“Weren't you hesitant about this whole dating thing a day ago?” Melody groaned as Rarity continued to measure her.

“Darling,” Rarity said gidally, “I may be a friend with your best interests, but I’m a hopeless romantic and artis first and foremost. Now hold still for a little longer.”

Melody huffed. “I mean, it’s just a date to his nieces birthday party.” That he was nervous about being judged by his family, she reminded herself.

“Dear, sweet Melody,” Rarity waved a hand, “A stallion inviting you to be his plus one to any such event is not, just a date. No, no! If you two really have gotten that far already, it’s more or less destiny.”

“Easy there, Rarity,” Twilight added as she conducted her own test on the side. “Let’s not overwhelm her. Would you mind sticking out your tongue?”

Melody rolled her eyes as she let Twilight look down her throat. “So, anything I should worry about?”

“Seems like everything is alright.” Twilight noted as she wrote on her clipboard. “If you mean with the whole sexual attraction thing; still only speculation. Although I suppose at the end of the day romance is all about how you feel rather than any science.”

“It’s not how, I, will feel that I’m worried about.” Melody sighed.

Rarity and Twilight looked at each other.

“I mean,” Melody tried to explain, “I, we, they, are attracted to him while I’m me. But, well-

“We know the feeling,” Rarity assured. “Why, take Fluttershy and Spike after Silent Learner came and went.” She winked at Twilight. “Or you and me from time to time as Dainty?”

“Rarity!” Twilight flushed. “Regardless, Melody, for right now, it is what you want to do. It’s great you care about this stallion to be worried about him after this is all over. However, you said he understands, so it’s better to live and love now while you can, than regret never having been later.”

“My, Twilight,” Rarity giggled. “And here I thought I was the romantic.”

Twilight bemusedly shook her head. While Melody found herself able to bear the rest of the dressing and testing.

*****

Day 3

Looking in the mirror at himself, West took in a deep breath. Hair, check. Shoes, check. There was sure to be something he’d-

There was a knock at his door.

“Coming!” He shouted down. Guess there would never be good. Only good enough.

He opened the door, and the sight in front of him nearly took his breath away. Rarity really knew how to dress someone up.

“Hey,” he said, short of breath.

“Hi,” Melody beamed. Pleased to see all the pain Rarity put her through seemed to be paying off. “That outfit really does you good.”

West blushed. “Same can be said for you.”

She giggled. “Well, are we just going to compliment how hot we are, or keep your niece waiting?”

“Right!” West shook his head. “Shall we?” He extended his arm.

Melody hooked her arm into his. “We shall.”

They started off their little walk to the party at the community center with smiles. The closer they got, the more knots that formed in West’s stomach.

“You okay?” Melody asked.

“I guess. I mean! I’m sure they’ll love you.” He let out a click.

Melody squeezed his arms. “If it’s that much of an issue.”

West breathed. “No. I want to. Believe me. I do. Besides, if and when you first meet the family, it might be better in a larger, public, setting than to just have my dad surprise crash one of my dates.”

“Hey!” Melody brought them to a stop and unhooked his arms to stare him dead in the eyes. “Look, I’m nervous too. Maybe not with the same thing you are, but in other ways about all,” she waved her hands in the air. “But we can either worry about the what if’s, or, we can enjoy the moment. Your parents can say whatever they want about you bringing a mysterious mare on a date to a birthday party, and App-My two halfs can sort out how they feel about you later.”

West nodded. “Okay… Actually, you’re very right! Also,” he took her hand, “I promise, whatever happens, thank you. You’ve been the best thing that’s happened to me in a log time.”

Melody raised an eyebrow. “Better than the season two mid-fnale to My Little Human?”

“Well,” he drew out with a wave of his hands. “I mean, if I really had to choose...

They let out a relieved laugh, and Melody gave him a kiss on the cheek. West blushed, and they continued on their way.

By the time they made it to the community center, the birthday party had already started. With popular music being blasted loudly enough to be heard on the other side of the park the center was postponed at. The first thing the pair of the saw was a bounce house out front. As they got closer, they could pick out foals from West’s nieces school running around playing tag. A sight brought a smile to both his and Melody’s faces. That was, until, the first couple of adults started to notice West. Or rather, the fact that he hadn’t come to the event alone.

“Hey, West!” One of his aunts spoke up first. “Who’s your friend?”

For a moment, he started to tense up. This wasn’t good. He couldn’t have negative attention around himself! That meant ponies would talk. And if ponies talked, they might say he looked silly! And if he looked silly, he was sure to-

Sensing West’s dismay, Melody gave his arm a soft squeeze. Turning to look at her reassuring and warm smile, melted away, momentarily, any fears he had. Of course, by then, even more family members became interested in West and his mare, friend he had brought. Walking arm and arm with no less.

So, to Melody’s delight, he answered honestly, “This is my date, Melody Orchard. I hope that was okay.”

His step brother, father of the birthday girl in question, also drawn in by the fact his normally recluse and interverted brother, brought a, rather preaty looking date, responded.

“No, man, it’s all good, bro.” He offered his hand and name, to which Melody returned the gesture.

“Hello there!” A small voice said from beneath them.

“Aw!” Melody coo’ed and looked down at the filly with a crown marked, Birthday Girl. “West, is this your adorable little neice you were telling me about?”

Kaydence let out a giggle. “I am.”

Melody smiled. “Well, happy birthday then.” She then pulled out a small brightly covered package. To which Kaydence cheered.

For a moment, West started to relax and enjoy himself.

“West?” His father called out to him. Ruining the moment.

“Dad.” West said with a cringe, turning to his dad. “Hey, lovely day.”

“Yeah,” his father smiled, looking at the mystery mare besides him. “Who’s your friend?”

Melody blinked and turned to look at West’s father. For the moment, despite how tense West seemed, she couldn’t notice anything wrong at first glance with his dad. Perhaps it was just generally father son strains. Then again…

“Melody Orchard,” Melody offered with a hand and warm smile. “And you must be West’s father.”

“Yes,” his dad said, giving Melody’s hand a bit of a firm shake

“Um, yeah.” West gulped. ‘She’s… She’s, um-

Melody frowned at his nervousness, and began to feel uneasy at his father’s quizzical gaze at herself. So, to get to the bottom of things, she swiftly threw out,

“His date!” To empathize her point, she grabbed onto his arm.

West’s eyes widened at Melody’s forwardness, but not wanting to give his dad anything else to complain about, he held in his shock.

“Um, yes,” he spoke above a whisper. “Yes she is.” Holding onto Melody tightly, he could tell from his dad's expression that they were about to have a long talk.

“I see.” his dad said with a smile. “Hey, West, you think you can lend me a hand with something really quick?”

West sighed. “Sure, dad.” He answered dryly, knowing fighting it wouldn’t help.

“I’ll join you!” Melody beamed on the outside. As on the inside, all she could do was fight to not lash out, as she was not about to leave her stallion when it seemed like he needed her the most. Which was all the more confirmed when his father broke his smile.

“Thanks, miss, but you don’t have-

“I insist.” she hissed, starting to walk forward with West in tow. Causing both West and his father to be taken a back.

West, however, held her back. “Mel, it’s fine. You should just enjoy the party.” he nervously chuckled as ponies started to stare.

Melody gave him a stern stare that West tried to return, only coming across as more terrified. Causing Melody for a moment to consider doing just that.

However, it was his father who broke the stand off.

“Alright.” he said to their surprise he said. “Just a little help inside with the stage and karaoke machine. Shouldn’t take too long.” He then turned his back to them and walked inside.

As he did so, he whispered into Melody’s ear, “Thanks. You really don’t have to. It’s not like he’s not going to eventually get alone together with me sooner or later.

“Hey,” she assured, following his dad inside as she stroked his arm. “It will be fine.”

West clicked his tounge, but said nothing to that.

*****.

Once inside, not to West’s surprise, his dad tried everything to get Melody to leave even just for a minute. Well, he did try to be all friendly, ask how she and West meet, where she came from, the likes. But he would also ask her to get something or another that was away from the stage they were working on, and that stubborn mare always found a way to not leave either of them alone.

His dad ask for a power drill he ‘might’ of left outside, shed pick up a screwdriver and just as easily screw in the screws. Could she go see if she could get someone to help life a table, she shout at someone passing by, or prove between the three of them she was strong enough. Had to run an extension cord outside? Giving his dad a deadpan look, she plug the speakers into a power outlet that was hidden under the stage.

‘Gods, she's beautiful!’ West thought to himself as she would always smile at him when one of his dads attempts failed.

Still, as turned on as he was, he still couldn’t relax under his dad’s wandering eyes. Waiting, thinking, knowing, and to cope, he was starting to shut down emotionally. Only answering in, “uh huh’s. “Sure.” And, “Yups.”

Although what really tip the scales was, while asking how they met, West told him about their first run in with Carousel Boutique. To which, his father questioned if a ‘dress shop’ was really the best place for a stallion to get an outfit.

Melody stared slack jaw at that statement. She then continued the conversation, with as much control of her emotions as she could of.

“Well, I mean, it’s not as if the shop only stokes dresses for mares, sir.” She let out the, sir, part through gritted teeth. “The element of generosity has great taste, if I do say so myself.” She smiled at West, who relaxed at that. “So then I decided to go golfing, and wouldn’t you know it, there he was again! It was almost as if someone wrote it out to be so.”

To her surprise, his father seemed less than thrilled at that.”

“So,” he spoke to his son, “you were flirting when you were supposed to be working? Also, miss, you think you can find us some water bottles?”

Melody snapped.

“Okay! If you have some kind of problem with me, you can say it to my face rather than trying to get me to leave.”

“What?” the stallion said alarmed. “Of course not. You’ve been a great help-

Tired of the acting and wanting to get it over with, and seeing it was only the three of them within earshot, memories flooding back to West.

“What?” West protested. “You don’t want to talk to me about how I should of told you first I was going to bring a date? Or maybe before I got another girlfriend?” He huffed. “Or maybe something else I did that was wrong and silly.”

His father sighed, looking from his son to Melody. “What? No! I’m glad you bought somebody. Although, you should have told me ahead of time.”

“Yeah, like I have to do with everything in my life no matter how small.” West fumed. “Or maybe just me being happy is too much for you.

Hi father bit his lip. “You know, you’re not being fair. I’m just trying to help you. Why do you have to fight me?”

“Because whenever I do, you always find something wrong with it.”

“Well, I’m sorry if when I do so your house is always a mess.”

“Well I’m sorry if I can’t have every single suffice-

“Would you both stop acting like foals?” Melody injected.

Both stallions jolted to attention.

“Yeah, both of you.” she glared at West, but then turned back to his father. “I may not have the whole picture, but I can already tell you that if my little sister brought a surprise colt to a party as a plus one, I wouldn’t be all over her and act like she should of told me every little detail about her life.”

West chuckled, but regretted it when she turned on him.

“As for you-

Seeing there was no one else to talk to, West asked, “What, me? How am I suddenly in the wrong here?”

“Hey,” she motioned to his dad, “it's not as if you’ve been acting any less rational or whining throughout all of this.”

Angry, West spat out, “Well I didn’t ask you to get in the middle of this.” He hated himself the moment the words left his mouth.

Melody blinked. She then said, “Well… Fine. I’ll leave you two alone then.” She curtsied to his dad. “A pleasure, sir.” She then walked away.

“Mel, wait!” West called out starting to chase after.

“Hey, we’re not done here.” His father said.

West felt a ton of bricks in his feet. Knowing that if he chased after Melody, there would be consequences. However, to his and Melodies surprise, he ignored his father, and followed behind his marefriend.

****

They found a quiet corner of the community center to be alone in. Both ponies trying to get their bearings on what had just happened.

“West-

“Melody-

They both blinked, unsure of who was suppose to go first.

“No,” Melody beat out, “that was unfair of me. I can see why you have a lot of stress with you dad more.”

West lowered his head and laughed. “Hey, as much as it hurt, it wasn’t as if you were wrong.” He sighed. “I know deep down, he wants to help me. It’s just-

“He cares too much?” Melody pulled on her dress. “You want to be more independent? Yeah, that bit about my sister, Applejacks Applebloom… Yeah, AJ could get really overprotective sometimes. Hey,” she stood closer to West, “he still shouldn’t treat you like that. Although, and please try not to take this the wrong way, but, why do you put up with him?”

West cringed. “It’s… Well, if I’m honest, next to the homie thing, it’s a story I’m scared will turn you off from me the most.” He lowered his head. “It’s what happened with me ex.”

Melody placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Okay.” West breathed. “So, that whole My Little Human thing, yeah, he didn’t take that well when he found out. I think I was singing out loud to the happy song and hadn’t realized he was home at the time.”

“Oh my.” Melody blushed. “That, must of been a talk.”

West snorted. “Oh yeah. Truth be told, I was still living in my parents basement, somewhat content with my life and in no hurry to leave the safe, cheap, comfort of home. Then I discovered the show and many other ‘foals’ program, and even learned I could practice my writting skills with fan fiction. Kind of somewhat a dream of mine to be an author… A very work in progress.”

Melody chuckled. “I’d still love to see your works one day.

“Thank you.” West smiled. “Although, even before then, I was kind of always the odd kid. Never really fitting in, a ton of mental problems, and as I became an adult who still lived with his parents, yeah.”

“I’m surprised then that they wouldn’t be the type who’d actively try to kick you out then.” Melody said.

“Eh,” West scratched his head. “Like I said, I do think they want what’s best for me. Kind of dose lead me into my current mess where he’s still ridding me though. After he and mom found out I was a Homie, as happy as it made me, they gave me every reason you can think of why a grown stallion shouldn’t watch kid shows.” He swished his tail. “Ponies calling you freak, pedo, stallionchild, ‘I didn’t realize your son was that autisic… Actually, the more I say it, the more i think they care more about their inmagine than mine.”

Within Melodys mind, she pictured a young Coluratura who was told over and over again by her own parents that she would never make it in the music industry. The foals who’d teased her for some of her outlandish outfits. From the time-

“So it was then and there I decided, was time to leave.” West continued. “Of course, I did have some plan beyond just pack up and leave. Wouldn’t of been easy, find an apartment, ask for a raise, find some extra income. I work in the winter at barnyard bargains for the hoildays. However,” he cringed, “dad got wind, and he, well, didn’t stop me. However, he said” he coughed and told the next part in a mocking tone, “I could get an apartment. Or, ‘ could wait a year or two, save up, and let him help me buy a house instead. And, as eager as I was to get out, and maybe because I was, still am, a little spineless and not liking to argue, agreed to it. Which means, yeah, I got a house instead, but it’s in his name too. So if I try to go against him or do anything he dosn’t like, then I’ll be up a creak without a paddle.” He sniffled. “Sorry. I know it's a bit of a sob story.

Melody let out a laugh. “Hey now, I don’t think you're pathetic.”

West raised an eyebrow at her.

“At least, I get why-

She paused, and realized that what she wanted to tell him came from Coloratura's memories. Still, if he was brave enough to share all of that, she owed it to him as a reward to let herself be vulnerable.

“Well, I have experience as well of parents and even foals saying what I wanted to do in life was stupid and silly, and how gettting started took a lot of risk.”

West squinted. “Is this your other half’s story? Cause, from what little I know, doesn’t seem like Applejacks.”

Melody breathed. “It is. Although no, you’re not getting a name that easily.” she teased to let off some tension. To which West acted all mad, but smiled.

“Anyways,” Melody continued after giggling. “Yeah, and I mean, maybe you should of gone with the apartment and not have to worry about your dad. Also, I’m far from saying he’s in the right here, but it still sounds like you’ve had better support than I did. Although,” she lowered her head, “it is the struggles that make us who we are. The fact that, even if you did need your parents help, you were able to move out, and do what you love despite any backlash is something to be proud of.”

“That’s,” West said a smile as they held hands. “Yeah. Thank you. Really needed to hear that, Melody. I... Wow. Never realized how little self-esteem I’ve had.”

Beaming, she leaned over to him and gave him a kiss on the lips. “Of course. And hey, while my secret half,” she winked, “is happy where she is, she had low confidence too. I just said what I could have used when she first started.”

“Well, you and her are an incredible mare.” West happily returned the kiss, and they held each other for a moment as the sound of karaoke could be heard from the main hall.

“Although,” Melody said as she pulled away with a devilish smirk. “If you’re looking for a way to boost your self confidence, as well as to stick it to your dad on what makes you happy, I may have a somewhat crazy idea.”

West titled his head. “What are you up too?”

With a giggle, she led him back to the main room and made an assumption on what she had in mind.

“Eh,” West dug in his feet as the sound of uncle singing One Way, vibrated through the building. “You sure this is a good idea? I mean, I just-

“Oh,” Melody frowned. “I mean, well, you know, if you’re really that uncomfortable with singing some karaoke with me, that’s fine. Was just an idea.”

West started to say so, but then remembered something he had read and, ironically enough, his dad had mentioned. Now, it varies in every situation, but, if there’s one thing that all mares found attractive above anything else, it was confidence.

Which wasn’t to say a stallion couldn’t show fears or insecurities like West had just done. However, as scared as he was at Melody’s idea, the look she gave told him it was now or never for him to show some balls and face his fears.

While West knew she wasn’t going to say or act it outright if he didn’t, truthfully, he told himself, if he didn’t get up on that stage with her and risks public humiliation, and possible several hours of long conversation with his dad about not looking silly in public, he might as well of ended it right then and there with her.

“You know what, Melody.” He squeezed her hand and stood up from his seat. “Maybe it is time I stop acting so scared and hesitant to do stuff.” It wouldn’t change how his dad was sure to chastise him about it later. Frankly, at least at that moment, he didn’t seem to careZ

Melody smiled wildly. “That’s the spirt.” Hand in hand, they eagerly raced to the stage.

Author's Note

Whoa! Nearly 4000 words and I hadn’t even gotten to half of what I’ve wanted to accomplish so far :/
Yeah, think I’ll split this in half ^^’
Truthfully, this and the next chapter, now, have been the most challenging for me to pen as they’ve been the most self-ventilating writing I’ve done to date with some of my own personal life stresses as I wanted to fit in both West’s/mine main struggles as well as tie it into Melody’s/Rara’s narrative conflict. Hopefully this was a good start and next time I’ll bring both to a satisfying resolution, then there should only be about three to five, maybe six, chapters left of the story

Also, no pre-reader or notes for this one. Will have him touch this up later before part twos out, just wanted this out now so I can focus more on said second half And other pride related projects while keeping things updated to those of you actually eager to read this story beyond the fusion scene