Doug sighs to himself as he watches Rainbow Dash’s tail, and clenched hindquarters, exit the barn. He doesn’t bother to close the door, perhaps with the vain hope that enough circulation will clear the obvious musk hanging in the air. He opens one of the opposite windows to help. But even if it does work, he wouldn’t hide what transpired from Applejack.

Would she be disappointed, or angry? I doubt she’ll be happy about it, which puts her likely reaction somewhere in the resigned category.

Kind of like I feel right now.

Why did I give in?

As Doug ponders this he resumes his apple sorting, occasionally having to get up and grab a new set of order forms and crates. It’s tedious work, but it has to be done. And it frees up the earth ponies to do more earth pony things that he doesn’t have a chance to duplicate. At least it’s indoors.

Why are my convictions so easy to ignore? Is the allure of sex that great for me? And it wasn’t even some heat of the moment thing, overcome by passion and unable to pull out in time. I drew a line in the sand, and then crossed it as soon as I had a flimsy enough excuse. But why?!

Doug stares up at the ceiling, as if the answers could be found in the wood grains of the rafters, or the sky above, or whatever might lie beyond that. Yet all he can see are the swirls of the wood meandering around. Lines of hearts ring the junction of roof and wall amid cute little scenes of farm life. And, high above, a solitary heart with PB + BM carved inside with lots of little hearts sprinkled around.

It’s not like they’re innocent and naive beings who don’t know what they’re getting into, even if they might be inexperienced, just like you. No, it’s like… it’s like they try to live by their Tenets of Harmony. And the idea of breaking them is so foreign, so inconceivable, that it’s painful for you to see it happen in front of you. And you want to make it right; you wanted to make it right so badly you were willing to go against what you said, jeopardize what you have not just with Dash but also with Applejack. That sex was involved, and for all her bravado it certainly seemed like Dash’s first time, didn’t hurt.

Doug pauses, his slight frown slowly deepening. Something in that last line of thought didn’t seem right. Not so much the sex part; these ponies are far too attractive for their own good, and it’s not so much their physical form. It’s that indefatigable hope for the future that I see when Applejack talks about her foal, or the heart to heart conversations we have. She is so open with me, and it inspires me to be open with her and with the other ponies. I like that, I love that, and I want to stick with her in the hopes that I become more like that.

And Rainbow Dash is the same way. I see cracks in her hope for the future, chips in how she views herself. And I want to heal those cracks, let her know that she is that valuable. Because it’s not that they are forced to live by their Tenets; of Honesty, Generosity, Loyalty, Kindness, Laughter, and Friendship. It’s that they strive so hard to do so, and any failures make me want to help them, to be with them and work through it, just like I know that they would be there for me. And us humans could certainly learn a lot from them in that regard.

So you’re not unhappy you slept with Dash? his inner voice demands. You’d do it again?

Doug sighs. I would, and perhaps the idea of being with two ponies doesn’t seem that wrong any more. I love her; no, I want to love her, to know her well enough to feel comfortable saying I love her and meaning it. To be willing to sacrifice for her sake.

I just wonder if I’ll have the chance to get there.

About an hour later a hatted silhouette fills the open doorway. Doug glances over, nearly done packing the crates for that day, his legs numb from staying in his seated position. There aren’t as many orders to fill today, yet the harvests keep coming in.

A slight grimace crosses his face as Applejack sniffs, her brow narrowing.

“Hey, Applejack,” Doug greets, his voice subdued.

“Howdy.” Applejack turns to Doug, nostrils twitching as she slowly approaches. She stops a body length away from him. Her face looks weary, yet her body shows no signs of fatigue. “Somethin’ ya wanna tell me?”

Doug takes a deep breath, trying to not look ashamed or excited as he states, “I slept with Rainbow Dash.”

Applejack nods, unsurprised, and not just because of the twin musks emanating from him. Her voice is hard, yet not condemning. “Who made that choice?”

Doug frowns at the implications. “We both did. It wasn’t mid cooler, if that’s what you’re asking. Dash came onto me, and I accepted.”

Applejack nods, though she doesn’t look relieved. “Do ya still believe me?”

“About being pregnant?” Doug says with a touch of confusion. He takes another deep breath, stalling as he closes his eyes, yet he doesn’t miss Applejack’s nod. A bit of his frustration seeps through, even as Applejack preempts him.

“It’s obvious Dash doesn’t,” Applejack nearly spits out, her feelings of hurt and betrayal almost palpable. “Or she never would’a made that offer to ya. And Rarity doesn’t believe me either.”

“How do you know that?” Doug snaps, more angry than curious.

“‘Cause she’s a unicorn,” Applejack says as if that explains everything. She huffs when Doug merely stares at her. “Look, Ah ain’t sayin’ that outta any sorta malice. We’re friends, but we ain’t good friends, right?” Applejack snorts when Doug crosses his arms. “She ain’t a mare Ah’d invite to join the herd, and Ah wouldn’t’a expected an invite from her if she found a stallion. We run in different circles; she’s got her interests and Ah’ve got mine.”

“But you’re okay with me being interested in her,” Doug says, his voice carefully controlled.

Applejack glances away for a split second, then nods reluctantly. “Maybe you ain’t like most stallions, Doug, and you’ve got more… varied interests. Ah get along with her well enough, so Ah wouldn’t object to her joinin’ or nothin’. Not like when Filthy…” Applejack grits her teeth, furious.

“Filthy Rich?” Doug prompts.

Applejack nods, scowling. “Filthy Rich and Ah, we both grew up here in Ponyville. Hay, our grandsires practically built Ponyville together! But when Bright Mac only had eyes for Buttercup, and the rest of the family moved to start their own farms once Sweet Apple Acres was established? Well, maybe Ah thought that the mare who’d get to seal the Rich clan and the Apples together would be me.”

Applejack stamps a hoof on the floor. “But then, instead’a makin’ me lead mare, the mare he’s known since he was a colt, he makes this Spoiled Milk-” Applejack bites her tongue “-his lead! Claims it’s ‘cause Ah’ll be busy runnin’ Sweet Apple Acres. And, she’s got a good head for business, or somethin’. Not that he needs it, Barnyard Bargains has done just fine, even bein’ led by stallions. But then, when he invites her friend Silver Set to be second mare? Well, that was the last straw for me.”

“But you’d be okay with Rarity joining,” Doug says, his obvious change of topic drawing a snort from Applejack.

“Yeah, Ah’d be okay with it.” Applejack grits her teeth, slowly letting out her breath in a long sigh. “Wouldn’t be mah first choice, but Ah suppose Ah didn’t give mahself many other options. Figured what was gonna happen with Rich was gonna happen.” She sighs, downcast. “And Rares runs her own shop, so it ain’t like she’ll be messin’ with how things go on the farm. Not like…” Applejack trails off, glancing to the northwest where Big Mac is working.

“Working at Carousel would be a nice change of pace, too,” Doug remarks. A wry smile crosses his lips. “Plus, I’m sure she won’t mind not having to pay me.”

“She’d pay ya, it just won’t be with bits.” Applejack shakes her flanks sultrily, then gives Doug a long, studious look. “Rares wants ta sleep with ya, and Ah’d be surprised if it ain’t tonight. If… if’n she asks, she can join. But Ah wouldn’t propose it; she might just be lookin’ for ya ta cool her off.”

“You are incredibly okay with this,” Doug states evenly. And I’m far more okay with the idea of sleeping with that marshmallowy mare than I thought I would be. Eagerly anticipating it, in fact.

“How else is a herd supposed to grow?” Applejack rolls her eyes as Doug glances at her belly, snickering good-naturedly.

“Would you be okay having triplets?” Doug asks, a hand stroking his chin, loving the sound of her laugh.

Applejack raises an eyebrow. “Uh, Ah guess? Never heard of a mare goin’ past twins, though.” A faint smile crosses her muzzle. She walks over to Doug, leaning down to nuzzle him. “If’n it means you’n me havin’ foals, Ah’ll take as many as ya can fit in me.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Doug says with a smirk, hand tussling Applejack’s mane, then sliding to her ear. “I was just thinking, that Rainbow Dash and Rarity are okay with the chance of having foals with me, however slim they think it is.”

“What’d Dash say after you quenched her heat?” Applejack says as she arches her neck, trying to get Doug to dig his fingers in deeper. “Ah bet she thought the chance was a lot less slim after.” She snickers, “Just like she’ll be eleven months from now.”

“She didn’t stick around, actually.” Doug frowns at Rainbow Dash’s flightiness, the final outcome of most, if not all, of their interactions. He does find the thought of Rainbow Dash with a bulge in her belly incredibly erotic, though. “Eleven months, huh?”

“Eeyup. Most foals are born the first week of February. Called Foal’s Week.” Applejack glances back at her belly, estimating how much larger by tracing her hoof around her barrel, getting about a hoof length on each side and maybe a hoof and a half lower.

“And, I guess, I’m…” Doug stalls as he deliberates, an inkling of what getting pregnant would mean for Rainbow Dash if it did happen. ...If it could even happen. “I’m okay with that, if it does happen. I just hope she is.”

“Ah can tell you’re a bit more’n okay with it,” Applejack purrs, grinning as she glances down. She moans as Doug’s hand travels along her neck, gently tugging her down. She doesn’t resist as he pulls her in front of himself, facing away from him, though her voice wavers. “Ya sure ya don’t wanna save yourself for Rares? Ah thought twice a day was pushin’ a stallion’s limits.”

“I’ll be fine,” Doug says, laying his mare down, except she tucks her legs underneath her, in ponyloaf, instead of on her back like he wants. “Not enough to do ‘round here, anyway.”

Applejack motions to the cart waiting outside. “We’ll be barrelin’ cider in the afternoon, if doin’ me’n Dash ain’t enough for ya.” She winks at her stallion, eager for him. Many of her fears dissipate, with hopes and thoughts of the future taking their place.

Next Chapter: Ch. 46 - The Tempestuous Steel Estimated time remaining: 9 Hours, 51 Minutes