One For Love

It was Friday morning, February thirteenth, the day before Valentine’s Day. This was usually the day that Bubble Berry would start setting up Sugar Cube Corner with various love-themed decorations, but he just wasn’t in the mood to do so. His heart ached, sagging lower in his chest. The bags under his tear stained eyes were almost swollen on his cheeks. His usually upbeat and cheerful smile was nothing but a mere heartbroken frown. His hooves trembled in place from his body wanting to wander back up into his room and jump back into bed. He really didn’t want to get up at all today, but he told Butterscotch that he’d meet him for breakfast, and he didn’t want to make his fluffy yellow friend upset.

It was a quarter until ten when Butterscotch slowly trotted into the door of the bakery. He was wearing a green wool scarf and a little beanie of the matching color on his head. Bubble would usually comment on how adorable his buddy looked, but he just clamped his mouth shut. It wasn’t the right time to be thinking about this now, especially when that same cute pony is trying to take care of you. Even if that pony a lovely luscious pink mane, and handsome yet delicate eyes, and smooth yellow fur that you just want to snuggle with for all eternity. Wait what did he think Butters was hot? He couldn’t be, he had no interest in anyone like this before, so why would he suddenly have feelings now?

“So Bubble… are you ready to go?” The blonde furred stallion asked.

“I think I’m ready… but…” He sighed. “I just don’t know if it will help me feel better.”

“Well… it d-doesn’t hurt to try.”

“You’re right; at least I’m not being stuck up in my room all day. I like to be out and about a lot anyway, so why not try to get it all back to normal.” He said with a half-smile.

“In fact, I have a whole day for us planned. By the time we’re done with everything… you may um… feel a lot better.”

Butterscotch placed his hoof on his friend’s shoulder, pulling him into a hug. Their soft and warm bodies collided gently, and they could feel each other’s’ heartbeat. Butter’s was definitely faster than Bubble’s. On a typical day, Bubble’s would be racing like crazy, but he just didn’t have that feeling of happiness. Butter’s warm breath was being blown softly onto Bubble’s neck. They stayed within this hug for what felt like another eternity, but just like the prior one from yesterday, it was short-lived in reality. The pegasus pulled out of the hug and spoke up.

“I think um… I think we should head out now.”

“Sure, I think I’m ready to go.”

The two of them made their way out of the bakery, trotting down the busy gravel road. They passed by many ponies that they knew, a few of them waving at the pair, but they never waved back. Neither of them let a word slip out of their muzzles as they continued down the path to the diner. It was a nice little diner, nothing huge in size or fancy in particular, but it was pretty well kept that tourists think it is. They walked on inside, standing at the counter waiting for a waiter to bring them to a table.

A nice young mare with a light green mane stepped out from the kitchen and made her way up to the duo. She smiled at them, taking out two menus from the pile. She then remembered that she forgot to say anything.

“Oh sorry, hi there, would that be a table for two?” She asked.

“Yes please.” Butterscotch replied.

“Follow me please.” She sighed in relief knowing that she hadn’t made too much of a fool out of herself.

She had them sit in a nice booth towards the back side of the diner; it was much quieter than the front due to the fact that only a few other tables were being occupied. She smiled, taking a pen and pad out of her apron.

“Can I get y’all something to drink?”

“I’d like some hot tea please.” Butterscotch said.

“And for you, sir?”

“I guess a hot chocolate.” He said, somewhat feeling a bit better that he’d be getting something in his system.

“I’ll be right back.” She then trotted off to the kitchen from which she came.

There was a long moment of silence between the two of them, neither of them wanting to talk about many things. The only thing Butter wanted to talk about was if his friend was okay or at least getting better. He was just too hesitant to ask that question directly off the bat. So he tried to ease his way into it.

“A nice day we’re having, isn’t it?” He tried his way in with small-talk.

“It’s sunny…” Bubble responded.

“I think that this weekend is supposed to be completely clear and not too cold either.” He then looked at Bubble directly in the eyes. “How are you feeling?”

Bubble just sighed, waiting a moment before forcing an answer out. “Horrible, I just feel so sad, it’s tough to be in this position, and I understand this happened to you not too long ago, but I guess it’s much more difficult when it’s on your own side.”

“Life always has its rough patches… That’s why you have friends who care about you, and help you get past it.”

This made Bubble cheer up just a little more. “Thanks Butterscotch, I knew you could help me. I know your parents would be proud of you.”

“And your parents are proud of you too.”

Bubble teared up. “Thank you…”

Bubble reached over the table, trying to pulls the pegasus into another hug. He couldn’t help himself; he just needed to be in that yellow pony’s hooves. No matter how he had to do it, he would do still do it. A soft smile spread across Butter’s face, hugging the party pony back. Moments later, their drinks had arrived and the waitress asked for their orders. It wasn’t intentional, but both of them ordered at the same time.

“Blueberry pancakes, please.” They said simultaneously.

The waitress giggled. “Anything else I can get you?”

“I’m good, are you?” Bubble asked his friend.

“Yes I am.” He replied.

“Then I’ll be right back soon with your food.”

She once again left, leaving the two to converse even more. This time, it wasn’t so deep or depressing; it was just little topics that popped into their heads left and right. They enjoyed each other’s company through-out the whole conversation that they didn’t notice the waitress come back. Those twenty minutes just flew past them. She placed the two plates of pancakes in front of the hungry customers before leaving for them to enjoy it.

They started to eat their food, loving every bite of it. This was a great start to a day of getting back on track.