Chapter 60: For Nothing

Dusk has made his way back to the apple farm, with the last two incidents still fresh in his mind. He could see Big Macintosh applebucking a tree from about 100 metres away from where the blue pegasus is walking. The muscular red earth pony, is bucking with much less skill than usual, since it took him more than one buck to knock down the apples from the apple tree. Macintosh seems to be a tad uneasy, since he has put the fate of him and his love interest in the hooves of a friend.

Unfortunately, Dusk has become the bringer of bad news. He told her about her reluctance to start a relationship, and all of the other stuff that Big Mac already knows about. Dusk didn’t tell the farmer about her repressed memory or what she is planned for Hearts and Hooves Day, though. It is very important for Dusk to keep these two things a secret from everypony, especially Big Mac.

Needless to say, Macintosh is disappointed with the results, but he couldn’t blame Dusk for the failure. His pained facial expression says it all. The two decide to not worry about the stallion’s love woes for now, and opted to get on with their jobs. The apples weren't going to buck themselves...

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It is 3:35pm when the two decide to call it a day. They had bucked a total of 153 trees, with Dusk contributing to 38 of said trees. The speed at which Big Mac could clear a tree still astounds the pegasus, especially since the Apple farmer had bucked about triple the amount of trees than Dusk has.

Big Mac has made his way to the farm’s bit box, and he started counting the bits required for Dusk’s pay. (He earned 95 bits)  As he does this, his youngest sister runs into the farmhouse excitedly, and she is followed by Applejack, who wore a massive grin on her muzzle.

“You look happy.” Comments Dusk.

“Ah sure am Dusk, tha’ was some of the best sales we’ve had in months. We sold out ‘bout two hours before we were supposed to.” She grabs a smaller box of bits and places them on the table. The box itself is a plain and wooden in design, with a couple of hinges attached. "Ah mighty good.haul if ah could say so mahself." She is addressing both Big Macintosh and Dusk.

"And we also saw Dusk before, but ah didn't understand why mah sister and the Protector of Ponyville were yelling objection at eachother." Adds Applebloom, which gives Applejack the look of remembrance.

"That reminds me... Big Mac, *slams table with forehooves* why did ya' send Dusk to town before?" (Cue Music) [1 Psyche Lock appears]

“Well... uh...” Big Mac is hesitant to answer the question.

“OBJECTION!” Dusk points a forehoof at Applejack, “I thought that I told you to let this subject go.” He has raised his voice up to a considerable level.

“No ya’ didn’t Dusk, you told me that it isn’t important for me to know what you did in Ponyville this mornin’, but you never told me anything about not askin’ Big Mac mahself.”

‘Damn, she’s right.’

“HOLD IT! *slams table* You know what I meant before Appleja-”

[*SHATTER* All Psyche Locks Unlocked] (In an underwhelming way)

“I... I sent Dusk into town so he could try to convince Cheerilee to go on a date with me.” He rushes the words out, showing his nerves under his stoic stance. (Stop Music)

‘So the whole argument at the markets... was for nothing?!’

Applejack’s smug grin from before, is intensified after hearing that he has a crush on Cheerilee. "Ah didn't know tha' you fancied somepony Big Mac." Teases Applejack.

"Ah knew it." Claims the younger sister. "We all knew tha' you and Miss Cheerilee would get all lovey-dovey someday, especially after the love potion incident.” She is positively beaming right now.

“We?” Asks both Applejack and Dusk. Big Mac didn’t really seem to care though.

“Me, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.” Answers the yellow filly.

“Uh huh, but the thing is, Big Mac and Cheerilee aren’t actually going out." ‘At the moment...’ "Cheerilee said no to the relationship, but she wouldn’t give reasons why.” Dusk hoped that nopony else would get the chance to find out about the school teacher’s past.

"Well... thanks for tryin' Dusk. Ah'm sure that Big Mac appreciates it."

"Eeyup."

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Dusk had received his bits for the days work at the farm. (plus 25 extra bits from Big Macintosh for his help with Cheerilee) He begins his walk back to Fluttershy's cottage, with the niggling feeling that he is forgetting something about today.

As he walks along the path to his marefriend's home, he could see a small yellow speck in the distance. He walks closer to the growing yellow dot before realizing that it is Fluttershy. The two pegasi could help but smile as they both recognize each other in the distance. As Dusk moves closer to her, she gives him a hug, which instantly makes his heart flutter. He could feel a blush coming on.

You see, Dusk has always considered hugging to be his preferred method of romantic physical contact. He couldn’t explain why he likes it so much, he just does. It just feels... right, to him.

“Hello Shy. What’s with the hug?” He calmly asks.

“Oh... um.. I did it because I thought that you’d like it...” She releases her hold, falling back onto her four hooves. “...And I think that you did, I felt your heart beat quicken.”

“Eh heh heh... you did?” He felt slightly embarrassed, “And I did like the hug Fluttershy, especially after the stressful day that I had today. Thanks.”

She waves it off, “It’s no problem Dusk... I like it too, you know.”

“Yeah, I know you do Shy. Anyway, completely different subject, where are you going?” She doesn’t usually leave the cottage, without Dusk somehow knowing.

“Oh, right, um... we're both supposed to be at Twilight’s house, so she could try a few experiments on us. It’s supposed to be important.”

‘The Experiment, how did I forget about that?.’

“Well if that’s the case then, shall we go?” Next Chapter: Chapter 61: EEG Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 54 Minutes