A Pleasant Surprise

Willow hums softly as he locks the key to his home and cafe, he had just decided to leave the shop closed for the day as he needed to stock up on many of his drinks and ingredents for food. Hiching up a wagon behind him he started walking to the center of the marketplace. "Maybe if i get this done soon I'll stop by that new bookstore..." He says as he pulls out a list from under his wing and reads it somehow able to not bump into anypony in the busy streets.

Rough Draft was trotting through the marketplace. He had no particular goal in this outing, nothing he particularly needed to buy. But, today was the first day that his new book and Rough did not want to be cooped up inside. So, in celebration, he decided to go out on the town and enjoy himself.

As he was walking around, he noticed a very familiar and busy pegasus pony walking through the crowds. Rough Draft got a smile as he quietly crept behind Willow and gently prodded him with his horn. "Hello there sweetie." He said smiling.

Willow had just places him list under his wing when he felt something poke him and heard a very familiar voice that causes him to smile. Turning around his smile widens when he sees its Rough Draft. "Hello! I was hoping to see you around here today!" He says as he wipes some sweat off his brow, it was rather warm today and with the extra weight of his wagon it was making him sweat a bit.

Rough Draft gathered up the situation. "Well this simply will not do! A handsome stallion such as yourself should not have to carry so much by your lonesome! Here, let me help." He said, levitating the list in front of Willow using his magic
"There that is better. Now tell me, what do we need to get?"

Willow blushes at being called Hansome. "W-Well um lets see...six bags of coffee...3 bags of coco mix and four bags of flour...not really that much..." He says turning and giving Draft a smile. "But you really dont need to help me im sure you have something more important to do..." He was hoping hoping that Rough Draft would have something else to do as the 3 sisters that ran the stands they needed to go to all kind of had a thing for him and Willow was afraid he may take it the wrong way.

Rough Draft laughed. "Not really. The reason I am out on the town is because I do not have anything to do today. My newest novel has been published and so Im trying to get out of the house to celebrate." He said, following Willow around. "So I will help you with your shopping."

Willow loved Rough Draft's laugh, he wanted to hear it more often. Willow was pulled out of his daze upon hearing about the new novel. "Well congrats! I cant wait to get my hooves on it!" He said while blushing slightly. "Well if you really have nothing else to do..." He says turning and starts walking towards some large stands.

Rough Draft smiled, thinking about how he could not wait to get his hooves on Willow. "Well, with this book, I think I have outdone myself." He said, puffing his chest out. HE then followed Willow, getting ready to help him carry things.

Willow smiles, as they neared a rather large stand. "I'm sure I'll love it as much as the last book" Willow chuckles upon seeing puffing out his chest "Well in my opinion you outdo yourself with all of your works " He said with a smile, then turns his attention to three mares standing behind the stand "Hello miss Coco Bean, Miss Blue Bell and Miss Fall Harvest its so good to see you again" He says with a smile causing the three mares to blush "Oh Willow its so good to see you!" said Coco Bean "We heard you were in the hospital how terrible I do hope everything's alright!" Said Blue Bell "I made you something!"said Fall Harvest the youngest of the three as she pulled out what seems to be a Get-Well Card"I'm sorry I couldn't give it to you...we've been really busy Willow smiles at the three mares "Yes everything is fine just a slight flying accident was all" He takes the card happily "Why thank you Fall harvest its lovely!" He says putting it in his saddle bag "Now onto business I'm going to need six bags of coffee,3 bags of coco mix and four bags of flour if you don't mind" The mares all nod and go to retrieve the bags all giggling.

Rough Draft smiled as the mares went off to retrieve the bags. He leaned in close to Willow and whispered into his ear. "Well well well. It looks like those mares have a thing for my Willow. Looks like I'm going to have my work cut out for me." He said, and laughed. His horn started to glow, ready to carry some bags for Willow.

Willow blushes a bit as his wings flare out "Did he just say my Willow?" He thought causing him to blush more as he loaded most of the bags into his wagon, turning around he paid and thanked the mares before turning and starting to walk back to his café. Suddenly he heard one on the mares call out his name, turning around he sees it is Fall Harvest "Yes Fall Harvest?" he asked in confusion "Well um...I was wondering if maybe..." She rubbed a foreleg with her hoof "I-If maybe you would like to go out to dinner with me tonight?"

Rough's eyes bulged. How dare this mare be so forward and make a move on his Willow? Nevertheless, he was a polite pony, and would withhold his outrage. "Well, Miss Fall Harvest." He began to speak, "I'm pretty sure Willow would love to go to dinner with you. In fact, invite you sisters here, and Willow can invite me! It will be on me, a celebration for such a wonderful day!" He said, grinning.

Willow was bout to speak up and decline Harvest's offer when Rough Draft spoke up and even offered to treat them to dinner, Willows heart shattered at those words but he tried not to show it as he watched Fall Harvest run off to tell her sisters, he turns to Rough Draft and gives him a slight smile before continuing to his café.

Rough Draft smiled at Willow, but soon his smile faded. "Something is wrong Willow. And do not try to tell me nothing is wrong cause something is wrong. I'm a unicorn. I have magic. I can tell these things." He said, putting a hoof under Willow's chin and tilting his head up towards him. "Was it something I said? Cmon, you can tell your sweetums Rough Draft." He said, smiling.

Willow looks at Rough Draft then looks away "Why didn't you let me say no.." He pushes past him continuing to walk towards the Café, Willow was angry even now he still tried to tease him he didn't realize how much Willow cared for him he just played with his heart even more.

Rough Draft frowned. "I'm sorry Willow. I didn't know" he trailed off, reaching out to him. "Watch. I'm going to fix this." He said, grinning.

Rough trotted over to where the three mares were. "Excuse me ladies." He said to grab their attentions."It seems that our timing could not be worse. You see, I have just received word that my dear sweet mother has fallen ill. I, her only son, must go and visit her, to cheer her up and lift her spirits. Our dearest Willow has volunteered to accompany me in the visit. I'm afraid we will have to cancel our plans." He said, glancing over at Willow and winking, with a look on his face saying "Please forgive me."

Willows angry vanished almost all at once, the look on Rough Drafts face makes him blush a bit as the three sisters say they understand and that they hope his mother got well soon. Willow watched them leave and walks over to Rough Draft. "Really Rough Draft taking me home to met your parents, when we haven't even had our first date yet?" He said jokingly.

Rough Draft laughed. "I think you would have recognized that it was a lie. I'm not actually taking you to see my parents." Said Rough, once they were well out of range. "My parents are visiting my aunt in Manehattan. I just said that to get out of our dinner reservations." He said, snickering.

"Now that they are gone, how about I make my actual proposition. My house at 6. I'll make you supper. this can be our first date." He said, nudging Willow and giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Willow blinked not sure he had heard him right but looking at his face he saw that he had "Well...I.....I would love to!" He said blushing softly hoping he didn't sound to excided about it as he gives Rough Draft a quick nuzzle in return.

Rough Draft smiled. "Excellent!" He said, beaming and his ears perking straight up. "I'll see you at my house at 6 this evening. I'll have a delicious supper made up for you." He said, planting a kiss on Willow's lips.

Willow blushes bright red as Rough Draft kisses him before leaning in and kissing him back. He liked it his lips were very soft, pulling away he smiles as his wings flap a bit "I-I look forward to it.."

Rough smiled and blushed himself. He saw Willow's wings flap and smiled even more. "Great! I'll see you then!" He said, leaning in and kissing Willow again. He then turned around and trotted away, swishing his tail back and forth.