“Treated hickory!” the seller shares, patting the vehicle on the side. Cloudjumper tilts her head. She has no idea what the differences between wood are besides color.

“It’s larger than what most are lookin’ for, but… if you’re eager to see the most of Equestria, this will do the trick. It can survive different climates better than the maple one over there, and I guarantee a warranty of at least fifty-thousand miles. Quite a lot of miles to be walkin’, don’tcha think?” the wagon salespony asks with a grin.

“Yeah..” Chestnut says, looking around the wagon. It’s bigger than any other wagon he’s seen, mostly in the sense that it’s longer, not necessarily taller.

“How many bodies are required to pull this?” Chestnut asks.

“At least two. That’s if you have a lot of things, but they’re light.”

“I plan on pulling it mostly by myself. Maybe something a little smaller will do?” Chestnut asks, to which the seller, his name tag reading ‘Framewood’, nods. He nods toward a different row of wagons, indicating that Chestnut and Cloudjumper follow along.

“So… you plan on traveling with a wagon?” CJ asks Chestnut. She’d realized his intentions when they’d arrived, his plan coming out swiftly without words.

“Yeah. Didn’t wanna tie you down at the farm, and really, I do need to get out more. Only made sense, doin’ somethin’ like this. I should’ve gotten out more as a teen and didn’t, and… well, I can’t fly…” Chestnut starts, before being shouldered by the feline beside him.

“I get it. We’re gonna travel Equestria together, mmh?” she asks, and he nods. Yes, that’s the plan!

“And you can do it in this wagon!” Framewood suggests aloud, pointing to a hickory-built, sturdy-looking and sizable vehicle that’s smaller than the bigger one they were looking at, more affordable, and far more realistic. This could house three on a decent journey, while keeping things cozy enough to eat, sleep and keep warm during those chilly nights.

“That looks better. Good for one puller?” Chestnut asks. Naturally, Framewood nods eagerly.

“Yup! A couple of passengers and your friendly feline here shouldn’t be too hard on you. That wagon earlier was admittedly a bit overkill, yes—but I have to make a living too, I hope you understand!” Framewood says with a bashful blush. Commission workers, unparalleled in the act of marketing, at least generally speaking.

“Casted cylindrical bearings that’ll last an incredibly long time in the blazing heat or bone-chilling cold, taking a step out of the ordinary with wheels that have rubber around them for a cozier ride, as well as a spring-loaded and softened suspension so your snoozing companion doesn’t get jostled awake on a bumpy hill. It’s magic-compatible—stoves, ovens, heat and air conditioning, water heating and cooling, you name it! Though… admittedly, those are separate purchases. Most aren’t thinking of living out of a wagon, no matter the luxuries they provide.” Framewood points out, though Chestnut merely shrugs. He’s given it some thought; what better way of traveling than doing it yourself? He’s all for that.

“And the price?” Chestnut asks.

“We have financing, or leasing. Which would you prefer?”

“Buyin’ it outright. I won’t be able to make the monthly payments if I’m on the trails a thousand miles away, so…”

“A fair point. Well, this particular wagon will cost you right around…”

Chestnut cocks an eyebrow as Framewood tells him a price. Kinda expensive, even if it has those fancy add-ons… so he goes back to the office to talk with Framewood’s boss, willing to pay in full on the same day, managing to barter it down a couple thousand bits.

Though, of course, he gets the aforementioned accessories as well. Again, he manages to barter a reasonable deal, something Cloudjumper honestly hadn’t expected him to do. Then again, he was raised by farmers, so thinking of him as incompetent is probably foolish.

And now? They’re walking back to his house, him lugging the wagon along. He doesn’t plan on leaving immediately, of course. First things first; packing belongings, and he wants to be sure Cloudjumper gets an opportunity to either purchase or take along what she likes. With her bags at the house, it’s only sensible they make their stop and really plan things out.

He’d bought a map as well, the most detailed one he could find for this area. That will lead them to the next few towns at the least, where they can get a hold of a bigger, better map. One that’ll likely wind up on the wall inside of the cabin, but with destinations in mind!

Cloudjumper feels excited! While she enjoys working with Chestnut at his home, she's been itching for some travels since being stuck at the farm. Being a busy body is something they have in common, though hers is with moving place to place, his with physical labor. It's funny how well that'll work out, actually! He'll get his labor in through pulling the wagon, she'll get her travels in while doing so with him simultaneously.

“Hey, big guy?” CJ queries as they approach the house. He seems to be having no trouble pulling the new wagon he’d purchased.

“Hm?”

“I… appreciate you doing all this.” Cloudjumper says, walking alongside him while he’s strapped to the wagon. They arrive on his property, the dirt path indicating a driveway.

“What’cha mean?” he asks, looking puzzled. She blinks, honestly having guessed she’d figured out what exactly he was doing.

“Well… the wagon, the accessories? Traveling Equestria, knowing yourself that I’m also traveling Equestria. It kinda sounds like… well, y’know. You wanna travel with me, stick by my side…” Cloudjumper says, almost sheepishly falling off into a murmur at the last bit of her sentence.

“Oh. Yeah, that’s the general idea. Figured it’d be healthy for me to get out more ‘n’ all that, however… so is it a compromise? It seems like it.” Chestnut asks, CJ nodding. Yeah, it seems that way!

“Well. It’s a little flattering, knowing you’re so interested.” CJ states. The strapping earth stallion smiles as he parks the new wagon, undoing his attachments to free himself from the mobile home.

“Well.. I’d certainly hope I’m interested. We’ve spent a small deal of time together in the grand scheme of things, and I’m pretty much askin’ to run off with you in this wagon. It’d be a darn shame if it fell through.” Chestnut says, grunting as he walks away from the strap rubbing against his back. That will have to be adjusted. It’s a little annoying, and it’s only the first time he’s used it.

“...Yeah. And… a part of me feels guilty about that. You, leaving your parents and grandparents to themselves, even your brother, taking off..” Cloudjumper says, her ears flattening against her head. Chestnut walks over to the sphinx, kissing her between her ears. Naturally, Cloudjumper looks up at him just after.

“They suggested it. Well, not Cedar, but he’s besides the point—I’ve always been by their suggestions, and it’s only ever done me nothin’ but good. I’ll happily stick by that.” Chestnut says warmly to his partner, which makes her smile. She does recall his grandfather, ‘Oak’, having suggested he get out more. This would certainly fall into that category.

“There’s other reasons, too. Not just family pointing me in a direction that lets me enjoy myself.”

Oh? Cloudjumper is interested in the full context of that.

“What would that be?” she asks with an inquisitive smirk.

“Ahh, nothin’ to be too worried about. Just run-of-the-mill stuff when a guy likes a lady.”

Her inner ego is getting to her now. When a guy likes a lady, mmh? She’s a little flattered!

“Oh? Feel free to elaborate.” CJ says, clearly in a flirtatious way.

“I.. think you should let me reveal that at my own pace, honestly?” Chestnut admits, flushing deeply. Ohoh, she has to know now! Prying is a specialty she’d picked up too long ago!

“C’mon! You say that and expect me not to push a big reveal?” Cloudjumper asks, laughing. Chestnut seems to be on the other side of the field, however.

“...Yes.” he voices, somewhat sternly. Mildly taken aback, CJ gives him a shove of her shoulder.

“Pleaaaaasssee?” she begs, staring him down with her best begging eyes. Chestnut’s ears flatten, and he can’t help but… smile, though… she swears he looks a little concerned?

“I think you know what it is.” he claims, walking off toward the house. The cat watches him, her persistence in pestering put on the side as worry starts to build. She stays with herself for a moment, not moving, thinking over what she may’ve said that could’ve aggravated him.

The begging, of course. It was impulsive, but she’s realizing it now rather than a moment ago. By no means is she perfect; like most, if not all cats, just curious. Still, she should respect the fact that he’d been strongly hinting at ‘no’.

She jogs up to the house, thinking to herself as she reaches the porch, the door, inside… it’s obvious, the whole ‘buying the wagon’ thing, purely for travel? Chestnut wants to get out, experience the world, and do it with her. That goes without saying, it was painfully clear the moment they’d arrived at the lineup of come-along vehicles at the dealership earlier.

What are his further intentions? She doesn’t know. She can’t read minds or predict the future. Is it so shameful to be questioning the full extent of what’s going on?

There are some thoughts that trouble her, that she’d have serious trouble doing so. Their relationship so far has been nothing but fantastic—but there’s that period for every couple when they get used to each other enough that they get… nasty toward each other, sometimes—not in a good way.

She hopes that’s not their future, certainly not. But to say it’s impossible would be silly, in a logical sense. She can’t help but be cautious, especially considering the fact that he wants to stick so closely to her side after less than two months. That’s not factoring in the whole schtick, either! He’s been here since he was little, and according to his parents and grandparents, he’s hardly traveled further than the little market a mile down the road.

“Cloudjumper? Are you okay? You look down.” a feminine voice asks CJ, and looking over… oh! It’s Cherry, Chestnut’s mother.

“Oh! Yeah, for the most part. Just… confused. Probably overthinking some things.” the feline says with a sheepish smile, Cherry tilting her head at this.

“Confused and overthinking about what, honey?” Cherry asks, politely pressing the topic so that it can bubble up and become a conversation.

“Chestnut. He bought a wagon, and I’m pretty sure I know what he wants to do, but…” Cloudjumper starts, before Cherry walks up to her. Thankfully, they’re pretty much eye-level height with each other. A large part of CJ loves that all of Chestnut’s family can, at the least, see eye-to-eye with her! It’s refreshing!

“Oh, you should’ve heard him a week ago. Fawning over you, saying he wants to travel throughout Equestria with you, the look in his eyes… I’ve never seen him like that before. It’s nice knowing he wants to get out.” Cherry says, smiling happily.

“Yeah, but… I don’t wanna keep him away from his family. It makes me feel like I’m stealing him, somehow. I just… arrive one night, and a little while later he’s leaving with me? That doesn’t bug you?” CJ asks, tilting her head slightly at Cherry.

“Sweetie, he’s my son—of course I’d love to keep him around—but! That doesn’t mean he’s an object, or for me to hold on to forever. I want him to have his own life, to make his own decisions, be his own stallion, accomplish other goals other than pulling a plow.” Chestnut’s mother reassures Cloudjumper, the feline settling a little as Cherry, to her surprise, gives her a friendly nuzzle. Cloudjumper’s face reddens at the affectionate gesture, silently happy that Cherry has grown this cozy with her. They haven’t talked a whole lot, but it’s always refreshing to know when you’re trusted and welcomed, and this little nuzzle of Cherry’s shares that without a word.

“Just treat him well, no matter what happens. I know he will for you.” Cherry says, backing up to give CJ some space. Cloudjumper nibbles at the inside of her lower lip, honestly a little nervous about what the future holds. It really could go any way! At this point, it’s been creeping into more of an excited nervousness more than anything, but that pessimism seems to be lingering in the back of her mind. It’s not like she’s taken relationships seriously up until now, after all.

“I’m just… worried.” Cloudjumper shares, frowning.

“About?” Cherry asks.

“That I’ll bore him, or that one of us will… get bored.” Cloudjumper admits while looking at the ground, fearing the worst for the current moment. Cherry frowns, but with a smile—as well as lifts a hoof to lift CJ’s chin, looking at her.

“It’s something you’ll have to talk with him about, honey. I seriously doubt him breaking it off with you, but… if you feel like it’s a concern to you, he’s your partner. Be transparent with him, ask him questions, talk with him, get to know him better.”

Cloudjumper stares at Cherry for a few moments, before… hmm. Yeah, she’d have to say Cherry is right. Dwelling on it and not saying a word will only worsen whatever thoughts she has accumulating in her head. In that moment, she decides that having a serious conversation is likely necessary with Chestnut, even if she agrees with his mother.

“It’s also like, a thing, where…” CJ starts, Cherry’s ears perking to listen.

“...like, I’m concerned that, um. Gods, how do I explain this… he’s been working on a farm for several years, right? Hasn’t pursued a relationship. He doesn’t know how to handle—”

“Whoa, hold on. Respectfully, you don’t either.” Cherry interrupts, bumping CJ with her elbow. At first, Cloudjumper is ready for a fight-response, but… well, Cherry’s right. No matter how red it makes the feline in the face, she can’t bring herself to know why or how Cherry knows that.

“Which is why I think you two will work. Astonishingly well, if I’m honest.” Cherry claims, that smile of hers once again brightening to proportions that it’s damn-near contagious. Cloudjumper, with her lack of knowledge and wisdom, being ever-the-younger between herself and Cherry, purses her lips. She’s allowed to have her own concerns!

“I care for him, okay? Really, I do! I just… can’t fucking explain it. It’s aggravating. Like an insecurity that’s digging at me deep down, having realized he wants to travel this part of the world with me. I can’t shake it.” the cat finally manages to admit, sitting herself down right in front of Chestnut’s mother.

Cherry sighs, her frown reappearing as Cloudjumper seems to vent. Chestnut had told his mother quite a bit about Cloudjumper, and Cherry’s pretty sure she knows why the cat is thinking in such a way. If she had any suggestions? It’s love; something Chestnut’s partner hasn’t seen much, if any of in the past. And with Cherry knowing her own son better than anyone, she’d have to argue that Cloudjumper will be seeing plenty of that. Chestnut genuinely is a loving stallion.

“Then care for him. Give him all the things you want the most.” Cherry says to Cloudjumper, patting the feline on the back. CJ stays in place for a few long moments, before sighing herself—she stands up, her tail flicking, before heading off toward the stairs to go find Chestnut.

“I will.”

Chestnut is busying himself in the bathroom. Warm water flows out of the spigot, the stallion testing it with a hoof as he rotates the water with that same hoof in the tub, trying to even out the temperature. It’s hot, but not too hot, just enough to relax his muscles and help him relax for the remainder of the day. It’s almost full, just another half a minute and he’ll be good to hop on in and scrub off whatever sweat he’d worked off from the morning.

With Cloudjumper walking into the bathroom behind him, he smiles and turns to look at his partner.

“Hey pretty kitty. Wanna join me?” he asks, nodding toward the tub. Cloudjumper once again starts biting her inner lip, but… she can’t help but smile. She’s seriously grown a massive liking for this stallion.

“Yeah, I’d like that. Can we have a talk while we’re at it?” she asks, Chestnut nodding. He turns back around to focus on the tub for the remainder of time required to fill it before stepping in, Cloudjumper approaching and standing next to the tub as she watches the massive shire settle and enjoy what he’s prepared. She looks him over head-to-hoof as she busies herself with what to say, a blush forming on her cheeks as well as the tips of her ears as she does so.

“Do you really want to travel Equestria with me?” Cloudjumper asks, nervousness creeping into her voice already. Chestnut’s natural reflex is a frown, one of concern.

“Wh…? Yeah, o‘course! Might be rushin’ a little, but… well, I love ya.” he says, and without a shred of hesitation.

It’s the first time in a long, long time that she’s been told that. And really, the last time was from her mother.

‘I love you’. It’s a serious claim, no matter how soon or late. It makes her heart ache in a good way.

“But… why?” she asks, pressing the matter.

“I mean, do I really gotta explain? We’ve spent the past couple’a months gettin’ to know each other, and we’ve done nothin’ but get along. The talks we’ve had, the cuddlin’ and kissin’, workin’ together, the… rest.” he says, clearing his throat at that last bit just a little.

“So… you’re sure it’s a thing you want to do?”

Chestnut stares at her for a moment, pursing his lips. How much convincing does this cat need?

“Get in the tub.” he demands, which seems to change Cloudjumper’s face. Regardless, she obeys with little reluctance, settling beside him, neck deep in water on her back. Looking at him, her ears fold back; she still gets that feeling of being ‘small’ around him, and it’s oddly amazing.

“Cloudjumper?” he questions, clearly trying to capture her full attention. It’s caught, and it’s hooked hard. He places a hoof gently on her chest, another sweeping under her body to pull her close, essentially forming a body-hug that feels… unusual in the water, but far from unwelcome.

“I’m sure I wanna spend my time with ya. I’ve wanted to since the day I met’cha, if I’m honest. I’m glad I didn’t kick you out after findin’ you in that goodland tree.” Chestnut says quietly, though certainly loud enough for CJ to hear. She brings a paw down to rub at one of his hooves, smiling up at the stallion as he rubs her fur and holds her close.

“I’m just worried that this is taking off too fast for either of us. I’ve never stuck around before, and you’ve never been in a relationship before. You get where I’m coming from, right? Like, obviously I don’t wanna leave you, and I’d long-since picked up that you don’t wanna leave me, but…” Cloudjumper starts, pressing her nose into the crook of Chestnut’s neck.

“I just don’t want this feeling to end. It’s amazing, and I’m a little infatuated with it, and I just… don’t wanna ruin it and make it out to be like…a glass cannon scenario, if that makes any sense?”

Chestnut laughs, all too familiar with the ‘glass cannon’ reference. In his experience, it was for anaerobic exercise and the many times he’d exhausted himself too quickly, but it still relates to some degree.

“I get where you’re comin’ from. Again, though—I wanna stick with you. I think things will go well. If you don’t, well… I don’t own you, and I won’t force you, and I hope you would say the same for me. I just know that I wanna stick around you.”

For the moment, Cloudjumper is satisfied with their talk. There’s some loose ends that surely need to be tied up, but… for now? She’s comfortable with the idea of traveling the many biomes that Equestria has in store for them to visit. She’s sure that sense of adventure will be fulfilled while traversing the lands unvisited by either of them!

“Chestnut?” she asks.

“Yeah?”

“When do you wanna start?” she continues.

The stallion cocks an eyebrow at her, completely unsure of how to answer that.

“Well… as soon as you’re ready. I’m rearin’ to go if I’m honest, but I’m not gonna rush ya.”

CJ cozies up to him a little closer, her nose poked against the underside of his jaw while she wriggles her way to lie atop him. With him being so much taller, his chest is poking out of the water rather than his neck, much like she was lying just moments ago.

“A week, tops. Is that okay?” she quietly asks. He nods, using the sharper end of his hoof to scritch at the base of her neck, elated to find her starting to purr seconds later.

“Mmh, that’s good. Gives us time to plan some things out, get our stuff packed, all that.” Chestnut confirms. His hoof wanders southward, kneading between her wings. CJ shivers as he starts rubbing circles into her muscles, the cat melting against him as he essentially prods her on switch.

“A-and… um. When about…” CJ starts, a long pause following. She finds herself hesitating. Not because she doesn’t want to, but…

“When about what?” Chestnut asks back, lowering his hoof further to pat against the base of her spine. Being part cat, she can’t help but raise her butt just a little, giggling against his neck.

“When are we gonna… y’know. Do the do?”

The shire’s petting stops, and he starts sitting up. Uh oh. She assumes she timed that badly. Cloudjumper watches as he adjusts himself in the tub, looking down at her, his ears twitching and his eyes staring as if in thought.

“...Whenever you want.”

Her eyes widen slightly, her hindlegs attempting to squeeze around him, thighs squished tightly around his hips. O-oh! Well then…heh, that implies whenever she wants beyond his first time, right? The task is a daunting one, given how large he is, but…

“Not here in the tub of course, um—but… am I being too fast?” she asks, her ears folding back. Her golden eyes peek up at him, meeting with those light blue irises she’s grown so fond of.

“If you were, I wouldn’t have said whenever you want.” Chestnut says, smiling down at her with a cocked eyebrow. Blushing, Cloudjumper squeezes his hips another time with her thighs. It's an odd decision; risk rushing it to see what it's like with him, or take it slow, wait at least another month or two.

Being completely honest with herself, she'd ride him like there's no tomorrow right now. She's been thinking about it for at least a few weeks, and goddesses be damned, she wants it now.

“If I said let's do it now…” she quietly suggests, eyes meeting his.

“Would you?”

Chestnut barely contemplates an answer.

“No. We're in the tub, hon. That'd probably cause some problems..”

Well. Fuck. He actually has a really good point. Water of any kind, hot or cold, would definitely ruin sex past a minute or two. Something about dissolving her natural lubricants.

“Tonight?” she asks. It's midday, late afternoon at most. They can mentally prepare, ready themselves for getting over that hurdle.

“You sure?” he asks.

What the fuck? He keeps making her second guess herself. What is she supposed to do?

“‘Cause you don't seem sure. You're nervous.”

Going silent, Cloudjumper buries her face into his wet fur, her loins feeling warmer than ever.

“I just wanna feel you inside me..” she decides to blatantly answer, trying to be uninhibited by whatever's causing her to stop herself from admitting it. She looks up at Chestnut again, shivering as he looks down at her, his face riddled with seriousness, as well as what may be loving concern.

“When we’re both ready, okay? No rush.” he calmly says, stroking the back of her head gingerly with a hoof. Her eyes close while she melts against him again, one of her ears twitching as he rubs behind it.

“I am..” she whispers, nosing against his collar. He continues to pet her, wordlessly thinking to himself as he helps his partner relax and cleanse, his brain rummaging through ways to respond to her. Some spare thoughts, ideas and concerns come to mind, but he wants to ask her something first.

“Would tonight be okay?” he asks, watching the cat shuffle her forelegs before trying her best to hug most of his upper torso. He can feel her claws gently pricking his skin, the feline’s angst showing through without words.

A hasty nod follows as she begins making biscuits on his upper back.

“Let’s clean up, big guy.” CJ murmurs, her forepaws pressing against the bottom of the tub to leverage her into a standing position. She looks him up and down briefly, that funny, pleasant airy feeling returning to her tummy as she checks him out. She’s salivating, so after a brief swallow to fix that issue, she swipes a bottle of shampoo up and brings it over to Chestnut, indicating with a beckoning paw for him to sit upright.

It starts their bathing time, which in turn starts them dipping their hooves (and paws) into a somewhat intimate setting. Rubs through scalps and fur, digging to work out whatever they’ve built up through the day. Little pecks of appreciation turn into teasing kisses, those kisses turning into nibbles, those nibbles turning into adventurous licks and kisses along each others’ bodies. By the time they’re done scrubbing in the tub, they move onto the shower to rinse proper, which only prods them into being *slightly* more adventurous than they were in the tub.

Chestnut, oh dear Chestnut… he’d treated her to something wonderful in that shower. He’d improved so much in such a short time with his tongue, lapping along her thighs, pinning her down at the hips while flicking his tongue between her folds, teasing her for a full twenty minutes before she’d came so hard that her body is habitually twitching even after drying off and returning downstairs. Chestnut’s relatives seem to be doing their own thing, so luckily they don’t notice—but each little spasm of her wings, twitching of her significant muscles, or even squeezing of her sex has her reminded every time of what they’ll wind up doing together later.

And by Luna’s starry mane, she’s just as nervous as she is excited about it!

In the meantime, while her and Chestnut are enjoying some cuddle-and-talking time on the living room couch, she’s coming up with all sorts of ideas for their upcoming ‘event’. Her mind is ablaze with all the different things they could do to each other, slow or fast, rough or gentle, timid or daunting.

She’s so ensnared with her own thoughts that she dozes, falling asleep with Chestnut.

Hell, if she had to make a bet, they’ll likely need their energy for later.

Author's Note

Didn't do any spell/punctuation-checking, due to procrastination and lack of an editor. I also didn't proof-read, because I feel I've been neglecting this story and am trying to work on chapters 8 - 10 at the moment and not have them too fucked up.

Regardless, thanks for reading! Expect Chapter 8 in... I don't know, a millennia or two.