//------------------------------// // Chapter 11, Hearts And Hooves Day Special // Story: Mechanic Hearts And Postage Stamps // by Ebony Runwick //------------------------------// Previously on Mechanic Hearts and Postage Stamps~! Hearts and Hooves day! Oh, what a special day where ponies young and old go out with their special someponies on dates and have so much fun! A snore rippled through the master bedroom of the house. ...Or not. It was morning, Circuit and Adhesive were both still asleep, the latter cuddled up into the former’s embrace who had wrapped his hooves around the mail stallion protectively. Everything was peaceful. Ebony burst through the door and threw confetti everywhere, shouting into a bullhorn. “HAPPY HEARTS AND HOOVES DAY!!!!!” The noise roared through the room, jolting Adhesive awake who in turn, screamed in alarm and promptly fell off the bed. Circuit just let out a soft groan, rolling onto his side so he could bury his head under the mound of pillows. Yes, he was used to Ebony’s occasional yelling at random hours, but that didn’t mean he enjoyed it. “S’too early for this Ebony….Go back to bed or something.” He flailed a hoof at the mare before settling back down, trying to make himself comfy again. “Go harass some other couple or something…” She gave him a deadpan look before a magical aura enveloped the blankets, promptly ripping them off the bed. Ebony gave Circuit a smug smile. “Oops.” Adhesive on the other hoof, was still on the floor, holding his head where he’d accidentally hit it on the night stand. The stallion let out a soft grunt as he lifted his head, pulling it out of the pile of blankets. He shot a glare at Ebony, his eyes still slightly foggy with sleep. “I hate you so much. Why are you so excited anyways, I thought you hated Heart and Hooves Day?” Her face instantly fell, vibrant emerald eyes dimming to a dark, lifeless olive. Her posture also changed, she seemed to shrink and slouch as if in pain. “...Yeah…” The white stallion looked over at her, obviously very confused. He looked at Circuit, a silent look for answers across his face. Circuit let out a soft huff as he fully dragged himself out from the blankets, shaking himself a bit before padding over to lightly nudge the mare. “Hey hey none of that, okay? Let’s just..Pretend I never said anything. Now c’mon, I know you didn’t wake us up this early for no reason, what sort of crazy scheme do you have planned this time?” He attempted to smile at her, hoping that changing the subject would perk her up again. Ebony’s posture returned to normal and her eyes lit up again, not to the full luster of before but a definite improvement. She smiled brightly, one of her smiles that indicated she had a plan. “Oh yeah, yes I do. So, you guys know how you two were just going to stay in and hang out today?” Adhesive nodded and got up finally from his spot on the floor where he’d fallen. “Well, now you’re not, cuz I’m kicking you out for the day. You two, are going to the fair that they’ve set up today. And it’ll be fun so shush!” The white stallion smiled, it did sound fun, a whole day with Circuit, at a fair? With roller coasters, cotton candy, snack foods, and a ferris wheel? What could be any better! The gray ‘pegasus’ immediately opened his mouth to complain, but after glancing over and seeing the happy look on Adhesive's face, he shut it. It had been a while since he and Adhesive had gone on a date...And the fair didn’t sound too bad. “Alright, fine. But no going through my things! And especially don’t you dare break into the locked cupboard down in my workshop because that is private property and I’ll...I don’t know...Sue you or something.” He shrugged, unable to come up with a good threat. After all, Ebony could probably snap him like a twig if she really wanted to, so it didn’t matter how threatening he tried to be. Said pegasus let out a laugh, her mane shaking and throwing glitter onto the floor. Had that been in her hair? “Oh Faust, Circuit! Is that you being threatening? You’re freaking adorable, besides, I may or may not look through that cupboard, depends on my mood silly~!” The white stallion rolled his blue eyes and walked over to his coltfriend’s side. “Oh don’t worry about it, this’ll be fun! I’m gonna go get ready alright?” He said before walking off towards their bathroom, his tail actually flicking back and forth seductively. Ebony’s eyes widened and she instantly found something on the wall very interesting. Circuit let out a slightly strangled sounding noise as he watched Adhesive go, his face slightly red as he turned back to Ebony. “Right I’m also gonna go ah, do that, you should...You should go somewhere not..Here bye.” He quickly ushered the mare out of the room before trotting after his coltfriend. A voice came from the bathroom as soon as he shut the door. “Oh Circuit~!” _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ebony laughed at her friend's reaction before walking back into the living room. She trotted towards the ‘foyer’ and up the stairs opening the front door. On the steps was the morning mail. Which was enveloped in a green aura as the hybrid brought it back inside, humming as she went. Said mare walked to the living room and plopped herself down into an armchair by the fireplace where the TV hung above the mantle. The newspaper was promptly unfolded and the headings read, from stocks to local tabloids. One article in particular caught her eye though, ‘New Mystic Psychic! All new booth coming to the county fair! Real Voodoo, come while supply lasts!’ What a load of hay, the only creatures to know voodoo are Zebras. The mare thought, chuckling to herself. Both Circuit and Adhesive joined her after a few more minutes, both looking surprisingly presentable all things considered. “Right, let’s get going before we get any more distracted and just end up spending all our time here.” The mare raised an eyebrow before nodding and waving them off. “Go, have fun, but please be decent out in public alright?” Adhesive responded with a very bright blush that was very prominent against his white coat. The mare smirked at the two, her reading glasses firmly planted on her muzzle. To be honest she looked quite sophisticated, a stark contrast from what she’d just said. “Yes mother, we’ll behave.” The gray stallion drawled sarcastically, letting out a soft huff as he rolled his eyes. “I am capable of keeping my hooves to myself you know.” He snorted softly, reaching out one of his hooves to gentle ruffle the mare’s mane. He knocked her glasses slightly askew, but he didn’t really care that much. “Call me if you need anything, okay? And I mean that, doesn’t matter if Adhesive and I are on a date.” She straightened her glasses and patted down her mane giving the ‘pegasus’ a playful glare. “Yeah yeah, you do know I’m fully capable of handling many emergencies. But I’ll call if I need it alright, so shush.” Ebony flicked the newspaper to straighten it out before magically shoving the two coltfriends towards the stairs in the ‘foyer’. “Okay okay, we get it we’re going. Don’t burn the house down while we’re gone!” Circuit called back before they were shoved out of the house, letting out a soft huff. “The things I put up with...C’mon love, let’s get going so we have as much time as possible at the fair.” His coltfriend let out a laugh and nodded. “All in all though Ebony is a good friend, I’m glad she’s around to help out. Especially since you can’t cook a lick.” The stallion teased, sticking his tongue out playfully. “Oi, you shut it. My cooking’s getting better! Sort of...I’ve been burning things less!” He let out a huff as he lightly bumped the other stallion. “So mean, why do even put up with you people~?” Adhesive let out a laugh before shaking his head at the comment. “True, but that doesn't mean I’m going to give up Ebony’s Vegan Pasta.” They’d reached one of the main roads and the stallion held up a hoof to hail a taxi while also continuing to make eye contact with his coltfriend. Circuit snorted softly, lightly pecking his nose before slipping into the taxi. “C’mon you, get in the taxi before I leave you here~” He teased him lightly, sticking his tongue out at Adhesive playfully. The stallion returned the gesture before getting in the taxi as well. “County Fair please.” He said to the driver and then they were off, Adhesive smiled at Circuit lovingly. “Have you ever actually been to a fair before?” “Nope!” The stallion let out a slightly awkward chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck as his face reddened slightly. “I um...Didn’t even know we had one in town until today to be honest...It sounds fun enough though, so I’m sure it’ll be great!” The stallion nodded, offering his coltfriend a smile. “It is fun! I used to go to them as a kid, Madre and Mama would always take me since I didn’t have any siblings. We’d just hang out, as a family, eating cotton candy, playing games, even riding roller coasters!” Adhesive’s voice rose in excitement and the memories of his foalhood, in his eyes, this was going to be the best Hearts and Hooves day ever. The ‘pegasus’ raised his eyebrows slightly at the mention of two mothers, but he didn’t say anything about it. That was a talk for another time after all. “Heh sounds...Ah wait…” His brow furrowed slightly as he backtracked to remember everything the other stallion had said. “Did you say uh...Roller coasters..?” “Yeah! They were my favorite as a colt, the adrenaline rush or the heights just gave me a rush! I loved them, I think there’s one called the ‘Hoof Buster’ at the fair this year. It’s mostly closed during the year unless a Circus or fair comes to town so I’ve never been on it. But this year I will! It’ll be so much fun Circuit, you’ll love it!” His voice was full of excitement and glee, like a foal on Hearth’s Warming Eve morning. Circuit smiled warmly at him, forcing down the nervousness that threatened to rise in his chest. Adhesive looked so excited, he wouldn’t dare crush his happiness. He’d just have to suck it up and push down his own fears. Who knows, maybe it’d actually end up being fun? He highly doubted that, but it was worth a shot. “Yeah...I bet it’s gonna be great. Especially since you’re gonna be there~” He lightly bopped the white stallion’s nose, a light blush spreading across his face. Adhesive let out a giggle and smiled before returning the gesture and giving his coltfriend a kiss on the cheek. The driver pulling the carriage looked back for a moment and smiled at them, letting out a small ‘aww!’ Adhesive blushed at the mare’s reaction, before turning back to his coltfriend. Circuit let out a slightly embarrassed sounding snort, having forgotten for a brief moment that there were other ponies in the taxi with them. He cleared his throat to rid himself of some of his embarrassment, settling back against the seat as he snuggled up against Adhesive’s side. The taxi stopped shortly after in front of a big sign attached to a gate that read in brightly painted letters ‘County Fair.’ If that wasn’t obvious, the green maned stallion didn’t know what was. The driver, an orange mare with black mane and a wrench and gear cutie mark looked at them. “Well, ‘er we are! That’ll be five bits, usually it’s ten dontcha know but I’m gonna be nice today a’ight?” She smiled at them brightly, her pink eyes warm. Circuit just quickly hoofed over the bits and slipped out of the cab before he was forced to make small talk or anything. He impatiently waited for Adhesive by the entrance to the fair, tapping one of his hooves on the ground as he tried to reign in his impatience. Said stallion walked over with a small knowing grin on his face. He crept over and leaned over by Circuit’s ear. “You know you’re not fooling me with that grumpy act hmm?” The white earth pony whispered, his breath tickling Circuit’s ear. The stallion tensed up slightly, a warm blush spreading across his face as the fluff on the back of his neck stood up. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about I’m a grumpy old stallion and you know it. Now let’s hurry up and get inside before I uh...Break a hip or something.” He muttered flusteredly as he shuffled forward, his ears pressed flat against his head. Adhesive let out a guffaw of laughter at his coltfriend’s response and quickly walked over to the ticket booth and bought two. “Oh Luna that was good, you serious babe? Don’t bullsh*t a bullsh*tter, you of all ponies should know that.” “Sorry, what was that? You’ll have to speak up sonny, my hearing isn’t what it used to be.” He snorted as he snatched his ticket from Adhesive’s hooves, sticking his tongue out at him. “Now c’mon, let’s get going so you don’t keep this old stallion up too late.” His coltfriend laughed, his blue eyes shining with mirth. “Do we need to pick up some denture cleaner while we’re out or do we have enough?” “No no, we’re good. I could use some more pomegranate juice though, s’good for the digestive system. You have to worry about that sort of stuff when you get to be my age.” Circuit teased him lightly as he nudged the other stallion in the side. “Alright alright, enough of the old jokes. Let’s just get on with our date, yeah?” “Yeah, sounds good to me babe.” Adhesive smiled before entering the fair, being immediately met with booths selling all kinds of things. From cotton candy to game booths, even some booths with events. “Ohh! Cotton Candy, you’re gonna love this Circuit!” He cried happily before pulling his coltfriend over to the stand and buying two sticks of the sweet fluffy material. Circuit stared at the brightly colored sweet with wide eyes, slowly taking one of the sticks when offered. “Are you sure this is edible? It looks like what you’d put in pillows or something.” The other stallion snickered. “Yes Circuit, it’s edible, it’s good! Just try it, you’ll like it, it’s like thin sugar on a stick.” The blue eyed stallion smiled before taking a bite of the sweet in front of him. He let out a satisfied sound and smiled brightly at his coltfriend. “See? Edible and good.” The gray stallion looked at him skeptically, debating it a moment before taking a small bite of the fluffy treat. He let out a soft groaning noise, his eyes fluttering shut. “Oh sweet Luna, where have you been all my life?” He groaned before practically shoving the rest of the cotton candy into his mouth. “Don’t look at me, this is a private moment.” Circuit spoke around the sweets in his mouth, his voice slightly muffled. His coltfriend let out a laugh before taking another bite of his own cotton candy. “Told you~! Besides, I know what you like~.” Adhesive smiled, his blue eyes indicating certain… things…. As well as the mail stallion began to lick the side of his cotton candy in a certain manner…. “Okayyyyyy, enough of that. Let’s keep it PG-13 here love, at least until we get home. You heard what Ebony said earlier. And, as far as I know, she’s probably watching us right now or something.” The ‘pegasus’ let out a soft snort, flicking his gaze around the fairgrounds. “Why don’t I do something cheesy and cutesy for you like...I don’t know, win you a giant bear or something?” The stallion tapped his chin for a moment before smiling. “Sure, why not? We can play a few games, that sounds fun.” The two then began to spend the evening playing games, eating really unhealthy food and downright having fun. The booths were interesting, the prizes that Circuit won for Adhesive were large and ridiculous, but he loved them. As well as the food, good, but greasy or sugar filled. “I still can’t believe you yelled at the attendee at that first game booth. Just to get me a prize you adorable stallion you.” “Of course I did, that game was totally rigged! I’m not gonna let some cheapskate keep me from getting you a stuffed bear bigger than you are.” Circuit let out a soft huff, rolling his dark green eyes. He didn’t know why he’d been so dead set on getting that bear for his coltfriend in the first place, but just seeing him with it looked right. “Besides, you love that thing and you know it.” As if to confirm the statement the stallion gave the bear a squeeze. “I can’t help it! He’s so fluffy! His name is Charles.” Adhesive smiled brightly and kissed Circuit’s cheek. “Thank you for tonight, this is really amazing.” “Y-yeah..Don’t mention it. Can’t let anypony know I’m getting soft.” The ‘pegasus’ teased lightly, a light blush spreading across his face at the soft kiss. “Hey ah...It’s getting kind of late…” He shot a glance up at the steadily darkening sky, the bright lights of the fair becoming more obvious as it grew darker. They still had plenty of time, the fair did run late into the night after all, but Circuit was hoping that maybe if he pushed things along Adhesive would forget about the roller coaster. “Anything you wanna do before we go…?” He asked, his voice slightly hesitant. As they walked, said death trap came into view, along with a brightly colored sign displaying the name ‘Hoof Breaker’ in bright red letters. “Ooh! Let’s go on that one! I’ve been dying to ride a good roller coaster for ages now!” The white stallion cried happily and grabbed Circuit’s hoof. He dragged his coltfriend to the gate and looked at the pony attending the ride. “Welcome to the ‘Hoof Blaster’, we can hold your stuff and prizes here.” Adhesive immediately put down his prizes including ‘Charles’ and pulled Circuit through. “Come on! This is gonna be fun!” The attendee ushered them to the car and sat them down right in the front before adjusting the safety bar. “Enjoy the ride.” The pony said in a monotone before walking to a station and pressing a button. The car began to move, towards the first incline that would start the coaster. “Here we go!” Adhesive cried happily and threw his hooves into the air. Circuit sat frozen in his seat, having froze the minute his coltfriend and started dragging him towards what would be the cause of his inevitabley gruesome death. Or at least, that’s what it felt like. “H-hey wait, I never agreed to any of thiiiiaaaaAAAAAHHHHH!” The stallion’s panicked voice rose to a yell as the ride took off, his hooves clutching the bar with a death grip while he squeezed his eyes shut. “Get me off of this thing!” His coltfriend didn’t reply, only let out a loud whoop and began to laugh as the car rocketed forward, up down and side to side. “YeeeAAHHHHwhooooOOO!!!!!” Adhesive cried happily. The ‘pegasus’ reached out, practically flailing one of his hooves till he was able to blindly grasp at Adhesive’s. He clutched it as hard as he could, slowly cracking one of his eyes open. A slightly horrified little laugh left him as he peeked, the laughter growing less terrified and happier as a rush of adrenaline passed through him. He slowly opened both of his eyes, letting out a happy cry as he continued to cling to Adhesive. His coltfriend squeezed Circuit’s hoof back in excitement, glad that he was having fun. The car whisked to the side and up as another dip came up before the feeling of falling. Then, the incline leveled and the ride was over, the car stopped and Adhesive let out a little laugh of happiness and looked over at Circuit. “That was fun!” Circuit just nodded slowly, practically dragging himself out of the car. He staggered over to their stuff, breathily thanking the stallion who’d held it for them before pretty much collapsing next to it. “Oh Celestia I think I’m having a heart attack. That is, if my heart is still even beating.” His companion let out a laugh before helping him to his hooves. “Happy Hearts and Hooves day Circuit.”