It had been two weeks since Pipp's concert.

Hitch was not in the best mood. He wasn't in the second best mood either, nor the third best or forth best. Something was irking him, and though he had some approximation of what was bothering him, he had no clue as to why. His little critter companions weren't pestering him any more than usual. And ponies were littering just as much as they always had. But something else was... different.

He had grown accustomed to Sprout always sticking by his side like gum to a hoof. Well, perhaps that wasn't the greatest allegory, but nonetheless, Sprout used to always trail after him and hang out at the sheriff's office whether or not it was required of him. For the past couple of weeks however, Hitch sensed an increasing absence. As soon as Sprout was finished with whatever tasks he had been assigned that day, he was off spending time with that one random pony he had recently rekindled a friendship with. Not that there was anything wrong with that!

So why does it make me feel so hopeless?

Hitch thought this to himself and sighed, finding difficulty in giving his usual friendly smile to the ponies he passed during his afternoon patrol. It was good that Sprout had a friend, and he should be glad that the lazy little nincompoop was spending less time pestering him! There was no logical reason for the strange, clammy emotion that wormed its way through both his heart and his brain. It reminded him of the way he had felt when the local donut store once held an 80% off sale, but by the time he got there, he watched helplessly as the last chocolate-dipped marshmallow donut was purchased by somepony else.

A feeling of something he wanted ending up in the hooves of somepony luckier than him. A feeling of... jealousy? That didn't make sense! No, he was certain that the reason he felt so ill at ease was because Sprout was slacking off instead of dedicating himself to as many hours of community service as possible. Actually, he was only 20% certain that was the reason he was unhappy, but it was better than that "jealousy" explanation. He would have to fix this!

Speak of the devil. As Hitch turned the corner with two seagulls and a crab hobbling after him, he was met with a sight that had become very common as of late. There was Sprout and his companion, sitting across from each other at a little round table outside a café. They each had their own fruit smoothie, and they both were laughing as they chatted about things Hitch most likely couldn't care less about. They looked happy.

The unwanted, unpleasant emotion bubbled up inside him again. He clenched his jaw and marched up to where the two ponies were seated.

The pony that was wearing a hat noticed him first. "Hey there, sheriff!"

Sprout's ears perked up and a bright smile crossed his face as he turned to greet Hitch. "Oh, hi Hitch!"

Hitch's unenthusiastic gaze flitted between the two of them. "Hello, Sprout and Bob."

"Actually, my name's Rob."

"I see," Hitch mumbled in response. He focused on Sprout, who seemed to shrink back from the intensity of his glare. "So... What are you doing?"

His tone was more hostile than he had intended. Sprout cringed, apparently put off by the delivery of the question. "I'm... spending time with my friend?"

Try as he might, Hitch couldn't erase his rigid, unamused expression. "Hm. I think you're trying to escape your duties."

Sprout's ears flattened lower and lower as the conversation went on. "What? But I already sorted the paperwork and cleaned the office from top to bottom today!"

"I've realized I must've been going too soft on you, and not giving you enough responsibilities. How are you going to redeem yourself if I let you run off doing whatever you want?"

A stutter found its way into Sprout's speech. "B-but that's not fair!"

"Fair? Don't forget, you should be in JAIL right now!" Hitch snapped.

Sprout flinched at that and didn't respond. His brows furrowed and he scowled in anger, but tears were creeping at the corners of his eyes.

Rob awkwardly sipped his smoothie while he watched the two stallions argue right in front of him.

Hitch recognized that he was losing his temper, and inhaled a deep breath that puffed out his chest. Calm. Stay calm, he told himself, holding the breath for a few seconds before letting it out again. Why was he so on edge? He attempted to address Sprout in a much gentler tone.

"All right, I'm sorry for what I said. But I think you should accompany me on patrol and keep an eye out for any litter that needs to be cleared. This will be your duty from now on."

"Fine..." Lacking the will to protest any further, Sprout set his smoothie down on the table and got out of his chair. He shot a sad look over to Rob. "Guess I'll see you later then... Sorry."

Rob gave him a smile of understanding and assured, "It's OK! I'm sure I'll catch ya later!"

Hitch let his disapproving glare rest on Sprout for a few seconds, before turning away and continuing his patrol to ensure that everything in Maretime Bay was running smoothly. Now, in addition to being followed by two seagulls and a crab, he was also being followed by one miserable red pony. Hitch would glance over his shoulder every so often, and whenever he did, he was struck by the sight of Sprout looking utterly defeated as he trudged after him. It all felt so very, very wrong. Hadn't Sprout usually been eager to be with him in recent times? Was Rob really a better friend than him?

Hitch paused once he spotted a candy wrapper on the road. It was being dragged along slightly by a soft breeze. He gestured towards it with his foreleg.

"Sprout, pick up that litter."

Sprout sluggishly walked up to the candy wrapper with his head hung low as if he were carrying the weight of the entire world on his back, and picked it up with his hoof. "What do you want me to do now, boss?"

Hitch frowned. "You... don't have to call me boss. We're friends, remember? Anyway," he pointed at the nearest trash can, "I need you to throw it away."

"Yessir..." Sprout plodded over to the trash can and attempted to drop the candy wrapper inside. But an unexpected gust of wind caught it and swiftly whisked it through the air, before it eventually landed on the ground again. Sprout stood still and stared at it with a bored expression.

Hitch nodded at his seagull companion which donned a tin can on its head. "Could you go take care of that please?"

The little bird let out an excited squeak before flapping over to properly dispose of the wrapper. Meanwhile, Hitch trotted up to Sprout and placed a hoof on his back. He seemed to flinch for a moment, but otherwise didn't respond.

"Sprout, I think we really need to talk. Something's wrong. I thought we were getting closer--"

"I thought we were getting closer too!" Sprout retorted. He sounded as if he was on the verge of a sob. "But now you're being a jerk and won't even let me see the only pony who cares about me. You must think I don't deserve friends!"

"Hey, that's not it at all," Hitch insisted. His heart clenched at the words the only pony who cares about me. He cared about Sprout! But he didn't want to be seen arguing in public. He glanced around self-consciously. "Listen, I don't think the side of the road is the best place to have this discussion. How about we go back to my house?"

Sprout seemed to soften a little at that, though it still took him a moment to reach an answer. "I guess..."

Hitch gave a strained smile. "All right, let's go."

The two of them walked to his house in silence, with Sprout following several pony-lengths behind Hitch instead of alongside him. All the while, Hitch mulled over how he felt, what he would say. He hadn't really felt the urge to give Sprout more duties. Hitch just wanted to spend more time with him for some reason. But seeing how dejected Sprout was around him just made him feel worse than ever...

Eventually they both arrived at their destination. Hitch pushed open his front door and allowed Sprout to trudge inside before letting it shut with a soft click. Sprout lifted his head and glanced around with dawning interest. Everything was neat and tidy just the way Hitch liked it; that fact combined with the white walls and pinewood flooring made it look like the type of house you'd see in a typical TV commercial.

"Huh... I just realized it's been a long time since I visited your house," Sprout mused.

"I guess as we grew older, we just kind of... stopped hanging out as much," Hitch admitted. "Anyway, feel free to sit down. Want a drink or anything?"

Sprout shook his head before slowly walking over to the dark blue sofa in front of the television, and sitting down. Hitch trotted over and sat on the other side next to him. He studied Sprout for a minute while he mentally constructed what he was going to say. Sprout was downcast and would not even look at him.

Hitch softly cleared his throat. "Now, let's start from the beginning. Ever since we came back from Pipp's most recent performance, you've been kind of distant. Did I do something wrong?"

Sprout closed his eyes and sighed. "No, it's just... well, I can't tell you. Besides, what does it matter? You're being a real jerk to me!"

It was Hitch's turn to stare at the floor. "I know, I know. I think, um, I'm acting irrationally because..." His voice grew more pinched as he struggled to admit the truth to Sprout--and to himself. "It's silly, but seeing you spend so much time with Rob all of a sudden and less time around me, makes me feel... abandoned. I-I-I guess I'm afraid you won't need me anymore."

That actually prompted Sprout to look at him. "What? I'll always need you! I MEAN--" the red stallion became oddly flustered, stammering for a moment before regaining composure. "Uh, I'll always n-need you around to guide me and keep me in check. We've been friends since forever."

Hitch gave him a sidelong glance. "Then why are you happier to be with Rob than with me?"

Sprout sat a little straighter, some of his weariness seemingly cast aside. "Hitch, that's not it at all! You still make me... happiest... you really do! The reason I've been meeting up with Rob is because, on the same day as the concert, he told me about something sad that recently happened to him. I want to keep him company! And to become better friends with him. Not many ponies even want me around, you know..."

Hitch's ears were pricked as he listened. He wasn't being replaced! He felt some semblance of relief. "I see, but that doesn't quite explain why you're being so glum around me. Usually you act all jittery and stuff."

"Jittery?" Sprout exclaimed with what seemed to be self-conscious indignance. "I most definitely do NOT act jittery around you!"

Hitch covered his own mouth with one of his hooves while he stifled a chuckle. "No? Then maybe the right word is... Giddy? Skittish? Flustered?" He raised an eyebrow and gave a teasing smirk. "Lovestruck?"

"What? How dare you!"

Hitch broke into laughter, but he stopped when he realized that Sprout wasn't joining in and only continuing to pout.

"Sorry," Hitch said, "I was just joking."

"Yeah, I know," Sprout muttered. His ears drooped and he exhaled heavily. "The reason I'm not 'jittery' is because my dreams will never come true, Hitch. There's something I really want to tell you, but I can't. I've been trying to get you to take a hint, but you just don't get it!" He closed his eyes as if he were holding back tears. "I give up."

Hitch frowned, unable to comprehend any sense of meaning behind Sprout's words. "You've been trying to tell me something? Oh! Is it that you want my #1 Sheriff mug? I've seen you use it at the office sometimes..."

Sprout cut him off with an irritated grunt. "Ugh, that's not it at all!"

"All right, then I've got nothing. But Sprout..." He lifted a foreleg and placed his hoof on the side of Sprout's face, turning it to face his. "You can tell me anything, I promise. Especially if it's important."

Green eyes gazed into amber ones for a few moments, and Hitch thought he felt his own heart skip a beat as Sprout's expression softened, seemingly comforted by his words. Then Sprout suddenly drew back with a discontented huff.

"Well, I've got something important to tell you," Sprout stated with a sarcastic drawl.

Hitch tilted his head with interest. "What is it?"

"I need to pee."

Hitch groaned. "You know where the bathroom is. Just go."

While Sprout got off the sofa and made his way to the bathroom, Hitch thought about how he could repair their bond. They had been inseparable when they were young, always exploring Maretime Bay and playing together, but change was natural and they'd had less time to bond as they reached adulthood. Still, Hitch acknowledged with some guilt that he had stopped paying enough attention to Sprout at some point, even when they were looking over the town together as deputy and sheriff.

Hitch put his train of thought on hold when he heard Sprout's hoofsteps from the hallway. He peered over the back of the sofa.

"Welcome back. Did you remember to wash your hooves?"

Sprout immediately froze in his tracks before backing away and returning to the bathroom.

"Dummy," Hitch muttered, rolling his eyes.

When Sprout came back a second time, he stopped by the sofa and glanced at the front door, apparently uncertain whether he was allowed to stay or if he should take his leave. Hitch gave him an inviting smile as an idea crept into his mind.

"Hey Sprout, why don't you stay for a while? We can have fun together just like we did when we were colts. And you can even stay the night, like a sleepover!"

Sprout's eyes widened with shock and he took a step back. "Really?"

"Of course, it's the least I can do. So what do you say?"

Sprout swished his tail, evidently nervous. "Well, I don't know about a sleepover, but... I could hang here for a bit if you WANT me to."

"If I didn't want you to, I wouldn't have asked. We can play a video game right now, if you're interested."

Sprout's face brightened with an earnest smile. "Ooh, a game? What kind?"

Hitch looked over to his television cabinet, which also housed a couple of gaming consoles and video games. "Well, I recently got Fighting is Magic."

Sprout's face fell, but only slightly. "I suck at fighting games."

"That doesn't matter! Games are all about having fun, right?"

Sprout huffed. "You're only saying that because you'll beat me every time anyway!"

"Sure, and I'll have a lot of fun doing it," Hitch replied with a grin. He broke into laughter and to his surprise, Sprout joined in too, and Hitch welcomed the way their shared humor lightened the mood. It was good to hear him laugh...

Hitch went to turn on the television and get everything set up; afterwards, the two stallions settled on the sofa, each with their own game controller. They played for nearly two hours, all of their worries melting away as they lost themselves in the game together. Of course, Hitch really did beat Sprout every time, but it was always followed by jokes and laughter. Hitch cherished being able to share an ordinary, carefree moment with his old friend. It brought him back to how things were in their foalhood.

When they'd had enough, Hitch set his controller on the arm of the sofa and use his forelegs to rub his eyes, which were a little sore from staring at the TV screen. "Oof, I didn't realize how long we were playing for. I'm gonna go make some coffee. Wanna join me?"

Sprout nodded. "Yeah, but make sure you add enough milk to mine. It's gotta be like, 90% milk."

~

They spent the rest of the day together. They played the Ponymon Trading Card Game they had been obsessed with when they were colts, read comics side by side, and listened to each other's favorite music (Sprout was mostly into punk rock, while Hitch was more of a pop pony). Sprout even stayed for dinner, for which Hitch ordered a pizza to share amongst the two of them. Before they realized it, it was late at night and the moon was high in the sky.

Hitch had just finished showing off his collection of Mighty Horsin' Power Ranchers figures, and was currently packing them back away into their box while Sprout watched from the edge of his bed.

"So Sprout," Hitch began, looking over to his friend, "are you feeling any better?"

Sprout gave a gentle smile that warmed Hitch's heart. "Yeah, thanks. I really did miss hanging out with you like this."

"We both did," Hitch agreed. He shoved the last action figure into the box, before putting it up on a shelf in his bedroom.

Sprout glimpsed the dark night sky from out the window. "I should really get home now. I'm feeling kind of tired..." He finished his sentence with a yawn.

Hitch looked at him and tilted his head. "Have you forgotten my offer to let you stay for the night?"

Sprout's eyes widened as he stiffened and made a weird choking sound. "Wh-wha? No, but I'm not gonna do that! You don't even have a spare bedroom!"

"There's always the sofa," Hitch reasoned, "and it's too dark to walk home, anyway. I promise it's not a bother."

"I'm not worried about being a bother," Sprout snapped. He then let his shoulders droop with resignation. "But fine, I'll sleep on the sofa."

Hitch quickly shook his head. "No no, you're my guest. I'll sleep on the sofa and you can stay in here, all right?"

"Is that really okay?" Sprout asked quizzically.

"Yep!"

It was not really okay.

Sprout had snuggled into Hitch's bed while Hitch fetched some extra blankets and a pillow from his closet, and the pair exchanged brief "goodnights" before he made his way to the living room. That had been about an hour ago. Currently he was still wide awake, turning and adjusting himself on the sofa, surrounded by hushed darkness. Even with the pillow and blankets, it was just so lumpy and uncomfortable!

Hitch groaned and sat upright. He was never going to get any sleep. He missed his soft and comfy bed! Oh, how he resented Sprout for stealing it from him. Well, he had been the one to offer his own bed in the first place, but shame on Sprout for accepting his offer!

But there's nothing stopping me from sleeping in it too, Hitch thought. It would be a little cramped, but it can't be worse than trying to fall asleep on this forsaken sofa. Besides, I'm the sheriff and the town won't be able to rely on me if I'm sleep-deprived.

Making up his mind, Hitch tossed the blanket aside and crept to his room, taking the pillow with him by carrying it on his back.

After fumbling his way through the darkness, he warily stepped through his doorway and called in a soft voice, "Sprout, you awake?"

There was no answer. Hitch silently padded into the room and stood in front of his bed. Squinting his eyes and relying on the minimal amount of moonlight peeking through his curtains, he could see Sprout lying on his side in the center of the mattress, evidently fast asleep with a blanket messily pulled over him. There really wasn't much space for Hitch on either side, but he would find a way to squeeze in somehow.

He didn't want to wake the sleeping pony, so he placed his pillow next to Sprout's as gently as he could, and lifted the blanket. He proceeded to get into bed, taking care not to make any abrupt movements. As he lay down on his side, some of the mattress springs squeaked under his weight, but they thankfully didn't rouse Sprout from his slumber.

Hitch was at the very edge of the bed, his tail draping over the brim. He felt as if he could tumble out of bed at any second! With extreme caution, he shifted over until he was pressing up against Sprout's back, practically spooning him. It wasn't his ideal choice of circumstance, but it would have to do. He pulled the blanket over himself, and reluctantly wrapped a foreleg around Sprout's torso from under the covers as he had nowhere else to put it. It wasn't so bad, actually... Sprout was soft and warm like a giant plush toy, and the rise and fall of his chest with his rhythmic breaths was nothing short of soothing.

Once Hitch closed his eyes in preparation to get a good night's rest, he was quickly disturbed by soft muttering coming from the fellow pony in his bed. Hitch lifted his head from his pillow.

"Sprout? Did you say something?"

There was silence, but several moments later, Sprout finally "answered" with some more incomprehensible mutters.

Hm, I guess he talks in his sleep. I wonder what he's dreaming about.

Hitch rested his head on the pillow once more and prayed that the noise wouldn't get too annoying. He shut his eyes, but his ears twitched whenever Sprout unconsciously babbled words that were impossible to understand. He clenched his jaw in frustration, and was just about ready to retreat back to the sofa, until...

"I... love you..."

Hitch felt himself freeze up. The words had actually been quite clear for once. He kept his ears perked to see if Sprout would say anything else, but that was the end of it, and the only sound that followed was his peaceful breathing. Hitch again wondered what he could be dreaming about. His mom? Pipp?

Maybe he's dreaming about me.

Hitch gasped to himself and nearly fell out of bed at the thought. How dare such a nonsensical idea enter his mind! Sprout was his friend! And if they ever were to develop feelings for one another, all of Maretime Bay would turn their backs on Hitch for being in love with a criminal. He smacked his own forehead a few times with his hoof. Silly, silly brain! He's probably just dreaming about...what was his name again...? Bob.

But that thought just caused jealousy to well up inside him again, and he hated it. Feeling more confused and less understanding of his emotions than ever, he squeezed his eyes shut and focused on clearing his mind so sleep could find him. He was probably just dreaming about his favorite pizza restaurant anyway.

And, eventually, Hitch drifted off to sleep.

Author's Note

Surprise Hitch P.O.V!

I'd like to thank a couple of readers for their suggestions!
SpeciallAngell suggested a scene where Hitch gets jealous seeing Sprout with another stallion, and Novastarr suggested a sleepover scene where they get to hang out like when they were kids. So I incorporated both ideas in this chapter. Thank you two!