The day's events began with a potato sack race. Apple Bloom and I entered in together. Applejack and Granny Smith cheered from the sidelines as the two of us flounced and tumbled towards the finish line. We collapsed on several occasions, giggling at ourselves. Eventually, after much toil, we finished in second place. Ponies cheered and hollered while sisters—both old and young—collected their ribbons and hugged.
This is what Fluttershy saw when she arrived, and she smiled.
“Howdy, darlin'.”
Fluttershy turned and beamed. “Big Mac!” She rushed towards the stallion. The two stop within a breath of each other and rubbed the sides of their cheeks. “I'm so sorry for not being here earlier.”
“Hmmmm...” He smiled at her, his freckles turning red. “S'alright.”
“Angel didn't sleep well overnight and Bunny Thompkins had stomach cramps. I just had to make sure they were alright before coming over.” She stared bashfully from behind her mane. “I... uh... I hope that's alright.”
Big Macintosh merely smiled at her.
“I didn't miss much, I hope?”
He shook his head. “Eenope.”
“G-good!” Her wingtips fluttered. She reached back and displayed a basket full of jars. “I brought the spices for Granny Smith's hay alfredo. I know she's planning a big meal for all the sisters and other ponies later. Do... uhm... do you think she'll let me help out around the kitchen this time?”
The stallion chuckled and nodded. “Eeyup. Yer practically family now, Flutters. I hope you realize that.”
The mare blinked, then folded her ears with a blushing expression. “Practically... family...” She smiled aside, her eyes slightly misty. “You know, my mother and father never tr-trusted me with helping make the family meal.” She gulped. “Or my brothers and sisters, for that matter. I was... always g-getting in the way...”
“You are never in the way, Fluttershy.”
“Are you sure? Because I-I'm more used to cooking for my animal friends and—”
“Fluttershy...”
“Er... right.” She exhaled and nodded nervously. “I'll help Granny the best that I can. I promise.”
“She'll be glad for it,” Big Mac said. Suddenly, it was his turn to fidget. “Erm... Fluttershy?”
“Mmm? Yes, Big Mac?”
“I don't suppose... uh... that today is the day that we...I mean...” He bit his lip. “There are so m-many ponies here and...”
“Ohhhhhhh Big Mac.” She leaned in and nuzzled his chest. “I would love to. I really, really would. But...” She looked up at him with sparkling eyes. “Please, if it's okay with you, I'd rather we wait until all of my mare friends are around to see it... to see us.”
Big Mac exhaled. “Yeah, okay...”
“Okay?”
He smiled and nodded.
“Please. Don't be afraid. They're my friends,” Fluttershy said with a sweet smile. “They're going to be so... so happy for us. I just know it.”
“Mmmm-yup...” Big Macintosh exhaled with a relieved grin.
“Hey! Big Mac!” a stallion hollered from the distance. “The concessions tent is a bit wobbly! Could you come check it out!”
“Eeyup!” Big Macintosh started to trot off. He paused, glancing back at Fluttershy.
She giggled. “Go on ahead. I'll deliver the spices to Granny myself.”
He nodded. Then, with a lasting smile, he quickly galloped away.
Fluttershy watched him, her wings outstretched to either side. She gave a long, warm sigh.
“Seriously, girl. That dude could eat you,” a voice cracked from above.
“Eeep!” Fluttershy spun to see Rainbow sitting on the limb of an apple tree, her legs dangling.
“Why couldn't you have settled for a stallion who could at least walk onto an elevator without fear of it breaking?” She winked.
“Rainbow Dash! You're...” Fluttershy blinked. “You're here!”
“Pffft-yeah. Don't try to sound so surprised. I told you that Applejack invited me, right?”
“Yes, but you've clearly kicked the clouds away.” Fluttershy turned towards the fields where pony sisters were competing in pairs. “And the activities have already started.”
“You're wondering what I'm still doing here?”
“Uhm... y-yes?”
Rainbow shrugged. “When Applejack asks me to be someplace, it's kinda hard for me to leave my post.”
“Why do you make it sound like being a soldier?”
“Pffft. Come on, girl. I don't rag you about your wars.”
Fluttershy giggled... then giggled again.
Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “Wowsers. Somepony's really... giddy today.”
“I just can't help it.” Fluttershy's tail flicked. “It's a beautiful day. The farm's doing well. You're here. Big Macintosh is here. Everything feels so... so...” She suddenly blinked, then glanced across the field to where Apple Bloom and I were lining up to do another race. “...perfect?”
“You sure about that?” Rainbow chuckled. “Cuz you sure look confused to me.”
“Uhm... maybe.” Fluttershy gulped and turned towards her friend. “Rainbow Dash, I was thinking...”
“Don't you sweat. I'm totally on it.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah...” Rainbow flapped her wings and took off for the bright blue sky. “It's been an hour since my last airshow! I gotta liven things up a bit or else the kids here will totally riot!”
“Rainbow Dash, that wasn't what I was about to—”
“Can't talk now!” Rainbow rocketed out of ear shot. “Got stunts to pull! Woooo-hoooo!”
Flutterhy sighed, her body deflating. “Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Rainbow Dash...” She slowly trudged her way to the farmhouse where the smell of kitchen cooking wafted from.