He looked the mare over more and he wondered if she just came into town just for the auction. But he couldn't help but meet her gaze and gave a shudder as he now realized one eye was bright green and the other red. Though now that he noticed he couldn't help but keep eye contact.

"Heh, looks like he finally noticed my eyes. Sorry for the surprise bid there but I couldn't help myself." Sparks said making him finally look away from her eyes.

"Huh, s-sorry for staring but you do have some pretty eyes." He said making her give a laugh.

"It's fine, also if you're wondering I came in to support my brother Lemon. I did hear that a strange creature was in the auction as well and that made me want to come even more just to see him up close." Sparks said looking him over. "I have to say when your shirt and vest fell into pieces I knew I had to at least get you on one date."

"Well, he's a very nice guy and it's nice to meet ya." Applejack said putting a hoof out, and Sparks shook with her.

"Yes it is nice to meet you and your brother is a very nice young man. But do you need help with anything?" Rarity asked.

"Hmm, no I already paid at the counter over there. Here's my receipt if you need it," Sparks said bringing a paper out of her saddlebag.

"It's fine darling, I just meant setting up the date." Rarity said making him give the white mare a little glare.

"Rarity isn't the bachelor and the winner supposed to set that up?" Twilight asked.

Though as some of his friends started to discuss this he met Sparks eyes and nodded his head over to get away from them for the moment. As the two snuck off he couldn't help but roll his eyes at how his friends as Twilight brought out a book, probably the rules for the auction. The two of them got a table that had just been cleaned up.

"Interesting group of friends, though I get the feeling the one with the hat likes you by the way she was staring," Sparks said. "But why do I get the feeling that they're a bit paranoid about me?"

"It's not necessarily you," He gave a sigh. "I've had a little bit of a rough year is all and they can be..."

"Overprotective?" Sparks said as he didn't want to say it but nodded. "I can understand that, I mean my little brother was in the auction and all. Though it's not a bad thing all things considering."

"Yeah, but anyway you won me for a date." He said making her give a smile.

"Yup, and don't worry the collection pony filled me in on the whole 'You have one week to make the date, and two weeks to fill in for the date.' speal." Sparks said.

"Did they also give you the list of places that they set up a deal with that we can make reservations?" He asked making her roll her eyes.

"Of course, but I'm just going to put this out there I am looking forward to our date," Sparks said giving him another look over.

"You know what you said about my shirt and vest reminds me that I need to have a talk with Rarity. But first, and not to sound like I'm trying to rush you or anything, but do you mind if we just picked a day and place?" He asked making her laugh.

"No problem, and I take it that your clothes coming off wasn't apart of your side of the plan. How about Saturday at six?" Sparks suggested making him give a smile.

"That sounds good to me, now what's on the list of places we can go?" He asked as she laid it on the table. "Hmm, how about Greedens? I heard they have the best tofu dishes around."

"Sounds good to me since I don't know my way around this town. I'll go let the counter pony know so they can get the reservation set up and I'll see you around." Sparks said giving him a wink and he couldn't help but give a sigh of relief.

As friendly as she seemed he got a feeling from her that didn't quite sit well with him, but he just figured he was being a bit paranoid like his friends a bit. Which made him look at them and he couldn't help but give a laugh as they were still looking at the book Twilight pulled out. He got up and as he got closer he started to hear saying something about how this section proved her right.

"So, you two come up with your date?" Applejack asked once he got there.

"Yup, how long were ya watching?" He asked.

"I learned how to tune them out a while ago, and I saw her give you another wink." That made him raise an eyebrow. "What? I ain't jealous, though I would like to ask you out."

"Applejack, I'm sorry but right now I think I need some time to think about it. You hurt me back then, even if I did say you could take your time it hurt. Especially when you kept avoiding it, I'm not mad just... mixed up about this right now. So please understand I'm not saying no." He said making her give a sad sigh but nodded in understanding.

"Alright Twilight, let's just get this over with..." Rarity looked up to see Sparks already at the counter.

"Wait, did you two already make a date?" Pinkie was the one who asked.

"Nice of you all to of noticed me and her sneak off and me coming back." He said rolling his eyes before cracking a smile.

"Oh, s-sorry about that we... I mean me and Rarity may have gotten a little carried away there." Twilight said putting the rule book back into her bag. "What did you guys decide?"

"We decided Saturday at around six, figured we go to Greedens." The six ponies all got that hungry look.

"I hope you have fun," Fluttershy said as she and Rainbow started to head to the door. "Bye, and we'll see you all later."

"C'ya!" Rainbow said holding the door.

"Well, I better go too. Spike will be waiting for me, bye!" Twilight said before teleporting.

At that, the rest of them said their byes as well and as he walked out the door he saw Sparks standing outside talking to Lemon. After returning a wave to her he continued on his way home and yet again getting the feeling the someone or something was watching him. But he didn't let it phase him as much since he knew that would only feed his fear and paranoia.

He couldn't stop thinking about Sparks and her different colored eyes and how hypnotic they seemed. Though as he continued his walk something still didn't feel quite right. But then again he has had some trust issues from before so maybe that was it?

As he looked up at his house he didn't see any lights on, but the closer he got he saw was looked like candlelight. He couldn't help but grow a little smile knowing that this was why they went home early. To prepare what he hoped was a nice little dinner, though he figured they had put it together as a way for them saying sorry for bringing up a painful part of his past.

Even though he would appreciate the offer it really wasn't necessary since they all talked it through pretty well earlier. But he couldn't help it as his stomach growled since he neglected to eat at the auction. About fifteen feet from the door he saw somepony peeking out the window.

"Lyra, Derpy I'm home!" He yelled as he went inside the candlelight room and be greeted by the two mares who were both giving him half-lidded stares.

"There you are, we made you dinner!" Lyra said as she levitated some conveniently placed plates behind the kitchen doorway.

"We also made you some dessert," Derpy said which despite the poor attempt of execution did make him raise an eyebrow.

"Sooo, what kind of dessert are we talking about?" He asked making at least Derpy seem a little more nervous.

"You'll have to finish your dinner first and then we'll give you the dessert," Lyra said making him give a little laugh.

"Alright, this does look extremely good!" His stomach growled again.

"See, told you he didn't eat anything!" Derpy said giving him a little smile.

As he sat down and started eating all of what was on his plate he stopped after a few bites and thanked the girls for such a good dinner and surprise. They ate and talked a little and he told them the results of who had won his date, and both of them looked at each other in surprise when he told them how many bits he had gone for. He made sure to tell them when his date was and where.

"She seems like a lovely mare," Derpy said giving him a little wink.

"Sounds like you actually might like her," Lyra said avoiding a smack laughing.

"Well, she was pretty and she had two different colored eyes that drew you to them." He said making the mares give him a look before giggling.

"Yup, I think he definitely likes her!" Derpy said making him groan a little.

"Oh shoot, I almost forgot tonight was my shift! I'll, um, see you guys later!" Lyra said in a hurry grabbing her lyre case leaving the two of them there, and Derpy had a worried look on her face.

"Hold on I'll help you!" Derpy said suddenly getting up and opening the door. "What are you doing? This wasn't the plan!"

"Don't worry, you'll do just fine! Love y' all!" At that Derpy turned her head to give him a smile as he gave her a little look of curiosity.

"You going to tell me what's going on?" He asked.

"I-I think I'm going to do the dishes!" Derpy said before grabbing the dishes on the table before walking into the kitchen making him shake his head.

He very well knew the plan, though he didn't expect Lyra to just bolt like that he figured that was to give him and Derpy some time alone. Getting up and going to the kitchen door he watched her as she started to rinse the dishes, once again getting into a rhythm as she started to hum. Like many times before his eyes always went to her plot which she swayed back and forth, swinging her tail a little giving him a little peek at her folds and he couldn't stop himself.

"Brandon!" Derpy yelled in surprise as he gently wrapped his arms around her giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"You know how long I can watch you wash dishes, you swaying your hips and swinging your tail?" He asked as she let out a little moan as he kissed her on her neck and could feel another part of him press up against her.

"T-the r-r-ro... hmmm...om..." The grey mare moaned.

"Or how about right here? Because I don't think I can wait, you are too beautiful!" He said and she could feel him start to pull down his pants making her shiver as she felt his member rub against her flank a little though he stopped when they both heard a clanking sound. "Not again, not now!"

At that, the sink faucet exploded in a fountain of water dousing both of them in cold water making them both groan in frustration over. Though he quickly went underneath the sink to turn off the water, and as he turned around looking at a soaking wet Derpy. Both of them started to crack up.

"...heh, g-guess it wasn't meant to be tonight huh?" He said after calming down enough.

"G-guess not, but I was looking forward to my first time with you," Derpy said in a little bit of a sad tone making him reach out and give her a pat.

"Glad to hear that, but I don't think it'll be tonight got to clean this up and all." He said in a disappointed and a little frustrated tone.

Derpy went to go get towels and when she came back she handed him one to dry off and put the rest on the table. After nearly an hour of drying the floor and the cabinets, they heard the door open. Lyra came into the kitchen to see what they were doing on to shake her head.

"I swear the plumber isn't very good at his job!" Lyra grumbled making all three of them bust out laughing. "B-but at least it looks like you guys at least tried to do some fun stuff, but sorry Brandon no dessert for you tonight I guess."

"Aww, and I was looking forward to nibbling on a muffin!" At that Derpy turned completely red making both him and Lyra crack up again.

After that, Lyra told them to go sit by the fire and dry off a bit more while she took care of the rest of the mess. He and Derpy sat by the fire with an arm around her giving her a tight squeeze. Though they didn't get to go all the way they wouldn't have changed a thing about what happened.

"I hope you keep swaying your hips when you're washing dishes still, even if you have someone watching you." He said making her giggle.

"Why do you think I also swing my tail like I do?" Derpy said giggling a bit more as his face turned a little red before she kissed him on the cheek.

"Aww, mind if I join in?" Lyra said after putting the towels up in the dirty clothes.

"No problem here," He said waving her over.

As they all three sat in the fire just enjoying each others company he couldn't help but look at the two mares in his arms. Though he missed Luna he was happy to share this moment with these two. But he did wish him and Derpy could have had some fun together.

"Eep!" Derpy squeaked a little making Lyra look at her a little crazy.

"You alright over there?" Lyra asked.

"J-just fine!" Derpy answered looking at him as he gave a little smirk as he gave her butt another squeeze.

"Alright now, if you two want to continue where you left off from before the sink exploding then take it to the room!" Lyra said making both him and Derpy laugh again.

"I think I've had enough excitement for today, feel free to join me goodnight!" He said stretching his arms and yawning while heading to the room.

As he laid down after putting his own towel in the dirty clothes he heard the mares come in and either one of the laid on each side using his wings to cover them. They snuggled up to him as they laid there before they all three drifted to sleep. Granted he took just a bit longer as the day still played in his mind.

He was getting better at not waking them with his nightmares as his eyes shot right open. It was the same one that started with him in a trench that kept shifting into different scenes. Though he could somewhat remember a little bit more about the village, or at least the feeling that he was going to be killed if he hadn't helped round up the villagers.

But that was the only thing different that had changed about that nightmare, the rest was pretty much the same. He shook it out of his mind as best as he could and looked at the clock and he made out that it was only a few minutes past four. Laying his head back down and looking at who he knew was Lyra he gave her a peck on the nose making her scrunch up her nose which made her look adorable.

Once he woke up again it was about his normal time of waking up, which was about eight in the morning. Getting up he saw that only Derpy seemed to still be in bed with him. Though by the smell of things Lyra was cooking breakfast and it made his stomach growl.

"Morning," He said walking into the kitchen. "That smells great!"

"Thank you, and morning. Is Derpy still asleep?" Lyra asked and he nodded. "Good thing she got the day off today, and hey I really am sorry about last night. The plumber said it was fixed..."

"Lyra, we had fun and that's all that matters. Granted we were a little frustrated because things just got going, but at least we weren't in the middle of it when the sink exploded." He said making the unicorn laugh.

"So about that Sparks girl, do you like her?" Lyra asked making him raise an eyebrow. "I mean I know we talked about it, and I teased you about it but seriously do you like her?"

"Well, she is pretty and her eyes are stunning. As far as me being attracted to her then yeah, but we'll have to see how the date goes." He said as a plate was put in front of him.

"Did you talk to Applejack?" At that, he gave a sigh and rubbed his temples.

"I really didn't expect her to admit her feelings like that, especially seemingly so casual. But I told her that I needed time now to sort my feelings out." He gave a scoff as the hypocrisy wasn't lost on him.

"You know it's not your fault right? She brought this on herself for taking so long. But what are you going to do?" Lyra asked.

"I'm going to give her an answer, and as much as I hate to say it but I still have feelings for her despite the awkwardness between us these past few weeks. But I am going to wait until after my date on Saturday which isn't that far away now that I think about it." He said looking at the calendar on the fridge to see it was Thursday.

"Hmm, it smells good in here. What you are guys talking about?" Derpy asked as she walked in with a yawn.

"Thanks the smell is my doing, and we just beginning to talk about his date in a couple of days," Lyra said as the grey mare grabbed her mug and filled it with coffee.

As Derpy sat down at the table and they all three began to eat the two mares resumed their teasing of him. Though he did get in a few quick jabs he couldn't help the smile growing on his face. They threw away the paper plates away since they had to wait for the plumber to come to fix the sink, but while they waited he suggested they do their reading for the book club.

Author's Notes:

Ah, don't you just love bad plumbing jobs? No, just me? Alright, hope you all enjoyed and remember to smile, smile, smile!