“How does this look?” Silver Screen asks, sporting a red tie around his neck.

It’s Sunday morning, and today is the day that Silver Screen gets to have lunch with Milano’s friends. The only one he had not met before was Bon-Bon, since he was already acquainted with Junebug. Nevertheless, the thought of seeing them, especially after hearing Milano tell him that they are not too fond of him, makes him rather nervous, as he is not quite looking forward to a lunch where they give him judgmental eyes and possible condescending questions.

Milano walks out of Silver Screen’s bathroom, fresh out of the shower with a towel wrapped around her mane, and looks at Silver Screen’s attire.

“You don’t need to wear a tie, SS.” she chuckles, “It’s not like we’re going to Canterlot for lunch. It’s a simple and casual affair.”

“Yeah, but I feel like I have to look nice. After all, you DID tell me that they don’t like me.”

“If you’re so nervous, why did you agree to do this in the first place?”

“Because if they’re going to talk bad about me, I might as well have them say it to my face, rather than talk behind my back about it.”

“Nah, they won’t say anything when I’m around.”

“They probably will when you go to the bathroom, and leave me alone with them.”

“Okay, that’s probably true.” she chuckles, “But the fact of the matter is this…” she gives him a nice kiss on the cheek. “I like you, and that’s all that should matter.”

“Believe me, it does.” Silver Screen smiles. “By the way, when is Button coming back with Almighty?”

“Not until the evening. I don’t think we’ll be seeing Junebug and Bon-Bon for that long. I do want to be back at the house before Button arrives, though.” Milano walks back into the bathroom, removing to towel around her mane, and letting the frazzled locks drop down past her shoulders.

“It’s a deal.” Silver Screen adjusts his tie in front of the mirror. More and more, he feels like he does not need one. In one quick motion, he removes the tie from his neck. “You’re right. I don’t need this silly thing.”

“Silly or not, you looked very handsome in it.” Milano says from the bathroom, brushing her mane.

“Well, now you’re going to want to make me put it back on!” he laughs. He looks over to see her brush her mane, with one half perfectly straight, and the other still frazzled. “You should keep that look.” he says, “Very 80’s.”

“Not likely.” Milano smirks, starting on the messy half of her mane. “It’s pretty much how it looks when we sleep together, anyway. Do you really want me going out there sporting a post-sex mane?”

“Maybe.” Silver Screen chuckles, “You’ll still look gorgeous either way.”

“SS…” Milano smiles as she finishes brushing her mane. It’s starting look as beautiful and straight as her other side. “I really don’t know what to do with you.”

“Well…we could ditch your friends, and stay here for some…tussling.”

“As tempting as that sounds, Bon-Bon and Junebug aren’t fans of being stood up.”

“Oh, fine.” Silver Screen pouts, getting more used to the idea of having an all-day love fest with Milano. “I guess we’ll go see them.” His tone sounds disappointed, but comically so, with a fake deep voice to accentuate his joking attitude. Milano chortles with amusement.

Milano and Silver Screen make it to the restaurant known as Jubilee Calendars; a chain of restaurants created by Dodge City’s Cherry Jubilee, after her pies became a hit all over Equestria, second only to Applejack’s. The restaurant is a nice mixture of high class, but also casual, as all ponies of all appearances are welcome.

After being greeted by a Waitress, Milano and Silver Screen are lead to their table. They order some water, as they wait for Junebug and Bon-Bon to arrive.

“How do I look?” Milano asks.

“Do you want the sickly sweet answer, or the superbly sultry one?” Silver Screen deviously smirks. Milano gestures to him that she wants him to be serious. “You look fantastic. There’s no need to ask anyway. They’re only your friends.” He looks around the restaurant, before turning back to her and saying “How do I look?”

“I feel like tackling you to the floor, right now.” she half-jokingly says.

“Nice.” he nods in approval.

When their drinks arrive, so do Bon-Bon and Junebug. Milano’s instincts to look nice were right, as the two friends arrive looking a little more fashionable than usual, with their manes looking extra shiny and Junebug having her mane in curls. Silver Screen wasn’t expecting them to be so dolled up for a simple lunch and meeting, and immediately assumed some kind of nefarious angle from them.

“Junebug, Bon-Bon! Hey!” Milano stand, going in for a welcoming hug. Silver Screen stands up from his seat out of common courtesy. “So glad you two could make it!”

“Aw Milano…” Bon-Bon says with a smile, “Where else would we be? We wouldn’t stand up the happy mare!”

“Besides, we get some food out of it.” Junebug utters with a laugh.

“At any case, you two look great.” Milano points over to Silver Screen, “And this, is my coltfriend Silver Screen, whom you have already been acquainted with in one form or another.”

“Hey.” Silver Screen says with a pleasant smirk, “Nice to see you two.”

“Yeah…likewise.” Junebug sits down at her seat.

Once they are all seated, they look over at their menus, to see what treats this particular restaurant has to offer. Salads, hayburgers, pies, you name it, and it’s most likely that they got it. The four couldn’t deny that the food on display looked absolutely delicious.

The Waiter comes by, asking if they are ready to order. Bon-Bon and Junebug order the special house salad, with croutons, sliced hard boiled eggs, carrots, avocado, and a dressing of their choice. Bon-Bon went with the ranch, while Junebug was a balsamic kind of mare.

Milano and Silver Screen’s meals were far from healthy, as Milano ordered “The Works” Hayburger, with a variety of different toppings on a sourdough bun, while Silver Screen decided to try the Haywrap, which is packed to the brim with vegetables, and a special sauce that is rumored to be the spiciest in all of Equestria.

When the orders have been placed, and the Waiter leaves, the four begin to converse amongst each other.

“So, this is your first real date, huh?” Bon-Bon asks.

“Sort of.” Milano replies. “We've been spending a lot of time together this weekend. I guess you could say these past couple days have been one big date.” she chortles.

“Oh?” Junebug turns to Silver Screen, “Where did you go yesterday?”

“Well, I had an early shift at my job yesterday, and I took Milano over to show her how everything worked and operated. Afterwards, we went over to Ponyville park…”

“Where you scared some pigeons away…” Milano interrupts.

“Which you dared me to do, young filly.” Silver Screen says in a fake stern fatherly tone, eliciting laughs from the lovely mare, “I swear, was she always such a troublemaker with you two?”

“No, not really.” Bon-Bon shrugged, “She was more…reserved.”

“I see… well then…” Silver Screen looks at Milano mischievously, “I guess I’ve been a bad influence on her.”

“You sure have.” Milano giggles, bopping Silver Screen on the muzzle with her hoof.

Bon-Bon and Junebug look upon the scene with varying expressions. Bon-Bon grimaces seeing Milano being so playful with him, while Junebug cracks the slightest of smiles at the foal-like behavior. She quickly catches herself, taking a sip of water to hide the expression.

“So, Silver Screen, how has work been at the Cineplex?” Junebug wondered, after she puts the glass down.

“It’s been going okay. I get the feeling that digital is heading its way over to Ponyville, so I’m going to have to look for a new line of work, unless Box Office decides to keep me around out of amusement.”

“And Box Office is…”

“He’s my boss. He’s also a good friend of mine. Big movie buff like I am, though he can be like a crotchety old stallion sometimes. He likes to complain about CGI and fast paced editing. ‘Why can’t all movies be like Equestrian Kane?’ he would sometimes say.” Silver Screen chuckles, but Bon-Bon and Junebug could barely muster a smile. Silver Screen clears his throat out of awkwardness.

“How does a job such as that pay?” Bon-Bon inquired.

Milano can sense the hint of snideness to the question, like whatever answer that’s going to come out of his mouth will prove unsatisfactory, giving more fuel to the campaign to voice their displeasure of her new coltfriend. She holds her tongue, in the hopes that Silver Screen would keep his cool at such a question. Surely he would notice the tone of Bon-Bon’s voice.

“It’s not enough to get me a house, but it gets me by nonetheless.” he responded. Silver Screen wasn’t deaf to Bon-Bon’s tone. He knew exactly where she was going with this. “I have a nice apartment; I can afford food and drink, among other things. Honestly, I don’t really need any more at this point. If I had a mountain of bits, I wouldn’t know what to do with it.” he chortles.

“Is it serious enough to want to move in with Milano?” Junebug asks.

Milano and Silver Screen pause at the question. They look at each other, checking to see if either one has the answer. In truth, they haven’t considered it. They just met that week, and are using the weekend to get to know one another better. Bon-Bon and Junebug know this, and they can see the hesitance in the couple’s eyes. The two catch a small glimmer in Silver Screen and Milano’s eyes, almost as if the idea to actually move in together could seem like a very real possibility. Junebug is surprised by this glimmer, while Bon-Bon is surprised in all the wrong ways.

“We haven’t considered it, yet.” Milano answers. “I guess we’ll see how these next couple of months pan out.”

“Y-Yeah…” Silver Screen stutters, “You never know what can happen.”

Bon-Bon and Junebug turn their attention strictly to Milano, starting a whole new conversation. Silver Screen can only listen, as the three talk about subjects of bags, clothes, movies that are coming out that are made for the fillies and mare crowd. It’s not completely interesting to him, but at least they aren’t asking him anymore questions that sound like an interrogation.

Minutes pass, and Milano stands from her seat, confusing her friends and Silver Screen.

“Where are you going?” Junebug asks.

“Sorry, I have to use the restroom. When you gotta go, you gotta go, right?”

“Right.” Silver Screen nods with an enthusiastic and joking smile, causing Milano to giggle. “Don’t be gone too long.” he says in a caring, but also worrying tone. Milano can see that he’s nervous about being alone with the two mares.

“Don’t worry. I should be back before the food shows up.” she kisses him on the cheek. “See you in a sec.”

She trots off, leaving the three along with one another. There is a moment of silence with Silver Screen and the two…several moments, actually; minutes probably. Unbeknownst to them, Milano hasn’t gone to the bathroom at all. Instead, she ducked around the corner, sitting down to wait for what they have to say.

Silver Screen is the first to speak up, after minutes of drinking water and clearing throats.

“So, Junebug…Bon-Bon…how’s work?”

“It’s going fine.” Junebug replies, “Can’t complain too much.”

“That’s good to hear. It must be nice to have a stress-free job.”

“I mean….” Junebug continues, “…we have our busy days at some point during the week, but I bet work at your theater gets busy more than us.”

“Ain’t that the truth.” Silver Screen chuckles, “When we have our nutty days over at the theater, I think to myself ‘Yeesh, it would be nice if things would just calm down for once’. Thankfully, middle of the week shifts are usually calm.”

“That’s…interesting.” Bon-Bon responds. She doesn’t really think so, she’s merely trying to be polite. Bon-Bon looks around, checking to see if Milano is coming back yet. So far, nothing. She takes this opportunity. “Silver Screen, what has Milano told you about herself?”

Milano listens intently at this. She even fails to notice some couples walking past her, wondering what her snooping is all about. It’s almost incredible that nopony is walking up to her and giving away her position.

“She told me that she’s going through a pretty nasty divorce.” Silver Screen replies honestly. “I know it happened a couple month ago, but I can see she’s still a little hurt by it.” His tone is caring and sweet, which makes Milano smile. “Why do you ask?”

“I’m asking because I…” she glances at Junebug, “We feel that Milano is still at a delicate stage in her life, right now.”

“I don’t doubt that. Divorce seems like an ugly thing to get over.”

“Right. Because she’s so…what’s the word…vulnerable, she can go through a lot of different phases.”

“Makes sense. I went through a break up once, and I was kind of out of it for some time. It took a while before…”

“This isn’t about you, Silver Screen.” Bon-Bon interrupts, “Junebug and I just want to tell you that, whatever you two are doing, is probably nothing more than a phase.”

Silver Screen, though expecting some kind of displeasured talk from either of the two mares before him, still remained caught off guard by Bon-Bon’s bluntness. His look of small surprise is offset by him looking down at the table, thinking of the very real possibility. Using his magic, he lifts up his glass, taking a sip before putting it back down.

“I see…” he responds quietly, still thinking.

“You seem like a nice colt…” Bon-Bon continues, “And we can see how happy Milano is, but don’t be surprised if it doesn’t last for very long.” Bon-Bon sees that he’s not responding to her words. “Almighty, though he was a bit of a dirtbag, was a very wealthy and secure stallion.” She prods further, “But, no offense, you kind of aren’t. I’m sure what you do keeps yourself in a good spot, but can you really provide for Milano and Button, if this relationship actually becomes more than just mindless rutting? You said it yourself, you don’t know how much longer you’ll be at your job. If that happens, what next? Do you think Milano would want to stay with a jobless colt?”

Junebug looks at Bon-Bon sharply, almost as if she is shocked at her words. Silver Screen doesn’t notice her reaction still deep in thought as the words swirl through his mind. Milano holds a hoof over her mouth, not believing that Bon-Bon is being so nasty to him. She should have expected such harshness, but the truth is that she really did not.

“So…” Silver Screen speaks, “What you two are saying is…I’m not good enough for Milano.”

“That’s what I’m saying.” Bon-Bon motions to herself, before glancing at Junebug. “Don’t you think so, Junebug?” Bon-Bon takes notice of Junebug’s silence. “Junebug?”

“I…I….” Junebug can only stammer. When she first heard about Milano going out with Silver Screen, she couldn’t lie to herself and say that she was particularly happy with the news. However, seeing Milano be so happy with Silver Screen, even during their brief moments, gives her pause. It had truly been a long time since she has seen her like that.

Milano is prepared to stand up and stop the conversation. She can only imagine what is going through Silver Screen’s head at the moment. Doubts, fears, maybe even anger at Bon-Bon’s words.

She won’t have to wait very much longer, though.

“Bon-Bon?” Silver Screen speaks up, “You mind if I ask you a question?”

“Sure.” she says, thinking nothing of it.

“You say that I’m not good enough for Milano; that I’m a less than wealthy colt that can only provide for myself and nopony else. You say that I’m a considerable step down from Almighty, despite his less than stellar behavior, but I assume we’re talking from a financial viewpoint, rather than a personal one. But, from what I gather from what you said to me, you’re saying that I don’t deserve Milano, and shouldn’t expect anything long term.”

“Precisely.”

“I suppose my question is this…don’t you think I already know that?”

A pause falls on the room, as Milano, Bon-Bon, and Junebug are silent at his question.

“I know that I’m not good enough for her, I know I can’t provide for her like her ex-husband did, I know that my job is probably not going to stick for much longer, and I definitely know that I’m not perfect. You know what? She would probably accuse me of being cheesy for saying this, but…she makes me feel like I’m perfect.” A smile creeps onto his mouth when he says that. “The way she smiles at me, the way she laughs at my terrible jokes, the way she bops me on the muzzle. For the past couple of days, I wondered how I managed to get together with such a wonderful mare. I still don’t have an answer for you. You’re right, this might not last forever, but I’ll be damn sure I make every moment I spend with her the best I possibly could.”

Silver Screen takes another sip of his water after saying his peace. Bon-Bon and Junebug have nothing to say to him after that. Milano, seeing that as her cue, walks out from the corner, just as the food arrives at the table.

“Sorry about that…” Milano apologizes, “The wait in the restroom was a pain. Oh, I see the food arrived.”

“Yeah…” Silver Screen says, acting like the conversation prior never happened. “Just in the nick of time.” He looks down at the food, taking in its decadent smell. “Oh my, that smells amazing.”

Milano is about to dig in, when she sees Bon-Bon and Junebug deep in thought. Though she knows what happened, she decides to snap them out of their current state.

“You two okay?”

Junebug snaps out of it first, giving Milano a kind smile and saying “Yeah, sorry.” before chowing down on her meal.

Bon-Bon followed suit, glancing downwards at her meal and commencing with the eating. As they take their first bites, Junebug and Bon-Bon begin talking to them casually, discussing future plans, and situations that they encountered at their jobs. The conversation was driven into more pleasant territory, and Milano was happy with that. Silver Screen smiled and conversed, when he felt Milano’s hoof touch his thigh. He looks over at her, noticing an extra bit of warmth in her expression.

The late afternoon approaches, and Silver Screen and Milano are on the couch at her house doing their favorite activity…which is making out. Their hooves travel all over their bodies, as their tongues do the song and dance routine that they love doing every time they get to do it. Moans escape from Milano’s mouth, as heavily breathing comes from Silver Screen’s.

One their lips separate, Silver Screen moves to her neck, softly kissing her fur and playfully nipping on her shoulder.

“This isn’t a phase.” Milano whispers into his ear, causing him to stop.

“What do you mean?” he wonders, moving up to face her.

“This…you and me…it isn’t a phase.” she softly touches his cheek, “Bon-Bon doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”

“So…you heard…”

“I heard it all.” she smiles, “You handled yourself beautifully.” she kisses him on the lips. “But, I don’t want you to doubt this. I have no intention of letting you go.”

“You never know.” he chuckles, “Things could change. I could end up doing something you don’t like, or liking something you don’t like.”

“Why are you afraid that YOU will do something bad?”

“Because nothing you do can make me dislike you. Besides, it’s usually my fault, anyway.”

“SS, please. Don’t focus on the future. Focus on the now. Now, I want to be with you. I find you so…wonderful.” she grazes her muzzle on his cheek.

“It’s the eyes, huh?”

“Oh, yeah. Definitely the eyes.”

They laugh as they continue to roll around on the couch, recommencing their passionate session of lip locking and caressing. Soon, the wondrous feelings come to an abrupt close, when Milano’s ears perk up, hearing the sound of a carriage being pulled in front of the house.

“They’re here!” Milano says in a panic.

She throws Silver Screen off, who lands hard on his rump. He grimaces, rubbing a hoof along the pained area.

“Ow…” he winces.

“Sorry. Button and Almighty are here.”

“What?!”

Silver Screen immediately snaps out of his pained expression, getting up and attempting to slick his mane back with a little saliva and hoof stroking. It doesn’t work, but he does the best he can. Milano rushes to the door, slowly reaching out a hoof to open it. She looks to Silver Screen, who gives her the okay. She gulps out of nervousness, opening the door with trepidation and anticipation.

“Mom! Hi!” Button calls out, running to Milano with happiness. Milano comes out of the open door, meeting her son halfway for a loving hug. “It was awesome, Mom! Dad took me to the big theater with the celebrities, and we saw…” Button’s exciting story trails off, when he sees Silver Screen emerge from the home. “Oh…” he says, “I didn’t know he was here.”

Milano looks behind her to see Silver Screen slowly approaching. He has the look of a nervous young colt, which she finds adorable.

“Sorry, Button.” Silver Screen says with a smile, “I was just visiting.”

“I see…” Button says, noting their slightly messy manes. “I’ll tell you the rest of the story later, Mom.” Button adjusts the bag on his side, trotting past the two. “I have to go unpack.”

“Okay. I’ll see you soon.” Milano watches at Button disappears into the house.

“Milano…” the voice of Almighty calls out, catching hers and Silver Screen’s attention. “How are you?”

They see Almighty approaching with the air of cool confidence that he always exudes. Silver Screen sees him for the first time, in shock at just how handsome this stallion is. He could pass for a movie star if he wanted to be. Needless to say, his already low self-esteem is at an all-time high.

“I’m fine, Almighty.” Milano quietly says.

“So, this is Silver Screen?” Almighty turns to him with a cocked eyebrow, “Button has told me everything about you.”

“Well, I certainly hope not.” Silver Screen utters with a chuckle, hoping that Almighty would get the reference to The Mare-Do Well movie. Unfortunately, he does not, and takes the comment rather straight faced.

“Right…” Almighty trails, “So, you’re a projectionist at the Cineplex?”

“Yeah.”

“I love movies. I’m friends with a lot of film directors. I meet them through Fleur, who’s a model, and they get her all the time for those fashion shoots.”

“That’s really cool.” Silver Screen grins, “Wish I knew a bunch of directors. I would rather be in the movies than watching them. Actually, I’d watch them all the same.” he laughs.

“Don’t we all?” Almighty nods. His glance alternates between Milano and Silver Screen, seeing the look of judgment befalling Milano, who really doesn't want to share any words with him. “Well, I have to get going. It was nice meeting you, Silver Screen.”

“Yeah, you too.” Silver Screen waves him off.

“Milano.”

“Almighty.”

Almighty gets into the cab, signaling the driver to ride off. They do so, heading over the hill past the setting sun. Silver Screen stops waving, letting the hoof rest on the ground.

“He seems like a douche.” Silver Screen bluntly utters.

“I know, right? He didn’t even get your Mare Do-Well reference!”

“I thought he loved movies. Apparently, not enough to get references.” Silver Screen notices the sky is getting dark, and the lights in Milano’s house are turning on one by one, most likely due to Button walking around the house. “I think it’s time for me to go.”

“You don’t have to leave.” Milano says softly, putting a hoof onto his shoulder. “You can stay for dinner.”

“Nah, I don’t think Button wants me around, yet. Besides, I have to go home and get ready for his tests. If I know him, I think they’re going to be a challenge.”

“Please…” Milano gets closer to him, “Stay.”

“I’m tempted…” he kisses her cheek, “Maybe some other time. I’m not going to get much sleep, when I’m with you.”

“That’s true.” she giggles, “I’ll see you soon?”

“Yeah. Maybe some time during the week. If not, then the weekend again.”

“Good. Have a good night.”

“You as well, my dear lady.” he bows to her, before trotting away.

Milano waves as he heads back home. When he vanished from her sight, she puts her hoof down, hanging her head in disappointment.

“Mom!” Button calls out from the bedroom window, “You’re going to catch a cold out there!”

“Coming, sweetie!” she replies back with a smile on her face and a pep in her voice. She goes back into the house, ready to hear the rest of Button’s tale in Applewood.

Silver Screen trots up the stairs to his apartment. It’s been a long day for him, and he wants nothing more to do, than to plop into bed, and take a nice rest. After he takes a shower, of course. Despite a couple minor hiccups, and meeting two ponies who didn’t quite take a liking to him, the fact that Milano is still with him makes up for all that.

As he gets to his floor, he sees somepony he wasn’t expecting at his doorstep.

“Junebug?”

Junebug sits on his doormat, waiting for him for however long. She gives him a gentle smile, allowing him to walk over to her in confusion and curiosity.

“What are you doing here? How did you even know where I live?”

“It’s not hard, when your name is on one of the mailboxes out front.”

“Oh, right. I guess that would be a dead giveaway. My bad.”

Junebug giggles, genuinely amused at his joke. He’s surprised by that.

“What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to apologize. I didn’t think Bon-Bon would say those awful things to you.”

“I’m a big colt, I could take it.” he smirks, “Why the concern?”

“I know we didn’t leave off on the best terms…”

“Well, I DID try to start a relationship with you after a drunken night of…partying. So that was kind of my fault.”

“I just want you to know that I don’t care that you’re seeing Milano. To tell you the truth, I first wasn’t that enthusiastic about it, but after seeing you two together…I’m kind of rooting for you two.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” she utters with an enthusiastic smile, “She seems happy, and it’s a genuine happiness. I don’t know what your secret is, but it’s working. Just… don’t cheat on her, okay? If you two break up, it better be mutual.”

“Cheating isn’t my style, Junebug. My relationships ALWAYS end mutually….most of the time, anyway. Other times, they ignore me like I don’t exist.” he gives Junebug a sly look, referring to her.

“Yeah, well…you were a bit of a dork.” she scratches the back of her mane, “But I guess I do kind of deserve that.”

“I got over it….at some point.” he chuckles, “So, If I’m to understand what happens next, you’re going to leave, and if I see you at some point, you’re going to pretend this conversation never happened, and join Bon-Bon’s hate campaign?”

“Maybe…maybe not. And after what you said to Bon-Bon, I don’t think she’s going to be mailing out any petitions any time soon. All I leave you with now is this.” she leans forward, giving him a friendly embrace, “Good luck, I hope it works out between you two.”

“So do I.” he smirks, “So do I.”