As expected, Granny Smith pulled out all the stops to create another amazing year of Hearth’s Warming Eve dinner. Of course, that was only the Eve dinner, and the Hearth’s Warming Day dinner would be a feast fit for the gods.
There was the turkey, the cranberry sauce, the mashed potatoes, steamed corn, coleslaw, green beans, stuffing, rice, baked mushrooms, and almost every apple-related side dish and dessert known to man.
"My favorite time of the year!" Big Macintosh said as he began to butcher the turkey for everyone. Everyone was in their best and Big Mac couldn't take his eyes off Fluttershy. he gave everyone there a slice of the perfectly cooked turkey. the exceptions were Rainbow Dash, who opted for the drumstick, and Fluttershy, who did not eat meat if she could help it.
"Well, how will that work?" Applejack asked.
"Excuse me?" Big Mac asked.
"Well, I know Fluttershy doesn't like meat, but how will that work when you both go out?" His little sister asked again.
Fluttershy and Big Mac became silent. Applejack and her friends smiled as if they smelled blood in the water.
"Yeah, how will that workout? Have you all talked about it?" Rarity asked.
Big Mac began to blush. "But we aren’t -"
"How about when you have kids?" Applejack asked.
"But-"
Fluttershy had enough and spoke up. " Guys, we are only friends. Nothing more."
Big MacIntosh felt those words sting from his heart down. He thought there was at least a little bit of a connection. Maybe he could tell her exactly how he felt, but there was no reason to cause a scene.
"Eeyup," he said as he continued to cut the turkey.
As the dinner went on, the conversations chained along many different and unique topics like apples, apple history, apple food-making, apples, apples, and appuls. In the middle of the dinner and appletastic conversation, Big MacIntosh excused himself to the restroom. When he was done and left the room, he found himself being blocked by Rarity in the hallway.
"So, Big MacIntosh? Seemed a little defensive back there, weren't we?" Rarity said with a grin.
"We are friends, nothing more," he said as he tried to walk around her. She stuck her small hands and arms out to block the door.
"Are we not friends, you and me? Friends can tell secrets... I can tell you who I like at Canterlot High..."
"Not interested, sorry."
"Please, Big Mac. If you do like her I can help you! I just want to see both of you happy!"
Big Mac stopped and contemplated Rarity’s offer. Sure, having Rarity on his side would help... But he liked Fluttershy enough that he wouldn't risk losing her or making things awkward. But, there was Rarity in the way.
"So, will you... Hey! What are you-"
Big MacIntosh had no choice but to lift Rarity by her armpits and move her away. She was unsure of what to do so she let him. After he set her down, he walked down the hall and back to his dinner, where the conversation had took a predictable turn to apples.
***
"Thank you for being a gentlemen and letting Fluttershy stay in your room, Mac," Granny Smith said as she tossed a few blankets and a pillow to her grandson. Yeah, he lost the privacy of his room, but having the fireplace still burning for the night was a good trade off. After dinner and apple-related family activities, the storm was beginning to pick up, which made Big MacIntosh commandeer the pickup truck and drop off Applejack’s friends with the exception of Fluttershy, who was staying with the Apple Family because of the fact her way home had no road. One by one they let off, with Big Mac looking at every corner hoping the police would not pull him over and question why a freshman would already be driving. Rarity was the last stop
"My offer still stands," she said as she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
***
Big MacIntosh got comfy with the blankets while Granny Smith began her walk up the stairs.
"Oh, um, the condoms are in the medicine cabinet," Granny said.
Big Mac began to blush again. "But we are not dating,"
"Sure you're not. I believe you rascal," she said with a wink as she walked up the stairs for the night.
Big Mac got comfortable again and was prepared to sleep when he heard a creak upstairs. he lifted his upper body to be sitting on the couch to see who it was.
Applejack.
"Hey brother," she said with a warm smile.
"Howdy."
She sat on what space was left on the couch: the small space between his foot and the edge of the sofa.
"So, I know you think we might have been joking about you and Fluttershy, but ah think ya both would make a great couple. And I wouldn't mind if-if you two did end up doing so."
Big Mac became annoyed. His patience was stretched that day, even if his heart broke a bit inside.
"You heard her yourself. Just friends," he muttered
Applejack chuckled. "Have you seen how she looks at ya? She looks at you as if you were a basket full of puppies. Tell ya what, want me to talk to her for ya?"
He shrugged and fell back into the couch. "If you want."
"Night, Mac," she said as she got up and retreated to her bed upstairs.
Big Mac laid on the couch for a while after that, pondering if he should tell Fluttershy. It would’ve been awkward if she said no, but would it be worth it? He didn't have much time to think because he heard a door upstairs creek again. He assumed it was going to be Apple Bloom bringing in her two cents so he flipped to the couch, trying to look like he was asleep.
It was not Apple Boom.
He felt a soft body wrap itself over his back. The body's voice was heavenly and familiar.
"Hey, I know you like pie before you sleep, so want to have some with me?" Fluttershy asked.
Big Mac turned around to see Fluttershy in her pajamas and admired how snug it fit her body.
"Sure."
***
"It's just so frustrating," Fluttershy said as she frothed another layer of whipped cream onto her pumpkin pie. Big Mac liked his bare, so no whipped cream was on his.
"Eeyup."
"A boy and a girl can't be friends without people thinking they are an item?"
Big Mac nodded.
"But, maybe we should get together..." Fluttershy muttered.
"Excuse me?"
"I-If it wi-will make make them st-stop talking, maybe!"
"That would be awkward." Mac deadpanned.
"Yeah... but I do like you, though," Fluttershy whispered.
"What?"
"Eep! Nothing!"
Once they were done, they placed their dishes in the sink and hung out in the doorway between the kitchen and living room, enjoying the duality of the warm living room and the cool kitchen.
"Want to watch TV?" Mac asked.
"Sure, Big... Uh oh," Fluttershy replied.
"What's wrong?" Big MacIntosh asked.
"Look up,"
Big MacIntosh looked up and became pale.
Tacked on the doorway was the dreaded mistletoe.
It also had a note.
To Fluttershy and Big Macintosh,
Have fun!
-Applejack XOXO