Love, I Think?

“Here, try some sprinkles!” Pinkie exclaimed. Maud’s jaw slowed to a stop mid-chew, looking down at the small bottle of sprinkles. She reached down and poured some onto her ice cream, adding a scoop to the dose of vanilla already in her mouth. Pinkie was ecstatic, waiting for some reaction.

“They’re good.” Maud complimented. Pinkie cheered happily and started to giggle.

“I knew you’d like them!” Pinkie smiled, her face practically covered in rainbow colored ice cream.

“Suuure you can have some more.” They heard a nearby stallion say.

His voice was almost instantly followed by a little filly cheering, “Thank yoooou!”

A chair’s legs squeaked against the ground as the stallion stood up from his chair and walked over to the counter to await someone to take his order.

“Hello again sir, what would you like?” The cashier asked.

“Another medium banana split.” The stallion responded as he took out his wallet. Pinkie’s eyes were glued to the little filly, a smile brimming on both their faces.

“Hi!” The green skinned filly waved. Pinkie bolted up to the filly and snatched her, quickly bringing her back to her seat.

“Pinkie, why did you kidnap that filly?” Maud inquired.

“What’s kidnapping?” The filly asked curiously.

“It means a kid like you takes a nap.” Pinkie answered.

“That is not what it means.” Maud added.

“I don’t take naps…” The filly said, now glancing between the two.

“Pinkie, you’re covered in ice cream. Don’t get her dirty.” Maud asked in her usual unphased tone. Pinkie pressed her face against the little filly and started smearing it around the child.

The filly squealed and started to struggle. “Let me go!” She demanded.

“But you got it all over, lemme help!” Pinkie offered, her dark pink tongue shooting out and running up and down the filly’s face.

“Phaa! Ewwww!” The filly spat, shaking her head, “Lemmie go! Right now!”

Pinkie giggled and set her down. The filly crossed her arms and pouted.

The grey skinned unicorn stallion turned around after being handed the banana split and raised an eyebrow as he walked over to the table the filly had been moved too. “Well… here you go. Another banana split.” He said as he set the bowl down in front of the filly.

“Thanks biggie!” The filly giggled as she started eating her ice cream. Pinkie looked up at the stallion, licking the last bit of cream off her lips.

“Who are you? And you.” Pinkie asked, turning to both of her new acquaintances.

“Usually you introduce yourself before stealing someone’s kid.” Maud said bluntly. I think that was a joke?

“Um… Strange… but my name’s Ace.” The stallion said.

“I’m Glitter.” The filly said.

“Oh, my, gosh. I LOOOOVE Glitter!” Pinkie giggled, reaching into her pocket and throwing glitter into the air, letting the sparkling dots rain down around the parlor. One person stopped eating as some landed in his ice cream, blinking a few times as he tried to understand what was happening. Even Maud couldn’t help but crack a smile, shaking her head slowly.

“What.” Ace said blankly, “Just happened.”

“I dunno. But now there’s glitter in my ice cream.” Glitter grumbled pushing the bowl away.

“Oh don’t worry silly, it’s edible!” Pinkie giggled, licking some of the glitter off her arms. Glitter tasted some of the glitter and smiled.

“Tastes sweet!” Glitter giggled.

“It’s my own invention! I call it ‘Candy Sand’.” Pinkie added happily.

“How’d yah come up with something as great as this?” Glitter asked curiously.

“It happened when I was making rock candy with my big sis! I accidentally dropped a giant hammer on one of the pieces, and BAM! We have liftoff.” Pinkie emphasised, throwing more into the air. The stallion from earlier was looking down at his bowl, now practically made of the glitter at this point.

Ace just smiled and leaned back.

“Oooh… I just remembered! You never told us your names!” Glitter said.

“I’m Pinkie Pie, and this is my big sis Maud!” Pinkie smiled.

“Hey.” Maud said, taking another scoop of sprinkle / glitter ice cream, seeming to be staring at Ace.

“Hey.” Ace said, smiling slightly at Maud.

“Hey.” Maud repeated, this time slightly slurred with the dessert in her mouth.

“Why you starin at my biggie?” Glitter challenged, staring intently at Maud.

“Hm?” Maud turned to Glitter, seeming oblivious to the little girl momentarily.

“You were staring at him like how mommy stares at daddy before they go have their special time!” Glitter said, causing Ace to choke slightly. Maud took another bite of her ice cream, giving her a shrug. Pinkie couldn’t help but giggle.

“I’m… just going to need a minute…” Ace muttered as he rubbed his temples.

“Biggie…” Glitter started, “I think…”

“No… Just please… I don’t want to hear about what mom and dad do when I’m working.” Ace sighed. Ace swore he saw the slightest hint of a grin on Maud’s face as she stood up and walked towards the bathroom.

“We’ll be right here!” Pinkie waved her sister off. Moments later she leaned in. “Oh. My. Gosh! She is soooo in love with you!” Pinkie giggled quietly.

“And… how can you tell?” Ace asked, raising an eyebrow. “I mean… I’ll grant… she’s cute. And I’ll give that I like her… but she seemed completely… stone cold.”

“Phhhht… She’s just shy is all.” Pinkie waved dismissively.

“That’s shy?” Ace said bluntly. “Wow… Okay…”

“You just watch, she’ll open up to you in time!” Pinkie stated.

“Okay… I’ll take your word for that.” Ace shrugged.

“Heeey, I want more icecream.” Glitter said.

“You’ve had four bowls, that’s enough for you BEFORE dinner.” Ace said, looking down at Glitter.

“But I want mooore!” Glitter groaned.

“You can have mine!” Pinkie offered her bowl, probably a dozen different colors and candies sticking from it.

“Ya-” Glitter was cut off as Ace pushed the bowl away.

“You need to be able to sleep. You start school tomorrow.” Ace said.

“Sc… Oh YAY!” Glitter cheered.

“Mphhyaaaay!” Pinkie joined, her mouth half full, and the bowl half empty. Ace jumped from the familiar monotone voice behind him.

“So, are you finished yet?” Maud asked. Pinkie nodded and jumped to her feet. Ace saw Maud was all ready to go, bag slung around her shoulder and all.

“You two are leaving?” Ace asked.

“Mmhm.” Maud answered, staring down at him as if he was about to offer something.

“So…” He started, looking up at her, “Want to hang out some other time?”

Maud stared at him for a few more moments before answering, “Sounds fun.”

Pinkie clapped and cheered. “I knew it!” She bounced. Maud didn’t even give Ace a second look before she was out the door, her pink sister following shortly after.

“Well, looks like I have a date now.” Ace said.

“Yay! Now let’s go home!” Glitter said putting her arms out. Ace smiled and picked his little sister up.

“Yeah, I’m sure mom’s worried about you.” Ace nodded as he carried his sister out the door.

Ace opened the door and let Glitter in first (as if he had a choice). “Mommy!” Glitter shouted happily. Ace nearly screamed from the pink blur bolting past him and into his parents’ house.

“Yeah, mommy!” Pinkie shouted.

“Ah, I… wha?” Ace stammered. Maud walked beside him, scanning the interior.

“You live with your mom?” Maud asked blandly.

“No… but why does that matter?” Ace asked curiously as he looked between the two newcomers.

“I’m here visiting my sister. Haven’t booked a hotel yet, so I guess I’ll be staying with you.” Maud said, her blunt tone seeming to cement the unexpected ‘offer’. She walked in, not even giving Ace a chance to answer, hugging her sister gently.

“You two are going to have so much fun, I just know it!” Pinkie beamed.

“Um… what?” Ace asked. Pinkie had Glitter on her shoulder the next moment and was running through the house. Maud, however, was already walking back to the front door and stopped next to Ace. “Alright… I don’t really have a choice either way…” He shrugged as he started to walk out of the house, “Come on, I’ll show you where I live.”

Maud followed, not saying another word till the first minute of their walk. “So, what do you do?” She inquired.

“I’m part of the town guard.” Ace said.

“Interesting.” Maud’s plain voice made Ace’s attention switch fully to her. He couldn’t tell if she was being sarcastic, or sincere.

“Um… thanks?” Ace said. “What do you do?”

“Rocks.” She said.

“Just… rocks?” Ace questioned.

“Yes.” Maud nodded. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a pebble, handing it to Ace.

“Thanks?” Ace said as he took the pebble.

“His name’s Boulder.” Maud added.

“It’s nice to meet… him. I guess?” Ace said uncertainly, glancing nervously up at her. “Is there… anything else you’d like to tell me?”

“He really likes when you hold him with your left hand.” Maud said.

“Okay, nice to know.” Ace said, slowly putting the pebble in his left hand. Maud’s continued silence made the knot in his stomach tighten further. Was he really leading her back to his home? “So… Maud…” He started, his eyes still on her as he watched for anything else that might be concerning.

“I also like poetry.” She added.

“Oh, really?” Ace asked, his curiosity returning.

“They’re about rocks. I bet you didn’t see that coming.” Maud said factually.

“N… No I didn’t.” He sighed.

“Good, I knew you wouldn’t. I have a few in my pocket.” She said as her hand pulled out a scroll from a rather deep coat pocket.

“Let’s hear some.” Ace said. Maud opens the scroll and clears her throat.

“You are the stone thrown

into the depths of my river,

the subtle unsettling

upon my surface.

As you sink below my water,

don't fear that you may disappear

like all the secrets beneath--

from you the

stillness in my bones

ripples out and echoes sweet

from the deepness

that lives inside.”

There was a long pause as Maud stared at Ace, awaiting a response. “It’s supposed to be romantic.” She added.

“Wow… I’m… wow.” Ace mumbled, clearly surprised by the poem.

“You don’t like it.” Maud asked plainly.

“I… love it.” Ace said bluntly.

“Oh.” Maud said, staring down at the paper for a moment before slowly pulling it open wider.

“Is there more?” Ace asked curiously as he moved closer to her.

“Rocks

Unmoving

Strong

Sometimes misplaced

But never forgotten

Showered with warm summer rain

Covered with beautiful red autumn leaves

Coated in the soft light snow of winter

And drowned in the muddy floods of spring

The rock is unchanged

Stubborn

And strong

The rock is as old as time

And as time passes around it

Nature dies

Trees fall with great cracks and booms

Animals die with old age

But not rock

Rock still remains

Nothing will ever be

As solid as rock.”

“Just as beautiful as the last one.” He smiled. Maud stared silently at him, still holding the scroll in her hand. A few moments later, she opened it a little more. “Oh… Alright then.” He sighed.

Ace silently pushed the door to his home open and motioned Maud inside. She walked in and looked around the nicely furbished abode, holding her bag out for him. Ace took it and was immediately taken off balance due to the sheer weight of the bag. “Why… is this bag… so heavy…” He mumbled.

“Essentials.” Maud assured, walking over to the couch and looking back at him. “Can I sit?”

“Go ahead.” Ace said as he walked into his kitchen and set the bag down on the table. He walked back into the room and sat down beside Maud.

“You have a nice home.” She complimented.

“Thanks.” He said, looking right at her. “So…”

“So?” She continued.

“There’s one little problem with you staying here… the only bed, other then mine, is a kids bed.” Ace said.

“I can stay on the couch.” She suggested.

“No you’re in my house. I’ll take the couch.” He said, “I will not have you sleeping uncomfortably.”

“I usually sleep on the ground.”

“Why?”

“Because it helps me work. Think like a rock.” Maud said. “Isn’t that right Boulder?”

“Um.... alright…” Ace said uncertainly.

“Besides, I like hard wood. Some of Boulder’s best friends are trees.” Maud said, pulling Boulder from her pocket and setting it on the floor. “Boulder is happy.” She assured.

“Okay… That’s good.” He said slowly. Maud’s stare made him further uncomfortable. “Are… you happy?” He asked.

“Well, I am on vacation, so yes.” Maud nodded.

“That’s good too.” Ace said, looking away from her.

“What do couples usually do?” Maud asked.

“There’s a lot of things… dates… kissing, hugging… cuddling… sex…” Ace shrugged.

“Okay.” Maud nodded. There was a few moments of silence before she turned to him. “Good night.”

“Yeah, good night.” He nodded quickly as he stood up. Maud slipped onto the floor and lied back, staring silently up at the ceiling. He looked down at her and silently bit his lip. Her attention slowly shifted to him.

“Sorry, did you want the floor?” She asked.

“I don’t really… like the fact that you’re sleeping on the floor. It just doesn’t sit right with me.” Ace said with a long sigh.

“The floor doesn’t sit, it lies.” Maud corrected.

“I wasn’t… being… I meant I don’t feel right having you sleep on the floor.” He added.

“Where else would I sleep?” Maud asked, turning her head towards him.

“In a bed.” Ace continued.

“But the bed is on the floor.” Maud added.

He stared blankly at her. “I just blew your mind, didn’t I?” She asked plainly.

“I can’t even…” He started.

“I’ve written stuff about that too.” Maud said, reaching back into her pocket.

“Please… No more for tonight…” He sighed, albeit reluctantly. “Just… come with me…”

Maud stood up and followed him to his room, looking around at the heavily furnished bedroom. There were a few bookshelves that were completely filled with book, as well as a desk tucked away in the corner of the room. “Here.” He said motioning for her to sit down on the bed. She walked over and lied on the ground next to the bed. “I was… up here…” He muttered quietly. Maud eyed him closely.

“Make up your mind.” She sighed, climbing onto the bed and lying back. He shook his head as he sat down beside her. Maud stared silently up at the ceiling.

“Something wrong?” Ace asked, looking down at her.

“Thinking.” She retorted.

“About what?”

“Our relationship.” She mused.

“Oh really, what about it?” He said, leaning back against the headboard.

“The things you mentioned earlier.”

Ace raised an eyebrow and continued to look down at her, though it was clear there was a vast curiosity burning within him. “Which order do people usually do it in?” She asked.

“Usually dating first… then onto more intimate things, usually hugging, cuddling or kissing. For a lot of people though sex usually comes after the relationship is ‘cemented’.” He shrugged. “Why do you ask?”

“I’m asking what YOU want to do first. I’m up for whatever.” She said, raising her arms up and stretching slowly.

Ace choked up for a few moments. “Wha… Okay…” He said slowly. She gave him a curious look before relaxing a bit more.

“Unless you want me to choose.” Maud’s question caught him off guard slightly.

“I… really don’t know…” Ace started, his face going slightly red.

“Most of the people I’ve been with use the term ‘friends with benefits’. I assume that’s what this whole thing is, getting me into your bed.” Maud added.

“I wasn’t going for that.” Ace said, “I mean… yes I find you to be cute… but I wasn’t trying to sleep with you… That’s just… ehh… not on the first date…”

“If you don’t want to sleep with me, why am I in your bed?” She asked.

“Any guest in my house gets the bed. That’s how it’s always been.” He shrugged.

“But I’ll still be sleeping with you.”

“I was going to go sleep on the couch.”

“No, I was, then you got me up and forced me into your bed.” Maud said bluntly.

“That’s because I’d rather you, the guest, take the bed.” Ace said in just as blunt a tone.

“You’re not making any sense.” She said with an almost blank stare.

“Nnn…” He groaned as he put his head in his hands.

“How about you stay in the bed, and I sleep on the floor. Then we won’t technically be sleeping together. And I thought Pinkie was picky when it came to guests…” Maud sighed.

Ace rubbed his temples for a moment. “Maud…” He said slowly.

“Are we going to do this every day? If so, then I’ll just rent a motel.” Maud added.

“No… don’t do that.” Ace said quickly, looking back down at her.

“This relationship is getting awkward.” Maud said.

He sighed, “How about this… we both use the bed.” He started. Maud stared at him for a moment.

“Well why didn’t you just say that?” She asked.

“I don’t… know.” He sighed as he shifted down and laid down beside her, now looking up at the ceiling. Maud turned back to him after a minute of silence.

“What are you thinking about?” She asked.

“Things.” He sighed. Her stare became almost soul crushing, making his heart skip a beat.

“I told you, now you tell me.” She stated.

“What to do now… It’s been a few years since I actually dated anyone…” He said honestly.

“There’s that word again.” Maud said, her eyes switching back to the ceiling.

“What you have a problem with dating me?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I don’t think fruit have a verb form, unless you want me to pelt you with dates.” Maud questioned. “Whatever floats your boat.”

Ace stared at her for a few more moments, “Now you aren’t making sense.” He stated.

“You said ‘dates’ are a part of a relationship. That’s new to me.” She continued.

“We don’t have the same definition of dates then… I’m thinking more along the lines of going out and doing something, like dinner, movies, lunch, walks through the park, going to romantic places… those kind of things are the type of date I’m referring to… AKA a social or romantic engagement.” Ace explained.

“Oh, so you’re an exhebitionist.” Maud nodded.

“What does that have to do with what I just said?” Ace questioned.

“You want to have sex at the movies and in the park. And possibly while eating lunch and dinner. I don’t judge, don’t worry.” Maud assured.

Ace slowly blinked. “That’s… not… even close… to what I was…” He mumbled. “Nnn…” He sighed and looked back up at the ceiling. “Okay… I wasn’t talking about having sex in any of those places… I was getting at just going out and spending time together. Doing things together. Actually forging some sort of relationship out of LOVE…” He groaned.

“So… you just want to be friends?” Maud asked.

“You… haven’t ever been actually involved with anyone before have you?” He asked.

“I have had sex, yes.” Maud nodded.

“I’m not talking… pure sex… I’m talking about being in love with someone, caring about what happens to them, being there for them when they need you and them being there for you…” He said slowly. She stared at the ceiling, seeming to take the time to process the information.

“You mean like Pinkie and I?” Maud asked.

“Sort of… it’s something a little more then that… with someone who’s not family.” Ace said. Maud didn’t respond, seeming to be contemplating the concept. “Maud…” He said quietly.

“Okay.” She said, closing her eyes.

“Anything else you want to know?” He asked.

“No, I’m good.” She confirmed.

“Okay.” He said as he rolled onto his side to face her.

“I’m willing to try. It does sound interesting.”

“That’s good.” Ace said as he smiled a little. There was another minute of silence before she spoke up.

“I’ve never had a brother before.” She added.

“That’s… n... “ He sighed. “Goodnight…”