Stale Bread

by Milo_Chalks

Rating: everyone
Tags: Drama, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other, Romance, Slice of Life, Alternate Universe
Length: 8955

A single dance, where two stallions look at their past, present, and future.

Business is booming at Monte Cristo and Over Easy's business in Ponyville, but the daily grind is getting stale. Infact, everything seems to be getting stale for the two stallions, their life together is falling apart but both are too scared to fix it. Maybe some dancing under the moonlight could fix it, the Amity Ball is coming up. Who knows what could happen?

MxM slice of life shippy thing Co-written with my friend Maxwell Edison. Thanks for all the fun writing this, this was also edited by him so he totally gets way more credit here than me.

Artwork by Double Tap

Published 2019-07-07 01:10:01 UTC
Last updated 2019-07-10 03:30:25 UTC

1. Afternoon

Monte Cristo said he would buy the flowers himself. Over Easy had been closing up the cafe that day and it only made sense with his free time that he would go out and fetch the last thing they needed to be ready for the dance. He was trying something new this year, this was the first time he was going with Over Easy, and therefore wanted to make it special. not that he was one for the affinity of splendour or grand gestures.

Monte Cristo was more than content to sit on the couch curled around his favourite pony in the whole world. Of course, this was becoming an increasingly difficult situation to find time to do nowadays, with the cafe really picking up steam. Over Easy had nearly thrown in the towel back before Twilight had been a resident in Ponyville, and now they had too many bits and not enough time to spend them. One Sunday morning, Over Easy had just sat there with him, opposite ends of the table, unsure on what to do with each other, feeling as if there was some chore that needed doing, some help that was needed in the cafe below their house, maybe some sort of house keeping that needed doing. But there was none, so they both sat there, looking at their breakfasts like stunned mullets, until finally it took Monte’s strength to dare suggest they go out together. He remembered it vividly, the sun shining, the sweet air filling the day with a tender chill, but it was uneasy, like something lingered left to do. The birds were chirping that day, they always chirped when the weather was warm. It stuck out more, it just seemed fitting on a Sunday for birds to chirp, the peaceful nature of it all, the getting ready for a busy week ahead.

Monte looked ahead, it was not however a Sunday, yet the birds were still chirping, right next to Big Mac’s apple cart. He remembered his crush on Big Mac back when they were colts, but then, everyone had a crush on Big Mac, anyone with any sensibility. It was queer really, how absent his mind had been whilst half the child population lusted after him. He never really seemed to notice. Big Mac was his first crush, and everyone as far as he could tell remembers who that is. Over Easy could never forget his first crush. The poor colt had fallen for some son of a baker in Canterlot. They had bonded over the cafe world and become best friends, he couldn’t entirely remember the story, but he knew that Over Easy certainly had a disdain for the story. His affection for the baker's son ended quite badly. Yet, the world moved on, and Over Easy had found Monte, and Big Mac had found some mare in a northern town.

“Good Afternoon, Big Mac! How is the apple stall going?” Monte had called out, coming over and standing at the cart eagerly.

“Eeyup!” He smiled back, offering a fresh one out to Monte. The apple was large. round, and looking very juicy. The apples had always made the best of the bunch. Ponies came far and wide for them, so why not utilise that? Apple danishes, apple muffins, apple cinnamon milkshake, apple inspired tea blends. The cafe was stocked to the brim with local produce, a passion of Easy. He had always loved Ponyville, right from stepping into the town square as a young stallion. The produce had always been a root of that, it really was the perfect place to set up a cafe, and Monte had always been so blessed that he got to do that with someone like Over Easy.

“I might need to buy another twenty kilos of your apples by the way, with the dance coming up we’ve been receiving bulk orders for apple goods.”

Big Mac smiled, reached down and gave him a purchase order sheet. He hardly spoke, but his actions spoke volumes, yet this said nothing of how much he saw. Over Easy and Monte would sometimes ask if they could borrow a hill every now and again, after the cafe had closed. Big Mac would smile and nod, they didn’t really even need to tell him what it was for, the two would just love to spend time out there and have picnics as the sun set over the hills. Oh the sublimity! It painted a smile on his face every time. With nothing but each other to make the evening go by, the softness of the fur, the gentle kissing and that feeling of warmth and indescribable happiness. It didn’t matter what had been happening that week, with the birds chirping turning slowly to owls hooting, it seemed as if time would sit still just for them. Big Mac would just do what he always did and pick around that spot, get to it in the morning. Sometimes they would take blankets and even fall asleep under the apple trees in the peak of summer. It certainly beat sweating in a bed above a muggy cafe every night. Big Mac would sometimes catch them together the next morning, asleep or awake, he always held a certain longing in his eyes for what the two stallions under the apple trees had, almost like the faintest traces of jealousy. Yet those days hadn’t come around for a long while, and if he had shown it before, he either didn’t feel jealous anymore, or got far better at hiding it.

With Big Mac’s departing waves, Monte spun around on the spot and peered across the courtyard at the flower shop nearby.

Distractions. Throughout Over Easy’s career, there have been a plethora of distractions, keeping him looking both ways at once. At one point it was his love life, the next being his financial struggles for his business, then to the business itself, but now the distraction was on a date, a time, a moment of unknown that could not be fathomed in the present, but always mused in the past. Annoying as it may be, a breath of new distractions to pull at Easy’s attention that afternoon was a welcoming intrusion that he was behooved to allow. The whispers of missed orders, forgotten refills, inexact change, and so forth jargon of the business were set aside on the back-burner of his mind to leave room for what to wear, if anything, what to do before, during, and after the dance took place, how to comb his hair, what the weather will be like, and what the new name of the traditional dance all meant.

These distractions did not hinder Over Easy’s performance at his tasks of closing up shop, though after doing it for so many moons on end, he could close with his eyes closed. The last of the customers trickled out, regulars, newcomers, eclectics, all leaving the inviting and cosy cafe out of courtesy to the owner with a hope to return once again to get coffee and companionship. With the curtains already lowered to shield from Celestia’s piercing sun, Over Easy had to only offer a final wave goodbye to the old gentlecolt, who had to be reminded once again that it was closing time, and turn off the lights, which had become almost redundant with how much the light weakly reflected in from the minerals and rocks of the cobbled roads that lead to the cafe. The locks were locked, and the second home was prepared to be preserved for another night, primed for the next morning’s rush of faces, familiar and foreign.

Over Easy let in a deep breath, earning a popping in his chest, indicating that he hadn’t been breathing normally again, rather he had been taking short breaths, enough to keep him working, but not enough for comfort. The comfort was to come later as he walked up the stairs and turned the lock to his first home, opening the door to smell the still, stale air that wafted past him into the open terrain behind him, letting fresh air circulate around the abode. The contents of the home were all just so, in their places for Celestia knows how long, only to be moved after much deliberation and pleading on the subject, be it by necessity or aesthetic purposes, whatever Monte Cristo decided the reason to be at the time.

Over Easy creaked and cracked as he got ready to melt into his couch as the gramophone played whatever it desired into the hours it deemed fit to quit. Silence wasn’t suitable for Over Easy anymore, the noise of conversations and confessions being the new silence to him, an absence of sound being an indicator of something going wrong. Music was the closest and most healthy substitute to having a group of ponies conversing next to him while he slept.

What is with the name change of the dance? It had been the Fetlock Fete since Over Easy could remember, though his memory wasn’t much to pride over when it came to Ponyville traditions; only the culture was taken interest by him, since there were too many distractions and not enough time to dig in and understand the secret unspoken nomenclature of Ponyville, even if he had been living here- for how many years now?-The exact number was lost upon Over Easy.

Outside, the school-bell in the distance signalled another change of the hour, clashing tones with the gramophone, though not enough to dampen the music coming from it. The outside bustle was lulling down, though still audible even up above the streets of Ponyville, carriages bouncing, ponies laughing, and in the home above it all, Over Easy snoring.

…

4 bits for a couple of geraniums? It was ludicrous, Monte could have gone and picked them himself. In a distant life he would have, had he continued with the hobby, but running a cafe had been far from forgiving, and the garden had quickly turned from a plethora of flowers to a dull soil patch surrounded by lawn. He was planning on making a beautiful lucky pot filled with geraniums and at the centre, a small nestle of fresh danishes that Over Easy was preparing.

The last time they had been out like this had been years ago, just before the cafe got to the pace it had stayed all the time. They had dated every night, even if that was near bit-less. They had taken scarves and gone in the autumn down to where the leaves fell. It was simply breathtaking, and it didn’t cost a single bit. Not that that was any matter now, they had all the bits in the world to invest in a good night tonight. He supposed they should go out to dinner after the ball, there was always nice eateries near that part of town. The ones that high-rollers tend to go to,the ones that serve good honest food for the worthy pocket. Once upon a time, Over Easy would have cooked better, but his talent is put to use during the day in the cafe, then in the quiet hours in the morning baking the fresh goods ready for the morning. There was a pretty slim chance he had any drive to cook dinner after all that. Monte remembered one night where Over Easy had spent about an hour converting leftovers in the cafe into a beautiful stew. It had been one of the most amazing stews that Monte had ever eaten, and they had sat there with their bowls in hoof under a blanket listening to the midnight broadcast of ghost stories. Perhaps he should make a recipe book, getting Over Easy to recite the recipes to him and publishing it.

A testament to their love for cooking, and their love for each other. As little as they had been showing it. He walked past the rows of shops beginning to litter with the small colts and fillies in the school, some going to their little casual jobs, some going with friends to eat and play after a hard day at school. One of them looked familiar, Rarity’s sister, someone had told him she was looking for work. Monte had had his first relationship at a job. A colt slightly older than him had come in every day to order off of him. Little had he known at the time that the colt had been crushing on him. It was just one of those spring romances and didn’t survive past school or anything, but he still remembered how right he had felt.

He hadn’t even realised he was into colts until he had felt the warm tender lips of that colt on his cheek. It was like a jigsaw piece slotting into place, like everything had fit perfectly in the gap between their hooves grasps and interlocked lips. He hadn’t even been in love with the colt, just the idea of being in love with him. Him, it had been so hard to say, he had to say it out loud at least a dozen times. “I love… h-him,” He must have done that for ages. The name was irrelevant, it wasn’t the name he was in love with, but stallions? The word him? That was what was important. It was very uncomfortable, knowing such things and keeping them secret from ponies you so desperately want to tell mere meters away. All the cold mattresses after sleepovers and locked doors had not given their true nature away, until he was true and ready.

Mum had seen the cafe a couple of times, even helped out on busy days. But she preferred the sensibilities of retirement from the luxury of her house in a small town north of Ponyville. She had always preferred the pace of small town life, even small Ponyville was a bit small for her. She had been fragile ever since father had passed away. Her lifestyle had remained just as independent before and after dad’s passing, but she had grown emotionally vulnerable. She was slowly getting happier and happier with the way things were working, and she might’ve even moved to Ponyville had she gotten grand-kids.

Who knows, maybe it wasn’t too late? They had never ruled it out, but the cafe had taken that thought out of their heads many many moons ago at this point. Over Easy would have made a great father, he had always had that special way with kids. There went that school bell for the final time today, those large chimes. Shortly before the kids had invaded the town square. The site of them running amok and chattering away excitedly had brought a very rare smile these days, one only Over Easy had the power to pull from him. Yes, kids were certainly a discussion; maybe one day, when the cafe wasn’t running them.

Maybe.

…

Maybe some flowers. Those would be nice, right? Some perennials to light up the cafe would be nice. Though why get flowers today? They wouldn't be as fresh tomorrow if picked today.

"Flowers for today, yeah? I will get them"

Monte always had a green horn. There were a select few environments where his passions would thrive and the garden was one of them. Over Easy dreamt of the garden, smelling all the plants in them, though the dream was hazy, as if the memory of the garden was fading.

Today, today ...The dance was today! Over Easy jolted up from the couch, disoriented and heart pounding, moving frantically to the kitchen to check the time, only to see it as 4:43. There are so many things to do, the hair, the wardrobe, the bucket.

Over Easy turned on the oven, the recipe for his danishes flashing into his mind real quick before he got to work. The panic, the rush, the nerves all brought him back to the first day the cafe picked up. Under prepared was a gross understatement, considering they almost considered roasting some of the acorns from the tree in the park close to the cafe for coffee. The wave after wave of hungry customers came pouring in, one after another. It never ended from when they opened at 6 AM to close at 3 PM. Over Easy never found out what caused such a consistent increase in business, but he wasn't about to complain. The night of the big rush was filled with exhausted laughter and bewildered looks at how many bits they had acquired in that day alone. It was enough to pay for the bills AND buy the supplies and ingredients that had been siphoned earlier that day. It was tiring, but rewarding, and the bags that were under their eyes from that day forward was a testament to their commitment.

The danishes were almost ready to put in, though time was crucial. Over Easy set them in the oven and sighed, going through his mental checklist of what to still do. Shower! He probably smelled like sweat, grease, and coffee grinds, though he wouldn't object to still smell like coffee. It reminded him of what kept him sane during his bouts of insomnia and tedious days that yielded nothing from the cafe, the slow days that drove him mad as the clock slowly ticked away. Each day that he wasted serving a rare regular and kept washing the same front tables in hope and desperation that someone might come in and give the place a chance was another drip from his patience running dry, his dream getting crushed right in front of him and all that he sacrificed being for nothing. Easy shuttered at the memory and the warm water hitting his body, everything adjusting as the days grime washed away. That hollow feeling of dread being only a distant memory now that his business had picked up so much recently.

He had to time this perfectly. Celestia knew when Monte would be back to see Easy frantically getting everything together. He didn't have time to fix his hair up in the way he liked it, let alone pick out any fancy formal wear for the dance, the music in the background accenting his hysterical running back and forward to his dresser and the oven, checking on his hair and danishes. Both were looking sloppy and it was concerning him even more. The clock that he wished would tick faster all those years ago was being pleaded to slow down for just a couple of minutes. There wasn't enough time for anything these days.

….

Monte clutched his scarf tightly. It had been given to him as a gift by Over Easy. In-fact, now that he thought about it, it was his first anniversary gift. He clutched it tighter, feeling the warmth from his own body and still remembering the feeling of Over Easy putting it over his neck. It was just like how he felt from the day they first starting dating. His first real and proper coltfriend, it felt… strange to him. All the anxiety, all of the fear had left his body, but it was still scary. He felt scared to tell his parents, and he felt a rock whenever ponies could see them together, but just a touch, or a hold, or the warmth of Easy, and the fear was gone, and they were the only two ponies in the universe. The first kiss was outside of Monte’s place, and had terrified him to no end, the anticipation, the lead up, it was all very childish, looking back, but he felt like nothing else mattered as their lips slowly connected. This is what he had dreamt about, this is what he had waited for, what he had cried over so many sleepless nights. This one moment, there was no going back, he was gay. He had been saying it for years, the words “I am gay” never got easier, but manageable. But there he stood, feeling just like the first time he had whispered the words under his bed-sheets.

And there Over Easy was, right in front of him smiling, he could only have felt the exact same way. It was almost visceral, to see someone right in front of you, feeling the same things you are. But Monte had given him that, and felt it himself. These days the kisses felt natural and hardly to the same effect, yet still meant the same thing. ‘I love you, I always have, I always will, and everything we have done hasn’t changed that.’ He had always expected something to go wrong, and whilst it was the last thing he wanted, it still didn’t stop, preparing for the worst.

Danishes… Over Easy had remembered, and as Monte whipped his hooves on the welcome mat and flew open the door, the misty fresh smell of baked goods billowed forth. Time felt slow, the flowers in hoof, the danishes baking. It felt like he had centuries before the dance. There was nothing Monte liked more than living in the moment and here he was soaking every second. Monte put the flowers on the table and waltzed into the bedroom to get ready for the dance.

…

“Oh, hi there.” Over Easy looked up from the mirror, his hair still untamed and various accessories strewn across the bed, his heart rate spiking momentarily at the sudden arrival of Monte. He looked at the flowers in Monte’s hoof, smiling at the subvert reassurance that at least Monte is on top of everything. “Glad to see you back, dear.”

“Hair giving you trouble again, love?” Monte asked, a small smirk creeping onto his face as he watched Over Easy fiddle with the stray cow licks that would not stay in place.

“Oh, just a bit.” Easy set the comb down as his mane was finally in a position he would accept, then turned his head to look better at Monte, immediately feeling the strands shift and move back down into an uncontrolled mess once again. Easy closed his eyes and hit his hoof onto the dresser, rattling the things inside and on it, “I might as well not wash my mane if it’s going to get this uncontrollable each time.” Easy sighed, turning back to the mirror to attempt one more time to tame his mane.

Monte chuckled, “I think that is your safest idea for your hair yet.”

Over Easy rolled his eyes, though his ideas weren’t the most cautious, they worked for a time, at one point being so fed up with his mane that he gave himself an impulsive buzz cut, being the target of a lot of what Monte would consider ‘needed’ ridicule and teasing. Patrons of the cafe would ask if he were his own brother or a cousin, always making a blush form on his face as he proceeded to explain what happened for the umpteenth time that day. Another instance of one of his hair maintenance plans that came to mind was right before going on a date with Monte. He wanted to have a slicked back mane, but it wouldn’t even stay in a semi-kept style, and with all his brilliance and forethought, he decided to use glue to keep it back, since no other mane product would help. The glue helped, so much so that it kept it got painfully stuck to the back of his neck and he had to sit through the rest of the date not moving his head in any way.

Monte sat the flowers in a vacant vase, turning towards the strewn accessories, “You know the dance is a pretty casual thing, right? It doesn’t have any real dress code.”

Over Easy rose an eyebrow, “Well yeah, that’s why I’m only going with a tie. Though I haven’t been able to pick one that I think fits for tonight,” Easy finished brushing his mane one last time before it returned to its original mess. He sighed and smiled at Monte, shrugging as he finally gave up on the inevitability that is his messy mane.

“Honey, casual means we don’t need to wear anything. Not even a tie.”

“Oh,” It was that Canterlot that was still in him, born into a literal birthday suit and raised by caretakers that he considered more his parents than his actual biological mother and father. Even the most casual dances and balls that socialites put together required at least some distinguishing accessory like a tie or a button up shirt. Though the last dance in Canterlot he attended was during the night he broke up with the baker’s boy. Easy had gone all out that night, putting on the fanciest suit his caretaker had picked out for him, trying for more than an hour to get his mane back, only to once again give up in defeat, smelling of one of the finest colognes that money could buy. The event was a soiree at a mutual friend’s house, a lovely estate that would be a perfect date for the inseparable pair. They had danced late into the night, twirling around one another until they became dizzy and even then, they still danced. Rumours had spread around the whole night, whispers making their way around the couple as the whole party had come to an end. The baker’s boy was such a charming young stallion, new to the craft, yet still bridging on success, a hope for anypony who was equally passionate if not more to strive for success in the business world. Word had gotten to Over Easy, and though incredulous at first, things began to line up and fall into place, inconsistencies and gaps in judgement began to fill in, and it all made sense. The baker’s boy took Easy on one last dance, the two sweating and lightly fatigued by this point. Easy was only seeing red by that point, but kept a guise up for just a bit longer; he had been tricked for years at this point, who was to say he couldn’t have a few minutes for himself to conspire. Moonlight beamed down on the pair as they sat in the courtyard, a brief moment of privacy for the two. It had really only boiled down to one thing; business, though a risky business that left all involved never the same, a business that required an agreement, a set up for a favour, the baker wanting his boy to marry into Easy’s family, in exchange for a buy-out of the baker’s business from Easy’s father. The relationship between the two was built on a false premise of love, feinting the true intentions of a trade agreement. The baker’s boy never had any intention of loving Over Easy, and once the secret of the agreement was out, the baker’s boy snapped at Easy like the whole thing was his fault. Teary lenses always covered that memory, as their relationship crumbled, Easy walking away entirely to start over again, to get away from all the formalities, to get away from his backstabbing family, to get away from him. The baker’s boy had called out after him, regretting his decisions only then, calling , “Easy, honey? Easy!”

“Easy!”

Over Easy snapped out of his daze and smiled at Monte, “I’m sorry. Something from work had caught my mind. What were you saying?”

“Nothing, just that the danishes are smelling really nice this time around” Monte took another sniff of the air, his smile getting wider the more he inhaled.

“Right, the danishes. Thank you,” Over Easy shifted for a moment, “I’m going to go check on them. Once they’re ready, we should be good to go!” Easy smiled, the excitement catching in his voice. This night would be better. Hopefully.

….

It was cold, maybe he should have worn something after all. But, as sure as the danishes were delicious, the cool air whizzed about, sending a shiver down Monte’s spine. Between idle conversation there would be a chill here and there, but Over Easy didn’t seem to feel it. He had always been warm. It must be a hereditary thing, because his parents had the same affliction against the cold, but based on the vague and far-between stories that Monte got of his parents, it seemed like they were cold dwellers with all their trips to the snow covered north.

Monte’s parents were far from that level of wealth and sophistication, being the runner of a small bookshop in Manehattan is certainly not the most wealthiest of roles in society, but it had certainly bred a bookworm out of him. Many warm evenings spent curled up in a blanket whilst his parents read the most amazing of stories to him, and sometimes, even his friends from school would join in on the fun. So there they would sit, with hot chocolate or tea, wrapped in a blanket and using each other for warmth as Mum or Dad belted out passages of this book or that. They really had been great parents, but now there was no hot chocolate, or blankets. It was getting colder, good thing he had Easy to cuddle up to.

“Huh, you’re feeling affectionate tonight,” Over Easy cooed between the basket betwixt his teeth.

“I’m feeling cold, but yes, that too I guess,” Monte replied.

“Is everything alright Monte?”

Was everything alright? He simply couldn’t tell. But that, he supposed, was telling enough. If this was an argument to be having with oneself.

…

That look, that gaze that showed his soul through his eyes, that look was only saved for moments of pondering prolong confusion and sudden surprises. It was the look that Monte gave Easy after they had their first kiss, a swirling concoction of revelation and elation, indescribable by either still to this day, though today was not something that would prompt reminiscence of it, was it? Are there signs I am missing? Am I looking too deep into it? The window to Monte’s soul was open, but Easy had a hard time seeing through it clearly.

Easy was a pony who planned for the long term, he was good at that, good at planning things out when he had the time to be comfortable with everything he did, but random acts, short term impromptu actions always made him anxious, since he had little time to understand what might happen before it already happens, had I forgotten something, or was it something that I should have reminded him to bring. Their fur shifted apart from each other when Over Easy had to walk around a pothole, a hollow cool nothingness briefly taking its place between the two.

His jacket! It must be his jacket, that’s what I forgot to remind him of, he must be freezing right now. So he really wasn’t being all that affectionate then, was he?--Easy smiled as best as he could with the wicker in his mouth, and moved back closer to Monte, sharing his love and body heat with his companion. Were it any other night, or any more time for that matter, Easy would slow down to a pace where he could enjoy the world that was right next to him, his world. Though things have been so rushed for so long, quick kisses en passing from customer table to kitchen, no time to enjoy cuddling with one another before one of them drifts off to sleep from how exhausted they both were, no dates, little love, little romance, the fire was still going, but no one had the time to stoke it. Was the fire still going? Were there flames licking at the two or was there a smouldering bed of coals, clinging to life in spite of the neglect from Easy, was Monte wanting more? Could I give him more?

The more he thought about it all, the more his smile faded into the basket handle, his expression still staring at Monte’s eyes, but as a mirror to look into his own soul, to understand what his situation could be. Was everything ok?

Author's Note

One of only two chapters, hope you enjoyed!

2. Evening

Monte hated a fake smile. Why couldn’t ponies just say their feelings, speak their mind? How was he supposed to know the latte was burnt or that the flowers weren’t the right type, or his expectations were too high, he left that one to the imagination. But regardless, there he stood, dancing along with a grin wider than the ocean plastered on his face, when all he wanted was a god damned nap. What kind of day off saw his hooves slung around Over Easy as they waltzed around whilst his hooves ached and his eyes drooped. It had barely cracked 7pm and he felt like a retiree couple after a particular large batch of plain porridge. How Selfish, Over wanted to come, they hadn’t gone out for months. Every time Over had offered for a picnic, or a walk, or even a damn cup of coffee, Monte had said the same thing; “I’m sorry, maybe later when I’m less tired.” Who could have guessed ‘maybe later’ would fall into the ‘never’ category. It broke his heart to see that falter of defeat in Over’s face, he felt horrible, disgusting, but how could even consider leaving the house when he could barely leave the couch? But nothing changed, and the guilt renewed itself, it’s easy to forget when a fake smile sprinkled through Over’s clearly disappointed face.

His hooves were aching, his face was strained, there was sweat, he could literally feel the tiredness trying to send him toppling over. Maybe if he collapsed he could get 8 hours in the Ponyville Hospital.

How in Equestria could he think like that? This was about Over, and Over enjoying his night off, no expense, they had spent the whole of half a day preparing around the cafe. He had to plough on, and plough on he did, shaky hoof step after shaky hoofstep, maybe Over was talking. He avoided it and ploughed on, Monte had never been one for talking, maybe Over would just assumed he smiled and went along. Monte was simple, no fuss, no expectations, he just loved being there, but he could tell Over wanted him to take control more, he knew that Over wanted him to step up and take control of their relationship a bit more. Not once recently had he been the one to ask Over for a date, he just sat back and let the relationship go for a ride. He really wished that Over would tell him what he wanted more, those fake smiles told no stories, gave no feedback. Yet, how could he talk? He had been smiling the whole night, right up until the yak had ploughed into him from behind.
…

He looked so tired, as if each movement made had to be debated between the mind and body. It pained Over Easy to watch Monte exert himself like he was doing. He always looked tired nowadays. There was plenty of reasons to be tired, given the line of work they were in, and Over felt responsible for that. They never had time to do anything together anymore because of the work that was put upon them by the responsibilities of working at the cafe. From the moment they had gotten there till up until now, as they danced, Monte was yawning, getting increasingly less coordinated as time dripped away. Each dance looked like a duel between consciousness and collapse. Over Easy Hated it.

Monte Cristo was as dedicated if not more dedicated to seeing the cafe thrive and prosper as a result of their hard work put in together, but his will didn’t match his body’s endurance, and desync created a harmful habit of overworking himself almost into a fit. Easy had seen it too many times. The day would be over, and as Over would flip the sign from open to closed, he would hear Monte almost collapsing behind him. There were numerous talks on the subject, but none ever yielded a solution. The “late night” arguments that were held at 7PM-they were both drowsy by then-always ended in Monte swearing left and right that he would be more easy on himself and that he wouldn’t push himself that much anymore. Monte kept many promises, but Easy knew that these two weren’t any that he would keep. All Easy could do at this point was smile, hoping not to present himself as ungrateful for the effort Monte was putting in.

Could they change hours for the cafe? Would that affect their business? Was it really a choice between someone who he loved with all his heart’s health and profit? The very thought of that sent a sickening slow chill down Easy’s back. He would have looked disgusted if he weren’t trying to keep a smile for Monte. There was too much to think about and a dance with bass pumping music that shook the ground was not a good place to be thinking about it. Come to think of it, the music wasn’t even that loud. So what was shaki-

...

It took mere seconds for the enormous yak in the middle of the room to vanish, along with the music and any sign that this was a dance. Monte felt dizzy, he plopped his rear on floor, did he feel something underneath his rear? He couldn’t really tell, all he knew was he wanted water and maybe a cool spot. Over Easy looked concerned, that look he gives in bed when he is talking about something important, and he just wants what is best for their happiness, he was so sweet like that. The look made him feel safe, and sublime, it was like looking at a heated bed on a winter's night, or a long forgotten stuffed teddy found once again, something just for him. That concerned look was just for him, and it made his heart flutter before he stumbled on his front hooves once again.

Over Easy had scooped his hooves under him at some point, because here he was, getting half carried off the dance floor by his partner. Then they were outside, from thinking all day it was near amazing how blank his mind had gone in those moments. Now there is water in his hooves, Over must have gotten it.

...clarity.

“Over, we should probably talk about this...”

They stood on a balcony overlooking castle next to the school. The fountains were shimmering in the moonlight. Here nopony could see them, Monte could only assume Over had brought him here alone as the night was crisp and silent.

“Talk about what, honey?”

Monte took another long sip of his water, sputtering slightly and panting slightly. “About the business, about you, about me… Over, really, we need to talk about us.”

“What sparked this?” Over chuckled nervously, looking from side to side in an effort to make eye contact with something other than his sweating, half-dying dance partner.

“Look at me, Over, in fact, look at you. We’re run ragged, all the time. I know we don’t want to admit it because this business is everything, when did it become everything? When did everything stop being about us?” Monte sighed.

“What do you mean? It’s always been about us. We’ve been working so hard, day in and day out to bring our business to where it is now. I’ve tried, Monte, I’ve tried to get you to ease yourself up on working so hard. I love you and I don’t want to see you work yourself to death. Is that what this is about?” Over bit the bullet and looked into Monte’s strained and hurt eyes, immediately feeling a pain of guilt stir within him.

Monte looked at him and put his hoof on Over’s own, “This business is our everything, our whole lives built around your beautiful fresh bread and my coffees, but I didn’t fall in love with the business. I want us to slow down, but I don’t want to disappoint you or sacrifice the business. How do we do this because we can’t go on like this.”

Over Easy felt a hypersensitive tingling all over his body, the ground beneath him feeling all the colder. He craned his neck for a moment, before releasing a tired, defeated yawn, “How long have you been thinking about this? Because I’ve been thinking about it too, you know. I was thinking about ways to possibly ease the burden we put on ourselves.”

“You’re so special to me Over Easy, I think we need to step back and spend time together, I really think we should hire someone to look after the place every now and again, we’re earning enough to even hire two. I know the cafe was always going to be our thing, but it’s taking away everything else.”

“You’re right. I’ve been stepping back from time to time to see what kind of state we are in during the day. It’s always so hectic, like we can never get a moment to breathe properly, and as the day keeps going on, it just keeps getting worse and worse. I understand where you’re coming from, and maybe hiring someone else would be a good idea.” Over Easy paused for a moment to move both his hoof and Monte’s onto each other’s shoulder, “But I don’t want to be the one who is the only decider of these things anymore, especially on subjects like our relationship. I don’t want to keep on offering a date only to be shot down for the nth time, for good reason of course. I love you, with all of my heart, Monte, but I want to be able to show my love to you with more than just a kiss on the forehead, or a whispered good night to you before we fall asleep. I want to take you to places, places that I never could have when we first started all of this. I want to have real dates, but I can’t Monte. I can’t if you don’t tell me where you want to go, what you want to do, and when you want to do it. I just...don’t want to lose you.”

Monte looked down and sighed, “You know what, I’ve tried so hard, I came tonight and danced when I felt like collapsing because I try for you. But how can I try when this stupid cafe is constantly wearing me thin. You’ve been talking and waving aside getting help for months, and I have constantly tried to fix that! You don’t fix anything Over, you just let it fester, like the cafe, like our relationship, like the Celestia damned smile on your face tonight,” Monte was standing up now, looking down at Over and staring with a hard look on his face. “Can you honestly sit there and tell me that you enjoyed every second of that dance? Can you sit there and tell me you weren’t in the slightest bit tired?”

Over Easy recoiled, as if being splashed with Monte’s precious water that he was nursing so tenderly, “Tired? Of course I’m tired, Monte. Tired of having to keep you from collapsing during the middle of a lunch rush, tired of getting rejected every time I want to save this catatonic relationship! I’m getting real tired of hoping, for once that you are enjoying yourself with the things that I had to pick crocodile teeth just to arrange! I am trying to fix things, but I’ve started talking to a stool in the cafe about what to do, because it’s more responsive than you are!”

“How can I be responsive when I’m bone tired all the time! You’re not fixing things! We are still running that thing solo because you’re too manly, or you’re too stubborn, I don’t know which anymore.” Tears were welling in Monte’s eyes as he angrily tried frisking them away, snapping at Over as he did so. “It’s breaking my heart seeing what we’ve become, but you still do nothing about it.” And with a dry heave Monte burst into tears and turned around so Over couldn’t see him. He hung over the balcony as tears gently started falling into the courtyard below. “I don’t wanna lose you… But I don’t know how sniff to help you,” He stammered.

“What of me is there to help? All I’ve been trying to do is help you! If you want a new hire, fine! I’ll get on it tomorrow. You want me to change the hours for the cafe to be shorter? I’ve got that, no problem. You want me to raze the whole operation? Burn it to the ground and salt the earth where it once stood? In a heartbeat! Just give the word, and I will do as you command, because I haven’t heard a thing from you before now. I ask all the time, but there’s so little time and too much to ask. And apparently all my decisions have been utter garbage for you to be this angry with me, but you won’t speak up! Lend me your voice! Shout at me, cry, spit, yell, just let me know what I can do to fix this relationship, because I can only do so much.” Over got increasingly belligerent, opting to pace around the balcony yelling this way and that, but never at Monte.

Monte sat there, sniffling. “I’m.. sorry… I just. I’m not good at saying what I need to, you know that. I want to say things, I just. Don’t know how to. I know there is a problem, but I don’t know how to talk about it,” He whimpered. “I want to help you, but I always wanted you to come to me, I don’t know how to take control…”

Over Easy turned to Monte, “I...don’t know either. I guess it’s easier for me to say to just tell me what you think than you to do that, isn’t it. Wha-What’s stopping you? Like, from talking to me.” He wiped tears from his eyes, perplexed at them, having not noticed that he had begun crying as well.

“Words get jumbled in my head and I’m scared that it’s gonna come out wrong, or that it’s not good enough. I don’t trust myself. I think constantly, all the time, about everything, but never say it, because I don’t want to be responsible I guess. I let you take the reins, I don’t get the chance to disappoint you or hurt you,” Monte sighed.

“I would never be disappointed with you if you voiced your ideas and opinions. I think about things too, a lot actually, but I can’t think of everything. The few things you have said to me I have valued deeply, since I wasn’t able to think of them myself. The problem we are facing is that we don’t have time to sit down and talk. I should have been there more to help you through this communications roadblock, but the business has been in the way. How about we close the cafe tomorrow, give ourselves some time to think. What do you think about that?” Over closed his eyes, composing himself as his voice wavered slightly from his yelling earlier.

“B-but, what about the cafe? Surely we can’t-”

“We can, and we will. I’m sure our customers will understand, and it’s not like everyone is going to be out and about early in the morning after this debacle that we’ve found ourselves in tonight, right?” Over Easy smiled, looking back into the school where he could only imagine travesty to be occurring.

“I want to be more open, but I just don’t know how to,” he sighed. “Maybe it’s just me, just how I’ll be. How do you deal with me? Honestly…”

“One day at a time. It’s a lovely cycle of communication barriers. Though that doesn’t change what I love about you, dear.” Over Easy looked, once again, at his less sweaty, but slightly more dishevelled partner.

Monte smiled and sniffled a bit, “I still get flutters when you say stuff like that.... I’m sorry I haven’t been giving that back to you.”

“Well, I can certainly say that wasn’t expecting this whole mess to happen during this date, but complaining won’t do much, now will it?” Over Easy sat down next to Monte, feeling a small chill run up his spine. “You must be cold, are you?”

“Yeah, a little I guess.,” Monte ran his hoof long his shoulder, feeling the cold he didn’t realise before, “Maybe a bit more than I realised,” He wiped his eyes one more time and leaned against Over. “I’m sorry… I don’t talk to you enough.”

“It’s...fine. It’s just one of the things we have neglected in our relationship, one of the many it seems. Things will get better, hopefully. I can’t say for certain, but if we work on improving each other, we will be able to improve ourselves.” Over Easy sighed. Though there was no physical altercation, he was still shaking from the whole situation, unable to understand why. “This was our first real argument, wasn’t it?”

“I guess so… I’m sorry.. Damn, I can’t stop saying that, can I,” He looked down, a pensive expression across his face.

“What do you have to be sorry for? You spoke your mind, albeit a bit aggressively, you did communicate to me what you thought was wrong. I’m proud of you, Monte,” Over wanted to hug Monte, but still felt the lingering tension of the argument that told him otherwise.

“I shouldn’t be angry at you, what fault was it of yours? I shouldn’t have gotten angry and I shouldn’t have been so harsh on you. You were just trying to fix things and I was sitting here being miserable,” Monte pulled himself away from Over and stood by one of the white marble pillars.

Over began to reach out to his partner, though dropped his hoof-That’s what I need to do, I need to start reading body language better. Why haven’t I been able to see that before?- Over tilted his head, looking over the form of Monte in the moonlight, the shadow of his head reaching the base of Easy’s hooves, almost inviting him to caress and cradle his hurting lover, and beg forgiveness.

Although he had to ask himself, what was this relationship to Monte? He thought to himself as Over’s hoof came shuttling over to hold onto him. He wanted Over to hold him, it always felt warm, it felt safe, it felt like every other time he had done it. But what did he play in this? How could he possibly help or be of benefit to Over. was Over in love with him?

Or was he in love with a relationship?

What truly defined this for him? Monte would never forget the first night they had opened the cafe. It had been the happiest day of his life, maybe Over had forgotten it, maybe he had too, at least for a time. Ambition, there was no ambivalence about it, no stagnation. The road was yet to be paved, and now there they stood, the bricks were laid, the cafe was there, working, and there they were happy.

What else was there? How had Monte gotten so… stale.

Over felt like there was an understanding, a resolution to the disagreement, but felt so lost. Was there more to talk about, were there still things to plan or to sort out? Monte looked almost despondent at this point, and Over felt so confused. The nuances of high class society and social etiquette had not prepared him to face this boundary, whatever it was. He sat there, unable to say anything, was there anything to say, or was there too much already said. Over settled on saying the one thing that he believed could never be said enough, “You know I still love you, right?”

… but maybe it didn’t matter sometimes, it was the small things, as cheesy as he thought that sounded. Monte’s heart still fluttered at the mere words that came from Over’s mouth. It wasn’t the cafe, it wasn’t even the lack of time together, it was something neither of them had thought to think. “Maybe it’s not the business. Over, we should hire some ponies to run the cafe … because I’m thinking. Why don’t we make a degustation? Think about it! Foodies from all over Equestria for our seasonal degustations, a spring, and an autumn event! Ponies would love it, and now Ponyville is tourist hotspot this would be perfect. Over… I’d get to spend every day doing food science and making brand new dishes with you...”

Over thought for a moment, making some odd faces, then smiled, “That sounds like a good idea. We wouldn’t be overworked by either project and we would be getting income from both. That sounds like a great idea, Monte!”

“We do it in our own time, and we work three days a week at the cafe, not seven. We’ll be changing everything Over, we got complacent, we got stale. Even if the degustation flops, we would have done it together.” Monte grabbed Over’s hoof and placed it over his chest, sinking into his partner’s soft fur. “Would you like to go back to the dance?”

Over almost melted then and there, smiling happily, “Monte, I would love to.”

“I love you Over..”

“I love you, too, Monte.”