Chapters Embarrassing First Encounter
Fluttershy was in her little house at the edge of town. It was a normal morning, but things seemed.. off. She woke up today feeling warmer than usual, but not like a normal warmth. This warmth was deeper, like a part of her that was aching for a certain something... But she couldn't figure out what it was.
Despite the strange feeling radiating from inside her, she got up from the bed. She started her normal daily routine; helping the animals. No matter how hard she tried though, she could never seem to get a specific stallion off her mind...
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Big Macintosh woke up earlier than usual today. He didn't know why, and he felt quite well rested for the amount of sleep he did get. He felt something strange, yet familiar build in his body. He decided to push it back, considering the amount of work he had to do today anyway. He was glad he woke up so early, but for what reason in particular he didn't know.
Despite the strange feeling radiating from inside him, he got up from the bed. He started his normal daily routine; helping his family, as well as Applejack with the farm as he could. No matter how hard he tried though, he could never seem to get a specific mare off his mind...
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The day progressed, as the both of them went through their separate day. Fluttershy had been working harder than usual, as the animals were being a little more nervous than usual around her. She didn't seem to notice it, but she had been acting a little more forcefully. More openly. Which was strange, and also the reason why the animals were seeming to be scared of her today.
No matter what she tried, the animals still shied away from her as much as they could; much like she would if she was normal.
Big Macintosh didn't have much luck with his work at the farm. He'd kicked a tree a little to hard, mainly because of the stress of his body. He'd nearly uprooted the tree, and if that kick had been any harder, it may have just flown away. He knew he always had powerful legs, but he didn't expect that much.
Neither did Applejack. Little did they know that the harder they worked, the closer together they got. It only took another hour of pushing themselves to finally meet. Big Mac was at the edge of the farm, and Fluttershy was just across the small river. They looked into each others eyes, the both of them immediately blushing at the sight of their mind's haunting.
Fluttershy didn't squeak, or fly away this time. She stood her ground and braved herself to meet him. In fact, she flew over to him happily. Big Mac didn't know what to say at that. His mind was haunted with visions of her, and here she was in-front of him.
"B-..Big.. Mac?" She slowly squealed out.
"E-eeyup?" He tried to act normal, despite the situation being obviously out of control. She smiled at his response, and walked closer to him unknowingly. Only after saying one word did she realize how close she had really gotten.
Their faces were mere inches away from touching. They both blushed maddeningly, however Fluttershy's blush was easier to see. Big Mac's face was always red. She smiled at the thought, slightly giggling at herself. He just stared at her, confused and nervous. "Is there anything ya need?" He asked quickly and nervously, his forehead was beginning to sweat.
The fur on the back of his neck had risen as she got closer, and being this close... He could only imagine being this close to her.
"No, not that I know of." She stated in a louder yet deeper voice than usual. Little did she know, she was using her bed voice, as well as her look. They both gulped, and Big Mac seemed to be backing up slightly.
"You.." He started, but he was interrupted by the rush of Fluttershy getting closer. She closed her eyes and admitted all of the things she had been thinking of today. She told him that she was doing nothing but thinking about him, no matter what she tried to occupy herself with. As she finished, she slumped her shoulders and lowered her head.
She expected to be shunned, rejected, and for him to be shocked. He was shocked, but he soon admitted that he had been feeling the same way about her. Before she could look up, she felt the heat of his body wrapping around hers. She was getting a hug. From the stallion she apparently loved. She couldn't believe it.
Neither could the stallion giving the hug. He moved a hoof to her face, lifting her head. She smiled as she saw the look of understanding and... Was that.. love?
"It's alright," He spoke as softly as his voice would allow. "I know how yer feelin'."
Those words alone made Fluttershy's stomach dance with pure glee. Just as she was about to tackle him in a hug, Applejack appeared.
"Big Mac, what are ya-" She stopped and stared at the ready-to-pounce, normally timid mare. "Fluttershy? What are you doin' here?" She didn't expect to see her here at all today, even alone with her brother.
She straightened and composed herself, blushing wildly. "O-oh, um... I, uh.. I was just.. visiting." She said with a huge, nervous smile, raising her eyebrows.
Applejack just stared at her with a blank face. Several long, uncomfortable moments passed by before anything happened.
"Mac," She started, looking towards him and putting her hoof on his side. "we got more work ta do before anything else. Busy day, after all." She stated, obviously not liking the idea of a busy day herself.
Mac turned to say one last thing to Fluttershy before working again.
"Come back here tomorrow, if you want."
She couldn't believe her ears. She was just invited to come over to see him again. She couldn't find her voice, so she just nodded excitedly, smiling wide. She felt so happy and warm just to be able to see him again. But wait.. why?
'How did I manage to fall in lo- No. It's not love.. is it? ' She asked herself as she watched him walk away. Tomorrow, things will work out, she hoped. She turned and started flying back to her house, her emotions and thoughts now conflicting. How would she work this out?
Only one way to really know, and that is to see him tomorrow.
Dinner With The Apples: Unexpected Events
Thanks to all of my friends who helped me write this story, as well as change it from what it originally was going to be. Many thanks to the creator of the art for allowing me access.
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After just returning from her talk with Big Mac, Fluttershy found herself restlessly pacing back and forth inside her house. It turns out that she couldn't sleep after what happened.
She didn't even realize the looks that the animals were giving her. She wasn't fully herself right now.
Her mind was still flooding with several memories, thoughts and emotions. So much so that she thought she should have passed out by now. Why was she so nervous about this? Well, meeting anypony has been hard for her to do, but this was different. This was Big Mac.
This was going to see the entire Apple family.
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Big Mac, after a few minutes of walking back in the house at sunset, had time to think. Fluttershy of all ponies walked up to him and poured her emotions out. He was stunned by the idea of anypony really feeling like that to begin with, and she made it even more surprising. She was normally the timid and shy one, always waiting for other people to say things like that. Well, in any case, he was glad it happened at least.
Still, the thought of them having a chance of being something... He didn't know what to think.
He tried to lay down and get some rest, hoping to clear his mind.
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Fluttershy kept walking back and forth in her house, mind and heart still overflowing. She didn't see the light of the sun slowly creeping towards her house until it was too late. She never slept. 'Oh, ' She thought to herself, lowering her ears and biting her lower lip. 'my. '
'I never slept. '
Her mind and heart were even now being flooded by conflicting and confusing feelings. She had to be strong. For Big Mac. She set off to start her normal day. What she wished would be a normal day. She was glad she had today mostly planned out for the animals, and remembered most of it. It was a lot easier to help them all that way.
Everything in the day was surprisingly smooth, perhaps giving her a time of rest for the possible storm ahead. Before she even had time to think about it, she was at the edge of her area. Just at the side of the farm, the same place where she met him yesterday.
So much happened that day, and it all came rushing back to her. Her head swirled, her heart and breathing quickened. She tried to tell herself to calm down, but nothing helped. She spread her wings and flew the distance of the small river. Time to meet the Apples.
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It didn't take long for them to meet. "Oh, hi." Fluttershy stated like she usually does, which was rare right now. She got a reply. Not the reply she thought she would, but a reply nonetheless.
"Fluttershy!" Applejack yelled in surprise and happiness. "Ya actually came by today?" She asked cautiously. She got nothing in response except a nod. A very small, recognizable nod. That was the Fluttershy she knew.
"Great, Granny Smith's been workin' on makin' us a big meal for yer comin'!" AJ stated proudly. Fluttershy widened her eyes, lowered her ears and bit her bottom lip. She was now obviously nervous and scared. She couldn't hide it anymore.
All she could do was wait until dinner time. Which she was thankfully just on time for.
"Come on," AJ said, pulling at Fluttershy's forehoof. "it'll be ready real soon." She finished, turning and trotting back inside. Fluttershy slowly started walking in the house, still extremely nervous. She saw Big Mac walking down the stairs from his room. He didn't notice her standing there until he reached the bottom. He looked at her and smiled. She could tell it was a nervous smile.
"Hey." He said simply.
"Yeah, I'm.. I'm here." she stated quietly.
They both walked into the kitchen, but Fluttershy was mostly hidden behind the size of Big Mac. He took his seat at the far left end of the table. Fluttershy took her seat at the near right end of the table. Now in full view of everypony there. Apple Bloom stopped talking and went slack-jawed, staring at the newcomer.
"Is she why we're gettin' a big dinner tonight?" She asked obliviously.
Granny placed the Apple Pie on the middle of the table before answering. "Well of course, Apple Pies are only fer special occasions, ya know."
They all quietly received their pieces, waiting until everyone had gotten one before starting to eat. A few moments passed and a few words were exchanged as the meal went on. Until someone asked Fluttershy why she hadn't eaten much yet.
She looked up at Applejack, the one who had asked the question. "Oh," She started. Before she could finish, she turned her head forward. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and her face dove down onto the slice of pie. They all looked at her when she did that, and waited for her to get back up. Moments passed. Nothing.
Applejack tapped her shoulder softly, and asked her if she was awake.
The scared mare jolted up from her seat, eyes and wings wide. "Did I do something?" She asked in a rush, after taking a deep gasp. She felt something warm and sticky on her face. She heard laughter all around her. She was confused at first, but after taking a lick at her cheeks and looking down, she knew what happened.
She passed out in the middle of dinner. She looked at Big Mac, who seemed to be having the time of his life, laughing with his eyes closed. Even she began to laugh at herself, after realizing how strange it must have been. Happy times at dinner were a normal thing in this family, but she made everything pale in comparison.
"You," Applejack started, tapping Fluttershy's shoulder. "need ta come by more often!" She finished with a small laugh and a bite of her pie.
Then the dinner picked back up where it left off. Fluttershy felt much more comfortable, but still extremely tired. She wiped off her face begun eating again. After maybe an hour, the dinner came to an end.
Apple Bloom hopped over to Fluttershy as she was about to leave for the day. "You should come by tomorrow! That was fun!" She said cheerfully.
"I'll try, but I can't promise anything." She stated. She smiled and pat the filly on the head before turning and walking out.
"Fluttershy!" She heard from behind her. She knew who exactly it was too, just with the voice. Big Mac was trotting up to her. He stopped when he was directly in-front of her. She didn't know why, but she felt calmer, and more in control of herself around him like this.
"Thanks fer comin' today." He stated calmly, reaching out and hugging her. She felt the brush of his skin on hers. The warmth that she woke up with the other day. The clarity in her mind that she never felt before. She then felt something even more amazing. She felt the touch of his lips on her face. She silently stood there, still in shock and disbelief.
A kiss to the cheek. It wasn't too much, yet some part of her ached for more. Begged for more. He pulled back from the embrace, and looked at her face. Her widened eyes, her slightly gaping mouth and her motionless stare. He brought a hoof up to her eyes and waved it up and down, shaking her to reality.
"Th-thank you." She stated swiftly before turning and galloping away. Why was she running away from him like this? What made her run back to her house to begin with? Was it his touch? Was it his kiss? It was only to the cheek, not like it was a full out lip to lip kiss.. one that she longed for. So why was she running?
She needed to think about everything that happened. She needed to clear her head. She needed to get some sleep.
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Big Mac watched her run back to her house suddenly and quickly. Did he go too fast? Was that too much for her to handle? He felt confused and worried for her. Still, he walked back inside the house and into his room. It was getting really dark out by now, so he should get some sleep.
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Fluttershy quietly and slowly walked inside her house, careful not to wake up any of the animals. She made her way to her bed and laid down, pulling the covers over her. She pushed out all of her thoughts, and focused on getting some well needed sleep.
Whatever it was that was keeping her up, she needed to stop it. She was shivering, but it wasn't because she was cold; was it? She lifted the covers and felt a cold breeze sift through her fur and onto her belly. She rushed the covers back over herself in search of warmth.
It wasn't the cold. 'What am I shivering from? ' She couldn't understand what was happening to her. She knew one thing that always helped her overcome any sleeping issues. She knew now exactly what to do.
"Hush now, quiet now, it's time to lay your sleepy head." She sang softly to herself. "Hush now, quiet now, it's time to go to bed." She finished, closing her eyes and relaxing fully. Her thoughts faded, and her mind seemed cleared. Maybe now she could finally sleep.
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Big Macintosh felt a hoof on his side. It was Applejack's hoof, as well as her voice.
"Ya alright there?" She asked quietly. "Ah saw what ya did, and what it made her do. I don't know what that girl's thinkin' anymore." She finished with a small chuckle. "Well, might as well shimmy on inside and get some rest fer tomorrow, huh?" She gave one last look at her brother before turning and going into the house.
He turned and moved towards the house himself only moments after. He needed to talk to her more, to ask her what actually is going on. He said his good-nights to the rest of the family, and moved his stiff and tired limbs to his room. He quickly went over to his bed so he could truly relax for the first time today.
It took several minutes, if not over an hour of lying there and thinking for him to fall into final slumber. Surely tomorrow he'll get some sense out of her yet.
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The morning sun cast its gentle glow upon the land as it slowly and peacefully woke the small mare. She had a good night's rest for one needed night. Maybe with her clearer mind and steadied thoughts, she can finally confront Big Mac correctly. She knew one thing was certain. Angel was looking for his morning meal.
She giggled at the little bunny and sighed while standing up and stretching her legs and wings. Such a peaceful morning it was that she never worried about anything between her and Big Mac. She just went through her day more calmly and efficiently than any previous day.
She stepped back inside and prepared herself her own meal for the afternoon. When she was almost done, she heard three knocks on her front door.
Curiosity getting the better of her, she opened the door with no worries. Some of those worries then boiled up and rose to her cheeks as she saw who it was.
".. Eeyup." He stated simply, looking away for a moment. She again couldn't believe what was happening.
"What.." She started.
"Ah came by today ta.. talk to ya."
'He spoke. He actually spoke to me. What should I say? Come on, think! ' Fluttershy thought to herself quietly before stepping back and letting him inside her house. It was just her, but still she felt worried about something. Emotions were conflicting one another, some being understanding and yet confusion.
"Ya know," He started after walking to the middle of her home. "Ah ain't one fer words, but Ah'm serious when I talk about somethin'." That voice.. that amazing voice. Not booming loud or deep, but soft and caring. "Ah need ta know what's goin' on through yer mind. Everythin's been real confusin' lately." He admitted shyly, relaxing his shoulders and limbs by laying down softly on the floor.
The realization of what she did last night finally hit her. All of her mind was instantly flooded with more emotions than she thought possible. Why did she run like that?
"Here, let me help you." She said softly to him, making her way over to his position. With her natural ability to help relax anything and everything around her, she began massaging his shoulders and legs. "I.." She began quietly. "I honestly don't know what I'm feeling anymore, but one thing is for sure." She looked into his eyes as he slowly relaxed.
She diverted her gaze as she felt her cheeks warm up. "Whenever I'm around you, I... I feel.. safer. Somehow." Her voice was just over a whisper at that point, as she was embarrassed to say any more. She could tell that he didn't know what to think about what she had just told him.
They were silent through the rest of the massage. As she had just finished, she felt a hoof wrap around her own. He was still lying down, as he softly pulled her down to him. She fell to the floor beside him, her back covered by his body. They lay there silent for only a moment.
"Thank ya, Fluttershy." The giant, red stallion softly said to the small mare. She then closed her eyes and focused on the warm embrace of Big Macintosh. The embrace ended as quickly as it began, as he rose to his feet. "Whoa." He stumbled, trying to get adjusted to the new control he had over his newly relaxed muscles. She really had a way of easing another ponies mind and body.
"Ah should get back ta AJ." He finished with a small, gentle, genuine smile that he hadn't worn in ages before meeting her. She blushed and looked away.
"O-oh, ok. It's fine." She spoke quietly, yet loudly enough for him to hear.
Big Mac turned to the door and opened it, starting to leave.
"W-wait!" Fluttershy suddenly pounced on top of him when he turned. She dove onto him, wings wide and fore-hooves wrapping around his neck. She locked him in a kiss on the ground.
Hey, just to thank you all, I am releasing this 'special' chapter. It's going to be a little bit longer chapter than any of the previous ones, so I consider that 'special' enough. Hope you like it, and thanks for all the support! Also, I spent most of last night AND today working on the beginning of this, so I hope it was worth it!
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Engaged in a deep kiss on the ground, Fluttershy nearly lost herself in the moment. She broke away from the kiss and stepped back. Big Mac slowly stood up and composed himself from the sudden.. assault.
"W-well, uh.." He started, stunned by the power and affection of the kiss. "That's one way ta say 'yer welcome', Ah suppose." He finished with a shared chuckle between them.
"Sorry.. if that was.. too much."
He shook his head. "Nnnope." He looked behind him, towards the farm. "Well, Ah'd better get goin'. Thanks fer everythin', Flutter."
"Oh, it's-" 'Flutter. ' She stopped all movement as she watched him leave. 'Flutter. ' She thought to herself again. 'No pony has.. called me Flutter before.. ' She thought to herself, finally reminding herself that she needed to breathe.
'Deep breaths, calm down. Why am I reacting like this? What's going on with me? ' Her heart felt like it was trying to bust out of either her chest or her throat. She needed something to help calm her down.
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Big Mac had returned to the barn to meet up with his sister, Applejack. She wanted to talk to him about some things, and he didn't want Fluttershy to hear any of it.
"Mac, over here." She spoke from inside the barn. Big Macintosh walked inside the barn, closed the door and turned on the light. He then turned to see his sister standing in the middle of it, two hay piles on each side of her, one bigger than the other. She sat down on her temporary pile, and told Mac to sit on his. He complied, wanting to hear what his sister had to say about what was going on between him and Fluttershy.
"Big Mac," She started softly. "Ah know ya care for 'er well-bein' and all. But there are some things ya don't want goin' on, trust me. Ye know what Ah'm talkin' about."
Indeed he did, and he didn't want to think back on the memory of that stallion. He nodded and allowed her to continue what she wanted to say.
"What Ah'm gettin' at is that Ah don't wanna see you, " She stated, pointing her hoof at her brother. "in the same position.
"Ah just wanna make sure that ya really are feelin' the way ye think yer feelin' about her. She is the Element of Kindness after all, and we don't need her bein' heartbroken." She stopped to sigh and allow him a moment to think.
He replied slowly. "Ah.. Ah don't... Ah can't promise.. well... Ah'm at a loss fer words, AJ. We'll try ta work things out tomorrow, alright? Maybe the day after ta give her some time, but Ah'll ask her if she wants ta go on a date. Does that sound right ta you?"
She nodded. "Work it out as well as ya can. As much as Ah would love ta see that mare fall in love with somepony.. Ah just hope it works out for ya, Big Macintosh." She finished with a small, seemingly sad smile, as well as a soft look in her eyes.
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Morning came yet again, as slowly and peacefully as always at her quiet home. There was a type of slowness in her eyes, like she didn't want to wake up yet. She rubbed her eyes open and sluggishly moved them across her house.
Everything was slowly lighting up from the rising sun. Everything seemed slower today.
'Maybe today.. ' She thought to herself. 'Maybe today will be easier to go through. ' Fluttershy stepped out from her bed and tried to start her day like normal. Normal being preparing her and Angel's breakfast, and soon after, going out and checking on the animals.
Helping the animals helped calm her down and keep her busy, as well as keeping her from thinking about her current situation. The cool breeze slowly swept through her mane, causing her to stop and look towards the sky. She saw something she didn't quite expect.
A bright, flowing rainbow. She saw Rainbow Dash preforming some of her highest and 'coolest' moves. Fluttershy decided to fly up and rest on a treetop, enjoying the sight of her friend, even at such a distance. It's truly been a while since she's seen any of the others. Maybe it's time to check on them all.
However something in her mind keeps telling her to wait. Maybe this will be a different day than she thinks. She sees Rainbow Dash settle on a cloud to rest her wings. That meant that she was probably going to take a nap now. Fluttershy decided to hop down from the tree, smiling and ready to face anything.
Except for what she did face. She saw Applejack standing at the door of her house, looking at the ground in deep thought. Not wanting to make things too awkward, Fluttershy walked over to the mare.
"Hello Applejack."
She jumped and turned towards her. "Oh, Ah didn't expect'ya ta walk up like that, Ah didn't know ye were outside." She then face-hoofed at her own comment, realizing what she just said, and who she said it to. "Ah have somethin' important ta talk to ye about."
That shocked Fluttershy into paying special attention to her. "A-about.. what?"
"About.." She let out a long sigh and looked deeply into her friends frightened eyes. "About you and Big Macintosh."
'Oh no.. Please... Please let this be OK. ' Fluttershy silently hoped. "Is-.. is there anything? W-wrong I mean?" She asked in a worried rush.
AJ let out a small giggle, which sounded more forced than ever before. "It's fine, Ah reckon. It's just that, well.. He want's ta meet ya somewhere, and only Ah know where he is. He wanted me to come an' get ya and take ye to him."
"He wants to meet me? In a private place? With nopony else around, just the two of us?" She asked swiftly and nervously. She really didn't know what to think, she didn't have much time to think evenly.
Applejack turned towards the direction of the farm. "If yer ready, we can start goin' there now."
"O-oh, ok." She stood there, thinking back on the things she had to do for Angel and the rest of the animals. "I should be fine to follow." She said, walking up to Applejack's side.
"Alright, let's go." Applejack said proudly. "By the way, how 'bout we talk on the way there? We haven't really had the chance ta really talk much with the past few days."
"Well, what would you want to hear about?" Fluttershy asked nervously.
"Oh, just how things have been workin' for ya with the animals, and how the last few weeks have been treatin' ya. As well as the animals, 'specially Angel." She finished with a small, genuine giggle.
"Oh, well.. I suppose normal would be the way to describe it the best. Angel is a little stubborn from time to time, and the animals around are quite peaceful this time of year. It's really been a nice few weeks to go through, despite what's been going on the last few days.." She finished quietly, making sure to try to avoid the subject. Then she bit her bottom lip after thinking about what she was walking towards.
"Well, Ah hope everything works out for ya tonight." Applejack stated as she waved to Big Macintosh in the distance. "Go on and talk to him." She said to Fluttershy, using a soft voice and a soft, yet happy smile and tint to her eyes.
Fluttershy didn't even notice the distance she had traveled. She was at what looked like the back of the farm, where there was a hill going up. She couldn't see what was beyond the hill, until she went up there. So she started making her walk over there. She still blushed slightly, walking towards the stallion she had embraced not too long ago in a kiss.
The simple memory made her blush even more, and she slowly rose to the top of the small hill. There was a single tree up there that they used for shade. The darkness of the night had slowly begun to rise from behind her. When she got to the top, she was stunned by the brilliant sight of the sunset.
"This.." Mac started, grabbing her hoof in his. "Ah wanted ya ta see this. Whenever Ah see this sight, this sunset.. it reminds me of you a little." He said softly, pouring out more emotion than ever before into the small mare's eyes. They set their hooves next to each other and Fluttershy stepped next to him.
She pressed her head into the side of Big Macintosh's neck, and he returned the emotion. He wrapped his head around hers, the both of them smiling in each others warmth. They laid down next to each other and watched the sunset go down. It was nice, being able to enjoy one of Equestria's greatest natural sights.
"B-Big Mac?" Fluttershy softly spoke, just loud enough for him to hear.
"Hm?" He simply said in response. He looked over to the mare beside him, and she rushed her head forwards and locked him in another kiss. She backed away quicker this time and blushed maddeningly. He wasn't as surprised as last time, as he reached his head forward another time.
He whispered into her ear as softly as his voice would allow. "Thank ye."
Right after he said that, they both heard the trickling of water around them. The rain had picked up around them swiftly enough to not allow them to get anywhere from the tree. The rain surrounded them both faster than they could react. They were trapped, unless they wanted to be soaked by the rain and catch a small sickness.
"Well then." Big Mac stated casually. "Ah don't suppose ya feel like gettin' soaked on yer way home."
Fluttershy giggled and nodded. She then realized the situation she was in. She was trapped under the shelter of a tree from rain.. and she was trapped with Big Mac. The stallion she was quickly falling in love with.
She could only see this going two ways.
All Good Things Must Come to an End
Hey, just throwing this out there: I hate doing this to Fluttershy.
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Locked under a tree behind the barn of the farm because of strong rain is what neither of them expected.
Fluttershy was laying near the base of the tree with Big Mac, both trying to keep warm. "Mac?" She quietly asked.
"We could probably make a run for the barn when the rain lets off a little. I think it's about to." She stated as proudly as she could, despite her situation. Her knowledge of nature was beyond his.
"Alright, we can try it." He nodded and got up to get ready for the run. A mere moment after he got up, the rain started dissipating slowly. Fluttershy decided that it was now or never.
"We need to move." She said in a serious tone. They both made a run for the barn entrance, and a strong wave of rain nearly doused them at the very end. They walked into the barn nearly soaked whether they wanted to be or not. Big Macintosh went to get the big cover that the hay cart used normally. He dusted it off as well as he could and laid it down on the ground.
"We should.. get.." His voice failed him as he looked upon the heavenly sight of Fluttershy with her hair down and wet. She was smiling at him, and he nearly fell to his knees by the sight alone. He decided to hide his clumsiness by laying down on the cloth. He reached beside him and pulled a side of the cover around his body. There was enough room for one small pony, but only if they squeezed together.
She walked over, wet mane and all, smiling the entire time. She laid down next to him, extremely close this time. Her two left hooves wrapped around his body, while the other two lay scrunched as closely to her body as she could get. Macintosh brought the cover over her body, and they laid there, drying and getting warmth.
Despite the already strange setting, Macintosh wrapped his hooves around the body of the mare. He was really nervous about doing so, so he did it slowly. He felt her body tense and freeze when feeling the powerful legs slide across her body.
"Ya.. don't mind me.. doin' this, right?" He asked, unable to hide the nervous shaking of his voice. She smiled and hugged him tighter, starting to close her eyes.
"It's perfectly fine."
Fluttershy closed her eyes and relaxed completely, feeling warmth and security in the hooves of the stallion. Little did she know that she easily fell to sleep. She felt warmer and more relaxed than ever before, despite the situation she was in. Trapped in a barn with Big Macintosh because of heavy rain.
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The next thing Fluttershy heard was Applejack's voice.
"May Ah ask why y'all are layin' like that?"
"A-Applejack!" Fluttershy looked worryingly at the mare. "It's not what it looks like! We ran from the tree to the barn and we got soaked from the rain, so we had to warm up and get dry."
Applejack laughed a bit at her explanation, raising her hoof and silently telling her to slow down. "It's alright, Ah understand." She said calmly.
The honest acceptance of the true situation made Fluttershy relax finally. She smiled and closed her eyes, leaning her head back down. She was blocked halfway down by an unintentional kiss to Macintosh.
"Mmp-" She moaned in surprise, and backed out of the sudden lock of lips. She blushed and quickly hid her face from all view by burying it into Big Mac's chest.
'What am I doing? Why am I so worried about this? ' Fluttershy thought to herself, maddeningly trying to find some way, any way, to get the situation less awkward.
"AJ?" Big Macintosh asked, starting to stand up.
"Yeah?" She turned to face him, wondering what he would say. He finished standing up, and looked into her eyes for a moment before looking away. His eyes darted from one direction to another for several moments before he spoke again.
"N-nothin'. Ah suppose we should get ta work on the farm?" He started walking towards the entrance of the barn and kept looking at the ground as he walked. Fluttershy only watched, trying not to involve herself in everything. When Macintosh left the barn, Applejack turned to face her.
"Is everything alright?" She asked, obviously worried about their situation.
"I.. I don't know..." She answered, saddened and confused, looking down at her hooves.
"Ah do." Big Macintosh said suddenly, appearing through the entrance of the barn again. Fluttershy's eyes went wide in confusion and surprise.
'What have I done? I did something wrong? When?! ' She thought to herself, confused and saddened.
"Fluttershy," Big Mac started. "Ah need time ta think about our situation. We've been going faster than Ah've honestly been able ta handle, and Ah need time ta think things over."
Those words, coming from that booming, deep voice. It was no longer soft and caring, it didn't help heal the wounds of her heart. It dug those wounds open and created new ones.
"Ah hope that my choice don't hurt ya, Fluttershy..."
She turned away and rose to her hooves. Her hair was still down from the rainfall last night, as well as being pressed against the ground all night. She slowly walked away from the both of them, not saying a single word. She just started to walk out the back exit of the barn when she heard Big Macintosh call after her.
"Flutter?"
She bit her lip as she turned her head to face him. She couldn't hold in the tears anymore, as they flowed freely down her cheeks. She gave him one last look before flying off towards her house as fast as she could. She flew through the sky, vision blurred as she was crying freely and openly now.
'What.. did I do.. wrong? ' She asked herself repeatedly as she arrived at her house. She burst open the door, slamming it shut behind her. She couldn't move because of the intensity of her tears.
'Why does this hurt so badly?! ' She screamed into her own head as she laid down and cried harder. "Why?" That was the only question that mattered right now. Why?
Why did Macintosh say that?
"WHY?!" Fluttershy screamed into her fairly empty house, alone.
This really is happening. This story has become my most popular one so far.
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Laying down, heartbroken, ashamed and confused in the middle of the house.
Fluttershy's life update.
She couldn't believe it. She wanted to know what was going on, and why it was happening.
She needed time.
'I can't believe I over-reacted like that...' She quietly thought to herself as she lays there still.
'Here I am saying I need time. Have I forgotten why I'm like this to begin with? Macintosh.. no. Big Mac.. he... He said he needed time.. and I... I just.. ' She started crying again.
'I ran away from him without even thinking! I wonder how hurt he must be right now.. I need to apologize... But why should I? Why should I apologize for something he did to me? He made me run away from him. ' She stopped her tears and her face fell flat. The aura around her changed darker.
'We'll make him apologize. '
"No!" She screamed out loud.
'If you won't, then I will. '
"No, not you. I can't let you do it."
'But we both know you're too scared to do it. I'm the only one that can help you now. '
"You're right, I am scared. I'm scared about a lot of things. But that doesn't mean I need help from someone like you!"
'Heheheh.. I'll give you time to think about it. '
"I swear to Celestia-"
"Fluttershy?"
She turned and looked at the pony who had rushed in, worried about her sanity.
"Twilight?"
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"Big Macintosh," Applejack started. "Ah thought Ah said that Ah didn't want ta see that mare heartbroken. What in tarnation did y'all do that made her fly away in tears ?"
"Ya heard what Ah said. Ah need time is all." He replied bluntly. He couldn't trick his sister though, mainly because she was the Element of Honesty .
She looked at him with sorrow. "Ah just hope it works out better for ya both. And there's no sayin' no ta that. Y'all will work this out, one way or another."
He looked back at his sister as he was walking out, and said nothing. He stood there for a moment, head slightly hanging. He turned and walked back outside, disappearing from view from inside the barn because of the sunlight.
"What's goin' on, Fluttershy?" Applejack asked to nopony around her.
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Fluttershy mentally prepared herself to confess everything to Twilight once she was comfortable.
"So," Twilight started. "How's everything been? Fairly.. good, I hope?" She asked with a soft smile.
"Well.. no. Not exactly."
"What's been going on?"
Fluttershy walked over to where Twilight was and sat beside her. "M-... Me and.. Big.. Mac.."
"I'm sorry, but I couldn't hear you. What was that?"
"Me a-and... Me and Big Mac have.. uh... It's.. hard to explain." She blushed and looked away.
"Oh, you and Big Macintosh got together? I-isn't that good news?" She asked cheerfully.
"W-well, no. I mean, yes, of course, but it's.. more."
"M-more?" She asked, surprised. "W-..What have you done together?"
"N-no, Twilight! It's-, I mean- Not like that!" She spoke a little too quietly.
"How much has happened and how much have you changed since I've seen you? Wait, you gotta tell me something. Was it as good as everyone said?"
Fluttershy was in complete shock, jaw nearly hitting the floor. "Ah-.. Wh-... What?!"
"You know!" She said, making hoof movements in the air. "Don't make me say it!"
"We had an issue!" Fluttershy admitted loudly. That stopped Twilight in her tracks.
"O-oh.. I'm sorry."
"Twilight, can you listen to me for a few minutes?"
"Of course I can."
"W-well.. it's a long story really."
Twilight got into a comfortable position and looked Fluttershy in the eye. "Then I'll be willing to listen as long as it takes." She said with a comforting smile.
"Th-thank you, Twilight. Let me begin then. First, I woke up a few days ago feeling a strange warmth. I didn't know what it meant, but I got up and started my day anyway. Everything was normal at first, until... Until I saw Big Mac at the other side of the river. We were both really far into our work, so we happened to meet.
"I looked at him and something that felt like memories or dreams went through my mind. I actually didn't fly away, I flew towards him and met him. We talked for a few moments before I had to confess to him what I was feeling and thinking. I thought he would reject me at first, but he..."
She looked away, tears starting to show in her eyes.
"He actually comforted me and said that he was doing the same. I was about to do something, but Applejack interrupted and stopped me. He told me to come by again tomorrow, and I did. It was around the middle of the day, and we all had Apple Pie together."
She looked embarrassed about what she was going to say next.
"I.. I got my slice, and everyone else did too, but... I was so worried about everything the other night that I hadn't slept. Only moments after we started eating, Applejack asked why I hadn't ate much yet. Then I remember waking up in a rush, with Apple Pie spread all over my face."
Twilight tried to hold off a chuckle, but she was unable to block all of it. She ended up laughing out loud a little, embarrassing Fluttershy further.
"But what happened after that.." She tried to ignore her friends laughing. "As I was leaving, Big Mac came up to me and gave me a kiss to-"
"You kissed?"
"Kiss to the cheek!" She quickly finished. "Then I.. I ran away. It took until the next day, but we met again. More specifically, Big Mac came to my house to talk to me. We didn't really talk much, because I offered him a massage to his shoulders and legs. It really helped him I think." She smiled as she thought back on the memory.
"Anyway," She said, continuing. "We finished talking, and he started walking out. Then I.. I tackled him to the ground and kissed him."
Twilight was the one to be shocked now. "What?" She said. It was all she could say, as she was waiting for her friend to continue the story.
"The next day, everything was normal, and Apple family free. It was kinda scary at first, but it also helped me calm down about the situation. Then I saw Rainbow Dash flying around in the air, and decided to take a break and watch her. A few minutes passed, and I flew back down.
"Standing at the door of my house though, was Applejack. I walked over to her and she said that Big Mac wanted to see me, and he had sent her off to get me. I didn't know what was going on, but I followed her anyway. I knew I could trust her, especially if it was about Big Macintosh."
She looked around the room and scooted closer to Twilight.
"He led me under one of the stray Apple trees on-top of the hill behind the barn. The most perfect and beautiful sunset you could imagine. We just laid there under the tree, watching the sunset. We didn't notice the rain coming in. We stayed under the tree for a few minutes before we rushed inside the barn. We got soaked on our way there, so Mac had to grab the cloth that the cart used. We got wrapped together, laying so close to each other we had our hooves wrapped around each others bodies.
"I fell asleep in his embrace much quicker than I thought I ever would. But then I woke up to Applejack asking us why we were in such a position, in the darkness of the barn. This is where it gets really interesting." She said, stopping her friend from saying something.
"Big Mac got up after a few moments, and walked out of the barn from what I could tell. Applejack asked me something, and I started to reply, but I was stopped by Big Mac saying something. He said..." She started to tear up once more.
"He said that I was going too fast about everything, and I didn't understand. I over-reacted, Twilight. I got up in tears and I flew away. I still can't forgive myself for doing that to him!" She said finally, breaking down in sobs like she did earlier.
"My goodness... Was all that sunset and barn stuff today?" She received a small nod from her friend. "I'm sorry."
"Ah'm sorry too."
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Well, I wrote, you all replied and commented, and this experience is amazing.
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Applejack walked outside and was greeted with a cloudless, bright shine of the sun. She closed her eyes and looked away from the open sun. She grabbed her hat and pulled it over her eyes. Opening them again, she saw an Apple Tree with all of its apples still attached. She turned around and bucked the tree, making all the apples fall into the collective buckets. Since the barn was so close to this tree, she decided to just carry a bucket in already.
Big Macintosh was carrying two buckets of apples himself.
"Hey Mac."
Nothing in response. It could be because he has the handles of two buckets in his mouth. He set them down next to the cart and started walking back to the farm.
"Macintosh." Applejack said loudly and firmly, stopping Mac in his tracks. They looked at each other for a few moments before Mac finally spoke up.
"I'll tell y'all my side of the story at dinner, alright?"
"Alright." Applejack stated.
The trees were slowly growing their apples, so dinner came earlier than normal.
The entire meal was a quiet event until the end. "So, Big Macintosh. Anything ya would like ta say?" Applejack asked with a soft look and smile.
He sighed and began.
"Y'all know 'bout me and Fluttershy, right?" He received nods across the table. "Well, Ah'll go into the details 'bout it for ya." He also decided that he wouldn't talk much at all after this long speech.
"It started out as me wakin' up, gettin' ta work like usual at the farm, then meetin' Fluttershy at the edge. She flew over ta me, and confessed what she was feelin' 'bout me. Ah told her Ah was feelin' the same, and helped her calm down. We started ta part, then Ah told her that she could come by tomorrow if she wanted. She did, as y'all remember, and ya know what happened then.
"Ah walked out with her, gave her a peck on the cheek and she did what she would do. She shied away, and Ah didn't see her till tomorrow. Ah walked over ta her house to talk about a few things, but ended up gettin' a massage from her instead. Don't know exactly how that happened, but Ah pulled her down and hugged her.
"As Ah was about ta leave, Ah heard her call for me one more time. Ah turned and I was tackled onto the ground and.. kissed me."
Shocked expressions followed through the table.
"Anyway," Macintosh continued, reluctantly. "Ah told AJ ta go and get Fluttershy for me, as Ah waited under a tree, thinkin' 'bout what I'd do. Later on, Fluttershy arrived and we sat under the tree watchin' the sunset for a while. Then it started rainin'.
"We ran to the barn, but not fast enough ta avoid gettin' soaked from the rainfall. AJ, ya remember what happened afterwards." He finished, sighing and deciding to not talk for quite a while after this.
"Yeah, Ah found y'all wrapped up together tightly in the cart cover. Then, after a bit o talkin' ta Fluttershy, ya came in and said ya needed time ta think 'bout yer situation together. Then she flew away in tears for some reason, my only guess being over-reaction."
She turned to look at Big Mac. "Talkin' about that, ya need ta go apologize to her."
Big Macintosh simply stood up, walked out of the room, and up the stairs to his own room. Applejack sighed and got up herself.
"Ah'll go and do it myself then." She gave no time to any of her family to stop her, and bolted out the door.
Granny Smith started talking to Apple Bloom.
"If Ah don't say so for me'self, I'd say that love nowadays is way too complicatered. They just auta get together and decide! Ah'm gettin' too old ta worry 'bout that me'self."
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Applejack rushed to Fluttershy's house and before she could think much, she was there. She looked inside and Fluttershy was in more tears, but Twilight was there too.
'Good. ' Applejack thought to herself, slowly opening the door.
She heard Twilight speak. "I'm sorry."
Applejack stepped forward and spoke up herself.
"Ah'm sorry too."
I just want to say that I love everything about this.
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"Ah couldn't get Big Mac ta get over here ta say that, so Ah did it for him." Applejack said bluntly, surprising her friends. "Not that Ah would think he'd be in the mood fer apologizin' anyways."
Applejack still stood in the middle of the doorway. She looked towards Fluttershy. "May Ah come in ta have a little talk?" Receiving a nod from the still teary-eyed mare, she walked forward and took a seat. "Ah suppose ya told Twilight yer side o' the story?"
"Yes." Twilight answered for her. "It sounds like she's been through a lot lately."
"Yeah," Applejack started. "Mac's been through a lot it seems too. He told all of us his side o' the story after early dinner. He didn't sound too happy 'bout losin' you, Fluttershy." Fluttershy looked up and stared hopefully into the eyes of the honest mare that told her that.
"R-really?" She felt as if she didn't even need to ask. Hearing something like that from a mare like her was proof enough. "I think.." She started. "I think I'll wait until tomorrow. Give him some time to think- no.. Give us both time to think about all of this. If I had to say so myself... I've never been so sure about anything in my life... But if he has different things to say.. I don't know what I'll do."
She couldn't believe the words she herself had said.
"Well," Applejack started, rising to her hooves. "Ah suppose Ah'd better get back to the farm." She gave one last look at her two friends, and walked out the door. Fluttershy and Twilight watched her leave. Fluttershy's tears had stopped by now, and she was feeling better about everything.
Twilight got to her hooves and gave Fluttershy one last hug. "I hope everything works out for you. Just come to me at my library, and ask me anything any time you need." She said proudly, smiling at her friend. Fluttershy got to her hooves as well, and walked with Twilight to the door.
"Thank you." That was all she needed to say. That was all she could say. She watched her friend leave, a bittersweet feeling crossing her heart. She didn't know whether to feel happy or to feel sad. She stayed there, standing at the door, just thinking about everything.
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Applejack had finished her work at the farm. Exhausted, she walked back into the house and laid down for some rest. Her sister, Apple Bloom, walked in holding a drink. "Here ya go, sis. Ah saw how hard you were workin'." Apple Bloom sat the drink beside her sister.
Applejack looked up at her face, then at the drink. "Thanks, Apple Bloom." She said simply, taking a few long drinks of water.
"Is.." Apple Bloom started. "Is everything with Fluttershy alright?"
Applejack sighed. "Ah just don't know, AB." Applejack got to her hooves and walked up the stairs. "Big Mac?"
Apple Bloom could only just barely hear them talking. She could hear their voices, but they couldn't tell what they were saying exactly. She just sat still, staring at the floor and waiting for something fun to happen. Nothing exciting really happened for quite some time.
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Fluttershy, on the other hoof, had a fairly busy day with her animals. By the end of everything, she was happy to get some sleep. Mind clearing, spirit resting sleep. Sleep that would help her move and think later in the next day.
Outside, in an open field. Looking around, she sees that she's on the top of a small hill. She turns around and she sees a barn, as well as a farm. The back door to the barn opened, allowing her to see inside. Nopony walked out, so she slowly stepped forward towards the barn.
Stepping halfway inside the barn, she takes a look around. Nopony was inside, but there was a setting, or a feeling that lured her further inside. There was a nice setting in the middle of the barn, seemingly peaceful. A single candle was lit in the middle of the square cloth laying on the ground.
Fluttershy took another good look around the room, but she couldn't see anything in the darkness surrounding her. The door to the barn closed, leaving ultimate darkness everywhere in the barn except for the candle in the middle. She shifted over closer to the candle, staying in as much light and warmth as possible.
She felt scared, alone and surrounded by invisible creatures, all hiding in the darkness. She didn't know how long she waited for something to happen. However, when the front door to the bar opened, the sunlight shone through vigorously. Nearly blinding the poor mare, who had begun adjusting to the darkness.
The door was wide open, as she waited again for something or someone to walk through. Thankfully, it didn't take too long, as she saw a big pony walk in swiftly. Because of the light of the sun, she couldn't clearly see who it was. But guessing about the area she was in, and the farm she saw and the barn she was in, she had a good idea.
The barn doors closed as quickly as they opened, not allowing a single outside view.
"There ya are." She heard a country mare somewhere in the barn. In fact, she had just now noticed the new setting around her. She sat to the side as a conversation between Applejack and Big Macintosh played out.
Applejack's voice. "Big Mac," She started softly. "Ah know ya care for 'er well-bein' and all. But there are some things ya don't want goin' on, trust me. Ye know what Ah'm talkin' about." He nodded and allowed her to continue what she wanted to say.
What was she talking about? Was she talking about a stallion that she had been with in the past? Or was it more recent? Her questioning thoughts were cut off as Applejack began to talk again.
"What Ah'm gettin' at is that Ah don't wanna see you," She stated, pointing her hoof at her brother. "in the same position.
"Ah just wanna make sure that ya really are feelin' the way ye think yer feelin' about her. She is the Element of Kindness after all, and we don't need her bein' heartbroken." She stopped to sigh and allow him a moment to think.
Fluttershy's mind was racing. Was she seeing a scene that had already played out? Was she seeing something that was happening right now? Or is it going to happen soon? No.. that can't be true. She was heartbroken before, so this must be in the past.
Then the memory clicked. Before Fluttershy had any time to think, they started again.
He replied slowly. "Ah.. Ah don't... Ah can't promise.. well... Ah'm at a loss fer words, AJ. We'll try ta work things out tomorrow, alright? Maybe the day after ta give her some time, but Ah'll ask her if she wants ta go on a date. Does that sound right ta you?"
She nodded. "Work it out as well as ya can. As much as Ah would love ta see that mare fall in love with somepony.. Ah just hope it works out for ya, Big Macintosh."
Fluttershy watched in disbelief. How could any of this had happened? What happened with all of this? She needed to get answers from Applejack tomorrow evening. No matter what.
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Emotions Converging: Thoughts Spoken - An End To Confusion
After the ending of this story, I'll put up a bonus chapter specially for y'all.
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Fluttershy awoke to the sun beaming through the windows faintly. It was just reaching sunrise, meaning she woke up fairly early today. She remembered about the dream she just awoke from. She slowly crawled her way to the side of her bed, trying to wake up fully. She began to fall off the side.
"Oh-whoa, whoa, ouch!" She fell to the floor faster than she could open her wings, and she hit the ground with a loud thud. She landed bad on one of her hooves, making her immediately roll over on her side. There was already a bump, starting to create a small bruise on the front part of her front left hoof.
"Oh.. my." She spoke aloud the only words she could, as she rushed her wings and other legs around. She lifted up her injured leg to her chest as she clumsily fly-walked over to the other side of the room. She grabbed a bandage with her mouth, using her available hoof to wrap it around the injury, as small as it was.
She winced in a little pain, and she saw a small amount of blood coming from the main point of impact. She covered it quickly with the bandages, finishing the wrapping quickly. She slowly and carefully set her hoof on the ground, assuring herself that she did things right.
Assured by the loss of pain in her hoof that she did well, she started walking out of the room. Being careful on her hoof still, she started her day as usual. At least, that's what she wished for. She needed another normal day, despite how many she's had so far. Thankfully enough, it was seeming as if she was going to get what she wanted.
What she needed after all these days.
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Around two hours into the day, Applejack and Big Macintosh were just shifting out of hard work. Applejack turned to see Big Macintosh walking inside the barn. She decided to follow him, get some shade and rest, as well as talk to him a little.
Walking inside the barn, she set her eyes on her brother getting some well-needed rest. She continued walking over to him, and laid down next to him. "Hey Mac." She said quietly. Macintosh raised his head and looked at his sister. His eyes and face were full of confusion and pain.
"AJ, can Ah tell ya somethin'?"
"Of course, Mac."
"Ya know when Ah told Flutter that Ah needed time ta think?" He asked the question fully knowing the answer already, but he received a nod still. "Ever since then," He continued. "Ah've been doin' nothin' but thinkin' o' her. Ah think Ah've had enough time ta think."
When hearing those words from her brother, she ran through her thoughts of yesterday. Fluttershy had said nearly the same thing. She broke free from her memories, and looked into her brothers eyes. Staring deeply into them to see if he was really telling what he felt.
It was truly undeniably true. She could tell when anypony was lying, being the Element of Honesty and all, and her brother was talking through his heart. "Tell ya what," She started calmly, trying to soothe his spirit. "Ah'll go over ta Fluttershy's, an' get her over here. Maybe even get her ta help around at the farm if she can! That'd be fun ta see, wouldn't it?" She asked cheerfully with a genuinely cheerful smile.
He smiled, surprisingly, and nodded. "That'd be great, AJ. Thanks." He said more than thank you, at least to her. She rested for a few moments, taking a nice amount of rest before getting up and walking. She stepped out of the barn, into the light of the brilliant sun, beaming over the entire farm.
The amazing view stunned her and set her mind off track for a moment, before she remembered what she set out to do. 'Silly Applejack, ' She thought to herself. 'remember these things. '
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The third hour into the day, at what would more than likely be 12:00 PM, Fluttershy got a visit. A visit that she was hoping wouldn't come today. She had actually hoped that it was either Twilight, or even Rainbow Dash, quite possibly Rarity. But her hopes of seeing the other girls were dashed as she saw Applejack.
Standing there, head held high and in a cheerful and upbeat attitude. It was a great sight to see, and she was relieved to see that she was cheerful today. She walked towards her and listened for her voice. There it came.
"Hey, Fluttershy! Ah came on good terms, err, whatever fancy word Twilight would use."
Fluttershy stopped in her tracks. Her mind was spinning about several things, but mainly things involving her love. Her stallion. She stopped her own thoughts as she asked what it was. "What.. exactly?"
"It involves Big Mac, if ya want ta go see him. In fact, ya actually won't be seein' him as much as helpin us out at the farm if ya want. It's up ta you ta decide te see him today, like ya said ya would try to."
Fluttershy again stopped everything, and looked at the ground in deep thought. 'The animals will be alright for most of the rest of the day, so they'll be fine. Angel can take care of himself, as he's been doing quite a lot lately. I just feel like I shouldn't leave here..
But then again, I really want to see Big Macintosh today.. I miss him... Wait, what am I saying? Why am I missing him..?' Her eyes saddened and faded, coming up on the memory of the recent events between them. 'All of this confusion.. happiness, sadness, glee, shock... What is all of this leading to? Is any of this even worth it?! I need to see this through. I know that much at least.
She set her mind, looking up to Applejack with a determined stare. "Let's go to the farm."
Embarrassing Final Conclusion
Technically, this is the last chapter, but you all know of the bonus.
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Applejack stepped back, starting to turn around. Her eye caught something strange, so she gave another look at her friend's hoof. There were white strands of bandages around it, just above the hoof itself. "What happened there?" She asked quickly before finally turning.
"Oh, my hoof? I got a bruise because I fell off of my bed this morning."
Applejack could only barely hear what she said, but she still had to block a small giggle.
"Well," AJ started. "hopefully it's not gonna be too much of a pain for what yer gonna be doin'."
"Wait, what am I going to be doing? I-I didn't hear about anything!" As soon as she said that, the unintentional memory of her dream last night threw itself into her vision. Before she could ask anything about it, Applejack started explaining.
"Listen here, Ah got a plan fer Macintosh and you ta get a little more bondin' done. Ah thought that ya might also like ta see what Mac is capable of, as well as showin' 'im what yer made of inside."
The entire time, using the intensity of their talking to her advantage, Applejack had been nearly trotting instead of walking. They had crossed a much greater distance because of it. They were at the edge of Sweet Apple Acres before she knew it.
Fluttershy was unexpectedly looking at Big Macintosh only moments later.
"Eep!"
She dove behind a tree and hid from his sight. She wasn't exactly ready to talk to him yet. Applejack had different thoughts about that, though. Quickly following her to behind the tree, she pushed Fluttershy into the open.
Her sight shifted from the ground to the red stallion. She saw his features in great detail, as she felt as if minutes passed, when it was truly only seconds. His large, dark green gems of eyes, sparkling in the sunlight. His mane, while short and spiky, ruffled in the wind ever so slightly. He had in his mouth a strand of straw, and it only added the detail of his three white speckles below his eyes. He was waiting for one of them to say something.
Finally, after what felt like long moments for Fluttershy and Big Macintosh both, Applejack walked forward and spoke.
"Ah have a feelin' that y'all will get ta know each other better by helpin' each other out an' such. Fluttershy, today, ya'll be helpin' out me an' Big Mac here with the farm a bit. Tomorrow, Ah'm gonna send Big Mac over ta you ta help you with yer animals an' such. At least Ah think that was yer plan, wasn't it, Mac?"
He took a small step back, nervous about answering that in-front of her . "Eeyup." He still answered, and both Fluttershy and him seemed to be relaxing as Applejack walked off.
'Yeah, ' Fluttershy thought. 'just like that, she up and left after receiving confirmation from Big Mac. '
Now, both Fluttershy and Big Macintosh were looking directly at one another. Long, awkward moments passed before one of them eventually started moving. It was Big Macintosh that moved, and he started moving towards the closest tree.
The entire time, he was hoping Fluttershy wouldn't notice his nervousness. All of his hopes died as soon as he tried to buck the apple tree with one leg, like he limited himself to normally. His nervousness eliminated all the strength in his first kick, and the tree barely shook.
His gaze shifted from the tree to the buckets on the ground, and he tried to give a solid kick. Only a few apples fell. Embarrassed and humiliated by the tree, he ignored everything else and kicked himself half-way into the air. His backside was fully up, and ready to fully kick.
Everything immediately broke into panic, as the relentless, sudden force of his mighty kick with both legs sent the tree falling to it's side, and onto the ground. The sharp sound of the wood of the tree breaking was followed by a thunderous roar.
The tree had broken at the roots and fallen to the ground. The thunderous boom, as well as the vibrations in the ground it sent shortly after, could be heard and felt from across the farm. It didn't take long for a worried and confused Applejack to arrive at the scene.
"What in the hay happened?" She asked swiftly, before seeing the small Pegasus on the ground with her eyes closed and hooves over her head.
"Sorry, AJ!" She heard Big Mac call from the side of the tree. "Ah hit the tree with both legs again."
Sighing, Applejack walked over to him. "It's fine, we can grow another tree 'round there later." She moved over to Fluttershy and helped her up. "Sorry, Mac can underestimate his kicks sometimes, an' it don't help none when he's nervous."
When she was up on her hooves, she looked at Big Mac once more. 'Why is he so nervous around me all the sudden? Is it because of what happened yesterday? ' She took some time to just stand there, blankly staring at Macintosh, just to think about what to do. 'I'll have to comfort him. '
"Applejack, we'll be just fine for the rest of the day, don't you worry about a thing." Fluttershy tapped a hoof on her friend's shoulder, smiling and reassuring her that it would be fine. Applejack, only slightly nervously accepting what she said, began turning. She walked a few steps out before looking back.
"Ah hope so." She stated softly before leaving and returning back to her side of the day's work. Fluttershy stepped over to where Big Macintosh was, and spoke up before he could.
"Mac," She used a short of his name, which held the most meaning. "please, don't work too hard just because I'm here." She gave a shake of her head. "Or rather, you shouldn't feel as if you need to do anything special for me. Just me being here with you is enough for me.. and.. I hope it's enough for you for now as well."
She felt heat nearly burning her cheeks from the inside, so she could only guess she was blushing as bright as ever. Big Mac, however, simply stared at her, concern and surprise showing on his face. He didn't know what to do in this situation. What should he say? His mind felt like it was racing for a moment.
"W-well, uh.." He tried to think of something to say back for her, but his mind drew a blank. She, however, noticed that as he moved his eyes from side to side, trying to think of something to say, his blushing showed, if only slightly. "Ah don't know what ta say.. as long as yer fine with everythin', Ah feel a little better."
At least there was a small amount of relief. Fluttershy smiled, and flew over to a tree. She landed beside it, turned her back to the tree, and lifted both of her back legs. Confident that this was the way it naturally happened, based on the fact that she had seen Applejack work relentlessly and tirelessly several times.
She gathered up all of her courage and strength, and bucked the tree as hard as she could. Quite a number of the apples fell from the tree, and- onto the ground. There were no buckets to catch and secure the apples from rolling away.
Frantically, she rushed after a couple of the apples, trying to gather them as well as she could. Big Macintosh was going to a few more of the stray apples, also trying to secure the escapists. Luckily enough, the ground was even enough for the apples to not get too far without slowing to a stop.
Slowly but safely, they both worked in perfect harmony and returned the last of the apples in the same trip. Fluttershy turned and tried to walk away, attempting to hide her embarrassed blush. "S-sorry." She didn't know whether to look away, or give eye contact. She just looked in the direction of Big Macintosh.
He tried to hide his confusion, but some showed as he asked: "What for?"
"F-for making those apples go everywhere."
"Ya ain't gotta worry 'bout none o' that. T's just a mistake." He said, trying to calm her down.
"Oh.. th-thank you." She looked around, blushing brighter than she had ever remembered. She wanted to tell him so many things, and figure out if he felt the same way. However, she felt like pouring it out on him so suddenly would be.. shocking. Oh how she desperately wanted to tell him everything.
She had to wait. She had to wait until tomorrow, when he would be at her house, helping her with her next day. After all, all this work over at the farm, away from all the animals.. they'll need more attention and care after all this time away. Especially Angel.. he's probably worried sick about her.
Reluctantly, Fluttershy turned and tried her best to help Macintosh with his work. Everything she wanted to say would have to wait until later.
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The day had neared it's end, and Fluttershy's help had really sped up work at the farm, but now her entire body was going to ache. Especially her back hooves, even more so than the hoof injury she got in the morning. Ever since she got back, nearly every animal in the forest that she took care of came to welcome her back.
The night came shortly after, and the excitement had dwindled down. It was going to be easy to get some well needed rest for her mind and body both. It definitely felt great to relax in a bath, then continue relaxing in her bed, easing her muscles and allowing them to soften and calm.
Tomorrow, she could let everything she wanted out.. she hoped.
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"Mornin'!" She received from a happy Applejack sitting inside her living room. Fluttershy was too shocked to move or speak, but her mind was racing. 'When had she gotten there? What made her- ' Her thoughts were interrupted as Big Macintosh tapped her side.
"Hey." He spoke simply, knowing that just that one word meant so much more that what it let on.
"Alright, you two be good an' have fun. Macintosh, want you back by the end of the day at least. Tomorrow by the latest." She gave a wink to Fluttershy before turning and leaving them both blushing and wondering.
Awkward moments passed as Macintosh and Fluttershy both just simply sat there. "Breakfast." The mare said quietly and quickly, turning around. She looked for what she normally ate for breakfast, but stopped when she saw the table in the living room. It still had a plate and a half of food on it.
She could only guess that Macintosh had only eaten half of his plate, and the full one was hers. "Breakfast?" She asked with a blush glued to her face, embarrassed. She got a good look at her food, and it was a Dandelion Salad. 'One of my favorites, yay. '
She took her seat at the table, and began to eat. Angel had just sat down beside her leg, munching on a carrot. She was happy to see that Angel was eating well. Breakfast passed like every other day, but occasionally, she would look up and see Big Macintosh.
Thoughts raced through her mind every time she looked at him. Thoughts of yesterday, nervous thoughts about what would happen today. Thinking about how she would express how she was feeling about him. She had done it before, the first time they met, but this felt so much different.
This was like writing a letter to Princess Celestia for the first time. She wasn't sure how he would take what she had to say, and she was afraid of rejection.. but she didn't want to stay in fear the entire day. She did know that she didn't want to bring it up so early in the day, so she had to wait.
'Just a little longer, Fluttershy. Wait until later. ' She reassured herself that she would talk to him about everything. She kept wondering why she was so nervous and afraid about everything. Unfortunately for her, breakfast was over, so she had no more time to think about things, as she had to get to work.
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Angel has had one eye on Big Macintosh ever since he stepped outside, and all of the animals were afraid of him at first. Still, everything went better than expected for Fluttershy. She had her chance at the end of the day to ask him to listen, and she's glad he did. Even though it was difficult to talk about, he still answered her questions well enough, for her at least. Asking him about the dream she had, he said he would talk about that with Applejack around. She was overjoyed at the fact that not only was he willing to listen to what she had to say, but also that he was willing to answer her questions.
'He's so kind. '
After her time talking, pouring out her emotions and being able to understand everything better, it was time enough for his side. There were laughs, confusion and even some tears. Everything was falling into place, and everything was working so well. It was getting dark, and Fluttershy asked him if he wanted to stay here tonight.
When receiving a positive answer, she felt her heart jump into the clouds.
After everything was said and done, she moved closer to him.. and kissed him.
"I love you."
Silence. Feared silence.
She felt a hoof on her shoulder, and she felt the big, strong hoof push her away slightly.
"Flutter..."
"Mac?" She asked in fear.
"Thank you so much." He said quickly, rushing in to give her another kiss. Her widened eyes and her tensed muscles slowly settled as she melted herself into his embrace. They lay together, in the cold of night, keeping each other warm. Shortly after she was comfortable, she felt something wet drop onto her neck.
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I've put this off for far too long.
Bonus chapter for all you helpful people!
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Dear Elements of Harmony.
I write this letter to all of my friends to let them all know of the most recent events.
As you may or may not know, Big Macintosh and myself have gotten together, and it's truly been a magical experience. I can't detail everything that we've done, as it would take too much room than this paper has.
First of all, Twilight.
I would like to thank you for arriving to see me when you did, before you went to Canterlot to do extra studying at their library. You helped calm me down and keep me from going insane.
Pinkie Pie.
If you could arrange a party for us getting together in a while, when we're all able to meet together again, that would be something to look forward to greatly.
Rarity.
I would love to see if you could hand me a few dress designs.. and maybe a suit for Macintosh. If you need, we can go over to you so you know our sizes.
Rainbow Dash.
I know you're busy with your training for the Wonderbolts and all, but it would be amazing if you could come over sometime so I could tell you all about our recent plans.
Applejack, I'll be talking to you soon, but I just want to thank you on paper as well as with my words when we next meet for letting me and Big Macintosh be together.
Oh, one more thing before I send off this letter. Twilight. It feels even better than what everypony says.
