Dreams pt 2

Ink felt Vinyl jump; obviously startled by the unexpected intrusion. The pair turned their head, both surprised at whose gaze they returned. Vinyl’s best friend, Octavia, was leaning against the door frame; a small grin settled on her visage.

“Absolutely heartwarming, isn’t it? The stallion who recently awoke from his short-lived coma, comforting the mare that just lost her parents. It’d be so damn cute, if I didn’t hate that kind of thing. C’mon Vinyl, the carriage is waiting out front. If you’re coming with me, then we need to go now.”

Wow. Rude.

Before Ink had any time to react to what Octavia had just said, he felt Vinyl’s body weight disappear from his side. She slowly placed her hooves on the floor, sniffling and wiping her eyes on her foreleg. She slowly hopped from the bed, her hooves landing with a few small clicks. Ink felt a small pain in his chest as Vinyl turned to him; Tear-stained face and bloodshot eyes hidden behind her thick Dj glasses. He saw Vinyl mouth a few words to him, before she trotted over to the door, leaving without looking back. Octavia winked at Ink, trotting out and closing the door behind her as she left.

As the next few weeks of Ink’s hospitalization passed, the visits from the pair of mares slowly started to fall out. Any time the pair would visit, they’d be outwardly hostile to each other, eventually becoming too much for the medicated Ink to handle. After a while, the pair finally stopped visiting together; a heavy tension apparent between the two “friends”.

“...And I just... I dunno, Ink. I can’t stay with her anymore. She’s fuckin’ horrid, I’m tellin’ ya!”. Vinyl was visiting on her way to Octavia’s after getting out of school for the day. It was the same as every visit was; nothing more than the two of them passing small talk under a heavily awkward air. Part of Ink thought that Vinyl was just visiting because she blamed herself for him being in here.

“Well... you know...” Ink started, trying to think of the proper way to word what he was thinking. “If it’s really that bad... why not come to canterlot with me? The folks are letting me have the second house there while I’m in art school. If it’s... Not too much trouble getting your schooling situation figured out... why don’t you... uh... come with me..? I’m getting discharged at the end of the week, you know...”

Stars pale in comparison to how bright Vinyl’s face grew after she had let Ink’s offer settle. It didn’t take her long to agree to his offer, her mood instantly shifting. She was as giddy as a schoolfilly at the idea; something that Ink was very relieved to see. It had felt like ages since Ink had seen Vinyl smile, not that she really had any reason too.

Vinyl turned to him on her way out, grinning wildly as she began to speak. “But.. yea... I’ll make sure that all the stuff is switched over by the end of the week. We can ride over together! You’re not going to regret this, I’ll be sure of it!”. She blushed a little bit, before quickly adding in a much quieter tone “ And Ink..? Thanks. This means the world to me...”.

The end of the week came, And Ink found himself at last being discharged from Manehatten’s First General Hospital. Ink slowly donned his hat and scarf; replacing all of his piercings after his last hospital shower. He happily heard his hooves click on the sterile tile as he made his way to the front desk. He left his parent’s address for the nurse at the desk, telling them simply to “Send the bill, it’ll be payed for with extra”, before slowly trotting through the front doors.

Spring had settled in the time that Ink had been in the hospital; something that Ink was incredibly pleased with. The warm spring air felt like velvet against Ink’s fur, further prompting a smile from the young artist. Vinyl was likewise smiling from her seat in the pegasi taxi. She waved him over; practically bouncing in place as Ink made his way over.

“Alright you lovebirds, hold on tight!”, the pegasi said in a thick baltimare accent. Ink slouched back comfortably; allowing Vinyl to cuddle up against him for the first time in what felt like forever. Satisfied that his passengers were comfortable, the pegasi started to gain speed.

The air felt amazing as it whipped through Ink’s mane. The pitch-black locks flowed happily in the wind, joined by two scarves and a technicolor butcher’s work of hair. He looked over at Vinyl, who was staring off into the sky happily. “It’s great to see her in such a good mood. It’s so rare to see her like that since... whatever happened, happened...” Ink thought to himself. It was true enough; Vinyl had been incredibly depressed lately, as befitting of one losing their parents in such a horrible way. Vinyl tapped Ink on his shoulder, bringing him back to earth. She didn’t say anything, instead motioning to the city that was rapidly approaching them.

Canterlot.

Ink’s home.

Their home.

The taxi flyer was pretty surprised when he found out that Vinyl was going to be moving in with Ink. “Yer parents, they’re ahright wit this, right?”. Ink made sure to be casual with his lie; telling the stallion that his parents were completely alright with the idea of Vinyl moving in with him. In truth, Ink hadn’t said anything to them about it. He had decided against it the moment that he had invited Vinyl in. After all, he was a fully-grown stallion, wasn’t he? It was his home, and he was going to do what he wished with it.

Ink slowly took his key from the inside of his hat, much to the surprise of Vinyl. Ink shrugged off the wild look that she was giving him; instead unlocking the door to let the two inside. The door opened without resistance, quietly gliding on oiled hinges. Ink motioned Vinyl inside, quietly closing the door behind them.

The pair found themselves alone in the quiet home; quiet breathing being the only escape from total silence that could be found. Ink attempted to break the silence by quietly coughing; trotting forward. He motioned Vinyl to come with him, not waiting to see if she actually followed him.

Quiet hoofsteps on the teak told Ink that his wishes had indeed been heeded. He slowly led Vinyl around the house, showing her the in’s and out’s of the somewhat larger home, before finally leading her to the area that she’d be staying in. “I really don’t feel like switching my room out, so you’re going to get the master.” Ink silently added as he opened the door to the huge master suite.

Vinyl’s eyes grew wide; suddenly visible behind her dark glasses. “Ink... are you... are you sure about this..? I mean... I dunno... I don’t want to be a hassle or anyth-”. He cut her off, quickly bringing her into a tight embrace. He silently assured her that all was well; practically feeling Vinyl melt between his hooves. When at last he pulled away, a full crimson blush could be seen under Vinyl’s cream fur.

Heavy breathing could be heard; the obvious source being Vinyl. Tears were silently streaming from under her glasses, complementing the subtle shaking that was coming from the young Dj. She practically tackled Ink; driving him hard to the floor and tightening her hooves around him. Ink didn’t know what hit him as he was quickly taken to the floor, sending sharp pains along his side.

Ink inhaled sharply; biting back tears and profanities in an effort to keep Vinyl this close. For being “just friends”, like Vinyl and Ink had to explain to many different stallions and mares, Ink loved every second of similar situations. Vinyl intoxicated the young artist;a drug.

The two found themselves laying on the floor; Ink running a hoof through Vinyl’s mane. Ink wasn’t yet used to just how short it had become, so he felt odd running his hoof through what felt like only ‘half way’. He felt Vinyl once again crying into his chest; her warm tears forming damp areas in his fur.

“Ink... Ink..”

The artist looked around, obviously confused as to the source. He looked at the young Vinyl in his hooves, who was still silently crying. A new pain found it’s way into his side, breaking him from his slumber.

Ink opened his eyes; quickly being greeted by two bloody pools. Vinyl was mere inches from him, staring intently down. She kissed his nose quickly; blushing heavily and pulling back.

She stared out the window onto Celestia’s rising sun, sighing happily. “You know, Ink... I’m not going to be doing anything later...”

“...”

“And... well... I was thinking that we... could... uhm...”

“Dinner and a movie..?”

Author's Note

Sorry for the short chapter (Pretty sure it's about half the length of my usual chapters), but this one was just to wrap up last week's. I lost a bit of my flow halfway through, so the overall chapter suffered. Released it early 'cause it was done.

Look forward to next week's!

-Vetter.Sonata