Sweetie Belle’s body was on the bed next to Button, slowly moving up and down with every breath she took. The rays of sun that broke through the window landed perfectly across her face, enhancing her beauty. Her mane was soft in Button hoof; he slowly stroked it and brought it close to his face. The aroma of roses filled Button’s senses, overwhelming them. Sweetie Belle put her hoof across Button’s. “Good morning,” she said.

“Good morning-”Button landed a kiss in between Sweetie’s eyes“-You’re looking beautiful as always.”

“You don’t look to bad yourself,” Sweetie said through her giggling.

Button sat up in a pool of his own sweat, searching his bed with his eyes. “Calm down, it was only a dream.” Button said, breathing a sigh of relief. Thankfully his bed was empty of any young fillies, just the way he liked it. Button’s eyes glanced out his window, the cold night still showing. He felt tired, but unable to sleep. The dream was surprise, but a pleasant one. Button’s thoughts were broken by a voice from outside the door.

“Button, was that you sweetie?” the voice asked

“Yea mom, it was just a dream.”

“Are you alright?”

“Yea I’m… actually no, can I ask you a question?”

“Sure Button-”she entered the doorway “-you can ask me anything.”

“Well, what do you think it means when you dream of another pony?”

“You were dreaming of a filly?”

“Yes, is that a bad thing?”

“Well this may be better to talk with your father about, but I’ll give it my best shot” she said, sitting down on the bed next to Button. “You see Button, when a mare and a stallion love each other very much…”

“Mom.”

“Okay, when you see a filly in your dreams…”

“It means my little bro has a crush. Now go back to bed, some ponies need sleep for a very important test.” A voice called from down the stairs

“A crush, you think I have a crush?” Button asked

“Yes, you have a crush. That was what I was going to tell you. Goodnight Sweetie, try and get some more sleep.” his mother said, before leaving the room and quietly closing the door.

“A crush” –Button pulled up the blankets to surround his body- “I have a crush. Why does she have to be so adorable?” Button rested his head on his pillow and started to drift to unconsciousness.

Button sat back up against the tree, resting in the shade. He looked down at the white unicorn staring back at him and gave her a small smile. The sunlight reflected off of her green eyes and into Button’s. Sweetie Belle pushed her face close to Button and he put his hoof onto her mane. “I know, it needs to be brushed” Sweetie Belle said, looking down to the ground. Button stuck his head into Sweetie’s bag and pulled out her brush. She gave Button confused look, “You want to do it?” she asked.

“NO!” Button screamed, gasping for breath.

He looked out his window into the dark grey sky, thinking back to the dream that had just ended. He was just brushing Sweetie Belle’s mane. Friends brush other friend’s manes, right? It’s not like he actually liked Sweetie Belle, he couldn't like Sweetie. Button was only a young colt, nowhere near the proper age to start dating. At least, that was what his mother told him.

Video games Button thought. If there was one thing that always helped Button, it was video games. Most people thought that Button was crazy for liking games as much as he did, but he didn’t care. Video games had been with him for all seven and a half years of his life. You could ask Button any question about any game and he could answer it. Though most times ponies just asked why he liked games so much. Still, Button was happy with his interests and nopony could convince him otherwise.

He hit the reflective button and a green light started to glow. The T.V. switched on with a loud static, which quickly died down. The bright light shined right into Button’s sleep covered eyes, causing him to quickly shield them. “Press start” the game announced. There was a silence in the room, “Press start” the game repeated. Button sat in silence, staring at the blinking screen.

Button violently shook his head and slammed the controller. A barrage of flashes illuminated his face. This was perfect, now Button could focus on this instead of the dream. He slammed the controller’s buttons, slightly turning his head to the side. “G-G-G-G-Game over, you lose” the game blurted out. Button tried to complain but quickly covered his mouth when all that came out was hissing breath. The morning was too early for complaints.

Button threw the controller on the ground, letting out a sigh. He couldn't even win a game on easy, something was very wrong. He had to do something to take care of this ‘crush’, but what to do? Well, the one thing that he couldn't do was ask her out. If he did that, he would trick her into thinking he actually liked her and Button didn't want to do that. It was obvious he didn't actually like her, right? After several hours of talking to himself and many check-ups from his mother later, Button decided that the best course of action was to do nothing. Maybe he would even get a milkshake, it made sense to him.

“Milkshakes milkshakes, I’m going to get a milkshake.” Button quietly sung to himself, trotting down the dirt path. Sugarcube Corner wasn't that far away from Button’s house, but the cold autumn wind made it feel like an hour before he arrived. When he stepped into the building, he was greeted by the sweet scent of cinnamon.

“Welcome to Sugarcube Corner, what can a get for you today?” asked the pony behind the counter. Button’s eyes were still looking over the entire selection of mouthwatering treats.

“I’ll have a chocolate shake, please” Button said. The pony slowly glanced over to Button and quickly did a double-take.

“Say, isn't it a little early for foals to be up?” He asked. Button quickly bit his lip and turned to look at the still dark sky behind him. “I’m just messing with you. I guess my humor isn't so good in the morning. Anyway, just put down your bits and sit at any table”

Button quickly sat down at the nearest table; I wonder of the milkshakes here are any better than in ManeHattan he thought. He had been over almost all of Equestria in his life. But nopony’s milkshakes could beat old Joe’s. When Button and his family were living in ManeHattan, his brother would take him to Joe’s diner every week and they would both get milkshakes. Joe made the best and most addictive milkshakes in all of Equestria; Button could never wait to go back. The only part better than the milkshakes were the races Button and his brother always had. Button could never win those; he always ended on the ground seething in pain. That was the one thing Button’s brother refused to tell him, how not to get a brain freeze.

“Order up” a voice called as a glass landed in front of Button, freezing his thoughts. It was filled to the brim with brown liquid, foam pouring over the top. Button took a small sip and the sound of satisfaction escaped his lips. This was one darn good milkshake.

“That was the best prank ever.” an excited voiced said from outside the door. It opened to reveal three very happy fillies. Button silently let out a gulp; of course he had to go on the same day Sweetie Belle went. They swiftly ordered there drinks and sat down next to Button.

“Well howdy Button,” Apple bloom said.

“Hey, I didn't think any other foal would be out this early” Button responded, letting out a small nervous laugh.

“Well we had to wait all day for Diamond tiara and Silver Spoon to fall into our trap,” Scootaloo said. “You wanna hear about the prank we just pulled?”

“Sure?” an unsure Button asked

“Okay, so we set up a whole lot of water balloons and set them up in a tree and then we…”

Scootaloo’s voice started to fade as Button turned to look at Sweetie Belle. She was quietly sitting next to Button, staring at the floor. She noticed Button looking at her and quietly blushed. “SPALOOSH” Scootaloo yelled, shaking the table and spilling Button’s milkshake. She paused for a moment and realizing the scene she had just created, quietly sat back down.

Apple Bloom was the first to break the silence, “What time did ya’ say it was?”

“I don’t know, it’s either late or early,” Scootaloo said. “It’s still dark out”

“Ah promised AppleJack that ah would be home, hope she ain't too mad” she said, putting her hoof against her head.

Apple Bloom dashed out and Scootaloo awkwardly sat there, staring at Button and Sweetie Belle. Three milkshakes were thrown at the table landed with several clunks. Scootaloo looked at the two ponies sitting across from her. “Oh look, Apple Bloom forgot her milkshake. I’ll go give it to her” she said, before running out the shop. This left Button and Sweetie Belle, sitting next to each other at Sugarcube Corner quite early in the morning. Great.

“I’ll get something to clean up this mess.” Button said, hoping to get an excuse to avoid this awkward situation. Button tried to scoot off the bench but felt a head land on him. A quick glance to the side revealed a sleeping Sweetie Belle; she had fallen asleep on top of him. Button attempted to wiggle his way out, only managing to make more of Sweetie Belle's body land on him.

Okay, two options. One, escape and wake the princess. Two, stay here until she wakes up. He thought, neither sounds fun. But I guess option two, if I want to do what my mom says and make friends I shouldn't leave them. That’s how it works, right?

Button looked down at the sleeping unicorn, mesmerized by the beautiful purple and pink swirl in her mane. She looked so peaceful. He reached towards her mane, like in his dreams. But he quickly pulled his hoof back, covering his now blushing face. What was he thinking, that is really weird.

Next Chapter: A Sweetie Belle in the Mash house Estimated time remaining: 38 Minutes