Author's Note

Whats up people, I apologize for the lack of updates. Moving to a different continent throws shit all outa wack. Still don't have internet set up so uploading is a pain in the ass. But! Don't fret there will be more updates, probably at an irregular frequency. Anyway hope you all enjoy the chapter, cheers.

So it Begins

After the usual morning routine of breakfast and then feeding all the critters Butterscotch went into town for his weekly spa trip with Elusive. He offered to let you come too, probably just trying to be courteous. Trying to reject the offer as politely as possible worked like a charm and he trotted off, claiming he would be back in time for lunch.

Eager to get started with growing you crack open the first volume of the horticulture books. The first few chapters were exceedingly dry, but they gave the basics for starting to grow a plant. It seemed like the best option would be to grow them inside for a while. After they got to a respectable size they could be moved to a garden or a greenhouse. A greenhouse... that sounds like a brilliant idea. It would be like those hydroponics labs in the movies. Easy way to keep all the plants watered and make sure they got enough sunlight. Yeah... this is seeming like a better idea by the minute. Gonna have to buy the supplies for the greenhouse somehow though. Maybe until the plants really start growing you could do some odd jobs around town.

Hold up, don't get that far ahead just yet. Haven't even planted the damn things. Closing the book and sitting it on the table you get up and head outside. Scotch keeps his gardening stuff in the shed, he probably has a few spare pots sitting around.

After gathering said pots and filling them with soil you make small indentations in each one. Placing the sees in and covering them up. The only thing left was to give each a good dose of water. After all was said and done the pots sat on a windowsill in the living room. A small bit of pride filled you while looking at your handiwork.

This was going swimmingly, the only thing to do now was wait for the plants to grow. That left... jack all to do. Scotch would be out for another hour at least and its not like any of the ponies around would want to hang out. So far the only two that ever really talked to you were Dusk and Scotch. The rest of their friends seemed kinda sketched out around you. Even though you had Butterscotch as a real friend it was hard to stay positive without him here. With that in mind you sit on the couch staring blankly at the ceiling.

This, this is why boredom is the absolute worst. Every time there wasn't a task at hand this feeling shows up. Its not necessarily negative and it is definitely not positive. It just... is. The best way to explain it would be a lack of emotion. A feeling of absolute emptiness, like you should be crying but there were no tears left to shed in this absence of sadness. It always reminds you of sleeping in a way, not the dream filled kind, the kind where you blink and hours have passed. This is similar to the time in between except now your awake.

The mind is a horrible thing when left to its own devices. At least yours is, not gonna pretend to know how others think. After being thrown around in the maelstrom of your own thoughts for what seems like hours Butterscotch walks in with Elusive. The yellow pegasus smiles in your direction.

“Hello Anon, did you get all of your seeds planted today?”

“Hm? Oh, yeah. I just got done actually, thought I would read up on some of the basics first. The books were pretty cut and dry with the information but it worked out nonetheless. I was just about to wash the dirt off of my hands.”

“I'm glad the books Dusk found for you helped out. Elusive said he wanted to stop by to talk with you... i-if you don't mind that is.”

A smile found its way to your lips, he always managed to do that. Without even trying he made every day brighter. “Of course I don't mind Scotch, Elusive come on I have to clean up and then we can talk in the kitchen.”

“Of course dear.” He trotted behind you, trying to look as regal as possible while doing so. That kind of shit got under your skin, people er... well ponies, who acted as if they were a tier above others just because of their posture and social habits.

After cleaning off your hands you turn and face Elusive while leaning on the counter. “So whatcha need? I'm sure this isn't a purely social visit.”

He sported a look of mock surprise. “Why whatever would make you think that?”

“You know, when I first got here and was at the castle you didn't come within ten paces of me. That and you ponies wear your emotions on your sleeve, so to speak. When you walked in the door I could tell that you had something to tell me.”

He seemed taken aback for a moment before collecting his wits. “Well, I certainly would not have put it quite that way. Although I cannot deny I have something of vital importance to discuss with you. It's about Butterscotch.”

“Go on.”

“Ahm, yes well it seems that he has developed some feelings towards you and he has never dealt with a special somepony before. I would like to advise you on how to let him down in the easiest way possible.”

You couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at that. “What makes you think that I would want to let him down? Maybe I like him too and want to pursue a relationship. Ever think of that?”

“Surely you jest! There is no way that such a thing would ever work. First of all, the two of you are a separate species entirely. Second of all, he is shy and has delicate sensibilities. While you for the very brief encounters I've had, are brash and vulgar. Third of all, he has only known you for less than two weeks!”

Silence permeated the air in the house, it was clear that Elusive had wanted to stop this before it even started. He was content to let you wallow in misery just so he could keep his ideals on a pedestal. Not that he would know that life without Scotch sucked, but you weren't going to give him the satisfaction of knowing.

“Elusive you can go on all day with reasons why YOU think this won't work. Ultimately it's up to Scotch.”

Speaking of the butter yellow pegasus he poked his head out from around the corner. “Uhm... I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation, but is everything alright in here? I heard it out in the living room and wanted to check to see if everything was still okay.”

Brushing past Elusive it looked like he was trying to glare a hole through you. “Yeah Scotch everything's good. He was just leaving and I was gonna chill on the couch for a bit.”

The two are mostly silent as you sprawl out on the couch.They mumble some sort of goodbye, then comes the clip clop of a set of hooves. The door opens and closes without another word. Butterscotch walks over to the couch and clears his throat. You turn your head just enough to see him with one eye.

“A-Anon, uhm, Elusive seemed upset just now and I know that whatever you two talked about isn't any of my business. I just can't stand seeing my friends in a bad mood. I Eeep!”

The stallion let out the most adorable noise when you pulled him onto the couch with you. Laying there, holding him close made you feel so warm inside. His heart was pounding away like a bass drum and it looked like most of his blood rushed to his face. That just made this moment all the better.

“A-Anon! What are you doing?!”

“I like you Butterscotch.”

“...huh?”

“I said I like you, and I'm holding you since you probably would have gotten embarrassed and ran upstairs. That plus I've wanted to cuddle for awhile.”

“I... but... how did you... Elusive?”

“No I knew before that, you ponies are easy to read.”

He was silent for a few moments, the blush slowly fading away from his face. When he spoke again it was barely audible. “Why? I don't have any experience with relationships. You would be better off with somepony else.”

“No, I wouldn't be better off. Ever since I got here you have been my friend, willing to give me a home, listen to me Scotch.” He had been avoiding your gaze until then. It took a moment but he eventually met your eyes.

“When everyone else here was scared of me you weren't. You showed me something that none of the others did, kindness. All that really matters in a relationship is if you're willing to try to make it work out. There is no other pony I can think of that would try harder than you.”

He simply laid there beside you, the only time there was a hint of movement was when he went to blink. It was hard to tell what was going through his head. Butterscotch was shy and didn't have much self confidence. Although, that could be overcome if he wanted it enough.

Honestly it was terrifying to simply wait for a response. Never before had you been so vulnerable to another being. This decision had to be his though, you said your piece now all there was to do was wait.

“Anon...”

Well that was faster than expected.

“Yes?”

“If... if you really want to try, then I'm willing to try too. I won't know what I'm doing so you'll have to help me along the way.”

“I've never been in a relationship before either. I'm just as blind as you Scotch.” Yeah no relationships just mindless flings with people you never cared about. Fairly certain those don't count.

“Oh... well I guess this will be a learning experience for the both of us then.”

A smile crosses your face as you lean down to gently kiss him on the forehead. He makes a cute little eep as his face becomes flushed again.

“I'm so glad you said yes Scotch. So what would you like to do for the rest of the day?”

“I uhmm... well we still need to feed the critters lunch and dinner. Then I guess I could make a nice dinner for us. I have some wine that wasn't going to get used.”

“Hmm, that sounds good to me, I'll go give the critters some lunch. You can relax in here.”

“Are you sure? No need for you to do all of that alone.”

“Don't worry 'bout it, just set everything you need up for the dinner.”

Sitting up you turn to look at the pegasus again, he was facing away from you. Such a perfect opportunity couldn't be passed up. Hugging him from behind gave the butter yellow beauty a start. Soon enough he eased into it, seeming to melt in your embrace. A nip at his ear made Scotch shiver and let out a quiet gasp.

“See you when I get back cutie.”

He was still trying to blurt out a response by the time you closed the door. God he was just so freakin cute and fun to mess with. A content sigh escaped your lips as you looked around at all the critters. There was no time in memory that it felt this good to be alive. This sense of peace was to precious to throw away like it was a simple fling. Best to let Scotch go at his own pace, doesn't mean you can't mess with him in the meantime.

Letting out a breathy chuckle you got to work, doing this alone would kill plenty of time. Butterscotch would be able to set something nice up while you were working he wasn't the type to dilly dally... Fuck, 'dilly dally.' This whole being happy thing is already going to your head. Not like that's a bad thing just kind of weird.

After feeding all of the critters there was still time until dinner. After raking the yard, refilling the bird baths, and making sure the animals were content with everything, that problem was emended. All that was left was to wash your hands and head back inside.

When you opened the door the very first thing that stuck out was all the curtains were drawn. Then there were the candles everywhere that made the room glow in a soft light. Walking further in the table was set for two and was cast in the candles light. This... looked like something out of a trashy romance novel and it was perfect. Scotch definitely pulled out all of the stops for this, it was touching. To see someone who cared enough to put in the effort for something like this.

“So uhmm, how did I do?”

Turning to see the pegasus at the the stairs he had a sheepish little smile. His mane had been bushed enough to look like flowing silk. There was just a hint of a blush across his muzzle as well.

“Its perfect, couldn't have asked for anything better.”

An excited smile came to him as he let out a little squee. “I'm so glad you like it Anon! Here sit down and I'll get the food and the wine.”

He did so, the food looked like an alfredo and the wine looked like something fancy. All of the letters were in a golden script.

“I hope you like the pasta dish I made and the wine was a gift from the princess for watching her pet phoenix.”

“Scotch if you made it the food has to be delicious, as for the wine I'm sure the princess of all ponies has good taste.”

He smiled that content little smile of his while I poured each of us a glass of wine. The dinner itself went very well. There was usual small talk and simply enjoying one an others company. Topics ranged from simple things like the weather to the new responsibilities of the friendship council. It was interesting to hear how vital friendship was in this society. It was a nice change of pace from the human world.

After the dinner itself was done the conversation moved on to the couch along with the rest of the wine. It was nice to just sit there cuddling with best pony while drinking. Wine was never really that great but Scotch enjoyed it so that was more than enough. It became evident soon enough that he was also a total lightweight.

“Scotch I think you've had enough dude, time to go to bed.”

He pointed his hoof accusingly in your general direction. “No, you've had enough! Silly Nonny being all silly.” He descended into a giggle fit, while hilarious no need to let him do something stupid. Walking over you sling the pegasus over your shoulder and start towards the stairs.

“Why are we going upstairs Nonny? Are you going to do naughty things to me?”

“Nope, your gonna go to bed.”

“But... but I don't want to!”

“Well too bad.”

He was quiet for a few moments. “Will you stay there with me then?”

“If it keeps you there then sure, just don't throw up on me.”

“Yay! I get to sleep with Nonny!”

Upon reaching his bedroom you gently sit him down on the bed. Making your way to the opposite side. When you start to lay down a yellow blur hug tackles you down, clinging tightly to your chest. Since it would be best to give the stallion what he wants you wrap your arms around him. He smiles like its the best thing in the world.

“Goodnight Nonny.”

“Night Scotch.”