The Workhorse

Chapters

Books
Lights
Fire
Burns
Love
Cuddling
Train
Hotel
Bed
Apples

Books

Twilight made her way back to the library alone after a long day at Sweet Apple Acres. What was Big Mac trying to pull? He seemed so smug when she questioned him, until she started yelling at him. Maybe she had been too harsh; Big Mac did save her yesterday, but that didn’t excuse his behavior. How was she supposed to know it was all a game? And why did she care so much if he was watching her before the cart fell? Questions buzzed in her head all the way home.

When Twilight reached the library she heard a cacophony of noise from inside. It sounded like all of Ponyville was having a party in there. When Twilight opened the door the ruined remains of her previously perfectly organized library greeted her. Among the haphazardly thrown stacks of books four little heads stuck out. Spike was the first to speak.

“Twilight, I can explain everything.” Twilight looked with awe at the chaos around her and waited speechlessly. “I was running the library like you said and then these three came in.” Spike gestured to the other three forms that Twilight recognized as being the cutie mark crusaders. “They were looking for a book on how to fly or something for a machine they planned to build. But long story short they couldn’t find it.” Twilight collected herself before speaking.

“I think it would be best, if you all went home and told your parents what you did here.”

“But Twi, we need to find…” Applebloom started, but Twilight was beyond being swayed.

“I’m sorry, I’ll find the book and give it to you as soon as I can. Until then I need to clean up the library before tomorrow. It's late, and you three should be headed home anyway” The three fillies started to leave, but before they could go Applebloom turned to Twilight.

“Twi, do we have to go home, or can we all go to my house.”

“I think it would be best, if you didn’t cause any more trouble tonight.” Twilight said hoping to bring an end to this day and get to work on the piles of books before her.

“Then I’m going to need somepony to walk home with. Applejack says she doesn’t like me walking to and from town alone, the path goes to close to the Everfree Forest.” So Twilight could send these three troublemakers to Applejack, or once again travel to Sweet Apple Acres and risk running into Big Mac. Twilight sighed as she examined the mess around her and thought of everything that could possibly go wrong should these three be let lose on the town at this hour.

“Alright Applebloom, I’ll go with you.” Applebloom clearly liked this idea about as much as Twilight, hanging her head as they set out. As the two made there way outside of Ponyville and onto the path leading toward Sweet Apple Acres, Applebloom spoke.

“I’m sorry about what happened yesterday and what we did to your library. I’m not getting a cutie mark in helping you any time soon.” Twilight had already replaced any emotion she had felt upon seeing her library with worry as to what Big Mac would say, so this apology couldn’t have come at a worse time.

“It’s alright Applebloom, you didn’t mean it.”

“No it’s not ok Twi, it’s one thing to nearly kill you with the apple cart, but to then turn right around and tear up your home! Applejack’s going to be so mad at me.” Applebloom turned away and a small sob drifted up to Twilight’s ears. Twilight stopped dead in her tracks and looked down at Applebloom. The filly stood looking into the distance away from Twilight as small tears drifted down her cheeks.

“Great, just what I needed.” Twilight said under her breath. Circling around Applebloom to look her in the eyes, Twilight lifted up the young foul’s head with a hoof. “Applebloom, everypony makes mistakes. Sometimes we do things without thinking or by accident that hurt others, but if we feel sorry for them we can always make it better.” Applebloom surprised Twilight and wrapped her hooves around her neck in an embrace.

“Well I feel mighty sorry Twilight.” Twilight returned the embrace with one hoof until Applebloom released her. With a small smile from the filly soon the two were back on their way to the farm, Applebloom leading the way. “I hope it doesn’t take you to long to clean up our mess.” Twilight was more worried about her own mess with Big Mac. What would she say? What would he say? With any luck if she did see him it would be a few Eeyups and a goodnight.

When they reached their destination, Applebloom guided Twilight to the front of the farmhouse and Twilight knocked on the door. No answer came at first but Twilight could hear hoofsteps inside. When Big Mac opened the door Twilight cursed her bad luck before speaking.

“I believe this is yours.” Twilight said as she motioned for Applebloom to go inside.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac said as Applebloom scurried up to her room.

“I found her and the cutie mark crusaders in the library, the whole place is pretty much out of commission till I can reshelf everything.” Twilight waited for a response but when none came she continued.

“Anyway…she was pretty upset on the walk back here, I know this might sound weird coming from the focus of her two latest accidents but go easy on her ok.”

“Eeyup.” Big Mac said. Twilight looked at the stallion. He normally had very stern looking eyes that looked like he was deep in thought. But somehow they seemed to almost look sad now. Twilight remembered what she had told Applebloom on the way over here, everypony makes mistakes. Big Mac was just trying to play…it almost reminded her of herself before making friends. Big Mac’s eyes silently pleaded his case while Twilight berated herself for being such a pushover.

“I’m sorry about yelling at you today. I just didn’t know how to react. I didn’t mean to throw that apple at you and I overreacted when you…I’m sorry.” Twilight fully expected another Eeyup to answer her but Big Mac gave her something else.

“No Miss. Sparkle, I’m sorry. I knew the apple you threw was an accident. I saw you try and pretend like you weren’t looking at me and your magic messed up. I thought I could turn it into a funny little game, but I was wrong. Frighteni’n mares ain’t somethi’n a proper stallion should do and I’m sorry I didn’t control myself. I’m not much good with words but I hope that’s good enough to tell you I’m being honest.”

Twilight didn’t know what to say. Big Mac rarely spoke to his own family with that many words much less anypony else. Using a complete sentence was enough to convince Twilight he was telling the truth, this…how could she not accept his apology? In fact, she almost felt like she owed him.

“You know, I never got to properly thank you for what you did yesterday, and with today added to that, why don’t I do something to make up for it.” Twilight couldn’t believe she had said that, it sounded so unlike her. Big Mac looked surprised at the offer, and Twilight could see a slight blush. “Do you think you could come over to the library Sunday? I usually don’t get much business that day so we could just sit around and talk or, read, or something.” Twilight’s voice trailed off there at the end as Big Mac’s ears slicked back. What was she doing?

“Eeyup.” Big Mac said.

“Is that a Eeyup we could or a Eeyup you’ll go?”

“Eeyup.”

“So you’re coming?” Big Mac nodded his head and Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. “Alright, see you then.” Big Mac closed the door without another word and Twilight was left to wonder where in Equestria that had come from.

* * *

Twilight sat and admired her handy work. It had taken nearly a full day to reshelf all the books, even with Spikes help. Yet she had somehow managed to do it and get everypony who came in exactly what they were looking for. Even the book the cutie mark crusaders had been searching for was eventually located, which Big Mac was going to take to them after his visit. Twilight had sent Spike on a few errands to keep him occupied for the day, no use making this any more nerve racking then it already was.

Twilight both couldn’t wait for Big Mac to arrive and dreaded it. Big Mac said he was bad with words, well Twilight was probably just as bad at conversation. Between the two of them it would be a very silent evening. However before to long Twilight heard a knock on the door. When she answered, Big Mac stood in the doorway. His face betrayed no emotion but Twilight could tell he was nervous.

“Hey, hope you didn’t shirk any chores on the farm to come visit today.” Twilight said, inviting Big Mac inside.

“Nope,” Big Mac replied as he entered.

“Back to that are we?

“I ain’t much good with words.” A full sentence, it was a start.

“So, you find the place ok?” Twilight had no idea how to start a conversation under these circumstances. She rereread one or two books on conversation starters but most of them where for groups or parties, not single pony get togethers.

“Eeyup, it’s pretty big.”

“Anything happen on the trip into town?”

“Nope.” Great, that was basically all she had and they hadn’t even sat down yet. Twilight racked her brain thinking about what to do.

“You hungry.” Twilight meant to save that question for later but she was desperate.

“A little.” Big Mac said, but that was good enough for Twilight at this point.

“I’m going to go get something to snack on, feel free to look around.” Twilight rushed into the other room with speed Rainbow Dash would be jealous of. “Got to find something to talk about, anything, oh why didn’t I have something planned.” She said aloud to herself as she threw some celery on a plate.

“What do me and him have in common? Nothing, he’s not a unicorn, I don’t live on a farm, we’re not even from the same city. Do we have similar interests? Again no, I’m not very fond of harvesting and can’t do it very well, and while I hate to give in to stereotypes I’m working on the assumption he dosn't read so that’s out. Do we have similar friends? The only one I can think of is…but how am I going to fill an evening talking about nopony but Applejack?”

Deciding it will have to do, Twilight put on a smile and returned to find Big Mac bent over a copy of the complete works of Edgar Allen Pony. Twilight nearly dropped the plate. Big Mac looked up from the book to see Twilight’s shocked expression.

“You alright Miss. Sparkle?”

“Yes, I brought some celery.” Twilight set the plat down next to Big Mac and took a seat beside him. “I didn’t know you where a fan of Po.”

“I don’t have any of his work, but I love his style of right’n.”

“What’s your favorite piece?”

“Dreamland, I can never read it the same way twice.”

“So you like his poetry, what about his short stories?”

“I like his Sci-fi stuff more then his detective stories, but that’s just cause I prefer that type of book, not because his stories aren’t well done.”

“I’m more of a Sci-fi girl myself, but I owe a little credit to Po for helping me during the events of the train ride with the Marzipan Madness cake.”

“Sci-fi ain’t got much practical use less you’re trying to be good at spout’n gibberish.” Twilight chuckled.

“That’s true, do you have a favorite book?”

“20,000 leagues under the sea, the day they invent that, I’m mov’n to a kelp farm.”

“That’s one I’d never pick for you, I had no idea you were into books like that.”

“Let me guess, you probably heard my accent and thought I couldn’t even read let alone understand the classics. I bet you didn’t know I ran all the books for Sweet Apple Acres since I was to young to have a cutie mark.”

“Really? Didn’t your parents take care of that?” Twilight could tell that question struck a cord. Big Mac had almost smiled a second ago, but his face descended back into it’s natural expressionless state when Twilight mentioned his parents.

“They were always very busy, pa had to run the farm and ma, well when she wasn’t in labor or to pregnant to work she helped with Granny Smith and did house work. I was the only one available.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s ok, you didn’t know. I can’t blame you for not know’n someth’n. I guess Applejack never told y’all that story, she was very young when it all happen’d. I don’t suppose you’d care to hear it?”

“Big Mac you don’t have to…”

“You’d find out sooner or later. If she won’t tell you I might as well do it.” Big Mac was apparently just as stubborn as Applejack, so what could Twilight do but sit back and listen? Plus it wasn’t as if she had a better idea for conversation. “My Pa was the only colt of Granny Smith. Sixteen kids, and only one colt. To make matters worse my Pa was the youngest child so I got nieces old enough to be my sisters. Granny raised Pa to take over the family farm, largely on her own because her husband died of a heart attack before he was born.

When my dad got hitched, Granny was overjoyed. The family name was going to live on long after she passed away; someth’n everypony in her position would want. My ma was barely married a year before she had me. My birthday being two months after my parent’s anniversary. A few years after me, ma got pregnant with Applejack, about the time I started learning how to manage the farm she was born. Ma didn’t do well in the delivery room, someth’n went wrong. If dad and I had known just how wrong, maybe they’d both still be here.

But Applejack came out fine and we carted ma and the baby home so I could learn not only how to run a business but how to take care of a baby. Ma stayed in bed for a long time, unable to move or even wash herself, so I took care of the house with Granny. But ma was stubborn, and she loved us more then anything, she loved my daddy so much, she slept with him the first night she could walk again. From that night I got Applebloom.

I remember the night Applebloom was born because it was a week after I got my cutie mark. It was raining hard, but after what happened last time my dad wasn’t about to let ma give birth at home. So we wrapped her in a blanket and put her in the apple cart. I pulled, pa pushed. The road was long and muddy; all I remember is hearing ma scream. When we finally made it I turned back for the first time since we left. Ma had wrapped the blanket around the baby, and pa was crying, the only time I ever saw him do that.

Pa road in the cart with the baby home, where I broke the news to Applejack and Granny. After that night it was my job to take care of the farm, and the books, and the baby, and Applejacks school’n, and pa. The only time during that whole period I remember talk’n to Applejack about pa, was the day before he passed away. She was sitting outside watching the sunset after I put Applebloom to sleep.

I asked her what she was doing, and she asked me if pa was going to be ok. I didn’t usually mention our parents in front of her, so this question surprised me. I told her pa loves her and was doing his best to get better, but she started to cry and called me a liar before running off into the orchard. When Pa died the next morn’n, I thought she’d never come back, but she did.

Granny Smith couldn’t take the loss. I think when pa died is really when her mind started to go. Lost all focus on anything but zap apples, sleeping, and her three grandkids. That’s all she’s got left. When Applejack was old enough I let her start helping on the farm to take a load off me and when Applebloom gets a bit older I’m put’n her to work to. I’ve been work’n since I was her age so I’m sure she can do it.

Did you ever wonder why Applejack was so fond of her hat? How about her lasso, or Applebloom? Applebloom’s all she has left of ma, she was her last gift to us and the only one Applejack was old enough to remember. That hat used to be Pa’s, he bought it after I was born as a gift to himself, same with the lasso. Applejack probably can’t think about that hat without remember’n. I’m surprised you never heard her talk about it.”

Twilight was speechless, if somepony had told her a week ago she would nearly be killed twice, only to invite her savior/assailant to tell his life story using more words then he ever did in any other situation ever, she would have laughed in there face. Yet here she sat in exactly that situation.

“I had no idea,” Twilight said. “But that leaves one question, if you had to do all this, where did you find time to become such an avid reader.”

“Pa taught me a lot before he passed away. Ma had been big on books and see’n as she had that big span of time where she was stuck in bed we amassed a small library I still keep. Pa taught me how to read and everything he thought I should know. He flat out told me he wanted to send me to a university in Manehattan but we couldn’t afford it. So I had to give myself an education. Unfortunately I didn’t do to well in the speaking department, this accent is just as strong as pa’s.”

“I can understand you pretty well, I’m surprised you don’t talk more often, you’re a very good story teller.”

“Miss. Sparkle you’re just say’n that.”

“Please, call me Twilight. You don’t ask me to call you Mr. Macintosh.”

“That’s because I ain’t married.”

“You think I’m married?” Twilight said a little confused.

“Nope, but the only way somepony’s getting away with calling me Mr. Macintosh is if I’m hitched or mayor, and I don’t plan on run’n for mayor.” Twilight laughed. She couldn’t believe Big Mac liked to stay silent so much, all he needs is a little encouragement and, well who knows?

* * *

Twilight and Big Mac talked for hours about their favorite books and authors, Big Mac doing most of the talking. Twilight brought down book after book from the shelves and was blown away by Big Mac’s knowledge on all of them. There didn’t seam to be a single subject he wasn’t at least informed of, even surpassing Twilight in natural studies. (But Twilight knew that would happen.) When the day began to draw to a close Twilight walked with Big Mac to the door.

“Twilight, that still feels weird to say, but how would you feel about coming to visit me on the farm? Now that we got most of the work done for this season I don’t have much to do. We could take a walk through the apple orchard before the trees lose all their leaves.”

“That sounds great, however unless you want me over tomorrow I’m…”

“Tomorrow’s fine.” Big Mac said. Twilight smiled at how eager he seemed. She opened the door and Big Mac stepped outside. “Thank you for invitin' me over, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight Big Mac.”

“Eeyup.” Twilight closed the door with a smile and left it unlocked for Spike.

“Eeyup,” she said aloud. “I wonder if that’s how his dad said it or if he just added the extra double e on his own.” Twilight took the untouched celery back into the next room and put it back in the pantry. “This wasn’t the most ideal way things could have gone, but all in all it went pretty well for my first date.” Twilight momentarily froze when she heard herself say that. Date, it wasn’t a date was it?

They hadn’t gone anywhere or bucked so it didn’t sound like any date she had ever read about. Why did she say that? Twilight put the plate away and started walking to her bed. The more she thought about everything that had happened she tried harder and harder to convince herself it was just two friends talking. But when Big Mac invited her over to the farm, the way he jumped on her coming tomorrow. Was it really?

Twilight decided to go to bed early, there was too much on her mind to star gaze. As she crawled into bed a question hit her that nearly made the world silent. Did she want it to be a date? Twilight thought about it, she had never been in a real relationship before. A pony here or there popped up that she had a crush on, but Big Mac…

Big Mac wasn’t what she would of thought would be her special somepony. He was smart, and funny, and well read, and strong, but…but he was Big Mac. What would Applejack say if she found out, what would Rarity say? Between the two of them Twilight wouldn’t get a moments peace. Rarity would follow them around and gossip while Applejack teased, or even worse, insulted there pairing. Did she really want that?

No, of course not. But that wasn’t really the question she needed to answer. What she needed to find out was weather or not she wanted Big Mac. Twilight thought back to the day Big Mac saved her from the apple cart. She still wasn’t sure how exactly he got there in time to help her, and the time in the apple orchard where he tried to play that “game”. If Twilight was right about all of this, maybe this was the first date.

Lights

Twilight made her way to Sweet Apple Acres as the sun was nearing the midpoint of its descent toward the horizon, giving an hour or two more of daylight. As she walked through the gate, she noticed that Big Mac was leaning against an apple tree watching the road. All around him lay the first leaves of fall to drift from the Everfree forest as the lightest of winds caused them to play along the ground. The apple trees still had most of their leaves, but it wouldn't be long before they to became barren. When Twilight drew close to Big Mac the stallion stood, a smile plain on his face.

“Hello Big Mac, I see you've been waiting for me.” Twilight said.

“Eeyup.”

“Back to this again? You don’t have to hold back your words on my account.”

“Sorry Miss. Sparkle, I…”

“Twilight.” She corrected. Big Mac caught his error and blushed a little.

“I ain’t much good with words.”

“Don’t worry, I don’t mind. So what are we going to do today?” Twilight was incredibly anxious to know not only because she didn’t have the faintest idea what one did for fun on a farm, but also because she wanted to see if Big Mac had planned, or rather wanted this to be, a romantic outing. Based on what he did Twilight would know if…well just if. Big Mac shyly looked away from Twilight before responding to her question.

“Walk mostly, I’ve got a spot picked out I want you to see. But what we do after that all depends on Applejack and your own plans.”

“I’m free till the library opens tomorrow, Spike can handle the odd night reader if he has to but I don’t know how long I’m going to want to stay.”

“Eeyup.” Big Mac’s ears fell back while his blush intensified. “We best get walking then, it’s not to far from here but if you decide you need to leave soon I want you to see this before you go.” Big Mac turned and started walking into the rows of trees checking to be sure Twilight was following.

Big Mac walked much slower then his usual pace but Twilight still found it hard to keep up with him. The stallion’s strong legs speedily carried his large frame while Twilight’s spindly limbs needed to manage a brisk trot to match him. Twilight wanted to talk, but between Big Mac’s nervous behavior and Twilight concentrating on not falling behind the journey was doomed to silence. All of the sudden Big Mac stopped just behind a small hill and Twilight turned to him, slightly short of breath.

“Are we here? And for the record if that was your idea of not to far I’d hate to walk a long way with you.” Twilight meant that as a joke but Big Mac’s blush returned even deeper when she said that.

“Just over this hill.” Big Mac said. Twilight let Big Mac lead the way up the gentle slope, all the while she became aware of a small noise that grew louder as they climbed. When the two reached the top of the hill, Twilight could see a slow moving stream in the distance. The water curved around the border of the Everfree forest creating a kind of natural line separating the farm from the dark trees on the opposite bank.

“Big Mac, I didn’t know you had a stream on the farm.” Twilight said as she observed the winding path of the water.

“Actually, that’s only part one of what I wanted to show you.” Big Mac sat down on the grass and looked up into the sky, when Twilight followed his gaze she saw the sun just barely dipping behind the Everfree forest. “We still have a few minutes, and I’m afraid I don’t have anything for us to do until, well I don’t want to give away the surprise.” Twilight sat next to Big Mac.

“Well we could pick up where we left off yesterday.” Twilight said. “Do you remember what we were talking about?”

“Nope.” Big Mac wasn't blushing anymore, but his ears stayed firmly glued to the side of his head.

“You don’t have to be nervous Big Mac.” Twilight said, starting to get a little curious as to just what Big Mac was waiting to show her.

“Nervous, who’s nervous?”

“Big Mac I can tell you’re worried over something, look at your ears.” Big Mac gave Twilight a confused look. “There pulled back, that means you’re either sad or nervous, and I don’t see any tears.”

“Alright, I’m a little worried, I’m not very good with words and we talked about books all yesterday. I don’t want you to think I’m a one trick pony.” Twilight smiled.

“I don’t know if you noticed, but I am Ponyville’s resident librarian. Talking about books all the time doesn't bother me.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?” Big Mac turned to Twilight, searching for the right words.

“I don’t talk much with mares. Outside of whoever visits the farm, errands, and ponies I meat on holidays I rarely see anypony. I don’t get much practice in small talk because of this. I don’t mind talking as much as most ponies think but I need something to go off of, and time to collect a response.” Twilight barely heard a thing Big Mac said, her focus was drawn to the look Big Mac was giving her, and the deep green of his eyes.

“You did fine yesterday.” Twilight said, shifting her gaze back to the stream in an attempt to avoid stumbling over her words under Big Mac’s gaze.

“Yesterday you asked questions, and I had a story to tell. Not to mention I didn’t know what I was getting into.”

“Getting into?” Twilight said confused, Big Mac froze.

“Eeyup.” He said, turning away from Twilight.

“What exactly do you mean by that?” Big Mac didn’t say anything. “Big Mac?” Twilight looked over at him and saw he was staring at the ground.

“I’m not much good with words.”

“I, I’m afraid I don’t understand.” Twilight said. Big Mac once again looked at her and Twilight found herself unable to turn away. Big Mac had changed from nervous to terrified, his form appearing impossibly small.

“You’re a very pretty mare Miss. Sparkle.” Big Mac looked like a colt caught with his hoof in the cookie jar. Twilight couldn’t find anything to say, so after a short pause Big Mac continued. “When you moved here from Canterlot I saw you arrive. A fancy unicorn that would never take a second glance at a farm pony like me. When I found out you were Celestia’s apprentice and the Element of Magic, I knew I had no chance. I don’t know if your hanging out with me cause of what happened with the cart or what I did when you came to help collect the fallen apples or what. But I always thought you where very pretty, and I don’t know how this is coming off to you but…”

Before Big Mac could finish, Twilight saw a multicolored flash of bright light wash across his face. Big Mac must have noticed it to because he turned back toward the stream. Twilight turned her head and was greeted by a wave of light radiating off of the water. The Everfree forest was somehow catching the light of the setting sun and directing it to the water to create a kind of rainbow aura that danced around the clearing. The movements of the current causing the light to almost dance. Twilight had never seen anything like it.

“It’s beautiful.” She said, finally finding her voice.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac said. The two ponies sat together as the sun set, watching the light become bolder. Colors shot into the air floating in front of Twilight, when she reached out to touch them they licked at her hoof, playing off it with a soothing energy. All around the clearing the tress turned into disco balls, hubs for the lights playful nature. It was almost like a well choreographed show, limited only by what it could touch.

Twilight couldn’t stop herself from smiling; she laughed like a school filly as the light played across her body. Then all of a sudden it started to change. The diversity of color slowly became less and less varied, until the only shade left was a rich blue. The light almost pulled on the scenery around it as it gracefully slipped away from her back toward the water. The dance was much more subdued and elegant now, and Twilight found herself admiring a whole new kind of beauty.

When all that was left was the color over the water, the light began to rise into the air. It grew thinner and taller with each passing moment, until Twilight had to crane her neck to see if it was still rising. When it appeared that the light was too thin to support itself anymore, it began to change again. This time the blue turned to a bright and intense red, causing the sun to burn even brighter on the horizon as it sank. Then all at once, the great wall came crashing down. It flicked in and out of existence as the fiery line collapsed onto the water at such a speed, Twilight could swear she heard a splash.

Thinking the show was over; she opened her mouth to speak only to be met with a great explosion of yellow that washed around everything in sight. Twilight watched as it absorbed her and Big Mac, and quickly disappeared behind them, leaving only a lingering glimmer on the waters surface, that thrashed and wiggled wildly before quietly evaporating into the darkness of the Everfree.

“That was amazing!” Twilight said, a huge grin on her face. “How-”

“I don’t know exactly why.” Big Mac interrupted. “The Everfree is a strange place full of odd happenings. Pa took to calling it “the Enchanted Everfree” supposedly after seeing just this. It’s the only thing that keeps me from expanding the farm further out. Twilight sat still for a moment thinking about this. She looked over at the stallion beside her and saw a smile as wide as hers gracing his lips.

“What were you going to say before?” Twilight asked, remembering how he was interrupted by the show. Big Mac’s ears perked and the smile slowly became his usual stern expression.

“Nothi’n.” Big Mac didn’t turn to her when he spoke, still watching the stream.

“It wasn’t nothing,” Twilight spoke gently, this was definitely the most romantic place any colt had taken her. It was almost like a scene from a romance novel, the way Big Mac sat starring at the water as she looked up at him with only the dim light of the setting sun to illuminate his face. She didn’t quiet know how she felt about Big Mac yet but somehow this small secret intrigued her to no end in a way she couldn’t explain.

“I know what the answers going to be so there’s no point in asking the question.”

“It’s impossible to know if you don’t ask.”

“I disagree.”

“Well you can disagree all you want, the fact remains you’re not telling me something and I want to know what it is.” Twilight raised her voice a bit, but it was still very soft compared to how she normally spoke. Big Mac said nothing for a very long time. Allowing the sun to time to start collecting its rays from the opposite horizon and usher in the first signs of night. Big Mac once again let his ears slick back as he transferred his gaze to Twilight for a short instance and then to the ground in front of him

“I wanted to know if you would be my special somepony. I didn’t think of it as such at the time but yesterday was like our first date, or not if you don’t want to think of it like that. I never thought of actually asking you this until yesterday but the way you talked and got me talking, nopony else has ever done that. So there it is, I might not be much but I like you a lot Miss. Sparkle.”

Twilight took a second to think it over, she didn’t want to wait to long for fear of dashing Big Mac’s hopes, but she needed time to mull over her answer. Big Mac was no small catch, of Ponyville’s eligible stallions he was very easily in the top three. No mare would say he was anything less then the most well built of the bunch and Twilight knew first hoof he was easily as intelligent, if not as book smart as her.

“Big Mac…” Twilight said in a nervous tone matching her companion’s expression. “I’d love to say yes to you, but-”

“But your not attracted to me in that way, you’d prefer a unicorn like yourself instead of a farm pony like me, I understand.”

“BUT,” Twilight continued. “It’s not up to me.” Big Mac turned to her with a confused look. “As Element of Magic, I need to have a good relationship with the other elements. Dating one of my best friends brothers can be a major source of tension.” Big Mac turned away again and looked at his hooves. “Which is why I’m going to need to ask Applejack if it’s ok first.” Big Mac sat bolt upright, his eyes widened as his ears perked on top of his head as he turned back to Twilight again.

“Miss. Sparkle-”

“Twilight.”

“What are you say’n”

“I’m saying I’d love to be your special somepony, as long as Applejack approves.” Big Mac sat there beside Twilight, the gears visibly turning in his head. Giant green eyes like jewels sparkling in the gathering night that Twilight found herself lost in.

“Applejack should be at the farmhouse still, she has someplace to go tonight so…do you…would…”

“Show me the way.” Twilight said, standing.

* * *

Twilight and Big Mac made slow progress through the gathering night. The Apple trees all looked the same without apples hanging off them and Twilight found she was once again having trouble keeping up with Big Mac. The stallion had almost bolted down the hill when Twilight asked to be taken to Applejack, barely slowing when Twilight had called out to him from behind.

Even if you ignored there pace, the huge expanse of the orchard and darkening sky made it no easy feat to reach there destination making it was nearly ten minutes later when they finally arrived. Big Mac opened the door and called quietly into the house.

“Hello… anypony here?” When there was no answer he called again, louder this time. “Hello!”

“What are y’all try’n to do wake the whole house?” Applejack said as she came down from upstairs. “I just put down Applebloom and Granny Smith, if they get up again I’m not going to have time to deal with it before I leave.”

“Don’t worry sis, this won’t take long, Twilight just needs to ask you somethi’n.” Big Mac said.

“Isn’t it a might late for visit’n? Ya know y’all are always welcome here but it’s not like ya to come by after sunset just to chat.” Twilight was about to speak, but Big Mac beat her to it.

“She just needs to ask you a question, then the two of us will figure out what to do.”

“Now hold up.” Applejack said. “If this involves both of y’all why can’t ya ask me yourself?”

“Well it’s not my place to ask this.”

“What ya mean its not your place. Big Mac I don’t got a lot of time so you best ask this question.” Big Mac turned to Twilight whom had stood patiently in the door during this exchange.

“Mind if we take this to the other room Applejack?” Twilight walked through a door leading to the kitchen and Applejack followed, leaving Big Mac alone in the mane room of the house. Closing the door behind her Applejack turned to face her friend.

“Now what’s all this about sugar cube, I need to be heading out.” Twilight had been practicing what she was going to say the whole walk over, nothing she could conger up made it any less awkward, but being blunt seemed wrong somehow.

“Has Big Mac ever told you about a pony he had his eye on?” Twilight said, deciding to dance around the elephant in the room for just a moment as she worked up the courage to ask Applejack what she needed to.

“Once or twice I heard mention of a pretty filly. He’s not to big on talk’n so that’s all I got.”

“Do you know who specifically he meant?”

“Most recently there was that incident with Applebloom’s schoolteacher but I didn’t think that would go anywhere, is there somepony else?” Twilight bit her bottom lip as her ears slicked back.

“Yes, there is.”

“Well alright, if he’s gotten the courage to tell ya that means it must be for real this time. Who’s the lucky mare? What’s she like?” Twilight shifted her weight from hoof to hoof, this was going to be a little harder then she thought. When it was just Big Mac and her on the hill she found it surprisingly easy to talk about this, but now things were suddenly a thousand times more difficult to say.

“It’s somepony you know very well.”

“Ya say that like ya scared to tell me, it’s not a less then desirable type is it?” Then a frightened look came over Applejacks face. “Celestia don’t tell me he’s fallen for a stallion, Granny just couldn’t take that blow.”

“No nothing like that.” Twilight said, “It’s just somepony you’d be surprised to hear.”

“Well who would that be?”

“Applejack how would you feel about Big Mac dating one of the Elements of Harmony?” Twilight wanted so badly to just tell her friend what was going on now, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it yet.

“Well to be honest Twilight I never thought about it. I guess it would depend on which one your talk’n bout. It’s definitely not me so that only leaves five candidates. Pinkies to loud for him and Rainbow…well that girl needs a pony that can fly with her so unless he grows a pair of wings that’s not the one. That only leaves Fluttershy and Rarity and yourself. Which one is it, because I don’t know how well I’d take to hearing he has his heart set on Rarity.” Twilight tried hard to keep herself from blushing as she closed her eyes momentarily.

“Applejack, Big Mac asked me to be his special somepony today and we wanted to know if you would be alright with us starting a relationship together.” Opening her eyes Twilight saw that Applejack was looking at her with an expression that betrayed no emotion. After a short pause that Twilight thought would last forever, she spoke.

“Twilight it’s none of my business what Big Mac does with his love life. If the two of ya want to start maki’n goo-goo eyes at each other then go right ahead.” Twilight let out a sigh of relief. “I wouldn’t be any kind of friend if I didn’t tell ya though he’s no easy stallion to do that with. Big Mac’s a soft gentle sort and needs a lot of compassion, if you’re going to get into this ya best be ready to do a lot of hard work. Do ya really want to be with him sugar cube?”

Twilight had asked herself that several times over the last day or so. She didn’t actually have an answer prepared for it. Looking into the eyes of her friend she thought about how Big Mac had looked after showing her the lights, how his green eyes had looked back at her. He may not be what she had always though of as the stallion she would fall for, but she really did feel something for him.

“Yes, I do.”

“Then I wish y’all the best of luck. Now I have to get going so feel free to stay as long as ya want. I don’t know what you two plan to do tonight but I won’t be back till after sun rise so just be out’a here by then.”

“Wait, you don’t think that we-”

“Ah don’t judge.” Applejack said as she walked back into the main room of the farmhouse and out the door followed by Twilight who blushed horribly as she approached where Big Mac stood. The stallion didn’t know how to take this and rushed over to her.

“What did she say, are we going to…well…” Big Mac was at a loss for words, no surprises there. Twilight looked up at him, his eyes pleading her to say what he wanted to hear. The blush left her cheeks and Twilight found herself surprisingly calm under his gaze. The big green orbs in his eyes relaxing her and making her just bold enough for a more creative response. Leaning in, she gave him a small peck on the cheek. Big Mac was a little surprised and jumped back before Twilight pulled away.

“You know if we’re going to have a proper relationship, you need to get used to me doing that.” Twilight said giving as sweet a smile as she could manage as she watched Big Macs cheeks light up.

“So, we’re…are we, together now.” He asked. Twilight nodded. “Well… in light of that, I guess I could walk ya home but it’s getting late and we would have to pass pretty close to the Everfree so if ya don’t think it’s to forward would you consider, maybe spending the night, here?”

“I’d love to, where exactly will I be sleeping?”

“Well you can take my bed, I’m not afraid to sleep on the couch, I’ve done it more then once after a long day in the fields.” Twilight giggled at that thought.

“Big Mac I can’t take your bed and leave you with nowhere to go. I guess I’m going to have to stay up tonight."

“If you do then I’ll have to stay up with you. Keep you company and all.” The unicorn blushed again as she heard that generous offer.

“That would be nice.”

Author's Note

This is a nifty new feature, I wish we had these Author's Notes boxes back when I posted my notes on Portal to Another World. Hope you all enjoyed the latest installment of this story, as of this posting in three thirds done with chapter six, and half way through editing four just to keep you updated. I encourage everyone to post there thoughts in the section below good or bad.

(Why do i suddenly feel like i'm going to get a million spelling correction comments now? I should really find a way to use that problem to my advantage, like hold a contest where the first reader to point out the most spelling mistakes gets a prize. That might actually work...wait is this thing still going?)

Fire

Twilight had never spent the night at the Apple’s farmhouse. Once or twice she had slept in the barn with the girls, and on one unlucky occasion had been trapped in the clubhouse with Applejack, but she had never spent more then a casual visits time inside Applejack’s home. Big Mac had shown her around a little before they settled on the sofa together but Twilight found her eyes wondering around the unfamiliar living room.

“So Big Mac,” Twilight said. “Now that we’re…together, I think there are a few things we should know about each other.” Twilight couldn’t bring herself to say they were dating yet. It’s not that the word bothered her but it didn’t seem right to say before they actually went on a date as a couple. “Something we should probably get out of the way now is whether or not you care who knows.”

“Nope, granny’s gonna be nothin’ but smiles when she learns I’ve finally found a mare and Applebloom will find out no matter what we do. I don’t see anypony else enough to care what they think. Is their somepony you want to keep from known’?”

“Well, I hate to think what Rarity’s going to say when she hears about this. I won’t get a moments peace, but it would be a lot worse if she hears about it through town gossip instead of from us so keeping it from her wont work. Pinkie will want to throw us a party but I don’t think it will hurt to let her in on it otherwise. So I guess I’m in the same boat as you, I’m sure my friends will be thrilled.”

“Do you want me to be there when you tell them, I can’t do any of the talkin’ but it might help if they see me with you.” Twilight smiled.

“Of coarse I want you to be there, if we have nothing to hide we might as well enjoy the time we have together, and how many times are we going to get the chance to do the big reveal?” Big Mac thought it over.

“By that logic we should do this in the grandest way we can think of. If we only get one chance at this why waist it? Why can’t we do somethin’ so big they never forget it.” Twilight never knew Big Mac was that type of pony, he was a little quiet for the go big or go home attitude.

“Well what do you have in mind?” She asked, intrigued. Big Mac thought about it for a second before a slightly smug grin stretched his lips

“We could stage somethin’ where you’re a damsel in distress and I’m the white knight. Somethin’ like the incident with the apple cart but bigger. What if you fell off your balcony and I rushed in to catch you? Or I could rescue ya from a burnin’ building?”

“How would you saving me show the others we’re together?”

“Well naturally the white knight deserves a kiss from the fair mare he rescued.” Big Mac said as he held his head up high in a mock chivalries pose. This idea sounded absolutely ridiculous, but the way Big Mac was pitching it actually made it sound like it might be kind of fun to do.

“I have to admit I kind of like this suggestion, especially the one where you save me from a fire, but now we run into the problem of finding a building we could burn down.”

“That’s easy, we’ll use the library.” Twilight’s eyes widened.

“You want to burn down my library! You do know I live there right?”

“Well we wouldn’t actually set it on fire. You can use your magic to make it look like theirs a fire ragin’, a trick of the light to make ponies on the outside think it’s burnin’. We wouldn’t be in any real danger and once the secrets out there wont be any mess to clean up.” Twilight actually found that idea rather clever, in fact it was brilliant. Why not have some fun with this if they could? Sure it would be hard to explain to the Ponyville fire squad but if they pulled this off right it would be well worth the trouble.

* * *

“HELP,” Twilight said, gasping for air as the thick smoke surrounded her. “Somepony please,” maybe a bit too dramatic, but Twilight was hamming it up as she knew nopony could hear her. She let out a few feeble coughs. “Help,” her last cry was rewarded as a huge stallion burst into the room.

“Miss. Sparkle!” He called, fanning the smoke away from his eyes. “Where are you!?!”

“I’m here!” She called with as much strength as a pony in her position could be expected to muster. “Big Mac, I-”

“Don’t talk, save your oxygen, I’ll find ya.” Big Mac made a show of searching for her as he crawled along the ground between the flames. Even checking a bookcase and beneath the table trying to find the helpless mare.

“Big Mac, the stairs are burning.” Twilight called looking down at him from above. Big Mac turned his attention upward and saw Twilight lying helpless as the smoke rose around her.

“Twilight, your gonna have ta jump!” Big Mac said making his way beneath where she lay.

“I’ll break my neck!” She responded as a fit of coughing overtook her.

“No you won’t, I’ll catch you, just trust me.” Big Mac sat up on the ground below Twilight and stretched out his fore hooves, trying hard to keep his head below the smoke. Twilight looked down with fear in her eyes. Clenching them shut, she fell off the sofa and landed squarely in Big Mac’s hooves inches below.

“Of coarse when we do this for real I’ll scream.” Twilight said.

“Shh.” Big Mac quieted her. “Don’t speak, save your strength while I get ya out of here.” Twilight was unaccustomed to being swoon, and the flutter of her eyes she gave her savior was genuine. Big Mac carefully transferred Twilight to his back where she pretended to go limp. Crawling across the floor, Big Mac made his way around the fake fires and into the kitchen where he lay Twilight on the ground and pressed his ear against her chest looking for a heartbeat. Twilight giggled but tried her best to stay still before acting as if she was coming to.

“Big Mac.” She whispered. The stallion took his head off her chest and looked into her eyes.

“Miss Sparkle.” He said, turning his ear to her lips to hear her better. “What is it, are you alright?”

“I am now.” She said in her cutest tone. Big Mac looked at her with his eyes tearing up.

“I…thought I’d lost you.” He said almost choking.

“Big Mac are you ok?” Twilight said, breaking character. “You’re crying.” Big Mac wiped away the tears.

“To much?” He asked.

“No! No that was really good, I didn’t know you could act.”

“Well I’ve read several of the great plays, Shakespony, Pony Shelley, you name it.” Twilight became aware of the fires still burning and with a flash of her horn she removed the illusion. Big Mac backed away to allow Twilight to stand and watched as she flipped onto her stomach before hoisting herself off the kitchen floor.

“It shows, you’ve got a real talent for this.” Big Mac looked down at his hooves, twirling one on the floor.

“Well it’s nice to hear you say that Twilight.” The two of then walked back into the living room where Twilight looked around to see if her little magic trick had damaged anything. After a quick sweep showed it hadn’t, she smiled to herself with surety that this was going to work great.

“Do you know what time it is Big Mac?” The stallion looked out a nearby window.

“Near midnight, let’s hope the candles hold out till mornin’.” Twilight was surprised at how late it had gotten, they had only run through there routine a few times, was it really that long?

“Tomorrows going to be pretty big, you ready for the backlash?”

“As long as I have you by my side.” Twilight felt her ears fall back.

“That’s very sweet of you. You’re just full of surprises.”

“What ya mean by that?”

“Well you’re an avid reader, an actor, and much more talkative then I thought you were. I just never thought of how much alike we are, how good you could make me feel.”

“You know I could take that a number of ways.” Big Mac said, playing with a smile of his own.

“I’m sure you could, but being the gentlecolt you are I’m sure you’ll know a pony like myself wont do much until she’s swept off her hooves.”

“Done.” Big Mac said.

Casually walking over to Twilight, he stuck out a hoof and hooked it around her foreleg. With one quick motion it was out from under her and Twilight felt herself falling. She let out a startled yelp before Big Mac caught her with the same hoof and drew her close. She was now staring up at the ceiling, her back hooves tangled together leaving Big Mac to support most of her weight which he did effortlessly. He met her gaze with his big green eyes as she felt herself blush.

“Any other requests?” He asked softly. Twilight couldn’t think straight, a romance scene like this was something she had only read about, Big Mac had taken only a few seconds to turn her into a puddle of jelly in his hoof. “Well if you’re not go’n to make one, I will.” With that, he leaned in, and delivered the softest kiss to her burning cheek, if her eyes had been closed she doubted she would have ever known he’d delivered it. When he raised his head again Twilight could barely breath.

“I can’t wait to save you tomarra, so I can earn my first real kiss with you.” Twilight wrapped her hoofs around the stallion’s strong neck.

“I can’t either.”

* * *

The rest of the night with Big Mac had been, for lack of a better word, absolutely perfect. In truth it was better then that, but Twilight couldn’t find the right word to describe more perfect then perfect. It was early the next morning when she finally left, meeting Applejack in a chance encounter on her walk home. That marked phase one of her plan, getting her friends together at the library to witness the show as she delegated Applejack to gather them all for her. She had mapped everything out and if nothing went wrong this would be the talk of Ponyville for days.

Twilight didn’t usually like being the center of attention, but something in the way Big Mac had described this idea to her and the way it had taken shape made it to good to pass up. She had spent nearly every moment after she arrived home getting ready for their performance, her lack of sleep not bothering here in the least. Spike had taken notice of her efforts though, and decided to voice his concern.

“Twilight what’s gotten into you? Nopony comes in here this early and the library is spotless, what are you doing?” Twilight was at work shelving books, secretly surrounding each with a temporary magical shield in case the spell went wrong.

“I’m just getting ready for my friends to come over, I’m having a little get together today.”

“Didn’t you just have something like that with Big Mac yesterday, and the day before that, and-”

“Yes.” Twilight said a little stronger then she meant. “But I’m having another today. Why don’t you go wash your scales and get ready for company?” Spike groaned and headed upstairs to the bathroom muttering to himself. Twilight had a ways to go before she was ready to get some practice in, but by the time she was finished even Rarity would be impressed with her attention to detail. However just as Twilight finished preparing the fiction, and was starting to move on to non-fiction, a knock came on the door.

“Twilight, may I come in.” It was Big Mac’s voice. Twilight practically galloped to the door and opened it wide to see him standing tall before her.

“Next time just feel free to barge in, I was afraid our audience had arrived early.” Big Mac walked passed Twilight and looked around the room.

“Where exactly are you going to be?” Twilight pointed to her room on the second floor.

“Overlooking the scene below, make it worth the effort I’m putting into this, you have no idea how many books are in this library.” Big Mac smiled.

“I’m goin’ to go run some errands so it looks like I was here by chance. Is ten minutes enough?”

“Just perfect.” Twilight said. Big Mac leaned in and nuzzled his head against Twilight’s cheek.

“I’ll be back soon.” Big Mac left the library and Twilight closed the door behind him, her heart beating hard against her chest. This was possibly the craziest thing she had ever done. Up there with charging Nightmare Moon and challenging the Ursa Minor. She set to work with a new life after realizing she didn’t care.

A few minutes passed and Twilight had finished flame proofing all the books, (She did a rather patchy job in the back room but she didn’t think it would matter.) and calmly started work on her rouse. She conjured a small fire in the center of the library and aloud it to spread, watching to make sure it wasn’t actually burning anything. Walking up the stairs she smiled as some of the flames followed her, only stopping at a magical barrier Twilight had put on the top step. Watching as the smoke started to collect and rise, Twilight lay down on a position overlooking the library floor and waited for Big Mac to barge in.

If she did say so herself, this flame was spreading incredibly realistically, but its progress was rather slow from the initial spark in the center of the floor downstairs. Even the flames engulfing the books barely crept along not giving much to watch. Twilight had made sure the flames were almost heatless, but they still crackled and popped like a real fire would, and after a moment Twilight found herself to excited about when Big Mac showed up to be able to sit comfortably and listen to the noises without something else to occupy her. Grabbing a random book from one of the shelves downstairs, Twilight set to work occupying herself before she heard a door open and speedily closed it to look at the door.

“TWILIGHT, THE LIBRARY’S BURNING.” Came a voice from behind her. Twilight turned to see Spike standing in the doorway of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his head. Time slowed to nearly nothing as a thousand thoughts ran through Twilight’s brain. It hadn’t even crossed her mind that Spike would still be in the library when the fire started. She didn’t even think about him. There wasn’t enough time to start the fire again before her friends got here and Twilight knew the smoke had to of already turned some heads. How was she going to explain this? “Don’t worry Twilight, I’ll save you.” Spike ran over to Twilight and pulled her away from the edge of her room overlooking the fire and toward the balcony.

“Spike you don’t understand! Let me explain!”

“Twilight it’s ok, I’m a dragon I can take care of this.” As Twilight found herself forced toward the balcony Spike started coughing from the illusionary smoke. Each cough sent out a stream of magic green flame that licked at Twilight’s wooden floor.

“SPIKE! YOU’RE GOING TO BURN DOWN THE LIBRARY!” she screamed.

“Not to make you sound stupid but the fire downstairs will do that long before I can.” By the time Twilight was on the balcony Spike had left several patches of green flame behind him that quickly started to spread. The addition of real smoke to the illusion Twilight had produced only made Spike’s coughing worse. “Stay here.” Spike said over the sound of the blaze before darting back inside unleashing more green flame to scorch Twilight’s room.

Twilight immediately ran in to get some water from the sink. Using her magic, Twilight started throwing it over the little green flames. However every time she put out one flame she saw another just as big was raging somewhere else. The smoke started to cloud her lungs and block her vision, her magic fluctuated as Twilight tried to stay focused. Suddenly she became aware of the heat, the library was getting hotter by the minute proving to Twilight the fire was well on its way to getting out of control.

She ran back to the entrance of the balcony only to find it covered in green flames. Below her she could see the shocked faces of Ponyville watching the house burn. Her friends stood among a small crowd, all of them sharing the same worried expression. Realizing she was trapped, Twilight went to look downstairs coughing and fighting her way through the smoke.

There was no way this could possibly get any worse, until she saw Spike passed out on the floor. Beside him was a huge bucket of water he had apparently brought from the kitchen. The fire might not be able to hurt him, but the smoke had overwhelmed his young system. Twilight wanted to help him but the green flames had mixed with hers converting the whole library into an inferno. Before Twilight could make up her mind what to do the front door made a huge thud as it slammed against the wall and Big Mac rushed in, smiling despite the scene around him.

“Big Mac!” Twilight cried. “It’s a real Fire! Get Spike out of here.” Big Mac looked up through the smoke at the worried expression on Twilight’s face and dropped the smile. Quickly he snatched up the little Dragon and ran outside returning only a short moment later. “Big Mac get out of here! I’ll find a way out!”

“I’m not leavin’ you to burn alive in here! Just hold on while I find a way to you!” Big Mac said. Twilight had originally left a path for Big Mac to use when it had been only her illusionary fire, but now nearly the entire floor of the library was a wall of heat and burning wood. Big Mac navigated through the blaze, jumping over what he could, and running through what he couldn’t. Flames licked at his coat, but the stallion was determined. When he reached a spot as close to Twilight as he could get, he looked up at her as he swatted away embers on his charred hair.

“You need to jump Twilight! Just like we practiced!”

“Big Mac this isn’t at all what we practiced! If you don’t catch me I’m-”

“I’m going to catch you, just trust me! I’ll come up there if I have to but I won’t leave without you!” Twilight knew when a member of the Apple family said something like that it was impossible to talk them out of it. She couldn’t let Big Mac gallop up the stairs, they were nearly completely engulfed, more so then anything else she could see. Twilight looked down at Big Mac’s waiting form below before she backed away from the edge. Closing her eyes, she leaped for the hooves below and screamed horribly as she flew through the air, feeling the hot air below her.

When she finally hit something she was almost certain it was the flames as her body began to truly feel the scorching touch of the fires heat and hear its thunderous roar. But as she opened her eyes she saw Big Mac was holding her in his hooves, shielding her from the worst of the blaze. Big Mac Put Twilight on his back and began making his way out of the library, but it was now even harder to navigate the floor then before. Twilight tried her best to hold on to him, but the stallion’s jumps and swerves to dodge the growing fire made it difficult. When they had at last almost reached the door Twilight breathed a sigh of relief only to lose her grip as Big Mac took a sharp turn. Tumbling off the stallion’s back she felt the flames lap up her side.

Twilight screamed as she desperately tried to put them out realizing she had been tossed into a virtual ring of fire, succeeding for the most part to extinguish herself she found no way to escape the approaching inferno that threatened to reignite her. Big Mac had apparently heard her cry as he leapt next to her over the lowest point of the approaching flames only to have his exit point consumed.

“We’re trapped!” Twilight said, tears snaking there way down her face. “We’re not going to make it.” Big Mac had a stern look on his face.

“Maybe not, but I’m going to give you a fightin' chance.” As the flames came ever closer Big Mac pushed Twilight to the ground and placed himself over her shielding her from the heat. The fire crackled and reached out around him but he only held her tight beneath him. “I’m sorry Twilight.” He said before the smoke clouded over Twilight’s vision, and knocked her unconscious.

Burns

Twilight awoke once or twice on the journey, but she could only remember small bits of what happened. The firecolt’s pulling Big Mac and her out on stretchers, being flown on a chariot to Ponyville hospital, seeing the lights pass by one by one as they were rushed through the corridors. It wasn’t until she was settled into a room that she was able to gain a semblance of consciousness back. Twilight found herself tucked snuggly into a hospital bed, the only sound coming from a buzzing light above her. It took her no time to remember what had happened, but the details stayed fuzzy as she ran through them all.

She didn’t move for the longest time as everything filled itself in inside her brain, the last thing she could seriously recall… Twilight turned her head first to her right and then to the left, for some reason that’s when the pain hit her with its first wave, especially coming from the side of her neck as she moved. It wasn’t as bad as she had thought it would be all things considered, but the deep throbs of regular discomfort was enough to make her grimace. Both beds beside her were empty, so Twilight settled back as comfortably as she possibly could and reached beside her for her beds remote. She pressed a button to summon a nurse and was soon greeted by a white pony with a red cross cutie mark.

“You called?” The nurse pony asked in a very concerned sounding tone of voice.

“Is Everypony going to be ok?” Twilight asked in a voice befitting her parched state.

“Well you’re all going to live if that’s what you mean. We recovered three of you from the fire, the dragon will only need some time to rest before he’s back to normal but I’m afraid you and your…companion, are going to need a little more time.” Twilight didn’t like the sound of that. “You’re very lucky, the stallion shielded you from much of the fire but there are some first degree burns on your right side, we had to remove a lot of your coat as it was simply to burnt to-”

“Is Big Mac going to be ok?” The nurse was reluctant to answer.

“In time he’s going to be fine, there is no lasting damage to speak of, but the short term doesn’t look very good.”

“I want to see him.”

“The doctor has advised you…”

“My bits pay this doctor and I can fire him and get a new one when I please, I want to see Big Mac as soon as possible or else I want you to find a doctor that will let me do that.” Twilight almost yelled as the nurse shrank away.

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thank you.” The nurse stood in the door for a second and let the room descend into a relative silence. As she started to close the door Twilight spoke.

“Can I get some water please?” The door opened wider and the nurse gave Twilight a sad look.

“Of course. Anything else?”

“No, that’s all…and I’m sorry for shouting at you, I-”

“It’s fine dear, I understand what must be going through your head. I think what you and that stallion tried to do was very romantic, I’m very sorry this happened to you two.” With that the nurse finally fully closed the door and Twilight heard her trotting away to get the water.

“Well,” Twilight said to herself. “At least the secrets out.”

* * *

Turns out as soon as possible was two days, the longest days Twilight ever experienced. Her coat was almost completely gone on one side, although the doctor assured her it would grow back with time and a few magical nudges. The worst burn was on her front leg, which she had apparently wrapped around Big Mac’s neck, a constant reminder of the pain he must be feeling. Standing outside Big Mac’s room, Twilight almost cried. She tried to tell herself it was an accident, that this was just an unlucky twist of fate, but she blamed herself for not thinking of Spike. A hoof placed itself on her shoulder, and Twilight turned her foggy eyes to Applejack.

“What’s done is done Twi, I know your hurtin’ but you have to realize there’s nothin’ you could have done.” Twilight shook the hoof off.

“You know that’s not true.”

“Twilight blamin’ yourself isn’t goin’ to help.”

“Applejack I sent Spike upstairs just before I started the fire, I had a million opportunities to tell him before that and a huge amount of time to explain what I was doing before I started the fire or before he saw it.”

“And how’s thinkin’ about that goin’ to help ya get over this?”

Just then the door opened to Big Mac’s room and both ponies looked to it as the nurse exited and gestured to tell them they could enter. Applejack let Twilight enter first, which she did only slowly after trying her best to wipe away some of the tears. Big Mac looked horrible, his body was dotted with second degree burns and his coat had nearly been completely removed. The only areas that seemed relatively unscathed were his underbelly and a section of his neck Twilight’s hoof must have been covering.

Twilight knew she didn’t look much better, half her head had been shaved clean and her mane looked worse then during her bout with time travel, but it was obvious why she was the one to visit Big Mac instead of the other way around. Twilight carefully made her way over to Big Mac, who smiled at her as she tried her best to keep from crying again.

“We made it.” Big Mac said.

“I…I can’t thank you enough for what you did.” She said. She lifted a hoof to give him a hug, but before she was even close to actually touching him she pulled herself back as she realized she couldn’t possibly touch him without rubbing against one of his burns.

“It’s ok, I’ve missed you.” Big Mac said slowly while stretching out his hooves. Twilight hesitated again, but was urged on by Big Mac’s gentle smile. Leaning in with her good hoof, she wrapped it around his neck and Big Mac squeezed her tight against himself. Twilight couldn’t take it any more and cried on his blistered shoulder as she tried her bast not to squeeze him back and heap even more pain onto what must already be a torturous embrace for her partner.

“I’m so sorry, I should have known this was a bad idea. I should have gotten Spike out of the library. I should have gotten out sooner. I’m sorry.” Big Mac squeezed her even tighter, Twilight could tell it hurt him to do so but she couldn’t pull away.

“Don’t be sorry, I’d do it again right now if I had to.”

“Big Mac, I can’t believe this happened, this wasn’t how it was supposed to go.” Big Mac lifted Twilight’s head off his shoulder and looked her in the eyes.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the course of my life, it’s that nothin’ goes exactly the way it’s supposed to. You just pick up the bits after every setback and use them to build up to the next goal. I’ve waited a long time to find a mare like you and unless you tell me to go I’m not leavin’ your side over something like this. I don’t care whose fault it was, if you still want me here, I’ll be here.” Twilight wiped away her tears.

“I hate to interrupt this touchy moment, but I’ll give you two some privet time after I say what I need to.” Applejack said from the corner of the room. Big Mac and Twilight both turned to see her.

“What ya need sis?” Big Mac said.

“You’ve left the farm pretty low on horse power, but this is a good time for you to be out of commission, or at least it’s better then it could be. Applebloom want’s to see you when the weekend rolls around so expect that soon. Everything is going fine on the farm, so you can just relax and get better. On another note though, everypony in town knows what happened, how you two tried to do the big reveal. I may have figured out what you were trying to do out loud, and it spread pretty quickly. Needless to say it’s one of the sweetest things I’ve ever seen, even given what happened here.” Twilight and Big Mac blushed. “I hope you two enjoy each others company.”

Applejack exited the room and left the two alone together when she closed the door. Twilight turned sheepishly back to Big Mac, who had refused to take his hoof off her while Applejack spoke. She rubbed the side of his face with hers, there exposed skin raw and foreign to each others touch. Big Mac ran his hoof through what was left of her mane, carefully avoiding her burns.

“You’re all I thought about when I woke up.” Big Mac said. “They wouldn’t tell me how ya were doin’, I thought maybe somehow by holdin’ you under me I had squashed the life out of ya. It’s good to know your ok.”

“And what about you? You risked your life to save me and I couldn’t come to see you till today. Every possibility ran through my head about what could have happened to you. Seeing you alive and well is just so relieving.” Twilight had never felt this way about anypony before. When one of her friends was sad or hurt she would worry about them and comfort them like any friend would, but the thought of seeing Big Mac hurt, especially after what he did, was too much to think about let alone see with her own eyes.

Twilight found herself crawling into the hospital bed next to Big Mac, whom made no objections to the advance. The couple shared an embrace that Twilight wanted to last forever as she completely disregarded the shocks of pain that would wash over her when she moved the wrong way and touched one of her more delicate burns against something. She had been sure she would die in that fire, If it weren’t for Big Mac and the hooves that held her now she very well could have. Twilight looked into the stallion’s eyes, and felt safer and happier then she thought possible.

“You’re a very pretty mare Twilight.”

“And you’re a very handsome white knight.” Big Mac pressed his nose against hers causing it to scrunch up. Twilight felt her heart race as she closed her eyes, and then he kissed her. It was a soft, comforting kiss, so gentle it was hard to know exactly when he pulled away. When Twilight opened her eyes he was looking at her with a smile that melted her even further into his embrace.

“Any more requests?”

“We’ve got to get some new lines, these are romantic but I’d hate to think we’ve run out of material already.”

“I ain’t much good with words.” Twilight smiled as she kissed him again. A harder kiss then before, but still with a very gentle loving touch.

“Then I’ll have to help you.”

* * *

It was two weeks later before Big Mac was released from the hospital. Twilight came for an hour each day to talk with him and tell him how the farm was doing. He didn’t trust Applejack to tell him because he knew she would sugar coat it, something he hated. The Library had actually faired very well upon Twilight’s inspection, not a single book was even slightly charred from the heat. However the walls and floor all bore huge scorch marks and her bedroom was all but embers. The loss of her bed was the greatest blow but that was replaced before Twilight did anything else to restore her home.

Spike apologized all the time for not controlling his coughing, he felt worse then Twilight did before talking to Big Mac. Even as Twilight walked with Big Mac out of the hospital he still stayed behind her, his head held in shame. She had tried to make him feel better as best she could, but this was something she figured would only heal with time.

Twilight and Big Mac had been given special salves to promote hair growth after being told to shave their coat and manes. It was an odd sensation being almost completely hairless, but the salves worked quickly and Twilight was covered in a new (if short) coat of hair after only a couple days. When she and Big Mac walked outside, everything seemed new and open. She had a new short cut mane, a room to be redesigned, and a coltfriend by her side to help her through it all.

“So, what do you want to do first now that you’re out and about again?”

“How about I take you on our first date? We’ve been together Two weeks and a day and I haven’t done anything to earn the affection of a pretty young mare like you. Name the place and I’ll spare no expense.”

“Big Mac I said the first thing, we’re hardly prepared to go anywhere looking like we do.”

“Then we’ll have to find a place to prepare, I’m not the sort of stallion that lets his somepony go unappreciated. I owe you a date and I plan on delivering.”

“You know you’re impossible to argue with don’t you?”

“Eeyup.” Twilight thought it over for a moment, trying her hardest to think of a place fitting for there first public appearance since the fire.

“Why don’t we just go to the park. That way I don’t have to go fetch my saddle bags.”

“Ya sure ya wouldn’t prefer a romantic breakfast?”

“I could help with that.” Spike chimed in, eager for something to do that would make up for his mistake.

“Actually that’s not a bad idea.” Twilight said. “You could bring us a lunch later today. Why don’t you go to the market and start collecting ingredients?”

“Yes Twilight, you won’t be disappointed.” Spike rushed off toward town, eager to get on his task.

“Shall we?” Twilight said, gesturing toward the dirt path leading to Ponyville Park. Big Mac and Twilight walked side by side, turning heads throughout their short journey. As Applejack had told them everypony in town knew they were together now, Twilight had been asked several times while Big Mac was recovering how he was doing from ponies she had barely ever spoken to. In a small town like this nopony was a stranger, but it was still weird to have everypony watching out for her like that. When the pair reached the park they found a nice bench to sit on and considered what to do next. Twilight cuddled next to Big Mac and let him wrap a hoof around her shoulder.

“So what do ya want to do?” Big Mac asked.

“This is nice.” Twilight responded.

“We did this all the time I was in the hospital, you’re the one who wanted variations in my sweet talk.”

“That’s different, certain lines can get old eventually, but I’ll never get tired of you holding me.” Big Mac squeezed her tight for a second and then turned to look at her.

“If you say so, I’m happy with anythin’ that makes you happy.”

“Well you know what would make me really happy?”

“I have an idea.” Twilight closed her eyes and kissed her companion. Each touch of his lips sent a new wave of warmth from her chest. Big Mac broke the kiss after a moment and started rubbing his cheek against hers. “You never told me everypony would be watchin’ us.” He whispered into her ear.

“Well it’s not like much happens here, two lovers nearly killing themselves in a fire is bound to be talk of the town for a month or two.” Twilight replied.

“Ya know, that gets me think’n” Big Mac said as he took his head from Twilight’s cheek to look her in the eyes. “Does the princess know about us?”

“Not exactly, when I was admitted to the hospital they sent a notice to Canterlot to tell her what happened. Then I sent a letter to her saying I was doing fine and would be back on my hooves soon. My friendship report this week was about how you saved me, although it didn’t say your name. Celestia might have been able to put it together but I haven’t outright said we’re a couple. Why do you ask?”

“You’re an important mare Twilight, being the royal apprentice is no small thing. I’ve never had the honor of meetin’ Celestia face to face and I’ve heard only good things about her from Applejack, but I can’t help but think a workhorse like myself wouldn’t be to impressin’ to her. There’s a very real possibility one of these day’s there going to call you off to someplace and should I go with you I wouldn’t want to hurt your reputation there.”

“Big Mac,” Twilight replied with a warm smile. “That’s just silly. Canterlot may not have the best reputation when it comes to accepting non-unicorns but that doesn’t mean there are none there. My parents live right next door to an earth pony couple and they don’t have any problems getting along.”

“Well that may be, and I’m sure if you were an earth pony we wouldn’t have any trouble, but how do you think that couple would do if one of them was a unicorn? Ponyville is a small place and we don’t have much to bicker with each other over, but in the big city…I don’t know how acceptin’ they’d be.”

Twilight had never really thought about that. Back in Canterlot everypony she had ever known was a unicorn. (With the notable exception of the alicorns Celestia and Cadence.) So what few relationships she saw were strictly of the unicorn clan. Since moving to Ponyville she had met several bi-clan couples and hadn’t really considered how they would be received back home. Canterlot was a very old city with very old traditions. Most of the families there (including hers) date back to when the clans first founded the country. Big Mac might have a point here.

“I’m sure the princess will understand. There wasn’t a problem when Shining Armor got married. I would think he’d been dating Cadence for awhile before he proposed and I never heard him talk about any problems. I don’t think we have anything to worry about.” Big Mac looked out into the park and Twilight made herself content to watch the wind blow through the grass.

“That wasn’t exactly the best thing to bring up on the first date was it?”

“We were going to need to think about it eventually, this is as good a time as any. We haven’t exactly been taking things slow either.” Big Mac dawned a look of confusion as he turned to the pony he had pressed beside him.

“What ya mean by that Twilight.”

“Well we did kiss before our first official date. Not to mention how much time we spent cuddled up beside each other in the hospital. I’ve barely had the chance to get anything done between the time I spend with you and the repairs to the library.”

“I’ve been meanin’ to ask you how that was going, nothin’ was to badly burnt was it?”

“Nothing I couldn’t replace. Spike feels awful about the whole thing though, it doesn’t help that he’s worried about me.”

“Worried about you? Why?”

“Well it didn’t go unnoticed to him when I took trips to go see you. Back in Canterlot Spike and I spent a lot of time on my studies, just the two of us. When I first took in Owlowiciouse he, well he kind of lost it. I don’t know how well he’ll adjust to having to share me with somepony else.” Big Mac thought that over.

“Ya know that doesn’t help to calm my nerves.”

“You know I may be paranoid about some things, but I don’t know a word to describe that sentence, and that’s coming from a librarian.” Twilight said with a smirk.

“Miss. Sparkle, I want to be with you, but I don’t want to mess with your life unless I can make it better. Maybe I am paranoid, but it’s only because I’ve seen enough things fall apart to know not to mess with em to much.”

“Turning philosopher on me now? And I told you to call me Twilight.” Big Mac said nothing as he looked into her eyes. Twilight’s smile and Big Mac’s emotionless expression saying more then words possibly could. The breeze picked up and ran through their short manes blowing them to the side. Like a scene from a romance novel Big Mac turned and let Twilight look up at him as he watched the horizon.

“Can I tell you a secret.”

“You know the answer to that question.”

“Every mare I’ve been with, what few I have been with, it’s always been the same. One day just like the next, just like the one before. Everythin’ went the way it was supposed to. But with you, I’ve nearly burned to death, spent countless hours lying motionless in a hospital bed holding you, and now all I can think about is how this could go wrong, all that in such a short amount of time. I care about you a lot Twilight, more then I think I know yet, and this has been the craziest relationship I’ve ever gotten in to. And I’ve got to tell ya, I wouldn’t trade a moment like this for anything” Twilight felt her heart melt, that was by far the sweetest thing anypony had ever said to her.

“Truth is,” He continued. “The real reason I wanted to take you on this date is because I don’t want ya to go. I don’t think I’ve ever been as happy as I am when you’re with me. I’ve never felt like this before, but I’d imagine this is almost what it would feel like to be in love. Maybe I’m just grateful you came to be with me or just foolin’ myself with all this but I want to be with you as much as I can from here on out. The thought of that however makes me wonder how much time that really is given who you are.”

Twilight rubbed her head against his neck, and he pulled her in tight. Twilight couldn’t help herself and wrapped her fore hooves around his neck surprising him. The two sat there in a tight embrace as Twilight felt her heart beat a million miles a minute.

“I’ve never had anypony like you before Big Mac,” she said. “I’ve met a lot of stallions but you’re the first one I've ever really felt anything more then a casually crush towards. There’s no need to worry about anything because unless these feelings change I don’t care what anypony in Canterlot says about us. As for Spike-”

“Yes Twilight.” Came Spikes voice as he stood in front of the bench looking up at the couple. Twilight hadn't even noticed he’d arrived. “I got the picnic ready like you said, I set everything up not to far from here.” Big Mac stopped squeezing Twilight as she released her hold on his neck. Giving each other a hesitant glance, the two stood to follow the baby dragon.

Author's Note

This chapter just barely made it on here today, my laptop cut out the internet this morning so I had to wait till now to post. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter as I absolutely loved crafting it. Most of all the part when it's just the two of them in the bed. (Ha ha, that could be misinterpreted.) The next chapter is very special to me, in fact it contains a scene that I've been struggling to get perfect for a week now that I can't wait to show you, hopefully it will go over like I expect.

Love

Twilight put up another paper cutout and looked around to see where she could possibly put any more decorations for Nightmare Night. Rarity’s boutique was always behind the holidays when it came to decorations, so many ponies ordered special holiday costumes Rarity found little time for anything but work. And at this time of year seeing as she was the only seamstress in town she was lucky if she found time to sleep with all the things she was making. In fact the only reason decorations were going up today was because Twilight needed something to occupy her mind.

“I can’t tell you how thankful I am you came to help me darling.” Rarity said as she worked diligently on a princess outfit somepony had ordered. It was one of the last pieces Rarity would have to do before tonight, meaning she would have her first spot of free time in a little over a week. A good thing to, as Twilight was sure she’d never hear the end of it if Rarity had to spend any holiday stuck inside the boutique as ponies socialized outside her door. Twilight located a relatively (that term being used loosely) blank section of the wall and continued to work on covering it with various streamers and wall hangers as she chatted back and forth with her friend.

“It’s no trouble at all Rarity. I needed something to occupy my mind today.”

“You know that rather perplexes me, one would think you and your stallion would be out on the town.” Twilight knew this subject was coming from a mile away. There hadn’t been a day since Twilight and Big Mac had gotten together that Rarity hadn’t said something to her about the status of the relationship.

“Actually we are planning on going somewhere later. I really didn’t think we should do anything special but Big Mac talked me into it.”

“Do you happen to know what exactly you’re going to be doing? You didn’t ask me to make you a costume this year so I’m a bit curious.” Twilight rolled her eyes, Rarity didn’t know what it was like to be only a bit curious.

“We’re going out to dinner, and then Big Mac wants to come over and chat. He says he has something for us to do.” Rarity froze mid stitch when Twilight said that, her magical aura keeping the needle and thread she had suspended perfectly still before a laps in concentration caused her to drop them. The noise startled Twilight and she turned toward Rarity to see the spool of thread rolling across the floor.

“Twilight” Rarity started, her gaze never leaving the needle that now hung loose in the fabric before her. “How long have you and he been… together?” Her voice was light and soft, giving it a kind of fearful urgency.

“Well I don’t know off the top of my head, it’s a little over a month now. Why?” Rarity turned towards Twilight with the most forced smile she had ever seen.

“Oh, nothing, nothing darling.” Taking a few steps toward where Twilight was, she added. “That is, unless…”

“Unless what?” Twilight said, getting just a little bit worried. Rarity was now directly in front of her and Twilight saw her friends expression change back and forth from concerned to the fake smile she was trying to present.

“That is, unless he has told you he loves you. He hasn’t, has he?” The fake smile was gone and all that was left was a look of pure fright on Rarity’s face.

“No, he hasn’t” Twilight said as her ears slicked back and she was almost pressed up against the wall by the still advancing Rarity.

“Oh,” Rarity said as she instantaneously dropped her previous expression and fluttered her eyelashes twice with a confused look. “Really? All right then.” Rarity turned and headed back to her work, rolling up the thread as she went without another word. Twilight stood still for a moment adjusting to the sudden change of tone in the room before stepping away from the wall and making her way next to her friend.

“Rarity?”

“Yes darling.” The white mare was now busily sewing as if the previous conversation had never happened, a smile (this time genuine) plainly on her face as she worked.

“Why does it matter if he said he loves me?”

“Oh it doesn’t darling.” Rarity finished her stitch and bit the thread to cut it, heading over to a desk for more materials. Twilight followed, incredibly confused.

“But it didn’t sound like nothing when you asked me a minute ago.”

“Well a minute ago it meant something, but since he hasn’t told you yet theirs nothing to worry about. Well actually I wouldn’t say nothing to worry about, it is rather odd he hasn’t told you, but I’m sure he does.” Rarity took some more cloth in her magic aura and started back toward her work when Twilight stepped in front of her.

“Rarity, what are you trying to say?” Rarity’s smile turned into a look of compassion as she placed a hoof on her friend’s shoulder.

“Darling, I’m only looking out for one of my closest friends. Big Mac is an excellent stallion, but he is a stallion none the less, and I would hate to see somepony as innocent as you taken advantage of. Love is a very complex emotion and mares like us have to get used to how it works a stallions mind before…well let’s try not to think about that. It’s very good that he hasn’t told you he loves you yet, because before now it would simply have been to early. In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if he told you he loved you tonight, for the very reason that now it can be received properly.”

“Wait, I don’t understand, do I want him to say he loves me?”

“Well I didn’t say that, I said that he might. Whether or not you want him to should depend on if you love him.”

“So I should tell him I love him?” Rarity lost her compassionate expression and her eyes grew wide.

“Oh no darling, a lady must never reveal her heart to a stallion before he has revealed his. You simply miss out on so many great opportunities. Even if he does say he loves you, you must decide if you love him back before you say anything.”

“But, I don’t understand.”

“Oh I’m sure you’ll figure it out. In fact this place looks festive enough why don’t you go get ready for your date and think about it. I need to concentrate anyway and fussing over how cute you’re going to be tonight isn’t going to help me sew this dress.” With that Rarity pushed Twilight to and out the door before shutting it inches from Twilight’s face. Leaving her to ponder the mix of emotions and thoughts she had been left with.

* * *

Twilight looked over her coat and mane in the mirror again, she had lost track of how many times she had done this but after what Rarity had said to her she had a strange desire to look her best. Once again she reached for her brush to go over her coat and make sure there wasn’t a single hair out of place, but before she had even reached her cutie mark with the first stroke Spike walked into her room.

“I’m sorry to interrupt you Twilight, but Big Mac’s downstairs.” Twilight felt her heart race and her mind flood with all the possible scenarios this night could take.

“Oh, could you tell him I’ll be a few more minutes? I still need to do my mane.”

“Twilight you’ve done your mane six times already.”

“Well you know what they say, seven times the charm!” She said as she decided she actually would like it flipped over the left side of her neck instead of the right and busied herself restyling it.

“Twilight it looks great, I promise. Big Mac’s never going to get to see it though if you stay up here.” Twilight starred deeply at her own reflection in the mirror, her heart was beating at a pace that was almost unbelievable as she thought about Big Mac sitting downstairs waiting for her. What was he planning to do when they got back here tonight? Was he really going to tell her…? Twilight put the brush down.

“I’ll be right there Spike, I promise. Just give me one more minute.”

“Alright, if that’s what you want.” Spike descended the stairs and Twilight sat for a short moment looking down at her hooves. Closing her eyes tight she tried to push away all the nervous thoughts she was having. It wasn’t like this was their first date, they had gone out before, but today really was there first fancy outing. (Up until this point they had only really gone to the park and the apple orchard together.) And Twilight couldn’t help but struggle with the question of how deeply she felt for Big Mac. Did she want him to tell her he loved her tonight? Did she love him? She thought she did, at least if she had to describe what love felt like she would say it was about what she felt toward Big Mac. But how could she be sure? She had never fallen in love before.

Twilight stood and took one last glance in the mirror. Without trying to feel vain, she told herself she did look incredibly pretty the way her new coat and mane had grown in. Something about it made her remember the way Big Mac had looked in the hospital bed after the fire, the warm smile and strong hug he gave her. That sure did feel like love. Twilight settled on letting her mane fall to the right like it was before and brushed it into place before heading to the stairs.

* * *

“Sugar Cube Corner?” Twilight said with no small amount of surprise. “I thought you said we were going out to dinner, not for sweets.” The couple stood outside the cake family shop as Twilight watched a huge grin spread over Big Mac’s face.

“We are here for dinner. I talked it over with Pinkie Pie and it turns out she can make a lot more then cookies and pies, although you wouldn’t believe how many different pies she claims to know about.” Twilight was skeptical about this to say the least. There was no doubt in her mind Pinkie was an excellent baker, but she had never tried anything else made by her. In fact she highly doubted Pinkie knew how to cook lettuce the way she liked.

“I’m not so sure about this Big Mac, do you really think this is a good idea?”

“I’m sure of it.” Big Mac pushed open the door and gestured for Twilight to enter. “Just trust me.” Twilight gave a slightly worried look, but after a few seconds under Big Mac’s gaze she caved and headed inside.

The room was incredibly dark, the only light to speak of coming from the last few rays of the sun creeping in through the door around Twilight’s long shadow. All Twilight could really see was the corner of the room that housed the doorway to the kitchen, and the light stopped just barely short of allowing her to see anything beyond the door. Luckily Pinkie poked her head out from that arch with an expecting look.

“Now?” she asked.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac said as he stepped inside and closed the door, removing the small amount of light that Twilight was using.

“Big Mac, I can’t see anything.”

“That’s not going to be a problem for long.” Shortly after Big Mac said that the small flame of a candle made its way into the room from the kitchen atop an ornate silver tray balanced on Pinkie’s back. Pinkie made her way to the center of the room where a small circular table had been set up. Two chairs set facing each other just barely touching the white tablecloth that hung on it almost to the floor. In the center of the table was a small vase with maybe half a dozen roses which pinkie placed the candle near before she looked with a face much to serious for her normal self at Twilight.

“Table for two?” she said in an equally serious tone.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac said as he guided Twilight to one of the chairs and pulled it from the table for her. Twilight sat down and admired how much effort it must have been for Big Mac to put this together, it’s no small feet to get Pinkie to stand still much less take something seriously for this long. Big Mac took his seat and Pinkie made a polite bow, never allowing the tray she was balancing to move.

“I’ll be back shortly with your menu’s” she said before trotting off to the kitchen.

“Big Mac how in Equestria did you get this set up? I mean I’ve never seen Pinkie like this and I have no idea how you got Sugar Cube Corner reserved for just us on one of the biggest sugar holidays of the year!”

“It wasn’t easy, I’ve had this plan in motion now for a couple days. But seeing you this excited was definitely worth it.” Twilight felt a slight blush light up her cheeks as her excited smile changed to a sweeter grin.

“This is really nice of you, I…”

“Now hold up, this is only the beginning of the night. Don’t go thankin’ me just yet.” Twilight, at a lose for words, made herself content to simply look into Big Mac’s eyes for a moment before Pinkie returned with two authentic looking menus. The words Sugar Cube Café in fancy Canterlot print embedded on the front. Twilight opened hers to find a huge selection of food surprisingly devoid of anything remotely sugary. In fact most of the items seemed to originate from various high-class restaurants Twilight knew of in Canterlot.

“Pinkie are you sure you can make these things? I’ve never had a good seven lettuce salad anywhere”

“The chef assures you she is perfectly capable of making everything on this menu.” Pinkie said with a face devoid of any emotion, yet incredible sure of itself.

“Well, then I’ll have the grilled fruit bowl. I have no idea how that will turn out but it at least sounds interesting.”

“What’s the biggest dish on the menu?” Big Mac asked.

“That would be the supper duper salad special.”

“I’ll take that then.” Pinkie collected the menus and bowed again before heading to the kitchen. Twilight was surprised when she didn’t see any light turn on, but if any pony could find what she needed and cook in the dark in that kitchen, it was Pinkie Pie. Twilight reached out and took one of the roses in her hoof, deeply inhaling its scent before biting off the flower.

“This really is very romantic.” Twilight said before taking a bite of the stem.

“Well I did everything I could to make sure this would be a night to remember for us. Although I have to admit I had another motive.” Big Mac gave Twilight a mischievous look that made her giggle a little. Twilight did her best to return a similar expression but she knew she was failing miserably.

“Is that so? Well tell me what this other motive is since you brought it up.”

“Well that would spoil the surprise. Ya wouldn’t want that would ya?” Twilight couldn’t fully explain why, but the fact that Big Mac was holding a secret from her was incredibly torturous. Especially given the fact that she was half hoping half fearing she already knew what he was going to say.

“When exactly do you plan to surprise me then? Or is that giving to much away to?” Big Mac put a hoof to his chin and made it obvious he was only pretending to be weighing the options. After feigning a shift back and forth a few times, he put down his hoof and looked at Twilight.

“Sometime tonight, but I won’t tell ya when.” That was not even close to an answer that would satisfy Twilight’s curiosity, but trying to sway the mind of a member of the apple family was like trying to move a mountain with your hooves. Twilight decided to change the subject in an attempt to keep her mind off the surprise.

“So have you been looking forward to this date as much as I have? All day long I’ve seen ponies walking down the street near the library and couldn’t wait till it would be me and you out for our holiday fun.” Big Mac’s playful tone turned soft when he replied.

“Of course I’ve been look’n forward to this. Applejack wouldn’t stop talking about the date she was going on all yesterday, fuss’n over her mane and all sorts of little things ya would never think she’d care about. When she left and I finally had some time to myself she’d talked about it so much I couldn’t get you off my mind. Although I don’t think I tried very hard to think about anything else.” Twilight smiled to herself, she could possibly have a little fun with that confession.

“How long today do you think you spent just thinking of me.”

“Applejack left at noon, so nearly every second since then.”

“That’s a long time to spend thinking about just one pony.”

“Well when it comes to you I have a lot to think about.”

“Like what?”

“Don’t get me started on the details.” Big Mac said, his smile playful again. “I’d love to gush over ya but I’ll never be able to stop myself.”

“That’s fine, I wouldn’t want you to stop if you were enjoying yourself. Besides, everypony loves compliments.” And with that Twilight awaited for her fun to begin as Big Mac offered a few lack luster excuses she was able to easily rebuff.

“Well, if you really want to know. I started off by thinkin’ of little things. The little stripe in your mane that you style perfectly, how smart you are and fun to be around, the way your face lights up when you see me for the first time in a little while. Innocent little things you do that make me smile, but as the day went on and it got closer and closer to when I’d see you I started thinkin’ about other things.” Twilight tried her best to hide her anticipation.

“Did ya know you always keep your eyes close a second or two after we break a kiss? I’ll open my eyes to look at you and it’s almost like ya just realized I wasn’t there.” A blush crept its way back onto Twilight’s face, but she was to busy pushing down hopes Big Mac would say three specific words to stop it. “Don’t worry, I think it’s actually very cute, I just didn’t know if ya knew you did that.”

“I did, your such a soft kisser it’s hard to tell when you pull away.”

“Well I’ll bet ya also know what you do with your eyes then.” Twilight arced an eyebrow.

“You got me on that one, what do I do with my eyes?”

“Ya don’t know? I figured that little glint you get was the reason they named you Sparkle.”

“What glint?” Big Mac gave a huge smile, one worthy of Pinkie on an average day (which is pretty big.)

“Whenever you’re really happy, which without braggin’ is pretty much all the time you’re around me, you get a little glint in your eyes. This little sparkle that makes me think of stars fading in and out.” Twilight looked away, the smile she was nurturing was almost as wide as Big Mac’s and she couldn’t keep starring at his loving expression for fear of completely loosing her composure.

However Big Mac had other ideas it seams as he reached over and placed a hoof on her cheek to turn her back. The obvious difference in temperature between the two of them only making her blush worse. As Twilight slowly aloud herself to be forced to look up at him she became aware of how close they really were to each other, they were very, very close. Neither of them said anything for a moment, there faces close enough for Twilight to just barely feel Big Mac’s breath on the tip of her nose.

“Do ya want to know what I was thinkin’ about though right before I left to go see ya?”

Twilight gave the slightest nod of her head possible so as to keep Big Mac’s hoof on her cheek.

“I have somethin’ I want to tell ya tonight.” Twilight mentally braced herself for what was to come. “I-”

“Dinner is served!” Pinkie said as she popped up beside the table causing Big Mac and Twilight to jump back. The biggest salad Twilight had ever seen was balanced precariously on her back next to what Twilight presumed was her dish. Twilight and Big Mac gave each other a longing glance as Pinkie served the food and presented the two with silverware before bowing and heading off to the kitchen again, to do what Twilight wasn’t exactly sure. Despite the fact Pinkie had only been in the room for a little over a minute the mood had long since past and she didn’t know exactly what she should say.

“Well… are you as hungry as I am?” That in truth was not very hungry at all but it was the best Twilight could come up with.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac said as the pair started to eat. Twilight made a mental note as silence absorbed the room. Those fees she had waved, not even close to waved any more.

Author's Note

As my blog post said, this chapter was delayed a bit due to my grandfathers funeral. Everything seems to be calmed a bit for now but i don't know if this will last or not. This chapter marks a point I've kind of been afraid to reach with my writing though that needs addressing. I no longer have any chapters fully complete, which means I have no idea how long it will take me to get out new chapters. Maybe it wont affect anything, maybe it will, but whatever happens i'm going to be doing my best to keep getting these out. I hope you enjoyed this installment though.

Cuddling

Twilight and Big Mac spent the rest of their time at Sugar Cube Corner in idle conversation. Pinkie only interrupted them again to take away their dishes and present a check that Big Mac covered in full despite Twilight’s insistence she could pay for herself. The couple exchanged very little conversation as they made there way back to Twilight’s library, but as they drew within site of her home Twilight felt her heart pick up speed.

“So how long do you plan to spend here? I mean I’ve got all the time you want but I’m just used to schedules and such so-”

“Ideally I’d like to stay until ya kick me out, but if it gets to be one in the mornin’ and I’m still hangin’ around I’ve got enough decency to leave so ya can get some sleep.”

“Well I could just use my magic to make myself not tiered if that becomes a problem and you wanted to stay longer. I’ve done that tons of times when I was studying late at night, it wouldn’t be any big deal.”

“Miss Sparkle, I couldn’t bare to take all your time tonight. It wouldn’t be gentalcoltly of me to deny ya rest just cause I didn’t want to leave.” Twilight rolled her eyes, she had almost forgotten who she was talking to for a second. Big Mac was always going on about how a gentalcolt should act, it was getting to a point where Twilight didn’t even bother protesting anymore when he said something about it. However Twilight had a strange longing to keep Big Mac with her tonight as long as possible, so she made a mental note to find a way to bring this up later. The two ponies reached the door to the library after a moment and Twilight opened it with her magic before entering to the gentle sound of spike sleeping upstairs.

“That magic of yours sure is useful.”

“It certainly helps. Spike can sleep through anything so we should be fine doing whatever it is you had in mind.” Big Mac closed the door for Twilight and then stood for a moment looking at her without speaking. “Hello, you in there?”

“Oh, sorry about that. The moment caught up with me and I just realized I was alone with the most beautiful mare in Ponyville.” Twilight giggled.

“Wow that was corny, cute, but corny.”

“I’m tellin’ the truth, you’re no small treat for the eyes.” Big Mac edged a little closer as he spoke, taking slow, even steps.

“But I’m not even close to the most beautiful in Ponyville, there are to many contenders for that position.” Twilight imitated Big Mac’s walk as the two of them advanced toward each other slowly.

“None of them look as good as you do to me.” At this point they were maybe ten feet apart.

“Not even the fabulous Rarity?”

“She’s pretty, but make up can only do so much.” Eight feet.

“Cheerilee? I know you and her had a thing for a little bit.”

“A little to, well for lack of a better word cheery for me, she never has a bad day.” Four.

“Ditzy Doo?”

“The Mailmare?” Big Mac said stopping in his tracks directly in front of Twilight. "I’ve never really thought about it, doesn’t she have somethin’ with her eyes that-”

“She’s still really cute.” Twilight said matter of factly as she stopped herself just inches from touching noses with her special somepony. “Even with her eyes she’s a catch to somepony who would chase her.” Big Mac stood looking down at Twilight for a moment before he smiled and closed the small distance between them to rub his cheek against hers.

“I wouldn’t leave you to chase anypony.” Twilight wrapped her front hoof around his neck and let him bury himself in her mane. She loved the feeling she got when they were close like this, it almost made her feel like there was nothing else in the world but there two bodies next to each other. Big Mac brought his mouth next to Twilight’s ear and whispered sweetly into it. “Do ya think we could do something special tonight?”

“Like what?” Twilight said, her heart racing as she anticipated what Big Mac had in mind.

“Do ya have somewhere we can lay down?” Twilight’s heart went into overdrive. That wasn’t a normal question given this context, that was an up close and personal step down from asking if she wanted to…

“Big Mac, what are you planning?” She said as she pulled away to look up into his eyes.

“Nothin’ bad, I promise, do ya have somewhere?”

“Well…I do have a reading couch in the other room of the library, it’s pretty big but I don’t know if we could both fit on it lying down.”

“That would be perfect, lead the way.” Twilight reluctantly broke the embrace completely and with her heart filling up her chest guided Big Mac to the next room where a small reading area in the corner sat neglected and underused. Big Mac walked in front of Twilight and crawled up onto a large plush sofa that sat in between two much smaller chairs. Lying on his side facing Twilight, he opened his front hooves wide for her. Twilight was skeptical to say the least, but she took her place in her somepony’s arms. As they closed around her she couldn’t help but admit that it did feel very nice to be snuggled up next to him despite her nervousness.

Big Mac’s nose was pushed against hers and Twilight could feel his warm breath on her lips as his chest heaved in and out against hers. In fact Twilight became aware she could feel every movement Big Mac made, every twitch of his body. The one thing that stood out most though was his heart, it was beating at least as fast as hers and pounded into her chest to meat her own. There was a kind of spastic rhythm between the two, each one seeming to grasp out longingly for the other and whenever they beat at the same time a jolt would run up Twilight’s spine.

“Are ya ok with this? I know this is closer then we’ve been since back when you came to visit me in the hospital what feels like forever ago, but I’ve always wanted to go back to holdin’ you close to me in a way I just can’t do standin’ up.” Twilight suddenly began to feel very warm, Big Mac’s body pressed against hers was trapping a lot of heat and it made there embrace somehow even more romantic as her cheeks lit up to match the temperature of her body.

“This actually… is really nice, I like it.” Big Mac let out a quick sigh that twilight felt ruffle the fur on her neck.

“Good, I was a little nervous ya would think it was to soon or somethin’” Twilight adjusted to wrap her own arms around Big Mac’s strong shoulders.

“Actually… If I had known you planned to do something like this… I would have told you it was overdue.” Big Mac let out a small laugh.

“Was that a library joke?” Twilight realized what she had said and let her smile grow a little wider.

“No, but that was pretty funny.” There was a small silence that followed where the couple starred deeply into each other’s eyes. When a moment that felt like it lasted forever to Twilight had passed, she saw Big Mac’s ears slick back and felt him pull her in for a kiss. Twilight closed her eyes and for the first time felt a pressure against her lips that she would expect would come from kissing. It wasn’t forceful or really very strong at all, but there was no doubt about the contact, it was real, and full of love. Twilight had trouble kissing back at first, but as she grew used to the new style of kiss she fell into it. Big Mac pulled back for a second and Twilight actually opened her eyes first this time.

“Was that ok? Ya told me tonight I was a soft kisser and I didn’t know if you’d like doing it like this or not, I just wanted to try it out.” His ears were still firmly plastered to his head as Twilight recovered from the rush of emotion that had transferred from his lips to her entire body.

“That was amazing, you know I could really get used to just lying here with you after every date if you’re going to make me feel like that.” Big Mac’s ears slowly started there way back to a perk.

“Ya liked it that much? Well… could we go a bit… further then?” Twilight threw away her previous reluctance in favor of feeling the same loving touch Big Mac’s kiss had just given. She had never felt anything like it and now that she was this close to a stallion that could make her feel that way it was to intoxicating an opportunity to say no to.

“What’s a bit further? Try it and we’ll see if I like it.” Big Mac pulled her into another kiss and this time Twilight took a more aggressive approach. She had never really felt Big Mac’s lips like this and their touch was exhilarating, that is until they parted unexpectedly. Twilight felt Big Mac’s tongue press against the split of her lips and Twilight broke the kiss instantly in response.

“Ya don’t like it?”

“No it’s not that… I just never did that before, it startled me.”

“You’ve never used tongue before?” Twilight shook her head slightly.

“I mean its not that I don’t want to, I just don’t know what to do.” Big Mac gave a little encouraging smile.

“Well I can show ya then, would ya be ok with that?” Twilight looked away for a second, but nodded when she turned back. “Then just close your eyes and open your mouth a little when you feel me again, I’ll do the rest.” Twilight closed her eyes as she had been told and waited for a few seconds before Big Mac kissed her again. Big Mac had gone back to his usual soft touch, which while Twilight still enjoyed more then she could say, wasn’t nearly as tantalizing as the previous contact.

When Twilight felt Big Mac’s lips slowly open, and his tongue press against the space between her lips, she parted them and aloud him to enter. What followed felt like it was happening in slow motion, Big Mac squeezed her tight, but not the least bit uncomfortably as he mingled his open mouth with hers. Twilight felt her chest tighten up as she let Big Mac lead the motions inside her mouth that made her feel attraction like she had never felt before. It was magical. Twilight didn’t know how long they were together like that, but when Big Mac pulled away finally she realized she had been holding her breath and let out a long sigh before taking in shallow gasps of air that her heart speedily pushed out.

Twilight felt like she would never come down from this high as she got lost inside the big green orbs of her partner that looked at her with more affection then she could explain. Twilight buried her face in Big Mac’s neck and squeezed her body as close to his as she could. She wanted more then anything to let Big Mac know just how wonderful that had felt for her, tell him how wonderful he had just made her feel, but as she racked her brain trying her hardest to find a word to describe this emotion, she stayed silent.

Love, she was feeling love. She loved that kiss, she loved the way her partner was holding her, she was in love with Big Mac.

Twilight felt tears well up in her eyes. Everything felt new to her again, the way his arms folded around her in such a kind embrace and the way he had rested his head on hers gained whole new meaning to her. It was a little scary. Was this how things were supposed to work? Can ponies fall in love like this? Was this okay with him? Did he love her? That last question jolted a memory in the back of her mind, he was going to tell her something at Sugar Cube Corner but Pinkie interrupted him, was he going to tell her what she thought he was? Twilight pulled her head away from Big Mac and wiped away the tears that had formed in her eyes when she realized how much she cared about the stallion next to her.

“Are ya cryin’ Twilight? Is somethin’ wrong.” Big Mac said with an air of concern that Twilight in her emotionally heightened state found a million times more compassionate then it probably was in reality.

“No I’m fine. What were you going to tell me at Sugar Cube Corner?” Twilight’s words were quick and adrenaline filled, she could barely control the urge to kiss Big Mac again or tell him what she was feeling but she held back, Rarity’s strange warning nagging at her in the back of her brain.

“What, oh you mean before Pinkie interrupted me?” Twilight nodded her head in two quick shakes as her smile betrayed the hope she had Big Mac was feeling what she was feeling. “Well, I was going to say that… I-” Twilight stuffed her hoof in Big Mac’s face silencing him. She wasn’t ready; she needed time to think.

“Hold that thought, I need to use the little filly’s room but I’ll be right back.” Twilight practically jumped off the couch and galloped out of the room up the stairs to the bathroom slamming the door behind her, leaving Big Mac extremely confused downstairs.

Twilight paced back and forth inside the small bathroom of her Library. This was very possibly a huge step she was about to take with Big Mac. Twilight, being the avid reader that she was, had read quite a few romance novels in her time, and once two ponies fell in love they… well they… it just opened the door to so many other things that Twilight had never thought about seriously doing with any stallion before. What if Big Mac proposed to her one day? Or asked to move in with her? If they started to sleep in the same room he might ask her to-

Twilight stopped dead in her tracks. She definitely wasn’t ready for that yet, let alone the other stuff. This was all happening so fast that Twilight could barely keep up with all the things her mind was saying. Walking over to the sink she picked up a small hand mirror she kept there and took a look at herself like she did before the date.

“This can’t be real.” She said aloud to herself. “What if I have this wrong, we’ve been going out for awhile but how can just a few kisses make me think I love him? Wouldn’t I have known before? Is there some way to tell? Oh Twilight what are you going to do?” Nervousness overtook her as she realized she was going to have to go back downstairs to Big Mac eventually, and if he was going to say what she thought he was going to say she had to be ready for it. Twilight gave herself the most serious stare she could muster.

“Do you love him?” She asked herself point blank, thinking back to everything they had done over the short time they had been together so far. Deep down in her gut she got a feeling that she didn’t, that it was impossible for somepony to realize they were in love after one exchange. But the more she thought about it and looked at her own judging stare in the mirror, the quieter that voice got, until it was nothing more then a whisper. Then a new voice took over, at first Twilight thought it was her heart but unfortunately that cliché wasn’t the source. Her mind, for the first time Twilight could ever remember, stayed quiet, and then gave her one, solitary sentence.

She wouldn’t be asking herself like this if she didn’t.

Twilight couldn’t find a way to argue with that, in fact she doubted she could even if she somehow came up with a rebuttal because her mind had completely gone blank. All she was thinking of was the stallion downstairs, and the fact that she must be in love him. Twilight put the mirror back and stood with a little bit of confidence. That settles it. She loves him. Twilight took in a deep breath and then let out a long sigh. That meant all there was left to do is find out if he loved her back.

Twilight left the Bathroom with an extreme amount of confidence, she walked down the stairs with confidence. She crossed the library with slightly less confidence, and by the time she reached Big Mac it all melted away. What if he doesn’t? Twilight crawled back onto the sofa and Big Mac wrapped his arms around her again.

“Wow, ya really had to go didn’t ya? I’ve never seen anypony run to the bathroom that quick.” Twilight looked away, every fiber of her being trembled with anticipation as to what Big Mac was going to tell her.

“Yea, I really had to go, but anyway, like you were saying.” It was all she could do to keep her words from shaking like her body was.

“Are ya ok Twilight? You’re shakin’ pretty bad.” Twilight thought fast and snuggled up closer to Big Mac.

“I’m fine, just a little cold is all. Go ahead and tell me what you wanted to say.” Twilight had her head buried in Big Mac’s neck so she was unable to see his face, but when he hesitated for a second Twilight started preparing herself for what she knew was to come.

“Twilight, you and I have been together for awhile now. Long enough that I think I pretty much have a since of who you are and the major parts of your personality. And I have somethin’ I want to tell you.” Hear it comes, Twilight thought to herself. “Well actually, it’s more somethin’ that I want to ask you.” Twilight’s shaking lessened a bit. He wanted to ask her if she loved him? That’s an odd way to- “Applejack’s going to Fillydelphia to compete in another rodeo, and she’s convinced me to tag along and maybe even enter myself, I was wonderin’ if you wanted to go with us, see me and her in the show.” Twilight moved herself so she could look into Big Mac’s eyes.

“What, that’s-”

“Now I knew ya might not want to at first. I was worried about askin’ ya because I know ya have the library to think about and your letters to the Princess and all that but it will only be for a few days and I promise it will be really fun.” Twilight felt her heart sink, he wasn’t going to say it.

“Is that all you wanted to tell me?”

“Eeyup, that’s it. So what do you say?” He… he doesn’t. Twilight almost felt like crying, buck it she DID feel like crying. All this hope she had built up over the course of the night, what she just went through upstairs and the feeling she got being held by him. All of that emotion turned to heartbreak. Twilight’s ears slicked back and her eyes fogged up as she hid her face from Big Mac by placing her cheek over his.

“I’d love to go.” Twilight whispered.

“Really, I thought it would take more convincin’ before ya would agree.”

“No need for that, if you’re going to go somewhere I want to go to.” Twilight’s voice betrayed her as it cracked on the last word alerting Big Mac to the fact that something was wrong.

“Are ya sure, it doesn’t sound like you’re-” Big Mac tried to move his head to look at Twilight but she held herself firmly in place and while Big Mac was easily quadruple her strength he aloud the force she applied to his head to keep it down. “Twilight what’s goin’ on.”

“Nothing.” Twilight said as she tried her best to keep from giving Big Mac any more cause for alarm.

“Now that’s a lie if I ever heard one. Listen if ya don’t want to go on this trip I-”

“It’s not about the trip Big Mac.” Twilight said as she moved and accidentally let Big Mac see the first tear roll down her face. “Just don’t worry about it.”

“Twilight I’m your special somepony, it’s almost a given I worry about it if it’s makin’ ya upset. If it’s not the trip then what is it? Just tell me what’s wrong.” Twilight turned her head to wipe away the tears and Big Mac took the opportunity to sit up a bit. Twilight couldn’t bear to face him so she looked down at the couch.

“I’m not supposed to tell you.”

“Why not?”

“Rarity told me your supposed to say it before I do, that’s how it’s supposed to work. I’m new to all this I just want to get it right but… but its ok. You don’t have to if you don’t.”

“Hold up now I’m supposed to say what exactly?”

“I can’t tell you.” Big Mac put a forceful hoof on Twilight’s face and turned her toward him, his face was heavy with confusion and worry.

“Miss Sparkle, please don’t make me sit here and watch you cry without being able to do anythin’ about it. I care about you too much to see ya sad like this without tryin’ to fix it. Please.” Twilight’s eyes lined with fresh tears but she blinked them away.

“I… I thought tonight would be the night you told me…” Big Mac’s worried eyes tugged at her heart. “You loved me.” Twilight knew she had shattered what Rarity had told her, but she had to say SOMETHING, she couldn’t hold it in like this. Big Mac’s face was so frightened looking, and her own heart wanted so much to tell him. But everything was ruined now, he didn’t feel the same way.

Twilight was so engrossed with the fact that she had probably just destroyed her chances with the only stallion to earn her heart she didn’t even noticed he had moved before he kissed her. It was a soft kiss, one that was meant to be far more emotional then physical. When Big Mac pulled away Twilight saw he had in a look of relief.

“Is that all? Twilight, ya know I’m not much good with words, of course I love you, I just didn’t want to say I did at the wrong time for us. Please stop cryin’ I’ll say it as many times as you need me to.” Twilight’s ears perked and her eyes stopped fogging further as she tried to wipe away the tears staining her fur as best she could.

“You…you-”

“I love you more then anypony else in Equestria or beyond, you’re my special somepony Twilight, and I’ll always love you as long as you want me to be here to do so.” Twilight felt new tears well up, but this time instead of tears of sadness, they were tears of joy.

“Oh Big Mac, I love you to!”

Author's Note

I have mixed feelings about this chapter. I typed up the majority of it in one sitting before going to bed and somehow it feels on the quick side despite the fact that it's longer then most of the other chapters of this story and I have no idea how i'd be able to divide it into two chapters should I decide to make it to much longer. I hope whoever reads it at least took the time to let everything sink in and let the characters personalities fill in any parts that may be lacking. Maybe i'm just worried because this is the first chapter that I've put out in this story that's 100% meant to get an emotional reaction rather then further the story arc, but I still can't shake the feeling. I usually don't request this, but post a comment telling me what you think about it, I could use some feedback on this so the next chapters can be as good as I can make them.

Train

Twilight sat at the Ponyville Train Station; her mane tossed beside her by the mild wind that gave the air a slightly chilly feel. For now she was the only pony there, but that didn’t surprise her as she had planned to arrive a bit early. It had only been two days since she had last seen her special somepony and they had confessed their feelings to each other, but it might as well have been two years as far as Twilight was concerned. She was dying to see him, she wanted desperately to rush into his embrace and tell him she loved him, and hear him say he loved her back over and over again, but she didn’t want to embarrass him in front of his sister. Even though she tried her best to be patient, her head alternated from one side of the horizon to the other. First to the left to see if the train was coming, and then to the right into Ponyville where Big Mac would appear.

“You’re going to hurt yourself if you do that to much.” Came Spike’s voice from behind Twilight where he sat on one of the station benches. He had insisted on accompanying her to the station to see her off, which Twilight found very sweet and made no objections to. She hadn’t yet gotten around to telling Spike the full details of her last date with Big Mac, but he was overall adjusting very well to Twilight’s relationship up to that point, much better then she had expected. Therefore this offer to see her off, knowing full well she was only going to be with Big Mac, was a kind enough gesture of faith that it made Twilight smile when she remembered he was there.

“I’ll be fine Spike, I just want to know when everypony gets here.” Spike made a gagging sound.

“You mean you want to know when your farmcolt shows up.” He said as sarcastically as he possibly could, clearly teasing her. Twilight looked over her shoulder with a mischievous smile.

“You know me to well.” Twilight quickly changed her expression to an exaggerated pout “If you want, I’ll kiss him once for you.” Spike hated when Twilight got mushy like that and turned away cross armed.

“You know you’ll do that whether or not it’s for me, why would you even ask if I wanted that?” Twilight turned back to where Big Mac would be coming so Spike couldn’t see her face twist into a snicker.

“You started it by saying I was anxious for him to get here, but you’re right, I would kiss him anyway.” The gagging sound Spike made this time was almost too realistic. Twilight was about to say more in an attempt to discourage future attempts at poking fun at her, but as her mouth opened a figure caught her eye. At first she thought it was Big Mac from all the stuff the pony was dragging along, but taking a closer look she discovered it was none other then Rarity. The pristine pony had what looked like half her possessions pilled up in a cart, which she effortlessly pulled behind her as if it was nothing. Twilight at first expected her to pass by, but when she parked the cart beside the station and unhitched herself, Twilight stood to great her.

“Rarity, what are you doing at the Train Station?” Rarity apparently hadn’t noticed Twilight was there and gave a friendly smile up to her before she ascended the steps onto the platform Twilight was on.

“Well isn’t that obvious? I’m taking the train.” Rarity headed strait to a bench and sat down, motioning Twilight over to take a seat beside her. Twilight took a seat next to her and with a quick glance back to be sure Big Mac hadn’t made his way up the road while she had been distracted turned to question her friend.

“You didn’t tell me you were going anywhere, last time I saw you it looked like you’d be to busy to-”

“Oh darling did you really think I would take any new orders after a holiday as big as Nightmare Night for me? I’m taking a little time off to myself while I get some supplies from out of town. A much better question is what are you doing here? I’ve never known you to go anywhere outside Ponyville without Equestria hanging in the balance. What big emergency has the princess summoned you off to?” Twilight had absolutely no desire to say the real reason she was here, if Rarity found out she and Big Mac were leaving town together there was no telling how long Rarity would harp on her.

“Um… I’m just getting away from Ponyville for a few days, you know, a mini vacation.” Spike burst out laughing.

“Really, that’s what you’re going to call it?” Spike fell off his bench and proceeded to roll around on the ground as fits of laughter rocked his being and Twilight starred down at him with a hateful glare.

“What’s so funny?” Rarity asked, more then a little confused. Spike tried to gather himself for a response, but little giggles still interrupted him.

“Twilight’s not going on a vacation, she’s going to see-”

“Going to see Applejack in the rodeo!” Twilight said, drowning out Spike before using her magic to create a zipper over his lips and zip them shut. Rarity took on a strange expression when Twilight said that.

“Oh… Does Applejack know you’re coming?”

“Well who do you think invited me?” Twilight didn’t like lying to her friends, but she reasoned with herself that this was just a misleading question, not a full blown lie, and the guilt for something small like this was way better then sitting through Rarity’s questioning.

“That’s… that’s very nice of her.” Rarity’s ears had slicked back and she turned away from Twilight to look at the train tracks. Twilight let out a breathless sigh after dodging that potential disaster, but then she noticed the new forlorn nature of her friend.

“Hey, are you alright Rarity.”

“Oh I’m fine.” Rarity said gaining back her usual demeanor for a moment before turning away even further and letting her ears fall back. “I’m just fine.”

“No, really Rarity, is they’re something bugging you?” Twilight put a hoof on Rarity’s shoulder that Rarity almost shrunk away from, but instead only flinched at.

“Well, I can’t expect you to understand Twilight. I just thought… well it’s not important really.”

“Rarity I-”

“I mean if Applejack wants to invite you to go play spectator that’s her right as a grown mare to do.”

“Well she-”

“What should I care really if Applejack has one of her close friends, who I might remind myself is a fellow Element of Harmony and therefore completely trustworthy go with her to another city halfway across Equestria? And even if I did have a problem with it, which I obviously don’t since it is ridiculous to think anything bad would happen, if something bad did happen, I could just question her about it on her return and being the Element of Honesty she would have no choice but to tell me what I wanted to know.”

“Where is this-”

“In fact I could even go a step further and have her promise me she wouldn’t do anything I wouldn’t approve of while she was there. Once she got back I could ask her if she kept her promise, a one shot question to definitively prove her guilt, if there was any, which there won’t be, because that would be ridiculous!” Rarity sat there in silence for a second with Twilight’s hoof on her shoulder, which Twilight was slightly afraid to move.

Just then around the corner came Applejack and Big Mac, Applejack had only her saddlebag but Big Mac was carrying his bag along with a cheerful Applebloom who was perched with her head on Big Mac’s and back legs moving with his shoulders. When the three of them reached the platform Rarity stood and headed over to them ignoring completely the friendly wave Applejack presented.

“How dare you.” When Rarity reached Applejack she raised her hoof and firmly slapped her across the face with a force which would have floored the farmpony had she not been so muscular. Pointing the assaulting hoof at Twilight, Rarity waited for Applejack to open her mouth before she spoke. “How dare you invite another guest to accompany you without telling me! This was supposed to be just the two of us, and now you’ve got,” Rarity looked over at Big Mac and Applebloom who stood unmoving as Rarity’s expression changed from angry to furious. “THREE MORE PONIES!” Rarity turned away from Applejack and headed over to her cart of things. “Well if you think I’m going to accept you inviting all of Ponyville to go with us you’ve got another thing coming. I am not about to share one second of my time with-”

“What in Equestria are ya talkin’ about?” Applejack said, her cheek turning the most peculiar shade of pink as the red of her skin mixed with the orange of her coat. Whether the reddening was from the blow from Rarity or a blush However, Twilight couldn’t tell. Rarity turned herself around and glared daggers at Applejack as she hitched herself in.

“The nerve, as if you didn’t know. You invited me to go with you and watch your filthy rodeo, making me believe it was a special invitation only to me, that while you weren’t competing we’d have time to ourselves. But now I’ve come to find Twilight has received the same invitation and I highly doubt you’ve drug your brother out here just to see her off.” Rarity closed her eyes and let a few tears flow into her white coat before turning away. “Well you can just have your rodeo then, but I won’t be attending.”

Applejack made careful steps toward Rarity as Big Mac exchanged a look of complete bewilderment with Twilight. At first Rarity looked like she was about to strike Applejack again, to which Applejack simply closed her eyes and turned her head to allow the blow a wider area of effect.

“If hittin’ me is goin’ to make ya feel better then I won’t stop ya, but I didn’t have a thing to do with Big Mac and Twilight comin’ along.” Rarity stalled her hoof for a moment, drawing it close to her after wiping away the few tears that hadn’t made there way to deeply into her coat.

“Then how pray tell did Twilight receive an invitation to accompany you.” Applejack tuned to face Rarity slowly and took off her trademark hat before speaking.

“I asked Big Mac if he would be interested in joinin’ the competition is all. He’s goin’ to be competin’ in the stallion only events while you and I are off sight seein’ and such. Twilight’s only goin’ to watch him compete, she won’t be buggin’ us none, I promise.” Spike, who had just now managed to undo the magical zipper, chimed in.

“Yeah, I tried to tell you that earlier.” Rarity looked at the other ponies there, and then back to Applejack before she raised her hoof again and Applejack closed her eyes. In one quick motion, Rarity pulled Applejack into an embrace, and rubbed their cheeks against one another without a word. In the silence that followed Applejack accepted the hug and Big Mac set down Applebloom before heading over to Twilight.

“What in Equestria did we just see?” He asked.

“I have no idea.” She responded. After another moment, Rarity spoke

“I’m sorry I called your rodeo filthy. I was just-”

“It’s alright sugar cube, y’all just didn’t have the whole story.”

“No really Applejack, I promise I’ll make it up to you.” Suddenly Rarity pulled away from the hug with a twinkle in her eye. “I could make you an outfit for the rodeo tomorrow!” Applejack put her hat back on and smiled.

“How about ya don’t and we’ll call it even.”

* * *

The train arrived shortly afterward and the four ponies got aboard after saying goodbye to Applebloom and Spike. Once they had picked out a cart and room to ride in, Twilight and Big Mac made themselves comfortable on a seat next to each other and waited for some time alone. Rarity had to many things to store in the room she and Applejack were ridding in (which luckily enough was right next door.) so she was walking in and out of there room storing the overflow next to Big Mac’s saddlebag on the shelves over the beds.

“Now just to be clear you two, these things are very valuable and I don’t want them to get damaged. Should something fall or be in danger of falling, immediate action should be taken to prevent this. Understand?” Twilight and Big Mac both nodded their heads in unison. “I mean it, I don’t want to wake up tomorrow and find that harm has befallen my possessions.”

“Everything will be fine Rarity, you can trust us.” Twilight said.

“Yes well… I hope so.” And with That Rarity left the room, shutting the door behind her. Twilight immediately looked up at Big Mac and nuzzled her face into his strong neck.

“Have I told you how much I missed you yet today?”

“Nope.”

“More then I could possibly describe to you.” Big Mac wrapped a hoof tightly around Twilight’s body and proceeded to slightly nip her ear. Like the cuddling and kissing of a few days ago, this was a brand new sensation for her. It felt weird at first, but as she got used to it she really started to enjoy the sensation. However a thought popped up in her mind that begged addressing. “Big Mac?”

“Hmmm?”

“I have a question for you.”

“Alright, I hope it’s not about whether or not I love you again though, my feelings haven’t changed over the past forty–eight hours”

“Oh no it’s not that, it’s just, everything we’ve been doing lately has been so new to me, but you seem to know exactly what your doing. I was just wondering… how experienced are you?” Big Mac stopped playing with Twilight’s ear and waited for a moment before responding.

“What exactly are ya askin’ me Miss. Sparkle?”

“Well… I don’t know exactly what I’m trying to ask here, I guess a good starting point is how many mares have you been with before me?”

“I don’t know, I’ve lost count.” Twilight giggled.

“Lost count, how can you lose count of the ponies you’ve dated?”

“Theirs, been a lot, I just don’t remember them all.” Twilight took her head out from under Big Mac’s and looked him in the eyes still slightly unconvinced.

“Well who was the first mare you dated then, we’ll just start from there and count forward.” Big Mac thought for a short moment.

“I dated this one filly when I was still in school for a couple weeks, but that was way back when I was still a little colt.”

“Alright, who came after that.” Big Mac took another moment.

“I had a Pegasus for a little while after ma passed away, but she was only temporary while I got used to her not being around anymore.”

“Alright, then who-”

“Twilight I don’t know after that point, I’ve dated a lot of mares.” Big Mac had a nervous twinge to his voice that disturbed Twilight.

“Do, do you at least have an estimate then?”

“Thirty, maybe forty by now.” Twilight’s eyes grew wide and her ears fell back. That many, Big Mac had that many partners under his belt. Suddenly it put into perspective just how inexperienced she was, Big Mac was the first pony she had gone beyond a regular kiss with, but he… well it was very unlikely that was as far as he went. Big Mac let these thoughts stir in Twilight’s head, presenting only a concerned expression on his face and a firm posture. Twilight already knew the answer to this next question, but she needed to ask anyway.

“How far did you go with them?” Big Mac had been expecting this one apparently because he responded immediately.

“I almost married a few of them, not nearly as many as the number that broke my heart, but once or twice I thought I had found the one for me. If you’re asking how far I’ve gone physically… well theirs not much ya can name I haven’t done.” Twilight snuggled up closer to Big Mac in an attempt to take some comfort in his embrace, she can’t say she hadn’t seen this moment coming from the second she had first kissed him on the cheek after he showed her the stream on the farm. But the words stung a little all the same.

“You do know I’ve never been in a real relationship like this before, don’t you?” Big Mac held Twilight with a tender squeeze to reassure her.

“I gathered it after a while. I mean this with all the kindness I have, but your kissin’ is very cautious, you let me pretty much do all the work. Not that that’s a bad thing I could just tell from that you didn’t really know what to do.” Twilight blushed, but it wasn’t a cute blush of embarrassment like she had grown used to dawning around the strong stallion that now held her close, but one of shame as she thought of how stupid she must look.

“I, I hope that’s not to bad. I never really found anypony who was right for me so I never really got into dating. In Canterlot I don’t even have anypony I know of who would have noticed I’m not still trotting around the place besides the princess and my family… Do you think you would want a mare that’s more like you? One who actually knows what she’s doing?” Twilight didn’t know what Big Mac would say, but she was pressing herself against him with all her might. If this was the last time she got to be close to him she wanted to remember exactly what it felt like to be here just in case his answer was yes.

When Big Mac moved his arm off of her and started to peel her off him, Twilight stifled the urge to cry or resist him. When she looked up at his deep green eyes, she saw a calm collected look that she studied intently, trying to decipher any small clue as to what he was thinking.

“Twilight, I know all about what it was like for ya in Canterlot, Applejack and I are very close so if she knows somethin’ I most likely do to. If I really cared that much about it I wouldn’t have asked ya to be my special somepony to begin with. I love ya not because of the experience you’ve had or any petty reason like that. I love ya because you’re an intelligent, interestin’, and beautiful mare who, if you don’t mind me saying this, is almost as bad with findin’ love as I am. Theirs good reason I’m not settlin’ down with one of the other ponies I’ve met, and good reason I might one day with you if you’ll have me. If my past don’t bug ya none, then yours don’t bug me.” Twilight couldn’t hold herself back, and kissed Big Mac, hard.

“That was beautiful.” She said as she pulled away.

“Not as beautiful as you.” Twilight wrapped her arms around Big Mac, and Big Mac buried his muzzle in her mane. The couple stayed like that for untold moments, locked together as their hearts beat against their partner’s chest.

“Do you really think we might settle down together one day?”

“It’s always a possibility. Should ya decide ya want to I wouldn’t need to be told twice, but that’s a long way off from now.”

“Maybe, but if you keep pulling out romantic moments like this I don’t know how long I’ll be ok with you still calling me Miss Sparkle. Miss Macintosh just sounds better.” Big Mac let out a small laugh.

“Oh, did I really call you Miss Sparkle again?”

“Eeyup.” Twilight tried her best to imitated Big Mac’s voice, but her voice just couldn’t go low enough to pull it off.

“Sorry Twilight, I’ll try to stop that.”

“You know what just occurred to me?”

“What?”

“If you and I do get married, Applejack will be my sister. Just think of how she’d take that.”

“Ya think that’s odd, think of how Granny Smith will take it when I’m brothers with the stallion that married a princess. What exactly will that make me, a step prince of Equestria?” Twilight giggled again.

“Not exactly but that’s close enough.” Suddenly the train went into a tunnel, and Twilight felt Big Mac pull away from her in the stillness of the dark.

“Have ya ever kissed in the dark before?” Big Mac said so softly that Twilight could barely hear him. She shook her head at first, but realizing Big Mac couldn’t see her she spoke.

“No, not yet at least.” Big Mac put a hoof on her cheek, and Twilight closed her eyes just as their lips met. She couldn’t explain it, but somehow this kiss, which was in many ways the same as the last one they had shared, sent chills up and down her spine. She opened her mouth when she felt the now strangely familiar touch of Big Mac’s tongue and swore to herself up and down that this was the most wonderful kiss they could possibly share. But as she suspected, she was wrong, the next kiss was better.

Author's Note

Not as mushy as the last chapter but I got some of it in there at the end. I don't know everyone's reading style here but for me I always hear the characters voice when i'm reading the dialogue, and the way Big Mac's voice gets when it's soft is really sweet. It really makes it hard to stop writing when i get to a section like this, so much good stuff to say. No idea where exactly i'm going to take this but I've sat on this chapter long enough. Hope you guys liked the latest installment and get ready for the next.

Hotel

FILLYDELPHIA! THE AGRICULTURAL CAPITAL OF EQUESTRIA.

Read the train station billboard in giant print across the bottom of a picture depicting two ponies harvesting a variety of fruits and vegetables from a huge bush. Since they were depicted in traditional Equestrian style it was difficult to guess whether the ponies were enjoying themselves, but Twilight couldn’t stop herself from imagining a huge grin on both there faces. Twilight herself couldn’t stop smiling when she saw Big Mac get off the train after Rarity and Applejack, she imagined this must be what its like to be Pinkie Pie, unable to stop feeling happy at small things like that. The couple hadn’t left each others embrace for a moment during the long train ride here, but Twilight already wanted nothing more then to be enveloped again by Big Mac’s hooves. Trotting over to him she beamed the smile stretching her face up at the object of her affection.

“So when exactly is the rodeo going to start? Are we heading there now or do we have something else planned?”

“Uh, Twilight.” Applejack said, startling her since she had already forgotten anypony else was there. “The rodeo doesn’t start till tomorrow, and it’s rather late for us to be wonderin’ round town, we wouldn’t be able to see much.” Twilight looked up at the sky to determine the time and was surprised to find the sun was on the verge of setting. She had spent a little longer in Big Mac’s arms then she thought; not that she was upset about that.

“We do need to check into our rooms though.” Rarity remarked as she supervised the offloading of her things by the train’s conductor who was struggling to pull what looked to be Rarity’s sofa out of storage under the train. “At this rate we’ll never get there before nightfall though.” Rarity sighed and took a short break to stand with the others. “However should we find ourselves out and about at such an hour we could always see the city’s nightlife. It’s certainly not going to be as vibrant as somewhere like Manehattan, but compared to Ponyville I’m sure it will be dazzling.” Rarity proceeded to drift off into a fantasy, leaving her companions to stand silently for a moment before she shook her head and regained focus. “Of course that’s just my suggestion.”

“We’ll see when we get there.” Applejack said. “Personally I think we should get some sleep.”

“Didn’t you get to sleep on the train?” Twilight asked, she thought for sure she heard Applejack snoring through the thin wall separating their rooms.

“Ya bet your tail I did, but I’m goin’ to need a lot more if I’m goin’ to be rested enough to practice, and then compete tomorrow. Lots of physical activity means lots of sleep, and I’m sure Macintosh feels the same way, dontcha.”

“Eeyup.” Big Mac replied. Twilight lost just the tinniest amount of her smile. Big Mac had been awake the whole trip with her, was he supposed to have slept that whole time? She really hopped she hadn’t accidentally damaged his chances in the rodeo by being there with him. Just then the conductor (along with the help of the trains driver and the station manager) finally managed to get the last bag off the train and asked surprisingly politely if they wanted a carriage to there hotel. Rarity of course responded yes, and replied with a question of her own to the effect of if they would be willing to help her load her things onto the carriage when it arrived. The response to that wasn’t as polite.

* * *

It was an absolutely beautiful hotel, for the place it was in. The hotel itself was only around five stories tall and had no staff whatsoever outside the receptionist from the looks of it. The lobby that greeted the ponies looked like it had seen better years but was by no means close to giving up on itself. Grass green carpets and clearly uncomfortable matching chairs were the only things leading up to the well polished but worn desk that sat at the opposite side of the room.

“Applejack please tell me this is not where we’re staying.” Rarity pleaded in a whisper just loud enough for Twilight to overhear as they made there way to the cheery cream colored pony behind the desk. “These colors are absolutely dreadful, and if I have to sleep in a room that’s as badly coordinated as those chairs I’ll be spending more time having them rearrange the furniture then I will using it!”

“I’d ask to see if we were at the wrong place, but I’m sure this is it.” Applejack responded with her voice sounding slightly annoyed.

“Well how can you be so sure? Maybe the other hotels here are expecting us, or at least not expecting a call from the old ponies home to ask if there design choices are working out.”

“There ain’t anypony waiting for us that don’t already know we’re here. And just for your own benefit there ain’t no s on the end of hotel in this town.” Rarity gasped.

“You mean this city only has two hotels! Well I would still like to see the other one, it might-”

“Rarity this is the hotel, the only hotel in Fillydelphia.” Rarity stopped dead in her tracks for a second before she dropped her head and kept pace behind the group.

“Just one hotel, if I wanted a town with just one of every type of building I would have stayed in Ponyville.” Big Mac had already reached the counter and was doing his best to negotiate rooms next to each other for their group.

“I’m sorry but rooms right next to each other is just going to be impossible with the rodeo in town, and four single rooms is even harder. I could put you in two rooms with double beds. Would that be alright?” Said the cream colored mare with an amount of pep in her voice that was a perfect contrast to Rarity’s muttering. Big Mac turned to Applejack and let her take over.

“Are ya sure that’s all ya can do for us? I mean we’re not goin’ to be here for long and we’ve got the bits to pay for it.” The mare behind the desk flipped through a book in front of her quickly before giving Applejack a genuine looking sympathetic expression. It just can’t be done, the best I can do for you is two double rooms, and that’s only if you don’t mind climbing five flights of stairs.”

“You’re expecting me to climb!” Rarity practically shouted causing everypony to turn toward her. Producing a slight blush, Rarity turned so that one eye was facing away and the other was partially concealed by her hairstyle. “A lady can’t be expected to traverse such a height for no reason. Applejack, I ask you find some other means to arrange us, and only if that’s the last option we have should you select it…Please.” Applejack turned back to the mare whom was already flipping back through the book.

“I could get a single room on the first floor, but its small.”

“I’m afraid that won’t work either.” Rarity said. “I’ll need room for my luggage.” The mare flipped the book from cover to cover and back again, but after her third read through she looked up at the group.

“The double rooms on the top floor are the best I have. If that’s not going to work you can wait and see if one of the reservations doesn’t show but there is no way for me to guarantee-”

“We’ll just take the rooms on the top.” Applejack said, not willing to sit in the lobby as they waited for ponies to not show. The mare didn’t have to be told twice as she quickly took everypony’s signature and handed out keys.

“It’s going to be a pain trying to get all my things up there, but I’m sure you’ll manage with some help.” Rarity said, regaining her usual poise in spite of what Twilight knew must be a horrible situation for her.

“My thoughts exactly sugar cube,” Applejack said as she turned and headed out to the carriage where everything still sat neatly stacked atop it. “That’s why your goin’ to use that fancy magic of yours to get us started by lifting your bags off the cart so we can bring them upstairs.”

“You’re expecting me to lift!” Rarity almost screamed.

* * *

It was far past dark when the ponies combined efforts finally got the last bag to the top floor of the hotel. Twilight took a short break to rest on Rarity’s sofa, but before she could get to comfortable Rarity flopped across her lap.

“That was so much work! I thought we would never finish!”

“We would have been done a lot sooner if ya had done your fair share.” Applejack said as she eyed Rarity with a look of displeasure she didn’t even attempt to hide. Rarity responded with a flip of her mane as she starred up at Twilight seemingly unaware that she was pinning her in place.

“Obviously somepony doesn’t know how to treat a lady. I’m not as lucky as you Twilight” Rarity spoke at Twilight but her voice was much too loud for her not to be intending Applejack to hear.

“Now hold up, I’m just as much a mare as the next pony, I know how to act.” Rarity gave Twilight an amused smile before turning back to Applejack.

“There is a difference between a mare and a lady darling.” Sitting up slightly, Rarity cast a quick look around the hallway. “Are we really the only two rooms up here? No wonder this hotel was so full.” Twilight glanced up and down the corridor and despite some difficulty seeing around the end of the sofa confirmed that excluding the open arch to the stairway at either end of the hall there was only two doors to be found, both facing each other in the middle of the passage.

“We’ll still be lucky to get all this inside one of the rooms.” Twilight said as she tried to visualize the task of moving the mountains of luggage once again. Suddenly, an idea came over Rarity, Twilight could tell because her body tensed and froze for an instant before a grin slowly made its way onto her face as she glanced between Twilight and Big Mac.

“We? Oh darling.” Rarity said, giggling a little. “There will be no we, Applejack and I will take it from here, you and Big Mac need to get yourselves settled in.” Applejack’s eyes grew wide and her mouth dropped open for a moment.

“Rarity what in tarnation are ya talkin’ about! We can’t possibly do all this work by ourselves!”

“Oh we’ll find a way I assure you.” Rarity stood and opened the door to one of the rooms with her magic. “You wanted to get ready for the rodeo didn’t you? Well here is a perfect way to build up some strength and stamina.”

“But… even if this was goin’ to help me with that, which I don’t need a lick of help in that area I assure you. Wouldn’t it make more since to have Big Mac build up some of it to?” Rarity gave the most suggestive glare at Twilight before disappearing into the room.

“Oh he’ll be getting a workout tonight either way.” Twilight and Applejack shared the same expression, bewildered, angry, confused, and a couple other emotions rolled into one. “I won’t here a word to the contrary.”

Suddenly, One of the bags was engulfed in Rarity’s magic aura and sent floating calmly into the open passageway. Noise that could only be something breaking or something being shoved aside was followed by a small mumble that was presumably Rarity talking to herself and then another Bag making it’s way into the room.

“Applejack? Would you be a dear and pull my sofa in here next? I want a place to sit while I organize everything.” Twilight turned to Applejack to see how to respond and saw her just standing still, shaking her head.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have said anythin’ about the rodeo to her, I knew this was gonna happen. Best get up Twilight, she’ll just keep callin’ out here till I drag that thing in there.” Twilight was frozen in place.

“You’re not actually going to listen to her are you? We can’t just leave you here to do all the work.” Applejack gave Twilight a stern glare.

“Twi if ya want to go in there and try to talk her into lettin’ ya help be my guest. I know I can be a might stubborn, but Rarity is worse then me by far, she doesn’t know the meanin’ of givin in. I’ve known her longer then ya have known either of us so just take my word on that as the honest truth. I don’t know why she want’s this like it is but I’m just goin’ to move on. I’ll see ya tomorrow Twilight.” What was Twilight supposed to do? She stood and let Applejack begin contorting the sofa into the doorway as bags continued to fly past her regularly. Big Mac just gave the two questioning glances as Twilight stood there watching and thinking intently.

* * *

Another crash, this time louder then the last one. Twilight was sitting cross-hoofed on the sofa (one of the few pieces of furniture her room provided.) as Big Mac searched for a place to put his saddlebags.

“Can you believe her? Asking us to just sit in here while they make all that noise and shift eight tons of stuff around. Applejack is your sister, can’t you talk some since into her?”

“Nope.” Big Mac had located the closet next to the door back out to the hall, now the only question was where to put his bag inside it.

“So we’re just going to pretend like theirs nothing we could do to help them?”

“Eeyup.” Twilight let out an aggravated cry as she fell back into the squeaky and uncomfortable material of the sofa behind her, almost being engulfed by it as air escaped from unseen holes in the cushions. This room, keeping with the style of the rest of the hotel, was just as poorly decorated as Rarity had feared. The walls were bare of everything but dust and housed only the sofa and a small side table by the door to the hall. It wasn’t a small room either, as it seemed to connect to only two other doors that must house behind them the entirety of the space remaining on this floor. Twilight assumed they were bedrooms, meaning Rarity’s accusation would prove false.

A huge red blush kissed her cheeks and her nose scrunched slightly as she thought about Rarity’s last parting comment. Now that she was able to think it over and assess it properly, Twilight was steaming that anypony would think she and Big Mac had moved to that stage of their relationship so early, let alone think they would… buck… in a hotel room. It had still only been a few days since they had told each other there first I love You, but Twilight was sure if Rarity had any say in it they’d already be out picking her wedding dress. Scratch that, Rarity would insist on designing the dress, she’d just have twilight there to watch and gossip.

Big Mac settled on the lower left hoof corner of the closet (it would be the easiest to reach when opening the door, or at least he thought it would be.) and came over to sit next to Twilight, who was in no mood to see just how handsome he looked with his harness off. (He had left it in Ponyville, which made since considering it would only slow him down in the rodeo.) The bulky stallion took a seat beside her and made to wrap a hoof around her, which she only marginally decided she would enjoy.

“Is there somthin’ wrong sugar cube? You can’t be this upset about them two mares cross the hall can ya?” Twilight loosened the stiff nature of her posture and eased a little closer to Big Mac, resting her head on his shoulder instead of the sofa.

“What is with Rarity lately, a couple days ago she gave me this really cryptic message about us falling in love and then there was that outburst at the Ponyville train station. Now she’s got Applejack sorting bags, and did you hear what she said about you and me just now?” That last comment had Twilight turn her head up to see if Big Mac was as appalled as she was. He only nodded. “I just don’t get it.” Twilight put her head on Big Mac’s chest, her horn just underneath his neck, and hugged him gently. Big Mac’s normally strong pull on her felt incredibly relaxed when he circled his arms around her small form and returned her embrace. A feeling of safety Twilight couldn’t tell if she enjoyed washed over her; it was unfair how Big Mac could make her feel so many things she had never felt before without even trying.

“I think I know why she would be actin’ differently around ya now.” Big Mac spoke very slowly, as if each word carried its own meaning and couldn’t be overlooked. “But if I tell ya why, ya have to promise not to say a word to her.” Twilight’s curiosity mixed with the burst of love that came from her heart as each syllable of speech hit her ears, and she tightened her grip just a little. Just enough to tell Big Mac she promised, but not enough for him to tighten his as well and spoil the tender moment that was developing. “When was the last time Rarity told ya about her coltfriend?” Twilight gave the question serious thought despite the overwhelming flutter of her heart at the mention of the word coltfreind while Big Mac was there.

“I didn’t know she had one. Who is he?”

“She doesn’t have one, she’s single. Now when was the last time she told ya about her previous relationships?”

“I don’t know, usually she’s talking about other ponies getting together, I always tune out when she starts up about it.” Big Mac started to run a hoof through Twilight’s mane, initiating a little routine they had worked out that followed what they had done in the hospital in the days after the first time they got to see each other and shared there first kiss. She didn’t know why they still did this, maybe there was a certain magic in the moment they wanted to capture, maybe the repetition made them feel comfortable, but Twilight always loved this part best. Something about knowing how soft Big Mac was being now and how hard and firm that finally kiss would feel made it impossible for her not to go through the motions.

“While that doesn’t surprise me, I should tell ya theirs a reason ya don’t remember her sayin’ anythin’. She’s never been in a relationship, at least not one that anypony knows about.” Twilight wrapped her arms around his neck as she replied.

“I find that hard to believe, she’s always so open with stallions.”

“That’s just it though, she can be like that because she never has anypony to go home to and be the subject of her affection. I’ve lived in Ponyville all my life, and never once have I heard of anypony who claimed to be with her.” The next phase of there routine had begun, where Big Mac began to rub his hoof up and down her back beginning at her cheek and ending just above her flank, and Twilight would make little squeaks against her will each time he stopped to reverse directions.

“Maybe she just doesn’t like to go public about it. *Squeak* after all she’s always worried about fashion and image and stuff like *Squeak* that so maybe she’d just be embarrassed to *Squeak* talk about it.”

“I don’t think so, for one very important reason.” Twilight took one hoof off Big Mac’s neck and began to twirl it in a circle on his chest.

“What’s that?”

“That filly wants to get hitched, bad. Applejack made the mistake of tellin’ her about my run in with Miss. Cheerilee and I swear, she showed up with a book as tall as me full to bustin’ with wedding ideas. All that fashion and beauty stuff she like so much is nothin’ compared to walkin’ down the isle.” Big Mac had switched to the final part of their little ritual, running his hoof from the base of Twilight’s horn to her cutie mark, which produced such an intense longing for the kiss she knew was coming her twirling hoof on his chest began to pick up speed with her heart.

“But what does *Squeak* that have to do with *Squeak* us.”

“Twilight, she must see our relationship as a kind of mirror, a way to look at what it would be like to have somepony like we have. If she can’t live it herself then she wants us to live it for her, in a way at least. I’m no psychologist, but that’s what it seams like to me.” Twilight’s circling was starting to get slightly spastic in anticipation. Without any warning, Twilight felt Big Mac’s hoof change course, making its way up her side to her chin, lifting it up to look him in the eyes.

“How could she not find at least one pony as wonderful as you to be with her though? That’s the only thing that doesn’t add up.” Twilight’s hoof grew even shakier and her body tensed.

“I don’t know, maybe nopony ever got to see her inner beauty, like I’m seein’ yours now.” Twilight could barely take it; she squeezed herself close to him and closed her eyes as they shared the most gentle yet powerful kiss you could imagine. This time there lips were barely touching each other, but the emotion and passion in this moment made it feel like they were almost fusing together. When the kiss broke, and Twilight felt a wave of unending fatigue wash over her body, she opened her eyes to see Big Mac’s gentle smile.

“I’m going to need to think on that, somehow that doesn’t seam like exactly the answer to me.” Big Mac nodded. “For now however, I think we should get some sleep, you’ll need rest for the rodeo tomorrow.”

“Which room do you want? Big Mac asked. Twilight got up and began walking toward the closest door, which was only a few feet away.

“I’ll just take this one.” She opened the door with her magic and cast a look to Big Mac showing nothing but uncensored bliss. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

“Eeyup” As Twilight walked into the room however she wasn’t paying attention and smacked strait into something. Rubbing her nose, Twilight lit her horn again and was surprised to discover she had just walked into a small bathroom, meaning there was only one door left to lead to a bedroom. Twilight’s heart raised just as fast as when she was in Big Mac’s hooves but this time it was fear that egged it on.

“Wait, Big Mac… what’s in the other room over there?” Twilight heard the door to the room opposite open.

“Just a double bed and dresser. Why?” Twilight turned around and saw Big Mac realize the same thing she just did as he stared through the doorway to her. Either one of them was taking the sofa, or they were supposed to share a bed tonight.

Author's Note

Been a little bit since my last chapter went up, but i'm sure you guys don't mind to much. BTW, if you felt that last scene was a bit rushed, it was. Go read it again if you don't know why, it'll come to you. Happy Hearts and Hooves Day.

Bed

The sofa Twilight was on was uncomfortable. It was extremely uncomfortable. It was beyond extremely uncomfortable. It was amazingly beyond extremely uncomfortable. It was so amazingly beyond extremely uncomfortable that Twilight ran out of multi syllable words to describe how uncomfortable it was. But as she was tossing and turning and fluffing the cushions for the ninth time or so, she told herself it was far better then the alternative. That was a lie, and not even a very good lie, but she knew if she thought about it too much she’d recognize why, and avoiding that thought was the entire reason she was lying to herself in the first place.

Big Mac had put up a ridiculous protest when she decided to sleep there, he insisted if anypony was going to take the sofa it should be him, calling it the only right thing for a gentlecolt to do. It got so bad Twilight had to throw herself onto the sofa and dare him to drag her off it. Of course he couldn’t, not out of inability to move her as he was more then strong enough to hoist her away, but out of a lack of will to displace her when she so adamantly wanted to stay. Even after recognizing the defeat it took several minutes for him to silently walk into the bedroom, leaving the door wide open as if he would be listening for any opportunity to come charging back out and take her spot, forcing her to take the bed instead.

Sitting up, Twilight thought about Big Mac peacefully asleep in the other room. If there was one thing she wasn’t going to lie to herself about pertaining to this, it was how tempting it was to join him. Walking in to find his muscular shoulders moving rhythmically in tune to his breathing and crawling into his embrace beneath the sheets. Awaking to find his smiling face and getting a kiss as soft as the sunrays that awoke her before they had to get up and go to the rodeo. Twilight shook her head to clear away those thoughts, Big Mac needed to rest and she had already spent a huge amount of time with him yesterday, there was no reason to bother him any more tonight.

But as Twilight lay back down again she knew that was another lie. While that should be a legitimate concern of hers she could honestly care less about disturbing him, she knew Big Mac would do great tomorrow and he would never say no to her company regardless of if he was rested up or not. What was really bothering her was the idea of being that close with him. She wanted to, she wanted to very very badly. It was just like one of the romance novels in her library or one of the fantasies she would have as a young filly about what it would be like to be married. But it was also very very scary. She had never been in love before, she had never slept in the same room with a colt before. She hadn’t even slept in the same HOUSE as a colt before if you don’t count her brother and father.

What happens when a mare and stallion sleep together? Twilight knew one thing that was supposed to happen, and as she thought about it she rolled over to bury her face in the pillow below her and scream. Was it a requirement? Is it just some unspoken rule that whenever two ponies in love sleep with each other they have to SLEEP with each other? Every single book she’d ever read that made any mention of two ponies together like that at the very least implied (and in the case of some described) the act. It felt like such a short time since they had first gotten together, it didn’t seam right, it wasn’t right, at least not yet. But what scared Twilight the most was if it was right, and if Big Mac asked her to, she didn’t know what she’d say.

She couldn’t flat out refuse him, Big Mac knew so much more then her about stuff like this that if he thought it was the right time to ask it must mean it was the right time to do it. However she didn’t want to say yes, she just wasn’t ready to take that step. And what else could she bucking do just sit there and say nothing? Cast a sleeping spell to knock herself out while Big Mac… did whatever it was Stallion’s do in that situation? (Twilight usually skipped over that part of the scenes in her books so she wasn’t positive.) Twilight screamed into the sofa again and again. She was so torn up about this, and the sofa was getting so incredibly irritating it was impossible to think straight about it.

Finally she couldn’t take it anymore. Getting up, she looked at the wide open bedroom door and glared at the darkness. No noise drifted to her ears and everything went still as she looked unblinking at the black night beyond. What should she do? There was no way under Luna’s Moon she was going to get any sleep on that sofa, and the though of trying too made her skin itch. Twilight stood straight and attempted to calm herself as best she could. An unknown urge pushed her toward the door, telling her to follow into the room beyond. Twilight’s brain told her she didn’t want to, that she could figure something out, but all her mental protest did nothing to stop her from gazing longingly.

“I’m a grown mare.” She whispered so softly even she could barely hear the words. “I know how to get out of this if it goes bad, he’s probably already asleep anyway.” With that, Twilight made slow, even steps, and her heart made fast erratic beats, as she approached the door. Every hooffall made a noise that shattered the air even though in reality she was very quiet. When she was just outside the doorway, Twilight whispered cautiously into the next room, urged onward by the same invisible force. “Big Mac, are you still awake?” No answer, “Mackintosh?” nothing. Twilight was about to lose her nerve and try finding a particularly soft spot of the carpet to sleep on rather then that horrible sofa when Big Mac’s voice reached her ears.

“Don’t worry, I’m gettin’ up, you can have the bed.” The creaks and groans of springs in the next room gave Twilight just enough adrenaline to walk into the room and speak again.

“No, don’t get up.” Big Mac had apparently chosen not to place the comforter over himself when he was in here alone as he was already standing with the bed (almost) perfectly made behind him when Twilight entered. “That’s not what I wanted to say.”

“Oh, alright, then what is it Twilight?” Big Mac didn’t sound the least bit tiered, which gave Twilight a little more confidence.

“Well, that sofa is really uncomfortable, I mean you have no idea. So I was wondering if I could… sleep in here?” The words fell out of her mouth to land flat on the floor in front of her, but Twilight held back the fear they carried. Seconds felt like hours as Big Mac processed a reply.

“I thought you said you didn’t want to switch?”

“I don’t”

“Well that’s what it sounds like to me when you say that.”

“Well…” Twilight wanted to just turn back now. This was already a stressful enough decision without having to vocalize to Big Mac that she wanted him to stay in here. She couldn’t expect him to go sleep on that ridiculous thing in the other room, and no matter how hard she tried to turn around and concede the bed to him again, her body refused to move itself until she spoke. “I want you to stay in here, with me.” A deep pain began throbbing In Twilight’s heart, like she had just said something terrible. Big Mac’s expression didn’t change, and somehow that made Twilight even antsier as she was left to stand and speculate what must be going on in his head as the darkness around them offered not the least bit of comfort, in fact it almost mocked her with its unbroken silence.

“Alright then.” Big Mac said before slowly turning back to the bed and hoisting himself onto it. Twilight waited for him to cover himself and lie still before moving toward the other side to join him. She didn’t look at him to see if he was watching her approach, but she had a feeling that he was, the hairs on the back of her neck pricking beneath his unseen gaze. When Twilight had circled to the other side of the bed and moved the comforter, Big Mac spoke again. “Honestly I’m a little surprised by this, you didn’t seam to keen on sharin’ a bed before now.”

“Well, I’ve changed my mind.” Twilight didn’t want to speak, she was still trying to convince herself to leave, telling herself that there had to be another option then this, but nothing she told herself stopped her from sliding under the sheets beside him. Why was she doing this? What could possibly make her think this was a good idea if she had such mixed feelings? She didn’t know the answer to those questions, but no matter how wrong it felt or how embarrassed she was, something pushed her to stay. “Goodnight Big Mac.” She said as she covered herself and turned away from him, shutting her eyes tight despite the fact there was no way that he could see them. A short moment passed before Big Mac shifted, causing the bed to groan beneath him, and then he responded.

“Goodnight Twilight, I love you.” Time froze for a moment. Everything went completely and utterly still. In the shortest possible amount of Time, Twilight felt three things. The first was her heart smacking against her ribcage, as it did every time Big Mac said those words. Twilight had stopped trying to explain why it did that shortly after the first time it happened, she couldn’t find any logical explanation and it only served to frustrate her to search fruitlessly for an answer. The second thing was a small burst of warm air on the back of her neck, Big Mac had moved himself right behind her, he was going to kiss her there. Third, and perhaps most important, was the transformation of all the fear she was feeling, into a deep, uncontrollable anger.

Love, that emotion that had so recently introduced itself to her. Twilight in that one moment decided she hated it, hated what it was doing to her. She was angry she couldn’t figure out what to do, that nothing could tell her what to do in a situation like this. All her life there had been a book, or a spell, or at least some sort of advice from the princess that would show her the way. But right now, there wasn’t a single thing she had to draw on to tell her how to react, and all her uncertainty came bursting into her consciousness in this one second. Everything had been great up to this point, but for some reason the idea of receiving Big Mac’s kiss here made her afraid, and the fear made her angry with herself for fearing something that up to this point had made her feel so wonderful. And the anger made her even more afraid, so a cycle began that built up in that moment of frozen time until the touch of Big Mac’s lips against the back of her neck made it explode.

“DON’T TOUCH ME!” She screamed so loud she even startled herself. Big Mac pulled back from her and silence again reigned over the darkness, broken only with Twilight’s heavy breathing, and then light sobs as she cried soft tears that she didn’t understand why she was crying.

“I’m sorry, did I do somthin’ wrong?” Twilight was so confused; she didn’t even understand what was going on anymore. Why did she even come in here? Why was she so afraid? Why did she just yell at Big Mac who was arguably the pony she cared about more then anypony else in Equestria? Twilight couldn’t answer herself, and that was not something she was accustom to.

“Don’t touch me.” Twilight added a deep resentment for her inability to tell Big Mac how she felt to the feelings swirling around in her head. Big Mac said nothing for a very long time, a time period so long in fact, Twilight was sure he had gone to sleep and was about to do so herself.

“Twilight, I’m sorry.” His voice was sad, as if there was a weight their Twilight was unaware of. Twilight had never, in all the time she had known him, heard his voice so deep, so full of anguish, and so desperate for an answer as she did then. He almost sounded like he was going to cry. Twilight turned to look at him, not because she was any less afraid, or angry, or nervous, or anything else, but because something beyond her comprehension instructed her to.

“What?” Big Mac opened his mouth several times but no noise came out, finally, he managed to form words.

“I’m sorry.” The anger, that in seconds had blossomed from fear and made itself heard melted into a deep, almost bottomless sadness. Twilight felt worse then she could ever remember being, not because of her previous reasons but because Big Mac hadn’t done anything to deserve her shouting like she had. Something just felt… wrong, and how could she explain that? Twilight didn’t like it when questions went without answers, getting answers was probably the factor that influenced her life choices more then any other, but in this night alone there had been more unanswerable questions then she could count. She felt so far out of her comfort zone, and so confused; she was surprised when she started to speak.

“It’s ok, It’s not your fault.” Twilight didn’t feel like those were her words, it was like somepony else was feeding them to her, or some strange magic had taken over her lips and forced them to part, forming each syllable without her permission, yet speaking exactly what she would think she’d want to say. “I’m just afraid, I’ve got lots of stuff on my mind right now, about us, and I don’t know how to handle it. You’re the first pony I’ve ever cared about like this, I don’t know what to do or how to do it and all I have to go on are my own feelings for you, and what I’ve read about, which isn’t much, and definitely not enough for me. What I think scares me most is the farther we go in this and the less I know about the more I’m letting myself make decisions without thinking about some book. I’ve never had to do that before, I’ve never just let things happen, that’s always been my brothers territory.”

Twilight started to let the words flow freely from her, putting up no resistance, even allowing herself to ease into the ones she could anticipate, trying to adjust around the way her mouth had taken over for her mind. “I wish I could tell you what that’s like. I’ve lived all my life with a manual, telling me everything I’d ever need to do in any situation, listening to the advice of authors I’ve never met. But now for the first time I feel like I’m the one writing out what to do instead of reading it. It’s like I just realized who I am, that there is a separate me outside of everything I’ve ever done. And being here right now, in this bed with you, I’ve never done anything like this. I don’t even know if I should be doing this, but I do know I want to be here.”

She didn’t know when the switch happened, but Twilight found herself in control of her voice again, so instead of being forced to speak, she did so willingly. “That’s not just because you’re my first special somepony, but because I feel being here is the first decision I’ve ever made, that was my own. I want to be here, I want to be with you, I want to experience everything we can together, but at the same time I want to be sure I’m ready to do that.” Things became clear to Twilight that she had never known she didn’t know. The way her body had taken over and brought her here, this IS what she wanted. “My mind just needs to catch up to the rest of me. I’m sorry I yelled at you, I didn’t mean it.”

Big Mac said nothing, but Twilight didn’t need him to. On impulse, which is something she had never EVER made any desition on before, she scooted beside him and pressed her head beneath his, her hooves finding there way around his muscular form to embrace him. After a pause, he returned the embrace. Nothing had ever felt so invigorating to Twilight as that moment, letting herself make choices independent of experience or thought. It was something she couldn’t explain, and more importantly didn’t want to.

“I love you Mackintosh.”

“I love ya to Twilight.”

* * *

Twilight awoke with her hooves empty, the stallion whose embrace she had fallen asleep in nowhere to be found. She spent a second lamenting this fact before she became aware of a faint knock at her hotel door. Without even bothering to run a comb through her mane, she rose and headed herself to answer it. As soon as she had made her way into the foyer and opened the door Twilight was pushed aside by an overexcited Rarity.

“OH, darling I’m so happy for you!” Rarity said as she did a remarkable representation of Pinkie’s bounce into the room. “I had my doubts about you two I must admit but now that this has happened-” she froze, “well we might as well get the wedding bells ready!” Twilight stood in place, Groggy and dumbfounded.

“What are you talking about?” She said, to surprised at Rarity’s uncharacteristically uncontrolled manner to process what she meant. Rarity turned toward her and gave a smile so wide, so brimming with a smug sense of happiness; it looked like a virtual stitch across the whole of her head.

“Don’t think you can play coy with me Twilight.” She said. “I heard you two last night, that scream of pleasure.” Twilight couldn’t tell if Rarity was being serious or intentionally trying to insult her. “When I told you Big Mac would get a workout I didn’t actually expect you to listen to me, but now that this happened I’m not sorry in the least I said it. You’ll have to give me the details some time, you owe them to me since I had such a big part in there… conception.” Rarity burst out laughing, a laugh miles away from her usual controlled giggles.

“Rarity!” Twilight snapped herself out of any resemblance of sleepiness as she half shouted the word causing Rarity to give her a puzzled look as her laughter died away. “We didn’t do anything last night.” Rarity’s puzzled expression changed to a much more playful inquisitiveness.

“Then explain the shout I heard last night, I don’t think you two went to bed arguing if your mane looks like THAT when you woke up.” Twilight raised a hoof to her head and tried in vain to brush the unruly locks of her hair into a semi recognizable style before explaining further.

“Rarity it wasn’t like that, the two of us-”

“Don’t worry about it darling, your secret is safe with me… at least until we get back to Ponyville and I get the girls together. I’m sure Fluttershy would just LOVE to here this tidbit. Right now however we need to get you cleaned up and ready for the rodeo, Big Mac’s going to want to see you at your best in the stands.” Rarity began corralling Twilight out the door and into the room across the hall, going on and on about Twilight and Big Mac’s supposed escapade. All Twilight could do was drown her out for the moment as all manner of product, brush, and anything else Rarity had in her plethora of belongings was thrust into her mane. Waiting patiently for an opportunity to correct the misunderstanding.

Author's Note

By Celestia this chapter is so LATE, if I was Twilight I would be reaching for Smarty Pants by now. I mean wow I really dropped the ball here. I hope you guys didn't get to worked up at the end of the last chapter cause I'd hate to find out I made people wait this long for this connector tidbit.

A quick announcement though, next chapter marks the end of act 1. This means i'm going to have a significant shift take place afterword that I want everybody to be prepared for. Think of chapter 11 as the story's climax, and act 2 will be my falling action, assuming I manage to get chapter 11 out without another 3 week wait, I think it's going to be really good.

Hope you enjoyed your read.

Apples

“Ponyville never ceases to impress me with its sunny days.” Twilight said to herself “Maybe it’s just the fact that I grew up in Canterlot, but the open skyline is just beautiful.” A smile was plastered proudly on her face as Twilight made her way through the Ponyville market with Spike in tow. “What’s next on the list Spike?” She asked the purple dragon who scanned a long piece of parchment he had been dragging along.

“Apples, that’s a rare one.” Twilight agreed, usually Applejack would offer the cream of the crop when Applebuck season was over. Even if Twilight didn’t take her up on that offer there was always a surplus Applejack was more then happy to get rid of. This meant Twilight and her friends rarely went without a pantry full of the little red fruits. “So what happened? Is Sweet Apple Acres going to close if we don’t stuff your saddle bags?”

“Nothing that drastic, we just ran short of supply. You know what they say Spike, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, and with fall not to far off we’re going to need a few more.” Spike rolled his eyes.

“You and I both know that Apple thing is just an old ponies tail.”

“That’s what you said about Nightmare Moon, and if you could recall who was right about that…”

“Well excuse me Miss. sarcastic.” Twilight located the Apple family stall and returned a wave from Applejack.

“Well ain’t this a surprise, you know I’d love to chat but I got’a get the rest’a this cart sold a’fore we head back to the farm.”

“Well maybe we can help with that,” Twilight said. “The last batch I got from you was so good, it seems I need a few more before you pack up for winter.” Applejack’s face perked at Twilight’s offer.

“Well you came to the right pony. Ya know Apples are my specialty…” Applejack started to go off on a tangent about her apple prowess that Twilight tuned out, almost laughing at the fact it was her for once on the receiving end of a lecture.

Twilight knew she had a minute before Applejack finished up, so she let her eyes wander around the market quickly turning back to Applejack whenever she would look up from the cart to indicate a particular apple. Applebloom and Big Mac had apparently accompanied the cart today as they stood in the distance to Twilight’s left. Applebloom was trying her hand at juggling, and Big Mac was catching the Apples before they hit the ground.

Applebloom was doing surprisingly well at getting the apples into the air, but she apparently hadn’t yet mastered the catch, or staying balanced on two legs. Spending most of her time on four Twilight couldn’t blame her for being a little wobbly, with a little practice she could probably…

“…In fact you can even use em to make wrinkles disappear if you work em right, so what can I get ya?” Twilight turned her attention back to Applejack.

“Just a dozen or so, I don’t care what kind.”

“Don’t care what kind! Why that’s like say’n you don’t care weather you’re cook’n with a pan or a jar! You need the right apple for the right moment or your go’n to get a sour taste, unless you’re look’n for a sour taste to start with that’s not a good place to be. Believe me, I know.” Twilight was about to simply point to one of the apples to speed this up when she heard a familiar voice call out to her.

“Twi! Heads up.” Twilight turned just in time to duck below an apple zipping toward her. The apple bounced off a lose beam supporting the roof of Applejack’s stand with just enough force for it to topple over causing the roof to swing forward and hit Twilight in the face as she raised her head.

Twilight, temporally dazed by the blow took a step back and stumbled on the apple that had come to rest behind her. Twilight closed her eyes and with a loud scream felt herself fall into the stand. When she opened her eyes again she was looking up as the thin legs supporting their heavy load buckled on their hinges. All Twilight could do was curse the stand design and squeeze her eyes shut again so she wouldn’t see it hit her.

When a couple seconds past and Twilight didn’t feel herself turn into a purple paste on the ground she opened one of her eyes. Before her stood the form of a strong red stallion, the apple stand leaning on his back. With a strong shove he pushed against it, causing the legs to pop out and after a slight rock back the stand landed firmly in the place it had stood before.

Twilight didn’t know how to react. She had so nearly been crushed and it had all happened so quickly the world almost moved in slow motion. The stallion moved beside her and lifted Twilight to her feet with barely any effort.

“Did…I…What…”

“Eeyup.” The stallion said making sure Twilight could stand before stepping aside.

“Twi I’m so sorry!” Applebloom started. “I was just try’n to get my cutie mark in juggl’n but I wasn’t very good at it and one a the apples flew off wrong! Are you ok? Please say yes, I didn’t mean to do it honest.”

“I’m…I’m fine, just a little stunned is all.” Twilight said as she listened to the sound of her heart pounding her ribcage.

“Applebloom what have I told you about play’n with our inventory! Somepony could’a got hurt! You’re just lucky Big Mac was here or we might have been mak’n an unscheduled visit to Ponyville Hospital!” Twilight turned to the stallion only now realizing it was Big Mac that had saved her.

“You,” Twilight didn’t know what to say, somehow thanks for saving me didn’t seam sufficient. “Thank you, I guess I wouldn’t be standing here if you…” Twilight trailed off, she was never very good with stuff like this.

“Eeyup,” Big Mac said, which somehow saved Twilight from saying anything more.

“Twilight I’m awful sorry about this.” Applejack said. “Why don’t you just take what you need, on the house.

“Applejack I’m perfectly able to pay…” Twilight started.

“Twilight I insist, it’s the least I can do.” It was fruitless to argue with Applejack’s stubborn pride, so Twilight loaded a couple of apples into her bag and turned to leave. “I know this might not be the right time to ask this but are you still free tomarra. We could really use your help but I guess we could…”

“Of course Applejack, I’ll be there.” Truth be told Twilight couldn’t remember what she was agreeing to be there for, but right now she had a strong urge to get home before something else happened. Not to mention her occasional glances at the silent Big Mac to see him staring down at her with worry made her increasingly uncomfortable. Twilight started off in the direction she had come followed closely by Spike.

“That was a close one,” Spike said. “Applejack should really check that cart after she sets it up. But did you see how fast Big Mac was? I mean he saw the cart was going to fall and in the blink of an eye sprinted his way underneath it.” Twilight blushed as she stole another glance back.

“No I didn’t see, but right now I think it would be best if we just finish our shopping and head back to the library. What’s next?”

* * *

The rest of the day passed without incident, but Twilight couldn’t help but think back to what had happened at the apple stand. Lying on her bed waiting for the embrace of sleep she tried desperately to collect her thoughts. When she had seen Applebloom practicing her juggling she was a fair distance away. So far away in fact a warning, and then a reaction on Twilight’s part could precede a flying apple. How did Big Mac reach her so quickly?

Twilight didn’t know why she cared, Big Mac found a way to save her and for that she was grateful. However it was to him her thoughts turned. In order to reach her in time Big Mac would have to of realized what was about to happen in seconds. His focus was on Applebloom juggling wasn’t it? Maybe he was simply following the apple. But that didn’t make since, in order to get there in time to save her…he must have already been looking in that direction.

Twilight felt herself blush in the darkness. She was reading to far into this, wishful thinking as the princess would have said. There had to be another explanation then that. But the more Twilight thought about it she couldn’t find anything else that would explain it. Unless Big Mac had developed the ability to predict the future, (or Pinkie was around to tell him what was about to happen.) he had been watching the stand.

So that meant one of two things, Big Mac was watching his sister make a sale like he had seen a thousand times and had done himself on multiple occasions, or he was watching her. Twilight knew he couldn’t of been looking at something behind the stand because adding in the time it would take to focus on the stand and realize what was happening would add just as much time as if he wasn’t looking at all. It was also very unlikely he was watching his sister given what was going on.

Twilight’s blush deepened, she must have gotten something wrong. Somehow this didn’t seem right, maybe he was closer then she thought or somepony else was walking by. Maybe Big Mac caused Applebloom to trip and knew where the apple would end up before it ever found it’s way out of her hoof. Why would Big Mac be looking at her?

Twilight knew a few reasons, but none of them seemed very likely. Back in Canterlot Twilight had run into a few less then high-class stallions that she caught staring at her. Growing up without any friends means Twilight was almost like the ultimate challenge to them. They treated it like a game, who could be the first to “sleep with the Sparkle.” Ponies like them where part of the reason Twilight didn’t have much of a dating life in Ponyville.

If that was Big Mac’s aim he hadn’t shown it till now. The quiet nature he had meant Twilight never really did much with him, despite the fact she spent a huge amount of time with Applejack. She had to be over thinking this, and even if she wasn’t what did she care if he was looking? Rarity always said she took it as a compliment when ponies gawked at her.

“A lady must be kind to the heads she turns, we both know they don’t have a chance so why not let them take a peak at the forbidden fruit.” As she would say. Twilight couldn’t put her hoof on it, but somehow this was different from the stallions in Canterlot. Everypony that had tried to court her there only wanted the challenge of dating the princess’s apprentice; every gift and act of kindness came with a request tagged on. Big Mac was the first stallion besides her father to do something like this and say nothing about it. And the way he had looked while he did it…

Twilight magically pulled the pillow from under her head and held it to her face with both hooves as her cheeks burned. It’s not true, that’s not how it happened. Why couldn’t she get that idea out of her head? An image of Big Mac helping her to her feet and the way he let her lean on him buzzed around her thoughts. Twilight could almost stand that though, if it wasn’t for the fact she had agreed to go to the farm the next day.

* * *

Twilight had left Spike in charge of the library and met up with Rarity and Pinkie Pie on the walk to Sweet Apple Acres.

“So darling,” Rarity began. “Applejack tells me you had a little mishap yesterday at her stall in the market, is this true?” Twilight blushed, her ears falling back against her head. She didn’t really want to think about it but Rarity would sooner die then take a dismissive answer on gossip.

“Yes, it is.”

“I also heard that a certain stallion came to your rescue.”

“Yes, he did”

“I also heard that this certain stallion displayed a special feat of speed in order to do this, is that right?”

“Yes, any other questions?” Twilight didn’t like how long Rarity was dragging this out.

“Oh I got a bunch of questions!” Pinkie said. “Like how many times can you eat a cupcake before you start craving pie and how long a mile would be if it was a circle and where IS the any key and…”

Twilight made a mental note to wave Pinkies next overdue notice as thanks for…being Pinkie, and getting a temporary silence from Rarity. When the trio arrived at their destination Applejack was standing outside the barn talking with Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Applejack motioned them over when she saw them coming up the road.

“Well now that we got our full numbers anypony forget what we’re here for today.” Twilight raised a hoof and Applejack returned a kind smile. “Applebuck season always leaves a few apples on the ground for’a variety a reasons. Sometimes the apples don’t quite fall off the trees, sometimes they get thrown out’a the cart by mistake, but however it happens they need to be cleaned up a’fore they start to rot.”

“What’s going to happen to all the apples we collect?” Twilight said, ever inquisitive.

“Well most’a them are going toward fertiliz’n next years crop. But a select few will be turned into Sweet Apple Acres brand applesauce for the winter. Big Mac and I will show you how to sort the good ones from the bad. My brothers already set to work, so unless you need someth’n else let’s head out.” Twilight said nothing and the group headed toward one of the fields.

* * *

Big Mac stood behind several large carts used to transport apples. Most were filled with brown and mushy apples but others had relatively fresh looking apples, aside from the occasional spot making them unfit for sale. Big Mac handed out saddlebags while Applejack said to check each apple for bruises before putting them in a bag. Good ones in one, bad in the other, when a bag got full they where to take it back here and dump it in a cart for Big Mac to transport latter. Following these guidelines the ponies made there way around the field collecting the forgotten members of the crop.

Twilight tried unsuccessfully to avoid Big Mac; but somehow the two of them always ended up in the same area. She couldn’t stop herself from checking to see if he was watching her, but no matter how many times she looked he always seemed focused on the task in front of him. Twilight almost wished he would look over at her, at least then she could know for sure if she was right about what happened yesterday.

Big Mac had a strange way of sorting the apples. He could tell at a glance which where good and which where bad, barely letting a second pass before he placed them in one of the saddle bags he carried. Twilight wondered if this was some sort of minor Pinkie seance he had, could that of been what he used to save her yesterday?

“Whatcha doing Twilight?” Pinkie said, startling her. The pink mare had apparently appeared out of thin air behind Twilight, as if she knew Twilight was thinking of her. Twilight blushed a deep red like a school filly on the playground, wondering how she could convince Pinkie what she was actually doing was the truth.

“Hi Pinkie,” Twilight said. Pinkie looked around Twilight and noticed Big Mac sorting apples.

“Why were you staring at Big Mac?” Pinkie asked with innocence only she could conger up in this situation.

“Well,” Twilight began. “I was wondering how he could sort the apples so quickly.” That wasn’t a total lie, maybe Pinkie will buy it.

“Then why don’t you just go ask him, why are you just watching him?”

“Have you ever heard the phrase the act of observation changes the outcome of the experiment?” When Pinkie didn’t respond Twilight took that as a no. “It means if I ask him how he’s doing it he might change what he’s doing so that it won’t work anymore.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Well it might not be his fault.”

“Then whose fault is it?

“Pinkie, it doesn’t mater.” This was going to become a loop if Twilight didn’t think fast. Scanning the ground she found a particularly rotten apple and grabbed it with her magic. “Don’t you think we should be getting back to work?” She said, and then quickly added “Me to” before Pinkie could respond. Twilight then turned and began sorting the apples into the saddlebags she had been provided. Pinkie surprised Twilight and took the hint to leave allowing Twilight the opportunity to continue her observations.

Trading between using her magic to sort apples and glancing at Big Mac she began to admire just how strong the work hoarse was. As apple upon apple was piled into his saddlebag Twilight wondered if he would ever have to take the batch to be unloaded. While trying to estimate just how many apples he was carrying, he turned toward her. Twilight panicked, she turned back to the ground and grabbed an apple. She tried to toss it in her bag but when her mind suddenly slipped to Big Mac the apple flew from her.

Magic has a fatal flaw in that the more emotion you feel the stronger it becomes. The target you feel stronger toward is the target your magic will follow. Sometimes this is good, as a unicorn in a life or death situation can do things normally unheard of. However as was the case here, sometimes the wrong thoughts can throw off a unicorns magic making concentration crucial.

Twilight scolded herself as the apple raced toward Big Mac and hit him on his unprotected flank. Fortunately it was near completely rotten and exploded on impact. Big Mac didn’t even flinch, but after inspecting the bits of apple splattering his coat he turned to the speechless Twilight. Without a word Big Mac reached into his saddlebag and pulled out another apple. Tossing it up in the air, he spun around and launched it straight at Twilight. Twilight dogged the projectile and hid behind a tree.

“Big Mac!” She called out. “It was an accident I didn’t mean to…” Twilight’s plea was met with another apple slamming into a tree beside her. “Big Mac stop! I’m sorry!” When Twilight heard another apple hit the tree she was behind, she realized Talking probably wasn’t going to work.

Grabbing an apple from her own bag, Twilight peaked out from behind her hiding spot. Big Mac was tossing another apple, Twilight estimated he was thirty feet away, if she could just get out of his range…

An apple whizzing by her head at breakneck speed punctured that plan. Twilight realized if she could get close enough to lift the saddlebags off him he wouldn’t have any more ammunition to use. Deciding this was the best plan she could come up with she listened to the next apple zip passed and rushed behind the next tree in line toward Big Mac. Normally she would teleport, but she didn’t want to risk ending up directly in front of Big Mac’s bucking hooves.

Another apple flew past and Twilight advanced another tree. Estimating that each tree was four feet apart. She would need to advance about two more trees before attempting to lift off the saddlebags. The next apple almost made a hissing sound as it passed; Big Mac was really hitting these things! How hard did that apple hit him?

Another tree closer to Big Mac, Twilight let a few apples fly by to catch her breath, occasionally tossing one of her own. Twilight heard three apples in rapid succession that all hit her tree one after the other and then silence. The apples stopped flying, Twilight realized to late why. When she bolted out from behind her tree Big Mac stood directly in front of her, a stern look on his face and an apple in his hoof.

Twilight almost visibly shook as Big Mac tossed the apple into the air. When it came back down the stallion lightly tapped it causing it to bounce harmlessly off Twilight’s nose and onto the ground where it rolled to Big Mac.

“Tag,” he said, before picking up the apple and turning to leave. Twilight was flabbergasted, the apples Big Mac had flung toward her where going at breakneck speed, now he just bops her with one and leaves?

“Tag?” Twilight said. “That’s it?”

“Eeyup.” Came Big Mac’s response

“Then what was all that for! You nearly killed me with some of those apples!” Big Mac turned to Twilight, a smile on his face.

“Wouldn’t be as fun to just tag you, to easy.”

“So nearly killing me just now, that was all a game?” Twilight didn’t know if she was furious of confused.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac said. Furious, definitely furious.

“That wasn’t a game! A game involves a board, or points, or cards, not making ponies fear for their lives! Why didn’t you tell me you wanted to play tag or something? Granted that doesn’t sound like something ponies of our age usually ask but it’s better then what you did!” Big Mac’s smile dropped.

“I’m sorry Miss. Sparkle, I was…”

“It doesn’t matter what you where doing!” Twilight stormed off leaving Big Mac to stand alone amongst the trees.