Chapter 2
So here I am! This is really happening. At Sweet Apple Acres. With all my friends. Just some feet from Big MacIntosh. Actually, he's right outside. I noticed him when I was getting here. I'm right outside the door. About to knock. Oh no, I can't do this. My friends won't hate me if I can't make one sleepover. It's alright. I'll just go on home. Angel probably misses me already. Yeah. I'll go home right now.
"Oh no you don't!" Rainbow Dash swooped down and pulled me to the barn.
"But—"
"Butts are for pooping. Now let's get this sleepover started!" Rainbow set me down with my friends. Twilight Sparkle was getting excited for her second sleepover. Her first one was not as great as she had hoped, and she was really excited for this one. Pinkie Pie was blowing up balloons all over place. In fact, the place looked more like a party than a sleepover with all the cakes, confetti, and decorations. Rarity had already helped herself to one of Pinkie Pie's fancy cocktails. And Applejack seems to have been the only one properly waiting for me all along.
"Now that we're all here, let's go greet the Apple family," she decided. It would be rude not to anyways.
Granny Smith was a tad silly, but she was fun and very generous. Apple Bloom was busy doing her own thing to really greet us all completely. She said something about bungee jumping and ran to her tree house. We're all walking on our way to find Big MacIntosh now. Everyone's snickering and giggling and anticipating the visit except me. I'm so nervous I could just burst open. We were all walking outside to find him among the trees when suddenly his figure showed up walking towards us!
"Hey, big bro!" Applejack jumped in front of him, "Fancy seeing you here!"
"Eeyup." He agreed. His eyes looked bored, as always. He won't notice me. I'm just a plain thing among stylish friends. My yellow sweater and jeans are hardly eye catching compared to Rarity's stylish outfit or Pinkie Pie's colorful outfit.
"Well, here are my friends," Applejack gesticulated to us, "You know Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie." Each friend made an appropriate respond to the introduction. "And I'm sure you know Fluttershy."
"Uhm, hi," I barely squeaked out.
"Nice to meet y'all," Big MacIntosh said, ignoring my greeting, maybe because he didn't hear it. Oh what's the point.
"You do remember Fluttershy right?" Applejack asked.
"Eeyup."
"Well then, I'm sure you two have plenty to catch up on. Why don't you walk with us on home?"
And so Big MacIntosh came next to me, and we walked side-by-side on back to the barn. We walked silently on. Occasionally I would sneak a peek at him only to notice that he was looking on straight ahead, paying no attention in me. Suddenly, I felt a nudge by my side. It was Rarity. "Sweetheart, you can't just expect his attention," she whispered, "Make conversation." She winked and left. By now everyone was at the front of the group. But then I guess that means Big MacIntosh is still interested in talking to me. He's just too quiet, like me.
"Uhm," I said as loud as I could manage, which was loud enough, because he turned to me and looked at me with his deep emerald eyes, "You, uh," I snapped out of it, "Thank you for helping me out the other day. With my critters."
"T'was no problem, ma'am." He turned back ahead. I turned to Rarity, and she motioned for me to continue.
"Sorry if I caused any trouble," I pushed on, "It's just that some animals don't listen to me very obediently. And it's very hard to round them up when they all decide to run off. I hope I didn't cause you to get behind."
"Oh it was nothing. There was hardly a difference to my schedule."
"Thanks," I smiled. That was all the conversation I had. But that's okay, because that little conversation is all I need to be happy. I'll cherish this memory always. Pretty soon, we arrived at the barn, and Big MacIntosh departed from the group.
And as soon as he was gone, Rainbow Dash flew to my side and yelled, "What was that?!"
"What do you mean?" I, for one, thought I did very well.
"That hardly classified as a conversation," she explained, "You need to be more social!" I thought I was being social.
"Don't listen to her," Twilight Sparkle said, "You shouldn't change yourself for anyone. I thought you were doing fine the way you were. Your quiet nature is just a part of who you were. Besides, Big Mac is quiet too, that could be why the conversation was so short."
"Yeah," Applejack joined in, "Big MacIntosh has always been the quiet member of the group. He's a man of few words. Don't sweat it."
"I'm just saying," Rainbow Dash defended, "That could have gone so much smoother."
"Oh Rainbow Dash," Rarity said, "A lady is more than just words. And Fluttershy exhibited herself perfectly."
"Please," Rainbow Dash separated into 2 syllables, "Tank is more interesting than that conversation."
"Don't listen to her," Twilight repeated, "You did fine."
"Yeah," agreed Applejack, "Rainbow's just being a downer."
"I wonder why," Rarity snickered. Rainbow Dash turned crimson; from anger or embarrassment I can't tell.
Out of nowhere, a blur of pink flew from the ceiling and crashed into the ground. There was an explosion of feathers. It was Pinkie Pie with a pillow fight. It didn't take long before Rainbow Dash and Applejack attacked her. And pretty soon, everyone joined.
THIRD PERSON POV
The group of friends continued on the activities that Twilight Sparkle had planned. From makeovers (much to the dislike of Rainbow Dash and Applejack) to scary stories, just about everything was checked off from the list. But finally, the most anticipated activity came: Truth or Dare.
"Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie Pie yelled excitedly, obviously having something planned, "Truth or dare?"
"I'm not afraid of you," she said proudly, "Dare!"
"I dare you," Pinkie Pie smiled mischievously, "to eat a piece of broccoli dipped in marshmallow fluff!" Everyone winced at the repulsive idea, including Rainbow Dash, but she held her head up and got herself a piece of broccoli and a bowl of fluff from the kitchen. Everyone watched as she shakily dipped the broccoli inside the bowl.
"Here it goes. . . ." Rainbow Dash opened her mouth, closed her eyes, and stuffed the broccoli inside her mouth whole. The sound of the crunching vegetable was clearly audible throughout the room.
Then she said to Pinkie Pie, most likely out of spite, with green and white stuff still visible on her tongue and teeth, "It tastes delicious."
"My gosh," Rarity said with disgust, "that is just utterly revolting."
"My turn!" Rainbow Dash ignored her, "Twilight, truth or dare?"
"Hmm, I'm up for some adventure. Dare."
"I dare you to put an ice cube down your shirt and dance until it falls out." Twilight gulped, but complied. She got an ice cube from the kitchen and placed it inside her shirt. After some squirming from the cold liquid in her body, she started dancing the most ridiculous, laughable dance imaginable. Everyone was literally laughing so hard tears were coming out their eyes and their bellies were hurting, but nobody could stop, not even when the ice cube fell out.
Once everyone recovered, Twilight continued on the game, "Pinkie Pie, truth or dare?"
"Truth!"
"Oh. I wasn't expecting that one. Well, let me think," a pause, "Okay. What are the qualities you want your ideal partner to have?"
"Oh that's difficult," Pinkie Pie said, "Uhm, I never thought about it. Well he DEFINITELY must enjoy partying. AND CAKE."
"Bo-ring!" Rainbow Dash complained. Pinkie Pie ignored that and turned to Fluttershy, who had remained quiet throughout the whole game, except for the giggles and laughs she's had on account of her friend.
"Truth or dare, Fluttershy?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"Truth," Fluttershy replied with ease, "wait, dare, no, truth, well, okay, dare, but I mean—"
"DARE IT IS!" Pinkie Pie announced, obviously with a plan. "I DARE YOU TO GO TO BIG MACINTOSH'S ROOM AND STAY THERE WITH HIM FOR HALF AN HOUR." Fluttershy's eyes widened with fear. Her heart pounded louder and faster, and her every joint in her body shook with nervousness.
"No, I can't do that," she stammered.
"A dare is a dare!" Pinkie Pie sang with glee as she pushed Fluttershy to Big MacIntosh's door as others followed along.
"Uhm," Fluttershy started, "Can I—"
"Nope!" Pinkie Pie shook her head, her face beaming. She was completely resolute. Nothing could change her mind. Not even the pleading from her sensitive friend.
"But—"
"Aw c'mon Fluttershy," Applejack said, "My brother ain't so bad. He's mighty well mannered, so don't you worry a thing." And without given even a second to disagree, Fluttershy was pushed into the room. "Well, that oughta do it. Rainbow Dash?"
"On it!" Rainbow Dash flew outside in a blur of blue. What Fluttershy was unaware of was the plan her friends had set up before she had arrived. Fluttershy and Big MacIntosh were going to get together. They are going to make sure of that.
"Huh?" Big MacIntosh raised his head as he heard a thunk and a small squeak. He turned around, and there stood a girl around 5'4 with long, luscious pink hair wearing yellow pajamas and white bunny slippers. The room was a neutral color of redwood. His bed had green blankets and a white pillow untidily placed, and was off to the left by the wall. A moderate closet stood by the bed. There was a big window opposite to the entrance of the room. His harness could be found at the opposite corner lying on a rack. In addition, there was an arm chair of clothes to the left of the entrance door. "Hello," he greeted slowly.
"Excuse me," Fluttershy said quietly, "I didn't mean to intrude."
"Oh, um," Big MacIntosh scratched the back of his head, "It's quite fine, but, um, may I ask what you are doing here?"
"Well, you see, my friends and I were playing truth or dare," she stopped as he held his hand up.
"Say no more," he said, "Make yourself comfortable. Excuse my looks, I wasn't expecting anyone." It was then that Fluttershy stopped fretting over her situation and really looked at Big MacIntosh. And it was then that her face turned crimson. The infamous farm boy was wearing nothing but red plaid pajama bottoms. She noticed the untrimmed brown/dirty-blond hair on his chest and the contours of his muscles, like a Greek statue. After seeing her reaction, he offered, "I'll go get a shirt." There was no response though, for she was completely speechless. She had never seen any nude portion of a man's body that is normally covered by clothing before.
Fluttershy stood there, dazed. She was still in the same position when Big MacIntosh returned, clothed. "Sorry about that," he apologized sheepishly, "I hope I didn't startle you too much."
"U-uhm," she stuttered uncontrollably, "i-it's quite a-alright. I-i-it's really my f-fault. I s-s-shouldn't have b-b-barged in the way I d-did."
Her nervousness was making him uneasy. Big MacIntosh was already shy as he is, but when he made Fluttershy get this nervous, he couldn't help but feel awkward. "Make yourself comfortable," he said apologetically, "I really didn't mean to scare you, Miss Fluttershy." Without making things even more awkward, Fluttershy walked to his bed and gently sat down. And there was a long stretch of awkward, uncomfortable silence between the two quiet individuals.
Big MacIntosh walked to the window and looked at the sky, "I reckon it's going to rain soon," he predicted. The clouds had a gloomy gray color to them; they loomed over Ponyville, as if ready to attack the town any second. "Thunder and lightning too," he added.
"Thunder?" Fluttershy repeated with fear. Thunder frightened her. It was so loud and unpredictable. The sound is so monstrous and scary.
"Eeyup," he agreed, oblivious to her growing alarm. The two stare out the window with worry and concern. Just then, it started pouring hard. The rain drops were big, and they pitter-pattered on the roof. "I do hope the rain don't damage the farm too much."
"I hope my animals don't get too frazzled at home," she thought out loud. She'd hate for her animals to go in a state of panic and trash the house into a big mess of chaos for her to clean up.
Little did the two know that this was all Rainbow Dash's doing. The heavy clouds were only at Sweet Apple Acres, and it was only pouring near the barn. Rainbow Dash continued to block the sun with big grey clouds until it seemed as if it was night time.
"Gosh," Fluttershy said, "it's really getting dark."
"Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. Then he lit a few candles around the room. The soft orange light lit up the room into a romantic setting. Almost like a suite for a honeymoon couple.
There was a flash of lightning, and then . . . BOOM.A high-pitched scream was more than audible throughout the whole room. The sound echoed and bounced off the walls. Before she even had a chance to open her eyes, Fluttershy found herself holding onto Big MacIntosh dearly. He was startled by the thunder, but completely stunned at Fluttershy's reaction. An incredibly adorable reaction, he might add. There was another flash of lightning outside, and thunder was heard again. Fluttershy wrapped her arms even tighter around Big MacIntosh's torso, and she stuffed her face into her chest. Her usually kind emerald eyes were shut tightly as she tried to imagine the thunder wasn't real. Finally, Big Mac swallowed and wrapped his arms around the frightened girl's shoulders. She was trembling, and he had to do something. This wouldn't qualify as taking advantage of a younger, weaker girl; this is merely him being a protective friend.
A friend. For some reason, that term irritated Big MacIntosh. "Miss Fluttershy," he said softly, "why don't we sit down on the bed?" By this time, she had already recovered from the attack of thunder, but it was so warm and nice and soothing inside Big Mac's arms, how could she let go? She simply nodded her head, and he led her to his bed. They sat there as he held her, occasionally rubbing her back and running his fingers through her hair. The thunder seemed to continue consistently, and each time it came, Fluttershy grabbed on to Big MacIntosh even tighter. The two sat on the edge of the bed. Big Mac had his feet planted firmly on the floor while Fluttershy knelt beside him. Her head was resting on his shoulders and her arms holding onto his waist. His right arm was wrapped around his shoulder while his left rubbed her to calm her down.
By then, it was already past half an hour. But obviously, the dare could have been any given time, as long as it was enough for Rainbow Dash to get ready with the weather. In another room, the friends were giggling to themselves at the great job they had done. They had sneaked outside Big Mac's window and took a peek at the two. The girls could barely contain their squeals of happiness when they noticed their embrace inside the room. Big MacIntosh is truly a gentleman, they all agreed. Then they set on to plan the next step to Project F.F.L. (Fluttershy's First Love).
And while her friends were organizing a strategy to help Fluttershy with her love life, the girl drifted off to slumber on Big Mac's broad shoulders. It was just so comfortable the way he held her, she couldn't help it. And it was getting late. Pretty soon, the two lay down on the bed, still in each other's arms. Big Mac sleepily took the blanket and placed it over their bodies. Then he took the only pillow and placed it under his head. After he made sure Fluttershy was in a comfortable position, and only then, did he drift off completely into a dream world.
The sky cleared of the dark clouds, and sunlight rained down on Sweet Apple Acres. The rays penetrated the glass window and hit the sleeping face of a teenage girl. Her head lies comfortably on the chest of a certain man named after an apple. His right arm still around her shoulder. Both bodies covered by a green blanket.
Her deep jade eyes open slowly and blinked a few times, adjusting to the sunlight. Her mind scrambled to recall what had occurred the night before, since the surrounding was unfamiliar. A faint blush can be seen on her rosy cheeks. She looked up to see her crush still asleep, holding her. This is too good to be true. She only fell for this man a week ago, and here she was sleeping with him. A bit trampy, most would say.
Not wanting to wake him up, Fluttershy gently lifted Big MacIntosh's arm off her shoulders and left the room. She reunited with her friends in Applejack's room next door. Everyone was sleeping, but she was so gleeful from last night that she couldn't wait for them to wake up. "Guys," she said with a smile, but not one girl stirred. "You guys, hey," she tried again, "wake up." Still not a sound. She walked around the room, gently nudging each of her friends, but to no avail. Finally, she gave up and screamed with all her might, "WAKE UP!" Instantly, each girl's eyes opened and widened at the sight of Fluttershy screaming. A bunch of emotions ran through their face: shock, irritation, anger, realization, excitement, anticipation, giddiness.
"Oh Fluttershy," Rarity said eagerly, "you must tell us what happened between you and Big MacIntosh last night!"
And Fluttershy replied just as eagerly, "Okay, okay, so last night, oh goodness, it was so great!" She smiled happily to herself.
"C'mon, Fluttershy," Pinkie Pie bounced around, "Spill with the details already!"
"Well, last night, after you guys forced me into the room, Big MacIntosh was surprised, but he was really nice about the dare." She blushed, "Oh, and he wasn't wearing a shirt, but he put one on for me because I was getting uncomfortable. Uh, anyways, it got really stormy and dark."
"Wait, wait, wait," Applejack interrupted, "Back up. You mean to say you saw my bro half naked? Already?"
"Well, uh," Fluttershy pondered over this fact, "yes."
Rainbow Dash flew to her side and nudged her with her elbow. "Fluttershy, getting some," she winked.
"Yeah," she said in a daze, "I mean, no, nothing happened though. Really. All we did was sleep together."
"Defensive," Rainbow Dash sang.
"Honey," Rarity said comfortingly, "we won't judge."
"Yeah," agreed Twilight, "we're you're friends!"
"Tell us what happened!" Pinkie Pie pleaded, "IN DETAIL."
"Okay, so as you know, I am terrified of thunder." The group of friends, all except Fluttershy of course, eyed each other playfully. "And the weather suddenly got really, really, extremely terrible outside. And it got so dark. And I got frightened many times. But Big MacIntosh comforted me, and we fell asleep on his bed."
"Awwwh," Applejack said, "ain't that just the most adorable thing ever?"
"OH MY GOSH," Pinkie Pie screamed, "MY LITTLE FLUTTERSHY . . . WITH A MAN . . . IF HE EVEN HURTS ONE STRAND OF THE PRETTY PINK HAIR ON YOUR HEAD, I SWEAR I WILL SHATTER HIS ANKLES, CUT OFF HIS TONGUE—"
"Woah there," Applejack said sternly, "That's my brother you're talking about." And the girls giggled at Pinkie Pie and Applejack's reaction.
During this time, in the room next door, Big MacIntosh was stirring up (most probably from the noise next door). He let out a big yawn and stretched his arms widely. He looked around, confused by his unusual sleeping position: left leg and left arm hanging off the bed. Not to mention the numbness in his right arm. And was that . . . strawberries? The faint smell of strawberries filled his nose. And then he remembered: Fluttershy. Similar to her response when she remembered the occurrences of last night, swarms of pink flooded his cheeks. He breathed in deeply; then a dazed look went into his eyes, "Mmmm, strawberries."
