A Familiar Pear Of Glasses

The next day came around, and Big Mac was the first to wake up, alongside Chase. They were currently working on breakfast, and Max was preparing the table.

“Uh… pa?” Mac said carefully, catching Chase’s attention as he faced Big Mac

“What’s on your mind, Mac?” he asked, cheery as could be. He had slept well last night, so it did make sense.

“Before ya tell the family more about yours and ma’s relationship, could ya tell me bout a time ya bonded with Granny?” he asked Chase, and Chase nodded in response

“Of course! Where to start…” Chase said, stroking his chin softly

A good time was when Granny was baking pie. Your pa, Bright Mac, had just finished brewing apple cider for cider season, and the crates had been stocked already. Over the three-ish months I’d had been there, Granny’s views on me had changed greatly, and she wanted to speak to me after dinner was over.

Now mind you, we had spoken on several occasions, but this time, she had asked in a serious tone, which told me that she clearly wasn’t just gonna give a ‘congrats’ and move on. After dinner was over, she called me out to the barn.

When I entered, Granny was sitting on a hay bale as she looked up, saying, “Howdy there feller. Ah imagine you got some questions as tah why ah called you in here tonight, right?”

“A little bit, what’d you need me for?” I asked her as she patted the spot next to her, and I sat down

“You’re aware of the Pear family, right?” she asked me as I sighed and nodded, “Good, that means ah shouldn’t have tah explain much. They’re a rival family who’s been against us for quite some time, especially that rotten pony, Grand Pear”

“Why is the Apple Family rivals with the Pear Family again?” I asked her, and she sighed

“Well, sonny, them Pears have been rotten towards us since we moved here. While the Apple Family is known for foundin’ Ponyville, them suckers was jealous o’our success. They’ve been tryin’ to steal our business for years now, but have failed time an time again” Granny explained to me closely as I nodded

“Has there ever been an attempt to put a stop to this ‘family feud’, like, at all?” I asked her as she facepalmed

“Yes, but not really, sugarcube. That rotten bastard Grand Pear never gives it a haunch of a chance… regardless, it doesn’t keep us apples down, y’know?” she said, looking at me as I nodded in agreement

“Right. Sometimes you just gotta learn to ignore your enemies and focus on the positive” I said, seeing her smile

“Though, that reminds me… what do you know about Mac’s relationship with Grand Pear’s daughter?” she asked me, and I froze. It had been roughly a week without either families knowing about their relationship, and if I spilled anything, it was gonna be trouble for me and Mac, as I’d essentially be punished just like him. I debated whether or not I should answer her honestly, or try to bullshit her to save Mac’s hide. After an internal debate, I looked her in the eyes.

“I don’t know a thing, miss. All I do know is that… Mac told me he hates her” I said to her as she squinted her eyes a little

“And he hasn’t told her… why?” she asked, clearly reading me like a book, but then it hit me

“Cause if it did, it’d only create more tension between the Apple and Pear families, and the pot is getting hotter as is, it’d be unwise to make it worse” I said, hoping she’d believe me, and she nodded slowly

“Ah appreciate your honesty, sonny. Ah can see why Mac puts so much trust in ya. Now, go get some rest, ya got a busy day tomorrow makin’ profit on them cases o’ cider in the barn, ya hear?” she said, and I nodded, getting up as I walked out of the barn and towards the house

“Sure thing, and thank you” I said, heading upstairs and to my guest room, plopping onto the mattress with a sigh.

“So you stuck ya neck out for ma and pa’s relationship? That takes balls, and Granny’s harsh when it comes ta those who lie to her” Big Mac said to Chase, getting a chuckle out of him

“There were a few times I got caught, and boy, they were nasty” Chase said, “So, if y’all plan on helping, out here we got pineapples growin’, so it’d be nice if y’all can help with that”

“Of course we’d help. Applejack made that clear last night, remember?” Big Mac said, getting nervous laughter out of Chase

“Right, heh, I forget easily” he said with a bit of honesty, “Anyways, best go wake ‘em up and tell em breakfast’s ready. I got some leftover fish for Bucky if he’s extra hungry”

“Eeyup” Big Mac said, going to wake his family

Breakfast was enjoyable, and everypony enjoyed Chase’s cooking. When asked, Chase confessed that he had learned from the best, being Pear Butter. Bucky did question a few things this morning, but he knew that there was a time and a place for everything

“So, pa, ah don’t mean tah rush nuthin’, but what can we do after we’re done harvestin’ the pineapple trees?” AJ asked Chase, tapping her hoof impatiently

“I could use somepony to care for the sheep and cattle. Pine is capable, but I’m sure he’d be happier having someone help him with the other livestock” Chase said, seeing Pine’s tail wag

“You betcha, pa! It’d sure be great to have an extra set o’ hands!” Pineapple said, getting a chuckle out of Apple Bloom as she offered him a fist bump, and he accepted it

“Ah’ll say, Pineapple, I enjoy ya enthusiasm” Apple Bloom said, patting his back as he laughed a little

“Thank ya, Apple Bloom, you’re too kind” Pineapple responded, rubbing his hair softly

“Alright now, everypony, let’s not waste too much time on compliments. Time to get to work!” Chase said as they all nodded, scurrying outside as they all got to work

To Chase’s surprise, his family was really good, harvestin’ tree after tree. He watched baskets fill with pineapple after pineapple, nodding in approval. As he walked through the farm’s open field, he saw Apple Slice and Timber Wedge run up to him, giggling excitedly

“Grandpa Chase!” they both shouted as he turned, and they stopped in their tracks

“Shouldn’t you two be helping the others?” he asked them as they both shook their heads

“We finished our portion! Tell us a time when you an’ Granny Pear went on a date!” Timber said, wagging her tail just like a puppy

Chase sighed, shaking his head to himself, “Didn’t anypony tell y’all it’s rude to ask personal questions like that?”

“Pretty please, grandpa! We promise we won’t say nothin’ to ma an’ pa about it” Apple Slice pleaded, using his best attempt at ‘puppy eyes’

Chase sighed, knowing that these kids wouldn’t buzz off if he simply told them no, so he took a deep breath, “Alright, there was one time…”

It was one day in summer that I was doing my ‘daily routine’ of harvestin’ apples, feeding pigs and livestock, and stacking hay bales to the roof (not really). This was all going well, and then your other Grandpa, Bright Mac, approached me with a letter.

“Hey feller, Pear’s got a letter for ya. She swore me to secrecy, meaning ah can’t read it” he said, making me chuckle. From what he had told me, they rarely kept anything secret from each other, so if she could get him not to say anything to someone else, even a significant other. He did smile a little, then handed me the envelope, and walked away.

Puzzled was an understatement, as I was just perplexed. Regardless, I carefully opened it, and read the letter:

‘To mah best friend’

‘You’re probably wonderin’ why ah didn’t have Mac read the letter to yah. It’s actually cause ah wanted ya, and you alone, to read this letter. I… have a few things to confess to ya… if ya have the time, meet me at Mac and I’s ordinary spot before sundown (If you meet right before sundown, it’d mean a lot, Ah’m not too worried about gettin’ in trouble anyway). Please make it, it’d make me really happy’

‘Sincerely yours,’

‘Pear Butter’

To be completely honest, it was honestly strange, but having nothing to really lose, I decided I’d go and see her regardless. I made sure I had no other chores, and waited till before sundown

It was right before sundown that I got to the spot, and Pear Butter was nowhere to be seen. Maybe something prevented her from getting here? Grand Pear stopped her? I wasn’t sure, but then I felt something grab my arms and hoist me up, “What the fuck?!”

As I was pulled up, I closed my eyes, thinking it was a cockatrice, but I felt I was in someone’s, or rather, somepony’s lap. As I opened them, I saw Pear Butter, and she looked as startled as me

“Did ah scare ya? I’m terribly sorry for that…” she apologized as her ears folded, and I felt bad, caressing her cheek as she blushed in a flustered manner

“No, you’re fine. Just wish ya coulda given me a heads up next time. Now, if you don’t mind me askin’, what have you called me here tonight for?” I asked her as she blushed, looking nervous, “Pear Butter, what’s wrong?”

“Well, my pa’s been crackin‘ down on me lately, and has told me to stay away from ya too. I’m afraid it’s become too risky for me to keep seein’ ya, so I figured ah’d tell ya how I feel about ya if we don’t see each othah again…” she said, and I was a bit confused by what she meant

“What do you mean, Pear? I don’t want us to stop seeing each other…” I said, clearly a little saddened by this whole thing already

“Ah’m deeply sorry, but… this is how it has to be… but before ah go, take this…” she said, and she softly planted her lips on mine, causing my eyes to widen. Was she cheating on Bright Mac? I wasn’t sure, but my feelings got to me before rational thinking could, and before I could return the kiss, she pulled away and sighed, “That’s how ah feel about ya… I don’t expect ya to return mah feelin’s, but we can’t see each othah… goodbye…” she said, tearing up as she dropped out of the tree and ran at fast speeds

I sat there, processing what had just happened. It’d seem that more family drama was gettin’ worse, and was affecting her badly. I didn’t want her to endure that, so I jumped down, chasing her

“Wait, Pear, come back!” I shouted, but she kept running

“Quit followin’ me, ya hairless ape!” she shouted, her cries getting louder. I put all my stamina into my legs, kicking it up into high gear as I caught up to her and tackled her softly onto the grass, pinning her down as she kicked her hooves, still crying, “Let me go! Ah can’t be seen wit ya, dumb buck!”

I did something that most would not agree with, and slapped her across the face, getting her to stop crying, and she looked me right in the eyes, breathing erratically as I said, “Pear Butter, calm down! Get a hold of yourself! Why are you doing this?”

As I stared down at her, I got off of her and sat her up in my lap as we sat down in the grass. After that, she spoke quietly, “Why?”

“Why what?” I asked her as she looked up at me

“Why do ya care so much about me? You know ah’m loyal to Bright Mac and that Ah’m his marefriend, right?” she asked. While that was true, what she told me earlier really caught me off guard.

“I am aware of that, but what you did and told me earlier tells me that you want more than just Mac… you want me, too…” I said, and she blushed, nodding softly

“But my pa… he’s serious… if he sees me with you or Bright, he’ll…” she paused, tearing up some more

“He’ll what?” I asked

“He’ll send me away to Manehattan! And I won’t get to see either of yah ever again!” she said, going into a full-on crying fit

“That won’t happen…” I said, a little bit of confidence in my voice.

“How do you know?” she asked, her voice shaky

“Cause me and Bright will stick with you, through thick and thin, and besides, I’m sure he’s got a plan” I said, getting a small smile out of her, which quickly vanished.

“But what about you, Chase? It’s not just Bright I love… but you too…” she confessed, making my heart skip a beat. To think I had charmed her from all those times we met

“You’ll find the time and place to tell him about your feelings for me, and he’ll come through for his ‘buttercup’, I know he will” I said, booping her snout as she blushed

“How do you know he calls me buttercup?” she asked me, and I chuckled softly

“He talks in his sleep sometimes. From what I can tell, he dreams about ya a lot” I said, seeing her blush bright red

“T-That’s sweet tah know… thank ya, Chase. Ah love yah…” she said, tilting her head up as we shared a kiss. It lasted for a minute before we pulled away and got up, “Now for real, we gotta separate. Ah love ya, and ah hope you’re right about Mac’s plan” she said, kissing my cheek one final time, and walking off with her tail waggin’.

Now perplexed was really an understatement. At this time, I had no idea herds were even possible, so I just assumed she was polyamorous. Regardless, I sighed and held my cheek, walking back to Sweet Apple Acres, the one place I could call ‘home’

“Whoa, ah gotta ask, grandpa, did ya really have’tah slap grandma to get her to calm down?” Apple Slice asked in a whisper

Chase sighed as he bent down on one knee, “Well, it was either that or let her attract a cockatrice or worse. I didn’t mean to slap her hard either, but she ended up telling me the next day that I slapped her too hard and that Bright Mac was wonderin’ what good-for-nothing stallion slapped her, and she covered for me, saying she didn’t know who they were”

“That was quite the story, grandpa, though did’ya have tah use vulgar language?” Timber whispered, causing Chase to sweat.

“Christ, I’m sorry about that, little ones. Got a bit too accurate with the storytellin’. Pretend like ya didn’t hear it and you’ll be fine” Chase said, nervously laughing it off

“But we-” Slice tried to say before Chase shot a death glare at him

“You. Heard. Nothin’.” Chase said, making them both nod vigorously

“Y-Yes sir!” They both exclaimed, scurrying away with their tails in between their legs.

As Chase sighed, laying on a hammock between two trees, he saw Applejack’s husband, Bucky, approach him, and lay in the hammock next to him, saying, “Hey there, Chase”

“Howdy Buck. You made sure the others got their chores done?” Chase asked jokingly, and Bucky laughed in response.

“As much as I could, but AJ does better at given’ orders than me. There’s somethin’ I’ve been meaning to ask…” Bucky said as Chase glanced over at him, raising a brow

“Ask away” Chase said

“When Grand Pear came to Ponyville to see AJ and the rest of his family and ‘reconnect’, it was said that Pear Butter and Bright Mac got married to stop the feud between the Apple and Pear family…” Bucky explained carefully

“Yeah…” Chase said, a little confused

“Where were you, or were you just left out of the story?” Bucky asked, and Chase groaned

“I guess I was left out of the story, but that’s fine. I can tell ya how it went though” Chase offered

“Sure, that’d be great” Bucky said, getting ready to hear the story

“Alright, here’s how it actually went…” Chase said, getting deep in thought

The story will sound similar to the one they’ve probably told ya, but this is from my perspective, keep that in mind. Anyways, tension between the Apple and Pear families hadn’t exactly eased up, no surprise there, but Bright Mac seemed a shit ton more tensed up than normal, as if he was dealing with an unexpected pregnancy. News about what was going on with Pear at the time had reached Mac, and he was desperate to ensure that his buttercup wouldn’t be leaving him anytime soon. Against Granny’s orders and best wishes, Mac made a plan and included me in it. Reason why was cause he found out, and was told, that I had feelings for Pear Butter, which I didn’t deny. Instead of reacting badly, he was kinda happy, as Pear wasn’t sure if I really did, and I basically confirmed it with Mac.

With that in mind, this is how he laid out the plan:

“Okay, so to put an end to this stupid feud, you and I are gonna marry Pear Butter” he said, making me gasp a little

“Wait wait, hold it, I thought relationships involving more than one married man or woman was impossible” I said, and he chuckled

“Maybe where you’re from, but here in Equestria, we call it ‘formin’ a herd’. Y’see, when a mare and a stallion come to an agreement, they can choose to add another mare or stallion to their marriage, with consent, of course” he explained, but I was still confused

“How do you even know this, Mac?” I asked him

“Well, it’s a bit of an ancient law that’s still active, but ah just asked Mayor Mare if it was still possible, and she said yes” he answered, “Now, more importantly, we gotta go an meet up with Pear and then head to the town hall to plan this weddin’. You in, pardner?” he asked me, and I smiled, shaking his hand proudly

“You bet your flank I am, let’s do this” I said, and we set off together

A while later, It was the three of us. Me, Pear, and Mac, all heading to town hall in secret. Bright Mac knocked on the door to the Mayor’s office, and it opened to a much younger Mayor Mare

She took off her glasses for a second and cleaned them, then put them back on, “An Apple, a Pear, and a… hairless ape called a human, all in my office at one time. I haven’t had enough coffee today.”

“Mayor, we have a weddin’ we’d like to plan” Mac said, getting a small sigh out of her

“For who? You and her or him and her?” she said, looking at Mac and Pear, then at Pear and me, both separately

“Um, actually, Mayor Mare, we were hoping to form a herd” Pear responded. Luckily, after living in Equestria for roughly 7 months, I managed to attain citizenship in that time, so I was a citizen of Ponyville.

“A herd with a… human? Are you absolutely sure? One’s never been formed with his kind before…” she said, clearly unsure as to how this’d work, or even if my kind could fornicate with ponies.

“Ah’m absolutely sure, Mayor Mare, or mah name isn’t Pear Butter!” she said proudly, getting a smile out of me and Mac

Mayor Mare decided to go along with it, as she couldn’t exactly deny it, “Alright, just set up a date, location, and such and get a caterer for the wedding with me” she said, and we all stepped inside and filled paperwork.

“So are you gonna continue, or…?” Bucky said, before Pineapple brought along ciders for both of them.

“Here you are, brother and pa, enjoy!” Pine said, smiling as they took their drinks, and took sips, and Pineapple disappeared.

As Chase finished taking a sip, he ‘ahhhhhh’d’, “Alright, now we can…” he continued, focusing again

After weeks of preparation, and one day to set it all up, courtesy of Mayor Mare and Mrs. Cake, the wedding was complete. As me and Mac stood at the altar, waiting for our mare to approach in her beautiful wedding dress, we exchanged conversation.

“So you’re sure this’ll end the feud, Mac?” I asked him, and he nodded in response

“Eeyup, and if it doesn’t, then it won’t mattah. All that does mattah is our love for our mare, right?” he asked, and I nodded in response

“Damn right, amigo” I said, and before we knew it, we glanced down the aisle and there she was, Pear Butter. She looked downright gorgeous, rightfully so. Her dress was hand-picked by Mac, so as to not raise suspicion, and it was a beautiful snow white, shining a little. Once she got to us, Mayor Mare cleared her throat.

“We are gathered here today, on this beautiful night, for the marriage and herd forming of the ponies, Bright Mac and Pear Butter, as well as Pear’s human lover, Chase. Before we have the bride and grooms say their wedding vows, does anyone object to this herd forming?” she asked, and no answer, so she smiled and continued, “Mac, you may say your vow first, if you’d like”

“Ah will. Pear, mah sweet buttercup, ever since ah knew ya as a filly, ah had a wee crush on ya, and it only got biggah as we got oldah. Ah dreamed every day about ya, even after we were in a relationship. While our families may not get along, that shouldn’t interfere with our love for each othah. Ah love ya, Pear Butter, and always will till mah days are spent” he concluded, smiling

“Chase, if you will” Mayor Mare said to me as I nodded and locked eyes with her

“Pear, sweetheart, ever since I met you, I supported your relationship with Bright Mac, encouraging you not to give up because of peer pressure and to push on. You’re a strong mare with an even stronger family. While it may seem odd to others that a ‘hairless ape’ and a pony can be together, that shouldn’t matter, as long as our feelings for one another are pure. I was happy to know that you had feelings for me, as I had never expected to even be in a relationship… till I met you. I love you dearly, Pear Butter, and will protect you both with my life” I said, getting a smile from Mac and a cheek kiss from Pear

“Pear Butter, please finish with your vows” Mayor Mare said as Pear nodded, tearing up a little, taking a deep breath

“Bright Mac, mah foalhood friend and first love, and Chase, mah human friend from another world and mah second love… you two have made me the happiest mare in tah world… always showin’ me love an’ compassion. I always was afraid of never seein’ either of ya’s again, and dreaded the day when it’d happen, but when ya both came up with this plan for us to tie this three-way knot… ah knew it was too good tah be true, and that I’d have you boys for tah rest o’ mah life… and ah know y’all will keep me goin’, even when times get rough as can be… ah love ya both, and that’s a Pear’s promise…” she concluded, hugging and kissing our cheeks.

I wasn’t sure at what I was seeing, but Mayor Mare looked to be crying, before she wiped away her tears and cleared her throat, “Beautiful… now, if there are no further objections…” she paused, and then smiled, “Pear Butter, you may put their rings on, and they shall put yours on…” she said as Pear put our rings on our fingers, and then me and Mac both held her ring as she stuck her ring finger through it, “Perfect. Pear, you may kiss the grooms”

Pear then kissed Mac first, and kissed me next. After that, Mayor Mare smiled again, and said, “Congrats, you three, you’re now officially married and a herd”

“Married?!” a voice called out, and Granny Smith stepped in between all three of us, “Mac, you and Pear can’t be married!”

“Finally, something we agree upon” a voice said as a brown stallion appeared from nowhere. It was Pear’s father, Grand Pear, and he looked disgusted, “Pear Butter! Have you no shame?! Marrying an Apple… and a human?! Have you no dignity either?! Whatever, come on Pear, we’re going home” he said, walking off, expecting her to follow

“Pa… Ah’m stayin’...” she said as her pa turned around, scowled. Meanwhile, Mac stood close to Granny.

“Excuse me? You’d rather give up your status as a Pear to be with an Apple and a Human?!” he shouted, clearly flabbergasted

“They’re my family now, pa… Ah’m an Apple now…” she said, hugging me close

“Then you’re no Pear or daughter of mine!” he shouted, about to walk off before I spoke

“Hey, you stubborn, nasty asshole! She still is a Pear, she’s still your daughter! You can’t change DNA, you dumbass!” I said, getting his attention as he stomped over, raising his hand

“Why you-!” he said, bringing his hand down, but it was stopped by Pear Butter, and she panted, “What the-?! Pear Butter, let go!”

“No! You don’t dare lay a hand or hoof on either one of my husbands! Ah’m not gonna say what Chase said, but ah will say this… he’s right. You’re my Pa and always will be, and if ya can’t accept me for me, then get the hell outta my weddin’ and quit ruinin’ it!” she said, clearly startling him as he backed up and scowled still

“Fine!” was all he said, as he walked off, back turned to us.

After a few minutes of silence passed by, Pear cried into my chest, sobbing loudly at how she reacted, and I looked at Mac and Granny, calling them over with my hand as they came over, and we all came together and hugged Pear, hearing her sniffle. After a while, she looked at all three of us, “Thank y’all kindly… ah’m sorry ah snapped…”

“Sweetie…” Granny spoke softly, “Ah’m sorry ah treated ya so harshly… can ya find it in ya heart tah forgive me…?” Granny asked Pear as she softly nodded

“Yes, I can forgive you… mom” Pear said, then looking at me and Mac, “It’s a shame my pa won’t accept us, but at least Ah have you two to make me happy, right…?” she asked as we both nodded

“You know it, Buttercup, we’ll always be here, right Chase?” Bright Mac asked me as I nodded softly

“That’s correct, Bright. We’ll always be here for you, all three of us, Pear, and that’s a Pear Promise” I said, getting a straight up kiss from her

“Thank ya Chase. It’s cause o’ you that ah pushed through. Ah love ya all, mah new family” she said, and after a while, we all enjoyed some cake.

“Wow, can’t believe she stood up for both of you like that. In the story we were told, she didn’t really stand up, except for saying that she was staying” Bucky said, “Is that all, or is there more?”

“Oh there is, just not for a while. My lungs are tired from telling all them stories. Instead, let’s head inside for dinner. Betcha everypony’s hungry” Chase said, getting up and heading for the house

Bucky’s tummy rumbled, and he followed suit, “You said it, let’s eat”