A Cherry Blossom in a Field of Rye
Well, it started out in the fields. They usually start someplace like that. It's comfortable out there, I guess, or maybe I'm just not very creative.
But I felt at peace, Sugar Belle. I was wearing a stiff hat and an old work shirt, one of the ones I use to keep from getting sunburned. It was starting to get that late-afternoon smell, the one that makes me worry ponies'll turn their noses up at me. Or away from me, I suppose. It was that musky, sweaty smell that never quite washes off at night.
I like the way you smell, Big Mac. You don't have to worry about it, okay?
Uh, heh heh, uh… E… Eeyup.
Well, whether or not I stank, I was comfortable. A mild breeze rolled across me. The dirt was cool under my hooves, and I breathed that last sigh of satisfaction after a long day of work. I was resting my weight against a pitchfork I'd stuck in the ground, surveying fields that seemed to stretch out forever. They'd been plowed and harvested to the last kernel, and the sun was just setting. I took one more deep breath, and I smelled popcorn.
…Popcorn?
Eeyup. I sniffed the air a couple times trying to find it, and I finally looked back towards the hills. The moon was just over the horizon, and when I squinted, I swear I saw Princess Luna up inside it, just munching on the stuff and staring at me, wide-eyed. Just for a split second, though. Maybe I was seeing things.
She must get awfully bored when everypony's asleep.
Eh, makes sense. I can't really blame her. She disappeared, anyway, so I didn't pay her any more mind.
I turned back around to clean up my tools, but then I saw you, and I… I melted all over again, like I always do. Just like the big fool I am. My hooves felt like lead, and my head felt like a balloon, and my mouth twisted into a big, goofy smile as you stole my breath away.
You were wearing a blue shawl and a big, tan bonnet. It framed your face like the grass frames the first flower of spring. That cute little tuft of purple poked out from under it, with that silky horn of yours peeking out the middle. Your eyes looked tired. Not drowsy, but tired with that look you always get after cooking up a storm. And it was no wonder, I suppose. You had one of your frosted apple pies wrapped up and hanging from a carrying scarf in your mouth.
Hm-hm!
What?
Well, you said I was carrying it in my mouth. I wasn't using my magic?
Naw. I don't know why. It sure was cute, though.
I wanted to try it your way, I think. Maybe some earth pony was rubbing off on me.
Yeah. Yeah, that makes sense. Heh. You're a smarty, Sugar Belle, you know that?
But you've got so much more than smarts. With every step you took closer to me, my body buzzed more and more. It started in my hooves and worked its way up my legs. All the strength in my shoulders felt like it was turning to jelly, and my tail whipped back and forth like a puppy dog's. Hot breath rolled out of me in waves. My heart raced faster than it had when I'd been pulling the plow, and my neck strained forward, even though I was frozen in place.
I only knew one thing: I had to touch you. I had to be next to you, to let you know how special you are and how much I care about you. I took my hat off my head and tossed it aside. I didn't care where it landed, because I couldn't take my eyes off of you.
You set the pie down and, uh, heh heh.
What?
You gave me "the eyes."
Oh, you mean… these?
A– Ah, haha! Eh– heh heh! Y… Eyyyeah. Yup. Those ones.
Eh-hem.
I couldn't wait any longer. I galloped forward, and you had just enough time to brace yourself before I was all over you, bumping my nose against yours and rubbing my body along your side and hugging you close, tight as I dared.
Aw, you don't need to worry, Big Mac. You always give gentle hugs.
Always, huh? How's this one?
Mm… Yeah. I like that.
You were warm.
And soft.
And Celestia as my witness, the prettiest mare in Equestria, and touching you again made me feel… different. Better. Stronger, somehow, just from knowing that you were there. You made me feel all sorts of nice things, the things my daddy always said a stallion should feel when he touches a mare.
Everything?
Well, yeah. I felt happy and content and–
…
Oh. OH!
…uh, heh heh. E-eeyup, uh… Everything.
A-and you were hugging me back, and I pulled you towards me. I held you closer and closer until I fell backwards with you in my forelegs. You landed on me, and I gasped as that soft belly of yours pressed up against mine. You're perfect, Sugar Belle, and I could feel you – all of you – on top of me.
We started laughing. I don't even know about what, but it bubbled up from inside me. The way my chest rumbled tickled you, and the way you bounced on my stomach tickled me back. We went around and around like that, laughing loud enough to wake the rocks, until our stomachs hurt and we finally settled down. Me on my back, you on my belly. Laid down together.
And when we'd caught our breath, you sighed, folded your hooves on my chest, and rested your head on top of them. You smiled at me. It was just like the real thing.
I took your hooves in mine, and then you smiled just a bit wider as a small blush came to your cheeks. I looked down and admired them for a moment. They're so delicate and round and perfect, those hooves of yours. I gave them a little squeeze and bent my neck down to kiss them, one after the other. When I looked up, there you were, with those big, beautiful eyes, and I–
And what color were they, Big Mac?
Haha! Well, they certainly weren't blue.
Exactly! Hm-hm!
The sun had set by then, and the stars had started coming out. Only, they weren't winking into sight like they're supposed to. Instead, a shooting star streaked across the black sky. Then there was another, and another, more and more until there were hundreds of them every second. They weren't just white, either. There were purples and reds and pinks and yellows, and it wasn't just stars. There were big, spinning planets and comets and shapes in every color you could dream, impossible colors, all swirling across the sky faster than anypony could count them. And even though I knew it was all there, I… I didn't see it.
Because I was looking at you, Sugar Belle. I was watching you and those big eyes of yours. All these colored lights flashed above us, making the most beautiful sky anypony could imagine, and I didn't care. I had you. You shone brighter than all those stars combined. You were the one I wanted to look at, prettier than all the colors in the world. It was you, Sugar Belle.
My heart started pounding again, and my breathing became labored. I felt tingly all over, and nothing in the world could make me stop smiling. I reached up and brushed your mane with my hoof.
Mmm… You mean like you are right now?
What? Oh, haha! Heck, I am.
Yup. Just like this. Right here.
Mmm… It still feels nice.
You closed your eyes and moaned a little. I remember feeling it resonate in my chest, like a kitten's purr. Then your lips parted just so, and you looked at me again, but it was different this time. There was something else on your mind, and it was on mine, too, and as we leaned in together, we both exhaled and closed our eyes. Your breath smelled like flowers.
And those lips were as soft and silky as they are in the waking world. I nearly cried from how nice it was. Heck, I'm not sure I didn't cry. Being with you made the world feel right, and it sparked something in me, deep down, past all the sweat and the muscle and the bones, like a story that's been in the family for as long as anypony can remember. It was like a thread that made me feel connected to you and the earth and the grass and the animals and everything else. It rippled out from me and into you and back into me, and it didn't stop. We didn't stop. We… Well, uh, heh heh.
Hoo…
It's… It's okay, Big Mac. You can tell me.
Aw, but it's embarrassing. I don't want you to think I'm some kinda, I dunno, pervert or something.
You really don't have to worry. I promise.
But it just felt so primal, Sugar Belle, like I was some kinda– some kinda beast. And… I know we've– and– a-and we want to – hoo! I'm blushing, aren't I? – we want to wait before, uh, we do anything like that–
Hm-hm! Really, Big Mac. It's okay. I… I've had those dreams, too.
…
Really?
Mm-hm.
Did… Did you like them?
Of course. They were… They were wonderful.
Heh. Now you're blushing, too.
…
We made love, Sugar Belle. Right outside in the grass, beneath all those stars and planets and lights, not caring what the universe saw. I wanted nothing more than to make you happy, and you felt the same way about me, and we never wanted to let each other go. I can't think of anything that's ever made me feel so alive as being with you, mare and stallion, like all our ancestors before us.
And… wow.
Just wow, Sugar Belle.
In the end, we didn't let each other go. We cuddled up together under the stars. They finally slowed down and settled into the calm, twinkling night sky. We snuggled up next to each other, keeping each other warm, and we drifted off to sleep, wrapped up in each other's forelegs. We were together, and we were safe, and we were happy.
And when I woke up, here you were. It was as real as I could have ever hoped for. We stayed together through different realities, you and me. That's more than most ponies can say.
And… that's about it. It's the best dream I've ever had, and it's not even close.
It was a lovely dream, Big Mac. Thank you for telling me.
Well, thanks for listening to me ramble. I, uh… heh, don't usually tell my ponies about what goes on up in my head.
Well, you haven't told me the whole story yet.
Hm?
Under the starts, right before we fell asleep. You whispered something into my ear.
…How did you know that?
I had the exact same dream, Big Mac. Or, maybe we had it together.
How in the–
Hm-hm! I… don't think Princess Luna was just there to watch.
Wow…
So, if you remembered it all, why'd you want me to tell it to you?
Mm… Because I wanted to share it with you all over again.
Aw… My goodness, you're sweet. You're a treasure, Sugar. Maybe someday we'll get to do it again. Awake this time.
I'd like that, Big Mac.
…
Do you think Luna was watching the, uh…
She… probably gave us our privacy. Definitely. Right?
Heh heh. Yeah, I think so. I hope so.
…
Did you mean it, Big Mac? What you said to me before we fell asleep?
…
It's okay. I can see it in your eyes. You don't have to say–
Sugar Belle, I think– No, I know I love you. You're the sweetest, kindest, prettiest pony I've ever laid eyes on. You work hard, and you make me want to be a better stallion. I love you, Sugar Belle. I love you. My heart's all yours.
Oh, Big Mac, I love you, too! From your strength to your kindness and everything about you.
Heh… Heh heh. Y-you mean it?
I do.
Aw, Sugar…
Hm-hm!
Ah…
…
Mm…
You're so warm, Big Mac. I might never want to get up.
Heh. Well, if we're staying like this, then can I make a request?
Of course. What is it?
I want to hear about your dream.
