30 Minute Delay

Haaave You Met Mac?

The Cross-Equestria Express pulled into the Ponyville station with a screech of its brakes. Ponies began filing out as the door opened. One Pegasus in particular strolled off the train and looked around, searching for the familiar face, or Cutie Mark, of the one who said he’d meet her there. Finally she spotted him, waving from near the stairs. She waved back and headed his way. The crowd thinned out as she reached his smiling face.

“Forget it.” He rolled his eyes good-naturedly at this.

“And hello to you too, cousin.” The smile never left his face.

“Hi, Caramel, good to see you. As I was saying: No.”

“No?” Caramel inquired a little too innocently,

“No what, Lucky Dreams?”

“Just no. Whatever you’re planning, no. I only have a week in Ponyville and I actually want to enjoy my cousin’s company, not get wrapped up in yet another of your crazy schemes.” Caramel held his hooves up in defence.

“Nothing like that, no crazy schemes this time, little cousin, just you and me spending time together, though Sassaflash wants to meet you too.”

“Ah, the ‘lucky’ mare,” Dreams joked,

“She’s a saint for putting up with you for so long.”

“Yep,” the two began walking towards the exit,

“I still say she’s a criminal and this is some form of community service.”

“What other reason could there possibly be?”

“Not a clue, little cousin, not a clue.”

<><><><><><>

“Ah, I needed that.” Lucky Dreams licked her lips after exiting the café.

“Yeah, that’s my favourite place to eat.”

“I can’t believe how cheap it was either, that sort of meal in Trottingham would triple the price.”

“What can I say? Ponyville takes care of its ponies.” Caramel let a little bit of town pride creep into his voice. Dreams, revived by the meal after the long trip, turned to her cousin.

“So, Caramel, what next? Got anything special planned for this evening?”

“Not really, I figured you’d be drained from the trip so I thought we’d just go to the pub and relax tonight.”

“I’m not gonna argue with that. First drink’s on you though.” Sighing, Caramel jingled his bit-pouch.

“Yeah, yeah, what else is new?”

<><><><><><>

They’d been in the pub for an hour, chatting and shooting the breeze, sipping on their ciders, when the two headed up to the bar for the next round. Caramel wore the same smile he wore on the train platform but his cousin, plied with cider, didn’t think much of it. Dreams got this round in and Caramel quickly grabbed his drink and pointed towards the door where a Pegasus mare had just walked in.

“There’s Sassaflash! I’ll go bring her over. In the meantime,” He grabbed the shoulder of the big red stallion sitting at the bar,

“Haaave you met Mac?” He was gone by the time Big Macintosh turned around.

“Huh? What? Was that Caramel?” Dreams was seething.

“Oh yes, that was my stupid cousin alright, who I will be visiting tremendous pain upon soon enough.” She took a deep breath and faced the farm stallion.

“Listen…Mac was it? I dunno what Caramel’s told you but-“ She was cut off.

“Aw hayseed, is he at this again? Sorry li’l lady but as Ah’ve told him a thousand times, Ah’m just not looking for a marefriend right now. Ah’m sorry that you’ve been roped into this.” Dreams took this in calmly before smiling a wicked smile.

“So he does this a lot, huh?”

“Eeyup. He’s been pushing me for months about it. Pers’nally Ah reckon it’s Miss Sassaflash wantin’ to double-date. Either way he just won’t let it go. Now he’s drawn you, sorry but Ah didn’t catch your name, into it as well.” She extended a hoof in response.

“My name’s Lucky Dreams. Don’t worry, I’m not gonna play along with him either,” she leaned in conspiratorially,

“Though that doesn’t mean we can’t play our own game.” Mac had a heck of a poker face, he betrayed nothing, just calmly sipped his drink.

“Ya got mah attention.” Encouraged, she took the available seat.

“Well, if Caramel wants this, I think we should give it to him. And give it to him. And give it to him. Every second that I’m here. We’ll cram it down his throat until he never dares to bring it up again.”

“And how do we do that?” She shrugged, not having thought that far ahead, but improvised.

“Well, not to brag, but I am his favourite ‘little cousin’ and I doubt he’d take kindly to me spending all my time with a boy, especially a big guy like yourself, even at night.” Quickly Mac put his drink down on the bar and sat back.

“Now listen, Ah ain’t that kinda stallion.” She waved her wings at him dismissively.

“I don’t mean for real. Just enough to convince him that something’s going on. It’ll drive him crazy. Shouldn’t be too hard either. I’ve always stayed awake longer than he has, I get up earlier too. All I’ve gotta do is stay out longer than he’s up and take a stroll in the morning so he gets up and I’m ‘still not home’. He’ll be twitching and sweating before the third day.” Mac tapped his chin, considering the idea, before nodding.

“Sounds good. One thing though, we ARE gonna tell him what’s really goin’ on at some point right? Ah mean he is my best buddy, even with all this.”

“Of course. He’s MY favourite cousin too. I just want to teach him a lesson not to try to pull this on me.” He nodded, satisfied.

“Aright. Ah’m in. Oh, make sure you get Miss Sassaflash in on it too. She’s a good girl and she’ll worry otherwise. Caramel spends more time with her than with anypony else, so if she sells it he’ll buy it hook, line an’ sinker.”

“Will do, I’m supposed to be having dinner with her tomorrow anyway. I’ll let her know then.” They exchanged grins and clinked their mugs together.

Meanwhile, in the corner booth, Caramel and Sassaflash were keeping a surreptitious eye on things.

“I knew it’d work! I just needed to find the right girl for Mac. The big lug’s too shy for his own good.” His marefriend sipped her drink and smiled serenely.

“I hope you’re right, dear. Sometimes playing cupid doesn’t work out like you think.”

<><><><><><>

“But you will tell him that you are joking before you leave won’t you?” Sassaflash asked with a stern expression. The two Pegasus fillies were out for dinner the following night.

“You know, Big Macintosh asked the same thing. Nice to know that there’re people who care about my cousin so much. Yes, of course we will tell him. It’s just that Mac is annoyed that Caramel keeps pushing him about getting a marefriend and I don’t appreciate being used like this. We want Caramel to learn that it’s not okay to act like this.” The demure Pegasus still looked unsure, but nodded and attempted a smile.

“Okay, I’ll help. As payment for you telling me about the milk-and-honey story.”

“Atta girl. Everypony was right about you. You are really nice.” Sassaflash coloured nicely at this.

<><><><><><>

Caramel looked up from his work at the table as Sassaflash walked in. When his cousin didn’t follow her, he frowned.

“Just you? Where’s Dreams?” Sassaflash smiled the happy smile he loved so much as she responded.

“She’s meeting Big Macintosh. He’s taking her dancing.” Caramel’s jaw dropped.

“Big Mac? Dancing?” He checked the clock.

“This late?”

“Yes. You were so right about those two. They’re really taken with each other.”

“Really?” His voice came out slightly high so he coughed and tried again,

“Really?”

“Uh huh. I passed Applejack on the way home. She said her brother has been walking around with a big smile on his face all day!”

“Uh……great! I’m glad it worked.” Sassaflash nudged him playfully in the shoulder.

“You seem to have an eye for this stuff, you should do it more often.” Caramel didn’t immediately respond, he was looking at the clock again.

“Hmm? Oh, well maybe not. Some ponies might not appreciate it.”

“I wouldn’t worry. Everypony likes to find love.”

“L-love?” Sassaflash purposefully ignored this and headed upstairs.

“Coming to bed?”

<><><><><><>

The next morning, Caramel was setting the table for breakfast when Lucky Dreams skipped in. Her cousin did a double-take.

“You’re only getting in NOW?!” Inwardly smiling, Dreams faked a yawn.

“Huaahhh. Yeah, sorry, I was with Mac all night. He took me…” She paused long enough for him to think the sentence was complete, a look of horror dawning on his face,

“…dancing.” The relief on his face was obvious but he still didn’t look happy.

“You could have left a note that you’d be out all night.” She shrugged.

“Didn’t really plan it in advance. It just sorta happened. I was having too much fun. Mac’s can really swing.” In the other room, Sassaflash was biting her hoof to keep from chuckling. Caramel was NOT happy, but he buried it and tried to push forward.

“Well tonight me and Sassaflash are going to enjoy the amateur theatre in the park. Are you coming?” Dreams put on a lopsided grin.

“Yes and no. Mac’s taking me, so we’ll see you there.”

“You’re going with Mac? Don’t you think you’re spending too much time with him?”

“Not much choice really. I’m only in town a week. We’ve got to make the most of our time.” She put a deliberate edge into her voice and watched Caramel’s frown deepen.

“Hmph. Fine. We’ll see you there. Just……let me know if you’re gonna be out all night, alright?” She saluted playfully.

“Yes, sir!”

<><><><><><>

Sitting on the grass, Caramel couldn’t concentrate on the performance.

“At least Applejack and her sister are with them.” He muttered under his breath. Leaning against him, Sassaflash stirred.

“What’s that?” He shook his head.

“Nothing….Um, listen…”

“Yes?”

“Don’t you think Dreams is sitting kinda close to Mac?” She reached up and caressed his cheek.

“You know, you’re very dashing when you get all protective of your cousin like that.” He brushed her hoof away.

“I’m serious. Look at them! He may as well be wearing her.”

“Aw leave ‘em alone, they’re not gonna do anything in a public place like this, in front of his family, now are they?” Caramel considered this.

“Yeah, I guess you’re r-HEY, THEY’RE LEAVING!” Several nearby ponies looked over at his outburst as Sassaflash tried to calm him down.

“That’s enough. They’re both adults, they can do what they want.”

“But Dreams is my baby cousin!” She bopped him on the nose.

“Then you’ll have to trust your cousin, won’t you?”

He crossed his arms, defeated and grumbling.

<><><><><><>

The next morning, Sassaflash answered the knocking at the door and found an unexpected visitor on the other side.

“Why hello, Applebloom! How are you today?”

“Howdy, miss Sassaflash. Ah’m fine. How are you?”

“Very well, thank you for asking. What can we do for you today?”

“Well, ah wanted to ask if y’all had seen mah big brother? He missed brunch.”

“WHAT?!” Caramel’s preceded him as he thundered down the stairs. For as long as he’d known Big Macintosh, the farmhoof had never once missed an Apple family brunch. Who in their right mind would? He shouldered his marefriend aside and focused on the filly at the door, who shied back, unnerved.

“Where did he go? Was Dreams with him?”

“Ah-ah don’t know. All’s ah know is he ain’t at the house. Honest.” Applebloom’s lip was quivering. Sassaflash firmly pulled the colt back and gave her a gentle hug, leading her to the table and putting a glass of juice in front of her.

“There there, Caramel didn’t mean anything by it. He’s just worried about his cousin, like you are for your brother.”

“Miss Dreams didn’t come home either?” Applebloom sniffed. Sassaflash had to look away, she didn’t think she’d be able to keep the charade up with the girl.

“No,” chipped in Caramel, trying not to frighten the filly further,

“She didn’t.”

Surprisingly, Applebloom brightened instantly.

“Well that’s fine then.”

“Huh?”

“If he’s with miss Dreams then it’s okay. She’s really nice.” Sassaflash smiled happily at her, it was easy to be 100% truthful here.

“Yes, she is. You’re right Applebloom. Caramel’s just being silly, Dreams and Mac are both really nice and they’ll look after each other.” This got a giggle from the little Earth filly.

“Well now,” Dreams piped up from the doorway,

“That’s mighty nice of you to say, Applebloom.”

“Dreams!”

“Miss Dreams!” the pink-and-blue-maned Pegasus handed a bag of muffins to Applebloom as she sat down. Caramel jumped straight into the interrogation.

“Where have you been? Where’s Mac?”

“I’ve been……out. Mac’s in town.” She turned to Applebloom,

“He’s at Sugarcube Corner with Cheerilee. If you hurry you can catch him.”

“Thanks a bunch, miss Dreams. Oh, thank you for the muffins too.” The girl’s smile was infectious.

“My pleasure, Applebloom. I’ll see you later.” Applebloom went skipping down the path. The three watched her go, then Dreams, wearing a big grin, turned to her cousin.

“Aren’t you glad that Mac’s got a marefriend? Sassaflash was telling me you worried about him.”

“I…that’s….you…” He sputtered. Finally he just gave up and stormed out of the room. The two Pegasus’ shared a concerned look.

“Too much?” Dreams asked.

“Perhaps.”

<><><><><><>

“Mac, we may have to cut this short. Caramel’s taking it worse than I thought.” The ‘couple’ were walking through town, shopping for Applejack.

“Eeyup. Ah don’t want him hurtin’ ‘cause o’ this. Ah just wanted him to back off a little.”

“Maybe that’s what we should do, back off a little? Keep the ruse going, just don’t lay it on as thick. I’ll spend some more time with him and stop pretending to I’ve been out all night. I’m pretty sure he’s convinced you’ve taken advantage of me, which isn’t fair to you either. Word could get around.”

“Meh, don’t be worryin’ about that. Caramel’s pretty much the only fella in town who doesn’t know we’re foolin’.”

“Really?”

“Eeyup.

“Poor guy. He’s never gonna see it coming.”

“Nnope.”

<><><><><><>

So, for the second half of Lucky Dreams’ week in Ponyville, she and her ‘coltfriend’ Big Macintosh kept themselves to a more safe ‘relationship’. Lunch and dinner ‘dates’ only, with plenty of time spent with other ponies at the same time. Dreams always made sure to stay in her own bed all night, and made sure to spend plenty of time with her cousin.

Caramel mellowed considerably with this arrangement. He’d never have admitted it in a million summers but he missed having some time with just him and his little cousin, regardless of whether she had a beau or not. He was downright jovial when he got his wish where Dreams and Mac joined him and Sassaflash for a double date.

At last, the day came for Lucky Dreams to head back home. At the station, she was seen off by Caramel, Sassaflash and Big Macintosh. She kissed the later on the cheek, making Caramel bristle, before giving a quick hug to her new Pegasus friend and finally throwing her arms around Caramel in a tight, emotional hug.

“It was great seeing you, big cousin.”

“You too. Take care, little cousin. I’ll miss you.”

“Miss you too. Come visit me next time.”

“Deal.”

The whistle blew for final boarding so Lucky Dreams turned to enter the train. Halting on the step, she turned to Big Macintosh.

“Mac, you and Sass look after my cousin, and make sure you tell him, you hear?” The two smiled at each other as Caramel looked on, puzzled.

“Will do, Dreams. Have a safe trip back.”

The whistle blew and the train moved off. The three watched until it was out of sight, at which point Big Macintosh turned to his friend.

“C’mon Caramel, Ah’ll buy you a drink. Ah’ve got sumthin’ ta tell you.”

“Mac, I swear to Celestia, if my cousin is pregnant…”

“Nnope, not quite. Ah’ll tell you with a drink in your hoof.”

<><><><><><>

A short while later, the entire town burst out laughing when Caramel’s “YOU WHAT?!” was heard.

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