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// The Argument 
// Story: Six Hundred Words (written by OtterMatt) 
// by Spabble 
//------------------------------//

    I wasn’t supposed to have seen the argument.  They never even knew I was there.  I was sitting in an outdoor bistro in downtown Canterlot enjoying lunch, when I noticed two of my best friends in the world.

I had known Lucky since we were both tiny colts.  We grew up together, played together, went to school together.  We were practically brothers until high school, even when we ended up in different schools.
I met Wildfire in college.  We hit it off immediately, and became good friends and partners in mischief.  I was overjoyed when she met—and fell head over hooves for—my best friend.
The two of them were a perfect fit.  They seemed made for each other.  Maybe that was why it broke my heart to see the two of them going at it in the middle of the city.
“I am going to get a hooficure!” she almost screamed at him.
“No!  I’ve already paid for three of those things this month!” he cried back.
I blushed and hid myself behind my book.  If they actually saw me they’d be mortified, I’m sure, but something else was going on here, I could tell.
By the sound of it, Wildfire was in no mood to back down.  “Why are you so set on keeping me home when you’re never there?  Are you the only one who can spend money anymore?”
Lucky snorted.  “What’s the big deal about hooficures anyway?  You’re not even going with your marefriends this time.  What do you do all day that wears them down so much, huh?”
“Is it such a crime to want to look good?”
“What have you got to look good for?”  Lucky said, slightly incredulous.  “It’s not like we’re going anywhere.”
Wildfire fumed, a hoof slamming down on the table.  “I can’t believe you!  I just...  I—I... What does it matter?”  I heard a distinct change in Wildfire’s voice, and I peeked out to see her shoulders slump in defeat.
Lucky didn’t seem to notice.  “What does it matter how the money is spent?”
“No, I—  Never mind.  You’re right, it doesn’t matter anyway.”  I was floored.
The rapid shift seemed to have caught her husband’s attention as well.  “Wait, what now?  Hang on, Wild, what’s wrong?” he asked, much quieter.
Wildfire said nothing for some time, just staring at her hooves on the table.  “Lucky, I just—I just wanted you to look at me.” she said without looking up.
“What’s that mean?  I’m looking at you right now, aren’t I?” Lucky said, flustered by the shift.
“No,” she sighed, shaking her head.  “When we first met, Lucky.  You stared at me like, well, I don’t know, but it was special.  When we were dating, you stared at me so often that you actually ran straight into a building while we were walking.  When we got married, you couldn’t stop looking at me long enough to get your vows right.”  Understanding dawned on Lucky.  “In 11 years, when did it stop?”
His jaw worked up and down as he tried to find words.  “I don’t know, Wild.  Life just, you know, happens.”
“It’s a small thing, but after a hooficure, I feel beautiful.  Just for a little bit.  I keep thinking that maybe you’ll look at me like that again.”
“I guess I’ve taken you for granted...”  He stuck his hoof across the table and took hers.  “Hey, how about we go somewhere special, just us?  Maybe Manehatten?”
She frowned.  “What about work?  Your lunch break’s over in ten minutes.”
Lucky gave his mate a smile.  “I think this food gave me food poisoning.”
Wildfire let out a small laugh, and I let out a sigh of relief, knowing they’d be okay.