//------------------------------//
// Hearts & Hooves Day 
// Story: Button Mash & Sweetie Belle's Date 
// by Lullaby Cresent 
//------------------------------//

It was the day before Hearts & Hooves Day, February 13th. Everypony was either nervous or excited. Button Mash was both excited and nervous. He and his friend, Rumble, had been trying to get dates for the impending holiday, but have had tough luck. At the school-house, the bell rang for recess, and the two colts ran outside. They stood in the corner by the school-house, and started up a conversation.

"Hey, Rumble! How's your day going so far?" Button Mash asked.

Rumble replied, "Pretty good, yours?"

Button Mash answered, "Awesome!" Sweetie Belle had walked by, and he started blushing up a storm.

Rumble had noticed him blushing at her, and asked, "Hey, are you alright? Every time that filly walks by, you start acting strange. What's her name, anyways?"

Button Mash sighed dreamily, "Sweetie Belle..." He realized the way he had just said it, and then coughed, "Um, yeah, her name's Sweetie Belle, and I 'blush', because...um...uh...it's...hot outside?"

"Dude, it's February, and there's snow on the ground. It isn't humid out here at all." Rumble said curiously.

Button Mash groaned, "Ah! Alright...I like her, but you can't tell her, okay?!"

Rumble rolled his eyes, "I won't, don't worry about it."

Button Mash grabbed his shoulders and started spazzing out, "I'm serious, Rumble! You can't tell Sweetie Belle or anypony else! My entire life depends on it, and I'll never love again." He was being a drama-king, and he laid on the ground, holding a flower from the ground on his chest. 

Rumble looked at his friend like he had five heads. "Chill out...and jeez, over-react much?"

"Heh, sorry, guess I got too carried away." Button Mash replied.

Rumble changed the topic after clearing his throat, "Anyways, taking her out on Hearts & Hooves Day?"

"I don't know...I don't even think I can go up to her without choking on my words." Button Mash responded.

Rumble said, "Well, I already have my date for tomorrow night. Maybe we could double-date...if you get one, not trying to insult you."

Button Mash answered, "Sounds like a plan to me, but who are you going out with?"

Rumble folded his ears back, then perked them again. "If you want Sweetie Belle to have any chances with you, it's better you find out later." He finally said.

Button Mash looked at him, "Alright..."

"So, need any help asking Sweetie Belle out? You've gotta do it now or never, before she makes plans." Rumble insisted.

Button Mash just nodded sheepishly, already starting to regret his decision.

"Meet me after school, then." Rumble said.

Button Mash nodded again, and then followed the class inside. After the school bell had rung, everypony rushed out the door, since it was the start of the weekend. Rumble and Button Mash were left after the stampeding crowd.

"Alright, let's get to Daisy's Flower Shop." Rumble stated.

"W-Why?" Button Mash asked.

Rumble spoke, "Everypony knows mares can't deny a stallion with flowers." 

Button Mash remarked, "But I'm not a stallion, I'm just a colt."

"Well, it's time to pony-up, Button!" Rumble encouraged.

Button Mash gulped, "A-Alright..."

They stopped at a few shops. At Daisy's Flower Shop, they picked up pink tulips, Sweetie Belle's favorite flower. They also went to Sugar Cube Corner to get a heart balloon and box of gourmet chocolates in a heart-shaped box. It was also velvet with a bow wrapped around it. The last place they went was Button Mash's house, and he put on a striped bow-tie.

"Do I really have to wear this thing? It's choking my neck!" Button Mash complained.

Rumble looked at him, "Do you or don't you want to look good for your mare-friend?"

Button Mash blushed a bit, "She isn't my mare-friend!...Yet, and why taunt me when I'm about to speak to her face-to-face with this junk?"

Rumble replied, "I've gone out with two girls at our school. I've had more dating experience than you, so who are you going to listen to? Plus, I'm your best bud."

Button Mash muttered, "Okay...now what?"

Rumble smiled, "Now you get to tell Sweetie Belle you wanna date her!"

"W-What?! I don't think I'm ready, Rumble!" Button Mash said worried.

Rumble scoffed, "Pfft, you're more than ready. Trust me, you're going to look irresistible to Sweetie Belle. She'll have no choice, but to say yes."

"I don't know, are you sure about this?" Button Mash asked.

Rumble rolled his eyes and smiled, "'Course I'm sure. Plus, we're already here, have fun!"

"Wait, what?!" Button Mash said surprised.

Rumble jumped in a bush by Rarity's boutique door, and pushed Button Mash up to the door enough to hit his head on the doorbell. Button Mash gasped and fixed his bow-tie, then picked up everything he had brought for Sweetie Belle.

Rarity opened the door using her magic, "Uh...hello, there. Can I help you?"

Button Mash stammered, "I'm...uh...here...sister...to see...your..." He coughed and built up a bit of confidence, "Is Sweetie Belle home?" Button Mash chuckled nervously.

Rarity replied awkwardly, "Yes, she is...just give me a moment, I'll go get her."

Rumble put down his ears in the bush, and watched from afar through the branches.

Sweetie Belle was the next face Button Mash saw. His heart beat really fast and he got really nervous. 

"Oh, hey, Button Mash. What are you doing here?" Sweetie Belle said with a smile.

Button Mash gulped and let out a deep breath, "Sweetie Belle...I've um...had a c-crush on you for a long time now...and, um...was wondering if..."

Sweetie Belle started to blush, just like Button Mash. She asked, "Yes?"

Button Mash continued, "If you would like to maybe...go on a double-date with me for Hearts & Hooves Day..." Button Mash blushed in embarrassment and worry. 

Rumble bit his lip in suspense from the bush.

Sweetie Belle blushed and replied, "Sure, I-I'd love to." She smiled.

Button Mash lit up, "Huh? Really?!" He got excited, and still blushed.

Rumble jumped up out of the bush flying with his wings and screamed, "YES!!!" Then he gasped and crashed back into the bush.

"What and who was that?" Sweetie Belle questioned, looking over at the damaged bush, with the colt still struggling in it.

Button Mash chuckled, "Oh, um, just..."

Sweetie Belle looked at Button Mash, then back at the bush and she shouted, "Hey, Rumble! How are you?"

Rumble groaned, but managed to talk, "I-I'm doing good..." He said in pain.

Button Mash looked at her in awe and asked, "H-How'd you know it was Rumble?"

"It was easy, actually. I noticed you don't talk to many ponies at school, and Rumble seemed like your best friend, so kinda easy to assume." Sweetie Belle laughed a bit.

Button Mash laughed with her nervously, "Oh, um, these are for you." He gave her the balloon, chocolates, and flowers.

Sweetie Belle levitated them with her magic into the house, but before she did, she said, "Goodbye, Button Mash." She kissed him on the cheek, then blushed and went inside quickly.

Button Mash blushed a lot and his heart was beating even faster. His eyes got wider, "I-I can't believe it! The most beautiful filly in all of Equestria just kissed my cheek!" He started jumping around.

Rumble interrupted, "Uh, hello, friend stuck in bush?" He groaned in pain.

Button Mash rushed over, "Sorry, Rumble. Got a bit caught up in the moment." He helped his friend up.

"Ah, don't worry about it." Rumble said with a smile. When he tried to fold his wing back up on his side, he gasped in pain. "Ow!" Rumble shouted.

"What's wrong, is your wing okay?" Button Mash asked.

Rumble replied, "Oh, it's fine...I'm sure it's just a scratch...ouch!"

Button Mash suggested, "We'd better get you to Caring Oats Hospital, come on!"

They rushed over to the hospital. Shortly after the nurses and doctor ran some scans, Rumble left the hospital the next few hours later with a broken wing. 

"Who knew you could break a wing over excitement?" Button Mash questioned. 

Rumble sighed, "I don't know what my date is going to think of me now...she'll probably think I'm a total loser."

Button Mash replied, "Nah, if she said yes to the double-date, she must love you."

"Yeah...heh, about the double-date, my date doesn't know about it yet." Rumble said.

Button Mash responded, "Neither does Sweetie Belle, as you could tell from...well, me asking her out."

Rumble looked up, "It's getting pretty late, we should both be getting home. See you later, Button!"

"See ya." Button Mash finished.

Button Mash started heading home, wondering about who Rumble's date was and if the date would go well tomorrow night. After Button Mash got home, he went to sleep. A couple hours later, the sun came up, and Rumble knocked on his door.

Rumble asked, "Ready to get ready for tonight?"

"I'm a bit tired...but sure." Button Mash replied.

Rumble responded, "Hey, early-bird gets the worm, right?"

Button Mash questioned, "What does a bird and worm have to do with waking up?"

Rumble rolled his eyes and said, "Ugh, nevermind. Let's go."

They got dressed up in tuxedo's and bought roses. 

Button Mash complained, "This stupid torture device! I'm going to die from suffocating in this dang thing! Seriously, I think it's trying to choke me!"

Rumble laughed, "The sun's setting, we just have to get through tonight, and then you won't need it anymore...until your wedding day." He taunted, laughing some more.

Button Mash blushed a bit and growled. He knocked on Sweetie Belle's door once more, and Rarity answered again. 

"You again? I assume you are here for my sister?" Rarity stated.

Button Mash nodded.

Rarity rolled her eyes, "Very well. Sweetie Belle, get down here!"

Sweetie Belle came down the stairs, and met up with everypony at the door. 

"Now, you go and have fun with your...friends." Rarity said. Then she whispered in a dark tone to Button Mash, "If you hurt her, or do anything to harm her, I will hunt you down and..." She noticed Sweetie Belle and the colts were staring at her.

Rarity chuckled nervously, "Yes, have a good time. Ta-ta!" She shut the door and ran back inside.

Sweetie Belle asked, "So...this is a double-date?"

Button Mash replied, "Mm-hmm." 

"Then where's Rumble's date?" Sweetie Belle wondered.

Rumble responded, "We're on our way to pick her up now..."

Sweetie Belle questioned, "Who is she?"

Rumble gulped and said, "Oh, you'll see..."

They reached a mansion up at the top of one of Ponyville's hills. 

Sweetie Belle said curiously, "Say, isn't this...Diamond Tiara's house?"

Diamond Tiara walked out of the house and down the path to meet up with them. Then she gasped, "What is she doing on my property?!"

"What are you doing in that sheep's clothing?!" Sweetie Belle replied.

"I'll have you know this is imported fabric and material all the way from...!" Diamond Tiara was cut off by Rumble.

Rumble groaned, "I knew this would happen! Come on, can't we all get along together for one night?"

Diamond Tiara growled, "Fine, one night. That's it." 

Sweetie Belle pouted, "Fine...let's get this over with."

The four went to Sugar Cube Corner for their date. 

Button Mash told Sweetie Belle, "Here, I got these f-for you." He blushed a bit.

Sweetie Belle blushed once she got the roses, "Thanks, Button."

Button Mash blushed, "No problem."

Rumble then gave Diamond Tiara the flowers he got for her.

"Ugh, I despise roses. Especially red ones! Get those ugly things out of my face!" Diamond Tiara said.

Pinkie Pie came up and smiled, "Hey, you love-birds! What can I get ya?!"

Button Mash asked, "W-What do you want?"

Sweetie Belle replied, "Just a strawberry milkshake is fine."

Button Mash took the order, "A chocolate and strawberry milkshake, please."

Pinkie Pie responded, "Okie dokie lokie! How about you two?"

Rumble asked, "Do you like cookies?"

"I'm not in the mood for cookies, and they have too much gluten, don't you know it's bad for you?" Diamond Tiara remarked.

Rumble suggested, "Okay...how about cupcakes?"

Diamond Tiara responded, "Cupcakes have too much frosting and are extremely unhealthy, do you want me to get fat?!" 

Rumble's eyes shrunk, "Uh...how about a milkshake?"

Diamond Tiara scoffed, "Your my coltfriend, you should know this stuff and what I like. Pinkie Pie, I'd like a diet low-fat vanilla milkshake, and don't go over load with the whipped cream, and I don't wish for a cherry, is that too much?"

Pinkie Pie looked at her and blinked blankly, "...Not at all!"

Rumble asked, "Could I just get a chocolate shake?"

Pinkie Pie replied, "Sure thing! Comin' right up, everypony!"

After the milkshakes got to the table, Diamond Tiara growled at how much fun Sweetie Belle and Button Mash were having. She stuck out her hoof and tripped Pinkie Pie, the milkshakes falling into Sweetie Belle's mane. 

"Ahh!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed in surprise.

She started to cry when all the ponies in the diner looked at her.

Sweetie Belle started tearing up, "I-I'll be right back!" She ran off into the restroom.

Rumble asked, "How did that happen?"

Button Mash shrugged his shoulders.

Diamond Tiara looked completely innocent, "I don't know how that could have possibly happened."

Meanwhile, Pinkie Pie shouted, "Oh my Celestia! I'm so, so, so, so, SO sorry! I'll bring out four fresh milkshakes, stat!" She dashed off into the kitchen.

Button Mash looked at Diamond Tiara suspiciously.

Sweetie Belle came back with her mane dry, but looking a bit wavy after it had been wet. Her dress also dried up.

Diamond Tiara asked, "Are you okay, Sweetie Belle?"

"Yeah..." Sweetie Belle said shakily.

Pinkie Pie came back out, "Four fresh milkshakes!" She gave each of them the correct milkshake, without spilling it.

They all started chatting and having a good time, but Diamond Tiara only pretended to. She look at Button Mash, having full attention on Sweetie Belle.

Diamond Tiara cleared her throat, "Could I speak to Sweetie Belle alone for a moment? Just to get a breath of fresh air?"

They all nodded, and then Sweetie Belle got up and walked outside with Diamond Tiara.

"It's c-cold out here, why would you..." Sweetie Belle was cut off.

Diamond Tiara said sternly, "I don't know who the hay you think you are, but now that you are dating Button Mash, I will make your life a total misery. I had a crush on him longer. Ever since I met him, which was WAY before you! So, stay out of my way, he's mine, got that?!"

Sweetie Belle gasped, then shouted back, "I can't believe you would say that! You're with Rumble! He's a good guy!"

Meanwhile, back inside, Rumble asked, "Huh, I wonder what's taking them so long."

Button Mash replied, "Let's go see what's keeping them."

The two friends walked outside, and over-heard the continued argument.

Diamond Tiara shouted, "I don't give a flying feather about Rumble! I love Button Mash, not him! Button is going to be mine, and mine only, and if you can't comprehend that, then you can just---!"

Rumble looked coldly at Diamond Tiara, "She can just what, Diamond?"

Diamond Tiara chuckled nervously, "Oh, hey, Rumble, just taking in the fresh air."

"I heard everything, well...most of everything, anyways, I heard enough to know what's going on." Rumble said.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Diamond Tiara laughed nervously.

Rumble looked at her, "Diamond, we're through."

Diamond Tiara burst out, "Fine! Dump me! I don't like any of you blank-flanks anyways! How could I even ever crush on a blank fla--" She slid on ice and landed in a giant pile of snow.

The three ponies laughed at her, and Diamond Tiara grunted, "Ugh! Get me out of h-h-here!" She shivered.

Button Mash replied, "Sorry, Diamond Tiara, but you can get yourself out."

The three friends started walking away, back to their homes. 

Diamond Tiara shouted from behind, "Grr! You haven't seen the last of me!"

Rumble went home after a certain point of walking, leaving just Sweetie Belle and Button Mash.

Sweetie Belle said, "Thanks for tonight, Button Mash."

"Ah, it was nothing...sorry it was burned out because of Diamond, though..." He replied.

Sweetie Belle responded, "I still had a great time..." Sweetie Belle kissed Button Mash, but this time on the lips. They both blushed, and Button Mash was really shocked and surprised.

"Um...that was..." Button Mash said, then cleared his throat and blushed a bit more. "So...wanna come over my house and play some Minecraft?" He asked.

Sweetie Belle blushed and then smiled, "Sure."

They both walked to his house, and grabbed apple juice and cookies from the fridge. Then, set up their laptops on the table. 

Sweetie Belle said, "Wow...this has been one wacky Hearts & Hooves Day."

Button Mash smiled, "Yeah, but it was still fun over-all. Plus, we kicked Diamond Tiara's spoiled butt!"

They both laughed, then played Minecraft for the rest of the night.

THE END