Author's Note

A sensitive topic pops up in here so just a little heads up.

I was a tad late to releasing this because it turns out I'm not good with due dates! I have nothing to say other then I do hope you enjoy.
I'll likely keep making more but won't have a due date for the next chapter so just keep an eye open for it, I guess.

Anyways, Do try to enjoy! I worked hard!

A 'Normal' Date

Hours ticked by as Visage lied there awake with a snoozing Clover in his hooves. Sure, it felt like an eternity while doing so, but it was an eternity he didn't mind. He hasn't felt this cozy and comfortable in his bed in forever. But right now he was in a bit of a pickle. He was thirsty. But he didn't want to wake Clover when trying to get up. That and he was just really enjoying the snuggle.

"As much as I'm lovin' this, I'm dying of thirst over here... I'm sure she wouldn't mind if I snuck away for a few minutes?" Visage thought to himself. And with that, as carefully and quietly as he could, he began trying to wiggle out of the mares grip, which just tightened as he squirmed about.

"Nooo don't leave me," The mare mumbled in her sleep, "I'm gonna miss you."

Visage doubled his efforts as soon as he felt the mare's grip loosen a bit. But again, to no avail.

"Please stay or I'll... K..... Is..s y...ou... Visage..." She again mumbled in her sleep. Visage couldn't make out what the last part was, aside from his name, as her mumbling got much quieter. But he nodded it off as an adorable little threat from and adorable little mare. He was just about to slip free when suddenly she muttered, "I warned you..!" She then unconsciously pulled Visage down and locked lips, kissing him. If he wasn't baffled at her straightforwardness before, he sure was now.

"Mmph!" Was all he could get out through the sudden kiss. He'd be lying to himself if he said he didn't enjoy it though. As he began to lean into it, closing his eyes, Clovers eye fluttered open tiredly. She jumped back and way, severing their little moment.

She covered her face with her hooves to hide her embarrassment at what she knew she just did. "OhmycelestiaI'msosorryIdidn'tmeantodothatIwasjusthavingadreamandthen-"

"It's fine. It was actually kinda nice." Visage said simply, smiling.

"It was? I mean, are you sure?" Clover asked, slightly uncovering her face and looking at visage.

"Sure! Now, how about we go grab some lunch before we get sidetracked like we did yesterday?I'm starving and want to know exactly how you can help me with my little invisibility thing."

Clover thought for a moment before saying, "Yeah, I guess... But are you sure you still want help with that?"

"Yep! It's harder to live a life then you may think when you're like me." Visage answered, pulling himself out of the bed.

"Wait a second," Clover said, jumping off the bed and landing on Visages back. "Still tired... Carry me?" She asked.

"I suppose I can. I'm not carrying you around outside though." Visage said as he began trying trotting out of the room. "Is there anything you want before we leave?"

"Nope. My manes a mess but I don't really care all that much so I'm ready to go." She responded, stretching out her limbs while laying on Visages back.

The walk from the house to the middle of town was quiet between the two. Neither had anything to say so they both lost themselves in thought. Soon, they made it to Visages favorite restaurant.
It was a small establishment, the main colors being red, black and gold. 'Foreign Delights' was it's name, foreign food was is game. Kind of like The Titanboa, this place was opened by a retired explorer who wanted to share the rest of the world's foods with the ponies of Equestria. Specifically, the ponies of this little outback town the explorer grew up in.

"Here we are." Visage said, looking up at the sign. Some good and some bad memories were made here. This was where we met his exmarefriend Pearl. But it's also where SHE broke up with HIM. Not the other way around.

"Foreign Delights... I wonder what they have?" Clover questioned trotting to the double doors and pushing them open, Visage following close behind.

Upon entering, a wave of smells attacked their noses. The one that stood out the most was the smell of... Meat. A smell Clover definitely wasn't familiar with, but Visage was accustomed to it as he's been here at least a hundred times. And in all honesty, he's even considered trying some of the gryphon dishes.

"Oh wow... That's strong..." Clover said, trying to adjust to the concoction of smells.

"It tastes better then it smells, believe me. I've been coming here every now and then for lunch for years. I've had almost everything on the menu... Almost."

"Then maybe you can recommend something to me?" Clover asked, looking back at Visage.

"Sure, but we need to get a table or booth first. You pick."

Looking ahead and scanning the interior, Clover spotted a small two pony booth in the corner that was relatively far away from anypony else. "Over there," She said, pointing to it with a hoof, "That looks like a good spot."

Surprise surprise. That's the exact table Visage met his exmarefriend... Oh well, it's just a table. "Okay, lead the way." Visage replied. "Oh wait! You head over there and I'll go ask for the VIP menu! I got a membership here awhile ago and there is some good stuff on that menu." He said, spinning around and trotting away.

Left to her own devices, Clover trotted over to the table she picked out and sat down. On it was already a small tray of condiments and some silverware as well as a drink menu, which she picked up and looked through.

Meanwhile somepony else in the restaurant was looking Clovers way. The stallion trotted over to her table and spoke out, "What's a mare like you doing here all alone? I think you could use some company." He said with slurred words.

"No thanks. And I'm not here alone." Clover said, keeping her eyes on the drink menu.

"Yeah, right. I didn't see you come in with anypony else." The stallion said, "So how about we ditch this overrated place and I'll cook you something at my place?"

"Again, no thanks... Please leave me be."

"What's going on over here?" A voice came from behind the stallion.

"Back off pri-" The stallion began to say as he turned around and ways met eye to eye with Visage. "What do you want, kid? I'm busy here."

"Firstly, I'm older then you. Secondly, you're drunk. Go home Jackal." Visage said, pushing past the stallion.

"No can do. I'm picking up this mare right now." Jackal responded.

Visage stopped in his tracks and faced the drunken stallion again. "No you aren't. She's here with me, so do us both a favor and go home."

"Yeah? And why would a piece of ass like that be with you? She'd probably run off anyways. Like that one chick you were with at one point." Jackal said, pushing Visage away and eyeing Clover, who was very uncomfortable at the moment.

"Excuse me?" Visage questioned, pulling Jackal back and once again facing him directly, "She ran off with your 'cousin'. You're a good guy Jack, so don't make me beat you down... Again..."

Jackal took this a threat. Because it kinda was. He then said, "Yeah? Then show me what you got, kid!" He exclaimed as he throw a hoof at visage.

Visage was just barely able to dodge the punch before looking away from Jackal so the drunken pony couldn't see him. Visage then bucked him straight in the face. Which... Kinda knocked Jackal out. He was a weak stallion even though he always acts tough and what not. Perks of being invisible: Nopony will see you coming if you want to beat them up. Shrugging it off like its normal, Visage trotted to the table that a confused and uncomfortable Clover was.

"What... Just happened? That went by pretty fast..." Clover said, unsure of what else she could say.

"Don't worry about it. I've had to put him down like that a dozen times before. He an honest and good guy, but when he's drunk he's a total fuckboy. When he's sober he'll be pleading for your forgiveness." Visage said simply before hoofing Clover a menu out of nowhere. "Anyways, take a look at what they got. If anything catches your eye that you want just say the word.

"Uhm... Okay? Maybe I should have just stayed in bed and slept today... I'm not sure what to think of what just went down."

Looking through the new menu, there were a few things that interested Clover. What she found disturbing is that half of what she was considering getting were all meats. "I'll get... The... Um... Huh. I don't know." Clover said, skimming through the menu again.
"I did want so recommendations from you Visage, so... What should I get?"

"You can try out the Romarnian Seared Salad." Visage replied simply. "I had it last time I was here and it was good."

"Seared? So like... Burnt?" Clover questioned.

Looking at the drink menu and not even the food menu, Visage says, "It's better then it may sound. It actually has a nice smokey flavor that oddly works with it."

"Um... Ok, I guess I'll have that." Clover said. Suddenly, a flash of light appeared on the table. When it disappeared, there was a bowl of... Charred salad... That did like strangely good. "Wha..?"

"Oh yeah, this place is pretty much run by magic. It's like the restaurant hears what you want and gives it to you. Well I think I'm gonna get the Romarnian Seared Salad as well... And just water to drink." Visage said. A flash of light appeared again and when it faded, Visage had a bowl of the food as well as a tall glass of water in front of him.

"Huh... Cool. I think? I guess I'll get water too." Water then appeared in front of Clover. Pretty convenient system. Instantaneous service.

"Now... How exactly can you help me with my uh... Problem?" Visage asked Clover as he picked up a fork and began to feast upon the seared salad.

"Well there's actually a ring you can get made that can do whatever you want it to." Clover began, "It's easier to use as a unicorn because it does use magic and it has to be physically touching you, but with a little effort and time you could be able to use one." Clover explained before she speared the salad with her fork and tried it... It was dry and smokey, but decent.

"...And how do I get such a ring?"

"You can get one made. I know somepony who could." Clover answered through mouthful.

"Who, where, and when can we find them to get one?" Visage asked, taking a sip of water to wash down the greens.

"A friend of mine in Vanhoover. Not sure when we could go, though. That'd be up to you. But there is one little problem..."

"And what would that be?" Visage asked, curiously.

"Last time I checked he was trying to hook up with your ex. Knowing him, it has probably worked by now."

Thinking for a moment, Visage decided on what to say. "Oh well. All we need is the ring then we'd be out of there. At least, I will be."

"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Clover questioned, averting her eyes from her salad up to Visage.

"Well, I assumed you'd want to stay in the city with your friends... Which I'd totally understand. You don't have any friends here so yeah." Visage said, not noticing Clovers hurt look. She thought she would be able to stay here... With him...

"But... I like it here!"

"It's not that great here... We get storms every other day and it's rarely ever dry here." Visage said, taking another bite of his food.

"Well I found you so... That's good enough for me..." Clover mumbled, remembering back to something she was told years ago.

[About 7 years ago]

"Clover honey, don't let anypony do that to you ever again!" A mare exclaimed, laying in a hospital bed.

"B-B-But I thought he loved me... Then he cheated on me with my best friend!" A young Clover exclaimed, balling her eyes out on the side of the bed.

"Shhh shh shhh. It's okay, honey." The mare said. It was Clovers mother, Frosty. "Listen to me, Clover... Next time somepony steals your heart away, don't just let them throw it away! If you really love them, and they really love you, you'll never be sad like this a day in your life! Believe me. When I met your father, we just kind of... Clicked. One day you'll find a pony, mare or stallion, that you love and that you know you can't let go of. So when that day comes, show them what you're all about the leave and you lose your shot. That stallion you were with? I had a bad feeling about him the whole time." Frosty said, finishing her speech.

"But... Nopony will be able to love me with my nightmare disorder..." The young Clover said, tears falling from her cheeks.

"Nonsense! You'll meet somepony that will comfort you and care for you when you have nightmares. I just know it!" Frosty exclaimed, pulling her crying daughter into a motherly hug.

"A-A-Are you sure?" Clover asked, sniffling and hugging her mother back.

"Yes, Clover. I'm positive. And... If I'm still around when that happens, I expect you to bring them to me for a visit sometime."

"Don't say that, mom. You'll get through this!"

"But if I don't... Promise me to still come visit me when you meet the pony you deserve?" Frosty asked, holding back her own tears.

"I promise! But I won't even need to cause you'll make it! You have to!" Clover exclaimed, hugging her mother tighter.

"I'm very sorry Miss Clover, but visiting hours have been up for nearly an hour... We can't let you stay any longer." A mare said from the doorway behind Clover.

"Go show the world you mean business!" Frosty cheered, releasing her daughter from the embrace.

"I-I'll try..." Clover said, pulling herself up and trotted to the door.

"That's my girl! Goodnight, my lucky little Clover. I love you!" Frosty said just before Clover exited the room.

The nurse waved Clover away and began closing the door all before she just manage to hear the nurse say something before Clover was outside of earshot.

"Frosty, I'm so sorry... It turns out you're already on the 4th stage..."

[Current day]

Being snapped back to reality by Visage, Clover shook her head and and felt the familiar feeling of tears welling up in her eyes.

"Clover? Are you alright? You blanked out there for a second." Visage said, with a concerned look and tone.

"Um, y-yeah! I'm fine! Never been better!" She said, obviously lying to Visage... And herself.

"It looks like you're about to lose it... Are you sure?" Visage questioned. "You can tell me about... Whatever it was..."

There was something in the back of Clovers mind that was telling her to just shake it off and ignore it... But she couldn't bring herself to it... She couldn't take the stress it was putting upon her, so as tears began to fall, she sunk down in her seat and began to tell Visage everything...

"Well... I'm having bad memories... It all started when I broke up with somepony..."

[An unknowable number of hours later]

"I... I'm so sorry... I honestly don't know what to say... That's all so horrible..." Visage himself was about ready to join in and cry with Clover. So many bad things has happened to Clover and he hated to think about it all. He just wanted to see Clover happy right now above everything else.

"And that last night that I seen my mom... She passed the next day... I was so broken for the longest time... And I still can't forget the last thing she called me... She said I was her lucky little Clover... But I'm everything except lucky..." Clover said, in a low and almost whispering voice. Since her and Visage were sitting at a booth, Visage took to getting up and sitting beside Clover to try to comfort her the best he could.

"Clover... Forget all the help I needed... To me, it seems like I should help you instead." Visage said, holding the mare close to his side.

"W-what? No, I don't need help... But you still do..."

"Hush," Visage said, putting his hoof to Clovers chin and making her look at him. "I care for you and your wellbeing. I will not let you leave my sight until if fix everything for you."

"But that was all years ago... It doesn't affect me anymore..." Clover said, lying. Which Visage seen right through.

"Don't lie to me, please... I want- no NEED to help! As a friend... And as your stallionfriend."

"Wha-" Clover immediately was about to question his words, but was cut of by Visage pressing his lips against hers, holding her in a loving kiss.

Instead of protesting, Clover simply leaned into the kiss and held the stallion with her eyes closed tight. What felt like a short eternity passed by before the two had to break apart for some breathe.

"W-why did you do that?" Clover questioned, a deep blush on her face. Half hopping he'd just kiss her again.

Visage held the mare closer to his side and smiled. "Because I felt that yo- that we both needed it... That we wanted it... U-um... I just hope it wasn't too forward..."

"And I thought I was too forward with things." Clover said jokingly as she was already feeling better while the shared a laugh.
"So... What now?"

"Well... We can go for a walk. We still have a few hours of daylig-" Visage was cut off by a rather serious sounding Clover.

"I meant between us... I mean... We already did it the night we met to get rid of stress... Then we slept in bed together... Then I kissed you in my sleep... Then... You kissed me just now..."

"O-Oh... Yeah... How about we go back home and talk about how things will work there? Just so we're a little more... Comfortable..." Visage suggested, to which Clover nodded and gave him a little nuzzle.

Getting up out of the booth, Visage waited for Clover before he began to trot off.

"Uh, what about paying for the food?" She asked.

"Oh! Yeah! I'm pals with the manager here. He thought we were already a thing so he said whatever we get was on him. Nice guy." Visage said simply.

"Huh... You know everypony here don't you?"

"I only know the ponies of my favorite places and from the market here. So yeah, basically. It is a pretty small town." Visage replied as he opened the doors and held them for Clover to exit.

Once they were both outside, Visage smiled devilishly and grabbed Clover, throwing her into the air and onto his back, all the while with her yelping in surprise.

Without saying a word, Visage began trotting home with the mare on his back.

"I can walk, you know!" She exclaimed.

"Yeah, but I know you'd rather ride me."

Clover began snickering and Visage wasn't sure why... Wait...

"Oh! That's not what I meant! Don't be dirty like that! Beside... We haven't done that..." Visage said.

"Oh, but we can." She cooed into his ear.

They share one intimate kiss and this is what happens afterwards?

Though the thought wasn't half bad... With practically no resistance, Visage gave into his desires then said, "We better double time it home then, huh?"

Clover giggled and hummed in agreement. "Heh... I can get used to this." She thought to herself. Tonight was gonna be a good night.

To be continued