Vinyl and I must have fallen asleep in my truck, because next thing I know, I was being blinded by sunlight coming through my windshield. I groaned, sore from sleeping in such an awkward position. I turned the key, which startled Vinyl, who was curled up next to me. Seriously, RIGHT next to me. Her head was resting on my lap. She picked up her head, and looked around, her eyes still half closed.

“What time is it?” she asked. I looked at my dashboard clock.

“Eight… thirty. Shit! I’m late for work.” I said, quickly putting the truck into gear.

Vinyl wrapped her hooves around my arm as I quickly sped home. I bumped my truck into the driveway, and quickly opened the door. I unlocked my house, and ran to the phone, to see there was already a message waiting. I hesitated, then it “Play”.

“Vince? It’s Ed. Listen, this is the fifth time you’ve been late for work this month. I can’t run a music shop with unreliable employees! I’ve given you many chances, but nothing ever changes. *Sigh*I’m sorry Vince. You’re fired. You’ll get your last paycheck through the mail. Thanks for working for us as long as you did.”

The message ended. I quietly took my hand off of the answering machine. I took a deep breath, and sighed. I was jobless. Again. I pounded my fist onto the table, and cursed.

“SHIT!” I yelled to no one in particular.

“V-Vince?” I heard a timid voice behind me. I turned, and saw Vinyl standing there, looking a bit scared.

“Hey, sorry Vinyl. I didn’t mean to scare you.” I said, forcing myself to relax. Vinyl still looked unsure. I knelt down next to her, and sighed.

“Vinyl, I don’t suppose I could get a hug, could I?” I asked quietly. Vinyl smiled, and stood up on her hind legs, wrapping her front legs around me. I instantly felt better the moment I felt Vinyl’s warmth. It was then I realized.

I felt something for her. I wanted to deny it a little, but… I loved her. A lot. Vinyl finally let me go, smiling at me. “Feel better?” she asked, curling a hoof through her mane. I nodded.

“Vinyl, I need to talk to you.” I said, sitting on the floor. Vinyl laid in front of me, her eyes never leaving mine.

“What’s up?” she asked. I thought about how to go about saying what I felt.

“About last night...” I started. Vinyl instantly blushed.

“God Vince, I’m sorry. I know you said you didn’t feel anything for me...” she trailed off, looking down to the floor. I chuckled.

“Relax Vinyl, I wanted to thank you.” I finished. Vinyl jerked her head up, eyes wide. “If you hadn’t done that, I don’t think I would know exactly what I feel for you.” I stood. I pulled a package off of the coffee table, which was sitting on the doorstep when we came back home.

“Hang on.” I said, running off to the kitchen. I opened the package, and wrote something onto the item inside.

I came back, and Vinyl was looking at me, eagerly waiting for me to finish my sentence. I held the item behind my back. I took a deep breath, and got down on one knee.

“Vinyl Scratch, I know I haven’t even known you for a week but...” I held out the item in my hands. “Would you be my girl… erm, pony… no, that’s not right either. Special someone!?” I finished.

Vinyl’s eyes grew big a saucers. She covered her mouth with her hooves, sucking in a sharp breath. The item in my hands was a pair of large, black rim aviators, with purple frames. Vinyl grabbed them with her magic, and looked at them. Suddenly, she hesitated as she read the message written on the inside of the frames. She burst into tears. She jumped at me, clutching me with her hooves, burying her face in my chest.

“Do y-you r-r-really mean that?!” she sobbed. I patted her back, letting her cry.

“I do. I realized this morning Vinyl, you mean more to me than I can comprehend. I can’t possibly fathom life without you. You’ve honestly been my only friend within the past few years.” I said. Vinyl stopped crying, and looked at me with big, tear filled eyes.

She didn’t say anything, just moved her head towards me. I met her half way, and our lips met. It was then I learned.

It doesn’t matter color, race, species, or gender. Love is love. Love is a beautiful thing, and nothing could be better. As long as one being loves another, that’s all that matters.

Vinyl and I kissed for a few seconds, then parted. I took the custom Aviators, and placed them on Vinyl’s face. They fit over her eyes perfectly.

“You look lovely.” I said, grinning.

Vinyl half laughed, half cried, then pulled me into a hug.

“I never knew what it felt like to have a special somepony before. It’s better than I could have imagined.” she whispered. We spent at least the next half hour just cuddling.

The clock chimed ten, and startled Vinyl and I. I looked over at Vinyl, who was still wearing her new aviators. It was amazing how different Vinyl looked with them on. Without them, she looked sweet, adorable, friendly, and kind. With them on, she looked… cool, brash, snobby, and out of my league.

“Wow.” I muttered. I gently pulled the glasses off of her face, and set them on the table. It was not my intention to wake her, but that’s what I did. She stirred, and opened one beautiful red eye, looking at me.

“What was that?” she whispered, stretching herself across me.

“Sorry. I just removed your glasses. In my opinion, you look cool with them, but you look nicer without them. Without them I can see your pretty red eyes, which compliment your pretty face, which compliment your pretty hair, which compliments your pretty body.” I finished, mentally face palming at how cheesy that must have sounded. But Vinyl was blushing madly.

“T-That was so cheesy Vince.” she whispered, looking at me. I sighed. I was about to say “I know”, but Vinyl stopped me, by giving a little peck on the lips.

“But it totally worked.” she said, sitting herself onto my lap. I wrapped my arms around her, and enjoyed her warmth.

We cuddled for another fifteen minutes, then I convinced Vinyl to get off of me so I could get up.

“Well, I don’t have a job anymore, so I guess better get on the computer and look for another one.” I said, beginning to walk out of the room.

“You know, I said that if you and I worked together with some better equipment, we could sell our music.” Vinyl reminded me. I hesitated, then turned to face her.

“What are you getting at?” I asked. Vinyl shrugged.

“You know man, I know you don’t have income anymore, but if you were willing to spend some money on some better speakers, I think we could make some top notch songs to sell.” she said. I sat down, and Vinyl walked over to me.

“I meant it earlier Vince. You make good music, and I only heard a few of your songs! If you let me help, we could take everypony my storm!” she shouted.

I paused.

“I-I don’t know Vinyl, I don’t have loads of money in my savings, at to purchase equipment like you’re thinking of, that would take an awful lot of it.” I said. Vinyl smiled.

“Vince, as I’m a musician myself, I have a strong belief in what I’m saying. You have good musical skill, but it’s being hindered by your budget equipment. Before you can make money, you must invest money.” she stated.

I raised my eyebrows.

“Never thought I’d hear anything like that coming out of your mouth.” I said.

Vinyl scowled.

“You saying I’m not smart?” she questioned.

I cringed. I suppose it could come across that way.

“No Vinyl, I just meant...” I stopped when I noticed Vinyl smirking. “Oh, you’re just teasing, aren’t you?” I asked.

Vinyl’s smile grew wider.

“Maybe.” she said. I laughed at her coyness.

I opened my laptop, and went to Amazon.

“So, how much are you talking about here?” I asked, looking at speaker sets. Vinyl thought.

“How much did you pay for your current ones?” she asked, looking closely at one of my two speakers.

“Um, about fifty dollars?” I replied. Vinyl frowned.

“Yeah, that explains it. You just have run of the mill equipment, what you need is professional grade equipment. I would say, at least five hundred dollars. And see if you can get one with an equalizer soundboard. That will help you add some nice sound effects.” she said, pointing to the picture of a soundboard speaker set on my computer screen.

I raised my eyebrows.

“Oh, well that’s not so bad. I thought you were going to have me get one of those multi-thousand dollar sets.” I said, relieved. Vinyl waved a hoof submissively.

“Eh, the only reason those are so high priced is because they’re big name brands. A five hundred dollar set is just as good as a super expensive one, it’s just cheaper because it’s not a big name company. Believe me, I’ve had both expensive and super expensive sets, they’re pretty much the same.” she said.

“I see. Alright then. If I order it now, it will arrive in a week. That gives us time to come up with some song ideas, and begin to make a plan of action.” I said.

Vinyl nodded.

“Yep, I’ve already got a few ideas."

I hovered my hand over the mouse button, then clicked “Order”.

The speaker set was on the way.

Author's Note

Vince's and Vinyl's relationship has taken a big step in this chapter! Vince has finally realized he has feelings for Vinyl, and has made them known! For those who feel their relationship is moving fast, it is.

But remember, Vinyl is literally the only... being that Vince has really been close to for years, who shares his interests, and is also a girl. Somewhat of the same for Vinyl. No wonder they just hit it off.

A short chapter, mainly because I'm SUPER busy with work right now. Been working fifty or more hours a week! Which is also why the next chapter won't be out for a while, but don't fret, I AM working on it!