"Oh! Sorry, I didn't see you there, Big Macin-"
A deep, throaty rumble that was meant to be a laugh. "Call me Big Mac, sugarcube. And it's alright, ah didn't see ya either."
A thick coating of blush across her yellow cheeks. "Sorry, Big Mac. What are you doing by the river? I didn't know there were any apples down here."
"There ain't."
Brief silence, how chilling it is for a pair of ponies.
"I was just coming down here to feed the ducks. They get pretty loud when I forget to feed them." A sweet giggle.
"Ya better get goin', then. I'd best be gettin' out of your way." The rough sound of coarse fur on soft bark. "Nopony likes koud-mouthed fowl."
Another layer of blush was added. "No no no, you don't have to leave!"
"Ah don't wanna intrude..."
"You wern't! Not at all!" The ruffling of downy pegasus wings against fur. "Whatever gave you that idea, Big Mac?"
One could not tell with the naked eye, but the stallion's cheeks turned a darker shade of red. "Oh, just ah guess..."
A smile as sweet as a river of fresh honey, as bright as a full moon. "The ducks can wait a little longer. Why don't you-"
"Sit by you? Sure thing, sugarcube." came the eager reply.
Thoughts, vivid and hopeful, dashed across her mind. Most overjoyed, some nervous about a first impression.
"What is it like, working on Sweet Apple Acres?"
"Kinda boring, after a while, actually. All ah am in charge of is buckin' the trees and supervisin' Applejack and Applebloom." With another throaty grumble came an adeddum- "Sometimes Granny Smith, too."
A laugh, as light as a butterfly's gentle flutter. "You're funny, Big Mac."
"I try."
"The river looks gorgeous today. Look how the sunset bounces off the water."
"I know something else that looks gorgeous..."
"Oh my, Big Mac, you're too kind!" White teeth, formed into an intricate smile, against pink gums and yellow fur.
"...This apple!" Out from a satchel came a stunning apple, crimson and luminous.
"Oh, my..." Blush. "Yes, that's exactly what-"
"I'm just yankin' your tail, sugarcube." He whinnied like a mad stallion, but with enough grace and wits to stop before she was offended.
"Yeah, ha ha ha..."
"Really funny, eh?"
"Yes. Very."
"Now that ah look at it, the river looks magnificient. Look at tha' lil' duckling goin' down it!"
"Aww, it's adorable!"
A mouth opened but no words were spoke. After a short intermission Fluttershy blinked and responded to herself quietly. "I know something else that looks adorable..."
"Eeyup."
"The apple, right?"
"...Nope."
The gurgling of the brook, placed strategically by the river, was silenced and emerald eyes met ultramarine ones. No words were spoken- only thought.
Does she like me?
Does he like me?
'Cause I...
Because I...
... Like her.
...Like him.
A lot.
Somepony pressed play and instantly nature was in motion. The pair were unfrozen from a momentary hiatus and rendered their thoughts into suitable words for the other.
"So..."
"So..."
The connection was slow and the rendering was even slower. Neither had responses.
"Well, ah should really get goin'. Applejack can't buck all them apples on her own, and Applebloom ain't the best partner for the job."
Emotions exploded in her blue eyes, most of depression and want. "No, please stay!" After quickly realizing her outburst she murmured "If it's all right with you, of course."
"Ya really want me, a sweaty ol' stallion, to be company to a pretty lil' mare like yourself?"
"Of course, you flatterer you."
"I try."
"You do very well at your craft, then."
She shifted slightly, so the larger pony should have more room; he fit snugly inside the space. Tail resting on her willowy wings, head laying in the long strands of grass, the two sat.
"So, Big Mac..."
"Eeyup?"
"...I know this is a quaint question..."
"Fluttershy, ah see quaint stuff every day, whether it be Applejack talkin' in her sleep or Applebloom's little crusades. Ah think I can handle it."
"... Are you seeing any mares?"
Pause. He searched his mind for a perfect answer.
"Well, technically I am."
Her head seemed to drop a few inches and her shoulders sank like a stone in the river. "If you wouldn't mind me asking..." Pause. "Who?"
"Well..." A similar pause, this one more happy and upbeat. "There's this one mare. She's a looker, and mighty kind. Someday I'll fess up 'bout my feelings, but that's far, far away from now."
"...It's Cheerilee, isn't it? She's very sweet."
"Naw, but she's a good friend."
Confusion clouded her gaze. "Rarity?"
"Nope. Ah see the stares she gives me, though."
Impatience fizzled in the calm air. "Who?"
"If it really means that much to ya, I'm lookin' at her right now."
Happiness bloomed like a fresh rose and revealed pungent petals to the world. "M-m-me?"
"Well, of course. Ya asked if I'm seein' and mares."
Disappointment, as sharp as the rose's deadly thorns. "That was a good one, Big Machintosh. You sure fooled me."
"Eeyup."
A bright moon against the dark curtain that was night lit up their faces. Fatigue set in.
"It's getting late... I should start heading home."
"Now, Fluttershy, nighttime is when all them cockatrices and monsters come out from their caves. Nopony would wanna face one of those at night, and when they're plum tuckered out."
"You make a good point, Big Mac. The Everfree Forest is really scary at night."
"You're a pretty brave pegasus for livin' there."
"Why, thank you."
Silence.
"If we're gonna have to stay 'ere for the night, we might as well get some shut-eye, don'cha think?"
A long, droning yawn. "Good idea. But, if you wouldn't mind, could I... Sleep by you? I'm awfully cold..."
"Sure thing, sugarcube."
Fur against fur, energy flowing from one body to another as skin met skin.
"Much better?"
"Eeyup."
The night was cool, like an ocean breeze, and both were forever grateful for the other's heat. Their breathing, long and slow, blended into a soothing song that the ducklings soon fell to sleep listening to.
At their respective homes, the loyal family, dedicated to their craft, waited intently for the male of the barn to return to them. This became tedious work and soon they all fell asleep as well, with doubt in their hearts of seeing him the next day. In the Everfree Forest, a squadron of ever-dedicated mice, roosters, birds, and many more plotted their path towards where their keeper was last seen. Led by a calculating, maniacal bunny, they thought of themselves to be victorious 'till they all fell to slumber in their spots.
Although these thoughts were in the mare and stallion's minds, they focused on the other in hopes that in the morning, one would confess their love to the other.
