Spike and Applejack Fuck in a Barn

by B_25

Rating: mature
Tags: Applejack, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Porn, Spike, Sex
Length: 5105

Spike and Applejack have been dating for nearly a year now, and though they have a trusting relationship, they have a hard time being completely vulnerable to each other. Applejack suggests hot sex in the barn at midnight as the best course of action

(But you don't have to read the prequel! This is a stand-alone fic.)

Spike and Applejack have been dating for nearly a year now, and though they have a trusting relationship, they have a hard time being completely vulnerable to each other. Applejack suggests losing their virginity together is the best course of action.

Hot barn sex at midnight ensure.

Coverart by Ratofdrawn

Published 2018-12-05 21:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2018-12-05 21:30:01 UTC

Lovin' at Midnight

Spike and Applejack Fuck In The Barn
B_25

Spike enjoyed working out on the field because, really it gave himself so time to think, some space to be alone, and all the right distance to watch Applejack work herself. Out by the trees, wearing her cute stetson, trickles of sweat coursing down her tight orange muzzle, causinghim to feel a stirring in his—

“Which you lookin' at?”

“Ack!” Spike nearly tripped over his right leg as he turned around. Big Mac stood next to him, his head at his chest, but even with the difference in size, Spike felt like he could be utterly crushed by his gaze alone. “N-Nothing! Just... looking out to the sun... and all that.”

“Lookin' at the sun?”

“Y-Yup?”

“Don't that damage your eyes?”

“Dragons have special eyes?”

Big Mac sighed, shook his head, and without warning, slid a hoof over Spike's shoulder. He reeled him in close—far closer than Spike would have liked. “Be honest with me right now. Ya see my sister in the distance?”

Spike made the show of squinting his eyes, though when Mac patted his back—which felt more like a strike that shot up his spine—he dropped the act at that. “I-I do. She, uh, looks very pretty today.”

“I tend to agree,” Big Mac said, turning his muzzle to Spike while the latter kept looking on ahead. “Though ya don't look so pretty yerself.”

“Pretty isn't exactly my goal in life.” Spike gulped once the words left him. “N-No offense, of course.”

“You doin' things to my sister?”

“Um... y-you know we're dating, right.”

“I know,” Mac said. “I allowed it. Just checkin' to see if I was wrong to do so.”

“We kiss?” Spike said, and with his best attempt, tried focusing on what was ahead of him. Applejack ahead and atop a small hill, her orange figure contrasting against the dying blue of the sky. She was oblivious to the boys. “I... like kissing her a lot, i-if that helps.”

“It does.” Spike felt a pressure on the back of his neck, forcing down and to hunch forward, allowing Mac to hold more weight over him. He locked Spike just underneath his muzzle. “What else you doin' to my sister?”

“O-Ow! I... I dunno!” Spike struggled against the hold, shuffling left and right, all while Mac held him in place with ease. “We talk a lot! After work and late at night. Sometimes hug and we cuddle.” Spike gulped as his eyes shrunk. “B-But doesn't tell Applejack I told you that! She'd kill me!”

Big Mac took on a serious expression while held Spike. After a few seconds and a few blinks, he loosed his hold on the dragon, who quickly slipped out of the lock. Looking up to the drake, Mac tilted his head. “Ya mean ya haven't even rustled in the mud yet?”

“Once or twice,” Spike replied as he stood back up. “But the pigs always got in the way when we were playing fighting.”

“That expression doesn't mean what ya think it means.”

“Huh? Then what are you trying to say?”

Big Mac looked from Spike, who was rubbed his a claw against his arm, then to Applejack, who wore a confident expression as she bucked an apple tree. She exclaimed in her own excitement as the sounds of apples hitting wood resounded from the cart she'd set up next to the tree.

“Y'all have sex yet?”

“What? No!”

Big Mac was not a confused or complicated pony, and to him, he liked to keep it that way. Wake up, take care of the farm and his family, then go back to sleep. Anything else was a bonus. That was his life and it suited him just fine.

But never, ever in his life did he think he would find himself in a situation like this. For many, many years, it was his sole job to scare suitors away that were unfit for his little sister. He was surprised most of all when Spike had taken the up mantle, survived his countless chasing, and overall, earned the stallion's respect.

Big Mac always knew he had to protect his sisters, however, he never thought he would have to convince one of her boyfriends to actually have sex with her.

“I need ya to listen to me for a second.” Big Mac walked over to the stake Spike had been using, wrapping a hoof around it. “Do that, and I'll finish up yer chores here. Deal?”

Spike looked down from the side at Mac, nodding his head slowly, almost like Mac was slightly crazy. “Alright. You got yourself a deal. What's up?”

Mac decided to gaze down the field of soil. He didn't say anything at first. He appeared to be thinking and, when that didn't work out for him, started talking. “Yer the only guy I trust being with Applejack. Ya haven't tried anythin' on her or the family, and ya do more than yer fair share.”

“Thanks, I guess?”

“But yer also kind of a wimp and it kinda hurts to watch.” Big Mac lifted the stake into the air, swinging it over his shoulders. “Ya gotta start doin' somthin' with her, Spike. Ya been dating fer almost a year.”

Spike blinked a few times, swallowed, then glanced over at Mac. “You think we're far enough for... you know, that?”

“If it weren't my sister we were talkin' about here,” Mac replied, “I'd say somthin' should have happened after the third date.” Mac nudged his snout in the direction of his sister. “Now bug off. Show her a good time. Both of yer chores are covered.”

“You sure about that?”

“Ya two deserve some fun,” Mac said. “Applejack's opposed to it most of the time. Do somethin' nice with her, Spike.” Spike nodded his head with a smile, though when took a step forward, Mac's voice stopped him. “But if I hear anythin' comin' from ya both later in the night...” Mac's smile touched only his left eye. “...and I'll skin yet scales myself.”

Spike gulped, and without missing a beat, took off running to the hills. Big Mac watched with an amused smile all the while, a feeling akin to pride and happiness welling in his chest, one for being able to still be the protective older brother, and the other, at seeing couple good for each other coming together.

“Well shucks, I was wondering where you were all day!” Applejack flicked the hat off her head, taking off sprinting toward the dragon. “Open wide, dragonboy! Ya got a marefriend incoming!”

Spike only smile as he opened his arms wide, watching as the mare leaped into the air, throwing her belly and chest against his body, having her forelegs drape over his shoulders and around his back for support. She hugged him tightly while nuzzling his muzzle underneath his jaw.

“Hope I gave ya something to look at from afar,” Applejack said.

“Aren't you stealing my line?” Spike replied. “I'll have you know it's a trademark. Be careful. I may just sue you for your bedroom.”

“Ya wish you were that cocky.” Applejack pulled out from underneath his jaw, feeling his arms wrap around her lower back, supporting her and hugging her simultaneously. “Closest to my bedroom you've come is from inside the barn.”

Spike felt a stab in his heart but made no show of it in his expression. The sight before him wiped away any pain anyway. Applejack, his marefriend, was in his hold, her softness filling his claws and pressing against his arms, all while she leaned back in his hold, staring up at him with her soft green eyes, smiling sweetly.

“Gotta say,” he said, weakly, “the sight from the bar windows ain't all that bad.”

“You should see what happens once ya break some glass.”

Applejack leaned forward, pressing her muzzle against his own, taking his lips in a tender kiss. It was short and sweet, filling his body with life after it'd been spent from working all day. It was like a shot of paradise injected through the lips, leaving him wanting only more, though being too afraid to take that extra step.

While they locked lips, Spike pondered Mac's words and wondered if he was playing being wimp after all. They broke their kiss after a few seconds, the two of them staring at each other, infuriated with each other, both prepared to say something though nothing coming out.

Spike wanted to bring up the subject. He wanted to talk about how far he'd come since they started being able to date—flirting casually and holding her up romantically. He wasn't able to do those things out of fears and similar pains. He still didn't do them with ease, though he never let that fact slip much.

Why?

Because he was always saved by his wit.

“Breaking a window is dangerous, you know,” Spike said, without really thinking, just staring into Applejack's eyes. “You're exposing your skin over sharp glass. I don't think red goes well against your orange coat.”

“Price of tryin' to do somethin' new, Spike.” Applejack shuffled in his grip, turning and hopping from his hold, landing on the grass with all four of her hooves. “There's a mighty good chance of hurtin' yourself when you let yourself be vulnerable like. Doesn't mean it ain't worthin it though.”

Spike chuckled while he looked away. “Guess I'll take your word for it. Um, hey... you busy tonight?”

“Hmm, don't think I am.” When Spike turned around, he saw Applejack sitting on her sizable rump, her hat back on her head, a hoof stroking her chin while she thought. “Gotta finish up here though. Why, you have somethin' in mind?”

Spike scratched the back of his neck. “Actually, it was Mac who suggested something to me.”

“He did now, did he?”

“Y-Yeah.” Spike glanced over his shoulder for a second, seeing across the green field, but for whatever reason, not seeing another pony out on the land. For the moment, Applejack and he had been left totally alone. “Said he would cover our chores for the n-night if ya, y-y-you know, wanted to get a drink with me.”

Applejack stared up at him from the ground. Then, she broke into a string of laughed, slapping her hoof while Spike continued to stand confused. “Sugarcube! You and I are already datin'! Quit being so stiff.”

Spike chuckled. He was still absolutely terrified about asking her to do... anything marefriends were able to do, but still, he deiced to look strong and play it off. “Only because I was looking at you for so long. So drinks?”

Applejack smiled. “Lead the way, partner.”

They'd gotten fucked.

“I'm... tellin' you...” Applejack wobbled left and right by his side, almost unable to keep her muzzle lifted. “...I should have won that... you.. you cheated, vermin!”

“C-C-Cheated?!” Spike said, not out of nervousness, but rather, because he failed to pronounce most words when he was drunk. “I d-drank double than y-you had!”

“My point exactly!” Applejack giggled as she felt herself sway to the left, feeling her hip rub again his side. “Those p-ponies had no idea what they were chantin' about! That whole game was rigged.”

“Oh, I see how it is now!” Despite the mock-frustration in his voice, Spike chuckled. “You force me into a game, everything's okay. I win the game...”

“You won nothin'!” Applejack kept walking against him, gradually placing more of her weight on him. He was kind enough to slow down his pace, making no mention of her current attempt. “You're a dragon! You're bigger than me and all of that.” She shook head, the strands of her mane swaying in the cool, open air. “I should have been granted a handicap is all.”

“Applejack asking for a handicap?” Spike shook his head, chuckling to himself as they walked between some trees. In a distance, though it was enshrouded by haze, he could make out the farm's barn. “You sure I took the right mare home from the bar.”

“You better have,” she leaning almost her full weight against him, which caused him to pause. “I'd buck you senseless if I caught you with another mare.”

“You'd know I'd never do that.” Spike didn't even have to think about the words—they came out of him swiftly and without thought. Glancing down at her, he chuckled, holding down a claw. “You fancy staying u-up for a bit longer? We could chill in the barn.”

“Mmhmm.” Applejack blinked a few times, shaking herself awake. “Sounds good to me, Sugarcube. Let's get a move on with it.”

Spike mentioned for them to walk, but when Applejack kept in place, he found himself chuckling underneath his breath. He could feel his buzz fading away as he looked down at her. “Want me to carry you there?”

“I'm not some helpless mare,” she said. “I can carry myself there.”

“I know you can,” he replied. “Really, I just wanted to hold you close.”

Applejack stood still for a moment. She swayed even as she stood in place. Her eyes swept across the darkened fields, the only lights being the stars in the sky, and the only souls awake being the ones standing side by side.

“Alright,” Applejack said, quickly, “but no sayin' any of this in the mornin'. Clear?”

“Crystal like my gems.” Spike didn't hesitate to scoop his right arm underneath her legs, feeling her back collapsed onto his arm, almost like a little filly, while she flicked her tail between her legs. He raised her up and used his other claw to support her lower back, having her face upward. “Let's get a move on with it, AJ.”

Applejack let herself relax into his hold, feeling the soft sway of his body with his every step, which felt almost surreal with the buzz still strong on her mind. Looking up, all she could see was the sky and stars above, a sharp muzzle illuminated by the moon beyond it.

“Any mare tell you how pretty you look?”

“Had your brother tell me the opposite.”

“My brother ain't a mare!”

“Of course not,” Spike replied. “But I heard he's got a pretty orange sister.”

“Darn right!” Applejack's cheeks flushed with red at the realization, and the sudden embarrassment, though urging her tilt her hat over her eyes, instead pushed herself up, taking the dragon's lips in a quick kiss. “Though I heard she's already taken.”

Spike chuckled in response, feeling his eyes traveling up, settling on the sky above. “Must be one lucky guy.”

They made it to the barn with relative ease. Seeing the lights off inside the house allowed the two to be a bit louder than they normally would, laughing and giggling into the night, enjoying their drunken selves.

They sneaked into the barn without having to really sneak. Spike opened the door with a soft kick, walking inside to the feeling of straws of hay breaking underneath his feet, using his tail to click the door closed. His eyes lit up in a green glow when he spotted his usual spot.

“Hey.” Spike looked down at Applejack, who was stirring in his hold. “You starting to come off it as well?”

“Tiny bit,” she replied, resting her head and at against his bulky bicep. She looked so cute from Spike's gaze—small and lying along his arms, her fluffy belly and chest exposed to his gaze, all strands of her mane, no longer bound by a ponytail, draping down and over his arm. “Wished we brought home a bottle or somthin'.”

“Same here,” Spike said, coming over to the small pile of hay, the one near the back of the barn and illuminated by a stream of moonlight. “But you're not trying to escape me, are you? Drinking enough so you're not with me when you're, well, with me?”

“Course not.”

Spike brought them over to the hay, finding the perfect spot to sit down and, feeling a stack of the stuff near the back of his head, started to lay down—all with Applejack lying along his chest. She giggled as she snuggled into him, her mane falling down her back from the movement.

“Been a while since we've done this, hey?”

“Sure has.” Applejack nuzzled up to against his throat, kissing up at and underneath his chin. “We didn't start cuddlin' until winter was over.” She giggled to herself, kissing along his jaw. “Still can't believe you stayed back for me. Love ya for that.”

“Your fault for keeping me around,” he replied, lowering his head until their eyes met again, and a second later, so was their lips. “You know I love you a lot, right?”

“Haven't heard you say it in a while,” Applejack replied, pulling back a bit. “But I'm inclined to believe ya.” She went in for another kiss, but stopped herself midway, glancing down. “Though... you and I haven't been close like this for a while.”

“Psychically?”

“I close, close,” she said, unable to lift her gaze. “We only starin' datin' cause we could be ourselves around each other. You know, no masks or actin' or anything like that.” Finally, she lifted her muzzle, staring into his eyes, though she wasn't smiling. “Been a while since we've been, y'know...”

Spike swallowed as he glanced down himself. “V-Vulnerable?”

“That's the one,” she replied. “We've been together now for a long time, but earlier today, I was starin' to think that maybe... you know, we kinda started actin' like ourselves again to each other?”

Spike still couldn't meet her gaze. “How... do you mean?”

“That I'm actin' strong like I usually do,” Applejack said as she placed a hoof on his chest, pressing against it an attempt to feel more of it. “And you're makin' cracks and jokes at important things again.” She shook her head, placing it underneath his muzzle. “Besides the huggin' and the kissin', it feels like things... kinda went back to normal for us.”

She could feel the lump travel down his throat while he swallowed. “But isn't that supposed to be a good thing?”

“Maybe,” Applejack replied with something indescribable about her tone. “But... I miss it when it was just... you and I.” There was a hiccup in her voice. “We didn't have to pretend with each other. I could let my mane down without havin' to worry about who was lookin' at me.”

Spike continued staring up and through the window above the barn door, staring at the sky beyond, trying to get his thoughts and feelings in order. He was tempted to make a joke, a quip, something to deflect the situation and return everything to normal.

But he decided against it. Normal was tearing them both up from the inside.

“You still don't have to worry about that, Applejack.” Spike wrapped around her body, feeling his claw press against the soft fur of her back, rubbing there gently. “You never have to worry about the stuff you say or do around me. I'll never judge you for it.” He chuckled. “You've never judged me for it, and we both know I've said some stupid stuff.”

“Ain't that the truth.”

“Words can hurt.”

They snuggled together for a little while, unable to sleep in their current states, but not fully wanting to be awake. They were together, and yet apart, desperately racking their minds for a way to bridge the gap between them.

“Do ya find me attractive?”

“I can grab your flank if it helps.”

“Be serious, now.”

“If I say yes, can I grab your flank?”

Applejack rolled her eyes from underneath his muzzle. “Guess that answers that question.”

“You got another?”

“In fact, I do.” Applejack took a smirk onto her lips, coming down slightly his body. When in place, she pressed her forehooves into his chest, using that to throw her muzzle into his, letting her lips brush against his. “I was thinkin' about our distance problem and, well, I think I may have come up with a solution for it?”

“Oh?”

“Well, it kinda seems to me that you and I are havin' issues being vulnerable around each other.”

“You can blame my scales for that.”

“My point exactly.” Applejack finally let herself brush forward, taking his lips for a second, tugging at his bottom lip with her teeth, pulling gently. “But I got a somethin' in mind that'll help our relationship out. Somethin' we should have done for a long time now.”

Spike caught wind of where the situation was going, and in the back of his mind, the words of Big Mac echoed into his ear. He swallowed, keeping his head up the best he could. “A-And did you have in mind?”

Applejack giggled, letting go of his lip and bringing herself to his ear, whispering, “Why don't ya try grabbin' at my flanks? I promise not to slap you any.”

Spike blinked. He felt his tail shoot very straight and become very hard against the barn's floor. He kept staring at Applejack even as she pulled back, seeing her eyes glint underneath his gaze—and it wasn't because of the moonlight.

“What are you waiting for, sugarcube?” Applejack has said with the cutest expression possible. Her head was down but her glowing green eyes were up, staring up at him, set on him, wanting him. Her loose mane was loose over her the orange fur of her shoulders and black, awash by the moonlight.

And then she leaned forward and took his lips again, closing her eyes while they kissed, moaning into his mouth. Spike didn't bother to fight his urges with his newfound permission. His claws felt down the sides of her body, feeling her fur glide over his palm, all until her softness gave way to something softer.

It was safe to say that Applejack had the perfect backside. Big and wide from her earth pony physique, made firm and plentiful, all of course, from years of bucking and other chores done on the farm. Her flanks flattened against each of his palms, starting to fill out between his talons—even more so when he gave her ass a soft squeeze.

Applejack moaned loudly into the kiss, but she didn't back away for a second, pressing herself more into it. Her hooves were sent on a mission to explore every inch of his body, from his chiseled chest to his solid abdomen, very grateful for what the toils of the farm had done for his body.

They continued their efforts. Spike was too busy to be scared of how her hooves felt his body for he was doing the same to hers. Feeling every inch of her softness, unable to get enough of her coat, and of course, of her ass as well.

And the feeling was equivalent for Applejack. Her soft hooves searched across the hard surface, making her want to press against it all the more, to have her body over the solid wall of muscle. It drove her crazy in a way with primal feelings she didn't know she had—and the feelings and sensations weren't lost from between her legs.

Spike could also feel an aching from between his legs. It hurt him slightly but rewarded him plenty. Without even thinking, he started to arch forward lifting Applejack and placing her against the hay, the hay indenting from her weight. Spike quickly hovered over her... as did something else about him.

“S-Spike?” Applejack gasped from underneath him, her hat long since knocked aside. She panted, staring at his growing cock. “Are you...”

Spike blinked. “I... uh...”

They continued to pant and to remain still, neither unsure what to so or do. Then, after a few seconds, Applejack started to giggle. “I... was always curious to what you looked like down there.”

“I'm sorry!”

“D-Don't be, sugarcube.” She gave a chuckle, slowly lifting a hoof to the tip of his cock. “I d-don't think I've seen you so nervous before. Is this... for me?”

“Of course it is,” Spike replied, still with his claws on either side of her head, still hovering over her. “I mean, I-I-I never expected to show you it... kinda like this. But I... um... r-really do like you, Applejack. Like a lot.”

“All out of j-jokes and f-full with honesty.” Applejack let her hoof settle on his cock, feeling it throb from her touch. Something wet and stick trickled onto her palm, but instead of pulling back, she rubbed it down his length. “I missed this side of you, sugarcube.”

“A-And it's g-great to be v-vulnerable again.”

“Guess you aren't fully without jokes.” Applejack noticed that the surface of his shaft was hard at the touch, but if she pressed down even slightly, there was a slim feel of hardness underneath. It creature this urge in her to feel more of it, to start rubbing up and down his cock, which she did, feeling a similar wetness warm up from her hidden pussy. “A-And... if it helps ya at all... you aren't a-alone in feelin' scared.”

And with that, she let her tail flick up from her belly and fall against her floor, exposing her tight little pussy to the dragon. He saw it at once, swallowing at the sight as his heart doubled in speed, watching how her lips were slightly parted with cum trickling out.

“I don't have any idea what I'm doing here, Applejack,” Spike said while staring at her crotch, finally dragging his eyes to her's again. “I don't have any confidence or anything witty to say. Being with you, like this much less, I think my heart's going to beat out of the chest.”

Applejack tried to giggle but her throat wouldn't comply. “Same f-feelin' here, partner. You... I... we've never gone this far before.”

“Yeah,” Spike said, slowly nodding. “I-If it helps, the fact that I'm with y-you... I feel a bit better about... y-you know, d-d-doing this.”

“I love ya, Spike.”

“I-I love you too, AJ.”

Spike decided to try his luck as he dropped his body over her own, hovering his muzzle an inch above her own, where the two locked eyes. She turned away slightly for the contact, but quickly brought her muzzle back, staring up at him. “Promise me you'll be gentle with me, Spike. I... don't think I can look strong for this one.”

Spike kissed her, and then he kissed again, as many times as he needed to quell her fears. “You don't even have to ask.”

He lowered his crotch against her own, feeling his cock prod between her folds, and with a final kiss from her, struck himself inside. He was careful to go slow at first, feeling the warm and moist walls of her pussy clench around his cock. The walls of her pussy spread the further he stuck himself inside, much to the gasps and moans of his mare.

And Spike had to fight himself from taking things quickly! He'd never felt something so tight and so warm take hold of his cock, lubricated it the further he slid in until, finally, feeling confident, started to pull out—teasing her as he only left his tip inside.

Spike tilted his head and Applejack did the same, letting their lips part and their tongues dance, both of their eyes closing while Spike thrust inside of her again, causing both of them to moan louder into the kiss, muffled only by their connected mouths.

They kept at it while moonlight filtered over them.

Spike found himself getting into a steady rhythm with his thrusts, feeling her hindlegs wrap around his waist, locking him place and making the pressure around his cock all the more tighter. Her pussy was outright warm and wet now, letting him slip inside with ease but clamping down when he pulled back like it was trying to deny him leave.

So he upped his game by having his claws reach down to her ass, squeezing a clawful of her flanks with each one of his thrusts, not minding at all when Applejack threw her hooves over his head, using him to arch herself for his cock. Her pussy was clamping tighter on his cock now, and he could feel the aching in the base of his crotch ready to explode.

“Mmhmm.” Spike pulled out of the kiss, gazing down at his marefriend, watching her body and head rock back and forth every thrust. Her eyes were closed and her cheeks were red, a moan escaping her every other breath. “A-Applejack?”

It took a second for her eyes to open from underneath. Her body kept rocking even as she looked up at him, smiling herself, the moonlight pouring down her mane. It was sprawled across the floor, a feature that made Spike thrust a tad harder than before.

“I think I...”

Applejack giggle. “T-Together?”

Spike nodded as he curled his feet. “Together.”

With a final thrust, Spike slammed his cock all the way inside her pussy, feeling her walls clamp their hardest around his length and girth. The aching in him ceased. A dam broke. He threw back his head as euphoria itself pulsated from his crotch.

His cock shot his load from deep inside of her, each one assisted by her walls, which welled with her own cum. With the overload of sensations, the dragon and the pony took to each other's lips again to express all the pleasure coursing inside them, kissing passionately.

It took them a few moments to come down from the height of their orgasm. Spike was quick to pull out from her pussy. His body was spent from the act. Being quick to scoop Applejack up, he then laid down on his back, letting her lie on his stomach, her hooves sprawled all over him.

“That... was... amazing...”

Applejack giggled from his chest, her eyes closed with a smile on her lips. She looked seconds away from slumber. “You... and me both. I... thank you, Spike.”

“Think you got the order of credits in reverse.” He laid back completely against the hay, unable to do anything more than lift a claw, placing it on the back of her head, stroking down and through her mane repeatedly. “I'm glad you let us try that. I... do you think we'll do it again?”

“Only if you let yourself be open to it.”

“Fair enough.”

Spike let his eyes close.

“Applejack?”

“Will you go to sleep already?”

“Last question.”

“Fine.”

“...can ponies get pregnant from a dragon's seed?”