Vinyl and Octavia were walking down the warmly lit streets of Manehattan, deciding to ditch the Equestrian Music Awards party. They meant to figure out something else to do, but ended up meandering through town by themselves on an unexpected date. The incandescent glow from late-night bars and cafes offered plenty of options, but they all merged together into one bright background as the two mares lost themselves in talking to each other.

“And then she said, ‘Vinyl! You can’t play the Poney Pokey at a live show!’” The pair shared a laugh.

After catching her breath, Octavia stopped and faced Vinyl. “I had a good time, Vinyl.” She smiled. “I never thought bothering to show up at that dull party would end in such a wonderful evening.”

“I did too.” Vinyl smiled, putting her weight onto one hip in an attempt to look cool. “Why are we stopping, though?” Vinyl asked, lighting a cigarette.

Octavia yawned, looking up at the stars. “It’s late.”

“Is it?” Vinyl tucked the butt of the cigarette into the corner of her mouth and pulled up her watch, which showed it was 1AM. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Where do you live?”

“Downtown.”

“That’s quite a ways from here.”

Octavia chuckled. “‘A ways’? Is that a greater or shorter distance than ‘over yonder’?”

“I’m from a small town. Sue me. But what I meant to say was...” Vinyl scuffed her hoof on the pavement, blowing out smoke to stall for time. “Are you sure it’s safe walking there by yourself?”

“I can handle myself.” Octavia stomped one rear hoof, then the other on the pavement for emphasis before lifting one up, letting Vinyl examine her taut thigh muscles. “Standing on your hind legs for hours at a time tends to give you strong legs.”

“They look nice,” Vinyl began, but caught herself. “I mean, I see what you mean. Well, you could get back, but it would be nearly sunrise by the time you got home.” Vinyl brushed her hoof through her mane. “But, well, I happen to live in one of the expensive apartment complexes nearby. Do you want to—um…”

Octavia was looking at her curiously now, and, in her eyes, Vinyl saw all of the questions she didn’t want to answer. All the nagging little doubts. She’s practically a stranger. You think you’re cool enough to get someone like her to come home with you? She won’t be impressed. You left a mess everywhere.

Vinyl couldn’t finish the question; this was a lot different than having a girlfriend when she was a teenager.

“Are you asking me to stay the night?”

“Yeah. You know, since yours is so far away,“ Vinyl said, smiling sheepishly.

“My hero,” Octavia fawned. Before Vinyl knew it, Octavia leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Really, I think spending the evening with you would be lovely, Miss Scratch."

"Please," Vinyl said, turning her head and kissing Octavia's cheek in return, "call me Vinyl."

They walked a few blocks and entered a nearby apartment complex. Along the way, Octavia bumped Vinyl with her hips.

When Vinyl looked over in confusion, she saw the twinkle in her eyes and swallowed hard. Ooookay, that’s a sex look. That’s definitely a sex look. Vinyl felt like singing at knowing that Octavia wanted her, but a realization hit her like a train. I have no idea what I’m doing!

...I need to call Derpy.

Nodding at the pony taking the graveyard shift at the help desk, Vinyl led Octavia to the elevator. Once they arrived at her floor, Vinyl led her to the room, unlocked it, and opened it to show Octavia her apartment.

Octavia gasped. “This place looks… expensive.”

“One of the benefits of working with a top music label.” Vinyl took off her white jacket and threw it on the sofa in the living room. “How do you feel after all that walking? There’s a shower in the master bathroom if you need one. There’s, um, actually two bathrooms, so it’s the one in the master suite.”

“Where’s that?”

“That door”—Vinyl gestured with a hoof—“then, once inside, go to the first door on the left.”

“Thank you. I can’t wait to wash off all the makeup I put on for that stupid party.”

“No prob.” Vinyl watched Octavia’s hips sway as she walked through her bedroom to the master bath and shut the door behind herself. As soon as she heard the shower running, Vinyl dashed to the kitchen, snatched up the phone, and punched in a number.

Vinyl’s hoof tapped against the linoleum as the phone rang and rang. “C’mon, pick up, pick up!”

After what felt like minutes, there was a click on the other end of the line, followed by the groggy voice of another mare.

“Vinyl, you are damn lucky I caught the phone before Dinky woke up.” Derpy yawned. “What do you want? It’s nearly two in the morning.”

“Derpy! I got a mare over at my place! What do I do?!”

“Um… I don’t date mares.” Derpy yawned again. “Is that seriously what you called me for? How should I know what to do with a mare?”

“I know, I know, but I’m pretty sure she wants sex and I know you’ve done that at least once.”

“Yes, and you saw how wonderfully that turned out for me.”

“Derpy, I don’t know what to do!” Vinyl hissed.

“All right, all right! Calm down. What is she doing right now?”

“She’s in the shower. I was thinking about surprising her by joining her in there. You know, being spontaneous.”

“Sure, because that’s what naked mares in strange apartments love. Surprises.” Vinyl could hear Derpy rolling her eyes through the phone. “Get into bed so she’ll see you when she comes out of the bathroom.”

“And then what?”

“Don’t get pregnant. Night, Vinyl.” Derpy hung up.

Vinyl’s face was blank.

Oh goddesses, oh goddesses! I have been waiting forever for this, but now I’m panicking! Okay, calm down. Deep breaths.

Vinyl took a series of deep breaths, and slowly got her nerves back under control.

“You can do this,” she told herself, nodding. “Just get into bed like Derpy said and I can figure it out from there.” Vinyl walked into the bedroom and lay on her bed, listening to the sounds of the shower at the other end of the room.

Octavia had left the door cracked open, and was singing softly to herself. The hot water felt good against her skin, and she spent several minutes just enjoying the warmth as the stress of the day melted off and ran into the drain. Once she was done, she turned the water off and spent a few minutes of vigorously drying her mane, then walked out to see Vinyl lying casually on the bed.

“Tired already?” Octavia asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Um, not really.” Vinyl suddenly remembered that she was supposed to be cool and confident, and hastily added a smile and eyebrow wiggle.

“I figured as much. I am still a bit wired from our stop at that coffee shop.” She walked to the other side of the bed and motioned with her hoof. “Is it okay if I...?”

“Of course! Make yourself at home.”

Octavia slipped into bed beside Vinyl. “This may sound odd, but could I just hold you for a while first? It’s been... some time I was with another pony.”

Okay, Vinyl. Just play this cool. “Yes!” Vinyl shrank at her own shout and coughed. “Um, yes. Hold me.”

“Are you okay? You seem nervous.”

“Not at all, th-that sounds nice!”

“All right.” Octavia wrapped her forelegs around Vinyl. “You’re warm.”

“Just a bit.”

“Mmm.” Octavia rested her cheek against Vinyl’s. “Say, Vinyl?”

“Yeah?”

“I don’t mean to be rude, but… have you never slept with a mare before?”

“Ha ha… what makes you ask that?” Vinyl laughed unevenly.

Octavia brushed her nose across Vinyl’s, feeling the smaller mare tense under her before she pulled back. “You’ve had every opportunity to kiss me, to take the proverbial reins, but I’ve been the one making all the moves.” A slight flush rose in her dark cheeks. “Is it really that different from being with a stallion?”

“I wouldn’t know...” Vinyl whispered.

“What’s that?”

Vinyl took a deep breath and answered, “I wouldn’t know. I never liked stallions.”

“But, then… oh, don’t tell me.” Octavia smiled, holding back a laugh. “DJ-PON3, the up-and-comer the establishment can’t stop throwing awards at—the wet dream of teenagers everywhere—is a virgin?”

There was an awkward pause before Vinyl opened her mouth.

“Yes.” Vinyl buried her face in her hooves. She could see Derpy laughing at her now. “I’m sorry. I know you were expecting someone better.”

Octavia, however, didn’t laugh at all. Instead, she swept Vinyl into a hug. “Don’t be sorry. As much of a blow as this may be to your ego,” she teased, “I didn’t come home with you because I thought you were an awe-inspiring sex machine.” She ran a hoof through Vinyl’s frazzled mane. “I like you, Vinyl Scratch. You make me smile; that’s reason enough. Although”—Octavia’s voice dropped to a low, sultry growl—“having a nice butt helps.”

The gray mare suddenly laughed, and Vinyl couldn’t think of anything to say in response. “How old are you, Vinyl?”

“I’m twenty-five. You?”

There was another pause.

“Thirty-one,” Octavia admitted.

“…Wow.”

“It’s not that old.” Octavia huffed. “Well. Perhaps we say you don’t mind me being over thirty if I don’t mind you being a virgin at twenty-five. Deal?”

“Umm, deal? And you’re really not disappointed? I have no idea what I am supposed to do.”

Octavia shook her head. “Your first time is your first time. There’s not much anyone can do about that. And besides,” she added with a twinkle in her eye, “I like taking the lead.”

“Stay still, Vinyl. I’m trying to get this right,” Derpy said, trying to adjust the black bow tie on his tuxedo.

“Sorry, I’m just a little nervous.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it. You just stand at the altar, look at your pretty soon-to-be wife, say you love her, kiss her, and then that’s it.”

“What if I trip?”

“You’re not wearing a wedding dress.”

“But what if I trip anyway?”

“Now you’re just making excuses.” She gave Vinyl’s bow tie one last little tug and stepped back. “There, done.”

“How do I look?”

“You look handsome. I think your mother would approve.”

“Thanks. I think so too.”

“Let’s see how everything is going outside—”

“Wait! What if she says no?”

Derpy groaned. “She’s not going to say no. Now come on, I’m sure it will take a bit longer for Octavia to get ready.”

Vinyl followed Derpy out through the tent’s flap into a large clearing surrounded by the chalky birch trees of the Whitetail Woods. Two rows of chairs were set up in front of an altar made from birch branches in the middle of the clearing.

To the right was the reception. Tables and more chairs were already set up, with a small area cleared and reserved for dancing. At the end of the party area was a long table where Lyra, Bon Bon, and Pinkie Pie were setting up the catering, and a towering wedding cake sat at the center of the table.

Vinyl took in a fresh breath. “This was a good location. It’s so peaceful, away from everything.”

“It was the first location that came to mind. There wasn’t much else available except for town hall. I figured you didn’t want your wedding in the center of town,” Derpy said.

“You were right. This is our day. I only want those closest to us to take part in it.”

“I’m happy to be here then, Vinyl.” Derpy smiled.

“How long is this going to take?”

“As long as it needs to,” Vidala said, doing her best to tie up Octavia’s mane. Most of it had been styled and pulled into a loose, intricate braid comprised of smaller braids. Her bangs arched over her forehead, straight and untouched.

“I’m happy you were able to come.”

Vidala smiled. “Anything for an old friend. That, and I thought maybe I could get another fifty bits out of Vinyl.”

Octavia struggled to hold herself still as she giggled. “So, what do you think of him?”

“What do I think?” Vidala raised her hoof to her chin. “He’s handsome, though he’s just as scrawny as me.”

“Vinyl was always small.” Octavia smiled. “Stallions do get flak if they date a mare bigger than they are, but I don’t think he cares about that kind of stuff.”

“After everything else that’s happened over the past year, I doubt it would even bother him,” Vidala said.

She continued braiding Octavia’s mane in relative silence. They were surrounded by the whistle of the wind through the birches and the light commotion of the ceremony being prepared outside.

“Did you see anybody else before I got here?” Octavia asked after some time.

“Not really. A few ponies from town. I think they’re Vinyl’s friends. You sound like you’re asking about someone specific, though.”

“It’s nothing.” Octavia shook her head, forcing Vidala to quickly complete a braid before it shook loose. “I invited Fancy Pants and his wife, and—” Octavia’s smile quickly faded. She’d sent her father a letter a month back but didn’t receive a response, nor did he show up this morning. “Well… other than those two, it’s mainly Vinyl’s friends.”

“Oh,” Vidala said quietly. What aren’t you telling me? Octavia didn’t mention any family members on either side. Maybe that was what was wrong. “On the bright side, though, I’m nearly done. Let’s try and finish this up.”

“You’d think Octavia would be ready by now,” Vinyl said, tapping his hoof while he took a long drag from his cigarette. Already dressed in his tuxedo, bow tie adjusted just so, Vinyl had been waiting for what felt like an hour. Vinyl ashed his cigarette and Derpy groaned, getting up and brushing the ashes off his lapel.

“It just takes time for us mares to get ready,” Derpy said with a wink.

“Yeah, yeah. You just gel your mane flat and throw on a pantsuit. You’re out the door in fifteen minutes like clockwork.” Vinyl shrugged, taking a tug on his cigarette.

“I’m a very efficient mare.”

“Vinyl!” Pinkie Pie yelled, bounding up to him with Lyra and Bon Bon in tow. “We’ve finished setting up the reception.”

“Awesome. Hey, thanks for coming.”

“Well, we still have to put the finishing touches on, then get ourselves dressed up nice. I know we have to be here to set up, but I wasn’t expecting an invitation to the actual ceremony,” Pinkie said.

“You’re my friends; why wouldn’t I?”

“We’re looking forward to the event, Vinyl,” Bon Bon called over her shoulder as they left to finish the preparations.

Pinkie Pie bounced off as Rarity and Braeburn came up after her.

“Thank you kindly for inviting us, Vinyl. Your mother would be proud to see where you are now,” Rarity said.

“No prob, and thanks.”

“And thanks for having me as your officiator. I’ve done a few in the past, but I’m not the first stallion on many lists. It means a lot,” Braeburn said.

“Hey,” Vinyl said, putting a hoof on his shoulder, “I’m looking forward to it.”

Rarity and Braeburn walked off as Fancy Pants and a long-legged white mare with a long pink mane walked up to him.

“Vinyl! Thank you for inviting us,” Fancy Pants said.

“It was Octavia’s idea, actually, but you're welcome.”

“Of course. I am guessing she is still getting prepared, I wanted to thank her for signing on, but that can wait. Also, I want to introduce you to my wife, Fleur.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Fleur said in a posh accent, which took Vinyl by surprise.

Vinyl nodded. “A pleasure to meet you too. We’re planning to start as soon as Octavia is ready, so please take your seats.”

They nodded and walked off. Dinky then emerged from behind Derpy.

“I handed everyone flowers, mom! They liked them!” Dinky exclaimed.

“Good! Now, be sure to sit with the adults. Mom is Vinyl’s best mare and I need to be by him throughout the ceremony,” Derpy said, smiling at her daughter.

“Okay!” Dinky looked up at Vinyl. “Vinyl?”

“Yes?”

“When you get married, can I call you Uncle Vinyl and Aunt Octi?”

“Sure.” Vinyl smiled.

“Yay! I’m going to see if I can hand out more flowers!” Dinky ran off and began approaching other ponies who had taken their seats.

“Hmm.” Vinyl looked at the attendees in the seating area.

“What’s up?” Derpy asked.

“None of Octavia’s family is here. I was hoping one of them would show up.”

“I guess some ponies never change.”

“Unfortunately.” Vinyl dropped his cigarette and crushed it out with his hoof.

Octavia emerged from her tent with Vidala beside her, wearing her shiny purple dress and her braided mane, which had been laced with orchids.

Vinyl and Derpy were still standing underneath the altar. He smiled and walked up to her, meeting in the center of the ceremony area.

“Do I look okay?” Octavia asked, crossing her forehooves. Her eyes were locked on Vinyl’s bow tie.

“You look beautiful. Are you ready?”

She smiled. “Yes. Let’s do it.”

“Okay.”

They stood side-by-side and walked up to the altar. Vidala stood to the left where Octavia joined her, and Derpy stood to the right, where Vinyl joined her. Braeburn stood in the center and coughed, taking in a deep breath before he started the ceremony.

“Mares and stallions, thank you for being here,” he said, his eyes glued to his tiny book. “We are gathered here today to see these two ponies, Vinyl Scratch and Octavia Melody, join together in marriage.”

Octavia looked into the small crowd of ponies sitting in front of them, trying to see if she could find any of her family. She did her best to keep a smile after seeing no signs of her father.

“Hey,” Vinyl whispered to Octavia. “You okay?”

“Vinyl and Octavia have determined they will love one another for the rest of their lives, and, no matter what hardships they face, will never break their union of trust and loyalty to one another.”

“My father isn’t here,” Octavia whispered back.

She then looked at the back of the forest, where an old, grey stallion emerged, waving off a forest guide that was beside him. He walked to the back corner of the ceremony area and sat down, all the while looking at Octavia and giving her a smile.

Octavia smiled back, then turned her attention to Vinyl again.

“Vinyl Scratch, do you take this mare into your life, until death do you part?”

“I do,” Vinyl replied, smiling at Octavia.

“And do you, Octavia Melody, take this stallion into your life, until death do you part?”

“I do, ” Octavia replied, returning her smile to Vinyl.

“And with that, I now pronounce these two husband and wife. Vinyl, you may ki—”

Before Braeburn was able to finish, Octavia pulled Vinyl into an embrace and swept him backward, holding him in her forelegs as she leaned down and forcefully pressed her lips to his. A few ponies in the attendance gasped, but others cheered and stomped their hooves.

Braeburn shrugged. “Well, I knew y’all two wanted this short, but alrighty.”

“That’s Octavia,” Vidala said with a grin.

Finished with their display, Vinyl and Octavia walked from the altar and down the small aisle. The other guests clapped and began moving over to the catering area. Before Vinyl and Octavia walked over there, they stopped next to the old stallion.

“Congratulations, Octavia, I’m proud of you,” he said, hugging her.

“Thank you.” She returned the hug, tears coming from her eyes.

“This is your dad?” Vinyl asked.

“Yes.” Octavia pulled away from her father, wiping her tears away with a smile.

He smiled back at his daughter, then turned to Vinyl, looking him over for the first time. “Hm. You seem like a fine young stallion. It’s a pity Majesty didn’t want to meet you.” He extended a hoof to Vinyl. “I trust you will take care of my daughter well, Mr. Scratch.”

“I will, sir.”

After the ceremony, everyone was enjoying themselves in the catering area, socializing between one another with a few dancing in the center. Vinyl and Octavia sat next to each other at a large table, receiving their congratulations earlier from all their guests.

“Having fun?” Octavia asked, snuggling herself up against Vinyl.

“Yeah, but I wish one more pony could have come to see this.”

“Who?”

“My mother.”

“Maybe we can visit her. She is only a few minutes away from here.”

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

Vinyl and Octavia waved at everyone, letting them know they would be back shortly.

They walked through the forest trail and back up the hill nearby to the grave where Claret rested. After a few minutes of walking, Vinyl and Octavia arrived at her tombstone.

“Hey Mom, we’re married!” Vinyl smiled at his mother’s tombstone. “I really wish you could have been with us and seen it. It was beautiful. But, the least I can do is let you see your son on his wedding day.” He took a deep breath. Unlike his last visit, he was happy this time. “A few ponies mentioned how proud you would have been of me, and I think they are right. So, thanks. Thanks for making this day possible.”

“Vinyl, look.” Octavia tugged at Vinyl, pointing his direction to the sun setting in the distance. “It’s beautiful.”

“Sure is,” he said, walking away from his mother's grave and sitting on a nearby bench with Octavia.

“Tavi.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for sticking with me. I know it couldn’t have been easy sometimes during all these months.”

Octavia looked at Vinyl with a furrowed brow and snorted. “I proposed to you, silly. Did you really think I didn’t know you were trouble back then?” Octavia smiled, leaning her head against Vinyl’s. “You being a little bit different is not going to change how I feel about you...” She turned and kissed Vinyl lightly on the cheek. “Besides, I know you would do the same for me. Wouldn’t you?”

“Of course.”

“I love you, Vinyl.”

“I love you too.” Vinyl kissed the top of Octavia’s head.

They remained seated on the bench, watching the sun go down. Vinyl then dug through his pocket and pulled out his pack of cigarettes to find it empty.

“Do you want to get some more on the way back?” Octavia asked.

“No.” He placed the empty pack in his pocket. “Actually, I think I want to quit.”

Octavia gave him a kiss, and he returned the same.

They leaned on each other as the sun disappeared over the horizon. And as the darkness enveloped them, they kept each other warm as they slept under the stars.