Hearts And Hooves Day for Two Children
"Mom! I finished all of my chores!" Button exclaimed.
"Okay then. Let me see how you did." his mom said smiling. She walked around the house and into the yard. The rooms were spotless, the yard was taken care of without a single branch or toy lying around, and for the first time since she could remember, he had organized his video games in an orderly fashion.
"I did everything you asked to the dot." he said.
"Yes you did. And you surprised me with your games. I think you earned a little extra." she said, walking back inside.
"Yay!" he exclaimed excitedly. He ran back inside where his mom gave him the last remaining bits he needed. "Thanks mom!" he said and ran back to his room and grabbed his backpack.
"What are you going to do with all the money you've earned? I understand there's a new video game that you've been literally drooling over for the past few months." she said.
"But mom the game requires an HD occulus with a Pega-200 hoverboard and a tv that can carry a resolution 720p for the best gameplay you could ever imagine!" he said, quoting the advertisement he had seen all over the stores. "Even if I did buy the game, I couldn't play it properly without all the other equipment."
"Why not save the money so you can buy the game with all of that other stuff?" she suggested. "Or are you going to spend it on a girl? It is Hearts and Hooves Day after all." she said, ruffling his brown mane.
He quickly turned his head. "Mom no! Ew! Girls are yucky..." he said.
His mom chuckled. "One day you'll find out that girls aren't yucky." she said. "What about that Sweetie Belle? I know you're good friends with her. Even if you don't like her like that, you could both just hang out as friends."
"Oh! That reminds me! Her sister has to finish a large order for somepony in Canterlot that she needs to finish tonight. She's taking Sweetie Belle to lunch, but then going back to her work." Button said. "Could she come over and have dinner with us? You know, just so she's not alone?"
"Sure, Button." she said smiling.
"Thanks!" he said and ran out the door. Okay, it's 12:30. I have enough time to go to the store, get what I need, and be back in time for Sweetie Belle to come over at 4. he thought, putting his plan into action. He ran to the center of Ponyville hoping that Sweetie Belle wouldn't see him while he was out.
***
"Rarity! Are you ready to go?" Sweetie Belle shouted at the door of the boutique.
"Just a minute darling. Why are you in such a rush to go eat lunch?" Rarity said as she finished getting ready.
"Because I also want to get to the gaming store! The new game is coming out and I want to get it." she said.
"Sweetie Belle, I thought the only game you liked was, oh what was the name? Um, Mane Craft?" Rarity asked.
"Minecraft. And it's true it's one of the only ones, but I want to give this one a try. It looks really fun." she said.
"Well, we'll see what we can do about it after lunch. Remember, I still have to finish this ensemble."
"That's fine. You don't have to be there for me to get it. Just lend me some money and I can get it, that way you have more time to complete your work." Sweetie Belle said.
"Oh really? That's not like you Sweetie. Usually you're always in my ear about wanting to hang out and do stuff with me." Rarity said, walking down the stairs.
"Well, yeah, but you really need to finish this don't you?" Sweetie asked.
"Why of course." she replied. "But that still doesn't explain this change in your behavior. Who's the game really for?" she asked with a raised eyebrow and a small smile.
"Nobody! Just me." she said, giving her best smile.
"Hmm...alright. Well after lunch we can be sure to go in and get the game." Rarity said. "Let's get going."
They walked to a simple restaurant and ordered their meals. "So, what are you going to do for Hearts and Hooves Day after lunch?" Rarity asked, taking a sip from her tea.
"I'll probably go over to Button Mash's house." Sweetie Belle said. "His mom is going to be making us dinner."
"Well isn't that sweet of them. Isn't he the one who introduced you to Minecraft? And video games in general? And is completely obsessed with them?" she asked.
"He's not completely obsessed. It's just a hobby he really likes. Like you and designing." Sweetie said, defending him.
"I just still find it odd that you want a game when the only one you play is Minecraft and he's the one who loves them. I have a feeling I know who it's really for." Rarity said with a smile.
"Really?" Sweetie replied quietly, her head low. "How'd you know?"
"I was a young filly at one point too you know." she said. "Is he your special somepony for the day?"
"Well...I don't know. I don't think he sees me the same way as I do." she said, her voice quiet.
"Why wouldn't he?"
"I don't know. He doesn't show it too much. In fact, there are times where he keeps his distant from me, like he doesn't want to be around me." she said.
"Hmm..." Rarity said, having an idea as to why Button Mash would act like that. "Well, maybe we'll just have to fashion you up."
"No! He doesn't like the big fashion clothes like others. He enjoys my simple style. I don't want him to think I'm turning into a snobby pompous pony!" she exclaimed.
"Well, enjoying fashion doesn't make you snobby or pompous." Rarity said, trying not to get upset at being described as snobby and pompous.
"But it's how he's always seen them. He used to live in Canterlot, but his family couldn't stand all of the ponies there." she explained.
"I see. Well, we don't have to make you all dressed up, but maybe do your hair up and make it look great for him." she said.
"Don't you have to finish your dresses?" Sweetie asked.
"It can wait. Helping my little sister win the heart of a very special pony is more important than a few dresses." Rarity said with a smile.
"Thank you!" Sweetie Belle said happily. She glanced out the window and gasped. She hid her head beneath the table.
"Sweetie Belle? What's wrong?" Rarity asked.
"He's outside. I don't want him knowing I'm not at home. He may find out what I'm getting him." she said.
"How would he know what you were getting him by being in a restaurant with your big sister?"
"Because the game store is just around the corner. That's why I chose this restaurant because of how close it was and there was a smaller chance to him finding me." she explained.
"Oh, Sweetie Belle, you're thinking too hard on this. There's no way that a little colt like him would know what your intentions are just by seeing you in a restaurant." Rarity said.
***
Button Mash ran up to the game store. He wanted to see if he would still have some money left over to buy the new game. While he would love to have all the other equipment to make the experience all the better, but knew that he wouldn't be able to stop himself from trying out the game.
"Man. I'm a few bits short." he said, after doing some math. "Well, I could get some of the equipment. I should be able to get the Pega-200. Then I can get the occulus after I save my allowance for a few weeks." he said to himself. He walked past ponies who were sharing the day with their special someponies. Some were walking around enjoying the nice weather, others were having a nice meal outside, and some were sniffing the flowers their pony gave them.
He entered the jewelry store and walked to the counter that had the item he wanted. "How can I help you, young sir?" a Unicorn in a suit asked him.
"I want to get that one." he said, pointing at the shiniest jewel he could find.
"Err, are you sure you can afford that? It's quiet expensive." the stallion told him.
"I'm sure. I've been working very hard so I can get it." Button said, sure of himself.
"Well, was it 200 bits worth of work?"
"What?! That much for a rock?!" Button exclaimed.
"I told you it was expensive." the stallion said.
"But I had worked so hard to get her that." he said, feeling defeated.
"Maybe I can still help you. How much do you have?" the stallion asked, walking over to another counter.
"75 bits." he replied.
"Ah, here we are." the stallion said as he pulled a beautiful necklace from the shelf. "Here's one for 50 bits. It's cheaper than the other, but in my professional opinion, more beautiful than the most expensive gem we have." he said. "This emerald is as green as the plains beneath Canterlot, and reflects the beauty in the one who wears it. It's small, yet elegant." he said.
"Whoa." Button said, mesmerized by his words. He had to admit that it was prettier than the other. "I'll take it."
"Excellent. Might I ask who this is for?" he asked, placing the necklace in a small box.
"Just a friend." Button said as he counted the bits.
"Well, she's a very lucky friend." he said with a smile. "Have a great Hearts and Hooves Day."
"You too." Button said with a smile. He couldn't believe that he got a beautiful gem for Sweetie Belle. It made the fact that he wasn't going to be able to buy the equipment for the game all worthwhile. He rushed past the game store and hurried home so he wouldn't be seen by Sweetie Belle who was surely out here eating lunch with Rarity.
***
"Ugh, these games look so horrific!" Rarity said. "Hooves of War? Call to Duty? Hay-lo? I swear these make ponies barbaric."
"It's over here Rarity! The game I want!" Sweetie Belle said.
"What's it called?" she asked, walking over to her little sister.
"Skate 07. Oh...It says it's recommended to have a Pega-200 and an occulus for the best gameplay." she said.
"Well, how much would it all cost?"
"The game itself is 30 bits and the other stuff costs about 25 bits each." Sweetie Belle said.
"Oh my. Are they usually like this?" Rarity said.
"It's actually a cheap game compared to those other games you were looking at." she said. "Those go for roughly 70 bits each for just the game."
"And ponies actually spend money on that!?" Rarity said, shocked.
"Mhm. We can just get him the game and Pega-200 though, right? The occulus is just to make it more realistic while the Pega-200 allows you to control the character by how you move on the board." she explained.
"Well...I guess so. It is for you my dear, so why not?" Rarity said smiling. They grabbed the game and Pega-200 and walked up to the counter.
"Will that be all for you ma'am?" the pony behind the counter asked.
"That will be all."
"Are you sure? When you buy the whole set it'll only cost you 60 bits. It saves you 20 bits if you were to buy it all separately." he said.
"Really?" Sweetie Belle said. "Oh Rarity please? I can give you the five bits when we get back home! I'll even give you 10 if you get the whole set for me!"
"Well I could use those saved bits to help you put your hair up. So what's the harm?" Rarity said smiling. The pony got the occulus and they left the store.
"Yay! I really hope he likes it!" Sweetie Belle said.
"If he's as big of a gamer as you say, I'm sure he's going to absolutely love it." Rarity said. "But now, it's time for us to get your mane looking fabulous."she said as they walked home.
"Just don't make it look too...too..." Sweetie Belle said trying to find the right word.
"Don't worry, darling. I promise I won't go over the top." she said.
They walked into the boutique and Sweetie Belle took a seat so her big sister could begin working. It took about 30 minutes before she finally settled on a look for her younger sister, but she wasn't disappointed with the result. "It's always hard trying to work with what little I'm allowed to since you refuse for me to really fluff up your mane, but I think you'll be satisfied with the result.
Sweetie gasped at the result. "Wow. It's beautiful. How'd you do it?" she asked.
"When you're as good with fashion as I am, these types of things just come to me." Rarity said. "What time did you say you had to be there?" Rarity asked.
"4 o'clock." Sweetie Belle said.
"Oh okay. Well you have an hour until you need to be there, so let's wrap up his gift, and then you can head on over." her sister said.
***
"Button, it's almost 4 o'clock. She's going to be here soon." his mom said, placing plates on the table.
"I know mom!" he said, as he ran out of his room. He had finished wrapping Sweetie Belle's gift and couldn't wait to give it to her later. I just hope my mom isn't in the room when I do. That would be so embarrassing. he thought. There was a knock on the door. "I got it mom!" Button said quickly as he rushed to the door.
He opened the door quickly and lost his words when he saw her. "H-Hi! Come on, uh, come on in." he managed to get out. "How was lunch with your sister?" he asked.
"Good. We hadn't had a chance to hang out since she's been busy trying to fill all of her orders." Sweetie Belle said as she entered his house.
"She's that busy?" he asked, unable to look away from her mane.
"Yeah, but I'm used to it." she said. She saw him looking at her mane and blushed. "Do you like what I did with it?" she asked.
"Huh? Oh! Yeah, it looks really cool." he said.
"Button, is that Sweetie Belle?" his mom said from the kitchen.
"Yes mom!" he said. "Are you hungry? My mom made us some dinner." he told Sweetie Belle.
"Yeah, lunch wasn't very satisfying. I only had a sandwich." she said.
"Why only a sandwich?"
"Because I wanted to make sure I'd be able to give you this." she said, holding out a bag for him.
"What? You didn't have to get me anything." he said, gingerly taking the bag.
"Well...I don't have a special somepony this year...and well..." she said quietly, unable to say anything.
"Um...I...I..." he said. He put the bag down and ran into his room.
"Wait! Button Mash!" Sweetie called to him. He stood in his room, listening to her outside his door. "Button, I'm sorry! I didn't mean anything by it." she said. He heard her start to cry since he didn't say anything.
"Hey, Sweetie Belle, what's wrong? Where's Button?" she asked. He heard more crying. "Hey, there there. Let's go to the table. I'll talk to him." his mom said.
He heard them walking away from his door and he quickly ran over to his drawer where he had placed the necklace. He sat on his bed and took it out to look at it. There was a knock on his door. "Button? Can I come in?" He stayed silent. The door opened as his mom entered the room.
"Button, you shouldn't have done that." she said, taking a seat next to him. "She's really devastated by what you did."
"But mom...I was just shocked that she got me something. She hasn't shown an interest in me like that." he said.
"Button? Are you serious? Even I knew she liked you. Have you noticed that you're the only boy who she looks for after school? Out of all the boys at school, she wants to be close to you as often as she can." she said.
"But she has other friends that are boys." he pointed out.
"True, but she doesn't pay them as much attention as she did to you. If I remember correctly, she was the one who got you that game a few months ago. She spent all of her money on it just so you could have it." she said. "She knew how much you love games and she wanted you to have a game that meant something to you. And correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you play that game for weeks on end, even after you beat it a thousand times?"
"Yeah, but it's a really good game." he said.
"Button, that game only received a two star rating. I don't understand games like you do, but all your other games are at the very least four star ratings. There's a bigger reason as to why you played that game, despite all it's glitches and problems." she said.
He stayed quiet. "I know you don't want to admit it to me, but I already know that you like her. Why else would you have gone out and got her that necklace?" she said, pointing to it.
"I thought it would be a nice thing to give her..." he said quietly.
"Is that the only reason?" she asked. He slowly shook his head. "I thought so. You can still win her over. Just go out there, and put it around her neck. Show her that you do care about her."
Button turned to his mom and gave her a tight hug. "Thanks mom." he said.
"It's my job to help you. Now go on." she said, shuffling him to the door. He ran out of the door and into the kitchen. Sweetie Belle was sitting at the table crying.
"I'm so stupid to think that he'd like me." she said quietly.
Button walked up behind her and slowly placed it around her neck. She gasped and looked down at the emerald around her neck. "Button?" she asked, turning around.
He leaned in and gave her a quick kiss. It was short. Just a small peck. But it was enough for Sweetie's face to turn her white coat a dark red."I'm sorry, Sweetie Belle. I didn't mean to do that. I just didn't know how to act." he said. "I like you. A lot. I got this for you because of how beautiful it was and that it reminded me of you." he admitted.
"Button..." she said, a small smile forming on her face. Tears were still running down her face, but these weren't tears of sadness, these were tears of joy. "I got you something too remember? I knew you had been wanting it for awhile, so I figured it may be my way to show you that I really cared about you." she said, motioning to the bag she had brought on the table.
He looked through the bag and couldn't believe what he saw. "Whoa! It's the new game with a Pega-200! How'd you afford this?"
"How'd you afford this? I've seen them before, and Rarity uses them on her dresses. They aren't cheap." she said.
"The teller at the store said it was only 50 bits. It was cheaper than the one I originally wanted to give you." he said.
"Really? Because this kind of emerald is usually worth 400 bits." Sweetie Belle said.
"What?!" Button exclaimed.
"How much did the other one cost?" she asked.
"200." he said.
She smiled. "I think the teller was being extremely nice to you." she said, looking at the emerald. She turned to him and gave him a tight hug. "Thank you Button." she said.
"Uh, you're welcome Sweetie Belle." he said, blushing. They had never hugged like this before.
"Button, it's time for dinner. You two can have your moment after we eat." she said, walking in.
There was another knock on the door. Button's mom answered it and Sweetie Belle heard a familiar voice. "Hello. Did everything work out?"
"Rarity?" Sweetie Belle said. "I thought you had to make dresses for a client?"
"Oh, he can wait. Did everything work out darling?" she asked as she entered the house. She smiled as she saw that the two children were holding each other's hooves. "I'll take that as a yes." she said.
"But, why are you here?" she asked.
Rarity looked to Button's mom and chuckled. "I just wanted to make sure that everything went well." she said.
"Well you're just in time for dinner." Button's mom said. "I hope everyone's hungry." she said.
"Well you two? What are your plans now that you're together?" Rarity said.
"Let's give them a few years before they think about that." his mom said with a chuckle.
"Do you think...that they might have had something to do with this?" Button whispered to Sweetie Belle.
She looked down at the necklace. It was definitely a real emerald and worth well more than 50 bits. She smiled as she realized what her sister and his mom must've done. "No. I don't think they did at all." she said. She took his hoof into hers and gave him a kiss on his cheek.
