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Under the Starry Skies

by Wintergreen Diaries

Chapter 22: Extinguishing the Flames

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Chapter 22: Extinguishing the Flames

The rising of the morning sun was usually a happy time for Bon Bon, as it meant breakfast. Breakfast usually translated into something sweet, like pancakes or crepes, and while a rumble in her stomach encouraged a smile, it was quickly culled in the wake of the previous night’s events. Lyra was normally a light sleeper, but she didn’t wake as Bon Bon slid out of bed, yawning quietly and stopping outside the door to the guest room. Her hoof stopped halfway to the handle, hanging in the air a moment before dropping back to the ground. She couldn’t know how to talk to Crimson until she ascertained if Big Mac had stayed true to his word. Sure enough, the stallion was sitting outside the door, and he turned to her with sleep deprived eyes. It was hard to imagine a pony of Big Mac’s calibur looking pathetic, but the bags under his eyes and wet coat from the dew went a long way towards tipping the scales.

“She really means that much to you, doesn’t she.”

“Eeeyachoo!” He brought a hoof to his muzzle and wiped it a few times, sniffing and shivering from the cold. “Beggin’ yer pardon, ah didn’t mean t’ sneeze at you. Mah answer is still eeeyup.”

“Why don’t you come inside? You’ve probably already caught something, staying out all night like that. You look terrible, and I’m not just saying that because I’ve no interest in stallions.”

“Much obliged, Bon Bon, but ah’m stayin’ here until Crimson comes out. If she invites me in, then ah can allow it. Ah said ah’d be here in the mornin,’ an’ ah’m stickin’ to it.”

“I understand. You’re a nice stallion, Big Mac. I hope for both of your sakes Crimson can see that. Just wait here a little longer, ok?” He nodded and she closed the door, trotting back to bed and sidling in beside Lyra, who woke with a contented sigh and snuggled closer to Bon Bon, pressing her back against the earth pony’s chest.

“I don’t smell breakfast yet. Is something wrong?”

“You mean aside from the obvious?”

“Clearly. Is Big Mac...”

“Eeeyup.”

“I thought so. I don’t normally play matchmaker, but what say we both take a crack at it?”

“For a cute mare like Crimson? I’d love to.”

“What is that I hear? I hope it’s not infidelity, Bon Bon. You know I bite.”

“That’s more of an incentive, you know,” Bon Bon giggled, kissing the nape of Lyra’s neck and smirking with satisfaction as a small tremor ran through her mate’s body. Lyra rolled over to face her, placing a hoof on her cheek and moving in for what Bon Bon suspected was a kiss, but as soon as her eyes closed, she felt Lyra’s tongue take a quick lick across her lips and nothing more. “You tease...”

“Hey, you started it. You know the back of my neck is sensitive.”

“Who said that I was teasing?”

“As much as I’d love to have a taste of your flank for breakfast, there is a patient stallion still waiting outside.”

“He really stayed?” They both turned at the sound, seeing Crimson standing in the doorway. Easing into a sitting position, they both nodded and motioned for shaken mare to come sit at the edge of the bed. “I... didn’t want to believe he would, but I knew this would happen.”

“He’s still waiting for you. Lyra and I don’t mind coming along, but he’s waited a whole night just to talk to you again. I think you should at least give him that.” She was right. As scared as Crimson was of being hurt, and as terrified as she was to let herself be vulnerable, Big Mac had done nothing but defend her. Lyra and Bon Bon jumped out of bed as Crimson turned and began making her way towards the front door, setting a trembling hoof on the handle. She felt a hoof descend on her back from either side, and after giving the two mares a grateful smile, she crammed down her fear and opened the door.

“Mornin’ Ms. Glitter, ah hope you’re ah... achoo! ‘Scuse me, ah hope you’re feelin’ better.”

How could he be cheerful after I left him out in the cold like that? He looks terrible, and it’s all my fault... I don’t deserve this! “Why... why me, Big Mac?”

“Ah could swear ah answered that yesterday, though ah am a bit tired, so ah could be wrong. Ah don’t mind answerin’ again, but is there any chance we could find someplace warmer t’ talk? Ah’m a... achoo! It’s a little chilly out ‘ere.”

“Of course, you may use our house as if it were your own. Come on, Lyra, let’s eat out this morning.”

“That sounds delightful. Take care, you two!” Lyra called out over her shoulder as she and Bon Bon made their exit. Crimson felt the urge to call after them and beg them not to leave, but she couldn’t. Regardless of his reasons, Big Mac at least deserved her attention for now.

“Come on inside,” she said quietly, standing to the side and closing the door as he entered. He left a small trail of water in his wake as the movement shook some of the excess dew from his coat, and Crimson’s fear was quickly being overwritten by something else. Big Macintosh watched her walk down the hall, he assumed to get blankets, but as he heard water start running he smiled at the thought of a warm shower. While he had an appreciation for the mare regardless of whether she was approaching Pinkie status hyperactivity or acting as demure as Fluttershy, he found the hesitant, bashful Crimson absolutely adorable. She had seen countless looks of sexual interest, but the look on the tired stallion’s face was a kind of desire she couldn’t understand, as she hadn’t seen it anywhere else. “Big Mac? Um... you looked really cold, so I thought that maybe... you’d like a shower.”

“Readin’ mah mind already? Ah ‘ave no complaints. Could you show me the way?” She said nothing, cantering down the hall and into the bathroom where she drew back the curtains. The steam filling the room, combined with his bleary sleep deprived vision, made it difficult for him to focus on the mare, but the draw of the shower couldn’t be denied, regardless of who was present. His rationalization made even more sense as he stepped under the cascade, flooding his limbs with warmth and brushing away the dew. He shook his mane and opened his eyes, noting that Crimson was still standing beside the shower, her gaze cast at the floor. This was unacceptable.

A sudden, wet warmth woke Crimson from her gloom as Big Mac draped a hoof around her shoulders, pulling her close. Any other pony she’d been with would have followed the action with an inappropriately placed hoof, but as she waited for the expected stimulation nothing happened. Big Mac grinned as he felt the tension in her shoulders ease, giving in and pressing against him.

This isn’t like anything I’ve ever felt. He’s nothing like the other stallions and mares I’ve been with, but it just... makes me want to give in anyways. “Big Macintosh, I...” He withdrew his hoof as she turned towards him, pressing gently on his chest with both hooves and pushing him back into the soothing stream. Having no experience with mares, and definitely no romance, his surprise led him to trip on the edge, landing him on his back. Despite the pain, he opened his eyes at the sudden weight on his chest, seeing Crimson staring back at him with hesitation. “This... this is all I know how to do, but I... I want to make you happy, because you... make me feel safe.”

What ‘n tarnation am ah supposed t’ do now? If ah let this continue, ah don’t think ah’ll be able t’ stop mahself, but if ah stop her, how’s it gonna make ‘er feel? Ah don’t want ‘em frozen off. The sensation of Crimson’s hoof stroking his chest caused him to shudder, a powerful urge he wasn’t familiar with sweeping over him. It was difficult, and he didn’t want to stop her, but as she closed her eyes and leaned in, he found his answer.

Crimson stopped as she felt his hoof come between herself and his lips, staring with surprise and pulling back. Knowing she would likely try to run, Big Mac immediately ensnared her firmly with his hooves, holding her close with one hoof on her back and one on her mane. “Ah know... that you likely ain’t seen it before, but there’s a gentler side o’ love that ah think comes before what you’ve experienced. Crimson, ah know that you ain’t seen real love, an’ ah don’t know much about it mahself, but ah know there’s more to it than rollin’ in the hay. Let’s find that first.”

A pause, then a nod, followed by a slight trembling as the mare opened herself to him, a small portion of her brokenness spilling down her cheeks and onto his chest before being washed away by the cleansing flow.

It’s strange... I always thought that it would hurt more than this, letting somepony in. But all I feel now, in his arms, is rest. I knew there had to be more, but I’ve run from it for so long... And yet, if this is where it’s led me... then maybe I don’t have to look back on everything with regret. “Thank you, Big Mac.” Her whisper contained not sorrow, but a deep sense of thanksgiving. Crimson slid off his chest as he sat up and switched off the flow, meeting his timid smile with her own. Her breath caught as he slowly leaned closer, an inexplicable nervousness arising despite having engaged in the act countless time. At least, that’s what she thought until the actual connection was made. It was something she never imagined a simple kiss could be: comforting, unselfish, undemanding, and meaningful. It was... wonderfully new.


It was an eye opening experience for Storm, sleeping without Rainbow Dash for the first time while not in a drunken stupor. He had slept for a total of perhaps three hours, and that was being generous. Suddenly, her outrage over the incident made painful sense, and as the sunlight crept in to banish any last hopes of rest for the morning, he slunk off the bed and began getting cleaned up. His mane was an absolute disaster, courtesy of the generous amount of time he spent tossing and turning, but rather than bother trying to comb it, he opted for a shower before heading down to breakfast. Judging by the smell of burned toast, Storm correctly surmised that Scootaloo was trying her hoof at cooking while Flying Grace, due any day, was reclining at the table.

“Storm, as much as I can appreciate that you’re a healthy stallion, you really should try to get a little more sleep.” Not bothering to dignify her comment with a response, he slumped down in a chair and let his head fall to the table with a dull thud.

“Mom, I think you’re just projecting on to me since you haven’t gotten any.”

“That will be remedied soon enough, I’m sure,” she laughed, rubbing her swollen belly. It was amazing to Storm how a lady such as his mother that had years of practice acting proper could degenerate so quickly after being freed from her predicament. Then again, perhaps that made more sense, so he suffered the innuendo with a smile. She deserved to laugh as much as she wanted after all those years under Proud Skies.

“Remind me to be gone after you give birth. Somehow, I doubt even the soundproofing will help.”

“Oh dear, I’m not that bad, am I?”

“You and dad both.”

“All right, that’s enough of that! Breakfast is served!” Scootaloo yelled, balancing a plate on each wing. To label the “food” that was set before him would have been difficult even had he memorized the entire Equestrian dictionary, so using his limited vocabulary, he stuck with “unidentifiable.” The light purple mush was lumpy, smelled slightly fruity, and was pretty much enough to turn his appetite for the rest of the day. Before he could ask what it was, a glass of what he believed had once been orange juice was set before him, though given that it was now a pea green deluge, there was no way to ascertain its origins.

“Scootaloo, perhaps you were unclear on the concept, but generally the point of making breakfast is to prepare food that ponies will actually eat.”

“Storm, that’s mean! Mom likes it.” Grace was indeed shoveling the mess down at an alarming rate, temporarily casting her manners aside and enjoying every second of it.

“Are you gonna eat that?”

“Eat it? It looks like...” he started, stopping as he caught Scootaloo’s glare. “It’s all yours, mom. Scootaloo, for the sake of curiosity, what is... that?” he inquired, pulling a face as his mother downed his portion and drained his glass.

“Let’s see, I remember grape jelly, mayonnaise, some toast that I’ll admit came out a little more well done than I had hoped, and something else that escapes me.” Seeing that she wasn’t going to get any compliments from her unappreciative sibling, she decided to accept the disgust on his face as its own reward. “Oh, and I stuck some vegetable bouillon in the orange juice to give it an extra kick. I’ve got more it you’d...”

“No, stop talking, that’s really, really ok. I’m going to save myself from a morning spent in the bathroom and spend my time doing something useful, like finding Rainbow Dash.”

“I can put some in a bag, maybe she’d...”

“Scootaloo, do you want flying lessons today or not?”

“That’s blackmail,” she muttered, collecting her mother’s plate and skulking off to the kitchen.

“Quakehoof told me things got a little out of hoof yesterday at the tavern. That’s why you’re so tired, isn’t it.”

“What was that? Did I just hear serious conversation?” After receiving “the look” from his mother, he adopted an appropriate tone and continued. “Yeah, that’s right. A lot of our friends were hurt by what happened, and tempers flared pretty hot, Dash’s perhaps the worst. I know it’s early in the morning, but I don’t want to waste any time trying to put things back together.”

“There are many reasons for sleeplessness, but last night wasn’t one of the healthier kinds. When you return tonight, make sure it’s with Rainbow Dash and a smile, ok?”

“I will. Now that I think about it, where is dad? He’s normally up by now.”

“He woke early to evade breakfast, didn’t want to upset Scootaloo,” Grace whispered, glancing at the entrance to the kitchen.

“Wise stallion. Ok, bye mom. Hey, Scootaloo! I’ll try to be back sometime this afternoon for your lessons, ok?”

“You better be! It’s bad enough that you’re gone all the time. I won’t let you skip out on this!”


This is really nice. Dangit, this stallion needs t’ hurry up and put a ring on mah hoof so... whoa nelly, what am ah thinkin’? Ah ‘aven’t known ‘im that long. But still... Applejack cracked her eyes open briefly, just long enough to sneak an adoring gaze at Silver’s muzzle before snuggling closer, not having a desire to do anything but enjoy waking up to her favorite stallion. She knew it was strange to think about such things so soon, but she couldn’t deny the tug, either. Ah suppose ah could hold off on marriage for a little while, but ah’m gettin’ tired o’ wakin’ up alone. Ah... ah wonder if he’d be ok with me movin’ in? No, it’s too early fer me t’ ask that... ain’t it? Were she not so deep in thought, she would have noticed Silver had awakened, though it became fairly obvious as she felt him kiss her softly on the forehead.

“Mornin’ sweetheart. How’d you sleep?”

“Pretty close t’ perfect, sugarcube. Ah just wish that this was how every mornin’ started. As it is, ah’m probably gonna get an earful from Big Mac when he finds out I stayed the night.”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there, all right? For now, let’s just enjoy the peace while it lasts. Today is either going to be joyous or chaotic, and I have no idea which it will be.”

“Yer talkin’ ‘bout our friends, right?” He nodded, pulling away so he could maintain eye contact. “Ah think it’ll be alright. We’ve all had our share o’ disagreements in the past, but we always come back together in the end. Ah’m sure they can work it out, but somethin’ else is botherin’ me.” She noted the curious look on Silver’s face, as if to say “what else could possibly be going wrong?” “It’s Rarity. Silver, ah know you ain’t been here that long, but ah think somethin’ is goin’ on with her. She ain’t been hangin’ out with anypony lately, an’ ah just want t’ make sure everythin’ is ok.”

“Well, what are you waiting for, then? As much as I enjoy having you with me, helping friends is a more pressing matter than cuddling.”

“Ah don’t know that ah can agree t’ that,” Applejack giggled, reaching up and kissing him softly. “But ah see yer point. Ah can’t go see Rarity with a mane like this, though. Or maybe... Silver, can ah use yer shower?”

“Uh... s-sure, I guess.” Seeing Silver’s mind had clearly gone where hers wasn’t, Applejack chuckled nervously and extracted herself from his grasp, more to keep herself from contemplating the possibility of indulging whatever had crossed his mind. The shower was fairly small, just enough room one pony, or two if they were holding one another. As the thought danced through her mind she felt the heat rise to her cheeks well before stepping into the downpour.

Ah wouldn’t really mind, if he didn’t. It sure would be nice, havin’ him in here. Why, ah could just... no, dangit, keep it together! Ah want mah stallion alive long enough t’ propose. Ah mean... what’s wrong with mah brain? Ah can’t think about that, it’s too... nice. C’mon, focus on what Big Mac would do if he found out. Washing just enough to make sure she was clean, she made a half-hearted attempt at drying off before trotting back into Silver’s room. Silver, upon hearing the water begin to run, had dressed quickly and vacated the room for the sake of decency, charging himself with the task of staring at the wall in an attempt to blank his mind. Seeing Applejack descend the steps with her mane still wet negated any progress he had made and caused him to again resume his blush. “What’re you thinkin’ about?”

“Something I’m not.”


Crimson wanted nothing more than to pass the morning with Big Mac, even if all they did was sleep, but the stallion was adamant that they should try to patch things up with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. She couldn’t well refuse him, and so it was that after they had dried off, they set out for the cottage on the outskirts of town. They were about halfway there when Storm called down to them from above.

“Hey, Big Mac, Crimson! You two heading to Fluttershy’s place?”

“Eeeyup.” Crimson took a few steps back as he landed, hiding behind Big Mac.

“Crimson, I’m sorry for what Rainbow Dash did. Just because I’m her fiancé doesn’t mean I agree with everything she does, and I definitely don’t think you deserved what she did. I’ll make sure she apologizes, ok?” She hesitated a moment before giving a quick nod, returning to Big Mac’s side but staying close.

“Storm, ah’m sorry fer losin’ mah temper. Ah ain’t sorry for stickin’ up fer Crimson, but ah sure went about it wrong, threatenin’ Rainbow Dash the way ah did.”

“If it had been Rainbow Dash being yelled at like that, I’d have done the same. You did well by me. Is it alright if I walk with you? I think it may help ease some of Dash’s resentment if she sees us together.”

“I don’t mind, it if will help. I didn’t mean to make anypony upset,” Crimson said softly, pressing against Big Mac for support. Applejack and Silver were just leaving the tavern and, seeing her brother from afar, she broke into a gallop and ran to meet them.

“Ah sure am glad to see you three together. Ah wasn’t sure how things were gonna go after last night. You doin’ ok, Crimson?”

“Yes, Applejack. I’m very grateful to your brother.” Applejack was about to congratulate him when she noticed his mane was still damp, as was Crimson’s.

No, it couldn’t be. There’s no way Big Mac would just jump in the shower with her, would he? “Look at you two. You musta made up pretty well if you’re already showerin’ together.” As she laughed and waited for her brother’s stern rebuttal that never came, it quickly became apparent that she had indeed hit the nail on the head. “Big Mac, you’d skin Silver alive fer doin’ that, even if ah did pressure ‘im into it! What’ve you got t’ say fer yerself? An’ ah had the perfect opportunity this mornin’ too...”

“You what now?”

“Oh, don’t even start with me, brother. You ain’t got no right gettin’ on mah case after whatever it was you two did this mornin’, an’ ah reserve the right t’ do the same. Beggin’ yer pardon, Crimson. I ain’t upset with you.”

“Applejack, just let me...”

“Nnnope, don’t wanna hear it, Big Mac. What you do is yer business, but you ain’t got no room to gripe at me no more. Actually, ah should thank you, ‘cause now ah can think about it all ah want!”

“Sweetheart, you already had been.”

“Stay out o’ it, Silver. This is sibling talk.”

“Eeeyup.”


Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash both woke simultaneously at the pounding on the door. While Fluttershy usually didn’t sleep late on account of Angel’s strict feeding schedule, even he could tell that she deserved the rest, and thus made himself breakfast for perhaps the first time in years. Not being anything close to a morning pony and used to being with Storm, as she felt feathers brush her hoof she absent mindedly began stroking them, her eyes still closed and unwilling to exert the energy necessary to open them. Fluttershy, however, became quite awake at the sensation and gave a sharp squeal at the sudden stimulation, pushing hard and ejecting Rainbow Dash from her place of rest.

Now, Storm wasn’t the type of pony to doubt his lover’s integrity without cause, but as he opened the door and walked in, his mind immediately noticed several things simultaneously: Rainbow Dash on the floor, the blankets on the bed being an absolute disaster, and the blushing cream colored pegasus with half stimulated wings.

“Rainbow Dash... what the buck were you doing?”

“Nothing, why?”

“Because it really, really doesn’t look like nothing,” he replied pointing to Fluttershy, then the bed, then back to her. Comprehension came upon Dash like a tidal wave, and she immediately wrapped her hooves around Storm.

“Storm, I’m sorry I didn’t come home last night, but Fluttershy needed me. I couldn’t just leave her, you have to understand!” Storm heaved a sigh and slowly brought a hoof up around her waist.

“You know, this is just like what I did, minus the being drunk. I can understand where you were coming from now, though. Longest night of my life.”

“You could be a little angrier. I flipped out pretty bad, when I found you with Applejack.”

“I just want you back tonight, ok?”

“Quit being so nice, you’re making me feel like the dunce.” Fluttershy watched the exchange in silence, barely maintaining a calm composure as the tears threatened to squeeze out. But when Big Mac entered, the last of her willpower broke, and he, along with Crimson and everypony else, turned as the tears began to fall.

“Fluttershy...” Dash whispered as she realized just how insensitive her display of affection was, given her friend’s condition, made worse as Big Mac was now present as well.

“Everypony, could you wait outside? I’d... like to talk to Fluttershy alone, if I could.” Rainbow Dash turned towards Crimson, her gaze quickly shifting from skeptical to understanding.

“Crimson, I’ll just go ahead and say I’m sorry now. I was way out of line, but if you think you can help Fluttershy, that’ll go a long way with me. Please, do what you can. I’ll talk to you more later.” Crimson nodded, gleaning one last bit of strength from Big Mac’s stalwart gaze before he turned and left with everypony else, leaving her alone in the cottage with Fluttershy.

“I don’t believe we’ve ever been properly introduced, unless me breaking into your house while you were dancing counts.”

“Um, I’m sorry.”

I come out of nowhere, apparently steal the heart of somepony she’s liked for a while, and she’s apologizing to me? “Fluttershy, why are you...”

“Rainbow Dash wouldn’t have gotten mad at you if I hadn’t... gotten upset that you were... were with...” It didn’t matter that she had no way of knowing how she’d be received, Crimson couldn’t stand by and watch Fluttershy cry on her account, especially somepony that reminded her of herself before the world she knew had been shattered. She climbed onto the bed and held the pegasus close, feeling no resistance as she let it all out; her affection for Big Mac, her struggles with being shy, her fear of failure... everything.

“It’s... not fair. You deserve him more than I do...” Crimson’s whisper was accompanied by her own tears. Rainbow Dash had been right; this mare should have whoever she wanted.

“Why do you say that?” Fluttershy asked, sniffing and instantly turning her attention to Crimson.

If this pegasus can find it in herself to open up, then it’s only fair I do the same. “Fluttershy, I’d like to tell you a story...”

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