Title:           For Simplicity's Sake (Maud x Anon, Romance)
Author:          JeffMango
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/jgjuNNG9
First Edit:      Wednesday 14th of January 2015 05:18:54 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Last edit on: Saturday 31st of January 2015 05:11:34 AM CDT

>Your legs ache, and you reek offensively of sweat as you finally stumble home
>Working at Sweet Apple Acres... why the hell did you think that was a good idea?
>Applejack may be a nice pony, but damn does she work you like a slave
>And, if it weren't for her southern belle accent, you'd sweat she was a pony Jew with how little she pays you
>Still... at least you get to see your marefriend now...
>With the approach of winter, and the season's last harvest, Applejack's had you working overtime, and you've barely gotten to see Maud at all
>Not that she's been doing much to help your mood lately...
 
>Unlocking your door, you tramp inside, tossing your boots into the corner
>Maud is seated on the couch, eyes peacefully scanning the pages of her book
>"Welcome back."
>She doesn't look up, and her voice carries the same monotone it always does
"Hey Maud. How's your day been?"
>"Fine. My research is progressing smoothly."
>She goes back to reading without another word
>You sigh, and collapse onto the couch next to her
>She doesn't seem to take any notice of your presence, her face stuck in that same blank expression she always has
"So, uh... whatcha readin' about?"
>"Monzogranite."
"Oh... cool. What's that?"
>"A type of rock."
"Who'd have guessed..."
>You lean back on the couch, stroking along Maud's back
>She has her signature gray frock on, so you move up to her neck, where you can actually feel her fur
>Her coat is as soft as ever, but... somehow you just get the feeling your annoying her
"I'm gonna take a shower. I'll be back in a bit."
>"Okay."
>Jeez, it's like the room's temperature just dropped twenty degrees...
 
>The water is refreshing after a hard day's work, but you don't have the peace of mind to focus on that right now
>Dammit, Maud...
>All you wanted was a little warmth, or compassion, or... something when you came home
>But instead it's just the same stoney look, the same utterly disinterested expression
>A little voice in your head reminds you that this is the way Maud's always been...
>And you used to love that about her; in a world of crazy antics and melodrama, she was eternally calm, and collected
>Now, she just seems... distant
>All she ever does or talks about is her research, and her stupid rocks
>Does that mean... you're less interesting than a rock?
>Oof, man... you didn't need to feel that
 
>Ignoring the searing emotional pain in your chest, you step out of the shower and redress, heading back out to the living room
>Maud is there, again, still calmly reading
"Hey, uh... you wanna do something?"
>"What would we do?"
"I dunno, go out for dinner? See a movie? Just go for a walk?"
>"I'm not hungry. And I need to finish my book."
"Oh, yeah. Right."
>You go into the kitchen, and root through the pantry in hopes of finding a decent snack
>Grabbing a handful of Coco Pommels™ brand breakfast cereal, you slink back into the living room, sitting next to Maud as you munch on them
>"Are you upset?"
"A little, yeah."
>"Why?"
"Why do you think?"
>"Was work unpleasant?"
"That's the first part of it."
>"What are the others?"
"You seriously don't know?"
>"I don't."
>You support your head in your hands, breathing deeply to calm yourself
"It's just... you never seem happy when I come home. It sounds kinda stupid now that I say it, but... I mean, really, sometimes I feel like I'm bugging you just by being around."
>"You're not bugging me."
"But you make it seem like I am."
>"How?"
"I don't know. I come home, and you never act like you're happy to see me. You just keep on reading, and most of the time you don't even talk to me."
>"I don't talk to anyone very much."
"I know, but... come on, Maud, would it kill you to make a little conversation?"
>"How was your day today?"
"What...? I... no, I meant... ugh..."
>"I'm just trying to make conversation, Anonymous."
"Yes... yes, I know. But... it's not just that."
>"Then what else is it?"
"It's... it's a lot of other stuff."
>"I can listen."
>Maud shuts her book, and turns to look at you
>Her eyes are half-lidded, as always, and it's hard to tell if she's even paying attention
"It's just... I don't feel like you care about me anymore, Maud."
>Maud blinks once
>"That's not true."
"How do I know? When I spend most the day at work, and then come back and spend the rest of it being ignored by you... how do I know you care?"
>"I'm not sure."
"Right..."
>You stand slowly from the couch, your legs still aching from work, and head back towards the door
>"Wait."
"I'm gonna go for a walk."
>"Anonymous."
"Yeah?"
>"Come back soon, please."
>You nod, and disappear out the door, grabbing your shoes as you go
>Back outside, you lace up your shoes and stroll back out into the darkening streets of Ponyville
 
>The sun has already mostly set, casting a dim purplish light over everything
>The few ponies that are left out and about are clearly heading for home, and none of them stop to make any conversation
>You don't mind that at all
>A chill creeps into the air as the sun sinks, and you start to wish you had brought a jacket
>Eh, you can handle a little cold
>Continuing on, you reach the center of town just as the last of the sunset gives way to night, taking a seat on a bench facing City Hall
>You don't really want to think about her right now, but images of Maud come flooding into your mind
>The two of you have been going out for almost two years now... damn
>Your friends expect you to pop the question to her any day now, and they keep pestering you about when you're gonna do it
>Now... you're wondering if that's ever gonna happen
"What changed between the two of us, Maud?"
>You speak your words to no one, keeping your voice barely above a whisper
"What happened?"
>Everything used to be so perfect between the two of you...
>She was like the ultimate girlfriend, really
>Never flew off the handle at you, never started any fights, didn't demand that you pay attention to her...
>But now... well... something's changed, you just can't tell what
>Maud's still her quiet, rock-loving self, but things just don't feel right
>Maybe... maybe she didn't change
>Maybe you did?
>You don't feel any different, though...
>Or --and this thought scares you most of all-- maybe the two of you just aren't right for each other after all
>You immediately push that idea away
>Even if she's been difficult, you still like Maud a lot, and there has to be some way to work this out
>She's a pretty difficult pony to talk to about anything involving emotions
>Sometimes you wonder if she feels anything at all...
>You shake your head, trying to clear the somber thoughts
>Of course Maud can feel, and of course she cares about you, she's just bad at showing it, right?
>You wish you could feel as confident in that as you used to...
>Sighing audibly, you're just about to head back home when you hear someone call your name
>"Anooooo-ooooon!"
>Something fluffy and pink collides with you, knocking you back onto the bench
>"How's it hanging, step-bro!?"
"Pinkie! What the hell? Why can't you just say hello like a normal person!"
>Pinkie just bops you on the nose
>"Because I'm not a person, silly! I'm one hundred percent genuine Equestion pony!"
>She hops back to the ground, sitting back on her haunches as she regards you with her bright aquamarine eyes
>"So whatcha doin', Anon? Bein' grumpy?"
"No, Pinkie. I just wanted a little alone time."
>If Pinkie does get your hint, she doesn't care, hopping up onto the bench next to you
>"That's awesome! Is this where you come to be alone?"
"Yes."
>"Nice, nice. I gotta say, Anon, this is some prime sulk real estate. Perfect for a grouchy-grouch like you."
>You frown at Pinkie, but that just seems to make her smile wider
>"Soooooooo... how's Maud?"
>You turn away from Pinkie, her excess happiness making your ribs ache
"She's fine."
>"Just fine? Come ooon, Anon, give me those juicy details."
"It's not polite to pry, Pinkie."
>"She's my sister! I have top-grade prying rights..."
>You glare at Pinkie, but she just continues giving you her signature doofy grin
"She's... she's the same she's ever been, Pinkie. She's quiet, and likes rocks."
>"Quiet and likes rocks? Come on, Anon, I know you've got more to say about her than that!"
>Pinkie jumps into your lap, poking your nose
>"She definitely says a lot more about you..."
"Whoa, what? She does?"
>"Of course! You're the only thing she talks about more than rocks!"
"I, uh... I see..."
>Maud talks about you?
>"Come on, Anon, didn't you know?"
"Know what?"
>"That Maud's crazy about you, silly! She told me that, even though she feels like she's more of an igneous diorite, you make her feel like a kimberlite!"
"A what now?"
>"A diamond, you goof! Come on, I thought you lived with Maud!"
"I do, but... are you sure that's how she really feels?"
>"Uh, duh! Of cours I am! I just talked to her this afternoon!"
>She bonks you on the head
>"Jeez, Nonny, I can see why you work with Applejack."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
>"Heehee. Nothing~"
>Pinkie hops back to the ground
>"I gotta head back to Sugar Cube Corner, 'non. Tell Maud I said hi!"
>She begins to bound away, but you call after her
"Wait, Pinkie!"
>She turns
>"Yeeeeees, Anon?"
"What were you doing out?"
>"I just wanted a little alone time, Anon!"
>She winks, and bounces away
"Huh..."
>Maud's still crazy about you?
>You stand up from the bench, hoping the walk home will clear your mind
 
>It doesn't do much, really
>Everything is just as confusing by the time you reach your door as it was when you left the bench
>Still, you pull open the door, ready to talk things over with your marefriend
>You find Maud seated on the couch once again, nose deep in her book
>Boulder rests beside her in a little box Maud calls his "nest"
>She looks up as you enter
>"Hey."
"Hey, Maud. I'm... I'm back."
>"I know."
>She glances down to her book for a second, before flipping it shut
>"Listen, Anonymous. I feel like I owe you an apology."
>Maud's tail slaps an empty spot on the couch, inviting you to sit next to her
>You do, and she turns herself to face you
>"I've been thinking about what you said, and I think you're right."
>She lays a hoof on your thigh, her gray-green eyes meeting yours
>"I've become very invested in my research lately. You know how important getting my doctorate is to me. But I have been paying very little attention to you. And I'm sorry for that."
"Maud, really, it's not a big deal."
>"It is. I don't have a lot of experience with having a special somepony, but even I know that I shouldn't prioritize my studies over you."
>Maud sits back on her haunches, and wraps her forelegs around your neck, leaning her head on your shoulder
>She's never been a terribly soft or cuddly pony, being as strong as she is, but a hug from Maud has its own serene, stony comfort to it
>You wrap your arms around her back, pulling her into your lap
"I guess I owe you an apology also. I've been kinda selfish lately, expecting you to pay attention to me when I know you're busy."
>You think back to what Pinkie said to you earlier
"And... I just want you to know that I really care about you, Maud. And I'd just like to know you care about me too."
>She gives you a single, tight squeeze, and kisses your cheek
>"I do."
>Maud lets go of your neck, leaving her forelegs resting on your shoulders as she seems to stare into your soul
>"I know I'm not good at showing it, Anonymous. Which is probably the reason I haven't had a coltfriend before. But I care very much about you. If it makes you happy, I'll try to become better at displaying my affection."
"Maud..."
>Your arms wrap around the small of her back, drawing her against your chest
"You're a good marefriend."
>She blinks once
>"Thank you."
>Maud leans in, and kisses you on the mouth
>Her kisses have always been surprisingly soft, and you relish each one
 
>Leaving Maud to study with boulder, you head to the kitchen and dish out some ice cream for the two of you
>Maud loves plain vanilla ice cream, but you have to add a little chocolate syrup to yours
>You return to the living room, and set her bowl in front of her, giving Maud a pat between her withers
>When you sit by her on the couch, she raises her head up from her book
>"Is it alright if I read in your lap?"
"Of course."
>Maud hops into your lap, laying down across your thighs and pulling her book toward her
>The two of you sit like that for the better part of two hours, Maud calmly flipping pages of her book while you scratch her between her withers
>She doesn't say anything, but the occasional twitches of her tail let you know she enjoys it
>As the evening wears on, though, your eyelids begin to grow heavy, but Maud shows no sign of tiring
>Nothing new here, the mare seems to almost never sleep
>You give her a quick pat between the ears
"Hey. Imma head to bed."
>Maud nods, slowly removing herself from your lap
>You strip down to your boxers, and lay in bed
>Sleep comes quickly to your tired body, pulling you into soothing, dreamless darkness
 
>At some point in the night, you're startled back awake by a noise in your room
>Your eyes open, adjusting slowly to the dark
>You see the door slowly open, and Maud creeps in
>She steps up next to your bed, and shrugs out of her frock, folding it and setting it on your nightstand
>Maud notices you looking at her, and pauses
>"Is it alright if I sleep with you?"
"Of course."
>Maud sleeping with you is a rare occasion, and your bed's not quite big enough for both of you
>She clambers up onto the mattress, snuggling against you under the covers
>"You're warm."
>Maud wraps a foreleg around you, and touches your nose with hers
>"I should sleep her more often."
>Maud closes her eyes, and is out like a light almost instantly
>Poor mare works herself way too hard
>You stay awake for a few minute more, though, watching her gentle breathing
>She's really an amazing mare, isn't she?
>The fact that someone like her is really so crazy over someone like you... man, Equestria's a weird place
>You place a little kiss on the tip of Maud's snout
"Good night, my pretty, clever pony."
>As you snuggle closer to Maud, a sudden realization snaps into your mind
>This mare you're holding right now...
>This is a mare you could wake up next to for the rest of your life
 
End