“Hnnnng” Dusty grunted, pushing down with all his might on the trowel stuck deep in the soil. With one more push the tool, the dirt, and the stubborn rock flew out of the hole. He shoved the excess dirt aside before grabbing the petunia bulb beside him. Carefully placing it in the ground, he gently smoothed the dirt around the plant. Once he finished, he sat back on his haunches and surveyed his work with a tired sigh. He wiped his sweaty bangs from his forehead, smearing another layer of dirt across, as he tried to ignore the heat of the summer sun on his back.
 
Just as he was about to pick up the watering can and complete the job, he heard a voice call out behind him.
 
“Hey Dusty! ” It rang in the hazy air, soft and sweetly.
 
Turning around, Dusty flashed a wide smile at the he saw the green filly trotting towards him.
 
“Oh, hey ya Pansy!” He called back.
 
As she drew near, he noticed a strange look come over her face while she eyed him head to hoof.
 
“You sure live up to your nickname, don’t you,” she giggled, a twinkle of amusement in her violet eyes.
 
Dusty glanced down at his dirt covered self before chuckling sheepishly, “Well, what can Ah’ say, Ah’ got a reputation to keep!”
 
He had barely finished speaking when he spotted the glass in Pansy’s hoof for the first time. Before Pansy could reply, he nodded curiously at the glass and asked, “Say, whatcha got there?”
 
The filly jolted, as if suddenly remembering the drink as well. Then, handing it out to him, she said smiling, “Oh, this is for you. I thought since you’ve been working for a while, you might like to cool off a glass of apple juice.”
 
Dusty snatched it up without hesitation. He guzzled down the drink down to the last drop, not even pausing to take a breath. Smacking his lips, he sighed in relief. “Thanks Pansy, that really hit the spot,” he said, peering into the glass to see if he had missed anything.
 
Taking the it back, Pansy stared at the empty bottom in a amazement.
 
How in Equestria do colts drink that fast without getting sick? she thought, but out loud she only said, “Of course, I’m glad you liked it!”
 
“Well, Ah’ best get back to finishing this” he said, turning back towards the flower bed. Pansy turned as well, gazing at the rows of bulbs with their green heads peeping shyly out from the soil.
 
“This looks amazing, Dusty! I’m sure under your care these will grow into beautiful blooms this fall! They’re just what this old fence needs; a splash of color to add life it’s blank, white posts.” She said dreamily.
 
“Shucks, yer too kind” he said, blushing slightly as he rubbed his damp neck. “Growin’ plants ain’t complicated if ya know how to do it right. Besides, growin’ up on a farm, it’s just like second nature!”
 
Pansy looked at Dusty, her eyes shining as she asked, “Could I help you finish planting? I just finished helping Auntie AJ with the pies, so I’m sure she wouldn’t mind!”
 
Dusty smiled warmly, shrugging good-naturedly. “Sure, if that’s what ya want. I’m about done anyway,” he said.
 
Handing her a tray of bulbs and his trowel, he said, “How about you finish planting up this last batch while Ah water the rest of the rows?”
 
“Sounds good to me!” Pansy chirped as she took the tools.
 
As Dusty picked up the watering can, he , “Now don’t forget, ya gotta dig the hole about 6 inches deeps and 6 inches apar-“
 
“I know how to plant, Dusty,” Pansy said, eyeing him with a subtle smirk. “I have my own flower garden, remember?”
 
Oh. right.
 
Stupidstupidstupi-
 
Dusty quickly glanced away, hoping she didn’t notice his face flush beet red . . again. He managed to croak out, “Course Ah’ remem- Ah- heh, sorry. Ah didn’t mean ta-“
 
“Oh, no, it’s okay!” She interrupted hastily, waving him off. “I didn’t mean it like that. And- I understand. You just want the flowers to grow properly! There’s nothing wrong with that.”
 
Picking up the trowel again, she said playfully, “You don’t worry about a thing! I know exactly how to plant petunias- there are my second favorite flower after all- right next to pansys, of course.”
 
The sound made his heart do a little flip, just like how AJ flips the flapjacks every morning. It made him feel jumpy, but at the same time, he felt himself relax as the embarrassment melted away.
 
“Ah’ course,” he chuckled, this time genuinely.
 
Pansy flashed him another one of her bright smiles before turning back to her work. Dusty did the same, and a comfortable silence of birds singing and bugs humming settled between them.
 
Still, something in the back of his mind tugged at him, as if to pull his gaze away from his work and look instead at . . . Pansy. He shook his head, trying to shake the feeling. But it stuck there. He tried ignoring it and losing himself in the sort of daze one gets in sweltering temperatures. Instead, he only felt increasing self-conscious, like some sort of reverse psychology trick. Dusty’s brow furrowed in a mix of frustration and focus.
 
”Why In Tarnation do Ah keep gettin’ distracted when she’s around? It’s not like we’ve never been alone before. Ah don’t get it-“
 
“Oh, why, hello there little friend!” Pansy said, her cheery voice bringing Dusty’s train of thought to a screeching halt.
 
Glancing over at her, he saw that her ‘little friend’ was a pale pink butterfly who softly alighted on Pansy’s dirt-covered hoof.
 
“Isn’t she beautiful, Dusty? “ she asked, almost in a hushed whisper. “Just look at the way her wings shimmer in sunlight!”
 
Dusty gave a half smile, cocking his head. “She sure is a cute little bugger, “ he said.
 
Pansy didn’t hear him, or at least didn’t acknowledge his comment, as her attention was fully engrossed in the insect.
 
“I think she’s a Springtail Gossamer, “ she stated, with a type of expression that a scientist would have at seeing a never before seen creature.
 
“Judging by her size,” she continued, “she looks to be nearly full grown, which means she’s probably nearing the end of her migration from vanhoover. Did you know that Springtails can travel over 50 miles in a day? Some can even fly as fast as 10 miles per hour! Not to mention that’s without any flight current. You know I read in my nature field guide once that…”
 
As Pansy continued to spew facts from her encyclopedic mind at a hundred words per minute, Dusty found his eyes drifting involuntarily from the butterfly to the filly holding her.
 
He had to admit, she looked as cute as button with her handkerchief on. And while he was no artist, he could tell the colors perfectly compliment her mane, which, while glistening with sweat, still looked as fresh as a spring daisy as it hung freely behind her. Even her Snow White freckles looked especially shinny in the sunlight.
 
But her eyes, her smile, the way she lit up like a Christmas tree as she ranted about butterfly migration- it’s what made him feel like he had his own butterfly migration in the pit of his stomach.
 
Sure, Dusty knew it was rude to stare, but he just couldn’t look away- he didn’t want to look away. Of course, didn’t know why. He didn’t know why his cheeks feel warm- aside from the summer heat- , or why his insides felt like freshly churned Apple sauce, or why his heart raced faster than Cricket could escape taking a bath, or why he had a strange urge to-
 
“Uh, Dusty, don’t you think the petunias have…uh…had enough to drink?” Pansy asked timidly, nodding at the still pouring watering can in his hoof.
 
Dusty’s smile dropped immediately, his eyes going wide with panic. He frantically glanced at the 3 inch puddle in front of him, at the watering can, then back at the puddle. If it was deep enough for him to disappear into.
 
“Oh, Gee, I guess you’re right. Ah just got distracted by….the butterfly is all. Heh heh,” he said nervously, scratching his soggy mane.
 
“Oh…okay,” She said hesitantly, as the butterfly in question flew off. She stared a minute more at Dusty, before saying in a worried tone, “Um, are you sunburned? Your face is bright red. Do you need some sunscreen? I can run inside you if want me t-“
 
“Oh, no, Ah’m fine! Really! Ah’m just a little hot is all. Ah’ think Ah’ll go inside for another glass of juice. Do ya need anything?” He said, still avoiding direct eye contact as he got to his hooves.
 
Pansy smiled and, shaking her head, she said, “I’m good, thanks anyway!”
 
“Alrighty then, Ah’ll be back in minute,” he said as he started retreatin-er, trotting briskly in the direction of the house.
 
Once Dusty was out of ear shot, he finally let out the breath he had been holding. Daring to glance behind him, he saw her sitting by the bed still planting away, just as he had left her. Only now she was humming an airy tune to herself. Dusty sighed.
 
What in Equestria was Ah doin’ over-waterin’ them flowers!? Ah just sat there, starin’ at her like Ah was some dumb hillbilly. Ah just don’t get it. Why do Ah act like a bumbeling idiot around her, around Pansy of all ponies!? She like a sister to me. So. . . Why do I feel so . . . so. . . argh!
 
Dusty shook his head vehemently, pushing away the conflicting thoughts away. If he kept standing there, he’d only cement his reputation as a knucklehead. So forcing himself to swallow the heart still beating in his throat, Dusty once again began walking towards the kitchen. A drink is just what he needed to cool his parched throat. He could deal with the confusing questions later.
 
In fact, he’ll probably talk about it with Cricket later. . .