The last few weeks had provided an amazing change in Neon's life. He and Vinyl had decided to give the whole romance thing a try, which resulted in a whole new type of relationship between them. One of the original conditions was that they would take it normally, the way any other new couple would. The only change this required was a sudden lack of sex with each other or anypony else. They still weren't sure why they had made that part of the arrangement.

Still, considering that Neon was already used to never getting laid, he was really enjoying dating Vinyl. She didn't have any prior experience in romance, and his was limited, but sometimes the mistakes they made were fun. Any sane pony would look at them and assume they were idiots, but they were at least half-trying. And tonight was the first night they would do something serious.

Neon had put on the fanciest outfit he owned, a black suit with matching tie. He only owned it for a performance where he was making a joke about prissy Canterlot nobles. Despite the cost and overall lack of laughter from the audience, he still felt it was worth it. He thought the joke was funny, and his snooty impression was enough to make Vinyl laugh.

He dug out the old suit because Vinyl was going to treat him to a dinner at Ponyville's fancy restaurant, the kind that were impossible to get reservations for. He didn't know how she planned to do this, she had a habit of not thinking things through, but it wasn't going to stop him from being prepared. So he got fancied up and showed up at her door, like a true gentlepony.

He trotted through town with a spring in his step, attracting attention from anypony else that saw him. Neon saw some of them whispering about him, word of his new relationship spreading. Some were surprised to see them actually dating, and others just threw their hooves in the air and said “finally!”

The sun was setting, covering the land in a orange glow, as Neon arrived at Vinyl's house. He knocked on the door, and waited for an answer. What he didn't expect was what he would see on the other side.

The door creaked open, and a mare that Neon didn't recognize was standing inside. She had a bright blue mane that was well-kept, styled, and curled, her dark magenta dress contrasted against her bright white coat, and she had red eyes that seemed piercing in darkness, a trait that Neon only knew of one pony possessing.

“Is that you, Vinyl?”

Vinyl giggled. “Is it really impossible to recognize me just because I decided to look nice?”

“Well...yes, actually. You have never given the slightest interest in your appearance, so you just suddenly look really off.”

“What can I say? I didn't have a stallion to impress before.” Vinyl outstretched her front leg towards Neon, indicating that she wanted him to walk her to the restaurant.

Neon smiled and grabbed her hoof. “Let us go out this evening for pleasure. The night is still young.”

As the night was setting in, Neon and Vinyl arrived at the restaurant. Vinyl pulled her hoof away from Neon and stepped in front of him. “Let me go first. You're going to need my charm if we're going to get in.”

Neon chuckled. “Yeah, I figured you didn't have any actual plan for this. Some day, you're going to learn that the future extends for longer than the next 5 minutes. Wasn't it your lack of foresight in drink intake that got us in this situation to begin with?”

“So why would you want me to change that? Besides, I did get us some arrangements for once. They're just going to need my pretty face to finish the deal. Now let's get inside, I'd like to eat in some reasonable amount of time.”

The two of them walked through the door. Neon knew what a fancy restaurant was supposed to look like, but it was the first time he could remember coming to one. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, the red-colored walls were lined with golden sidings, each table had a pristine white tablecloth, and classical music played softly.

Vinyl led the way to a podium a few feet from the door. Standing behind it was a very fancy stallion, wearing a nicer version of Neon's suit. He looked like the type that would never show emotions beyond unamused, until he saw Vinyl and his face broke out in a bright blush. “M-miss Scratch. Your table is this way.”

Vinyl thanked him as they were led to their table. The two lovers sat down as their guide left. Neon looked at Vinyl, confused. “Tell me. How did you do this?”

Vinyl put her hoof over her heart and made the most overacting sad face. “You don't think I could do something so nice out of my love for you? I'm hurt.”

Neon smirked. “You slept with him before, didn't you?”

Vinyl sighed and put her head on the table, smiling. “Yes. I was always told I needed to get to know ponies in order to be successful. This was my interpretation.”

Neon looked down at his crotch, then back to Vinyl with a concerned look. “Should I get myself tested? I don't need to be getting any diseases from you.”

“No worries, it's always been protected. I don't need to be getting pregnant from a one-night stand.”

Neon nodded, then stopped when he realized that he never had any protection with Vinyl. She knows I'm safe, she wouldn't need it. Does she think I'm also sterile?

Before Neon could ask for an explanation, Vinyl pointed behind him. “Look at how nice this place is. They've even got live music.”

Neon turned in his chair to look. On the other end of a room was a area of the floor raised about a foot, a miniature stage. And on the stage was an ensemble, two stallions playing the piano and harp, a mare on a giant horn, and...”Oh no.”

Vinyl looked puzzled. “What?”

Neon turned back and sunk down in his chair. “You see that gray and black mare with the cello?” Vinyl slowly nodded. “That's Octavia.”

Vinyl started looking over Octavia while Neon desperately tried to mentally tell her to avoid eye contact. She leaned over the table and pulled his head closer to whisper. “She's very good looking, I see why you fell for her. You should talk to her once she's done playing.”

“Yeah, that sounds like a brilliant idea. 'Hello, I'm Neon Light, we went to school together. You probably don't remember me, but I remember you because you shaped my life that day you peed yourself in music class.' Does that sound remotely close to smart?”

“So don't mention that part. You don't even have to say anything about the past. Just say you liked her music.”

“Why? It sounds like you're trying to set the two of us up. Isn't there some rule about flirting with a second mare, especially while you're on a date with the first one?”

Vinyl pulled her head back and shuffled her hooves awkwardly. “That...that was kind of the point of this. I've decided that this whole romance thing isn't something that I want to keep going with. It's not your fault, I would have decided this no matter the stallion. This dinner was my way of letting you down gently.”

Neon was shocked. He was under the assumption that their relationship had been going great for the past month. He had fun, and he really was falling for her. Suddenly single, he looked back at Octavia. Yeah, she is really hot, isn't she? “Well, if you're leaving me, then Octavia could be worth another shot. And if she doesn't go for me, I'll just go back to being single.”

“Now wait a minute. You didn't think I was going to let you go without breakup sex, did you? Also, you're paying for the dinner.”

“It sounds like you're trying to use me paying as me earning the sex, when we both know it's more for your benefit than mine. And wasn't this dinner your treat?”

“I got you in here, you couldn't have done that on your own. And you should treasure tonight more than I will, because if your previous relationships are any indication, it's going to be a long time before you get to feel it again.”

Neon chuckled. “Why? Couldn't I just grab you whenever I want? Or am I being put on probation?”

“The second one, effective tomorrow and lasting until I deem fit. So try to get that mare up on that stage to play your cello.”

Neon turned and watched Octavia rub the bow across the strings of her instrument, and Vinyl had placed the thought of her doing the same to his delicate instrument. He winced. “I'll try not to let it get so literal.”

Over an hour later, when Vinyl and Neon had finished their meals, the darkness had fully set in and the restaurant was nearing closing. Octavia's ensemble played their last song and had begun to pack up their equipment. Vinyl nudged Neon to go up and talk. He rolled his eyes and stood up.

Octavia had finished putting her cello in its case and in the storage room of the building, awaiting her return to play again. Trotting back into the mostly empty main room, she saw Neon, who coughed and started blushing. “H-hello, I'm Neon Light. I really liked your music, I'm a bit of a music aficionado myself.”

“Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it, it's a lot of practicing to get it right. Wait...” Neon's heart stopped as he feared that she was about to recognize him. “You're the stallion whose date kept staring at me tonight, aren't you?”

Neon looked back at his table and Vinyl, who smiled widely and waved. “Yeah, that's Vinyl for you. She's been trying to set me up with you all night because who knows what goes on inside her head. She brought me here to break up with me and immediately suggested I try my luck with you. So...yeah, that...do you want to?” He rubbed the back of his neck, nervous.

Octavia laughed. “It's been a while since I've been with a stallion that had a personality. You sounds like a lot of fun. Are you doing anything tomorrow?” Neon shook his head. “Then how about you give me your address, and I'll come by around noon to grab you and we can go on a picnic? And don't try to be all 'classic gentlepony' by picking me up, I insist.”

Neon agreed, and told Octavia where he lived. She walked away and winked, while he went back to his table, where Vinyl was ready to leave. “Now, aren't you glad that I convinced you to at least try?”

Neon waved his hoof. “Yeah yeah, whatever. It's safe to assume I'm never going to hear the end of this, isn't it? Actually, don't answer that. Let's just get out of here.”

The two of them walked out as Vinyl got close to Neon. “So...your place or mine?”

“Mine, as long as you're gone or otherwise out of sight early. I don't need my brand new date picking me up when I'm in bed with you.”

Vinyl scoffed at how serious he sounded. “Then let's get moving. If I need to be gone early, we need to get started as soon as possible.” She started walking faster, forcing Neon to pick up the pace to keep up.

By the time they had arrived at Neon's house, Vinyl was practically running. She could barely wait until they got inside before she used her magic to completely remove her dress. She threw it on the floor and jumped on his couch, seemingly begging Neon to take her right then and there. And who was he to refuse?

Author's Note

What, are you reading this clopfic for clop? This fetish fic for fetish? Is that what you wanted? Because I know you're not reading it for my romance. My horrible, horrible romance. Alright, next chapter. Should be a fun picnic. I should hope it won't take another month to write it. Sorry, life. Life interrupted.