Pleather-bound Heart

Enigma woke up the next morning, nestled besides his mare friend. He smiled and gave her a little nuzzle. It had been so long since he'd had anypony to cuddle with, to feel close to. It felt right. As if he was back where he belonged. How stupid had he been, to abandon her of all ponies. He could barely believe how forgiving she was being. He gave her a soft kiss. “Love Tap?” he asked softly.

“Hmmmm? Yes? Enigma?” she answered softly, her eyes opening.

“Do you want to do anything today?”

“Just move your things here. We can talk to your landlord, okay? Get you out of that apartment.”

He nodded. She was right, of course. There was no reason for them to have two places. He'd only been there a little bit, so it would be easy to move back in. “Sure. Anything else?”

“Let's just do that. I'll go get breakfast started, okay?”

He nodded. “Okay.” He slid out of bed and pulled out his phone. It was all working now. He had a mare who loved him, he loved her. It was okay now. He then paused. “Oh, I do have a job tonight.”

“A job?” she asked, glancing back from the doorway. “What kind?”

“I've started taking on the big commissions again. I've been working on that for the last month.”

She froze for a moment. He saw anger and disgust flash across her face. She then quickly put on an obviously fake smile. “I... see. That's nice.” He could hear the condescension in her voice.

He lowered his eyes. “You... don't like it, do you?”

“I never said that.”

“You sound mad. Your tone and... body language is...”

“I never said anything. You can't just get defensive because my tone shifts,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “I don't care, if you want to build something, then build it.”

“A-are you sure?” he asked weakly, watching her. She was mad, he could tell. She wasn't doing much to hide it.

“I'm fine. I said I am fine. Can you let it go?”

He nodded slowly. “O-okay. Sorry. I just... sorry.”

Moving everything out of his apartment took most the day, but after all the hard work he was feeling quite good. His new land lord even said so long as he paid to the end of the month, it was good. The damages were almost non-existent. But he couldn't help feeling anxious after he got home. He popped out of the shower and looked at himself in the mirror. He was doing the right thing, he was sure of it. They belonged together. She loved him. He... he cared for her. She accepted the fact he was a coward. It was for the best.

He took out his box of hygiene products and got to work on his mane and coat.

“You still do that?” Tap asked from the doorway. He yelped and looked to her.

“S-sorry, I-I forgot to close the door, sorry,” he said weakly.

She shook her head. “It's... fine. Just because it's... weird doesn't mean I hate it. If that's what makes you feel good, then it's okay. Just please make sure to clean up after yourself.”

“O-of course, I always do,” he said quickly before getting back to work. He closed the door after a few seconds as well. Once he finished he looked into the mirror and slowly slunk down. I am happy, aren't I? Isn't this what I want? What I always wanted? He looked to the door. She was out there. He took a deep breath and opened it, stepping out.

“Do you want to catch a movie?” she called from the main room.

“No, I need to go. Remember? I told you I had to do that work tonight.”

There was an exasperated sigh from the other room. “Really? Why do you have to do it tonight? It's only our second night together. Can't the stallion wait?”

“It's actually for a pair of mares,” he said softly. “I told them I'd be there, though. It's my job, I can't flake on it,” he said quite a bit louder.

There was a pause. Finally, her voice rang out again. “What was that first part again? Did you say... mares?”

“Errr, yes. The outfit is for a couple. Two mares.” He didn't receive a response as he trotted down the hall. However, when he came to the door she was glaring at him.

“Is that why you left me? For two mares? Was all this being 'scared' stuff just an excuse? How could you?”

“W-what?” he asked, taking a step back.

“I've given you years of my life, a-and you're l-leaving me for another mare? H-how long has this been going on?”

“I-I didn't, I-I wasn't, they aren't!” he said quickly, shaking his head. She started to walk off and he followed after her. “Please, listen!”

“I can't believe you've been two timing me all this time!” she said, dropping onto the couch. He couldn't believe it, she was actually crying. Regret tore through him like a knife.

“P-please, listen,” he said as he reached out to take her hoof, though she pulled back. “They're just clients, nothing more. They're into each other, not stallions. There's nothing going on between me and them, I promise. I didn't even meet them until after I left you and I can guarantee that they have absolutely no interest in me.” He gently reached out to stroke her mane. “Please, I would never lie to you. I swear. This is all just a misunderstanding.”

She whimpered and looked up with tear filled eyes. “R-really? Y-you mean it?”

“I promise. They do not, nor will they ever, have an interest in me. They're just clients, nothing more.”

She nodded. “T-then why is it so important t-that you go tonight?”

He smiled and sat next to her. “Fine. I'll stay tonight, okay? I can reschedule. I'll call them right now, okay?”

She nodded. “O-okay.” She moved around and placed her head gently against him. “I-I'm sorry. I just...”

“It's fine, really. I would never, ever cheat on you. I swear.” He pulled out his phone and smiled. I can't believe she even puts up with me. No wonder she was so worried, me being around such pretty mares like them. But they don't have any interest in me. He gave her a little nuzzle. I'm such a jerk making her worry like that.

Silverchain gently picked up her phone on the third ring. She was sitting on the couch, Jadewing's head nestled softly in her lap. “Hello? Ah, Enigma. Are you still coming over tonight?” She paused and frowned. “I see. Is there a reason?” Her eyes widened as she listened. “And... she is there now? I... see. Well then, I wish you the best of luck. I'm afraid not, tomorrow we will be busy. The evening after will be fine. I will see you then, good bye.” She put down the phone and gave a soft sigh.

“Hmmm? He's not coming over?” Jadewing asked with a soft yawn. “What happened?”

“Apparently his... ex has stepped back into his life.”

The pegasus locked up. “She's... what? But I thought he said--”

“It seems he has fallen back into a relationship with her.”

“What? We've gotta do something then! You heard the way he talked about her, he--” The mare was shushed by a gentle hoof to her lips.

“We can do nothing aside from offering our support,” Silverchain said firmly. “Perhaps this mare has changed and a second chance is in order. We have not met her, it is not our place to pass judgment.”

“But you said... he was almost a wreck before. We can't just leave him like that. He needs help, he needs--”

“He needs ponies to help support him. Perhaps things have changed, if so it is not our place to try to separate them. Even then, we cannot force our help on him. If we try, he will only end up being hurt worse.” She took a deep breath. “But we can ensure he gets the help he needs, when he needs it.”

Jadewing nodded, before grumbling darkly. “We should meet her, find out what kind of pony she's really like.”

“Perhaps we will. But for now, all we can do is offer our support and hope he knows what he is doing.”

“And if he doesn't?”

“Until he asks for our help, nothing will be gained from forcing it on him.” She looked to the television. “After all, we can not force them to stay apart. It isn't our decision to make.”

Jadewing sighed and laid limp against her. “Fine. I still don't like it, though. I think it's stupid. He's stupid.”

“Perhaps he is,” Silverchain said as she gently wrapped her hooves around her mare. “We'll just have to wait and see.”