Hearts and Hooves day was an exciting time for the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
Every year, they tried to set up Big Mac with Cheerilee.
Every year, they failed.
Yet they kept trying.
This year’s plot was the most intricate one yet. Even Granny Smith was involved. She was growing tired of watching her baby boy Mac remain single every year, that yoke around his neck and short tail unaware of the mares’ stares.
It was no secret that every mare in Ponyville had a crush on Apple Bloom’s older brother at some point. The work in the fields had made him big and strong, his face nicely defined, the square tip to his muzzle bringing out his bone structure.
The Crusaders giggled with delight when they saw Cheerilee walk into the East Orchards at Sweet Apple Acres. She was scheduled for a picnic with Big Mac. The Crusaders were surprised that the two agreed on the picnic. They rarely agreed on one of the Crusaders’ schemes to pair them together. But lately they had given up; the two ponies laughed together at the cuteness of the three young fillies and went along with it. Big Mac had even started to talk.
“Hello Big Mac!” Cheerilee chirped.
“Eeeeeyup.” Big Mac smiled and they began walking together.
It was evident that the two had chemistry. Ever since they began actually embracing the CMC’s plans, they had really been getting along. But neither of them considered each other as more than friends, therefore disappointing the Crusaders’ plot.
They pretended to be unaware of the three fillies running around, trying to sneakily follow Big Mac and Cheerilee down the path (where they’d be meeting for one of Scootaloo’s “romantic picnics”).
Making small talk the whole way up, Big Mac felt his stomach roar mightily. Cheerilee giggled and slid closer to the red apple stallion. He felt his heart quicken as he thought to himself.
What the hay is she doin’? We ain’t nothin more but friends. I think, at least.
But he couldn’t help but notice the pink curls framing the teacher’s face, falling in perfect ringlets and her soft bangs, and the way her eyelids lowered, letting her thick lashes surround her eyes.
He couldn’t help but notice how her green eyes sparkled against the backdrop of her violet coat, fluttering and winking.
He couldn’t help but notice how her smooth flanks rolled, each leg gracefully moving in synchronization with the other leg, her cutie marks seemingly winking at him, sitting on that thick, gorgeous flank.
He shook his head.
Now, what in the hay am I doin?
Always the courteous gentleman, he quickly averted his eyes from her juicy flank before she caught him.
Mac saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders wiggle behind a bush. He smirked and decided to give them a thrill. He stopped by the road, bent down, and picked a few flowers identical to Cheerilee’s cutie mark. He brushed off any clods of dirt, and broke off the roots. Using his mouth, he offered them to her. Cheerilee looked over.
“Oh, Mac, they’re lovely! Thank you so much!” She exclaimed, delighted. She tried to grab them with her teeth, but couldn’t help but notice how he smelled like ripe apples, and how his rich red coat gleamed in the sunshine.
She couldn’t help but notice the way his orange hair fell around his eyes, in wispy pieces, those forest green orbs looking intently at the flowers, and how his strong, square jaw displayed his hours of tough field work.
She couldn’t help but notice how his big, strong body, with rippling muscles, probably also sported a big, thick, juicy part between his legs…
Mind out of the gutter. He’s just a friend.
She smiled and took the petals into her mouth. Chewing on them thoughtfully, she saw Mac eat the stems in her peripheral vision. Our first shared meal, she thought. They had reached their destination, a gazebo with stained green glass shading the inside. It was clean, and smelled of fresh apples. The handiwork of the Crusaders, trying to make everything perfect. She looked up, and gasped.
Mac was looking at her, but they had somehow locked eyes. Green orbs stared into green orbs. Cheerilee felt as though she was being pierced, her whole world blackening except for the gorgeous red workhorse in front of her. She noticed more things. She saw the way his orange hair glinted golden. She saw his muscles contract and stretch as he moved his hoof. She saw the way his freckles splashed across his face.
Mac felt like the world stopped. All he saw was the violet mare standing in front of him. Had they really not made sure eye contact before? This was the first time he felt this way about Cheerilee. He felt his heart melt away, leaving only Cheerilee. Her soft, silky mane glimmered, highlighted by the afternoon sun. He could’ve stood there, staring into Cheerilee’s eyes forever. But he couldn’t because his stomach grumbled mightily again.
The moment broke. The mare laughed. “L-Let’s go eat. I’m sure the Crusaders prepared a wonderful meal.” She forced herself to look away. Mac agreed with a simple “Eeeeeyup.” They both looked away and shook their heads.
What was wrong with them?
