It's Hearts and Hooves Day, and Big Macintosh has been forced into a rather fancy getup that... truth be told doesn't fit him in the slightest. While waiting for his lover, Caramel, to come to the bar they're having dinner at, he runs into Troy and Canvas, Ponyville's seemingly most popular couple. They have a small talk regarding Mac's feelings on just how genuine the holiday feels, and more importantly how it doesn't feel like him and Caramel.

Bit of a crossover and a surprise for TheVClaw this valentines day.

Cover art a commission from a friend awhile back (VividSyntax) by BNG.

Warning: The following story contains some M/M shipping. You have been warned.

How does one tell their best friend that they love them? Especially when that said best friend is Big Macintosh Apple?
This one shot is the thoughts and feelings of what Caramel goes through the stallion's head while he and Mac are spending their time hanging out.

A huge thank you to his Highness, PrinceCelestia for his excellent cover art. Also, a special thank you to SecretBrony01 for editing this.

When winter's thaw comes at last, we all learn to move with the tide of the melted snow. We learn to continue our lives from what we once had before time had stopped the best that we can. For better or for worse, we follow the flowing water wherever it might take us.

Following the events of "Melting Snow", Caramel and Big Macintosh continue to explore the depths of their relationship, the two growing closer with each passing day. The days feel short, spring approaching as the seeds of the apple fields are planted one by one, roots sprouting as they firmly plant themselves comfortably into the new soil, ready to sprout and explore the world.

Big Macintosh tried his best to simply travel through life without causing any trouble, and without getting too attached to somepony outside of his family walls. But as a childhood friend he thought to be long forgotten by the name of Caramel suddenly shows up unexpected, he happens to bring a few demons along with him.

A hundred miles away however, The Wonderbolts tour around Equestria, each new show of their Equestrian tour becoming more and more stressful for the lot. It becomes harder and harder to maintain a somewhat normal daily life for vice-captain, Soarin, and even harder to keep a bond between him and his coltfriend, Braeburn Apple.

Big Mac has been working the farm much more lately, putting much of his time towards it. One day, he gets a surprise visit from his coltfriend and decides to spend a little extra time with him.

Caramel likes Big Macintosh.

Big Macintosh doesn't know.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack are romantically involved.

And just how much does Caramel admitting his crush change all their lives?

Rampant coltcuddling and fillyfooling, in the romantic sense.

Big Macintosh reflects on a day long in the past and a path he lacked the conviction to follow. A heavy price must sometimes be paid for the path one walks.

Featured on Equestria Daily.
Followup story here.

The Coltcuddlers Writing Contest Winners!!!

Theme: a secret crush!
the following is a selection of 5 of the 23 submissions to the first ever Coltcuddler group writing contest. Please read and enjoy, let the authors know what you think.
the winners are...
Appleloosan Psychiatrist
Fimbulvinter
Thunderplunk
Fizzlesticks
congratulations!!!

great work everyone, even if you didn't place, just know that every last one of your works were a pleasure to read.
Just in case the title didn't let on there will be M/M

After tragedy strikes the Apple family, a teenage Big McIntosh is left alone to struggle with taking care of the farm. It soon becomes apparent that he simply can't handle the load on his own, but is just too darn stubborn to admit that he needs help. It's not long before the community of Ponyville step in to offer their assistance, but not all for the same reasons and certainly not in the ways that Big Mac had expected.

I would like to thank SirMagicHooves for:
- proof-reading Chapter One - Help prior to its submission.
- helping me decide to slice the original Chapter Two in half and add an additional chapter.

I would like to thank BigMacintosh1 for:
- inspiring me to broaden my imagination and knowledge with this fic.
- invaluable farming information that will come into play from Chapter 03 onwards.

Caramel finally understands his feelings, but is he too late to act on them? Will he break out of his shell and find love? Is Big Macintosh even available?
A love story between Caramel and Big Macintosh (obviously...). Contains M/M coltcuddling and some innuendos. If thou doest not enjoy such topics, shield thine eyes.