Author's Note

Ok, this one was fun to write.

Set in Lopoditty's Pandoverse, it's not canon, just something that popped into my head. She'd been talking on her Tumblr about sexualities of some of her characters, and I pointed out Sparks Catch to her. In the story, Big Mac is in a poly relationship with Cadance and Shining Armor. Well, the idea wouldn't leave me alone, so I quickly slapped out a version of it in her universe.

I do kinda like the idea, Big Mac is such a strong quiet stallion, a stabilizing influence on those around him, that I can see him in a relationship like this, providing the stability for two ponies who live a high stress life.

Big Mac's Herd

Big Mac sat there in an overstuffed chair large enough for two ponies… or one of him. Looking at his hooves nervously, he licked his lips as he looked at the Prince and Princess sitting across from him on a loveseat. Clearing his throat, he began, “I met a mare, a lovely mare. Weren’t right what was done to bring us together the first time. This time though, we realized that while what was done was wrong, we do like each other.”

Cadance and Shining Armor smiled nervously as they listened, waiting for him to go on.

“She’s pretty, and friendly, and great with children, and pretty, and has a lovely voice, and is smart and pretty,” taking a deep breath, “an’ I really like her.”

Cadance giggled and smiled, “You found the one, didn’t you? I am jealous, but as the Princess of Love, I” she looked at her husband, “we need to put our feelings aside and think of yours.”

With a nod, Shining continued, “I suppose,” he said with a sigh, “that this is good bye? Just friends now?”

The big stallion shook his head, “Umm, she said she’d be willin’ to share.”

He might have had more to say, but in a very non-royal manner, the prince and princess rushed from their seat, pulling him to the floor while they nuzzled him, “You really found a keeper? She’ll let us borrow you from time to time?”

Mac smiled happily as he returned their affection, “Eeyup… She wants to meet you though. An’ she said she might like to get to know you better,” he said with a nervous smile.

Shining chuckles, and the princess squealed happily, “Oh, that’s wonderful. What’s her name? What’s she do?” The questions continued, the prince mostly just listening, wise enough not to interrupt his wife.

It was late though, he’d had to wait for the girls to go to bed before he could have time with his partners. They had been surprised when he’d asked to join them to the Crystal Empire. There was a celebration in honor of Spike the Brave, and the girls were all invited, but Spike was of course the guest of honor. Shining was the first of the pair to fall asleep, cutely snuggling up to the larger stallion, while his wife lay against his other side. Looking at the two men in her life, she teleported a blanket in to cover all three of them.

Sleeping on the parlor wouldn’t be the most comfortable, nor was it the worst place Mac had slept. As long as he had the two of them though, it would be bearable. The next morning, he heard the door open, looking up to see Twilight enter. Whatever she’d planned to say, it died on her lips as she saw a the large red stallion with an orange mane framed by her brother and her fellow princess. Though he couldn’t raise a hoof to his lips in a gesture to be quiet, he was able to softly shush her. She went rigid, nodding her head, eyes wide as she backed out the door, closing it softly followed by the soft pop of a teleport.

Not too much longer, his companions awoke, and they made their way down to the dining hall. Joining the girls, they were surprised when he sat next to Shining. Twilight looked at him, then them, then back at him, eyes darting frantically, though she said nothing.

Mac smiled, “You can tell them if you want Twilight.”

His sister looked at Twilight, then him in confusion, “Tell us what Mac?”

Smiling at his sister, he turned, reached for Shining, turning the unicorn to face him, before pressing his lips to his. Cadance squealed, while Apple Jack just leaned back in her chair, pushing her hat up, “Well I’ll be.” She started to ask if Cadance was alright with that, only to watch the princess get up from her chair, move to Big Mac’s other side, then plant a kiss on his cheek, “Not keeping it a secret any more, are you?”

“Eeenope.”

“What about Cheerilee?”

“She knows.”

“You know Mac, you’re going to have to tell Granny.”

“Eeeyup.”

A lot pop echoed through the room, followed by a shower of confetti and a banner dropping from the ceiling that read, “Happy Herd Announcing Day” Pinkie was absolutely beaming , “Three is enough for a herd, right? Or would it be a group? Or maybe a string? Or…”

Rainbow Dash flew over to the threesome, “If three isn’t enough, I’ll join.”

“Don’t even think about it you overgrown feather duster.”

Dash smirked at Applejack, “Why shouldn’t I think about getting in with these two big strong stallions? You can always use more mares, right BigM?”

“Eeeyup,” he said

Apple Jack glared at the rainbow maned pegasus even as her and her brother started laughing. Rarity finally couldn’t contain herself and squealed with glee, “There’ll be a marriage, right? You simply must let me design all your outfits. Herds get married, right? Oh I really need to look this stuff up. Twilight, please tell me you have books on herds, right,” but the only reply was a squeak from the purple princess.

Rainbow smirked as she watched, “Hey Big M, I think you broke your sister in law,” causing another round of muttering from Twilight. Laughter filled the room as Twilight finally came back to life, “But, BBBFF, you and Cadance, but…” gesticulating wildly with her hooves.

Running a hoof through his mane, Shining replied, “It just sorta happened. We ran into him after our honeymoon when we visited you. Me and him hit it off. We visited him a couple times after that, and no, we didn’t tell you. The first date was supposed to be me and him, Cadance was just supposed to chaperone, but… Well, whenever we’re in Ponyville, we make a bit of time for him”

Cadance smiled, “He’s our rock. When we’re stressed, all we need to do is be around him and it all goes away. He’s the one thing we’re not.”

Apple Jack just nodded, “Well, ifn y’all are happy, then good. I guess we’ll be seeing more of you?”

The royal couple nodded, “Actually we’ll be coming down in a month to meet Cheerilee, she sounds like a wonderful mare.”

The cowpony nodded, “That she is. Now, I think breakfast is getting cold, so we should all dig in, after all, we have a ceremony to attend.”

ΩΩΩΩΩΩ

One month later, Granny Smith sat at the head of the table, Big Mac and Cheerilee at the foot. To her right was Shining and Cadance, and on her left was Apple Jack and Apple Bloom.

“Jackie she is not too young for this. Not unless she says she is.”

“I dunno, I don’t think she’s ready to hear about something like this.”

“Ain’t like there’s anything wrong with it,” she said, rolling her eyes at their shocked reaction. “Back when I was barely more ‘n a filly, there were all kinds of herds coming together. Free love, ponies being ponies, like back before the three tribes. Ah didn’t care, Ah only had eyes for one stallion, but long as they were happy? Who was Ah to say anything? So when you moving Macintosh?”

Big Mac stared at her, he’d expected her to reject the idea. And now she was suggesting he leave? “Uhh, what? I was going to stay here and take care of the farm.”

Granny shook her head, “Don’t worry yourself ‘bout that. We did fine last month when you went on your trip, visiting these two I reckon. I’m sure some of your younger cousins would love to work here, see how the original farm does things. Besides, ain’t no Apples up there in the Crystal Empire yet, is there? I hear they’ve been gone a thousand years, goin’ need good teachers. You two could do a lot of good things up there.”

The foursome looked at each other, could they? Should they? They hadn’t considered the possibility, but maybe...