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// after dinner (edited) 
// Story: Fluttermac Forever 
// by peep 
//------------------------------//

	After a delicious dinner, Applejack told Big Mac to walk Fluttershy home.

“Oh, no, I’ll be fine on my own. I don’t want to cause anymore trouble for you.”

“Nonsense, sugarcube, he doesn’t mind.”

“Nope.”

“Well, um, okay, if you’re sure…”

“Good then! You go git yer squirrel friend and Big Mac’ll meet ya by the barn.” Fluttershy nodded, then went through the door. Applejack pulled her brother over and said in a low voice, “Watch out fer Pinkie Pie. She might’ve come out again. Keep Fluttershy away from her; she’s not ready yet.”

He nodded and went to the barn. Fluttershy had a blanket in her teeth, and a furry tail was poking out of it. A window opened in the house. “G’bya, Miss Fluttasha! Come back agin!” Applebloom yelled.

They started to walk to Fluttershy’s cottage. “You have a wonderful family, Big Macintosh. And your grandmother makes the best pies! It’s been long since I’ve eaten that much.”

“Well, Ah’m sure yer family is jist as well as mine.”

“Oh, I don’t have a family. I live alone. Well, almost alone. I have these guys to keep me company.” She raised the bundle a little.

“Ah’m sorry fer bringin’ that up.”

“Oh, no, it’s quite alright. If anything, I’m the one that brought it up.” Big Mac stopped walking. “Oh, did I say something wrong? I’m so sorry.”

“Nah, not that.” His ears pricked up and swiveled to the left. He looked around. Softly, he said, “Fluttershy, go hide behind that building please. Jist fer a second. When I give ya the signal,” he snorted and pawed at the ground three times, “Ya go runnin’ ta yer house, alright? Don’t stop fer nothin’ unless it’s important.” She nodded and hid. Big Mac trotted to the place where he heard hoofsteps approaching.

“Hi Big Mac how are you doing I heard somepony else’s voice that I’ve never heard before are they new?” said the ever-hyper Pinkie Pie.

“Nope. How was yer day?”

“Oh it was amazing I had the best party ever!”

“Really?” He snorted and pawed the ground a few times. “What was it like?”

“Everypony came and we danced for three hours and Vinyl really rocked out then Derpy ate all the muffins and-” Her eyes moved to the left. She started to move around Big Mac, but he stood blocked her.

In a low voice he said, “Not yet.”

“But she’s new so I have to welcome her and gimbmhnghbm.”

Big Mac’s hoof pressed hard against her muzzle. “Not yet.”

Pinkie Pie sat on her haunches and he removed his hoof. “Fine, I’ll wait until tomorrow.” She trotted home, the spring returning in her step as she awaited the following day.

Big Mac let out a long sigh. “Too close,” he said to himself, and walked home.