"Our little ponies art too far thence, but We hath gazed unto thy mind... Colts hath suitors plighting their troths in anticipation of his emergence and a mare not affianced upon his threshold is disadvantaged. Yet thou art hither with Us? What sayest thou?"

**Pear Butter’s Apartment, Baltimare, Equestria**
**001 Summer CC**
**Pear Butter, Buttercup, Cup**

We kissed outside there by the door. I missed that so much. I think sometimes he eats pears before we kiss just to mess with me, because I expect him to taste like apples. He surely has that gentle sweetness of pears instead of the stronger mix of sweet and tarte that are the apple stone-fruit.

I brought him and Silly inside. The colt is still napping. He must have really got worn out there at the Library. I set him on a cushion. On his back, his hooves curl up across his barrel and belly -as comfortable as a foal can be.

Bright Mac sits next to me -our sides touching. I can smell him. I can feel his warmth.

I guess it's time for me to come clean and take my medicine, "Ah want you to know right now at the start that Ah was dishonest."

He tilts his head and asks, "What about?" Looks between the colt and Buttercup -a little worried.

"Ah'm gonna tell you all of it. Most of it's mah fault. Some of it's sad." I really hope he won't hate me. I want to keep being his mare, but I know once he hears this he may not-

Mac keeps looking at the colt, and he says, "Well, Ah came all this way for you, Buttercup." And he looks at me with a sad but reassuring smile, "Ah'm pretty interested in yer story now."

I can't help but nod bashfully. What if he doesn't want to be my stallion after this? "So, do you remember early last Spring when Ah was plantin' some sprouts and you were plowin' and ended up busting one of my daddy's water silo?"

Looking up, he thinks for a moment and chuckles, "Ah sure do. Ah lost that plowin' race and had to rebuild yer sire's silo with my own hooves and personal savin's. Ma wouldn't let me use Sweet Acres' funding."

"Is that all you remember?" I ask, "'Cause I remember a beautiful stallion bravely being honest about his mistake and saving this young mare heaps o' trouble."

Bright Mac blushes and looks away saying, "Ah also remember you sneaking over to thank me in the barn later that night."

I giggle. We sure were enthusiastic. "Thanked y'u couple o' times, if Ah remember right." that was a lo~ng night of cuddling and snuggling. I didn't think most stallions were supposed to have that much energy, but his sire was the same stallion of legend Granny Smith brags about even to this day.

***And now, for a tale with Granny Smith***

"Did Ah ever tell y'u 'bout how the South Field got plowed the first time? See, normally, Ah'd spend mah chorin' time in the orchard. That way when mah stallion came sniffin' 'round, Ah'd have lots of tree trunks anchored with good strong roots to grab 'hold of, and that's how we would buck all the apples outta the trees. Anywho, one day, I was surveyin' the South Pasture -that's was whut we done called it back then- but that's when mah stallion -bless his soul- snuck up on me. Well, Ah didn't have no trees fer to what to firmly situate mahself from the passionations. So's Ah did mah best to grab the ground. Few days later when he was all wore out, the whole pasture was done tilled up and ready fer plantin,' and that's also how one of yer elder sisters, Apple Sauce, got made... or was that Apple Rose? 'Twert mah filly what herded over Foal Mountain way... or was it the one what herded over to Hollow Shade with that there thestral colony? Fluffy thems thestrals is -good sense with apples, too. Well, you ask around at the next reunion which one resulted from the South Field. Ah made sure all mah youngins knows how Ah mades'm."

A thoroughly embarrassed Bright Mac asks, "Ah just wanted to know if you wanted another blanket or log on the fire, Ma. It's gettin' chilly out."

"Yer Pa sure knew how to put a log in mah fire. Colt, Ah say, colt, did Ah ever tell y'u 'bout the ways he invented t'fernicatin'? Foal-makin' that is. Went right over yer head, and that's one of the ways-"

***Okay, that's enough of Granny's stories~ ಠ_ಠ ***

**Buttercup**

Proud and affectionately, he looks right at me, "First time you ever thanked me like that."

I nudge him, "You definitely earned it."

He smiles sheepishly, and a moment after asks, "So, how is all this," and he points to the apartment and to Silly,"related to that?"

Seriously? Well, he is still a stallion, I suppose. I can't tell if he’s being obtuse on purpose or... well, I might as well spell it out, I guess, "Uh, so~ that was the springtime after Ah got mah Cutie Mark." Bright Mac doesn't show any recognition on his face. Internally sighing, I continue, "Well, Ah didn't realize it, but um~ Ah had mah first estrus right about then -possibly started that day, Ah don't know fer sure."

He blinks, trying to comprehend what I just said. Then looks to the colt sleeping on his back now with his legs splayed out all spread-griffon style. He opens his mouth several times trying to get words to come out, but it looks like he is having trouble doing it. "Is... Is he?"

Slowly, I must shake my head, "No. That's the sad part of the story." He looks at me, curious, and I take a deep breath before continuing, "Ah found out a few weeks later. Started feeling sick and... other things." He nods, and his eyes show him trying to remember little details from back then. "You know how daddy is when anything related to Apples comes up."

He acknowledges, "Eeyup."

"Well," I continue, "Ah got a little scared of that, and Ah thought, 'If Ah went away a bit and came back with a foal, he should be more likely to accept the situation. He could be mad me but not at the foal, anyway.' Who knows? Maybe he'd even start likin' the sire?" Bright Mac keeps listening. "So Ah asked him to send me out to the agricultural school for a few classes. Ah took the first one, but then the foal started showin'."

He's being so patient with me right now.

"You know how the Pear and Apple clans come from different Lines of the nature-pony tribe. Right?" I ask.

He thinks for a moment and answers, "Eeyup. Apples come from Forest, and Ah think you told me once that Pears come from Mountain."

"Eeyup," I say. "The Mountain Line tend to have more smaller ponies -mares 'specially- than do the other Nature-Ponies'." He nods, and it's getting tougher as I keep going, "Well, Ah didn't tell the doctors checkin' on me, so they didn't know to check-"

My throat feels tight, and I'm having a hard time seeing him. He's only a few hooves away and the water in my eyes...

"Th- there wasn't enough r- room, Bright Mac," I can't hold my head up and just look down. This will be my shame for the rest of my days, "Didn't find out till it was too late." I've been so worried this whole time that I think this is the first time I've let all the tears just come out, "H- he got wrapped up-" that's it.

Mares aren't usually supposed to let their stallions see such weak and tears, but I can't help it. I'll never see Apple Butter again, and that's all my fault. My worries, my fear, my lies: and he paid for them. If I wasn't scared of word getting back to my sire, I would have told the doctor; it's not an easy procedure, but they could have found it in time and done something.

Pressure around my neck. And moisture. His scent.

"Fault was half mine, Buttercup." He says, holding me and crying, too, "Ah promise you won't ever bear this alone ever again." I know what we lost, but he just learned about it.

Bitterly we wept -for the time we lost, for my lies, and for Apple Butter- and I lost track of time.

Soon, I notice warm breath on my neck... and lips gently fluttering in my fur. Inside near my belly, I have felt things getting steadily warmer over the past few days. There is a noticeable heaviness in there, and it's starting to get downright hot.

"Hey, Buttercup?"

"Mm?" I lean into his ministrations.

He asks as he continues, "Are you wearing perfume? 'Cause Ah like it."

As a mare, I want to say, 'No,' but I don't want to be dishonest with him ever again. "Ah think maybe-"

That's when Silly woke up. Me and Mac stopped and stared at him as we watched his mind-juices slowly start to flow.

"Oh," Bright Mac said, "You never told me about him other than his story ain't being sad."

"When a mare dams a foal," I say, "she'll bag up regardless of whether the foal is there or not. So, Ah went to work for Pear Bristle. You met him once, Ah think."

He thinks for a moment, "He's yer~ sire's-?"

"-One of mah mother's cousins."

"Works in... distributions of some kind, Ah think," he says.

"That's right," I answer. "Well, Ah worked for him distributin' mah -uh- product." Mac looks back at me, but we're both sitting on our bellies right now. You can't see them when I'm like this.

It was very quick, but I am positive I saw his tongue flick his lips. Oh, Bright Macintosh Apple, you and I are going to explore that later. I have a colt and my stallion, and my stallion didn't hate me after I told him the truth. Is there any mare more blessed than I right now? I feel like nothing could douse this feeling.

Oh, right, I was finishing my story. Silly shakes his head and starts doing some stretches with his wings, legs, and back that Flo taught him. Clearing my throat, I get Mac's attention again, "So, a few days ago on my route, Ah wasn't doin' so great -emotionally that is- and then Silly there was in mah delivery carte."

At that, Bright Mac rightly looks at me with confusion. I continue, "He was a street foal, Sugarcube." Mac hasn't spent much time in any city, but he is able to piece together that term. And he slowly looks back over at the colt remaining silent.

Not many ponies would know what to say if they came across a street foal -let alone what to do. I didn't. I just... I just did what I could.

Adding to Silly's story, "Ah went to the local Harmony Shrine; Harmony gave me a choice for his name -old one or new. Ah chose the new one."

Mac looks to me and asks, "He's yours now?"

I swallow and say with trepidation and hope, "Ours... if you...?"

I don't really know how to finish that sentence, but he does it for me with a kiss, "If it's with you, Ah don't care what it is, Buttercup, as long as it's you." Sweet Celestia, I'm gonna bring this stallion of mine into the bedroom and-

"Mom?"

We both look at the colt. His eyes are fixed on Bright Mac. He must have just realized. His eyes are wide, and he's lowered himself into a bit of a cower. I nudge my stallion, "He's got a few quirks from whatever happened to him before, but Ah think he'll grow out of'em. He's pretty shy with new ponies." And I open my arms for Silly to come get a hug.

After a moment, he sees me. He gets up and comes over slowly with his ears back and tail tucked. Okay, this is a little new. He wasn't like this with Flow, but he does come to my side opposite Mac and hugs my shoulder.

I explain to Bright Mac, "He has some kind of aversion to his head being touched; so, Flo suggested Ah let him come to me and hug whichever way he's comfortable. It seems to work."

He asks, "Flo? You mean Stormy? From Cloudsdale?"

"That's her," I reply, "She just foaled a filly, and they came over to visit. Her little Spitfire and Silly hit it off pretty well."

"Haven't seen her in a little while."

"Ah'm pretty sure she'll be comin' 'round to visit more often 'specially after Spitfire wakes up from her afternoon nap and realizes Silly ain't there with'er." I chuckle at the possible tantrum Flo's dealing with around now. Turning my head down to the colt hugging me, I say both to him and my stallion, "You want to meet'im?"

I grab Silly by his scruff, and he gasps, "Meep." I place him by Mac's foreleg.

The poor colt start to shake and clack his teeth.

"Is he-?" He asks.

And I confirm, "He did that with me and Flo. He's nervous around new adults. Wasn't like that with Spitfire. Just be gentle. Ah'm gonna get him some applesauce."

I get up and head to the kitchen so my males can meet.

**Silly the Colt**

Holy balls. I now know why Kevin was asking so much about Mom. I'm pretty sure they're supposed to be Appleyak's... Applesack's... one of the main characters' parents! Or... several characters' parents?

I'm in some hot water right now -like real deep sh!t. What is even going on? What do I do? Tail? Hooves? Um... the other one?
Really? You ask your tail before you ask your own brain!?
Well, I mean, do you have any ideas? You haven't exactly been helping out much.
... You know what?
What?
...
What?
...
Seriously? What, you hung up on me? Walked away? I know where you live, buddy!

Tch. Whatever. Who needs Brain? Tail seems like he's cooking up something.

**Buttercup**

I can see Mac sniffing Silly from the kitchen while the little one seems to be getting used to it. He starts to get in a low crouch position: flank up in the air and tail swishing. Bright Mac looks like he knows this game. Usually, it's fillies who do that kind of thing.

Mac straightens up and looks straight ahead like prey while Silly gets ready to pounce.

And pounce he does with all four hooves spread out. With his tiny foal voice he roars, "Rawr."

When the little timberwolf fastens onto the stallion's shoulders, he exaggerates the tackle, "Oof!" And rolls to his side playing along. Silly rolls with the roll and takes off with his hops around the house with his little hooves.

*p-da, p-da, p-da* Bright asks as he sound fades away, "Where'd you go?" Then it increases as he returns. *p-da, p-da, p-da!*

Silly pounces again, "Rawr," and Mac goes down for him laughing this time.

He's so good with foals.

He says to me, "Ah never thought Ah'd see a colt play like that."

I respond, "Now that Ah think about it, he and Spitfire played like that a lot." The snack is ready. "Hey, Silly?" I ask.

Quite amused, Mac says, "He's chewin' on me." Sure enough, Silly looks over towards me in the kitchen while working on his prey's soft neck.

"Definitely hungry, then." I bring the bowl over to the two and offer the colt the warmed up apples and applesauce, "Hey, Silly?"

He looks, and I show him the bowl of sweet mush. He comes right over and starts sniffing. It's not a big bowl, so I just set it down and let him start licking away.

Then I see my stallion, and he sees me. The heat in back of me... and my flower is aching something fierce.

I walk over to him and gently grab his ear with my teeth. Normally, the stallion would sniff around the mare first, but we both know he's already done that and doesn't need to do it again. He knows, and there is no disagreement in his eyes.

I carefully lead him back to the bedroom, and he lets me lead.

Author's Note

I was planning on this being one big MEGA CHAPTER; but I decided to split it, because the next part had some notable tone-shifts.

I was planning to release the whole thing all at once. While I could definitely use the extra time to write Chapter 15, because that one is shaping into something quite outside of my paper notes.

Lots of world building in Chapter 14; I put most of those notes in a blog post.