Scooter and the Bloodied Tiara

Scooter stared out the window during the train ride to Canterlot. His friend Apple Buck was beside him, and apparently concerned.

"Ya okay there, Scoots? Ya ain't said a word since we started movin'."

Scooter snapped from his daydream, placing his hands in his lap, a bit of a reflex he'd built over the past week whenever he daydreamed around anypony else. "Huh? Oh, uh, yeah, AB. I'm fine. Just, uh, just can't wait to see Silv on stage." He gave his best shot at a casual chuckle, and managed a weak, sheepish one.

Apple Buck raised a brow and noticed again how quickly his friend's hands moved when he stopped zoning out. He'd been curious about it for some time, and with nopony else around and still a ways to Canterlot, he figured now was a good time to ask.

"Well, that's all fine and dandy, but why've you been doin' that thing with yer hands lately? It's only been since ya had the incident with DT and those punks."

Scooter's cheeks flushed deep red as he searched for an excuse, any excuse besides the truth and the moment something came to mind that sounded right, he said it, and immediately regretted it. "I, uh, I just, I've been really enjoying you and Silv's company, ya know? Just didn't wanna freak you both out." The moment the last word left his mouth, he wanted to toss himself out of the train car, and was rather tempted to for a moment, but decided against it.

Apple Buck's eyes were wide. "Wh-what? Wait, are you sayin' you like stallions too?" He paused briefly as the full of what Scooter said set in. "Wait, you feel like that with me an' Silver?!"

Scooter wasn't sure what to say, but he knew not thinking it over would just make things worse, unfortunately, he couldn't exactly help it this time. "I told you, I didn't want you guys freaking out. I mean, I wouldn't even know because I've never kissed either of you." 'Open mouth, insert hoof' were the first words to cross his mind after that.

The farmpony blinked a bit, his mind finally settling and a few thoughts crossing his mind as he blushed slightly. "S-so, just outta curiosity, would ya've kissed one of us if you'd've gotten the chance?"

This time it was the pegasus to stare at his friend. He knew from how AB had asked what he did that there was definitely some kind of curiosity there. He took a moment to think and blushed lightly as he came to his answer. "Uh, y-yeah. I guess I would've. Not that it would've happened, though."

"Well, we could find out." The earth pony wasn't sure what possessed him to say that, but he quickly chalked it up to his habits from their years of constant crusading and trying anything for a cutiemark.

Scooter blinked, not entirely sure how to respond. For a moment, he was frozen in place, but soon he found himself leaning in towards his friend. A moment later, Apple Buck began doing the same. The two came muzzle to muzzle for a brief moment before their lips met. It wasn't anything too special, no spark, no fireworks, nothing. Though, it was kind of fun. The two moved closer and held the kiss. It wasn't that they were turned on by it, it just felt nice. They had no want to do more, but they saw no reason to pull away either.

They lost track of time, only breaking the kiss after hearing the announcement that the train was arriving at Canterlot. They both looked to each other with blazing red cheeks. They stared for a while before they felt the car come to a stop. They then quickly gathered their things and set off towards the Canterlot Theater.

The two didn't mention the kiss on the way, mostly because there was nothing to say. They kissed. They liked it, so they kept kissing, and then they stopped. There were no weird feelings to explain, there was no big reveal to go through. They both knew that there wasn't anything more to it, so they didn't make it out for more than it was.

It took the duo a good five minutes to reach the theater. "Hey, uh, AB, how about you go on in. I'll catch up in a sec."

Though normally the earth pony would have asked why, he felt he'd let his curiosity do enough for now and simply nodded before showing his ticket and heading inside.

Scooter sighed and tried to collect his thoughts for a moment, walking to the side of the building to keep anypony walking by from seeing him. He wasn't sure quite why he was so concerned with being seen, but the daydreams from before quickly answered him. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he forced them from his mind.

After a moment more he opened his eye from concentration to see a rather concerned looking mare before him. Another look and he noticed her pink fur, then her two-toned mane. He blinked to make sure he wasn't just seeing things, but before him, in arguably very casual dress, was Diamond Tiara, the mare he'd just managed to push from his thoughts.

She was wearing jeans that seemed taught from her waist to her knees before loosening and hanging on her legs slightly. He couldn't tell what kind of shirt she was wearing under her jacket, and if he didn't know any better, he'd almost be tempted to assume she had nothing on under it.

His cheeks lit up for a moment as he tried to think of something to say, but was stopped by a finger pressed lightly to his lips.

"Scooter, please. Can we just watch your friend perform together? Maybe talk a little after it? I've done a lot of thinking this past week."

The pegasus was silent for a moment, but soon nodded slowly, getting a soft smile from Diamond Tiara before they both turned and walked to the counter, presenting their tickets and walking inside.

It took a moment, but they soon found Apple Buck sitting on the right end of a row, three seats to the left of him open. The two ponies made their way down the aisle and to the row, both passing by the earth pony.

"Wait, Diamond Tiara? What are you doin' here?" Apple Buck asked softly. The two sat down, Scooter beside his friend and Diamond Tiara just beside him.

"AB, it's okay. She's just here for the show."

Apple Buck raised an eyebrow but a sudden hushing from the audience members around them told that the performance was about to begin. The earth pony shook his head and rolled his eyes as he turned his attention to the stage.

The show ended just shy of three hours after it began, and, upon Silver joining them, Apple Buck, Scooter, and Diamond Tiara walked to the train station with smiles on their faces. Silver and Apple Buck were admittedly uncomfortable around the light pink mare, but they knew Scooter saw something in her, and had little problem putting things aside for him.

Upon reaching the station and boarding their ride back, the small group made their way to their rather spacious car for the trip back. Scooter and his friends were rather surprised to see Diamond Tiara in such a low budget car, but considering how casually she was dressed, as well as that she'd seemed quite comfortable with them all on the walk back, they decided not to question it aloud. After a moment of settling in, the group found themselves with Scooter and Diamond Tiara sharing a seat just across from Silver Bell and Apple Buck.

Scooter was quick to pipe up, glad to have kept at least one of his questions saved up to break the ice. "So, Silv, how exactly did you get Green Neigh up there? That must have been, like, super expensive."

Silver gave a chuckle and a warm smile. "Oh, it was simple really, I just had to convince the owners of the theater that sales would balance everything out, and then convince the band that Canterlot was a suitable venue. Quite simple, really, if you have the way with words I do."

Silver's friends chuckled, the farm pony speaking up this time. "Well, ah can't say ya ain't got a way with words, Silv, but it couldn'ta been that easy."

"Yeah, I mean convincing snooty people that a punk band will be worth their time, AND convincing a punk band that a snooty theater hall is a good venue? Even you must've had something else up your sleeve for it."

Diamond Tiara spoke up softly, looking to Scooter and Apple Buck with a hint of confusion. "What do you mean? It really is that simple. If the theater can make more in sales than it costs to put on the performance, then it's usually a sealed call on their end, after all, revenue is revenue. As for the band, most are always looking for an opportunity to get new fans, though many genuinely seem to have less selfish reasons than either the fame or the money associated with it."

The two laughing ponies stopped and looked to the mare, a bit surprised, but Scooter quickly shrugged it off and sat up, stretching his arms and wings a little before relaxing back in the seat. "Well, whatever it took, it was awesome. I just kinda wish we had a rail running back to Ponyville the short way, y'know? I mean, an hour to Canterlot? Not too bad, really. Almost eight hours back? I mean, what the heck? It'll be nearly midnight before we get back."

"I agree they should implement that system one day. It really is rather exhausting having to ride so long just to get back home. Though, I guess it's fine if one needs to catch up on some rest." Almost on cue, the unicorn gave a yawn as he stretched. "Speaking of which, I think I may turn in before long. Anypony coming with me?"

Scooter shrugged. "Hey stallion, look, I'm just fine right where I'm at. I'm not really tired, but I don't mind crashing here if it hits me."

Apple Buck gave a yawn too before rubbing his eyes a bit. "Come ta think of it, ah really haven't been restin' as much as ah need to. Ah think ah'll join ya."

The two gave a look to Diamond Tiara who shook her head politely, looking very much awake. They had a few reasons not to discuss the matter further and decided not to push anything. They stood and waved before crossing the isle to the resting side. It wasn't uncommon for trains to have these kinds of cars for round-trip tickets, as the trips back home were often quite long compared to the initial trip. It was more of a simple courtesy than anything, but it kept the business going, so they saw no reason to change it.

It was a few minutes before Diamond Tiara broke the silence that had fallen on the car, which hadn't been moving for more than half an hour at most. "So, I could tell you really liked the performance."

Scooter raised a brow, but sat up a bit, deciding to play along with what he knew was likely more than just small talk. "Uh, yeah. I always like watching Silv perform. He's like, a natural. Yeah, sure, everypony can sing pretty well, but not everypony can play all the instruments he can while they sing. I actually think most who can play something are pretty much only good with that one thing, really."

Diamond nodded. "I enjoyed it too. Though, I believe we have something to talk about."

Scooter heaved a sigh. He'd been expecting this since a few minutes into the show. He turned to speak, but stopped when he noticed the look in the mare's eyes. She wasn't angry or commanding, but seemed almost to be pleading for a chance to explain. The stallion closed his mouth and gave her the chance, and her expression quickly showed she was thankful.

"I've had plenty of time to think over all of this, and I've spent it doing just that. I believe I know why you wanted space for the week. I looked back at how I was and how I acted that night and that morning, and I can see how I might have been sending some pretty crazy signals. I get that now, but..."

The mare paused for a moment before looking to the pegasus resolutely. "I like you. I don't mean like just some friend, or even like Silver Spoon. I want to be your special somepony. To be completely honest, I've always kinda liked you.

"Like I told you before, when we were at your house, I know you've had it pretty tough, and I know I sure didn't make anything any easier on you, but in spite of everything put in front of you, you never let anything stop you or even slow you down." She shifted a little on her seat as she continued. "One thing I know for sure is that I could never have done what you did, made it through everything you went through, and especially not come out as well as you did. Most ponies couldn't have done it. You had the odds against you for so long, starting so early, and you came out on top, and still so kind. Anypony could respect that."

She stopped for a moment, looking down as he voice drew a softer, more withheld tone. "You're strong. Stronger than me, stronger than anypony I know. You're special."

She sighed and kicked a hoof against the floor of the car. "I guess you could say that I did what I did back then because I knew just how weak I was, and I saw how weak you weren't, and I guess it got to me."

"DT..." The pegasus spoke softly, but it was enough to pull the earth pony beside him from her lament. She looked to Scooter, who quickly pulled her into a hug. She was surprised, to say the least, but it quickly left her and she returned the embrace. They held it for a few moments before Scooter gently pulled away and looked into Diamond Tiara's eyes. "I know that must've taken a lot to get out. Now, while I can't honestly say that I liked you back then, I can definitely say that I've felt something since that day."

Scooter's cheeks flushed red, and Diamond Tiara stayed silent for a moment. She wasn't sure how to respond, since she wasn't sure what would have been appropriate. A hug felt right, but then so did the way she treated the pegasus all those years ago. She knew that the two were entirely different, but it still stood to tell that she didn't always have the best judgement with intuition.

After a few awkward moments passed, the earth pony settled on a response. "Well, what exactly do you mean? I mean, what you've felt since that day."

Scooter scratched his mane as he gathered his thoughts. "Well, it's just that, since that day you've been, ya know, acting different, like, in a good way and all. You've been really nice, and everything. Now today even after we haven't even seen each other for a week, you're still actually nice to me. I mean, I dunno, I guess I just figured you were only nice to ponies with something you wanted, and I don't see what I have that you could want."

"I mean, my house can't be as nice as yours, and I'm not rich, like, at all. I've got enough to eat on, keep my gear up, and have a few little luxuries, but nothing like what you're used to. No matter how I look at it, I have nothing like what I could see you wanting. It's been on my mind the whole week, and it occurred to me that, well, maybe you're not after something so shallow. Maybe you actually did like me. I guess I just wanted to be sure it wasn't just because I helped you, just because I bailed you out, ya know?"

Diamond Tiara gave a slight nod as she reached for Scooter's hand, pleasantly surprised to have him not pull away. "I know what you mean. I talked it over with my father for a good while, and I spent a lot of time thinking. I know you didn't have much reason to trust me. I know you still don't, really. I know you mean well with anything you decide to do, which is why I really tried to wait the full week. I wanted some way to show you I've truly changed."

Scooter looked to Diamond Tiara, his cheeks showing a light blush as he smiled. He slowly turned his hand and gently held hers before pulling her closer and kissing her lips gently, an action that was happily returned by the earth pony.

Silver sat up in his bed, Apple Buck still lying beside him and groaning slightly from the motion. "Aw c'mon Silver, just a few more minutes?"

The unicorn couldn't help but chuckle and smile to the farm pony. "Just a sec, AB. I just thought about something kinda important."

This brought the earth pony to sit up rather quickly. "Somethin' wrong, sugarcube?"

Silver blushed a bit at the pet name. He'd thought he was used to it, but Apple Buck always managed to change that. "Well, we've been like this for a while, and I was just thinking that we haven't told Scooter yet. I feel kind of bad, you know?"

Apple Buck gave the unicorn a playful jab. "Oh that? An' here ya done got me all worried. Scoots won't care or nothin' if that's what's gotcha all stirred up."

"I don't think he'll care, but it's been weeks and we still haven't told him. We need to eventually, dear."

Apple Buck ignored his blush and shook his head before kissing Silver Bell on the cheek. "Look, how 'bout this? We'll tell 'im tomorrow mornin'. Sound good ta you?"

Silver gave the farm pony a gentle hug. "Well, I think I'd feel better telling him now. I mean, don't you think we should?"

Apple Buck chuckled and walked to the door, shifting the blinds enough to see the car across from them, and two very familiar ponies quite involved in a kiss. "Ah think he can wait 'til we get back. He's just a mite busy right now."

Silver walked over and looked through the blinds before smiling. "You have a point." He let out a slight yelp as Apple Buck lifted him and set him back on the bed. "Buck, seriously, I thought we talked abou--" He stopped short as the farm pony kissed him, though the contact was kept brief.

"An' since when have ah ever listened?"

The two laughed a little before settling back into the bed.

Scooter and Diamond Tiara eventually ended their kiss and settled against one another, the pink earth pony held lovingly against the orange pegasus's chest. "Think we should head to the bed side?"

"I don't know, I'm pretty comfortable here. Aren't you?"

Scooter chuckled and gently stroked Diamond's mane. "Yeah, I'm pretty content. Now how about we rest a bit? It's a long ride to Ponyville."

The mare answered with a giggle and a quick peck on Scooter's cheek before snuggling against him. He smiled and kissed her forehead before wrapping her in his arms and wings before they drifted off to sleep.