Cheerilee’s daytime routine resumed itself as normal. She ate breakfast, brushed her teeth, looked over her school material for the day, and then set off for the schoolhouse. She was better rested than she had been the day before, so this time it all came more easily to her.

Her level of rest – as much rest as a dutiful schoolteacher would ever permit herself to have, anyway – also showed during her day at school. Her thoughts were much more focused on her students than they had been the previous day. During lectures she was on-point, and during “free work” time she was not only ready and able to help each student with whatever they wanted to learn, but also looked to see who needed help finding something to do.

This behavior was evidently too peppy to escape notice, however, because after the end-of-school bell, she was approached by Sweetie Belle, followed closely by Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Sweetie asked her, with a smile on her face, “So, is there somepony you’re looking forward to seeing?”

Cheerilie jolted just a bit. “What do you mean?” How did she know? Did somepony see? Does anypony-

“Saaaay, this afternoon?” Sweetie's smile widened, and Apple Bloom and Scootaloo began to smile as well.

Oh. Yes. My picnic with Big Macintosh. Which is today.

“Oh, y-yes... that.” She blushed slightly. “In fact, I need to hurry and make myself ready, so if you'll excuse me...”

She turned and trotted off to hide her flustered state. The Cutie Mark Crusaders, meanwhile, showed no signs of discomfort at being brushed off, and called after her, “Have fun, Miss Cheerilee!”

Cheerilee was early this time.

She was always punctual, of course, but as it turned out, getting prepared for an afternoon picnic with Big Mac didn't take as much time as she had led the Cutie Mark Crusaders to believe, and she'd arrived at their meeting spot with time to spare. Unfortunately, this meant she had more time to think about the whole business with... his visits at night.

She had picnics with Big Macintosh on a regular basis, every Friday afternoon after school. They had been going on for long before Cheerilee's mysterious visitor had appeared, ever since shortly after the whole “love poison” incident... and yet for all the time spent together with Big Mac, Cheerilee still wasn't sure if she was interested in him romantically. Since she had time before Big Mac arrived to the picnic, her mind seemed to decide that dwelling on him – and him – would be a good way to pass the time.

Why hadn't she made advances on Big Mac, despite their closeness, she wondered? Was she afraid of commitment, of going into a long-term relationship, potentially marriage and a family? That might explain why she enjoyed her batpony suitor so much – he was somepony who seemed to have no existence outside her bedroom. No family to meet, no shared living arrangements to make, no worries about their future... just pure, passionate rutting, and nothing else that could get in the way of their mutual lust.

Another side of this was that she could focus all her daytime activities on her school and students. She didn't have to worry much about spending enough time with a boyfriend, or keeping the house clean for two (or more), or anything else that might complicate or take time away from her job. Her students deserved nothing less than her full attention and effort, and she enjoyed giving it. She wondered if that was what was meant by “married to the job.” Aside from the occasional late nights and fatigued days caused by her “affair” with a certain batpony stallion, it seemed to be a happy marriage.

He really was an ideal discreet lover, at least if Cheerilee was any judge. He asked for nothing but her bed and her body, and rewarded her well for her gifts to him. So why was she not completely satisfied? Why did something feel... just a little off about their “relationship?”

Unfortunately, as she prepared for a long, private soul search, Big Macintosh arrived, carried a picnic basket. Cheerilee was slow in responding, and he had set down the basket in front of her before she could speak up. “Hello, Big Macintosh.”

“Hello, Miss Cheerilee.” If he thought there was anything odd about her hesitation, he showed no sign of it. She had to admit, she liked the way he simply accepted things without comment, apparently seeing no issues worthy of mention.

The two set up their picnic and ate in relative silence. Something Cheerilee had learned during the love poison incident was that Big Mac was uncomfortable with small talk. He would answer questions with his versions of “yes” and “no” but he didn't speak up much unless there was something that needed to be spoken about. Instead, she spoke, and he answered, occasionally speaking up about something noteworthy, but he mostly just listened to her without telling her to stop or showing signs of boredom.

...Cheerilee was starting to wonder if she had a thing for quiet stallions. Two ponies wasn't enough to form a pattern, but it was noteworthy, and kind of funny.

Big Mac had been growing more and more verbose with her over time, of course – his laconic nature was in part due to shyness - but he was still mostly a listener, and a great listener too. Sadly, despite the fact that Cheerilee trusted him as a friend, she still didn't feel right telling him about... him.

It was, admittedly, a bit of a weird thing to tell someone, and not just because of the lewd details. A mysterious, silent batpony stallion sneaking into her home and rutting her on whatever night he felt like it? A batpony who left no trace but stains on her sheets and embers in her heart? There were probably more than a few ponies in town who wouldn't believe Cheerilee if she told them. And others who might take... drastic actions in response, and Cheerilee couldn't blame them.

But of course... she would probably have to tell Big Macintosh. Not just because he was her friend, but also because, despite her hesitation to turn their relationship into anything more... it was entirely possible that Big Mac saw her as more than a friend, and was interested in a romantic relationship someday. Perhaps his shyness had gotten the best of him and he was waiting for her to make her own affection (or lack thereof) known.

Still... how should she go about telling him that she wasn't sure they should be a couple? “I'm sorry, Big Macintosh, but I think we should stay friends.”

No, she'd have to say why, he might ask and he deserved to know. But that too was problematic: “I'm seeing someone else.”

Or maybe, “I'm not really sure who I want in a partner so I'm seeing what other stallions are like.”

Or maybe just an unabridged, “I know we've been going on picnics for a long time but I don't think I'm interested in you, and I only realized that once a batpony stallion whose name I don't even know started coming into my room and fucking me senseless at night.”

Hmm. This could require some thought. Perhaps she could tell him next week. She needed to think of a good way to explain this whole situation she found herself in... hopefully there was a good way to explain it all.

“Miss Cheerilee,” Big Macintosh spoke up. “You seem to be thinking about something.”

Being a good listener meant being observant, it seemed. Cheerilee wondered, with a bit of embarrassment, how out of it she must have been to make him speak up about it.

“Yes...” She sighed and looked at him. “I've... been trying to think about... what exactly I want in a partner... in a boyfriend.”

Big Mac stared at her for a moment without comment, then nodded.

Cheerilee took that as an invitation to continue. “I... well, I haven't been in love in so long, I haven't really thought about what my ideal stallion would be like. I've been so dedicated to the school and my students that I haven't looked for anypony, and wouldn't know what I'd do if I did I fall in love with somepony.”

Big Mac nodded again, speaking up this time. “I'm sort of like that myself. I spend a lot of time on the farm... it keeps my mind off things like that. And I'm too shy to ask a mare out so I tell myself I prefer it that way.” He glanced aside, with an almost imperceptible, but wistful sigh. At the same time, his face seemed untroubled, as if gracefully accepting his status as a bachelor.

Cheerilee nodded. “Can I ask you something, Big Mac? It's about... well, helping me figure something out.”

Big Mac looked into her eyes, curious. “Eeyup.”

“What's it like for you when you fall in love? I mean, what is it you feel towards a pony you really like?”

Big Mac sighed. “To be honest, I'm trying to figure that out myself.”

Cheerilee frowned thoughtfully. “Oh? Why is that?”

“Well...” He hesitated, before speaking in a softer tone. “You remember a few months ago, when me and my fam' went to visit Pinkie Pie's family for Hearth's Warming?”

Cheerilee nodded. “I do.”

“Well... I told you about her family, right? It's just, one of her sisters...” He blushed, most of it hidden by his red coat. “She's very pretty, but also quiet and sweet and gentle and... while I was there I felt like I understood her. Even though we barely said a word to each other, it was like we didn't need to. That we could communicate what was important.” He chuckled lightly. “I don't know if it was body language or something, or if we actually understood each other that well. But I've been writing her every couple of weeks since then and... I'm still not sure how I feel, or even if we'd work out. I work on an apple farm and she works on a rock farm... I'm not sure there's much overlap.”

Cheerile nodded. “I see... sounds like a lot to think about.” She had mixed feelings about this crush of his. On the one hoof, it meant he wouldn't be too upset when she told him about her own “crush.” That being said... the way he talked about how Pinkie's sister made him feel made her just a little... envious. She wished she could have such a connection with her silent stallion. “You said you had a... connection of sorts with her?”

“Eeyup.” Big Mac nodded. “That sort of thing means a lot to me. I don't talk much with most ponies unless its necessary... but I really like being with a pony and feeling that I don't need to say anything at all.” He smiled at her. “I like that about us too, Cheerilee. Just... being able to spend time together without needing to talk all the time. Just being happy together like that.”

Cheerilee blushed. “Th-thank you, Big Mac. I really enjoy spending time with you as well. I think a lot of other ponies would feel awkward being around somepony who doesn't talk much... but I don't mind.”

“Eeyup.” He tilted his head to the side, smile fading slightly. “Cheerilee, are you...?”

Cheerilee shook her head. “I don't really know. There's somepony I met recently, who's interested in me, but... I'm not sure how much I'm interested in him. I wasn't really sure why, but I think, after what you said... I just don't know if I understand him or not... or if he understands me. And I'm not sure how to find that out.” She sighed.

Big Mac put a hoof to his chin in thought. “Well, does he know what you like? And does he know what you don't like? That's important too. He should know how to make you happy, but also know what makes you sad – and that he shouldn't do those things that make you sad.”

Cheerilee frowned as she thought. “...I guess I hadn't thought about that. He tries very hard to please me, but... there's more to a relationship than that. I guess I need to find a way to see if he respects me. If he's willing to avoid displeasing me, even if it involves something he wants...”

The two sat in silence for a few moments longer, neither saying anything... until Cheerilee broke the quiet first, with “I'm sorry, Big Mac, I didn't mean to just... unload all this stuff on you when we're trying to have a picnic.”

Big Mac simply smiled. “It's all right, Cheerilee. You needed to talk about it, and I'm happy to listen – and speak when I need to.”

Cheerilee giggled a little. “Well, you are good at that. I guess no matter what... between some ponies, things do need to be said.” She closed her eyes in thought. “And I need to think of what to say to him later...”

“Well...” Big Mac extended a hoof towards her. “I'm here if you need help with that. I don't know if I'll be of much use, but it's the least I can do.”

“Don't worry.” Cheerilee took his hoof. “You've been a great help already... but I want to think about this on my own. I'll have to make my own decisions at some point, after all...”

Author's Note

Ah liiiiiiiive!

I guess I just... wasn't really sure how to continue, or didn't have the will for it. Not really an excuse, given how easily this chapter came to me once I decided to just sit down and write it... most of it in a single session - not counting editing, of course.

I'm sure some people are disappointed that it's not clop after all this time... but I have an idea as to how to proceed from here... and the story's apparently going to wind up a bit shorter than I thought it'd be. Not a bad thing in this case, even if I wished I was better able to write longer stories...