! Like Mr. and Mrs. Rabbit!" Fluttershy said, her voice muffled by her mane.

Applejack could feel the steam coming off her face at this point, half formed sentences flooding out of her mouth as Rarity's predatory gaze bored into her eyes

"That ain't none of your business," Applejack finally replied, her voice slightly shaky.

"No, no, it wouldn't be," Rarity said, "but I think it would be too much of a coincidence if this spa visit didn't involve that at all," she leaned in, pressing her forehead against Applejack's, "And I don't believe in coincidences, Applejack."

Between her blushing face, and Rarity's persistence, Applejack felt her resolve swiftly crumbling.

"Alright, fine," Applejack said as she pushed the clinging Rarity off of her, "We may be planning something a little extra after our date tonight."

There was silence in the tub, the three mares not saying a word as Applejack stared at the clear water.

Rarity however, didn't have nearly the same reaction

The fashionista almost immediately afterwards let out a loud squeal of delight, a huge smile breaking out across her face as she tackled-hugged Applejack.

"How wonderful!" she exclaimed, "one of my best friends friends, taken on a romantic date with her dashing stallion, just before they retreat to the bedroom and lose themselves in a night of wild, untamed, passion," the intensity in Rarity's voice sending another fresh blush across Applejack's face. She let out another squeal, "Oh, it's just like in my books!"

Meanwhile, Applejack was struggling to breath as she was crushed by Rarity's surprisingly strong grip.

"That's great, Rarity, but if you don't mind I'd appreciate you not making sure Canterlot knows I'm going to get laid this weekend," she said while tugging on Rarity's leg.

This seemed to deflate Rarity's sails a little as she released Applejack embarrassedly. Applejack gave the fashionista a slightly dirty glare, who at least had the courtesy to look slightly ashamed.

"I think that's wonderful," Fluttershy said, her voice full of earnest happiness.

"Thanks, Fluttershy," Applejack said.

"Yes yes, it truly is wonderful," Rarity said while waving a hoof, "but please, Applejack, we need the details behind this. This is a big step for any relationship."

"How would you know we didn't… take this step before?" Applejack asked.

"Well, you all but admitted to it firstly, and secondly, Darling, Brutus is well… a brute of a stallion, if not in actions than at least in size. If you and him did in fact partake in the the other's carnal pleasures, you would quite simply not walk straight the next day. I've tried to hold myself back, but you must admit he is quite the exemplar of masculinity. I couldn't help but to sneak a glance or two in every now and then, and believe me, if he used that weapon on you, the whole town would know the next day."

Applejack gave Rarity a dirty look for sneaking looks at her boyfriend, especially his crotch, but could not fault the mares logic. After a few seconds, Applejack let out a small sigh and leaned against the tub.

"Well, I don't rightly know when we decided that we would finally take this step this weekend. Didn't even talk about it really, I think we just know it's the right time to do it," a broad smile slowly stretched across Applejack's face, "You know, the last date we had was in the orchard, just a picnic. But after we ate, we just laid there and looked at the stars, sharing a bottle of hard cider. He pulled me close, gave me a kiss, looked me in the eyes and said 'I could do this forever'."

Applejack's dreamy sigh was matched by Rarity's.

"I think I could, too," Applejack said, her voice full of the honesty she was famous for, "He's just so good to me. I don't have to worry about dressing up all pretty for him. Don't have to worry about my accent, mah mane, nothin. He just... pulls me into his arms, gives me a kiss, and everything just melts away."

Applejack let out a small chuckle.

"Since when did my life become a country song?"

A white hoof grabbed ahold of hers, and Applejack looked up to see a smiling Rarity. The fashionista, once again playing into her own stereotype, couldn't hold herself together long as another loud squeal erupted from her mouth.

"Oh this is wonderful, Darling! Right after this, I'm going to drag you straight to my boutique for a fitting."

"Errmm... fitting for what?" Applejack asked.

"Why some fetching lingerie, my dear Applejack." Rarity said with a dangerous glint in her eyes. "I'm going to ensure that when Brutus sees you, he can’t help but ravage you."

*****

Brutus grunted as he pumped out the last few reps of this set, sweat threatening to run into his eyes as his arms burned with his effort. He could feel his arms shaking, his strength waning as he approached the end of his workout. The large stallion was on his back, bench pressing a rather impressive amount of weight.

With a final grunt, and with a little help from his spotter, he set the bar on its stand, and almost immediately let out a loud sigh of relief.

"I think we can call it a day," Brutus said in between great lungfuls of air as he grabbed his sweat towel.

"Eyup," was his workout partner's response, his voice tired.

Brutus grinned as he reached over and gave Big Mac a friendly jab to the shoulder,

"We could always put some more weights on if you want a challenge."

Brutus was sure he could see a ghost of a smile on Big Mac's face as he shook his head no, in a rather expressive way for the normally demure stallion. The two of them were in Ponyville's wrestling arena, using the weight room offered to them due to Brutus' current status of champion.

Chuckling, Brutus stood up, wiping his brow.

"Well come on, let's hit the showers."

He paused as he regained his footing, taking the time to steady his fatigued legs. Unable to resist the urge, as most stallions do after a workout, he took a look at himself in the large floor-to-ceiling mirror the gym sported.

As always, his black fur, brightening quickly to a smokey grey towards his hooves, and grey eyes, stood out to him. His rather unique coloring definitely made him easily spottable in a crowd. And if it wasn't his coloring, the next thing was his size. Easily one of the largest stallions in Equestria, almost on par with Princess Luna, his massive body positively rippled with muscles. They were easily defined in his well-kept coat, even when he didn't flex. Yet despite his imposing musculature, none of it was disproportionate or unsightly like some body builders tended to trend towards.

He tried to be modest, something his mother always tried to emphasize during his childhood. But it was hard sometimes, especially when the crowd was cheering his name. However, he didn't think his mother would fault him for checking himself out every now and then.

Big Mac walked up next to him, giving him a mildly amused look. The farm pony himself was slightly smaller than Brutus, and his musculature was a bit less defined due to his more traditional workout, but still it was more than enough to draw the eye.

"Don't give me that look," Brutus said.

Big Mac rolled his eyes, giving Brutus a push towards the showers.

"Let's go, ah still got some work to do at the farm."

"Your stamina is absolutely legendary Big Mac," Brutus said giving him a leer out of the corner of his eyes.

Big Mac responded with a quick kick to the wrestler's rear.

Yelping, in a totally manly way of course, Brutus jumped forward, almost falling as his tired legs gave out. It took a few moments, but after regaining his dignity, Brutus turned around to give Big Mac a taste of his own medicine only to find the farmer had already made his way over to the locker room door. Swallowing his pride, Brutus headed towards the door as well, knowing that Big Mac had won this round.

A short while later, both stallions found themselves in the showers, the hot water easing their tired muscles as they washed the sweat off their coats and manes. As much as some mares around reveled in the sight of the two all nice and sweaty, neither of them really enjoyed the attention it never failed to bring.

"Listen Big Mac, you know me and your sister have a date tonight right?"

Big Mac paused scrubbing himself for a split second, but quickly resumed.

"Eyup"

"You know I really like her right?" Brutus said, his tone implying much more.

Another pause.

"Eyup"

Neither of them said a word for a small while, the sound of the showers the only thing present between them.

"Thinkin' of settling down?" Big Mac asked, no need to mention who the mare in question was.

Brutus sighed, knowing that this was probably one of the most important answers he'd ever give to a question.

During the early days of his wrestling career, he had taken the oppurtunity his newfound fame presented to him and have a string of good-looking, high-profile marefriends. None of the relationships hadn't lasted long, as those types tended to do, but at some point during each of them he was pretty sure that he could spend the rest of his life with one of those mares. He knew that his feelings towards Applejack were not the same, on an entirely different plane of existence even, but nonetheless the question was heavily weighted in his mind.

"Applejack is… the most amazing pony in Equestria. I knew from the first time I saw her, looking entirely out of place at one of my matches that Rainbow had dragged her to, that she was something special. Tartarus, she nearly bucked my brains out when I followed her out afterwards, thinking that I thought she was some easy lay," he chuckled, "you should have seen Rainbow too. I swear the pair of them could stare a cockatrice down if they got angry enough."

Big Mac chuckled, knowing full well how dangerous the two mares could be.

"So… yea. If Applejack doesn't have other plans… I think I could settle down with her."

Big Mac turned, locking eyes with Brutus. There was alot he could say, how he was one of the few topics Applejack could talk endlessly about, how Applejack had a not-entirely-secret conversation with Granny about the same topic. He could tell him that he approved of this decision, as much as his opinion as older brother mattered.

But no, none of that needed to be said. So he simply raised his hoof and the two of them shared a hoof bump.

"Eyup"

*****

It was later that night, and Brutus was waiting in Ponyville square for Applejack. He was dressed in a simple suit. It was a far cry from the bombastic outfits he wore when at a "formal" event for his wrestling league.

As much as he had wanted to go through the proper process and escort Applejack from her home to the date, Sweet Apple Acre's distance from the restaurant, not to mention the slightly-less-than well-maintained road back to Ponyville would no doubt have something mean to say about their formal wear.

So instead, they had agreed to meet here, with Applejack saying she would get dressed at Rarity's. When Brutus had offered to pick her up from there, they both had swiftly come to the realization that Rarity would without a doubt cause them to be late. The fashionista's heart certainly was in the right place, but she could be a bit… much at times. So here he was, standing and waiting, only a tad out of place in his fancy get-up.

Brutus let own a sigh, finally realizing that he had perhaps arrived here a bit too early.

"Brutus?" Applejack suddenly said from behind him.

A bit faster, and a lot less suave, than he would have liked, Brutus turned around. Only to have his mouth drop open when he caught sight of his date.

Applejack was wearing what could best be described as a 'Southern Belle' dress. Predominantly blue, but have a fair share of white lace and frills. It hugged her figure, but at the same time hid enough of her curves from view to remain decent. A matching hat sat on her head in lieu of her usual stetson. And, even more unbelievably. she was wearing make-up, only a small amount, but it was expertly applied, no doubt by Rarity.

All in all, she was awe-inspiring... radiant... divine even.

For once in his life, Brutus' tongue was tied. So he simply stood there, gaping like a fish.

"You okay there sugarcube?" Applejack asked, a small crease of worry appearing on her forehead.

Finally, Brutus managed to shake himself out of his stupor.

"Oh yes! I'm fine, better than that now that you're here," and after a little pause he continued, "That dress looks amazing on you… You look amazing."

Matching blushes lit up on their faces.

"Good to hear that sugarcube," Applejack said, "I don't think Rarity would appreciate it much if you didn't say that."

Brutus chuckled, knowing full well how dangerous the fashionista's wrath could be.

"Well, we will be a tad early, but I think we should head to the restaurant now."

"Sounds good to me," Applejack replied.

With a smile, Brutus gestured in the direction of the restaurant, Applejack giving him a coy grin as she fell in by his side. Their tails intertwined, a common gesture of affection but only something earth pony's could really understand the significance of. Applejack took the oppurtunity to nuzzle her head under Brutus's chin, taking a small whiff of his cologne that couldn't quite hide the masculine musk that always seemed to be around him. Brutus ears splayed out as a blush spread across his features. His steps faltering only a little at Applejack's sudden affection.

"If you think this dress looks good on me now, just wait until you see it off of me tonight."

The look on Brutus' face was totally worth listening to Rarity's, often times questionable, advice for once.

A short while later they arrived at the restaurant, one of the more formal in Ponyville located on the ground floor of the town's only five-star hotel. It was a rather new establishment founded in the aftermath of Twilight's Friendship Castle appearing in the town.

Always being the gentlecolt, Brutus made a show of holding the door open for Applejack.

"Allow my, my lady."

Rolling her eyes, but nonetheless playing along, Applejack responded with a quick courtsy

"Why thankyou kind sir."

Chuckling, the two of them made their way to the maitre d' , a rather fetching middle-aged mare who was quite obviously sporting one of Rarity's latest designs.

"Ah, Brutus and miss Applejack, your table is already set."

Caught a bit unprepared by the prompt service, it took them a split moment to realize that the maitre d' had already started leading them towards their table.

The table itself was on a raised platform hidden behind a few privacy screens, enough to provide a small amount of privacy but not too much as to be cut off from the atmosphere of the restaurant. It was large enough to have room for plenty of food, yet still managing to be quite intimate.

After seating the duo and leaving their menus, the maitre d' swiftly adjusted the privacy screens.

"Your server will be with you shortly, and if you need anything please do not hesitate to ask."

And with that she ducked behind the screens and headed back towards the front.

"Well, this is sure quite something," Applejack said.

"Only the best for you Applejack."

The mare rolled her eyes, but nonetheless smiled at the corny remark.

So involved with each other that the two of them did not see the next table the maitre d' made her way over to.

"Would you like to see our wine list tonight ma'am?" she asked a mare in a wide brimmed hat doing her best to look inconspicuous.

"Not tonight darling, for I am on the case!" the mare said with the appropriate dramatic flourishes.

Well used to the mare's eccentricities, the maitre d' turned to the other pony present at the table.

"And you?"

'Oh ummm… I wouldn't mind the house red, if that's okay with you that is…"

"Oh course ma'am."

"Well, I guess I could imbibe myself a little," The first mare admitted.

****