Leap of Faith: Shyness Vs. Kindness

Chapters

Chapter One - Eeeyup!
Chapter Two - Macintour
Chapter Three - Funny meeting you here...
Chapter Four - Red n' Yellow
Chapter Five - Ya'll gonna RUE THE DAY!
Chapter Six - At the end of an Apple Day
The Afterparty!!! - Author's Notes
Intermission - Wolokai gets a Present...

Chapter One - Eeeyup!

Big, red, and scary. That's what most of the ponies in line thought of the giant Stallion standing guard at the top of the stairs that led down to Vinyl's Cage Corral. He was a tall, red hunk of a pony, his muscles very prominent through his tight, black bouncer gear. A black beanie rested on his head, a pair of black sunglasses over his eyes which shone with green brilliance. The black coat which he wore only partially concealed his cutie-mark: A single half of a lime green apple. The stallion rolled the piece of hay in his mouth over and flicked his eyes to the right, staring towards the line. He had to admit, this was the easiest job in all of Equestria! Getting paid to stand around, look tough, let ponies in when the small earpiece he wore beeped three times, and -

'BANG!' "Macintosh, we got a brawl!" Shake shouted from below, the iron door swinging wide open. The stallion, famously known as 'Big' Macintosh, sighed and spit out his strand of hay, turning towards the door and nodding, rushing down and flying into the club. A large portion of the crowd had parted on the right hand side of the dance floor, revealing two colts throwing punches and rolling around on the ground, each trying to get the upper hoof on the other. Macintosh shoved himself through the crowd and towards the two colts, shoving his side into one and sending him sprawling over onto the ground. However, the other colt had already smashed a cider bottle on the ground and was rushing the stallion, sticking him in the side and making Bic Macintosh yelp in pain. He swung his right hoof over, clobbering the attacking colt right the face and flinging him over to the far wall on the right.

It took all of about three minutes for Macintosh to haul both colts, dazed and beaten, up the stairs and to throw them out in the street. He glared at them as they scrambled up onto their hooves and galloped away, wincing as he limped back downwards towards the club to asses the damage. He limped back through the iron door, watching as the crowd resumed it's club-like business and looked over towards Shake who was waving him over. He limped on over towards Shake, wincing with each step. Shake took one look at his side and shouted "Macintosh you're bleeding!" The Stallion look down his side and sighed, seeing at least two shards of glass stuck in his skin and leaking lines of blood down his body.

He turned back towards Shake and nodded solemnly, breathing out his signature one-liner that he was most famous for:

"Eeyup..."

~~~

"Honestly Mac', do you ever even bother to take care of yourself? Scars are sexy and all but seriously, you're worth more to us breathing and big then you are dead and broken." Vinyl scolded, using her magic to wrap bandages around his freshly cleaned side. Him, Shake, and Vinyl were all situated in the spare room on the second floor, the club officially closed for the day. He winced as Vinyl tightened the bandages and gave him a firm poke in his side. He grimaced and twitched as Vinyl nodded and said "Alright, you're all patched up! Now, onto business." She pulled up a chair for her and Shake and they sat down, Vinyl clearing her throat and stating "Alright, well we know Hearth's Warming is coming up, so I think now's a good time to close the Club until New Years."

Shake nodded and held his hoof up "Yeah, I think Hearth's Warming should be more about quality family time. Besides, Octavia seems sexually unsatisfied, so I think it's best that Vinyl ge-" He was cut off as Vinyl smacked him across the back of his head, getting a laugh out of the colt as he said "Just saying!"

Vinyl, a wild blush on her face, shouted "That's no reason to go shouting about my love life! Celestia's sake Shake...and besides, Octavia isn't unsatisfied! She receives plenty of attention from me, like that one time she suggested I use my horn to-"

She herself was cut off from Shake pushing a hoof against her mouth and grimacing, muttering as Vinyl glared at him "Just because I tease you about it doesn't mean I need you to explain it!" Macintosh simply blinked, looking back and forth between Vinyl and Shake and sighing.

Vinyl, pushing Shake's hoof away from her mouth, spoke "Anyway...personal and professional reasons aside, if the Club shuts down for the winter, that means no pay for a few weeks. Are you guys stable enough to go without a few bits?" Shake simply nodded, smiling as he thought about what he was going to buy for his marefriend.

Macintosh nodded as well, letting out a guttural "Eeyup" and gently shifting his weight on the couch, getting into a more comfortable position.

Vinyl nodded and held up a hoof, exclaiming "Alright! We are now, officially, CLOSED! See you guys around New Years!"

~~~

Macintosh shivered as he made his way home, the cold wind of December swirling around his body and making his bandages itch. The sun had reached its midday point, the town bustling with activity as ponies moved too and fro, some carrying gifts while others simply played in the snow that had settled in overnight. Macintosh hadn't really liked the idea of 'Clubbin' durin' Day' that Vinyl had put into effect, saying that the Club would run during the day and not night, because it was simply too cold for anypony to venture out when the sun went down. Because of this, Macintosh was forced to move his work schedule for the farm to right after his Bouncer schedule. It was a miracle Macintosh was still conscious , with an overloaded schedule like that. He sighed, heading down the path and finally spotting the big red barn in the distance. He smiled at the endless fields of Apple Trees that covered most of the land, Sweet Apple Acres greeting him with a beautiful sea of emerald green, the apples already picked for the season.

As he made his way up to the gate, a voice called out to him from the house "Macintosh, yer back!" Applejack trotted over towards the gate as Macintosh nodded.

"Eeyup..." he said as Applejack stopped, growing wide-eyed at his bandages and pointing a hoof at him.

She shouted "The hay is that from?!", causing Macintosh to look down at his side and shrug.

He looked up, muttering "Fight..." Applejack sighed and face-hoofed, opening the gate for him and letting him inside the yard.

She walked with him towards the barn, speaking to him in a scolding tone "Macintosh yer lucky Applebuck Season is over, otherwise we'd be in a heap o' trouble! How am ah supposed to help out round' the farm when yer off getting smashed, beat up, and all that nonsense!"

Macintosh sighed, moving into the barn and dropping off his saddlebags in his small cubicle near the front, letting out a soft "Eeyup..." and resting in a chair in front of his desk. A wide assortment of items was strewn out across the wooden surface, including a picture of him and Applejack smiling and standing in front of a GIGANTIC apple pinned with a blue ribbon. Other items included a few papers concerning shipping and distribution of their apple loads that included payment notices.

Applejack growled "Are you even listenin' to me?"

Macintosh nodded, grouping the papers together and sliding them into a small black tray, muttering "Eeyup..." He hopped out of the chair and out of the barn, Applejack close behind.

She smiled as they moved out into the yard, exclaiming "Well good, as long ah got through to that big skull o' yores...now cheer up! Hearth's Warming is uh comin' up and we've got guests comin' along too! Ah can't have a mopey brother lazing round' here when we got family to entertain!"

Macintosh started to mutter "Eey-" when he stopped, his eyes growing wide as he turned his head towards Applejack and muttered "Um...what about family?"

Applejack smiled and leaned to her side, smiling as she whispered "Oh I think you know who's comin'...yer two favoritest cousins in the whole wide world!"

Big Macintosh grimaced and looked up towards the gate, sighing with aggravation and muttering "....Horseapples...it had to be this year..."

It was in the moment that Big Macintosh actually jumped with fright, which most had considered an impossible feat. A loud hollering from behind him made Applejack laugh so hard her sides hurt.

"Now come on Cousin!!! That ain't no way to greet yer family that just got in all the way from AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPLEOOSA!!!"

A second voice spoke quietly after the loud shouting, making Macintosh turn his head with a tight frown "Oh, um...howdy Cousin...I guess Applejack didn't tell you that we had come in earlier today...sorry.

Macintosh groaned, face-hoofing and letting out a very weak and defeated "Ee...eeyup...." Braeburn and Caramel...with those two here and together, Macintosh knew that he was in for a massive world of pain, more mental then physical.

Chapter Two - Macintour

Macintosh sat at his usual place at the Apple Family table in their farmhouse, a mildly annoyed expression etched on his face as he listened to Braeburn go on and on about the town. "Yes siree-bob! Appleloosa's got itself a big bumper harvest this year! The buffalo have been helping us a lot with their stampedin' as well, shakin' all them apples outta the trees! It's been friggin' AAAAAAAAAAAAPPLE-RIFIC!!!"

From across the table, Applejack smiled a little, being polite as Appleboom munched loudly through her Apple Fritter. The country mare looked over towards Caramel and frowned, asking "You alright cous'? You barely ate a bite!" Caramel jumped a little at the mention of his name, looking down towards his uneaten fritter and frowning.

He looked up, an apologetic look on his face as he muttered "Oh...um, sorry Cousin Jack'. It's just that...um...me n' Braeburn were waitin' for a while for Macintosh to come back so...I helped myself to a few apples..." Big Macintosh's eye twitched, his nostrils flaring a bit. If there was anything Macintosh hated, it was people taking his apples for 'Freebies'. Just as he was about to open his mouth however, Applejack gave him a swift kick from under the table, making him yelp loudly. Everypony at the table jumped a little, eyes locking onto Macintosh in confusion.

Applejack chuckled nervously and said "Oh...don't mind Mac'...he got into a bit of a scuffle down at the club he works at...fraid' the wound's still buggin' him." Macintosh shot her a dark look, making the apple mare clear her throat and look towards Applebloom, praying for some kind of subject change. "So Applebloom..." Applejack said with a forced smile, trying not to appear nervous under Macintosh's glare "What uh...what ya'll do today down at the school?"

Applebloom looked up, swallowing her fritter and exclaiming "Oh ah had loads of fun today! Arts n' crafts was fun, and we even got an extended recess. Ah had to use the inside bathroom though...ah don't know why ah couldn't use the outside one..."

Applejack frowned and muttered "What was wrong with the outside bathroom?" Big Macintosh looked over as well with concern, taking a large bite out of his apple and staring towards his little sister.

Applebloom shrugged, saying simply "Ah don't know, Silver Spoon kept saying the bathroom was being used, somethin' bout a 'Hornjob' or what not. What exactly is a-"

Macintosh sucked his apple back into his throat, gacking as Applejack's eyes widened and Braeburn spit out his apple soup. Caramel blushed like mad as Macintosh desperately tried to punch himself in the stomach, trying to dislodge the apple piece. With a quick leap, Applejack hopped up onto the table and kicked her two back legs into Macintosh's stomach, giving him a powerful buck. The apple piece came soaring out of the stallion's throat, crashing into Braeburn's soup and splashing it up in his eyes.

"BUCK! MAH EYES!!!!!" The Appleloosen colt screamed, flailing his legs about and falling backwards out of his chair. As he flailed however, he smacked his cup of apple-cider to the left, splashing the substance right into Caramel's eyes.

The orange colt screamed as he pawed at his eyes "ARGH!!! NOW IT'S MAH EYES!!!!" Applebloom was wide-eyed throughout the whole scene, watching as Applejack turned and spotted a few hand-towels hanging from a nearby wall.

"Hold on ya'll!" she shouted "Ah'll get ya'll a towel!" Just as she started to gallop across the table, her hoof hit Caramel's uneaten fritter and caused her to slip backwards, her back hitting the table with a thunderous crash and splitting it in half.

Applebloom looked down, blinking for a moment before simply saying "O...k. Ah'm gonna go play with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo for awhile...um...see ya'll later!" She galloped from the kitchen, rushing past Granny Smith who took one look at the mess and sighed.

She walked slowly towards the group, speaking in a scolding tone "Come on now ya durn kids...ya'll know yer supposed ta eat the food, not go uh wearin' it!" Macintosh merely held onto his stomach, letting out a deep groan and glaring down at the floor towards his two cousins. Today was going to be horseshit, he could tell.

~~~

"Why do ah have to take them into town again?" Macintosh groaned, his belly still aching from the buck Applejack had given him. Braeburn and Caramel were sitting near the gate, waiting as Macintosh talked to Applejack.

"Well we need to clean up the farmhouse, and besides, them two are yer cousins! They don't come round these parts very often and it's only neighborly that we show em round! Quit bein' so...so...mean or whatever!"

Macintosh scoffed, whispering "Ah wouldn't have to be if they weren't stealin' apples!" Applejack narrowed her eyes and shook her head, letting out a frustrated sigh

"Lam sake's Mac they're family! We can regrow five apples easy! Quit being such a snob over it and go spend some time with yer family! Go on, get!" She slammed the farmhouse door in his face, the stallion rolling his eyes and letting out an aggravated sigh.

Caramel was practically bouncing with excitement as Macintosh approached them "Aw yeah! Ah can't wait to go into town, there's so much to do from all them travelin' guides ah been readin'!"

Macintosh sighed, nodding and pushing past the gate with a simple "Eeyup..." They made their way down the roads, Caramel practically bouncing with Pinkie-Pie like excitement. Braeburn had a wide smile on his face, his own eyes lit up with excitement as Macintosh hung his head slightly. 'Just a quick tour and come home...' Macintosh thought to himself.

'What's the worst that could happen?'

~~~

"This is the worst thing that could happen" Macintosh sighed with aggravation, watching as Carmel ran about in the streets, trying to catch a butterfly and crashing into things while Braeburn yacked on and on about what they didn't have in Appleloosa.

"Lam sakes! Ya'll have FLOWERS!? Shucks, we can't grow nothin' but durn Apple Trees and cactus out there! Oh sweet Apple-pie, ya'll have yer own weather team!? We have to pump our own water outta wells down in Appleloosa!" Macintosh groaned, closing his eyes and shaking his head.

He shouted as they walked down Mane Street "For cryin' out loud Caramel, could ya'll act your own age fer o-" He stopped as he felt something hit his chest, the stallion opening his eyes quickly and looking down. A Pegasus mare had run into him by accident, a trail of tiny ducklings behind her and stopping as well. She was a canary-yellow color, her mane pink like cotton candy and her cutie-mark of three butterflies very prominent on her exposed flank. Macintosh blushed as he held a hoof out, speaking with concern "You alright? Sorry bout that miss...ah guess ah wasn't payin' much atten...atten.....a....!" He started to stutter as the Pegasus lifted her head, her eyes openly slowly and staring up into his. Her eyes were a beautiful, light blue color. Their shape soft and had a look of care and tenderness in them. Past this, Macintosh could only sum up the entirety of this mare in one word: Beautiful. The way her wings rested against her sides, the way she stood on those soft, slender legs, the way her mane cutely hid a portion of her face, all of it, just struck Macintosh as downright beautiful.

She frowned a little and whispered, trying to get back up on her hooves "Oh...um, It's ok...I wasn't really watching where I was going either...it wasn't your fault..." Macintosh simply stared at her, his jaw slightly agape and his eyes partially widened. They looked at one another for a moment, the two of them oblivious to the sounds of Caramel getting scolded by a pony whose cart he ran into, and the words of Braeburn as he continued to contrast Appleloosa from Ponyville.

The mare gently hid her face partially behind her mane and whispered "Um...I guess I should be...going now. B...bye..." She stepped around him carefully, the line of ducks following her as well as Macintosh's stare. He turned his head and watched as she walked down the street, her flank gently bouncing away. The blush on Macintosh's face intensified and he yelped as he felt Braeburn poke his injured side.

"Ya'll alright!?" The Appleloosen colt shouted, cocking his head in confusion.

Macintosh nodded quickly and stuttered "E...Eeyup! Ah'm fine!" Braeburn frowned and looked down the street in the direction Macintosh had been watching and watched as the Canary-Mare turned a corner, disappearing behind a few houses.

He smiled and gently nudged Macintosh in the side, shouting "Aaaaah Cousin, ah think you got eyes fer a certain mare!" Macintosh blushed and shook his head furiously, turning and heading down the street, a red-faced Caramel following out of embarrassment, thankful the stall owner was done scolding him.

Macintosh shook his head, partially whimpering "Ah...ah don't know what ya'll is talkin' bout'!"

Braeburn narrowed his eyes, simply trotting up alongside the stallion and saying "Now don't you go givin' me that! Honestly runs deep in this here family and Applejack's livin' proof of that, being that element thingy and all! Ya'll was blushin' redder then a ripe apple in the heat o' July, wasn't he Caramel!?"

Caramel lifted his head up, muttering "What?"

"Exactly!" Braeburn shouted, giving Macintosh an intense stare and shouting "Come on cous'! Why don't ya'll go an talk to her?"

Macintosh shook his head, muttering "Ee-Nope! Ah ain't got no time fer mares, ah got too much to do."

Braeburn scoffed "Oh that there's horseshit and you durn well know it! Applebuck season is over and ah already heard from Cousin Jack that your other job is closin' for Hearth's Warmin'! Come on now...what other reason do ya have?!"

Macintosh frowned and shook his head "Ah ain't got no reason to talk to her is all! It's just plain rude to go talkin' up a storm with somepony outta the blue. It's called manners Braeburn...learn em'!"

Braeburn narrowed his eyes, shouting as they entered the town square "Oh yeah? Well I bet yer too shy! And let me tell ya, that right there is hilarious! Big Macintosh the work pony, too damn scared to talk to a tiny little mare. Oh what will Cousin Jack say!?

Macintosh stopped in his tracks and shook his head frantically "N...no! Don't tell AJ she'll never let me hear the end of it! Ah think that mare is one o' her friends anyway, ah can't go gettin' into anything with that gal, AJ'll KILL ME!" With that he tilted his head up in a snobbish fashion, stuck his nose up in the air and proceeded through the square.

Braeburn however, simply smiled and watched his cousin go, leaning over towards Caramel and whispering "Hey Cousin...ah gots me an idea!"

At this, Caramel could only squeak with fright and whimper "Oh no...not again!!!"

Whenever it came to Braeburn and his plans, Caramel could do only two things: Pray, and brace for severe pain.

Chapter Three - Funny meeting you here...

Caramel sighed, sitting outside of a small shop titled "Bon Bon's Sweets n' Coffee!". He looked a bit nervous, like he was doing something wrong and was afraid to get caught. He looked up at the sound of the front door opening, watching as Braeburn trotted outside with a happy grin on his face. Caramel frowned and muttered as Braeburn popped a small piece of candy in his own mouth "Um...Braeburn...are you sure this is a good idea? If Mac' finds out we did this, he'll skin us alive!"

Braeburn scoffed, tipping his stetson back and shouting "Don't you go worryin' bout Big Pussintosh, the problem'll take care of itself! Did you tell him to head this way?" Caramel nodded, twitching out of nervousness about the prospect of Macintosh finding them out.

He looked up to Braeburn and whispered "W...what about you? Did you find the Canary-Mare?"

Braeburn nodded with a large smile, swallowing the candy and exclaiming "Yep! Told her Miss Bon Bon in there needed help with a little somethin', and that she should come right away! Miss Bon Bon knows to play along, so all we have to do now is sit back and watch the fireworks!"

Caramel frowned and pointed at the bag of candy that Braeburn had brought out on his back and shouted "What's the candy for then!?"

Braeburn raised an eyebrow, muttering "Um...to eat?" Caramel face-hoofed as Braeburn whispered "Oh shit, here he comes! Quick, get in them bushes!" The two of them dove out of the street as Big Macintosh came into view, a seriously pissed off look etched on his face.

Just his shouting make Caramel squeak with fright "Caramel!!!!!! Where are ya, ya blockhead you! What in the hay were you sayin' bout' Braeburn going and causing a ruckus over at Bon Bon's!?"

Braeburn punched Caramel in the shoulder, hissing "What the hay's he talking about?!"

Caramel winced and rubbed his shoulder, whispering back "What, it's not my fault! It was the only way I could get him to come!" Braeburn face-hoofed and turned his head suddenly to the sound of Bon Bon's door closing.

He whispered to Caramel "Was that her!?"

Caramel turned to him and shrugged, whispering "I don't know!"

"What do you mean you don't know!?"

"I mean 'I don't know' when I say 'I don't know!'"

"Don't be smart with me Caramel! Did ya see her or not!?"

"I'm not being smart! I mean...I am because I'm not dumb but I'm not being a smart-mouth either!"

"Why weren't you watching to see if it was her!?"

"I was too busy trembling at how pissed Mac' was!!!"

The two continued to argue with raised whispers, oblivious to Macintosh trotting up the steps to Bon Bon's steps and walking in with a loud sigh and saying "Alright...ah'm here, what in the hay is go-" He froze up instantly, his eyes catching sight of the Canary-Mare who had run into him earlier. She turned her head and let out a small 'Eep!', startled by the stallion's loud voice.

Bon Bon, who was standing behind the front counter, smiled and shouted "Well hey there Big Macintosh! You're looking for Braeburn right?" Macintosh nodded very, very slowly, his eyes locked onto the Pink-maned mare's. Bon Bon smiled and said "Well...he said he'd be right back so, you're more then welcome to wait here!" She turned to the mare and whispered "I'll be right back dearie!" The mare nodded, the two ponies looking away from one another with slight blushes on their face. Macintosh gently walked towards one corner of the room and sat on his haunches, clearing his throat nervously and staring around the room, trying to keep his thoughts clear. The mare sat on her haunches too, looking down towards the floor and hiding her face in her mane. Neither of them spoke for a bit, an awkward silence falling over the two and creating an air of nervousness.

Finally, the yellow Pegasus looked up and whispered, her face half-hidden "H...hi..."

Macintosh gulped and whispered back, looking towards the floor "Um...hi..." The two of them sat in silence for another moment before the stallion spoke again "Funny meeting you here...um...sorry bout'...earlier........"

The mare smiled a very, very tiny smile and muttered "Oh...um, that's ok.....your name is Big Macintosh?"

Macintosh looked up a little and nodded, whispering "Eeyup...what's um...what's yer name?" The canary-mare frowned a little at his question, looking away with a slight blush and involuntarily letting her bottom lip quiver.

She whispered again, hiding behind her mane "Um...I'm Flutshhrnn....."

Macintosh raised an eyebrow and muttered "Um...come again?"

"My name is...Flushhsnn..."

"Say what now?"

"Flutt...Fluttershmmm....."

"....I'm sorry, I can't quite hear y-"

"Fluttershy dear, everything alright up there?!" Bon Bon shouted from the back room, making the timid Pegasus 'eep' with fright.

She shouted back with low volume "Oh, um...yes! Everything's....ok." Macintosh went over her name in his head. 'Fluttershy....Fluttershy......'. He found himself smiling a little, the timid Pegasus blushing and smiling as well.

"So..." Macintosh began, trying his hardest not to stumble over his words "...do ya...come here often?" Fluttershy shook her head a little, her head tilted down and her eyes looking up at him. He nodded and once again fell into an awkward silence.

From outside, Braeburn face-hoofed, pulling his head away from the window he and Caramel were spying through "Lam sakes, that foal's got apples bluer then a blueberry! Ah'm goin' in!" Caramel gulped and opened his mouth to retort but stopped, knowing what he said wasn't going to stop him no matter what. The door opened roughly, causing Fluttershy to squeak and Macintosh to look up. A furious look grew on his face as Braeburn shouted "Well howdy Cous'! Ah knew you'd be he- saaaay! Ain't you that Canary-Pegasus Macintosh was talkin' bout?"

"Braeburn..." Macintosh growled with warning, the stallion feeling his right eye twitching.

Fluttershy looked over and blinked, whispering "H...he said something about me?" She looked over towards Macintosh with wide-eyes, the Stallion at a loss for words.

Braeburn smiled and shouted "Course he has! Why he wouldn't shut up bout ya'll after ya left! He was tellin' me how he thought ya looked so purty and all, with that lovely pink mane and yer nice soft coat! Ah told him to talk to ya but he's shyer then a foal at his first school dance!"

Fluttershy blushed like mad, whispering over towards Macintosh with a tiny smile on her face "You...you said all that?"

Macintosh stuttered over his words, his eyes wide and his tongue tied up in a knot "Ah don't...ah mean...um...well...."

Braeburn smiled and walked up next to Fluttershy, holding a hoof out and shaking his head slightly as he said "See there? Ya'll got him swooning for ya so bad the poor colt can't even speak! It's too bad...ah know he was planning on askin' ya to dinner too..."

"Braeburn!!!" Macintosh managed to gasp, his eyes wider then saucers.

"Oh that's ok...if you want to go to dinner that would be...um........nice." Fluttershy said with a small smile, hiding her face in her mane again and letting out a small giggle.

Braeburn smiled and chuckled, looking over at Macintosh and saying "Well there ya go Cous'! See, twern't hard at all was it!?" he turned his head to Fluttershy and said "Ah guess he'll be seeing ya tonight round....oh, how's 7 O'clock sound to ya?" Fluttershy smiled and nodded her head, looking over towards Macintosh for a response.

He sighed, looking up towards her and whispering "Eeyup...7 O'clock ah guess...but if ya'll excuse me for a moment..."

Caramel waited out in the street, fearful for a moment but sighing in relief after he watched Braeburn burst out of the door with a frightful look on his face. The orange colt was just about to ask what was wrong when Braeburn shouted "RUN!!! OH SWEET CELESTIA RUN YER DURN FLANK OFF!!!"

*BANG!!!!!*

"YA'LL GET YER MOTHER BUCKIN' ASSES BACK HERE! AH'M A SKIN YA'LL ALIVE!!!" Macintosh shouted, running after the squealing Braeburn and Carmel.

Caramel shouted as they ran down the straight "This was your bright idea!? Good going Braeburn!"

Braeburn scoffed as they tore down the street, a very pissed of Stallion hot on their hooves "What you talkin' bout ya silly filly!? Ah got him a date, how's that bad!?'

Caramel scowled as he replied "Yeah, at the cost of our lives ya dumb idiot!"

"WHEN AH CATCH UP TO YA'LL TWO, AH SWEAR BY THE HOURS END YER GONNA RUE THE DAY YOU DONE FUCKED WITH BIG FUCKIN' MACINTOSH!"

Braeburn squealed, turning a corner and barreling down the street "Let's worry bout' it later! Just run for it!!!"

Chapter Four - Red n' Yellow

"Lam sakes...they ran HOW fast!?" Applejack gasped, her eyes wide with awe. She and Big Macintosh were seated underneath one of the apple trees near the farmhouse, the big stallion still trying to catch his breath and speak at the same time.

He panted "About...as fast...as Miss Dash...can fly..." Applejack chuckled, shaking her head as she looked across the fields of bare trees.

Turning her head, she asked "So, you get that date with little Fluttershy?" Macintosh felt his breath catch. She knew, oh Celestia she knew! He was so dead, there was no way she was going to let him live it down now. He'd probably have to move or become his sister's slave to get her to leave him alone about it and - "Um....Macintosh? Did ya hear me?"

Macintosh sighed and nodded "Eeyup..."

Applejack smiled and asked "So...did you get the date?"

Macintosh whispered again "Eeyup..."

At this, Applejack smiled and gave him a rough pat on the back, exclaiming "Well shucks, bout' time you went and found yerself a filly! All this time ah thought might of been a coltcuddler, but wooee am ah glad ah was wrong!!! Granny Smith still needs little foals n' fillies to spoil!"

Macintosh blushed and stuttered, holding a hoof out to Applejack "W...what!? Ya'll ain't upset or nothin'?! Ah thought since it was yer friend Fluttershy ya'll might have a bit of a problem with me seein' her! Ah didn't want to make things awkward for ya..."

Applejack scoffed and waved her hoof about, shouting "Aw, horseshit! You of all ponies oughta know that family means more to me then anythin'! Ah will always support ya in whatever ya decide to do with ya'lls love life...cept datin' Pinkie. There's just some things even ah can't stand to let happen brother, and you'll thank me in the long run!"

Macintosh raised an eyebrow, confused as to what Applejack was talking about. He shrugged, figuring she knew best about her friends anyway. He looked over and asked "So uh...bout' Miss Fluttershy...what kind uh mare is she? She seems awfully quiet like ah am..."

Applejack smiled a little and leaned her back up against the tree, tipping her stetson back and looking up towards the clouds and saying "Macintosh you ain't shy, yer just plain clueless on how to act when it comes to mares. Fluttershy's a bit timid...but she's one of the kindest, nicest ponies ah have ever known. Ya'll will do right by her if ya treat her right. Speaking of, ain't you got to start gettin' ready for yer big date?"

Macintosh nodded and stood, making a motion to move but suddenly stopping. He frowned, turning his head to his sister and muttering "Um...how am' ah supposed to get ready?"

Applejack chuckled and shook her head, getting up on her hooves and muttering "Apples bluer then a bluejay...come on Macintosh..let's get you purty."

Macintosh gulped as Applejack walked towards the gates, muttering "P...purty? Wait...that means....oh...no."

~~~

"Oh darling! You really trust me with that hunk of a sexy stallion in MY hooves?! Applejack you flatter me!" Rarity shouted with glee, her eyes running all over Big Macintosh's body, the possibilities swarming through her head.

The dress mare yelped however as Applejack gave her a firm spank over her flank and scolded her "Now Rarity you just watch yerself! Macintosh is already smitten with Fluttershy, and ah need him to look and smell presentable for her this evenin'!" Rarity rubbed her flank and frowned, looking towards Applejack with apologetic eyes and nodding. Before she could say anything, Applejack cut her off "And that means, NO froo-froo fancy dresses or haircuts! Ya'll know Fluttershy is a simple pony, she'll probably like Macintosh the way he is...minus the pig smell if ya'll know what ah mean..."

Big Macintosh scowled from his place on one of Rarity's designer chairs, his voice angry and defensive "Hey!!! Ah don't smell like pigs! If anything, YOU smell like ya done finished wallowing in cow shi-"

"Right! If that is all Applejack could you be a dear and wait in the parlor? I really must concentrate" Rarity said quickly, a nervous smile on her face and her eyes locked on Applejack's. The mare had just finished giving Macintosh a sour look before finally nodding and heading out through the door. Rarity let out a sigh of relief and trotted over to big stallion, her horn glowing with blue and a wide assortment of cleaning products and brushes levitated their way over. Macintosh gulped, watching as he became surrounded, the voice of Rarity not doing much to alleviate his nerves "So! We've got Fluttershy to impress and a Macintosh Mess, this...shouldn't take too long. Granted, the more you squirm the longer this will take. If you sit there, take it like the good stallion you are, and try not to scream to loudly, you'll be out of here before you know it!"

Macintosh blinked, his eyes widening as he whispered "What in the shi- HORSEAPPLES!!!!!!!!!!!!"

~~~

Applejack blinked, looking over towards the closed door at the sound of Macintosh hollering like a filly. She frowned and walked over, knocking on the door and shouting "Ya'll alright in there?! Ah swear Rarity if yer raping mah brother, ah'm gonna have to beat somepony's ass!"

Rarity shouted from within "Applejack, could you try not being a brute for once!? I told him not to move and he got a can of hairspray to the eyes! Now hold still Macintosh...wouldn't want to poke any eyes out!"

Applejack was actually pretty amazed at what happened next. Most stallions could make their voices go a little bit higher, but she had never heard of a pony going up about four octaves at once though! She giggled, wondering if Macintosh could be the setter of a new record.

~~~

"So how was it?" Applejack snickered, looking sideways towards the glistening, shiny stallion that was her brother. His mane was set in the usual style, but now it seemed to flow and wave, even bounce as he walked. His coat was a gleaming red, and his tail even appeared to be brushed.

Macintosh glared down at the road, his right eye twitching as he whispered "Ah don't...want to talk bout' it...buckin' eye still hurts from that durn hair spray...crazy ass filly..." Applejack giggled and stopped as they came to a fork in the road.

She stepped onto the path on the right, waving a hoof and shouting "Ya'll have fun now at yer date! Don't forget, she lives over near the Everfree Forest, small cottage, can't miss it!"

Macintosh sighed heavily and muttered "Eeyup..." turning down the left path and going into a trot. He grimaced as he headed down the trail, wondering exactly how he was supposed to please Fluttershy at dinner. How was he supposed to act, what was he supposed to do!? He stopped and blinked in surprise, the actual concept of him actually going out on a date finally smacking him right in the face. This was really happening, and sure enough, he wasn't dreaming. He knew Braeburn and Caramel had some kind of hoof in this...and although they were probably just looking out for him, he was still going to tear them up and beat the ever-living horseshit out of them for driving him nuts. He sighed, moving back down the path and heading towards the Everfree Forest.

It took him all of about ten minutes to reach the small bridge that was crossed over the tiny stream in front of Fluttershy's house. He looked about in awe at just how many animals were scampering about, most of them heading back to their homes for the night. There had to have been at least forty times more animals here then what he had on the farm, and for a moment he actually envied the Pegasus for her 'collection'. He cleared his throat, trotting over the bridge and up to the door, knocking quietly three times.

His ears perked and his heart throbbed as he heard a timid voice coming from the other side "W...who's there? Ma...Macintosh?"

Macintosh smiled a little, speaking towards the door "Eeyup!" He stepped back as he heard a dead-bolt being unlocked from the other side...and another...and another. His eyes started to widen as he counted exactly fifteen clicks of a lock unlocking, his jaw partially dropping at the amount of security Fluttershy had gone through to secure her home. Finally, the door swung open a little and she poke her head out, a sheepish smile and a blush on her her face.

"S...sorry" she whispered "Shall we go?" Macintosh took a moment to look at her soft face, the beautiful yellow bow in her hair, the pink eyeshadow she wore, and just her beautiful, beautiful blue eyes. "I hope I didn't dress up too much...Rainbow's always telling me to be more assertive..." she said, looking towards the ground.

Macintosh put a gentle hoof on her shoulder, making her look up as he said "Naw...yer...yer very, um...purty..." They both blushed, the door closing behind Fluttershy with a quiet 'click'

~~~

Forty minutes later, the very timid couple found themselves seated in the outdoors seating area of the local Ponyville Eatery, menus laid out on the table before them. Three tables over however, a fancily dressed colt with a lopsided mustache kept looking over towards the couple, his eyes shifty and observant. A voice across from him though, made him turn his head "Yer an asshole! Ah can't believe you made me do this!!!" The mustached colt scrunched up his face, trying his best not to laugh at Caramel who was dressed up in a fancy filly's dress and covered in makeup, giving him a pretty well-done disguise. "Tain't funny Braeburn! Ah feel like shit!"

Braeburn sighed and looked back over towards the two, muttering "Would ya'll quit yer bitchin' and just get over it!? We're here to make sure Big Pussintosh don't mess this up, and you n' ah both know he's probably still madder then a freshly bucked hornet's nest at us right now! These disguises are for safety!"

Caramel scowled and whispered savagely "Then how come AH gotta be the mare! Why can't you get in a dress too?!"

Braeburn rolled his eyes and whispered "Cause ah'm not the one who lost at Boulder, Scroll, Knives"

Carmel frowned, hissing "Horseshit, you cheated! Since when the hay does Scroll beat Boulder!?"

The Appleloosen colt raised an eyebrow, muttering "Um...since forever? Ya big dumbass!"

Macintosh pushed his food around on his plate, looking up towards Fluttershy and noticing she wasn't really touching her food either. 'Maybe some conversation...' Macintosh thought to himself, mulling the idea over in his head. "So uh..." the Stallion began, Fluttershy looking up at him with partially wide eyes. "How uh...how was ya'lls day?"

Fluttershy smiled a little and whispered "Oh...um, it was...nice." Macintosh nodded, slowly falling back into silence as the dinner went on. Braeburn could only sigh at how boring the whole thing seemed to be, the two of them only trading a few words back and forth. He sighed, shaking his head as he decided it was time for Plan B. Oh may Celestia have mercy on his soul...

~~~

The two ponies made their way across Fluttershy's bridge, a smile on both of their faces. The dinner actually hadn't gone all that bad, even though it was mostly quiet. As they stopped in front of the door, Macintosh turned to face Fluttershy, a small blush on his face as he whispered "Ah...had a good time tonight...how bout ya'll?" The mare smiled and nodded, a small blush on her own face as well. Luckily for Braeburn, neither of the two ponies had caught sight of his two front hooves emerging from the bush behind Fluttershy, a blown up paper bag in one hoof.

It had all happened in an instant, with Braeburn smashing the bag with his other hoof and Caramel giving a swift buck in Macintosh's flank from the opposite bush. The two ponies squealed and lurched forward, their hearts skipping a beat as their lips rammed into one another. Macintosh's eyes were as wide as could be, staring into Fluttershy's which were just as wide.

They held themselves there for a moment, until Fluttershy finally stepped back and smiled widely. "W...wow..." she breathed, reaching a hoof up and touching her own lips.

Macintosh stuttered as he said "A...ah'm sorry ah didn't....ah mean...aw shi-"

"Oh no no...it's ok...it was just my first kiss is all" Fluttershy said, looking away with a bashful grin on her face.

Macintosh smiled and whispered "Mine too..." Fluttershy gave him a soft hug, whispering a quiet 'Goodnight' in his ear and opening her door.

As she stepped in, she turned her head and whispered "See you tommorow, um...that is, if you want to see me." Macintosh nodded and smiled, holding it until the door closed. The instant it shut however, his grin turned into a furious look of rage, his head slowly turning to look behind him.

Braeburn and Caramel were sitting on their haunches in the middle of the path, with the Appleloosen colt leaning over and whispering "Well shit...didn't think this part through...um.............run."

~~~

"Braeburn you piece of shit! Can't you think of plans for once that DON'T end up with us getting chased like varmints!?"

"Would ya calm down!? We're at least outrunnin' him!"

"Calm down!? How am ah supposed to stay calm when ah got one of the four horses o' the apocalypse on my ass!?"

"Oh please, like he could do anything to u-"

He was cut off by the booming volume of Macintosh's voice "You best keep running you sons uh bitches! Ah swear ah'm gonna tear ya'll inside out and beat you with a stick till the cows come home! AND DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON YOU BRAEBURN!"

Braeburn squealed, pulling ahead in front of Caramel and shouting "Ok, buck calm! Run like the durn wind Caramel!!!!"

Chapter Five - Ya'll gonna RUE THE DAY!

The morning rays of the sun were what Big Macintosh, at this moment, was calling an "Asshole". He groaned as the beams of yellow light hit his face, making him roll over in his bed and face his wall. As he did however, his hooves hit something soft and lumpy, blocking his way. He opened his eyes slowly to see what it was and once he did, they flew open to their widest point.

"Well howdy cous'!!!! Bout' time ya'll woke up!!!!" Braeburn shouted with a look of glee in his eyes. In the next instant, Braeburn lept from the bed as Macintosh made a swipe at him, the big stallion diving after him.

"You come back here you bastard!!!" Is what he shouted, chasing the Appleloosen colt from his room and down the stairs of the farmhouse. Unfortunately for the stallion, his hoof missed the next step down and he went toppling forward, crashing onto the kitchen floor. Applejack was just putting the finishing touches on an Apple Fritter when she heard Macintosh crash to the ground.

She turned her head and chuckled "Well...guess Braeburn was tellin' the truth when he said he could yer lazy ass outta bed. Mornin' Macintosh!"

From the ground, Macintosh growled at Braeburn, his eyes wide and full of fury "Ah swear Ah'm gonna kill you Braeburn!"

At this, Applejack scowled and trotted over, bonking Macintosh on the head and shouting "Macintosh! Why have ya'll been being so mean to yer cousins lately?! Lam sakes, they're the ones who went through all the trouble to get yer hard ass set up with Fluttershy! That aside, they're family! You don't be mean to family, you love em to death and stick by em no matter what! Isn't that what yer always sayin'!?"

Macintosh frowned and muttered "Well they could have gone about helping me...differently. Their escapades ain't the most subtle or sensible."

Braeburn chuckled and headed for the door, shouting back "Yeah, but they WORK don't they!? Ah'm heading into town, gonna go meet up with Caramel. Later ya'll!"

Applejack looked over with a sad look in her eyes and said "Aren't ya gonna stay fer brunch?" She gave him the pouty eyes, just like Applebloom had done for Twilight when they had first met. Unfortunately, this didn't sway Braeburn one bit.

He simply laughed and shook his head, muttering "Very funny Jack, you n' ah both know that look only works on Macintosh. Ah'll catch ya'll at lunch, don't worry!" With that, he pushed his way out of the front door and into the beautiful morning.

Macintosh finally got up and took a seat at the table as Applejack brought him over the Apple Fritter, sighing as he set the plate down and muttered "What's got you so mad lately Macintosh? Yer usually the quietest, calmest pony ah know..."

Macintosh sighed sadly as he took a bite out of his Fritter and looked up at Applejack, swallowing before he spoke "Ah don't know...maybe the bouncer job's gotten to mah head. They technically pay me to be mad. As for Fluttershy...ah don't know. Ah just don't want to mess things up with her now that ah might be able to actually start seein' her..."

Applejack smiled a little and walked around the table, putting a hoof on his shoulder and whispering "And who do you have to thank for getting Fluttershy?" Macintosh nodded slowly, knowing she had a point but listening as she went on "Braeburn and Caramel may not be the most sensible of ponies...but they do try to help Macintosh. They've got spirit, that's what matters. They wanted to help you and look, they did! Don't ya think that deserves a bit of credit?" She walked over and picked up Braeburn's stetson from its spot on the coat hanger by the stairs and brought it to Macintosh "Here, Braeburn forgot his hat. Go after him and make amends, alright? Don't ya think it'd be worth it?"

Macintosh sighed, gripping the Stetson in his teeth and muttering "Eeyup..."

~~~

"Ha! Ah win again mother bucker!"

"That's horseshit!!! Yer cheating somehow!!!"

"Caramel, how in the hay does anyone cheat at this game!?"

"You had Knives a second ago! You changed it to Scrolls at the last second!"

"Horseshit, ah had Scrolls the whole time!"

"Braeburn yer an assh-"

The two of them were cut off by a plate of two donuts being set down in front of them and a very concerned Bon Bon whispering "Um...you two ok?"

Braeburn leaned back in his chair, nodding and smiling towards the mare as he said "Oh yes ma'am! Caramel and ah love this game, though we do tend to get a bit competitive at it at times. Thank you fer the donuts, though ah'm not quite hungry. You can have mine Caramel, as a token of appreciation for takin' gettin' yer ass kicked like a colt and not a foal!" Caramel rolled his eyes as Bon Bon giggled, walking back into the shop. Braeburn held up his hoof and smiled, saying "Alright Pussamel, best two outta three!"

Caramel sighed and put up his hoof, but stopped just as they were about to start, looking past Braeburn and muttering "Hey, isn't that Miss Fluttershy?"

Braeburn turned himself around and looked over to where he was pointing his hoof at and muttered "Eeyup...that's her." Fluttershy was walking down the street rather quickly, turning her head and looking down the street behind her every once in awhile. Braeburn frowned at this and looked down the street, wondering what she could be looking at. He raised an eyebrow as his eyes fell upon a group of four colts, each with sinister eyes that kept staring up towards the mare and smiles that were creepy in nature. He leaned his head over to Carmel, his eyes not leaving the group of four colts "Ah don't like this...let's get to followin'"

Caramel squeaked and whispered "W...why!? Braeburn don't you think that-"

Braeburn cut him off "Nope, we're goin'. Macintosh would kill us if we let anythin' happen to Miss Fluttershy on our watch!"

Caramel raised an eyebrow and whispered "Macintosh would kill us anyway no matter what we did..."

Braeburn rolled his eyes, hopping off the chair and saying "Well...whatever, let's go anyway."

Fluttershy went into a slow trot, trying her best to move up the street and keep ahead of the group of colts. The colts however, kept speed with her, and even laughed as the mare bolted into a full out gallop. She tried to keep her breath under control and tried her hardest to unfurl her wings, to simply take off and escape. They were snapped to her sides out of fear however, her muscles refusing to budge. Tears flowed from her eyes as she took a turn into an alley, hoping to lose the colts in the maze of turns between the buildings. A piece of wood however had other plans, tripping the poor mare and sending her tumbling forward.

Braeburn shouted back towards Caramel as they gave chase to the colts who went down the alleyway "Come on Caramel!? Can't ya run any faster?!"

Caramel panted and wheezed "S...sorry ah'm not as...fit as you!"

Braeburn smiled as he thought of a quick idea and shouted "Oh look Caramel, here comes Big Macintosh! BOY he looks MAD!!!!" Caramel yelped and surprised Braeburn as he surged past him, galloping as if an Ursa Major were after him. As they turned into the alleyway, Braeburn immediately saw that the colts had surrounded poor Fluttershy, laughing their heads off. The colts looked up as the two cousins stopped, glaring towards the group and frowning.

One of the colts shouted "You better clear out, this isn't any of your business!"

Braeburn scoffed and pawed at the ground in front of him with his left hoof, shouting "Damn right it's not mah business, but ah'm bout' to make it mah business ya sumbitch! Put em up ya fillies, let's get to square dancin'!"

~~~

Big Macintosh sighed, gently holding Braeburn's stetson in his mouth as he trotted down the street. In truth, he was actually starting to feel really guilty about the way he had been treating his cousins over the last few days. Sure they didn't have a lick of sense, sure their methods were....crude, but they were family. He only wished that he could find Braeburn soon...tell him he was sorry...tell him that it was all thanks to him that he could take a leap of faith...to move past his shyness and actually be a part of somepony's life. His ears suddenly perked as he heard his name being shouted down the street. He looked up and frowned as Bon Bon came galloping towards him, shouting "Macintosh!!! Help!!! Some colts were chasing Fluttershy and your cousins went after them!!! Macintosh hurry!!!"

It was in that instant that a furious emotion of anger crashed through his veins and heart, his eyes lighting up with the color of fire and Shake's voice echoing in his head "Macintosh!!! We got a BRAWL!!!!"

"EEYUP!"

~~~

Braeburn smiled, even though his eye had been blackened and his bottom lip was bleeding. He shouted as the colt reared his hoof back "That all ya got?! You punch like mah Granny S- OOF!" The punch collided with his stomach, sending him down towards the ground. He looked over at Caramel, who had already been knocked out cold, and then over to Fluttershy, who was being forced onto her back by a pair of the colts.

As he tried to get back up, a hoof pushed his head back towards the ground, the voice of one of the colts dripping with venom "Nuh uh, you stay down there you hick! You even get front row seats, lucky you!"

"EEYUP! Front row seats to the biggest ass whuppin ya'll is ever gonna receive!!!!!" A voice shouted, causing everypony minus the knocked out Caramel to look towards the entrance of the alley. Big Macintosh stood to his full height, Braeburn's Stetson tilted back on his head and steam blowing through his snout. He shouted "Now, ah'm gonna give ya'll the count of three to get uh runnin', otherwise, ah swear on mah own family's name that ya'll ARE GONNA RUE THE DAY THAT YOU DONE MESSED WITH MAH MAREFRIEND!"

One of the colts laughed, pointing a hoof at him and shouting to his friends "You believe this colt? This guy isn't serious"

"ONE!"

Fluttershy squeaked as she tried to keep her legs closed, one of the colts shouting "Hold still dammit!"

"TWO!!!!"

Braeburn let out a loud "YEEHAW!!!", his smile widening as he knew what was coming. At that moment, Braeburn could have died right there and been the happiest colt in the world, hearing Macintosh's booming roar as he shouted in the best Appleloosen way imaginable:

"THREE!!! TIMES UP LET'S DO THIS, BIIIIG, MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACINTOOOOOOSH!!!!!!!!!"

The red stallion barreled down the alleyway faster then anypony ever thought imaginable, his head bowed and his hooves pounding the cement. The colt holding down Braeburn cried out as he was struck by the ramming stallion, flying backwards through the window of a nearby window with a thunderous 'CRASH!'. The second colt rushed over from nearby Fluttershy and made a move to punch the stallion. Macintosh simply swiped his hoof away gave the colt a hoof of his own, clobbering him in the face and throwing him right out into the street. The last two dropped what they were trying to do to Fluttershy and rushed over, one of the colts getting a good buck into his side. Macintosh seethed as his old wound acted up but shook it off, grabbing the two colt's heads and smacking them together with the force of Applejack's supreme bucking power.

Ponies in the street looked on with awe at the thunderous sound of fighting coming from the passage, already shocked that a colt had been thrown from the alleyway. Three more colts followed with him and scrambled to get up, tripping over each other and finally fleeing down the street.

Big Macintosh emerged a few seconds later, a trembling but smiling Fluttershy on his back and Braeburn at his side, carrying Caramel. The Appleloosen colt smiled and nudged the stallion, muttering "Not bad cuz..."

Macintosh simply smiled and tipped the stetson forward on his head, striking a pose and shouting "Eeyup!"

Chapter Six - At the end of an Apple Day

"Are ya sure ya'll can't stay any longer Braeburn? It's a sad sight to see ya headin' home." Applejack whispered, a small smile on her face and tears brimming in her eyes. It had been two days since Macintosh had come to their rescue in the alleyway, and with Hearth's Warming over...it was time to say farewell.

Braeburn chuckled as he gave his cousin a hug, whispering "Now don't you go uh cryin' over somethin' as little as this cous'! We'll be back to visit, don't ya'll worry!"

"Ah hope ya'll will be back soon if that's the case then" Macintosh exclaimed, grabbing Braeburn in a sort of headlock and giving him a noogie, knocking his stetson off his head. From beside Applejack, Fluttershy and Caramel laughed, watching as Braeburn squirmed in the stallion's grip. When Macintosh finally let Braeburn go, they both shared a light chuckle, smiling at one another. Braeburn reached down for his Stetson has Macintosh whispered "Ya'll...will be back soon, right?"

Braeburn looked up, Stetson on his hoof as he muttered "It's like yer always sayin' Macintosh, bout' family n' all. As long as ya'll got the heart for yer family, it don't matter how far away we all are. We're always right there in yer heart." With that, he gently reached up and placed the Stetson on Macintosh's head, giving it a minor adjustment and whispering with tears in his eyes "T...there. Looks mighty proper on you cousin!"

Macintosh felt a tear drip down his face as he pulled his cousin into a tight hug, his voice cracking a little as he tried his best not to sob "Ya'll come back right quick...at least a month or two, after everythin's settled down at Appleloosa!"

Braeburn smiled and muttered "Ah promise...we'll be back".

He turned his head to Caramel, watching as he gave Applejack and Fluttershy a tight hug as he said "Thank ya cousin Jack, ah'll be sure to...well...ah'll TRY to keep Braeburn outta trouble but...ya know how that pony is..." Applejack chuckled, tipping her hat to him as he trotted over to Braeburn. With a final wave and several goodbyes, Braeburn and Caramel turned and headed out the gate, going at a slow walk through the apple trees. The three ponies left on the farm simply smiled, chuckling as the two adventurous colts shouted towards one another.

"So Caramel...ah was thinkin'"

"Ooooh no, nuh uh Braeburn! Ah know where this is goin'!"

"You haven't even heard the plan yet!!!"

"And ah don't plan to!"

"Alright...how bout a game of Boulders, Scrolls, Knives?"

"Ok...go!"

"Boulders, Scrolls, Knives, YEEHAW!"

"HA! Ah win again Caramel!"

"Aw horseshit! Ya'll cheated!"

Applejack shook her head, a smile on her face as she looked up towards Big Macintosh, partially surprised to see the big stallion wiping away tears from his eyes. "Well shucks..." the mare whispered, gaining a look from her older brother "Guess them waterworks ain't broken after all!" Macintosh scoffed but smiled, looking up towards Braeburn's Stetson, the dark brown hat offering his eyes shade from the heat of the sun. Applejack turned, heading back towards the farmhouse as she whispered "Looks good on ya Mac'...looks purty good..."

Macintosh smiled as he felt Fluttershy press her side against his, her cheek resting against his shoulder as he breathed "Eeyup..."

~~~

The couple found themselves walking through the fields of apple trees, their voices quiet but their hearts warm with love. The wind gently blew about the fields, making the two's manes whip about in the breeze. Macintosh looked up however, smiling as he whispered "Well ah'll be...". A large apple swung gently in the breeze, it's color as red as rubies and its shape that of a heart. It seemed to glitter in the soft sun as Macintosh muttered "Ah must have missed this one during Applebuck Season...odd...ah never miss an apple!"

He turned his head as Fluttershy put a soft hoof on his shoulder and whispered "Maybe...it just wasn't ready yet."

Macintosh looked deeply into her eyes and whispered "Is it ready now...?"

Fluttershy looked back at him, her voice soft as she tilted her head up, pushing on her front hooves to gain a little height "You tell me..." Macintosh smiled and leaned his head down, pushing his lips against Fluttershy's, the two of them sharing a tender kiss and letting the heat of their moment warm them both.

As they pulled away, Macintosh smiled and tipped back Braeburn's stetson, leaning back and standing up on his back hooves, reaching up towards the apple with soft, caring hooves. As he picked it and gently brought it down, he turned to Fluttershy and held out the heart-shaped apple in his hoof.

Fluttershy looked at it with awe and whispered "F...for me?"

Macintosh nodded, gently whispering as the wind blew a bit harder through the field.

"Eeyup...it's always belonged to you."

~The End~

The Afterparty!!! - Author's Notes

Vinyl poked her head into the room, whispering "Wolokai? You in here?" Silence answered her, the white mare shrugging and walking inside the room. His computer was still on, a page open on the screen that drew Vinyl's curiosity to look. Trotting over, she looked down the page, noticing it had the names of all the Leap of Faith's, as well as the last five he had planned.

Wait...five? Vinyl looked again, sure enough, there were five titles. That didn't make any sense...he had only planned for there to be four...where did the-

She gasped as she read the title of the last Leap of Faith, quickly tearing out of the room and screaming "OCTAVIA!!! OCTAVIA COME QUICK!!!!"

(Special thanks to all my readers who are still keeping up with me!!! I know this story was a bit short but I hope It's still good in quality! Up next is Twilight Vs. The Great and Powerful!

See you in a few days!!!)

-Wolokai.

Intermission - Wolokai gets a Present...

The sounds of typing filled the room, the colt sitting at the desk sighing and wearily staring at the screen. "Must not disappoint...so many depend on me now...so many follow me....can't disappoint....need to-"

"Wolokai! What are you doing!? You need to be RESTING, not working!" Vinyl shouted from the doorway, scowling at the brown Pegasus who turned his head with a slight frown on his face.

He muttered "Vinyl not now...I had a really rough day at work...it's Hearth's Warming Eve...you know how it is!"

Vinyl pointed a hoof at him and shouted "Uh huh, exactly! You work tommorow on Hearth's Warming, and you need to get up early! Ugh...I'm starting to sound like Octavia..."

Wolokai sighed and turned his head back to the screen, shouting back "Yeah yeah...just, let me finish this chapter, I need to pump it out tonight before I hit the hay."

Vinyl sighed and shook her head, walking into the room and dropping a small rectangular present on his keyboard. She whispered "Mexy said to open that early...so...there you go. See you tommorow dude..." Wolokai nodded his head, waiting until he heard the door close before opening it gently.

As he opened it, he felt a heated throb echo from his heart, a smile forming on his face as he read the note attached to the painted picture

"To a loyal, wonderful friend. Thank you...for everything! - Mexy"

He smiled, looking over the picture and propping it up inside the frame of his closet door, gently of course, to avoid damaging it as he knew she took great care to paint it for him. He would need to get it framed as well, but for now...it was back to writing. Sure he would be working on Hearth's Warming (Though he did volunteer so he could cash in more bits), sure things were hard, but at least he knew he had a friend who cared...a friend he knew he could depend on...a friend who knew he was a big fan of Rainbow Dash, but most of all, her Loyalty.

His smile grew as he continued to write, more adventures forming in his mind for the wonderful readers who praised and gave him strength. He would make sure he didn't disappoint.

(Happy Hearth's Warming to all of you, my fantastic readers! We have more Shyness Vs. Kindness coming up so stay tuned!)