The Weak and the Strong
"Eeeyup!"
Big Macintosh grunted satisfactorily at his work. He had been bucking apples off trees all day. He was incredibly fatigued, but he felt very successful. Applejack had the other half of the orchard today. Big Mac was sure his little sister had done great, though neither of them finished their shares, it was only the first day of the bucking season. He decided to head back to the barn and get some small chores done before he rested.
At the same time, Fluttershy was at the Apple Family barn with Applejack who had already returned from the orchard. "Ah'm sure I got whatcha need back in the barn Fluttershy. Could you tell me what you needed again, just to be sure?" Applejack's words were full of warmth, if there ever was a pony in all of Ponyville that could calm you, it was her. "Well, I need a small supply of cider and those extra party hats we had from Pinkie's birthday." Fluttershy spoke in a slight whisper. Her words however, radiated appreciation toward her dear friend. "Alright, be back inna bit then." Applejack trotted off into the barn to retrieve the items requested. Fluttershy happily waited for her to return.
It had been quite a magnificent day. There was not a single cloud in the sky (of course thanks to the pegasi) and it was a comfortably warm day. All the animals at Fluttershy's house were out and about, not a single one stayed inside their den. Of course today was also great because it was Angel's birthday! This is the reason she asked Applejack to retrieve those items. "Here ya go sugarcube, the hats an the cider." Applejack returned with a basket containing the items. "Oh thank you! Could you help me put those into my saddle bags, if its not a bother...?" Fluttershy was always very considerate towards anypony, even when she knew it wasn't necessary, she made sure whatever she asked would register as appropriate towards the other pony. "Sure thing Fluttershy, just unhook em so ah can put these in there."
At that time, Big Mac came around the far back corner of the barn. He began to head in the direction of his sister and Fluttershy. This really uneased Fluttershy. Her eyes grew wider as he drew closer to them. Applejack noticed the concern on her friend's face and became confused (she hadn't't noticed Big Mac, her back was to him). "Are you...um...alright there?" Applejack still wasn't making the vital connection. Big Mac was nearly a good ten feet from them now. "Wait! I just remembered I have hats and cider at my place....um, yeah! Thank you so, so much anyways Applejack!" Fluttershy sprinted off towards her home with empty saddle bags.
"What the hay is wrong with that pony?!" Applejack was still dumbfounded. She then felt a presence behind her. She turned and saw her big brother. "Did ya see that Big Macintosh?" Applejack was wondering how long her brother had been there. "Eyup." Long enough to see that, thought Applejack. "Do ya know what mighta caused her to run like that?" Did her brother see anything? "Nope." Apparently not. There was a short silence as they both looked off towards the front gate. After a while Applejack spoke. "Did ya buck lots of apples today?" A grin grew on Big Mac's face as he remembered his work. "Eeeyup!"
..........
Fluttershy burst through her front door. She quickly fell on the first couch she saw and panted heavily. That was too close! Fluttershy lay there for a while trying to catch her breath. She had never ran so fast before! When the blood finnaly reached her brain again, she remembered Angel's party. As if on cue, Angel was standing on his hind legs in front of her, tapping his foot. His arms were crossed. "I'm sorry Angel...I didn't get the supplies." Fluttershy's voice portrayed guikt and sadness, along with fatigue. Angel's expression however, didn't change. He wasn't concerned about the party. "What? You want to know what happened, don't you?" Angel simply nodded once, arms still crossed. "I....I um don't want to talk about it." Angel gave her a "really?" face. "Fine, I'll tell you..." Fluttershy hesitated for a moment.
"He showed up..." Angel raised an eyebrow. "Don't act like you don't know!" Angel's face did not change. "It was Big Macintosh, the only colt in Ponyville that I have ever..." Fluttershy noticed that Angel was leaning forward, as if saying "go on". "...respected..." Angel simply placed his palm upon his face. Even if Fluttershy can lie she was never good at it. "What do you propose I do then?" Even though Fluttershy was slightly agitated by Angel, she also pleaded in her words. She liked Big Macintosh but she never (or had never) had the courage to tell him herself.
In an answer to her plea, Angel simply pointed to a picture nearby. Fluttershy looked at the frame. It was a picture of her and Rarity on one of their spa trips. "I should ask Rarity for advice?" Angel simply nodded. "Your right Angel, I do need help. Oh, and I'm terribly sorry about your party..." Angel just flicked his ear and bounded away. He had done his job, now it was Fluttershy's turn.
..........
Fluttershy had invited Rarity over for tea. Her friend immediately accepted the invitation. Fluttershy and Rarity were truly great friends. Whenever one went to the spa, the other tagged along. They were like two peas in a pod. Basically, best friends. Fluttershy had already prepared the table with a cloth, cups, and silver ware. Now, she anxiously awaited her friend. About five minutes later, she heard a knock on the door. "Fluttershy dear, are you in?" "Come in please Rarity." Rarity entered.
"Hello dear! Sorry if I'm a bit late, big project I had to finish, but don't fret! It is perfect!" Rarity sat down next to Fluttershy as she began to pour some tea. They sat for a good hour talking and laughing and, quite frankly, drinking a lot of tea.
After an hour and a half, Fluttershy remembered why she had invited her friend in the first place. She desperately needed advice. "Um Rarity, I have to ask you something.." Fluttershy was a bit nervous, how would her friend react to her question. Yes, Rarity was loyal, but you can never be too careful. "Yes darling, what is on your mind?" Rarity's eyes held no mischief in them. "How do you tell a certain pony that....you like them?" Rarity began to smile. "Is our dear Fluttershy in love?! Oh this is fabulous! May I ask who the lucky colt is?" "Um..." Fluttershy was slightly uncomforted by the question. "Oh, sorry dear, if its a secret then its a secret. So, how to tell a colt that you like them? Well, you could hold a conversation with them and lead into your announcement." Fluttershy wasn't so sure about that one. She would surely turn into a nervous wreck in front of Big Mac. "Or, you could simply flat out kiss them. Well, if you feel that strongly for them at least." Fluttershy wasnt so sure about that one either.
"The best advice I can give you Fluttershy is to simply..." Fluttershy braced herself for what idea might leave Rarity's mouth. "...to be yourself." Fluttershy's tension released. This last idea soothed her. She was...happy now. "And if that colt doesn't like you for who you are well, they got another thing coming!" After Fluttershy got her advice the two friends continued chatting. About what exactly? Many things, including gossip (Rarity's personal favorite). After about another hour and a half, Rarity decided to go home. Before she left she wished Fluttershy luck on her "reveal" as she had called it. Fluttershy now had three pieces of advice (two were slightly unerving, but she might try them).
Overall, Fluttershy felt ready to confront Big Macintosh and reveal her feelings. All she needed now was a plan.
..........
It was another glorious day! Not a single cloud in the sky and once again comfortably warm. A perfect day to create a plan! Fluttershy had gone into town to come up with one, but has so far had no success. This frustrated her. She had the advice but could not think of the place of which her feelings for Big Macintosh would be revealed. How could it be this hard? Fluttershy continued to trot through town square, hoping an answer would reach her soon.
Ponyville was quite calm at the moment. Nothing big was happening for a while now, well except in Fluttershy's case. Still, ponies walked all over the town, mainly in the square where most shops were. However calm the town was, it would always be busy on days like this. Even so, nothing should bother Fluttershy today. At least she hoped so. She needed to concentrate on her plan.
Fluttershy began to look all around her for inspiration. Something was sure to come up right? Everywhere she looked an idea came and passed, deemed too flashy or too bland. Was there nothing she could do? No, she continued onward for the perfect plan, it had to come up eventually! She'd rather not do it in town, way too public for her comfort. She then remembered a place. Not just anyplace though, the perfect place to execute the plan!
Just outside Ponyville was a hill. This wasn't an ordinary hill however, it was Glory Mound. The very place the princess had stood just before the founding if Ponyville by the Apple family. This hill had other perks though. It had the perfect viiew of the sunrise and the sunset. It was one of the most romantic spots Equestria had to offer! This was the place to do it. This was the place where she would reveal her feelings to Big Mac! Fluttershy felt a rush of accomplishment throughout her body. She now had her advice and a well placed plan! All she had to do know was invite Big Mac.
Oh no! Fluttershy became very nervous. Would her cursed nerves get the best of her not only when inviting him but as well as at Glory Mound? She sat where she was, teeth chattering, and pondered. No, she must go through with this? It was for her sake (and Big Mac's too) that she powered through her nerves. She raised herself and trotted off to find Big Mac.
She found him in her first place of thought, at the Apple Family apple stand in town. It was Big Mac's shift, Applejack nor Applebloom were in sight. Perfect! Fluttershy walked up to the stand. Time for the first moment of truth! "Um, Big Macintosh, can I ask you something?" Fluttershy's nerves caused her to whisper a bit but Big Mac had excellent hearing. "Eyup." The expected answer from him. "Could you um...." She stutered a bit, her nerves were starting to get the best of her. ".....meet me at Glory Mound at Sunset tomorrow?" Fluttershy spat these final words out very fast and she also mumbled them. Once again though, Big Mac's hearing didn't fail him. "Eyup."
Fluttershy, who had closed her eyes and braced herself for his answer, opened them again. It was done. Phase one completed! That was easy wasnt it? She simply said see you then and trotted off smiling. No pony had ever seen her smile like that before.
........
The second moment of truth was at hand. It was thirty minutes before sunset and Fluttershy waited patiently on top of Glory Mound. She desperately hoped her nerves would not control her like yesterday, she was almost completely not understandable. Well, better go with the flow for now anyways. She would fight her nerves later.
After about fifteen minutes, she could see Big Macintosh approaching the hill in the distance. The time was almost at hand! She became nervous for a short while but fought her nerves off. She needed to be strong for this! Eventually Big Mac made it to the bottom of the hill and began his short climb upward. He looked a bit fatigued (apple bucking) but never the less, he reached the top
"Thank you for coming Big Macintosh..." They both looked at each other a bit blankly. "Eyup." Big Mac took a seat right next to Fluttershy and looked on towards the sunset. Her nerves rose again but she fought them off. "Um, pretty isn't it?" Fluttershy was desperate for a conversation. "Eyup." Not much for words is he? "Well, Big Macintosh, I have to um...tell you sonething." He turned to look at her to receive what she had to say. "I wanted to say that....well....I...I" Then she did it.
Fluttershy kissed Big Macintosh. It wasn't too long or too short, it was perfect. It clearly got the message across too. Big Mac sat there eyes wide and blushing. Fluttershy too was blushing but also silent. She eventually started speakibg again. "You probably get what i mean but...I like you." Fluttershy looked into Big Mac's wide eyes as sge said this. "Truthfully, I've liked you since the first day I saw you in the fields. You looked, handaome." They both were still blushing.
Finally, Big Mac returned to reality, however still very conscious of what Fluttershy had said. He then finnaly spoke. "Ah...ah like you too Fluttershy. I reckon since the first day ah saw you too. You looked, pretty." They both smiled at each other. They sar close together, watching the rest of the glorious sunset. "Oh, Big Macintosh, one more thing. Would you like to be my special somepony?"
And of course:
"Eyup!"