“Wait, wait, wait…your father knows Michelin Hay?” Silver Screen asks in amazement at Button’s news.

It’s almost night time over at the Mash house, and Milano brought Silver Screen over, after a knockout bomb attack by Button left him a little dazed. It was the second time it happened to him that day, and he wasn’t fond of taking sudden naps. Along with taking him home, Milano also hoped that maybe this would be a time for Button to make an attempt to bond with him, due to their similar interests.

Button reluctantly took Silver Screen into his room, where he showed the pictures that he took during his visit to Applewood, where Almighty Dollar lived. One of the pictures was Almighty taking Button out to the Applewood Walk of Fame, where notorious action film director Michelin Hay was getting his star, and hoof print at the Applewood Theater.

As Silver Screen marveled how good of an angle Button got of the director, Button let out the gem that Almighty knows Michelin, as they are fairly good friends.

“Yep.” Button responds with a smile, “Dad told me that Michelin is a good friend of his, and comes by the house when Dad invites him.”

“That’s incredible! No wonder you think I’m a step down.” he chuckles. “So, you’ve met him, then?”

“Not yet. I’ve wanted to, but every time I go to visit Dad, Hay is off working on another movie, making him super busy. I don’t mind, though. I waved at him and he waved back!” Button says with giddiness.

“So, I take it you’re a fan of Michelin Hay movies?”

“Dang right I…wait…” his tone gets suspicious of Silver Screen, “Are you going to make fun of me?”

“What?” Why would I make fun of you?”

“Because every time I tell somepony that I like Michelin Hay movies, they make fun of me and say I have terrible taste in movies.”

“Well, whoever says that to you can go suck a….d-uhhhhhhh” Silver Screen stops himself before he could utter a curse. Thinking fast, he continues with… “Darn pinecone. Yeah, that’s it. A darn pinecone.” he chuckles awkwardly. “There’s nothing wrong with liking his movies. I do.”

“You do? Dad thinks they’re overlong and juvenile, even though he’s friends with Michelin.”

“Does Hay know Almighty thinks that?”

“Probably not, Dad’s very good at pulling off fake compliments, so I’m sure he does it to Mr. Hay as well.”

“Seems a little mean, but oh well.” Silver Screen shrugs, “At any rate, you shouldn’t be ashamed of liking movies other ponies don’t like. It happens all the time with me.”

“I bet you liked Mare of Steel, huh?” Button says with a hint of a snide and snobbish attitude.

“I loved it. It was my favorite film of the year.”

“I see…” Button raises an eyebrow at this stallion’s taste in movies.

“You wanna fight about it?” Silver Screen can see where this is going. “I can go ten rounds with you about it, if you want.”

“Oh, really?” Button smiles, reveling in the challenge. They’re verbally battle starts immediately, with both parties talking fast and furiously. “Supermare didn’t have to snap Zod’s neck.”

“She had no choice. He was going to kill everypony on the planet if Supermare failed.”

“Why didn’t she just cover his eyes and fly him off?”

“Zod was standing his ground, and the laser eyes can hurt them, as seen in the town fight earlier on.”

“Why didn’t Supermare save anybody?”

“She did. She saved the earth from being terraformed.”

“But not a good majority of Maretropolis.”

“That’s because she was on the other side of the world destroying the world engine. She specifically stated that the world engine had to be destroyed first, or else the Royal Guard wouldn’t have been able to destroy the machine in Maretropolis.”

“Then why did the Royal Guard fire upon the world engine anyway, before getting confirmation that the device on the other side was destroyed?”

“Good question. The military was kind of stupid in that regard, but I argue that they caused more damage than Supermare in the entire movie.”

“But she also punched Zod into a bunch of buildings.”

“False. Zod punched and threw Supermare into all the buildings.”

“She could have stopped the momentum.”

“It was her first time in a flying fight.”

“Thousands more could have died.”

“We don’t know that. We didn’t see anyone hiding in the buildings. Every time there was a fight inside a building, it was noticeably empty. They could have easily been evacuated. Do you blame the Autobroncs in the Transformares movies for all the building destruction, and also assume they are packed with thousands of people?”

“No.”

“Then why blame Supermare in her first ever flying superfight?”

“Because the Transformares movies are supposed to be over the top and cartoonish, while Mare of Steel was supposed to be a gritty and realistic reboot of a comic book character. With gritty and realistic, comes thoughts about collateral damage.”

“It’s still a comic book movie, no matter who spins it.”

The two glare at one another, as this verbal clash of cinematic opinions is heating up exponentially. Neither one is interested in backing down from this fight, as fire rises from their eyes.

“Are you two arguing about Mare of Steel?” Milano calls out from the hall.

“No!” Button responds, turning his attention towards the half open door, where he sees Milano standing in the hallway.

“Yes you are! I can feel the fancolt rage from here!”

Button looks back at Silver Screen, holding his glaring gaze.

“Looks like we’ll have to agree to disagree.” Button says in a calming manner.

“I guess we should.” Silver Screen replies in the same tone, “I’m perfectly fine with that.”

“Good.” Button keeps glaring at him with angry eyes until…he stops and puts on a pleasant smile. “Wanna see my video game collection?”

“Do I?” Silver Screen asks the rhetorical questions with great enthusiasm.

Button leads him to the massive shelf, filled with various video games from different eras, from the early days where games were just beginning, to the present, where all everypony cared about were graphics and multiplayer, rather than story or gameplay. It’s an amazing collection, wowing even the projectionist.

“Nice.” Silver Screen says, letting out an impressed whistle. “You even have the gold cartridge version of ‘The Legend of Celestia’. Only a couple hundred were made.”

“Yep. It was Mom’s. She got it on launch and never traded it in.”

“Give my thanks to your mother, then. Those things are worth a fortune today.” Silver Screen looks further into his collection. “I see you have more fighting games than anything else.”

“Oh yeah.” Button says with a smile, “I love fighting games. I go to the arcade all the time, practicing my skills at the latest Super Equestrian Fighter. I can’t wait for the console version of that game to come out. The graphics are incredible!”

“You go to the Lightspeed Arcade?”

“Every weekend, when I’m free.”

“Did you know that it used to be called the Ponyville Arcade?”

“No, I didn’t. Though, that makes sense, since that place went through a lot of renovations. Why do you ask?”

“My Dad used to own the arcade, when I was a young colt.”

“He did?!” Button’s eyes bulge, “No way! Your Dad used to run the arcade?!”

“Yep, ran it without a hitch for over three decades. He sold it for a pretty bit, and now he’s living the retired life in Manehattan with Mom.”

“Wow…” Button is admittedly caught off guard by this news. “Hold on…does this mean you’re a gamer?”

“Your Mom never told you that?”

“No. I just thought you were a stallion who likes movies. I didn’t think you liked video games.”

“Like? I love video games. Granted, I don’t have a very big collection, due to my habit of trading games in when I’m done, but I’ve played a lot.”

“Have you played fighting games?”

“Of course I have. I was around when Super Equestrian Fighter II Turbo took off, and I was a master at that game. Nowadays, I like playing RPG’s.”

“Like Final Journey?”

“Yeah. Been playing through the Final Journey XIII trilogy.”

“It’s okay, but the old stuff was better.”

“True, but I still love it. Over the top melodrama is kind of my thing. Put in a sappy orchestral song and everypony crying, and I eat it up.”

The comment makes Button laugh out loud in genuine amusement. Silver Screen sees this as a minor victory, and possibly one step closer to Button accepting him as the new stallion in Milano’s life. Silver Screen takes another look in the collection. He sees all kinds of genre’s but one stands out, due to the paltry nature of it.

“I see you don’t play a lot of FPS. Not a Colt of Duty fan?”

“Not at all. Mom loves playing those games in her room. I can hear her trash talk all the time. You won’t believe what comes out of her mouth sometimes.”

“Sound entertaining.”

“I tried playing the Colt of Duty series a couple times. The campaigns are kind of fun, but the multiplayer sucks. Nothing but a bunch of whiny foals, who just learned how to swear for the first time.”

“I hear you, Button.” Silver Screen nods in agreement. “They would camp out in one spot and kill any passerbys, but when you take their spot and do it to them, they call you names.”

“That’s what turned me off. Mom has a lot more patience with those players than I do. I’ve seen her play a few times, though. She’s really good.”

“I guess I’ll have to watch her play sometime.” Silver Screen smirks.

Button looks over at the projectionist with a look of respect. During his time in Applewood, he thought of Silver Screen as an unwanted guest. But, even during this phase in his feelings towards him, he couldn’t ignore the smile he put on Milano’s face. He never really hated Silver Screen, but he didn’t quite trust him yet, either. How could he, though? The last stallion in his mother’s life left them behind, along with his brother. Silver Screen could turn out the same way. However, looking at him now, Button can't ever see a future like that happening.

“Silver Screen?” Button catches his attention.

“What is it?”

“Do you…like my mom?”

“Yes.” he replies with nary any hesitation, “I like her very much. I think your mother is a special mare.”

“You wouldn’t ever…hurt her…right?”

The question catches Silver Screen by surprise. He couldn’t imagine doing such a thing to her. He kneels down, face to face with Button.

“I would never hurt your mother. Ever.” he says with all the sincerity and honesty pouring from his eyes. Button can see the truth in his expression. “If…for whatever reason…this doesn’t work out…it will be mutual. You have my word on that. If it’s anything other than that, I give you permission to stalk me and knock me out as much as you like.”

“I’ll hold you to it on that.” Button chuckles, “I see the way she looks at you. I can see how happy you make her. It’s been a while since she has smiled like that. What’s your secret?”

“To tell you the truth, I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing to win her over.”

“Well, whatever you’re doing, whether you know what it is or not, keep doing it.”

“I will….whatever it is.”

Silver Screen walks down the stairs, looking into the kitchen. He sees Milano, sitting at the dining room table, as if waiting for him to descend from the steps. She looks up at him, welcoming him with a loving smile that always makes his heart flutter.

“How did it go?” she asks.

“Aside from that little fight about Mare of Steel, I think it went pretty well.” he chortles.

“I’m sorry about the whole gas bomb thing. I knew that he would be testing you, but not attempt to put you in a coma.”

“Bah. It’ll take more than a few gas bombs to put me in a coma.” The two share a laugh together, before gazing into one another’s eyes. His sight glances over at the nearby clock, noticing that it’s heading towards eight o’clock. “I should probably get going. Enjoy the cupcakes.”

“Wait.” Milano stands from her seat, putting a foreleg around his, stopping him from taking another step. “I want you to stay for dinner.”

“I don’t want to impose.”

“You’re not.” she smiles, “I ordered pizza.”

As if on cue, a knock on the door is head. Pizza has arrived. Silver Screen looks over at the door, amazed at how perfect the timing was from Milano’s utterance of Pizza, to the food arriving. He looks back at Milano. He supposes he could stay for a little while longer.

The food was hot and delicious, like it always was. Pizza Bros. was the finest pizza place in all of Ponyville. In fact, it was the ONLY Pizza place in all of Ponyville. Odd, considering that Donut Joe’s Bakery has been at war with Sugar Cube Corner, and they are merely miles apart.

This particular battle of the pastries is not so prominent and publicized now, ever since Donut Joe had been dating Pinkie Pie’s friend Rarity, a fashonista that runs and lives in Carousel Boutique.

Button helped himself to his own pizza, which consisted of many vegetables slathered in spices and cheese. Milano and Silver Screen shared theirs, which was the classic choice of pineapple and banana peppers, the kind of pizza they ate together when Milano came to stay over at his place for the weekend.

The three shared in small talk, with Button talking about crazy gaming stories, such as his attempt to make a walkthrough of Metal Gear Pony for the internet, and failing miserably, leading to other users making montages of all his failures. Silver Screen talked about the strange happenings at the movie theater from time to time, such as when a theater hopper kept sneaking into movies, disrupting everypony’s experience, before moving on to another theater.

Silver Screen, posing as an attendant, hid in the audience, waiting for the hopper to show up. When he did, Silver Screen pounced on him before he could make himself a nuisance. This story made Button laugh, complimenting Silver Screen on a job well done.

Milano watched as the two conversed, happy to see them bonding with one another.

After dinner is done, and Silver Screen helps Milano take care of the dishes, he once again attempts to take his leave.

“This was fun.” Silver Screen says, “We should do this again sometime, preferably without the gas bombs.”

Milano however, has other plans. She takes his foreleg again, looking into his eyes with her soulful expression.

“Stay the night.”

“I don’t want to be a bother. Besides, my apartment isn’t too far away.”

“I don’t want you going out there all alone.”

“Milano, come on. I can handle myself. Plus, Ponyville has the lowest crime rate than any other town in…” he sees that his argument is all for naught, as Milano ups the cute factor by giving him a face befitting of a puppy dog. He sighs with a chuckle, “Okay, you win.”

Milano instantly turns her puppy dog expression into a sultry one.

“Good, because now you can watch me play video games.”

The very thought makes Silver Screen excited. After hearing what Button told him about Milano’s gaming preference, along with her attitude while playing online, he cannot wait to see what is in store for him tonight.

Turns out, what was in store for him, was to see a side of Milano he hasn’t seen yet.

Milano sits at the foot of the bed, headset on and controller in her hooves, furiously pressing buttons as she plays the latest installment of the Colt of Duty series. She has already beaten the main campaign on all difficulty levels, and is now entirely focused on the multiplayer aspect. Silver Screen watches as she plays, impressed that she is as Button advertised; being very good at the game. He’s certain that she’s better than he’ll ever be, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t run into the occasional troublemaker every now and again.

“Dammit!” Milano vents, getting killed by another player. “Shoot!” she utters again, as another shooter catches her off guard. “Motherbucker!” she then yells, running into an infamous camper.

“It’s amazing how you’re keeping your language clean.” Silver Screen chuckles.

“Believe me, it’s harder than it looks.” she smirks.

The match is over, and Milano’s team has lost. Other players on the opposing team are heard shouting in victory, and uttering obscenities towards the losers.

“Take that bitches!” One player is heard, sounding like he’s all of ten years old.

“Nothin’ but a bunch of noob faggots!” another shouts.

“The mouth on this ponies.” Silver Screen gawks in amazement, “I don’t think I started swearing until I was fifteen.”

“You want to give it a try?” Milano asks, pushing the controller and headset to him. Silver Screen smiles, using his magic to put the headset on, and floating the controller in front of him. “Let’s see how you act against online immaturity.”

“I don’t think you’ll like what you see.” he chortles, "I can get a little crazy sometimes."

"Oh, this I like to see." Milano now anticipating to see this so called crazy side of the stallion.

The match begins, and all teams hit the ground running, looking around for targets to shoot. Unlike fighters, where Silver Screen was a near master at, he was fairly inexperienced when it came to the world of online shooters. Milano giggles as he was continually gunned down by a pack of players, with a few scoffs coming from the projectionist’s mouth. He was frustrated, sure, but not angry…yet.

Finally, Silver Screen spots the player that has been causing him the most grief. A sniper named BiGElite84, who is hiding in a small hill, using the grass as cover.

After another death, Silver Screen knew exactly what to do. His gaming avatar respawns at a good point, right behind the camper. He sneaks up on the sniper, and with a quick tap of the melee button, he takes out the sniper instantly.

“What the fuck?!” BiGElite84 shouts, his voice coming though the television speakers, “Who the fuck did that?!”

Silver Screen takes his revenge, setting up camp in the same exact spot, and starts gunning down the opposition. He alternates between camping, and turning around for any stealth kills. Every time he turns, the previous inhabitant is making an attempt to regain his spot. Silver Screen takes him out quickly, before getting back to work.

“You are such a camper.” Milano smiles, “But, I admit, you’re a pretty good shot.”

Milano’s encouragement makes Silver Screen cocky, as BiGElite84 throws a frag grenade, killing him instantly.

“Take that you faggot bitch.” the colt on the other end says, taking the spot once again.

“I hate to see how I’m the faggot bitch, when you had this spot first. It’s called payback.”

“Go cry to your whore mother on whore island you fucking retard.”

“Excuse me? My mother is a nice mare, you cocksucking little shit!” Silver Screen gets angry, surpassing Milano. “You sound like you’re twelve years old, who taught you to speak like that?”

“Your mom, after she sucked my dick.”

“My mother would never teach you how to swear, let alone suck your tiny little breezy sized dick! How about you crawl into a fat stallion’s asshole, and get crushed by his sphincter?!”

“Eat a dick, you cum sucking bitch monger loser faggot!”

“No, YOU eat a dick!” Silver Screen yells, “No wait, eat a bag of dicks! No wait, eat a MOUNTAIN of dicks! You don’t get any breaks either! You eat all the dicks, so that when your stomach is full of chewed up dicks, you explode, and all the dicks come flying out! Then, your mother will walk into your basement that is adorned with posters of anime mares getting fucked by tentacle monsters, and gasp in shock that her son was killed by eating a mountain of DICKS! Then, when no one attends your funeral, I’m going to go to your gravestone, and carve in ‘Here Lies BiGElite84. He died eating dick, and he loved it!’ How about that?!”

Silence. Nopony is heard on the other end anymore. Finally, the notification noise that BiGElite84 had signed out is heard.

Silver Screen raises his forelegs in the air in victory…a victory that is short lived when he turns to see the mortified face of Milano. He then looks at the door to see a similarly mortified Button, who heard everything. Silver Screen puts his hooves down, scratching at the bed in embarrassment.

“And that’s how I play online.” He says calmly.

Suddenly, the two ponies burst into gut busting laughter, with a small blush gracing Silver Screen’s cheeks. Milano rolls around in bed, losing breath as she laughs the loudest she had ever laughed in a long time, while Button rolls around on the floor, with laughter that sounds more like he’s gasping for air.

“I can’t breathe! Oh, sweet Celestia!” Button shouts in between fits.

“You…” Milano tries to say, “You have such a mouth on you!” she laughs some more. “Oh my goodness! That was amazing.” she is nearly in tears at this point.

“I told you that you wouldn’t like what you see.”

“What are you talking about?” Milano gradually begins to calm down, sitting up and placing a hoof on Silver Screen’s back, “That was hilarious.” She notices Button still rolling on the floor, “You don’t repeat what you heard at school, do you understand?”

“Understand…mom!” Button says, getting up and walking to his room, stilling giggling the life out of him.

“No wonder you don’t like playing online games.” Milano smirks, “They bring out the little dirty colt in you.”

“I know. I’m terrible.” Silver Screen replies, in a flirtatious manner.

“I suppose I have to teach you a lesson in manners.” Milano tackles him to the bed, forcing herself on top of him. He uses his magic to close the door, locking it. In a rush, Milano brings her muzzle down, locking lips with him, as their mouths open, and their tongues touch each other. Small moans of pleasure escape from her mouth as Silver Screen uses his hooves to travel along the curves of her body.

“Is this what I have to do now?” Silver Screen wonders with a smile, “Trash talk about dicks?”

“No.” Milano laughs, “I just enjoy doing this.”

They continue to make out with all the passion that they have, until Silver Screen rolls her over, with him on top of her. She giggles, separating from his lips, and looking into his eyes.

“You know.” Silver Screen grins, “I kind of figured this was why you wanted me to stay over.”

“Yeah, I’m kind of awful at this.” she shrugs, “We agreed to meet each other again next weekend, but here we are. I think I’m getting a little attached.”

“I know exactly what you mean.” He leans down, kissing her shoulder. “Anything special you want to do tonight?”

“Hmm…” Milano thinks, “Not tonight. I think making out and cuddling will be fine. You know how loud I can get, and I don’t want to frighten Button.”

“We did pretty well that first night.”

“True, but Button is still awake.”

“Good point. You got me there.”

“You disappointed?”

“No. Hell no. I get to cuddle with the best looking mare in Equestria, so this is automatically the best thing ever.”

“Oh you.” Milano leans up and kisses him. “I really don’t know what to do with you.”

“Cuddle?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

The night passes, and the morning sun rises. It’s a brand new day for Ponyville, and everypony has gone out to greet the day with all smiles. Button is the first to walk out of the Mash house, backpack in tow, and stomach filled with the delicious Honey Oats cereal. Milano and Silver Screen come out next, as they close the door, and walk Button to school.

About halfway through the walk, Silver Screen spots the Cineplex, as he is reminded of something.

“Oh shoot, I’m supposed to go in early today.” he says to them, “Sorry for springing that on you, but I have like five minutes before start time.”

“It’s okay. We understand, right Button?” Milano turns to Button.

“Yeah. Go do your work. I promise I won’t try to knock you out today.”

“I appreciate that.” he chuckles. “See you later, Milano.” he gives her a peck on the lips.

“See you.” she seductively whispers into his ear.

Silver Screen smiles, as he takes off towards the Cineplex. Another day of work awaits him. Button and Milano re-commence walking to the school house. They are silent, until Button is the one to first speak up.

“I like him.” he says, “He’s like me; only a bigger dork. I mean that in a good way.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Milano smiles. “I knew you two would get along fine. Does this mean no more of your famous tests?”

“I wouldn’t say that.” he smirks mischievously, “Maybe a little thing here and there every once in a while, but if he keeps making you happy, I guess everything is fine.” His smile turns in a slightly more sullen expression, when he asks, “What do you think Dad would say?”

“Oh, I already figured it out from the look on his face; that Silver Screen isn’t good enough for me. But why should we care, right? Did he ask about him during your visit?”

“A few things. I said some pretty mean stuff. I kinda feel bad about it, now. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it.” she nods, assuring him that all is forgiven. “I guess your father now thinks even less of Silver Screen, though. It wouldn’t be surprising if he tried to have one of his signature heart to heart chats with him.”

“But, you won’t care about what he has to say, right?”

“Of course I won’t, but Silver Screen already went through the gauntlet with my friends and you, who knows what would happen if Almighty got in the mix?”

“Whatever the case is…” he playfully bumps Milano on the side, “I’ll always be on your side, Mom.”

Milano looks down at the smiling colt. His eyes tell the truth as clear as day. He’ll always stick by his mother, no matter what, and she can see that. Looking into his big red eyes puts a smile on her face, giving her the feeling that just maybe, everything will turn out okay.

“Thanks, Button.” she pulls her son in for a little mid walk hug, “Now, let’s get you to school.”