>Day 69+6
>Yesterday marked the end of your graveyard shifts over at the hospital
>Today was your day off, and coincidentally, the day for your dinner with Moon Shadow
>The steaks you ordered had arrived pretty quick, much faster than fucking UPS
>Moon Shadow had visited again yesterday, the two of you spending more time just chatting
>He should be here shortly
>As you finish setting the table, you light the candle centrepiece
>...Wait, that's pretty gay.
>You extinguish the flame and put the candlestick away
>This is dinner, not a date.
>...Right...?
>You check on the food you're preparing on the stove.
>In two separate pans, the steaks sizzle, more or less finished being cooked.
>You really wish you had a barbecue, but this'll have to do for now.
KNOCKKNOCKKNOCK
>Huh, good timing.
>You lower the temperature on the stove so the food doesn't burn, and go to answer the door.
>It's Moon Shadow, as expected.
"Hi, Anon!"
>His warm smile and eyes beam brightly
>You show him into your home and close the door behind him.
>He isn't wearing a shirt, but it looks like he's wearing a pretty red flower on his chest where the breast pocket would be.
>Upon closer inspection, you see that the flower is covering up the burr that it's attached to, which is attached to his furry coat.
>Ingenious. And absolutely adorable.
>You make mention to him about how you like his little decoration.
"Oh, this?"
>He chuckles a little nervously
"I uh... wanted to look nice for our dinner together..."
>You assure him that he looks very distinguished.
>You also let him know that the food is ready
>He does his best to mask his face lighting up, making his way over to his seat at the table.
>Geez, it's probably his first home-cooked meal in ages...
 
>As you set the plates down in front of both of you, you notice a slight problem
>His hooves would probably have some difficulty using your utensils.
>You offer to cut his steak up for him, to which he accepts with a relieved sigh.
>You also assure him that tables manners in your house are extremely lenient, so he wouldn't kill himself trying to eat in the 'polite' way.
>Nevertheless, as you eat, he does his best to 'delicately' eat from his plate.
>The sight makes you have to stealthily cover your mouth with your hand to hide your smirk.
>As you both enjoy dinner, you make conversation.
>"If I'd known you were dressing up, I would have thrown on something a little more appropriate than jeans and a t-shirt"
>He looks up, a little flustered.
"O-oh... I just, uh... My mother used to dress me up when our family went to dinner with another family. I thought this was a special occasion..."
>"Maybe it is... but what makes it so special?"
>He pauses for a little bit, clearly nervous as his cheeks redden.
"W-well... it's j-just... N-no reason other than... a-a nice guy treating me to dinner..."
>He's doing that thing with your heart again. That thing that makes it feel good and stuff.
>"You think I'm a nice guy? That's sweet of you to say so."
>He comes out of his blush a little more, smiling.
"W-well... it's true, y'know. Since I came to this place, no one has been this kind to me. I really really appreciate it, Anon. You're such a great guy."
>Now it's your turn to blush.
>"y-you too..."
>Wow. That was awful.
>You kind of want to ask about his life before Trottingham, but... you have the feeling that's a pretty sensitive topic for him. You decide it's best to hold it off for another time.
"Mmm... This is *soo* good, Anon! Thank you so much! I haven't had a meal this good in years!"
 
>As you both finish the last of your food, you take your plates, utensils, and glassware over to the sink to be washed.
>Moon Shadow wanders over to the living room
>You get the water going and search for the dish soap
"Hey, Anon?"
>"Yeah?"
"What's this?"
>You turn around to see Moon Shadow staring at the open notebook you left on your coffee table.
>Oh. Fuck.
>You really have no good answer for him.
>"That's uh... The product of too much imagination and free time..."
>You suddenly become very focused on the dishes in front of you.
>oh the damage control
>He remains silent for a little bit, still looking intently at it.
"Is this an erotic retelling of Queen Luna's victory?"
>oh god oh god fuck fuck fuck why
>"Uhh... s-something a-along those lines..."
>Another moment of silence.
"I don't think this is very accurate. Queen Luna is very powerful, but I don't know if she could give herself *that*..."
>scrubscrubscrubscrubilovedoingdishessomuchthisissoveryniceyumyumscrubscrubscrubscrubscrub
"Oh my, this is certainly on the dark and edgy side, isn't it?"
>Something inside you clicks, or more accurately, a vain in your forehead does.
>You roll your eyes angrily
>"DOHOHO. Le funny edgy meemee ex deedeedeedeedee"
>Moon Shadow looks up, confused.
"Huh?"
>Oh shit
>"Er, uh... Nothing. Just forget about it."
"Heh... Sorry, Anon. Is that a joke that's funny in your world?"
>Your face twists a little.
>"Uhm... No. Maybe in a darker, smellier one, though."
>You decide to finish up these dishes as quick as possible.
 
>Finally putting away the last utensil, you join Moon Shadow on the sofa, your face burning red.
>He seems to be staring off into space.
>Literally. He's looking out the window at the night sky.
>You ask him if he's all there.
"Hm? Oh, yeah. I was just... thinking."
>"Anything you'd like to share?"
"Oh, just... nothing I haven't said before. You've been so kind to me, Anon, and I'm so grateful! It's been a long time since I've been able to... talk to anyone. Usually p0nies will yell and shout at me when they see me, but... that's about it..."
>You promise him that you won't ever yell or shout at him.
>Your soul is looked into by those mystifying eyes of his.
>You could swear you could see a little bit of mist building in them, but you hold your tongue
"T-thank you, Anon."
>You place an arm around him and bring him into a hug, which he reciprocates warmly
>He buries his muzzle in the crook of your neck.
"You're such a good person. I'm so lucky to know a guy like you..."
>Internally, you do your best to suppress your conscience trying to bring to surface every bad thing you've ever done to contradict his statement.
>You don't say anything.
>But you try hard to make yourself believe him.
>The both of you loosen the embrace
>"I think it's... so damn unfair how you're treated around here."
>Moon Shadow looks away sadly
"Lunar ponies have never been very popular... It's because we look scary, and have to eat other creatures to stay healthy... We're monsters..."
>Your emotions are getting the better of you
>"No, that's not true. It's not.. It's just not right how anyone could even THINK of hating you, let alone physically assaulting such a... polite, sweet... cute pony like you..."
>He looks back up to you with those eyes.
>You really just said that.
 
>His voice is a little shaky
"No p0ny has ever told me I was cute before..."
>You lean back a little, taking in what you just said.
"I-I've been called... a monster... a-and a freak... but never cute."
>In a way, you're pretty relieved. You were pretty worried that you laid it on a little strong, there.
>"Well... yes. I mean that. I... I think you're a pretty cute, sweet p0ny... And it's nothing short of a crime that you're treated so horribly, or that you have to live in the woods."
>Moon Shadow looks to be tearing up a little
>You almost feel like you are, luckily it's mostly in your head.
>"It really bothers me when bad things happen to good people. You deserve so much more than you have now."
"A-anon..."
>"L-look... I know we haven't really known each other for very long, and if you're not comfortable with it, that's completely fine, but... I'd rather not see you go back to the woods tonight."
>You lean in a little closer, his eyes are transfixed on you like lasers
>"You're so sweet, and I really like you, Moon Shadow. I would really appreciate it if you stayed the night here."
>For several moments, he simply sat there frozen, looking like he was at the verge of tears
>Suddenly, you're taken into a tight hug from the Lunar pegasus
>You feel tears of joy seeping through the shoulders of your shirt where he has buried his face
>All you can hear is a bunch of sobbing "Thank yous"
>You hold him close as you stroke your hand up and down his back
>In all honesty, you didn't know showing compassion would have this kind of effect on him
>But it feels right
>Apart from you, who else does he have?
>After a few more moments, you guide him to your room so you can both turn in for the night.
>He manages to get in one more hug and "Thank you" in before climbing under the sheets
>It's awhile before you drift to sleep, thoughts of your current relationship with this p0ny and what's next for him occupying your thoughts.
>After fighting it for long enough, sleep finally claims you.
 
>The morning light shines through your window, slowly rousing you from your slumber.
>You open your eyes
>Moon Shadow is nowhere to be found
>The side of the bed he slept on is neatly made, and the door to your bedroom is slightly ajar.
>You sit up in your bed, pondering the events of last night.
 
>It'll be something on your mind all day, however, as you must begin to prepare for work.