//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: For The One You Love // by bahatumay //------------------------------// “Contented” seemed too plain a term, but that’s the only one that came to Big Mac's mind. He didn't even mind the long pink mess that was Fluttershy's mane in his face. Sure, he didn't particularly care for the flavor of mane—it was a bit too rough for his taste—but for Fluttershy he could and would easily make an exception. He pulled her close, ensuring that her wings weren't twisting or bending wrong and gave her a gentle kiss on the back of her head. The harvest meant that he could only spend the night once a week, much to the disappointment of both parties, so Mac wanted to make sure he didn't miss a single second of their cuddling. Eventually, though, he succumbed to Fluttershy's charm, and he fell asleep to the smooth rhythm of her calm breathing. Fluttershy woke up alone. Although Rarity might have insisted she throw a fit at being loved and then left, this didn't disturb her at all. Mac had chores to do at home, and he had to get up a lot earlier than she did if he wanted to get done in time, even with all the animals she had to care for. It wasn't uncommon for her to wake up and see that he had left. At least her bed was still warm and smelled like him. She would have stayed there longer, just enjoying the feel of his after-presence, but the sounds of her animal friends as they woke up reminded her that she had other responsibilities to tend to. Stretching widely, she flared her wings, gave a little yawn, and hopped out of bed. Trotting out of her bedroom, she entered her kitchen to see that Macintosh had cleaned up the aftermath of their dinner last night. A smile flickered across her face. He was too kind to her. That made her situation that much more difficult to bear. She turned to her calendar hanging on the wall (decorated with a beautiful sunset motif) and crossed off another day, leaving four more days until a date circled in red. "Hey, Mac!" Big Mac paused mid-buck and turned to see his sister Applejack walk up. He nodded in greeting before returning to his task. “You're in a good mood today,” she commented. Big Mac moved to the next tree. “Eeyup.” Applejack's eyes clearly indicated that she was thinking of something else besides small talk. “When’d you get home last night?” Big Mac shrugged. He in all honesty had no idea. He had gotten into the habit of closing his eyes and not looking at the clock when returning, so that he could honestly answer that he didn’t know. Applejack narrowed her eyes. She knew his game all too well. Although it technically was not a lie, she still considered this cheating. “Well, you just better start figurin’ it out. Ah don’t want t’ hear you were doin’ anything inappropriate with Fluttershy late at night when you were ‘apposed t’ be home.” "Ah'm doin’ nothin’ inappropriate with Fluttershy," Big Mac maintained. Applejack rolled her eyes. "By whose definition?" A tiny smile played at his lips. "Hers." Applejack found that she had no rejoinder for this and settled for changing the subject. "So what're you doin' for her birthday?" Mac frowned. "When's that?" "In four days," Applejack said. She grinned at the shocked look that crossed her brother's face. "What? She didn’t tell you?" Mac shook his head. Applejack chuckled. "Eh, that makes sense. She never says anythin’ about herself. Just..." She walked closer and rested a hoof on his shoulder. "Make it special, 'kay? She's real taken with you." "Ah hadn't noticed," Big Mac joked, earning himself a quick kick in the ribs. “You’re thinkin’ of her right now, aren’tcha." It didn't even have to be a question. "Bet she’s thinkin’ of you right now, too.” As it turns out, Applejack was wrong. At that moment, keeping her balance was the only thing on Fluttershy’s mind. Well, and listening to Rarity chat about the events in Canterlot. That was the only kind thing to do. “You would not believe how fancy some of these parties are!" Rarity gushed as she stretched yet another fabric swath against Fluttershy's body. "The glamour! The fashion! The way there are no less than five utensils at every serving place!" Fluttershy, who was perfectly content to simply eat with her hooves, nodded. "Sounds complicated." "Yes, perhaps; but a true lady knows the intricacies of using them all, and in which order. That goes doubly for the food served as well. You would not beleve just how important manners are. One faux pas can ruin your social standing forever! Why, at one affair, a stallion even pointed the Brie!" Fluttershy flinched. Rarity quickly withdrew. "Something wrong? Did I stick you with a needle?" "N- no," Fluttershy said. "Just... It's nothing." Rarity of all ponies knew that 'nothing' most certainly did not mean 'nothing', especially from this pony; but she also knew that pressuring Fluttershy would just stress her unnecessarily, so she chose to change the subject as she resumed her fitting. "Your birthday is coming up, is it not? Are you doing anything exciting?" This time, Fluttershy locked up in fear. Her ears pinned back, her eyes widened even as her pupils shrunk, and her wings clenched tight against her sides. "Are... Are you quite all right?" Rarity asked. Fluttershy nodded slowly. She was not, that much was certain; and Rarity felt personally responsible. She stepped closer and pressed their shoulders together, knowing the effect that physical contact had on calming ponies. "You know, talking about this food has made me hungry. Why don't we take a little break? Would you like to come with me out to lunch? My treat!" Fluttershy nodded and visibly relaxed. "I'd like that." Big Mac stared at the papers in shock. Mentally, he reviewed the calculations again. Sure enough, the number was still the same. If he combined that number along with the number of bits in the bag underneath his bed, he might just have enough for it. He just might. "Hiya, Big Mac!" The stallion jumped as his littler sister walked in. Instinctively, he covered his workspace. Secrets tended to not stay secret long with Apple Bloom around. "Doin' anything excitin'?" Apple Bloom asked, rearing up and setting her forehooves on the desk. "Nope." "Then what are you doin'?" Apple Bloom asked, cocking her head. "Plannin' out Fluttershy's present." "Ooh," Apple Bloom said. "You're sweet on her, huh?" Mac nodded. That was putting it lightly. "Eeyup." Apple Bloom paused. "Should Ah get her somethin', too?" she asked. "You don't have to; but Ah bet she wouldn't say no.” Fluttershy was so sweet. Apple Bloom tapped her chin and thought. She brightened. "Ooh! Maybe Ah could watch her animals while you two go on a date!" Big Mac shuddered. Not at the idea of a date, of course. They had done that—and much, much more—plenty of times. It was the other part that worried him. The watching her animals part. Frankly, he was fairly certain that Fluttershy wanted her house to still be standing and not on fire when she returned, and so he decided to try and dissuade his sister as kindly as possible. "Ah don't really think that's necessary," he said. "Hmm... Ah'll think of something." With that, Apple Bloom turned to leave. Big Mac covered his ears, awaiting the impending… "Cutie mark crusaders gift planners! Yay!" she shouted joyfully, rattling the plates hung on the walls. Big Mac couldn't help but smile as she sprinted out in search of her friends. He pulled the papers closer and calculated again. A wide smile spread across his face. He would do it. In a couple of days, the Apple family would be getting a new member. Birthdays are supposed to be joyous affairs. This was one of the few things that both Pinkie Pie and almost everypony else in Ponyville could agree on. Yet on the morning of her birthday, Fluttershy was cowering under the bed, shivering in fright. "He'll know, Angel," she whispered. "He'll find me. He always has." Angel held her hoof. He knew there were times to push Fluttershy and times he shouldn't, and this was one of those times he shouldn't. She had been there for approximately an hour when there came a knock at the door. She jumped and began quivering in fear even worse than before. Angel tapped her on the cheek comfortingly, and bounded over to the door. He quickly returned, giving Fluttershy a reassuring nod. She hesitantly pulled herself out from under the bed and walked shakily to the door. She needn't have worried. When she opened the door, she saw a package on the doorstep, and a gray pegasus, crouched on the ground, trying to sneak away, apparently oblivious to the fact that she still wore her hat and had her wings outstretched. When she realized she had been spotted, she turned, straightened up, and waved as if nothing were amiss. Fluttershy laughed as she waved back, then leaned down to examine the package. She pulled it inside and shut the door. It was from Pinkie Pie, and read 'one of two'. She opened it and was startled when a streamer flew out. She saw various desserts surrounded by a small ocean of confetti. Apparently, Pinkie had elected to send a party in a box instead of an actual party, which was quite all right with Fluttershy. There came a knock on the door again, and Fluttershy assumed it was package two of two. She pulled the door open again... and her wings clenched against her side as she took in the pegasus who stood at the door. Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes widened with fear, and she took a horrified step back. The stallion there, on the other hoof, merely smiled. "Hello, Bri,” he said. “It's been a while."