He & I

Padlock Keys never considered him to be a gentlecolt by any means, yet there were always mares that wanted him to themselves – for some reason or another, personal demises, personal usages, personal schemes. Mares he’d always meet were interested in his looks and unique voice, one that nopony heard often in Equestria.

Padlock got tired of the many different ponies would would use them in twisted villainous plots and treat him like he was a fool in the end. Would he give a damn though?

Eh, his pride was damaged a teeny bit each time but what’s that compared to some other ponies life or to crack a huge case? Padlock thought otherwise.

He’d rather spare some of his so-called ‘pride’ and safe the phish-posh for the boss’s comprehending later on. If that was the, well, case. Padlock was proud of himself that he didn’t complain often, he’d clap his hoof on his back in selfishness and pride and eventually continue on with whatever he was investigating, though sometimes he would get to be a bit cockish over the whole ordeal and piss others off.

He never apologies to anypony but himself, it was strange. He was socially disclosing him from society day by day and minute by minute. He loathed the mere idea of lifelong companionship, as who in their right dumbfounded minds would want HIM as a lifelong partner?

After all he’s been thru, Padlock snorted as he continued on examining case-files given by his Detective Inspector-friend, They’d have to be either crazy or near damn delusional in order to accept him as a roommate.

“Actually somepony just said the exact same thing to me this morning,”

“Oh really? And who would that be?”

A curious brow raised as he sipped on his freshly brewed coffee. Padlock sat next to Hoof Von Heartsworth – an old acquaintance from academy days. He was a professor now. Married and had a foal on the way. He was more of the normal type who secluded himself to a less adventurous tone of voice, yet Padlock and Heartsworth were still… acquaintances…

“His name is –”

“Private Eye! Pleasure to meet you!” The two ponies were greeted by a Pegasus stallion – greyish blue in color and wore a rather olden-looking brown coat and fedora. His wings stayed close to his sides and didn’t seem like they wanted to move even the slightest inch, yet the pony was still eccentric, that Padlock could tell right off the bat.

“Pleasure as well Mr. Eye,” Padlock bobbed up n’ down as he was shaken with by the Pegasus’s firm hoofshake, the stallion let go eventually and Padlock still felt like he was bobbing or his stomach was churning rather, yet he stopped himself from not wanting to look rude.

“Oh don’t worry just call me Private, please or Private Eye. Whichever you prefer.” His boomingly cheery voice had full effect on Heartsworth but did nothing to please Padlock – he was still in the ‘I need to get to the station and fast so don’t screw with me or else’ mode.

As Padlock walked around the small, not very spacious café he tried not to pay any eye contact to Private Eye or Heartsworth, the two were gabbing on about nonsense he could comprehend and then suddenly – Private Eye came right up to him and hugged him. “Sooooo roomie!” Padlock screeched and backed away into the tables and hissed and cursed rather profound words, “Ah! Are you alright! Pad?”

“No I’m not alright you just – and what did you call me?”

“Pad, The Padster, Paddy, whatever works for you, I gotta give you a nickname ya know we ARE gonna be roomies… right?” Big eyes widened as his hoof was leant out to help Padlock upright. Padlock snarled and refused his help, helping himself up without a word exchanged other than a ‘I’m sorry’-like whimper.

“It’s Padlock. Padlock Keys. OR Mr. Keys. Please don’t touch me. I’m… not comfortable with hugs… Or physical contact of any kind… Please.” He was trailing off and looking at Heartsworth and Private Eye who gave Padlock a rather concerned look, heavy panting and an upset voice, Padlock shook himself out of the funk and brought himself back onto his feet. “Sorry. I just don’t like physical contact.”

“Then a nickname?” Private Eye pouted colt-like.

Padlock rolled his eyes, “Maybe sometime later but not now. Where are we even going to live?”

Heartsworth bobbed his head upright at that and went in between the two. Faking a cough he then began “Well I know of someone who could help with living arrangements. There’s one bit of a problem though with the location…”

“Ah come’ on Heart! It can’t be THAT bad!” Punching his side rather harshly and letting out a soft ‘ouch,’ Heartsworth sneered at Private Eye “Sorry, but where is this place?”

Probably better than the dump I was living in back at Canterlot University Dorms… Thought Padlock as Heartsworth began to take out a map using his levitating unicorn magic, the aura turned into a white ghastly glow and with sparkles all around. He then spread out the pictures and a few hoof-written directions.

No. Absolutely NOT.

Looking up at the building and feeling the last bit of pride he had left slip away into darkness, he didn’t want to enter the building yet the paperwork had already been finalized by Heartsworth before he could get a proper say – so therefore – that’s where they’d be living.

Here.

“Aw come on Pad it’s not that bad! Hey that’s a rhyme!” Giggling Private Eye hung up more décors around the room and while Padlock flung his hoof over his face and still groaned in exasperation, he heard music come from downstairs. Partying. At this hour. “Maybe the people who own the club are friendly!”

“Private, it’s a GAY BAR.”

“Oh, right gay bar. My bad. Hey didn’t you say that you used to live in Manehatten?”

“Yeah but – oh god no I’m NOT letting my parents know about this,”

Private Eye put the poster up and then spun around to Padlock, he frowned. “Why not? They’d love to see you again I’m sure for Celestia-knows-how-long.”

Padlock did tell Private Eye about his parents while they were on the train from Canterlot to Manehatten. They exchanged a few interesting conversations as well, and one of them he learned that Private Eye was actually disabled and couldn’t fly no matter how hard he tried.

Private Eye said he was fearful of living alone and being abandoned since he was a young colt, he wanted somepony to always be there for him and there somepony that he could rely on in case of an emergency. Hence, Padlock. That’s when Padlock remembered of the times he was alone, alone for hours at a time in the large mansion while servants were off-duty sometimes and wouldn’t even bother with him after he refused his studies.

Padlock had difficulties studying ever since he was very young, so therefore he was never taught ‘properly’ by another pony as they got frustrated with him early on. Padlock spent hours on end trying to figure out problems and how to solve them on his own, eventually then figuring them out after being so tired he wanted to pass out.

Padlock needed someone to rely on then but nopony else was there, why should he be there for somepony now?

Sighing Padlock rubbed his eyes with his hoof and then curled up against the sofa. Attempting to block out more of the sound around him – including Private Eye’s lectures. Yet he responded with a muffled: “True, but I don’t want anypony else to imply anything.”

Private Eye blinked. Imply? What did he mean by imply? Private Eye sighed and was thinking of letting Padlock know he was heading for bed – then decided against it. It’d had been a long day for the two of them. He let the other stallion retain his peace and sanity for another day.

It was the least he could do, considering the circumstances.