Fade broke the silence. "Well, if you don't mind sharing a bed I don't."

"Well if it were some pony else, I would mind. We've known each other for each other for four years. I trust you, so don't try anything." She giggled.

Fade blushed "O-Of course not!"

"I was only joking Fade, calm down." Java yawned. "Guess it's time for bed."

Fade yawned and nodded. He got up and followed Java to the bedroom. Fade used his magic to fix the blanket for them. They both lied down and simultaneously said. "Goodnight." The light flickered off and the two fell asleep.

The sun rose over Ponyville, peaking through the window of Java's bedroom. Fluffy walked in and jumped, landing on Java. She awoke, feeling the small cat land on her. "Morning Fluffy." She gently pushed the cat off and turned. Seeing Fade sound asleep, she sighed.

"Poor guy, always having to help me out. I know it's his job, but I make it more stressful. Always falling or tripping. Breaking things and getting hurt. I know he worries about me." She thought. The thought of some pony actually worrying about her made her smile.

"Better go ahead and start inventory." She thought rolling out of bed. She went to the kitchen and got a cup of water before heading down stairs. Starting with the stuff on the lower shelves, she counted supplies and food. Once done she got the ladder to reach the higher shelves.

Fade had slept longer than usual. He heard the sound of hooves downstairs. “Better go help Java.” He thought as he dragged himself out of bed. He trotted downstairs and opened the door that lead from the steps to the store room. Java was on a ladder pulling a box down off a shelf.
“Wait Java, let me help.” He started to trot over.

“I got it Fa….” She started to say as she slipped off the ladder. She let out a yelp as she fell. Fade rushed over and caught her in his magic before she hit the floor. He eased her onto the ground and helped her up. She looked up into Fades eyes. Her green eye's shimmered behind her glasses.

"Java, I never noticed how lovely your eyes are." Fade said, causing Java to blush.

"Th-Thank you." Java smiled warmly. Lost in the moment, she leaned up and kissed Fade, quickly pulling away. Fade was stunned, looking down at her. A rosy red blush painted across his face as well as Java's..

“I-I’m sorry Fade, I don’t know what came over me.”

“J-Java.” Fade stuttered.

Both were stunned and didn't quite know what to say. After a few moment's Java spoke up.

“Th - thank you Fade, I could have really gotten hurt.” She said standing up.

“Ye-Yeah, wouldn't want that. I guess we should finish inventory.”

Java nodded in agreement. Fade turned to the box. It sat on the floor, a few coffee beans had spilled out. He opened it to check the damage.

“Well, you might be okay, but the coffee beans aren't. Take one bag off of the total.” He levitated the box back into place. Java went to the wall and used the pen hung on the wall to mark off the bag.

“Not a major loss. Could have been worse.” She sighed. “I wish I wasn't so clumsy.”

“Yeah, it could have been worse. You could have gotten seriously hurt. Let me handle the high shelves, okay.” He said grabbing another few boxes in his magic. After he finished with the coffee beans he checked the tea, cups, plates, and food.

“We need to order more food and plates. We’re good on cups, for now.”

“Alright, I write up an order sheet.” She went to the desk where she kept all the spare order and inventory sheets.

“Three boxes of plates, two boxes of lettuce, two of tomatoes, three bales of hay, and three boxes of buns. That about right?” She asked writing down the orders on various sheets.

“That should do it.” Fade said putting the last of the boxes away. “Now, to check on the machines.” He left the storage room and went behind the counter, checking all the equipment they used for the business.

“All good here. Anything else we need to do Java?” He called to the mare in the back.

“Nope, that’s all.” She replied, putting the order sheets in envelopes. She walked out of the storage room. “I’m going to put these in the mail. Can you go give fluffy some food?” She asked trotting through the shop.

“Yeah, I got it.” Fade said as he headed back to the storage room and up the stairs to the apartment. He trotted through the door and past the living room. He saw fluffy in front of her food bowl.

“Hungry fluffy?” He asked as he searched for the cat’s food. He found it in the cabinet under the sink and poured the cat some food. Then filled the water bowl. He went into the living room and sat on the couch. He couldn't help but think back to the kiss. He put a hoof to his lips.

"D-Did she really kiss me or was that a dream?" He was deep in thought and hadn't noticed Java trotting in.

"Fade, I think we should talk." Her tone was more serious and a bit embarrassed then usual.

"You mean the-" Fade began, but Java cut him off.

"Yes, I mean the kiss." She sighed and moved to the other couch. Taking a seat she continued to talk. "I don't know what happened. What you said, it-it was the first time a stallion has said something like that to me. Most stallions overlook me because i'm clumsy. They don't see me, they see a foolish mare falling on her face." Her ears folded as she spoke. Fade listened, ears perked, but drooping.

"I was so glad to finally meet a stallion who looked past the clumsy and saw the real me. You're the first to do that." Fade held up a hoof.

"Hold on, are you saying...." He trailed off.

"Yes, I think I am. I think....I like you Fade. As more than a friend."

Fade's ears flicked. "I'm not sure what to say." Silence, no words came to either for a while.

After a while of thinking Fade broke the silence. "What if we went on a date?"

Java gasped. "R-really?!" She squealed with excitement.

"Yeah, it would be a good way for you to see if your feelings are true and for me to find out what mine are."

To be continued.

Author's Note

Alright, chapter 2 is redone. I hope this is better than the first. I know the relationship is still a bit rushed, but I like it as it is.