Prolonging The Magic

by Closer-To-The-Sun

Rating: everyone
Tags: Twilight Sparkle, Big Macintosh, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Romance
Length: 6874

After being dragged to a party he doesn't wish to attend, Big Macintosh strikes up a conversation with a purple unicorn.

“The stars are out and shining,/But all I really want to know,/Oh, won't you show me the way./I want you to show me the way.” –Peter Frampton, ‘Show Me The Way’

Sequel: "Vanilla Twilight"

Big Macintosh is dragged to a party where he feels out of place. It seems, however, that there is a pony there to keep him company. It seems to be the start of a great friendship between the red stallion and the purple unicorn.

Image created by DespisedAndBeloved on deviantArt.

Published 2012-08-14 04:44:02 UTC
Last updated 2012-08-14 04:44:02 UTC

Ch. 1 Good Company

Chapter 1: Good Company

"Nope," Big Mac said at last to his sister.

"Come on, Big Mac, ya been workin' nonstop for the longest time, an ah think goin' to Pinkie Pie's party might do some good for ya," Applejack protested, trying to get him to see her way as they sat together at the dinner table.

"Parties just aren't mah thing, Applejack," the red stallion stated, "Besides, I still have some work to d-"

"Ah, hush up!" Applejack interrupted her older bother, "It's the evenin' and you can let the work wait 'till mornin'! Applebloom and ah are going and it won't feel right if ya just stay here alone tonight. So yer goin', got it?" her face got very close to her brother's as she glared at him. Big Mac knew better than to refuse now.

"E-Eeyup," he nervously replied.

"Alrighty then. Also, leave yer harness at home, yer not going to be workin', ya know."

Moments later, the Apple siblings were walking over to Sugarcube Corner to attend what Pinkie Pie was calling 'Pinkie Pie's Super Duper Amazing Night Party With Lots of Sweets And Partying". Applebloom was dashing back and forth, running up a ways on the path and then jumped up and down while waiting anxiously for her siblings. She was eager to meet up with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo at the party since the Cutie Mark Crusaders rarely got to stay up so late.

When the Apple siblings finally arrived, the party was already in full swing. Pinkie Pie did not spare any expense as usual. Balloons and streamers were placed around the room with tables holding sweets and beverages for the hungry partiers. Music was also playing through the speakers, the new album that Vinyl Scratch had released a few weeks before. Applebloom found the other two members of the Cutie Mark Crusaders and quickly disappeared into the crowd to meet up with them. As Big Mac turned his head to look toward Applejack, he noticed that she had also bolted off to meet with her friends, whom he saw laughing and enjoying themselves.

Now alone, Big Mac slowly trotted to a table with some refreshments. He examined the sweets that Pinkie Pie prepared, and although he was a bit hungry from the day's labor, he didn't want do eat anything with that much sugar since it probably wouldn't be that good on his stomach. He raised his head from the table and looked around. He really did feel out of place at the party. It wasn't that he didn't want to be social, it was just that he really wasn't sure how to. He was a work pony that worked hard on the farm with his family and a few others, and he didn't get many chances to go out and meet anypony new. A little crestfallen, and wanting to try to escape the bizarre and thumping music, he moved on out to the back porch where he sat down and felt the night air on his body. Big Mac shivered a bit, as he wasn't used to air hitting his neck where his harness was normally located. In fact, he felt down right naked without it. He closed his eyes to take a few deep breaths of the cool night air. He was so oblivious that he didn't hear the trotting of a purple mare nearby until he heard her voice.

"Oh, hey there Big Mac!" called the voice.

"Hm?" Big Mac opened his eyes to see Twilight Sparkle sitting nearby, "Oh, well, howdy there Miss Sparkle."

"Why are you all alone out here? The party is inside, though I can understand that Pinkie's parties can wear anypony out," Twilight laughed a little making Big Mac chuckle a bit as well.

"Well, parties really aren't mah kind of thing," he replied.

Twilight nodded, "I completely understand. I'm more of a pony who likes to spend the night curled up with a good book than at a party with a lot of ponies I don't know that well. I mean, I love hanging out with the girls a lot, but they can easily wear me out, especially Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie! And Pinkie is certainly wearing me out tonight, which is why I came out here to cool off a bit and gaze up at the stars. They say that tonight was going to be a very clear night that you can see Canis Major and Orion." She looked up as she was talking in hopes of spotting them quickly before she stopped for a second and started talking again, "I'm sorry, I really shouldn't ramble on like that. I sometimes don't know when to stop, sorry!"

Big Mac just looked at the purple pony and smiled, "It's quite fine, Miss Sparkle," Oddly enough for Big Mac, he was following everything that Twilight was saying. He didn't completely understand all of what she was talking about, but he was listening intently to her and fully enjoying her company as well.

"Well, how about I ask you something then to get you talking?" Twilight asked, "How are the apples coming this time of year?"

"Well, they are coming in quite fine. Should be a good season, I reckon. Hope to have the first batch done next week," Big Mac said with a bit of pride in his voice. He wasn't used to talking to anypony other than his family about anything, but he felt really comfortable talking to Twilight Sparkle. He really enjoyed her company.

"That's great to hear, what are the different types of apples that are coming in?" she asked looking up at him eager to know.

Big Mac was surprised she took an interest, "Well, we got gala, red delicious, golden delicious, granny smith, and some honeycrisp, I believe they'll be very nice when they finish comin' in."

"Those sound very delicious! Do you think I could have some when they come in?" Twilight asked in a tone that sounded like she was about to give a cute begging face.

Big Mac heard the tone of her voice and knew that she was going to give him puppy-dog eyes if he took to long, to which he agreed with a smile, "Eeyup, I'd be happy to bring some by for ya."

Twilight happily jumped up from her seated position, "Oh thank you, Big Mac!" She gave him a quick hug. The hug caught Big Mac off guard, causing him to blush considerably. "Oh, heh heh, sorry about that, Big Mac, I got a little excited and all," she apologized as she ceased the hug and put all four of her hooves on the ground, giving a nervous laugh.

"I-It's quite alright, Miss Sparkle." Big Mac said, still a bit flustered from the surprise hug from Twilight, but keeping his calm appearance and gave a warm smile toward her.

After a bit of silence, the two heard a familiar voice call out, "Hey Big Mac, Twi! What are you two ponies doin' out here? The party's over!" Applejack slowly trotted outside with an exhausted Applebloom slouched over on her back fast asleep. "Ya ready to go, Big Mac? It seems Applebloom is."

Big Mac nodded to his sister and then turned to Twilight, "Thank ya, Miss Sparkle, for keeping me company for the evening."

Twilight smiled, and even blushed a bit, "Well, heh, it was my pleasure. And I look forward to those apples!"

Ch. 2 The Sweetest Thing

Chapter 2: The Sweetest Thing

A few days after Pinkie Pie's party, the trees on Sweet Apple Acres were ready for the first harvest of the season. The Apple family was hard at work to get the first batch of produce of the season stored away and ready to be shipped out. After the first day of work, many of baskets of apples were gathered together and stored in the barn. Big Mac, Applejack, and Applebloom were inside going over the inventory.

"Looks like we got ourselves another sweet bunch of apples this year, don'tcha think Big Mac?" Applejack asked as she looked over a barrel of red delicious apples.

Big Mac nodded and smiled, "Eeyup, about thirty three-barrels on the first day, and many more trees to go. I've got a good feelin' about this year's crop."

Applebloom popped her head out of a barrel of gala apples, "Do you think ah'll get mah cutie mark this year then?" she asked her siblings excitedly.

Applejack laughed and placed her hoof on her sister's head, roughing up her hair a little, "Well, let's hope so, Applebloom. But you know that these kinda things can't be rushed." Applebloom pouted at her sister's words; she knew Applejack was going to say something like that, "Come on, ya little filly, you need to get some rest." Applejack led her little sister out of the barn before turning to Big Mac and saying, "You need yer rest too, Big Mac."

"I know, I just have somethin' to do fer a friend is all," the red stallion nodded to his sisters. Applejack nodded back and left the barn with Applebloom.

After they had left, Big Mac took a small basket in his mouth and moved to the barrels of gala apples. He set the basket down and looked through the apples for the best ones he could find. Once he had found the best apples of each batch, he placed them in a basket. He did this in silence with each type of apple, from honeycrisp to granny smith, to golden delicious for several minutes. Once he was done gathering the best apples he could find, Big Mac looked at the basket of colorful fruit and smiled. 'I reckon that she will like these,' Big Mac thought to himself with a bit of pride. Picking up the basket handle again, he placed the basket in a special location in the barn, surrounded by bales of hay where only he would think to look. Satisfied with himself and his special gift for Twilight, he trotted to the doors of the barn and then closed them behind him as he started walking back to the house. Taking his time, he looked up at the clear night sky. It was very similar to the one he and Twilight had been under the night before, talking and enjoying each other's company. The cool air felt nice against Big Mac's red body after a hard day's harvesting. Remembering what Twilight said about the stars, he looked up to find the constellations she mentioned to him.

"What did Miss Sparkle called those star things again? Can-nus Major, was it? And O-ryan?" Big Mac was trying to remember the names she had told him, but to no avail. "Heh, not like I know what those things look like. Really a shame though, ah'd like to know more about such things," Big Mac sighed and softly chuckled to himself as he headed inside the house.

**********

The next morning, Celestia's sun was shining bright on Ponyville, and Sweet Apple Acres was bustling with the activity of harvesting apples. Everypony, big and small, was doing his or her part to gather the apples. By high noon, everypony was taking a small break to eat lunch and relax before going back to work. Big Mac was able sneak off to the barn to get the basket of apples he had set aside for Twilight Sparkle during this break. However, as he went to sneak away from the farm, he was spotted by a familiar orange mare.

"Big Mac! Where the hay are you going?" Applejack called out, approaching him.

"Oh, uhh, Applejack, uh, ah was," the stallion stuttered trying to come up with an excuse, but he also knew better to lie, "Goin' to deliver these apples to Miss Sparkle," he replied around the basket handle in his mouth.

"Ah see. How 'bout ah come along with ya? Ah need t' talk to her about something anyway." Applejack said cheerfully.

"Uh, well-"

"Come along now, Big Mac! We do need to hurry back!" Applejack said as she started walking ahead of Big Mac toward the library where Twilight Sparkle lived. Big Mac sighed and followed his sister.

When they arrived, Applejack knocked on the door, which Spike quickly answered, "Howdy, Spike! Is Twi around?"

"Yeah, she's right in here doing some studying, come on in Applejack. Oh, and hey there Big Macintosh!" Spike welcomed the two siblings in. The baby dragon was a bit surprised to see Big Macintosh away from the farm in the middle of the day.

"Thank ya kindly, Spike!" Applejack said as she entered. Her elder brother followed behind, giving Spike a gentle nod as he did.

Twilight Sparkle popped her head up over her mutliple stacks of books and saw her guests, "Oh Applejack, Big Mac! Welcome! Sorry, if I knew you two were coming today, Spike and I would have cleaned up a bit! Spike could you take care of the books in the back for me?" She was a bit embarrassed by the number of books she had let pile up. Spike nodded and went into the back to continue his work.

"It's not a problem, Miss Sparkle." Big Mac said, placing the basket of apples on the table next to a small stack of books.

"So, what brings you two over here?" Twilight asked as she happily trotted over to them, using her magic to place her book down.

Before Big Mac could answer, Applejack interjected, "Well, Big Mac came by to drop of some apples and I just wanna talk a bit with ya before I become too busy with the harvesting season."

Twilight lit up when she heard that Big Mac was dropping off the apples, "Oh, thank you so very much, Big Mac!"

When Big Mac heard Twilight Sparkle thank him, it was as if his heart melted. Twilight and Applejack were talking amongst themselves, but he couldn't hear them as his ears were still ringing from Twilight's comment. He was more than overjoyed to hear those words than he thought he would be. He wasn't exactly sure why he felt that way about her, but there was something about her that he really liked. He couldn't put his hoof on it, but there was just something that made his heart sing when he was around the purple mare.

While Twilight and Applejack were talking together and Big Mac was caught up in his own thoughts, there was a sound of an avalanche of books falling, followed by a loud crash. The three horses turned in the direction of the sound to see Twilight Sparkle's pet owl, Owlicious, flying out the open window in a rush. Quickly following behind, Spike was chasing after the avian creature, "That stupid bird! I told him not to rest on those books! Stop him before he gets out, quick!"

Applejack took a leap back as the bird rocketed past her, "What in tarnation? Spike, get on mah back, we'll get 'em!" Applejack knelt down just enough for the running dragon to hop on the orange pony's back, and then she raced off to catch the owl. Twilight Sparkle and Big Mac were left in the library, a bit speechless after the incident that had occurred just moments before.

After what felt like an eternity of silence, Twilight finally spoke up, "Well, I really want to thank you personally for the apples Big Mac. They look very delicious!" She happily commented as she examined the fruit. She finally picked one of the apples and bit into it, "Wow, this apple is very sweet. It's simply wonderful!"

Big Mac smiled, "It's not a problem, Miss Sparkle. Ah do hope ya enjoy the first batch of the season."

"This is the first batch of the entire season?" Twilight asked, staring at the basket of the painted fruit. She was astonished that Big Mac brought the very first batch, "Wow, thank you very much! I'm honored! If there is anything I can do for you in return Big Mac, just let me know!"

"Well, Miss Sparkle, there is one thing ah would like you t' do, if ya don't mind," the red stallion asked shyly, "Ah was wonderin' if you could possibly teach me."

Twilight looked at him puzzled, "Teach you? Teach you what, exactly?"

"Like the other night at the party, ya knew the names of the stars and what not. Ah mean, ah would like to have the kind of book smarts that you have, if ya know what ah mean?"

"Well, I don't really know what you mean by that, but I'll be more than happy to teach you, Big Mac. How does tomorrow around noon sound to you?" Twilight smiled warmly to Big Mac.

"That'll work just fine fer me, Miss Sparkle, thank ya," he smiled back to her.

As quickly as the two had left, Applejack and Spike returned through the door that they had left wide open. The two were exhausted from the chasing the owl across Ponyville. "That darned, feathered rat with wings! That owl of yer's escaped us, Twi!"

Twilight turned to Applejack and replied, "Oh, I'm sure Owlicious will return soon. It won't be long before he gets hungry, anyway. Thanks anyway, AJ."

"Well, Mac and ah should best be getting' back to the farm an' back to work." Applejack said with a slight tone of defeat in her voice. "Sorry again 'bout that, Twi."

"Really, it's no big deal Applejack. I'm sure Spike just spooked Owlicious with his shouting," Twilight said, brushing off the incident aside.

"Hey, I was just trying to let him know he shouldn't have rested on that pile of books. Now we have to replace a window upstairs!" Spike said, also with defeat in his voice. Yawning, he continued, "I need a nap after chasing that owl."

Twilight chuckled, "Alright, Spike, rest well," She said benevolently to her small dragon assistant before turning her attention back to the Apple siblings, "Well, I should let you guys get back to the harvesting. I guess I'll be seeing you two later!"

As Applejack and Big Mac were walking back to Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack turned to Big Mac and asked, "So, what were you and Twi talking about while Spike and I were chasing that darned bird?"

"Oh, nothin' really," Big Mac replied simply.

"Really now, nothin'?"

"Eeyup."

Ch. 3 Show Me The Way

Chapter 3: Show Me The Way

The next morning, the harvesting of the apple crop at Sweet Apple Acres was fully under way. Everypony was working hard on their task around the busy farm. At high noon, all ponies on the farm took a break for lunch just as they did every day like clockwork. Big Mac, however, did not take a break like the rest of the ponies. Brushing a bit of the dirt off himself that was gently settled on his body from working the plow, he slowly trotted away from the farm. There were a few surprised gazes at the red stallion as he walked toward Ponyville. He didn't feel he needed to explain to anypony what he was doing, mainly because he already had to explain to Applejack the night before.

"Yer gonna have Twilight teach ya? Teach ya what?" Applejack had asked the night before as the two siblings sat on the porch overlooking the farm.

"Different things," Big Mac replied

"Well, like what? What do ya want to learn, Big Mac?"

"Ah don' know. I kind of want to have somewhat of a formal education, ya know Applejack?"

Applejack sighed a little sadly, "That's right, ain't it? You never did get ta go to school like Applebloom and ah got ta. But we all still appreciate all the work ya've done fer us here on the farm, Big Mac," she said, her eyes softening in sorrow for her brother, but she gave a warm smile as she consoled him.

"Ah know, but ah just feel like I could benefit from some learnin', and Miss Sparkle is very book-smart." Big Mac replied gently.

Applejack smiled, "Well, Twi certainly knows her way 'round books, and she is a mighty fine teacher. Just promise me ya won't get too fond on Twilight now," she said with a wink to Big Mac, causing him to blush slightly.

"I-It ain't like that, Applejack," Big Mac tried to defend himself against his sister's straight forward comment.

Applejack laughed softly and gently nudged her brother with her hoof, "Well hey, she's not that bad of a gal, and she is pretty cute, ain't she?"

"Applejack," the stallion sighed in irritation, which just caused her to just laugh more.

Big Mac finally arrived at the library. His slow and calm trotting was able to shake off most of the dirt that was still stuck to his red coat. Moving up to the door, he gave it a gentle knock. To his surprise, it wasn't opened by Spike, but Twilight herself.

"Ah, Big Macintosh! Right on time! Come in, come in!" Twilight said warmly, welcoming the stallion into her home, "Thankfully I was able to get most of the books put away last night when Spike was still awake. Please go on ahead to the table right over there, I'll go get us something to eat."

Big Mac smiled kindly and nodded as he slowly made his way to the table and sat down. He looked at the books with titles that read 'Basic Science of Farming', 'Science of Fruit', 'Weather Patterns of Equestria', and other books. He was a bit puzzled about why those titles were placed on the table, but before he could think more about it, he smelled something delicious. He turned to look and saw Twilight using her magic to carry a tray of fresh muffins to the table.

"I used a few of the apples that you brought yesterday to make a special type of muffin I read about. I do hope they taste good!" she said happily, offering one to him as she sat down beside him.

Big Mac took another smell of the muffins. The aroma was heavenly to him, "They look mighty tasty," he carefully grabbed one and took a bite out of it. It was one of the tastiest pastries that he ever had. After swallowing, he added, "These really are quite amazing, Miss Sparkle," he commented once he had finished the muffin.

Twilight blushed a bit at Big Mac's words, "Heh, thank you, Big Macintosh. And you don't have to address me as Miss Sparkle, Twilight will be just fine."

"Alright then, Miss Twilight."

Twilight smiled at his words; she hadn't expecting him to still call her 'miss', "Also, before we can begin, do you mind taking your harness off? I think you can focus better on your studying if you didn't have that heavy thing around your neck."

Big Mac carefully took the harness off and placed it aside. She was right; it felt like a big load was taken off his shoulders both physically and mentally. "I feel kinda bare without it," he admitted.

"Well, I think you look better without it weighing you down." Twilight said with a friendly smile, "Now, I think it would be good to start learning about something you are quite familiar with, something like the different aspects of farming. I know you are very knowledgeable when it comes to the physical aspects farming itself, but I think having you learn about the science behind it will be a good place to start. Does that sound good to you?"

Big Mac smiled and nodded as he watched Twilight open a book magically and placed it in front of him, "Sounds like a fine place to start, ah think."

Twilight and Big Mac spent the next three hours studying the different phyisical and biological aspects of farming, from cross-pollination of apple seeds and the chemical process of a growing sapling to the basic patterns that the weather ponies followed in their careful structuing of Equestria's weather. Big Mac was quite surprised to learn a number of things in his first lesson. The stallion was really happy to learn something he can apply to his farming techniques in the future seasons.

"Whew, I think that's a bit much for the first lesson. Sorry if I overwhelmed you with so much information on your first visit, Big Mac," Twilight said as she closed up the last book for the day.

"It's quite alright, Miss Twilight. Ah'm very thankful that yer doin' this fer me," he replied, standing up and carefully placing his harness back on, "Ah've been meaning to ask, by the way, where Spike and the owl of yers are."

"Oh, Owlicious didn't return last night so Spik-"

The purple mare's words were interrupted as the door to the library was slammed open to reveal an exhausted small purple and green baby dragon with an owl in one of his hands.

"It took five hours...five hours and I got this darned bird," Spike's voice was filled with frustration and fatigue. "I am going to lock this bird up in it's cage, remove the rose thorns that cover my body, and then sleep until next week." Spike marched past the two ponies to go up stairs to place the bird in its cage. Twilight and Big Mac softly chuckled as the small dragon left.

"Poor lil' guy," Big Mac said sympathically.

"He'll be fine, Spike just gets tired easily. I should get him some gems for his hard work." Twilight thought aloud.

"Well then, ah best be going back to the farm now," Big Mac said walking over to the door that Spike had left open.

"Alright then! Same time tomorrow?" Twilight asked as she trotted along beside him.

"As long as that's fine with you, Miss Twilight."

Twilight giggled, "That's perfectly fine, and you really don't have to say 'miss', Big Mac. I don't think the 'miss' really fits me."

"Well, you are a fine young lady, and all ladies should be addressed with the utmost respect and honor. That's what Granny Smith always taught me," Big Mac explained as he slowly walked outside, "Ah'll see ya tomorrow, Miss Twilight."

Twilight found herself blushing at Big Mac's compliment. A lady? She was quite flustered that she almost forgot to say good-bye.

"Y-Yeah, see ya tomorrow!" She closed the door as soon as the red pony was out of sight. She paused for a second after the door was closed and said softly to herself, "Young lady? I never though anypony was so chivalrous like that these days."

For the next two weeks, Big Mac would visit Twilight Sparkle every day at noon. Everyday he would look forward to meeting with her and learning from her and enjoying the snacks that she would make for them. The stallion was a fast learner when it came to the subject of farming and plant science, which surprised both Big Mac and Twilight. Every so often, Applebloom would accompancy her brother to Twilight Sparkle's to get away from the farm. She and Spike would play together when she was over, but that also led to two of them wrestling, and once in a while breaking something. This would lead Twilight to telling both of them continue playing outside so that she and Big Mac could study without being distracted.

After one such lesson had finish, Big Mac and Twilight were alone in the library, finishing up their studying and cleaning up the books and snacks. Big Mac finished putting away the books that they had used and turned to see Twilight walking back from the kitchen. He took a deep breath and then finally spoke.

"Miss Twilight," he started.

"What is it, Big Mac?" she asked, turning her head to look at him.

'Come on, Big Mac, you can do this. Ya can do this, just relax a lil',' he thought to himself before he continued, "Can I be honest with ya for a sec?"

"Of course! We're friends here."

"Well, ah jus wanna say thanks for helpin' me the past few weeks with helpin' me."

"It's been a real pleasure to! I've learned quite a bit about from our experience here as well and I have really enjoyed your company!" Twilight cheerfully said.

"Also, ah would like ta apologize fer Applebloom rough-housin' when she visits," he said as he started to walk over to the door.

"Well, I can understand that the little filly has a lot of energy to burn off, but I'm just happy she and Spike are over at the farm so we can get a lot of studying done," Twilight said as she accompanied him.

Big Mac walked out opened the door and turned his head back to look at Twilight standing in the doorway, 'Alright, Big Mac, you gotta do this,' he thought to himself again.

"Okay then, I'll see you tomorrow then, Big Mac!" Twilight said as she started to close to the door.

"Wait, Miss Twilight?" Big Mac called out to stop her.

"Yes?"

"Ah'm really quite fond of ya," Big Mac said at last before he turned and trotted his way back to Sweet Apple Acres.

Ch. 4 A Night Like This

Chapter 4: A Night Like This

Twilight was scampering back and forth throughout her library, constantly changing her direction as if she had no idea of where she was going. She would go to one area of the library take a few books of the shelves, look through them quickly and drop them with her magic before rushing to another part of the room. She had done this multiple times already, and the books were beginning to quickly pile up. "There's got to be something in these books about this, there has just got to!" she told herself as she was looking through the books she had just pulled off the shelf, which were quickly abandoned as she continued to search for anything that might help her.

During Twilight's crazy endeavor, her dragon assistant Spike had returned from playing with Applebloom at Sweet Apple Acres. Puzzled, he called out to the purple mare, "Hey Twilight, is there something wrong?" He closed the door behind him and then promptly got out of the dashing pony's path.

"Can't talk!" Twilight shouted zooming past Spike to another part of the room, "I'm in the middle of looking for something! I need to find a book about this subject and quickly! I don't know what to do!" Twilight's voice was filled with stress as she dropped more books onto the ever-growing pile.

"I hope you know that I am not going to be happy about cleaning this up," Spike remarked as the pony rushed past him. The pony didn't respond, instead she continued her panicked running. It was then that Twilight's pet owl, Owlicious, flew down and rested on his stand, next to Spike. Spike noticed his arrival and then asked to the bird, "Do you have any idea what's going on with her, Owlicious?"

"Who?" the bird replied

"Twilight Sparkle. I mean look at her, she's acting all crazy."

"Who?"

Spike paused and glared at Owlicious, "There are times I really don't like you."

**********

Back at Sweet Apple Acres, Big Mac had arrived back from his lesson at Twilight's. He was a bit flustered from having told her how he felt, but he did feel a bit relieved that he had finally said something. The sun was slowly setting as he walked up to the porch where Applejack was sitting, quietly observing the farmland.

"Welcome back, Big Mac," Applejack said, smiling to her brother.

"Evenin', Applejack," he replied with a nod and a small smile.

"You seem t' be in a good mood."

"Eeyup."

"Well then, take a seat and tell me all about it. The sunset is mighty nice today," Applejack smiled looking at Celestia's sun setting over the family's apple trees.

Big Mac plopped down next to his sister and looked at the setting sun, "Yer right about that, the sun looks very beautiful this time of day."

Applejack looked to her brother and smiled, "So tell me, Big Mac, what's got you in a such mood?"

Big Mac closed his eyes, enjoying the last warmth of the sun on his face. Smiling to himself, he replied, "Well, ah guess you can say that ah'm doing well since ah was able to say somethin' to somepony."

Applejack's ear's perked up, "Really now? Ya sayin' that mah big brother has got a crush on somepony?"

Blushing, and a bit flutstered, Big Mac paused before he replied, "E-Eeyup."

"Well, cover me in frosting and call me an apple cupcake, ah never thought ah'd see the day that my older sibling would be fond of another pony!" Applejack said excitedly, giving her brother a quick hug. "Ya gotta tell me, Big Mac, how did ya tell her?"

Big Mac started, "Well, ah told her as ah left her house t'day."

Applejack stared at her brother, "That it?"

"Eeyup."

There was a brief pause as Applejack pieced the puzzle together. "Wait, is this pony Twilight Sparkle?"

"Eeyup."

"Big Mac!" Applejack shouted in shock, "Why did ya do that t' Twi? She's a real fragile gal! Just tellin' her that ya like her and leavin' right after that will cause her to panic like a fish out of water!"

Big Mac's expression dropped as he realized what he had done. "Uh-oh," he said simply.

"Ah reckon you should go see that poor mare right now, Mac!" Applejack urged.

"Ah don't know…" Big Mac trailed off.

"Ya gotta, Big Mac!" a familiar filly's voice called out.

"Applebloom?" the orange mare called out, looking toward where the voice came from.

Applebloom popped her head from around the corner of the house. "Here ah am!"

"How long have you been there?" Big Mac asked as his youngest sister join them on the porch.

"Since before ya got back. But ya gotta go see Miss Twilight now! Spike tells me that she does panic easily, so you jus' gotta!" Applebloom pleaded with Big Mac.

"Applebloom is right, Big Mac! Go to Twi and just be honest with her." Applejack agreed with her sister, which was something that rarely occurred around the farm.

"Alright, alright, ah'll go see Miss Sparkle right now." Big Mac stood up and headed off to her library with a bit of a gallop in his step.

As she watched the red coated stallion hurry off, Applejack then turned to Applebloom, "Ya think he has it in him to tell her?" she asked.

Smiling, the filly replied, "If Caramel had the courage to tell ya how he felt about you t'day, I think Big Mac has it in him to tell Miss Twilight!"

"Ya know 'bout that?" Applejack asked, stunned.

"Yup yup! Spike an' ah even saw you two kissin' t'day as well!" Applebloom laughed as she hopped off the porch and started to run off to the barn.

"Why you lil' squirt! Get back here! Ah'll teach you to spy on me!" Applejack jumped off the porch and started to purse her sister.

"Why are ya so mad? We were just trying to get mah cutie mark!" the little yellow filly laughed as her sister angrily chased her across the yard.

***********************

Big Mac's pace went from a steady gallop to that of a racing sprint on his way back to Twilight Sparkle's library. He didn't know what he would say to her when he got there and he sure didn't know what she would say to him returning so late. If he knew anything, it was that he felt something special for that pony. He could not place his hoof on it at that moment, but he was not going to let it stop him from going to see her. The last thing he wanted was for her to worry over something he had caused. As he drew near the library, he saw the lights on in the downstairs room. Finding strength that had been previously unknown to the tired stallion, he galloped ever faster to the front of the library. He stopped at the front door and raised his hoof to knock. Big Mac hesitated briefly before he finally tapped at the door. There was no answer.

Big Mac worriedly knocked again and called out anxiously. "Miss Twilight?"

After a while, Twilight finally opened the door, her mane and tail disheveled and unkempt as if Pinkie Pie had come by to style them, "Oh…Big Mac!" she managed to say, trying her best to suppress her worry, "I'm actually glad you came, can you please come in?"

The red stallion nodded, "Of course, Miss Twilight." He entered cautiously, knowing that she was frazzled and stressed. He could tell just by looking at how disorganized the library had become since he'd left

Twilight offered Big Mac a cushion for him to sit on as she sat on one across from him, "I apologize for my bizarre and weird look with my mane and tail."

"It's quite alright, Miss Twilight."

With a sigh, Twilight started talking, "Well, if you don't mind, I would like to say something about earlier today. I guess I'm just really baffled from what you said. I mean, you are the first pony to ever say anything like that to me. From the moment you left until about an hour ago, I was rummaging through the library here to find something on the subject of, well, the subject of love," Twilight's face turned a bit red as she said love. "I really do like you Big Mac, you are truly a remarkable gentlecolt, and any girl would be lucky just to know you. I'm quite lucky to know you, and I really have enjoyed the past two weeks together. But I honestly don't know what to do, you know? I've never had any type of relationship other than just with my family, Spike, and of course the Princess, but nothing of a romantic nature. So, I'm not really sure what to do." Twilight paused and then gave a nervous laugh, "I'm sorry, I really do ramble a lot. You came to visit me, so you should be able to speak as well."

Big Mac gave Twilight gentle smile. "It's completely fine, Miss Twilight. Ah do understand where you are comin' from. Ah really do like you quite a lot. You are a very clever pony and there are just many things that ah like about you. You got yerself a beautiful coat and a very lovely mane, no matter how it looks. Yer the smartest pony ah know. Yer very caring and loyal to yer friends. Ah guess you can say that there is some magic about ya, Miss Twilight. Every time we were together, ah guess ah just wanted to keep that magic happenin', ya know?"

Twilight smiled, Big Mac's words bringing a few small tears of joy to her eyes. She was completely speechless from her emotions welling up inside her. Regaining her ability to speak again, Twilight stated, "But I really don't know anything about being in a relationship."

"Ah don't know anything about that either, Miss Twilight," Big Mac admitted with a shy smile, "But ah'd still be honored if you'd allow me to go out with ya sometime."

Twilight nodded, still smiling with tears of joy in her eyes, "I would love to, but may we take it slowly? I mean, this is new for both us."

Big Mac nodded, "I wouldn't have it any other way, Miss Twilight."

Twilight stood up from her seat and gave Big Mac a hug. "Come with me," she managed to say. Her voice was still a bit distorted from her emotions getting the best of her. Big Mac stood up and followed her. Twilight led the stallion out to the second floor balcony. She sat down and looked up at the clear night sky. Big Mac sat down next to her and looked up as well.

"The night sky is mighty clear, ain't it Miss Twilight?" Big Mac said, taking a deep breath of the night air.

Twilight smiled and leaned against Big Mac, "Yes, I do love stargazing on a night like this, and you being here makes it even better," Twilight blushed as she spoke and felt the warmth from Big Mac.

Big Mac blushed and smiled happily, "Ah'm glad that ah can make it better for ya, Miss Twilight." After a silence between of the two of them leaning against each other, Big Mac asked, "Miss Twilight? Could you possibly show me the stars of O-ryan and Can-nus Major? And possibly some others as well?"

Twilight's face beamed with happiness at the red stallion, "It would be my honor to, Big Mac."

The two ponies spent the entire night gazing up at the Ponyville sky. In the morning, Spike found the two sleeping in the warmth of Celestia's morning sun, both smiling happily as they slept in each other's embrace.

END