//------------------------------//
// first date 
// Story: Gentle Red 
// by Collins4112 
//------------------------------//

A/N: Thank you for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate it. Once again I'd like to thank my beta reader. 

We rejoin Ditzy at her home on Monday talking to her very best friend Carrot Top.

"You have a date with Big Macintosh!" Carrot Top hopped around excitedly. Ditzy blushed as Carrot Top talked very fast and in a very high pitched voice. She spewed words at Ditzy. It almost made Ditzy laugh but she was so nervous over her date later that day. 

"Shhhhh! I don't want Dinky to know." Ditzy warned as she looked into the next room where Dinky was taking a nap. She looks so peaceful.

"Why ever not?" Carrot Top asked, a look of confusion on her face. Ditzy rubbed one hoof into the floor, and didn't look up at Carrot Top. 

"I havn't dated a stallion in a long time and I want to make sure she doesn't get too excited about it. I mean it might not work out." Ditzy said quietly. Ditzy hated disappointing Dinky and if Dinky caught wind of the prospect of having a "dad" she would get excited about something that had a likelihood of never happening. 

"Don't worry. Big Macintosh is as gentle as they come." Carrot Top put a hoof on her friend’s shoulder, and then embraced Ditzy in a hug: a surefire way to calm her. 

"Thank you." Ditzy said quietly, "Now what do I say? How do I act? How should I look?" 

Carrot Top was momentarily overwhelmed with the questions. "Ditzy, you'll be fine and just act like yourself. Now, how you look you look good, but we could make you look even better!" 

"Um...Alright." Ditzy said sheepishly. Carrot Top squeed and began to brush Ditzy's blond mane. She pulled out the knots that had formed in her mane from neglect. Carrot Top told Ditzy about previous dates that she had been on. They didn't inspire confidence in Ditzy. 

"And then it started to rain!" Carrot Top finished yet another account of a failed date. By this point Ditzy was getting very nervous about her upcoming date. 

"Do you have any stories about a good date?" Ditzy asked hopefully. Carrot Top thought for a moment. 

"Why yes I do!" Carrot Top announced as she started to style Ditzy's hair. "Well, it was quite a while ago." 

Ditzy listened to her friend's tale of meeting the young stallion, falling in love with him and then going on a few dates. Carrot Top seemed to be lost in her thoughts as she spoke of how the young stallion left town for a meeting and never came back. Ditzy realized the story had lasted for more than an hour. 

"That was quite a story, Carrot Top." Ditzy said; she desperately hoped that she could have an experience like that. Well, without the leaving forever part. 

"Yeah, it was but eventually I accepted that I needed to move on but he did bring something good into my life." Carrot Top said mysteriously, “Without him I would have never met a nice, caring, loyal, and honest gray mare, and I would never have such an amazing friend." 

Ditzy blushed at her friend's lavish compliments, "You’re a great friend too, you know." 

"Yes, and that's why if Macintosh ever hurts you he won't be having any foals soon." Carrot Top laughed. Ditzy also chuckled at her friend's comment. 

________


"So you’re sure you're okay with watching Dinky tonight?" Ditzy asked her friend. Carrot Top looked at Ditzy as if she were crazy. 

"Of cource I am. I've never seen a sweeter filly." Carrot Top complimented, "Besides she already knows how fun Auntie Carrot Top is!" 

"Thank you so much." Ditzy said. She was getting very nervous again with butterflies filling her stomach. 

"I see that look in your eyes again. Don't worry Ditzy; Big Macintosh will be just as nervous as you are." Carrot Top said. Big Macintosh nervous? How silly. I couldn't imagine him being nervous about going on a date with me. 

The clock on the wall chimed 6 times. Her date with the large farm pony would be approaching soon. 

"Mommy, why are you getting all prettied up?" Dinky asked. Ditzy hadn't even noticed that she had found her way into the room. 

"Well, my little Muffin, I have an important meeting to go to, but don't worry Auntie Carrot Top is gonna be here with you." Ditzy said with a smile. Dinky began to grin. She loved spending time with Carrot Top; they always had loads of fun. 

"Yay!" Dinky cheered. Carrot Top chuckled at the overly excited unicorn filly. Ditzy took a look outside. It seemed the pegasus ponies had cleared the sky for the night. 

Dinky hopped around then galloped into her room to find things for her and Carrot Top to play with. 

"Alright, he'll be here soon. When he comes I'll go and play with Dinky in another room, okay?" Carrot Top had planned out the scenario. Ditzy hoped it went as well as Carrot Top planed.

"Alright." Ditzy murmured the thought of being alone with Big Macintosh put butterflies in her stomach. She went wall-eyed with nervousness. 

"Geeze Ditzy it's only a first date." Carrot Top said, trying to calm her very nervous friend. They talked for a while before an expected knock came at the door. Carrot Top gave Ditzy a wink and went to play with Dinky. 

Ditzy nervously trotted to the door. She gathered herself then opened the door. Standing on the other side was the large red earth pony of the evening. He stood with a half smile, his usual yolk was gone. It looked like he actually combed his mane. 

"Howdy Ditzy, ah... Um... Got these for you," He said through the flowers he had in his teeth. Ditzy blushed and took them. She quickly found a vase to put them in. "Y'all look mighty pretty tonight." 

Ditzy melted at the compliment, "Thank you, and you look very nice too." 

They stood there awkwardly for a moment before Big Mac spoke up, "Well, let's get going." 

Ditzy nodded in agreement and she began to trot along side him. The night was warm even with the sun deep into its downward descent but not yet below the horizon. They walked on in awkward silence. 

"So where are we going?" Ditzy finally asked. She looked up at the large stallion. He looked down at her. 

"Well, to tell y'all the truth... Ah was so nervous about this I forgot to plan where to go." He said as they stopped on the path. He had a sheepish grin on his face. So he is as worried about this as I am. 

"That’s okay, how about Sugar Cube Corner?" Ditzy suggested. She hadn't eaten dinner, and there was no way sweets would fill her up, but it was the first thing she could think of. 

"That sounds mighty fine." Big Macintosh agreed. They began to trot along again. "So Ditzy, how is it delivering all the mail?" 

Good, a question she could answer, "Well, it's a lot of work because the mail that I get at the post office isn't always organized, and when that happens, the mail ends up where it shouldn't." 

Big Macintosh considered this for a moment. "Must be might stresful to have the responsiblity." 

Ditzy trotted along at a quicker pace trying to keep up with the large pony. "It is sometimes, but I enjoy it. Gives me something to be responsible for, other than Dinky." 

Big Macintosh slowed his pace when he realized he was going a bit fast. "Ah heard from Applebloom that Dinky is in her class. Strange I don't think Ah've seen you there before." 

"Usually, I pick up Dinky around the back... because that's near to where my route ends." Ditzy responded; it actually had nothing to do with her mail route, it was more self confidence issue. 

"Are ya sure? Ya sure it has nothing to do y'all don't want to show up the other mares?" Big Macintosh laughed playfully. Ditzy blushed but still smiled at the compliment. 

"Yeah, that's it!" Ditzy laughed. Her laugh was infectious because Big Macintosh started to chuckle as well. 

They continued to make small talk until they arrived at the candy clad building. Big Macintosh held the door open for Ditzy. Pinkie Pie was taking orders from the front counter. She gave a big smile when Big Macintosh and Ditzy entered. 

"Hi Big Red whatjadoin’?" Pinkie asked quickly. Big Macintosh looked to Ditzy and raised an eyebrow. 

"Howdy, we're just here for one of y'all's fine sweets." Big Macintosh said easily. Ditzy looked around at the very colorful room with a few ponies sitting around happily eating a few treats. 

"Ooooo, we have lots of those! What do ya want? We have ice cream and cakes, and cupcakes." Big Macintosh waited patiently for Pinkie Pie to finish. 

"Ditzy what would y'all like?" Big Macintosh asked Ditzy. Ditzy considered for a moment. 

"A cupcake sounds nice." Ditzy answered. Pinkie Pie looked excited; she hopped around, grabbing two cupcakes and put them on the counter at the same time as Mac put down the bits on the counter. The cupcakes looked delicious; the rainbow frosting covered the chocolate cupcake nicely. 

"Okie dokie loki, thank you!" Pinkie Pie said cheerfully, but when is she not cheerful. They took the cupcakes and took a table near a window. 

Ditzy giggled lightly as she looked at the small cupcake that was in front such a large pony. She took a bite of her own cupcake. She couldn't help but moan. Big Macintosh looked at her questioningly. He took a bite of his cupcake. His eyes shot wide open. 

"Dear Celestia! These are great!" Big Macintosh said clearly. Ditzy held a laugh at the large stallion's reaction to the cupcake. "Pardon me for raising my voice." 

Ditzy blushed at how polite he was. "They are pretty good." 

They devoured the rest of their cupcakes. A satisfied look graced both their faces. Ditzy heard her stomach growl. 

"Oh sorry, but I didn't have anything to eat before I came." Ditzy said sheepishly while Big Macintosh facehooved. 

"Oh, Ah'm sorry..." Big Macintosh said quietly. They sat in a very awkward silence. Come on Ditzy say something!  But she couldn't think of anything to say; luckily he said something. "Ah know, how about I get y'all something to eat at the farm?" 

"Uhhh...alright." Ditzy said.

____

Sweet Apples Acres was very quiet with all the work that needed to be done, was done. The apple trees swayed slightly in the breeze. The small, not yet ready to be harvested apples glistened in the moonlight. 

Big Macintosh was giving her a tour of the farm. "And finally this is the house that my family and Ah live in." 

Ditzy nodded, interested in his life. It was very different from hers. He had a lot to do all the time. It was surprising that anypony could keep the work up at all. She watched the stallion with the proud gleam in his eye as he spoke of his family. 

"Granny Smith is a bit peculiar but Ah assume it comes with age. She makes the best darn pies and is the only one who truly knows how to make zap apple jam. Apple Jack is my oldest little sister and is a very hard worker. She's very honest, just like all the Apple family, but she owns the farm and does a mighty fine job even if she ain't good at numbers. Apple Bloom is a bit of a troublemaker, though she tries to be good: she just goes about it wrong… and then there is simple ol' me." Big Macintosh finished. Ditzy was suprised at the praise he gave his family but how little he gave himself credit. 

"Wow, you have quite a family." Ditzy said. He looked at her with a gentle smile that warmed her insides. They walked into the house. The house was quiet. Granny Smith sat in a chair, asleep and snoring. 

A tump came from upstaires. "Big Mac, is that you?"

"Eeyup!" Big Macintosh called back. The sounds of hoof steps came down the stairs. A moment an orange mare appeared. She wore a Stetson hat sat on her blond-maned head. 

"Howdy, so this is the special mare y'all were telling me about Big Mac?" Applejack questioned. Big Macintosh gave a shy grin. Ditzy blushed. Special mare?  

"Eeyup, Ditzy, this is my sister Applejack." Big Macintosh introduced. 

"Nice to meet you." Ditzy said slowly, making sure her nervousness didn't confuse her words. She saw the resemblence in of Big Macintosh in Applejack, very sturdy would be a good term. 

"Well, howdy, nice to meet ya too!" Applejack greeted, thrusting her hoof into Ditzy's hoof and shaking it violently. "It’s awful quick to bring a mare home Mac, but if y'all want to get busy..."

Ditzy saw him blush, yes, blush through his crimson coat. She could feel her face getting warm too. "Applejack!" 

"Ah'm just messing with ya." Applejack chuckled playfully. Big Macintosh grunted. "What are y'all doing here anyways?" 

"Ditzy didn't have dinner." Big Macintosh said shortly. Applejack chuckled at her brother's frustration.  Applejack trotted upstairs. 

"There should be some left over dinner in the fridge!" Applejack called before she was out of earshot. 

"Sorry about that." Big Macintosh apologized. Ditzy could still see he was blushing a bit, it made her chuckle.  Big Mac led her to the kitchen. She sat down at the dining table. He took a bowl of stew from the refrigerator. 

He put the stew from the bowl into a pot and began to heat it up. 

"Y'all want a tour of our humble home?" Big Macintosh said his blush finally fading away. Ditzy nodded. He led her around the house ending the tour by his room; which was close to the kitchen. 

"And this is my room." Big Macintosh said proudly. Ditzy looked inside and noticed something sitting on a desk in the corner. 

"Is that a doll?" Ditzy asked. Big Macintosh responded with a sheepish smile. She couldn't hold back her laughter. She laughed for a few moments before calming down enough to speak. "I’m sorry, Macintosh." 

"It's alright. Ah'd imagine if I was in your hoofs I would laugh too." Big Macintosh murmured. She felt kind of bad for laughing at him. Why did I laugh? He never laughed at me. 

He took the few steps back into the kitchen, and he served the stew into bowls. Ditzy took a bowl and quietly ate her stew. Big Macintosh looked into his stew not saying anything either. They finished their soup in silence. 

"Ah'm sorry for being rude, I shouldn't be fuming about y'all laughing. I am a fully grown stallion, Ah shouldn't have a doll." Big Macintosh said in a deep and sad voice. 

Ditzy forced herself not to go wall eyed from shame, "'No. I shouldn't have laughed. I'm sorry; you should have whatever you want. I should have expected it: you’re so sweet and kind...” Ditzy realized she was talking out loud she covered her mouth with both hooves. 

"That's mighty kind of y'all to say." Big Macintosh said. He slid a bit closer to her. She slid a bit closer to him. They leaned in close. Very close. Then their lips touched just for a moment but that moment Ditzy felt like she was riding on cloud nine above Cloudsdale and all of Equestria. 

"Its getting late, ah'll take y'all home." 

A/N: I thought was sweet, what do y'all think. I'd really like to hear your feed back but I also aprriceate the people who just read the story too. Thanks y'all