Finding Perfect Harmony

I starred long at the golden eyes that peered into my soul, the smug grin on her face made the sweat roll down the sides of my face. I looked towards the door hoping for an escape, hoping to run from the situation that I had found myself in. Standing by the door was the familiar shape of my old friend; Steady Beat.

“What’s wrong Pitch, aren’t you happy to see me?” she asked edging a little closer, making me back away until my rear end hit the wall.

I looked around hoping to find any other method of escape.

“Still trying to run from your problems, eh Pitch?” Joyful said poking me in the chest with a hoof. “You know you’re a hard colt to find.”

“I…I…” tried to say only to find myself unable to speak.

Backed up to the wall, unable to escape I closed my eyes attempting to gain my composure again.

Suddenly I heard a gasp from the doorway forcing my gaze back to Beat who had moved out of the way for another familiar figure to stand in the door way, her look of anger apparent even through her thick purple shades. She looked to me, angry at first until she saw the signs of stress on my face and instantly put herself between me and Joy, her face now angry and her teeth bearing as she spoke.

“What are you doing here?” Vinyl snapped pushing Joy away from me as she stood between us.

“Minding my own business.” Joy smiled. “Shouldn’t you be doing the same?”

“Why you little…” Vinyl began.

“Listen, as much as I’d love to have a verbal argument with you; I just don’t have the kind of time.” Joy stated as she began walking around the room.

Vinyl began walking for her threateningly for her throwing her glasses aside; by the look on her face she was ready for blood. Reaching out I held her back, while Joy just stood there with her same smug smile.

“Kitty has claws.” Joy stated raising an eyebrow.

“Easy Joy, were not here to start a fight.” Beat warned.

Joy gave Beat a small smile before turning to face me again.

“I suppose we had better get down to business then, shall we?” she said. “I’m going to give you one of two options Pitch, and for your sake I hope you choose the right one. Option one: you come back with us, play the guitar like a good stallion, take your check, and make money like the rest of us.”

“And his second option?” Vinyl demanded as she made another lunge towards her, only to be held back again by me.

Joy smiled deviously, walking closer to Vinyl.

“I want you to listen close you little pest, I have both the money and the resources to make your life a living Tarturus. You think you’re safe in that little club of yours? I know people who can shut that place down faster than you can even fathom. So option two is simply this: I will allow Pitch to stay here, however having heard what I just told you, do you really want him staying here?”

Vinyl instantly froze, just by the look on her face I could see she was in shock, unable to answer. My gaze shifted between Joy and Vinyl, my mare friend, and my ex. Tears began to form on Vinyl’s eyes making her shut them in order to fight them back; Joy knew she had Vinyl exactly where she wanted her.

For some reason, I couldn’t just stand there anymore, whatever fear I had for confronting Joy had suddenly vanished at the sight of Vinyl crying. Instead of just holding her back, I brought Vinyl in closer to my chest allowing her to just cry there as I looked up to face Joy taking her by surprise.

“What’s wrong Joy, is the money just not flowing in like it used to?” I asked now glaring daggers at her. “What exactly do you hope to accomplish by coming here and insulting my mare friend Joy? I’m not coming back with you Joy; you closed that door when you decided to sleep with Beat. I simply turned away and tried to start a new life letting you stay happy. So why can’t you let me and Vinyl do the same?”

Joy starred back at me now glaring. Whatever love that I still had for her had long since vanished; the mare now in front of me was nothing to me now, nothing but a bad memory. The room was silent now as the two of us starred the other down, waiting for the other to falter and give in to the others demand.

Vinyl tilted her head to look back up at me as if to make sure I was alright, her cheeks red and the remnants of tears were still on the edges of her red eyes. I tightened my grip slightly as I laid my head atop her head just behind her horn. “I’m not going anywhere.” I whispered into her ear.

“Fine.” Joy stated turning towards the door. “Stay with your little whore, but this isn’t over Pitch, not by a long shot.”

“Hey Pitch?” Vinyl whispered.

“Yeah?”

“Can you let me go for a second?” Slowly I released Vinyl from my grasp and began walking towards Joy.

“What’s wrong whore did I hit a…”

‘SLAP’

“Get out of my club, and never come back. I’ll take whatever you throw at my club, but if you even so much as look at Pitch again…” Vinyl leaned in closer. “Celestia herself won’t be able to save you from the Tarturus I’ll put you in.”

Joy shot me one last look before walking towards Beat who was still waiting by the door. “Let’s go Beat.” She said storming out the door, Beat following close behind.

And with that Vinyl walked back to me stopping in front of me before leaning in and pressing her lips against mine. “Thanks for standing up for me.” She said before going in close again stopping just before our lips touched before whispering “My Perfect Pitch.”

Hours passed since Joy had left the club with Beat leaving Vinyl and I there alone with each other, and as much as I would have liked to have just stayed there letting the night escape to wherever it may have gone; there were still fans waiting outside for me to make an appearance. Countless ponies swarmed around me, pictures were taken, autographs were signed, and questions were asked, but for some reason, I welcomed it, I smiled for pictures, and made as much effort as I could to make everypony happy, whatever hatred I had for the publicity had suddenly vanished. Was it because I was the focus and not Joy? Perhaps, but all in all, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

After it was all said and done, the crowds left, and the equipment packed up for the night, I found myself where it all began; sitting at the same bar stool where Vinyl approached me, I was changed stallion now, I drank in happiness, not in sadness as I had done before. Vinyl was busy cleaning the last of the mess with her employees, I had offered to help but she insisted that I relax a bit and let the night sink in, and while she would disappear from my sight as she continued cleaning, I would always make that extra effort to find her.

“So, you’re staying here then?” a familiar voice said from behind.

Turning around I was met with an all too familiar red pony, silver sunglasses blocking his eyes, but I recognized him all the same.

“I’m afraid so Beat.” I stated as he sat down beside me.

Beat let out a defeated sigh. “I thought so.”

The two of us sat there for a moment or two, we didn’t talk, there was nothing to be said. I wasn’t mad at Beat for all that had happened; it wasn’t him that broke my heart.

“It’s been awhile since we’ve seen each other huh?”

I nodded.

“So a club DJ for a mare friend?”

Again I nodded.

“I’m happy for you.” Beat stated his voice now full of sadness.

I looked over to him. His sunglasses were now atop his head as he closed his eyes, deep in thought.

“I suppose I owe you an explanation don’t I?” Beat stated as he looked up to the ceiling.

“As to why Joy cheated on me?”

Beat nodded.

“I’m listening.”

Beat looked at me as if to confirm my answer before nodding taking a breath as he began. “Back before you guys were together, me and Joy had been friends, close friends. We never really loved each other per say but we still spent a ton of time together, so much so that I thought I needed to take it to the next level. Unfortunately, by the time I was ready to confess to her, you two got together, and while I was angry at first, I was happy for her and you for you after we became friends.” Beat Paused for a moment. “But even after Solvalla began to get big, I still ha feelings for Joy, I couldn’t help myself. So when the two of you broke up, I seized the chance to get you out of the way so I could move in.”

“So when did Joy start this whole thing?”

“After you began doing your whole solo thing, Joy tried searching for ponies to take your place in the band, and even after days of nonstop searching, she couldn’t find the right one, no one could play like you. She suddenly came up with this idea to work out for all of us, manipulating you to play, while she pretended to be in love with you. I was against it at first, but after she mentioned our current situation… I regretfully agreed. I’m pretty sure you can guess the rest.”

I let out a heavy sigh taking in what Beat had said. I knew it took a lot for him to come here and say it, and odds are Joy was probably against it if she knew about him coming back here.

“I guess what I’m trying to say Pitch… Is I’m sorry. Joy will never say it, you know her. But from the bottom of my heart I apologize for being a part of this whole thing, I feel absolutely terrible about it.”

Beat now began to cry, as much as he tried to fight it the tears began to flow down his face as he fought vigorously to wipe them away, unlike Joy, these were real tears, the tears of a colt that had once been my best friend.

“Beat?” I said placing a reassuring hoof on his shoulder. “I forgive you.”

Beat gave a wry smile as turned his head to look at me. “Still bro’s?”

“Of course.” I stated.

“Thanks Pitch, it means a lot.” He said getting up from the bar stool and began walking for the door.

“Where will you go now?” I asked.

“I don’t know. Solvalla won’t ever be the same without you, but I think I’ll stick it out with Joy a bit longer, she’s sometimes a backstabbing bitch… but I still love her.” Beat stated. “And who knows, maybe I’ll be lucky enough to end up somewhere as nice as this Celestia willing.”

“I’m rooting for you.” I stated.

Beat stepped closer to the door before suddenly stopping again. “If it’s any consolation Pitch, Joy really did love you before she… well you know… See you around.”

I nodded as Beat exited out the door into the cool night leaving me alone once again.

“Another shot Pitch?” The bartender asked.

I nodded allowing him to pour me yet another glass letting the night drift away as the commotion around the club finally halted.

Vinyl’s home was exceptionally quiet that night. Octavia was out on what of her performances leaving both me and Vinyl alone in the quiet cottage home. The two of us had been lying on the couch, our hooves wrapped around the other as we listened to the others breath rising and falling. Slowly Vinyl leaned up and gently kissed my lips.

“Pitch, I love you.” She stated.

“I love you too Vinyl.” I said leaning in to begin kissing her again.

Slowly she began to squeeze me a little tighter pressing her mouth a little more forcefully against mine beginning to beg for entrance  with her tongue sliding it across my bottom lip. I pulled back for a moment.

“Are you sure?”

She didn’t answer, only pressed her face into mine resuming where she left off. This continued for another moment or two before she stopped, leaning up to whisper into my ear. “Want to take this somewhere else?”

I nodded slowly as Vinyl got off the sofa and headed for the staircase. I stopped, looking at her and everything that had led to this moment. Never in my life did I think I would find something that felt as real as this, I find a mare who loved me for more than just my music, and I wanted nothing more than to just be with her, at last I had found my soul mate, at last I had found perfect harmony.