Day Off

Latent Promise groaned as he laid his head down on his desk. He had been working on his newest order for a week now, and had not only accomplished little, but was incredibly unsatisfied with the work he’d done so far. He looked over the half-finished plush projects spread out over his table, some missing ears or tails or random limbs, and sighed.

THUNK!

Promise jumped at the sudden sound. “What in ponyfeathers was that?” He looked around, but couldn't notice anything out of place. Nothing had fallen off its shelf, so he couldn't place exactly what had made the sound. He shrugged and turned back towards his desk.

THUNK!

His head snapped up. He heard it better this time, so he noticed it was coming from the window. He narrowed his eyes as he slowly stood up and made his way towards it.

THUNK!

Promise opened the window and looked out. Instantly an exasperated grin came over his face as he looked down at the blue-maned unicorn on the street. Trick Shot, his coltfriend, was grinning up at him. Promise glanced down and notice three arrows lodged in his windowsill.

“Trick, do you have any idea how much it’ll cost me to fix this?”

“Nope! But I do know how much two chocolate peppermint milkshakes cost at this awesome ice cream shop I found. Wanna come?”

“I can’t. You know I’m busy, I've got a huge order I have to fill and I've already wasted too much time.”

“Come oooon. I’m buying!”

Promise sighed. “No, Trick. I’m behind on my work. Sorry, but I need to finish.”

“Latent Promise, if you don’t get your gorgeous flank down here this instant I’m coming up there and dragging you outside.”

Promise found himself laughing. “Fine. I’ll be right down.” He shook his head with a grin as he made his way down to the street level. Once he stepped out the door, he hugged his coltfriend. “You know, I hate that you can talk me into anything.”

“I don’t. It makes it easier to get you to do stuff. Now come on, those milkshakes aren't gonna drink themselves.”

Promise couldn't help but think on his work as they walked. He barely registered most of what Trick was saying to him, replying the occasional “Mhm...” or “Sure.” It wasn't until he managed to catch Trick laughing that he snapped back to reality.

“What’s so funny?”

“Just me wishing I’d made you sign that, is all.”

“Sign what?”

“You agreeing to be my personal maid for life, outfit and all.”

“WHAT?!?!?”

Trick started laughing again. “You weren't paying attention, so I asked if you wanted to be my little maid for life. And you definitely said yes!”

Promise’s face turned beet red as he glared at the other stallion. “Trick, come on. That’s not funny.”

“Oh sure it is. But what’s really not funny is you spacing out on me. Today’s your day off, babe. Enjoy it.”

Promise smiled. “I’ll try.”

Trick hugged his coltfriend again. “Good. The shop’s just down this street.”

The ice cream shop was nothing too special. Almost hidden between two buildings, it had only a single table outside the door with a chalkboard sign with the shop’s name and an advertisement for today’s special flavor - Blueberry Muffin. A soft bell rang as the pair walked through the door.

The shop was quiet, with just a small handful of ponies in it. Promise and Trick stood at the entrance for a bit, looking around for a place to sit, when a voice called out from across the shop.

“One second, I’ll be right with you! Go ahead and find a table!” The voice coming from the back was cheerful, almost sickeningly so. Promise and Trick made their way to a nearby table as they waited for their server.

A couple minutes passed before a young earth pony mare came out from the back room of the shop. Her braided peppermint colored mane stood out against her soft green coat, and she had a bright, joyful look in her jade eyes. She almost hopped over to the table the stallions were at.

“Sorry about the wait, sweeties. My name’s Pepper, and welcome to the Double Scoop! What can I get for you today?”

Without even looking at a menu, Trick piped up. “I heard you have some amazing chocolate peppermint milkshakes. We’ll take two, please.”

Impossibly, her face lit up even more. “We certainly do! It’s my specialty, in fact. You won’t find a better milkshake in Equestria! Two super special milkshakes, coming right up!” She skipped back behind the counter as she began mixing the drinks.

Trick watched her for a bit before turning back to the other stallion. "She seems nice."

"Getting a crush on the ice cream girl?"

"Oh please. You know you're the only girl for me." Trick fluttered his eyelashes at Promise, who rolled his eyes with a smile.

Pepper came back with two tall glasses on a tray balanced on her head. "Here they are! Hope you boys enjoy!" She set the tray on the table and placed a glass before each stallion before carrying the tray back.

Each glass contained a thick, dark red liquid with noticeable hard candy bits mixed in, topped with a mountain of whipped cream, underneath a heavy drizzle of chocolate syrup. The entire concoction was crowned with the biggest cherry either stallion had ever seen.

Promise stared wide-eyed at his glass. "It's...like a work of art. It'd be a shame to ruin it."

"Speak for yourself!" Trick stabbed his straw through the whipped cream and began drinking his shake. His eyes went wide too and he stopped. "Promise. Latent Promise. Stop staring and drink your shake. Now. This is amazing."

Promise began slowly sipping on his drink. The chocolate flavor was very prominent, as was the peppermint from the bits mixed in. However, behind them was a very subtle hint of apple and strawberry. Just enough to add a nice tinge of flavor without overpowering the shake.

“...This has to be the best milkshake on the planet.”

“I know!”

The two continued drinking their shakes in silence. As they finished the last drops, Trick leaned back in his seat with a loud sigh. “That. Was. Incredible!”

Pepper giggled as she came by. “I tooooold you! Want a refill, or can I get your glasses from you?”

Promise smiled and levitated his glass toward her. “I think one’s enough for me. Thanks though, it was amazing!”

Trick handed her his glass as well. “I have one problem.”

Pepper’s gleeful look faltered for a second. “You do?”

“See, Latent Promise here is my coltfriend. The love of my life. But your milkshakes are seriously trying to compete for that spot.”

Pepper and Promise both burst out laughing. “Unfortunately, sweetie, I’m taken and my milkshakes would make for a poor wife. I appreciate the compliment though!” She loaded the glasses onto a tray and carried them back to the counter.

Promise grinned as he leaned in. “Planning on leaving me for a milkshake? Trick Shot, I’m hurt.”

“To be fair, you tasted that milkshake too. I was justified.”

“Good point. Do you think we could both marry it?”

“Oh, I hadn't thought of that! Good plan, then I wouldn't have to choose.”

Promise laughed again as he put a hoof on Trick’s. “You know I’d kill you if you left me for ice cream, right?”

“Well lucky for you you last a lot longer than ice cream.”

Trick leaned over the small table and planted a kiss on Promise’s lips, leaving the other stallion with a soft blush. “You also taste better.”

Promise smiled back at his coltfriend. “You know how lucky I am to have you?”

“I know exactly how lucky you are. Just think of how jealous everypony else is.”

Promise glanced up at a clock on the wall and sighed. “I have to get back. That order is due in a month and I've only barely started on it.”

“What is it exactly? I've never seen you this stressed out on a project before.”

“A local orphanage commissioned me to make plush toys for each of the children there. I jumped at the chance to do something like that, but I haven’t been able to motivate myself to work on them. It feels...off, I guess. Like it’s not really anything important.”

Trick nodded. “Very noble. How many kids are you making toys for?”

“Fourteen. Six colts and eight fillies.”

“What are their names?”

“Whose?”

“The kids, of course. What are their names?”

“I have no idea. I didn't ask.”

“You know, that’s probably your problem.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re not a factory, Promise. I've seen your work, and I know the difference between doing something because you have to and doing something you pour your heart and soul into. Wouldn't it feel better if you were making something personalized for each one, instead of just a general toy? What are you making for them?”

“I was going to just do random animals. A few bears, a couple dogs, a couple rabbits. Things like that.”

“Know what you really need? A list of the kids’ names, as well as their favorite animals. Make something special for each of them. I’ll bet anything that’ll get you pumped and into a plushing mood.”

“I...I guess I never thought about it. The orphan matron wasn't really too specific on the details.”

“Perfect! Sounds like a plan then. See if you can learn their names and what animals they like. That’ll make the gift at least a hundred times better and more memorable for them.”

Promise mulled it over for a bit. “That’s actually a really good idea. The orphanage is just down the road, let’s stop by and see if we can get a list.”

Trick hopped up and dropped a small handful of bits on the table. “Sounds good, babe. Let’s go.”

Promise leaned his head on Trick’s shoulder as they left the shop and made their way toward the orphanage. “What would I do without you?”

“Have a much more boring life, that’s for sure.”

Promise laughed as they stepped inside the orphanage. The orphan matron, a middle-aged unicorn with a greying mane tied back in a bun, smiled and greeted them.

“Latent Promise, good to see you again! And you brought a friend, wonderful!”

“Good to see you too, Miss Orchid. I actually had something I wanted to ask you. Do you think you could get me a list of the childrens’ names, and possibly what each of their favorite animals are?”

Miss Orchid put a hoof to her chin as she thought about it. “The names are easy, but...Oh, I know! I can have them draw their favorite animals, as a fun group activity. Then I’ll make a list and send it to you. How does that sound?”

Promise smiled wide. “Perfect! Thanks, Miss Orchid!”

“Any time, dear! I’ll have that list to you by tomorrow.”

The couple left the orphanage and made their way back to Promise’s house. Promise had a new found fire for his work, and he wasn't about to let it fade. He stopped just in front of his door and turned to the other stallion. “Trick?”

“What’s up, babe?”

Promise leaned in and kissed his coltfriend deeply. He put a hoof behind Trick’s head and held him close as his tongue gently pushed into the stallion’s mouth. Trick gasped before closing his eyes and putting a hoof around Promise’s shoulder and pulling him close. The two stood there, locked in their kiss and oblivious to the outside world. At that moment, all that mattered to each of them was the other.

Promise broke the kiss and smiled at Trick. “Thank you. Not just for this, but for everything. I really am the luckiest guy in the world to have you.”

Trick hugged the stallion tight. “You’re welcome, Promise. You know I wouldn't give you up for anything in the world.”

**************One month later**************

Latent Promise and Trick Shot arrived at the orphanage late in the morning hauling a cart full of small gifts. The foals lined up one by one to receive their new friends, each one made custom for them. As the children unwrapped their gifts, their faces lit up. Each one personally thanked Promise, and a few even hugged him. Not one toy went unappreciated.

Latent Promise hugged Trick tight. “Thanks so much, Trick. I couldn't do it without you.”

Trick hugged his coltfriend back. “Any time, babe. Now, let’s talk about your maid uniform...”

Promise’s face went beet red.