> Sweet Things
>  by Osper
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Sweet Things
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Sweet Things



By



Osper


Big Macintosh was glad to be done with the entire thing. That darn cake had wobbled and shook, magical force fields and ropes doing little to alleviate the constant nerve racking fear that it was going to spill right over for no discernible reason besides plain old spite.
He looked around. The town was peaceful and it was nice to see everypony once in a while since he was mostly stuck on the farm. Several ponies waved to him and he nodded back, a hint of smile on his lips.
There was the rest of the day to look around the town he so rarely had the time to visit. Well...maybe day was too long. There was still the back ten to gather apples from. And that broken fence. And the wateri-
“Hey! Stop that cart!”
Thoughts broken into with the cry for help, Macintosh snapped his head around to see a catering cart quickly rolling downhill, the small city made of donuts on top of the cart tipping backward towards the waiting dirty ground.
With no one else making a move, he dashed forward, pulling alongside the cart and gradually slowing it down until the small city had settled back into it's safe, upright position. Gazing down at the tasty looking skyscrapers revealed little ponies made of spare batter who almost seemed grateful to their savior with their little outstretched legs.
“Hey, thanks a lot! You saved it.”
The pony in pursuit of the runaway city trotted up, slightly messy brown hair spilling out from under his white cap. The white apron he wore was covered in slight batter spills, probably acquired in the creation of the masterpieces of round dough Macintosh had just saved.
“No problem. You goin' to that fancy baking competition too? The train's about to leave.”
The baker's eyes popped open, the lighter brown fur standing up on the back of his neck at the horrific news.
“What!? I've gotta get on it! But when my cart rolled away, I lost track of where I was. Can you tell me where the station is from here?”
Macintosh pointed far off down the street as the first warning whistle blew, letting the passengers know they should be getting on right about then if they didn't want to be left behind.
“Dammit! I've gotta hurry!”
The baker took off at a run and stopped just a moment later, the donuts threatening to tip again as the bumps jostled the delicious towers. He looked helplessly down the road, the train dangerously close to leaving him behind.
What he didn't expect was the large red pony to lift the platter, donuts and all, and mumble around the plate,
“C'mon.”
Macintosh was already dashing down the street at an incredible pace, the baker chasing after with the cart rattling along the uneven stones behind him. His amazement focused solely on the contents of the plate that shifted only the slightest bit with every hoof-fall from Macintosh.
Within moments, they were standing on the platform with time to spare as the train worker called the second warning. The baker could barely believe how fast Macintosh had run and without upsetting his creation. His own lungs burned as he tried to take big gulps of air, saliva thick in his mouth.
“H-how...did you...do that?”
Macintosh slipped the plate back onto the cart and opened the door to the specially appointed baked goods car.
“You don't carry buckets of apples for years without learning a little balance. See you around.”
The baker pushed his cart onto the train, barely making it before the train started pulling away. He looked back out the open door to see his new friend already walking away and. A shout across the platform turned Macintosh' head back around, the big red pony hoping some new disaster hadn't occurred.
“I owe you one! I'll be back in town after the competition and I'll repay you. What's your name?”
The farmer smiled that lazy country-colt grin as his new friend sped away. He called back, his yell surprisingly loud.
“It's Macintosh!”
“I'm Donut Joe. I'll see you later Macintosh.”
The train was quickly picking up speed and Joe disappeared into the car with his doughy towers. Macintosh wished he could have told Joe it wasn't necessary but he figured it wouldn't come to anything anyway.
He headed back into town and continued his interrupted chore checklist.
---
When the girls had returned, Macintosh had heard the whole bizarre story about the train ride mystery coupled with the even more bizarre sounding dessert they'd entered into the baking contest. It could've only happened to his sister's friends. They seemed to attract trouble out of thin air, if that.
That had been two weeks ago and Macintosh had forgotten all about the words Joe had yelled at him, instead returning to his daily routine of bucking trees and hauling in new baskets everyday.
The shuffling of leaves in between the loud pounding of his hooves on the bark told him some somepony, probably his sister, was looking for him. He wiped the sweat from his brow and called out.
“Over here AJ!”
“I wish I were that good looking.”
That definitely wasn't her. Instead it was Donut Joe that appeared through the trees, following the sounds of seasonal bucking. Surprise visitors were not a common occurrence around Sweet Apple Acres, much less visitors for him. It was actually pretty nice.
“Hey Joe. What brings you here?” 
“Your sister said you'd be back in this section. I brought you something. Y'know, for that time.”
A little white box tied with green ribbon floating at his side hovered over to Macintosh. It landed on his outstretched hoof, contained surprise giving away nothing in his face. Joe watched the seemingly confused Macintosh and verbally prodded him.
“Go ahead, open it.”
He pulled on the ribbon with his teeth and nudged the top off to see some of the finest donuts ever made, the puffy crust and glaze pumped up with so much red jelly it spilled out of the side.
“They're cherry. I figured you get enough apple flavor out here that you'd like something different.”
Macintosh put the lid back on the box, a little smile tugging on his lips. There were four, just enough to share with his family.
“That's awful nice of ya. Don't meet many folks that would remember something little like that.”
Joe casually picked the last few apples from the tree they stood under and levitated them down into the basket. A few apple flavored recipes might be good for business.
“It wasn't a minor thing. You saved me. Anyway, that's all I could do for you. Guess I'll be heading back to Canterlot. I've still got a shop to run.”
The big red pony's eyes rose in noticeable surprise this time.
“You came all the way out here just for this?”
Joe nodded, waving away the shock with a hoof.
“It's really no big deal. I'll see you around maybe.”
To anyone else, maybe but not Macintosh. It was rare to meet anypony that would have gone so far just to repay a small favor and he felt his heart race at the thought of somepony that noble. A stallion like that...
He shook his head to clear those ideas from his head. There was a reason he'd never let his thoughts turn towards romance. His preferences weren't exactly...smiled upon but he'd always gotten by since no stallion ever seemed his type. Joe had just endangered that safety but seeing him walk away after coming so far seemed like a waste. The words tumbled from his mouth, never bothering to check with his brain to see if it was okay. Anything to keep Joe there.
“Hey, it's a long way back to Canterlot. Do you wanna stay for dinner?”
Joe stopped, his back still to Macintosh as he mulled it over. Those thoughts came to Macintosh again as he looked at the baker's backside. That tail was awfully short...
No Macintosh. Stop it.
“Sure, I guess. If it's not too much trouble, I'd love to eat with you.”
The farmer gave another shake of his head to clear the remaining thoughts from his lusty mind and lifted the buckets onto his back.
“Not a problem at all. We'll be glad to have you. Ain't often we get guests from out of town.”
---
Dinner had turned out to be a homey affair with everyone moving around in the kitchen and preparing a couple of different dishes. The laughing and togetherness reminded Joe of his parent's home when he was growing up, something he hadn't felt in a long time since starting his own business in Canterlot. A wave of homesickness came over him watching the nostalgic scene.
The Apple family had been thrilled with his donuts, a fact that made his heart swell with pride as the compliment came from a family that did it's fair share of baking and sales. Their own recipe for an apple tart became a present to Joe who promised to use it exactly as written, neither adding or taking away from the often used recipe.
“I can't tell you how much fun this has been Mac. I didn't think I'd be taking a little vacation when I got here.”
The two stallions stood on the front porch, staring off into the dark orchards and listening to the sounds of a country night. It was really beautiful here and Luna's creation spread out far above. It was, simply put, amazing. With so little light to distract from it the swaths of stars and bright moon pierced the night easily to rain their gentle light down on them.
“Glad you liked it. I guess you'll be staying the night, huh. It's a might too dark to be heading into town at this hour.”
Joe kicked at the porch, shaking his head a little.
“You're amazing Macintosh. You don't meet ponies like you in Canterlot. Warm, friendly folks are few and far between and I want you to know that I really appreciate you and your family just for that.”
Macintosh' heart pitter-patted again and his pulse raced. That plain way of talking shot right to his heart and encouraged more of those lustful thoughts.
“Thanks. Most ponies just consider it a normal way to act 'round here.”
Joe turned to go back into the house, a big yawn contorting his face.
“I'm not used to staying up so late. Donut business is an early one after all. I'm gonna leave pretty early so let me just say you're welcome to visit me in Canterlot any time Macintosh. I'd really like it in fact.”
He knew it was a bad idea to accept the invitation. There was work to do and a family to take care of and Joe was driving him crazy in any number of ways that he'd probably find disgusting. There was no way he could risk spending any time with-
“Sure. Next time Ah'm up there.”
Dammit!
Joe put a hoof around the red pony's neck and squeezed, Macintosh swallowing hard at the friendly little bro-hug.
“That's great. Drop in any time.”
Joe went inside and Macintosh could hear AJ telling him which room to take for the night.
Despite the cool night, Macintosh' cheeks were flush and that warm feeling wouldn't leave his body. A cold shower sounded pretty good right about then.
---
True to his word, Joe had been gone even before the early rising farmers. Not even a note was left save for the invitation from the previous night.
A week, then two weeks, then three weeks passed but Macintosh couldn't forget about the pony who had somehow broken into his well shielded heart and he did...purely out of friendship, of course...want to see Joe again.
So it was a massive stroke of luck when a large order came from the Canterlot Royal Palace for a number of apples. While it would have been normal for Applejack to escort the order herself, as she usually did, a previous engagement (namely a promise to help Dash with some tricks) let it fall to Macintosh who was bewildered by the numerous coincidences.
In the end, all he'd ended up doing was riding with the crates of produce and helping the royal porters take them off the train, which left him with nothing to do in the big city his sister had dubbed “not as bad as all that”.
He looked at the train. It would be so easy to get back on and go home right then and forget all about Joe. Nothing was going to happen after all...but maybe it would make Joe happy? And Mac was hungry after all. Maybe he'd buy some of those donuts to take back, for the family.
That was the excuse he gave himself as he asked one of the station workers for directions and set off down the street to find “Joe's Donuts”.
It was the giant donut sign that was the first clue that he'd found the place. A blue ribbon hanging in the window that was likely for the baking contest five weeks ago was the second and the familiar rump sticking up from under the counter sealed the deal.
“Be with you in a minute.”
“Take your time.”
The crash of Joe's head against the case made Macintosh wince but Joe barely noticed as he brought his head out from arranging the donuts in the case.
“Mac! You're here! Wow, it's great to see you. What brought you to town?”
“You know, just delivering some apples to the palace. Doubt we'd have even gotten the sale if my sister didn't know the princess.”
Joe pointed to a framed picture of himself with the Princess and Twilight Sparkle.
“I don't think I'd have ever met her either if I hadn't happened to meet Twilight one day. Princess is a real nice lady.”
Macintosh nodded and silence took over as they stood at the counter.
“Why don't you have a seat Mac. It's almost noon and I'll have someone else coming in take over for me. Whadda ya say I show you around town?”
Macintosh had a seat, the swivel chair refusing to sit straight in front of the counter.
“Sure, sounds nice.”
---
What had been in store for Macintosh had been a surprise indeed. For such a supposedly civilized town, the big red pony had not expected Joe to take him to a fight night at the local Arena. While not a huge fan of bloodshed, like any stallion Macintosh could appreciate the sight of raw physical strength being tested as two huge stallions slugged it out.
The ending had been a little weak though, decision by TKO, but it was still exhilarating.
“Wow, that was...that wush shomething elsh. I never knew Forty Winks wouldn't be able to hold onto the...the title like that. And Lightsh Out is the new champion. What a...what a bashtard...but I guess that'sh how it goesh.”
They walked through the streets, the stars barely visible through the bright lamps that lit the way. The cheap alcohol had been more than Joe could handle and he stumbled this way and that, the sober Macintosh walking at his side to keep him from bumping into anything.
“It was pretty amazing. Did you see how Forty Winks was built? Muscles all over.”
Joe nodded as he checked his pockets for his keys, his home coming up on the left. Macintosh wouldn't have thought a fancy town home would be the place for Joe but there it was.
“Yeah, musht be hard staying in that shape.”
The sudden jabbing of a hoof into his side startled Macintosh into a flinch.
“You're actually pretty hard bodied yourshelf. Wish I could be like you guys.”
Joe tripped over his own doorstep, his butt in the air as he tried to untangle his front hooves from one another. Macintosh bit his lip at the sight and took a deep breath. He helped Joe up, closing the door behind them and looking around.
“It'sh...it'sh upstairs. My room.”
Macintosh helped him up the stairs, guiding his friend's hooves squarely to each one until they were at the top. The bedroom was at the end of the hallway, just a simply decorated room with nice clean sheets on a queen size bed.
“I...sorry Mac. I shouldn't have gotten like thish. It's kinda rude of me.”
Macintosh helped him into bed, pulling off the white cap and apron the baker hadn't bothered to leave at work. Several times the other fight fans had mistaken him for one of the vendors but he'd just laughed it off.
“It's okay. I still had fun. You mind if I sleep on your couch?”
Joe shook his head.
“That's fine. I'm really shorry Mac.”
He seemed to fall asleep as soon as the words left his mouth, his mind drifting into alcoholic unconsciousness.
Macintosh stood there, tucking the sheets around him, looking at the shaggy mane and strong body. He swallowed, shaking his head at the thoughts that continued to plague him. But he'd never do anything, especially not in this situation. Even what he did next was breaking his own personal rules, as small as it was.
He leaned down, kissing the sleeping stallion on the cheek and brushing the light brown hair back. It felt so soft against his hoof.
“I wish I could tell you I like you Joe. I wish I could.”
---
The smell of warm pastries cooking had woken Macintosh early the next morning, raising him from a rather deep sleep on the couch. The wall clock said only 4, probably AM judging by the lack of light coming through the curtains. Not an unusual time for Macintosh to be awake but still early considering how late he'd stayed up last night.
With a heavy sigh he rolled off the couch and stretched, shaking out his hooves until they popped.
Entering the kitchen revealed the obvious culprit behind the cooking. Joe stood at the counter, magically floating wooden spoons and bowls around him as he whipped at something with a whisk in the bowl in front of him.
“Hey Joe.”
He looked up and smiled, his teeth bright and his face cheerful.
“Hey. Thanks for bringing me home last night. I don't normally drink like that but at two cups for a Bit, how could I say no?”
“Yeah, it was a deal. Good thing Ah don't drink though or we might not have made it home.”
Joe chuckled at that, letting the batter drip out of the whisk and setting the bowl down.
“You want to lick the spoons?”
Macintosh couldn't remember the last time he'd gotten to lick the spoons. He always had to give them up to AJ or Applebloom. It was the brotherly thing to do.
“Sure.”
The whisk and several spoons floated over, wrapped in a towel to prevent dripping all over the wooden table.
For the first time in years, an em-battered spoon slid over his tongue, the sweet taste of sugar and flour perking him out of his sleepiness.
“This is great.”
The oven closed, whatever was being prepared now heating in the inside. Joe sat at the table, leaning back and watching Macintosh suck the spoons as a bead of sweat rolled down his forehead. The kitchen was too hot.
“Mac, let me ask you something.”
“Sure.”
“Did you kiss me last night?”
Macintosh almost inhaled the spoon he was sucking on, gagging and choking before spitting it across the table and onto the floor.
“What?!”
Macintosh' cheeks flamed pink as he stammered and stuttered, his mind screaming at him to deny it while his lips refused to form the words.
“N-n-n-n-n-n-no, Ah didn't. Where would you get that idea?!”
Joe leaned forward, his hooves running over one another as he fidgeted.
“I just...had the idea that you did. Someone did Macintosh. I wasn't totally asleep for a while after I fell into bed.”
The big red, pink cheeked pony stared straight down at the table. His heart raced faster and faster, the pounding loud in Macintosh's ears. Even if he wasn't bound by magical fate to be honest like AJ, he wasn't much of a liar either.
“Ah...Ah did. Ah'm sorry.”
His head hung in shame and he wondered how long it was going to be before Joe turned him out into the street. He waited and waited but the rebuke never came. His head lifted slightly, enough to see that tears had gathered in the corners of Joe's eyes and he was staring down at the table himself, a really strange look on his face. Was he smiling? Crying? What was that look?
Macintosh panicked, glancing left and right, wondering just what was going on.
“Joe...Ah'm sorry. Look, Ah'll go right now. Ah'm sorry.”
Joe stopped the panicking pony before he could stand, looking straight into his eyes.
“I'm just so happy, Macintosh. I...I know just how you feel. I like you too.”
Shock kept Macintosh nailed to his seat. They stared at one another and slowly, very slowly, a smile lit up Macintosh face.
“You...heard that.”
Macintosh could only stare, both terror and sudden immense joy. He was standing on the precipice of something he'd only ever dreamed about. The words he'd always wanted to hear from another stallion, the words that would make his life so much better had finally been spoken.
“I like you too Joe.”
The baker broke into a wide grin and slowly leaned forward, happiness spurring his actions. Macintosh tilted his head slightly and they kissed, the sweet taste of batter on the baker's lips as well as his own.
They stayed like that, each one electrified by the simplest of affections they'd always been denied. Neither could help what happened next, the excitement and arousal spreading throughout them. Macintosh was the first to pull back, his face blushing even deeper at the embarrassing lack of self control that had let him get hard in Joe's kitchen. Joe himself was in the same condition.
“So...sorry. Ah couldn't help myself. That was...”
Dammit, just talk!
“Do you wanna keep on?”
The bold question jumped from his mouth but even if his blush said otherwise, Macintosh felt no shame in asking.
Joe nodded furiously and leapt at Macintosh, their mouths meeting again, their lips parting. Tongues rolled over one another and Joes cock bucked against Mac's chest, rubbing through the fur. His hips ground down into the member that rose up along his tail, lightly beating against his back as Macintosh failed to contain his excitement.
Strong work forged hooves gripped Joe's back, pulling the two of their bodies together, Mac grinding his cock along Joe's backside, stroking his butt, his back, feeling the tone in his muscles. Joe pulled his head back, a string of spittle still connecting their mouths and short pants baring his excitement.
Mac couldn't help but dive back in, kisses rising up and down Joe's neck, warm breaths caressing his ears. He was losing control. He'd been denied for so long, been unable to share his little secret. By Celestia, Joe tasted good!
Moans rose from Joe's throat, every kiss and lick sending a fresh thrill through him. His cock trapped between their bodies and the constant rubbing of their bellies together carrying him further along too quickly.
“Mac...Mac, stop a moment. Just a moment.”
Mac panted, swallowing hard as he pulled his head back. The interruption was almost too much but he stopped, hoping for only a brief respite.
“Are we going to...go all the way? Can we?”
The fiendish smile that took over Macintosh face was all the answer Joe needed. He looked over his shoulder, eyeing his cabinets until he saw just what he needed. The only lubricant available floated over from a top shelf, a bottle of grapeseed oil normally used for a select few recipes.
The cap popped off, clattering to the floor and Macintosh shivered as the cool liquid poured over his member, slicking his entire length. He grasped Joe's tail in his hooves, pulling it up and stroking his cock along the light brown cheeks, spreading the slick liquid to void any possible friction.
The empty bottle clattered onto the table and Joe pushed up off of Mac's body, rising until he sat astride the giant cock.
“Mac...do it quick, okay? It's...I always thought my first time would...be a little rough.”
He wasn't sure how rough he could be with as little practice as he had being the one in charge. Mac pulled his partner close, feeling Joe's heart pounding in his chest. He gripped those luscious looking hips and jerked down...missing completely. The too-slick head slipped right by the target and they stared at one another in surprise.
“Oh...I guess...here, let me.”
Joe rose again, one hoof guiding the head to his entrance and holding it there.
“Push Macintosh.”
That was all the encouragement he needed and he thrust again, harder, his eyes going wide at the shock of how tight Joe was. It squeezed and he sunk further in, Joe grasping his neck in a tight embrace, his teeth grit as he was filled. A harsh whisper filled Macintosh ear, brief moans in between words.
“Yes...yes...just like...just like that...”
Mac bucked up, almost fully inside his lover now, muscles contracting and tightening around  him, squeezing him closer and closer to orgasm. He couldn't stop now though and he lifted Joe slightly, pulling the baker's body down with a jerk a moment later, Joe's moans filling the kitchen.
“Sweet Celestia Macintosh, again!”
Macintosh lifted him, sweat collecting over his body in the hot kitchen and he plunged in again and again, bouncing Joe in his lap. His own deep grunts exciting Joe who held Mac's neck in a death grip, his cock dripping precum on the red muscled chest. He couldn't stop himself as he came first. A spout of white, sticky cum shot out and several more followed, coating his lover's chest and neck, his cock rubbing through it as Mac pounded him up and down, eager for his own turn.
Joe grabbed the red shoulders, forcing his hips down and onto Mac's cock. It sunk all the way in and then some, the strong contractions from his orgasm squeezing Mac with a vice-like grip.
He finally came, his thick pink cock throbbing inside Joe, Mac's eyes shut and his face clenched tight as explosive pleasure spilled from him, his cock pulsing and pulling.
Panting filled the otherwise quiet kitchen, small moans accompanying every little shift their bodies made. They had never felt something so amazing and the first experience had drained them of even the energy to speak.
Not until the timer had gone off some twenty minutes later did either of them move, Joe pulling away from the safe, cuddly embrace he'd found in Macintosh's arms.
If he didn't move, the food was going to burn but...those big green eyes were entrancing. Mac kissed his new partner, gently sliding Joe out of his lap, feeling his member tremble as Joe squeezed at every inch pulled free until he was out.
The food was rescued from burning ruination after cleaning up a little with several hand towels, they ate in silence despite the massive grape-seed oil spill on the floor and other liquids.
Macintosh was the first to break the silence filled with blushing glances and smiles. Just three simple words above 'I like you' and holding far more meaning.
A small rub of their noses together followed by those words.
“I love you.”