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MLP - Unexpected Development — Description

-Skychaser walks alone down a hallway of the Cutie Mark Sanctuary, one of his arms tightly holding a plastic shopping bag close to him. Scootaloo had sent him off on an errand, which wasn’t an uncommon occurrence. But what Skychaser finds curious is that the mare had requested numerous packs of drawing charcoal, erasers, and graphite pencils. Now the stallion is all for providing more supplies for the visual art sector! They certainly needed it. But based on what she had said, Scootaloo was going to sit in on a volunteered art class. As far as Skychaser remembers, Scootaloo only ever checks in on volunteered classes. Rarely did she sit in on one. And for it to be art-related one, and one she seemed to REALLY be looking forward to? Very curious.

Skychaser shakes off his thoughts as he approaches the room number Scootaloo had given him-

’Maybe we have a special artist on our hooves…? Eh, better not think too much about it. We got kids ready to show their stuff~’

Skychaser: *sits and opens the door with his free hoof. He looks down to quickly readjust the supplies with both arms, careful not to drop them* Alright, kiddos, I got your emergency art stash right he-

-Sky stops dead in his tracks upon lifting his head. He doesn’t notice the children at the tables, who have looked up upon his arrival. He barely even notices Scootaloo, sitting backwards in a chair on the opposite side of the room and leaning her head over to catch a glimpse of him.
What captures his full attention is the pony standing at the front of the classroom, their colorless hair tied back in a ponytail while glasses adorn their face. They, too, turn their attention towards him with calm green eyes.
Skychaser recognizes the pony instantly. He doesn’t realize his hold on the art supplies has weakened until the bag thumps to the floor-

Skychaser: *takes in the pony’s taller, muscular form, and finds himself sputtering* I w-wh- M-M-Monochrome?

Monochrome: *quiet at first, searching Skychaser’s face and molten orange eye with unmasked curiosity. Their eyes widen with recognition* ...Skychaser?

-The room is soon filled with murmuring as the kids exchange confused and intrigued looks. However, Scootaloo claps her hooves at them-

Scootaloo: Hey now, this art lesson isn’t over yet! Professor Monochrome didn’t come aaaall this way as our special guest just to listen to everypony gossip!

Kids: Sorry Professor Monochrome…

Monochrome: (!) *returns their attention to their class* Ah...no, it’s fine.
Skychaser: Oh! R-right! Sorry... *self-consciously picks the bag back up, only for large black hooves to reach for it, startling Sky with the sudden proximity. For somepony who’s seeing someone for the first time in years, Sky notices how strangely calm and unreadable the other pegasus is*

Monochrome: *takes the bag* Thank you.

Skychaser: *is beginning to realize how hot his face feels, all but absentmindedly replying* Yeah, welcome…

Scootaloo: *grins and pulls out a chair at the table next to her* Hey, PST, Sky! Come on, sit next to me!

Skychaser: (??) O-okay?
*stiffly walks over to Scootaloo, keenly aware of himself as he passes Monochrome. While he sits with Scootaloo, absolutely having no clue as to why he’s there, he can barely pay attention to Monochrome’s lesson, completely enamored by the pony themself*
‘What the hell, what the hell, why are they here, how are they so big- why are they so BUFF?! I mean damn, puberty hit them like a fucking METEOR-’

Scootaloo: *momentarily watches Monochrome walk around the classroom to hand out supplies and give their instructions. She then turns in her chair to face Sky and whisper* So! How do you know Chromey? They're not exactly the social type.

Skychaser: (!) *shifts uncomfortably, but also speaks quietly* We uh... used to go to the same racetrack as kids. That was like...ten years ago though.
*pulls in eyebrows* You know them?

Scootaloo: *snorts in amusement* I mean yeah! Momo’s my nephie!

Skychaser: Your what?!
*Sky cringes, realizing he had raised his voice and garnered the attention of some kids. Even Monochrome glimpses up for a moment, causing Sky to quickly look away. He focuses back on Scootaloo, whispering harshly* You’re related?!

Scootaloo: Kinda~ When I was a kid, their mom Rainbow Dash was like a big sis to me! And her parents practically became my parents. So we all consider each other family!

Skychaser: Wow...

-Sky goes quiet. Normally he tries to participate in any classes he ends up getting involved in, but this is an exception. He gets lost in his thoughts instead. He almost feels guilty, realizing memories of his old friend have drifted to the back of his mind. But he also tries to remind himself that he had been pretty...preoccupied, with everything that has happened.

‘What are the chances...who could’ve guessed that I’ve actually known someone from their family all these years?’

Apparently Sky had walked in halfway through the class, because twenty minutes later, Scootaloo stands to announce the ending of the session. Skychaser watches tensely as both she and Monochrome dismiss the children and say their goodbyes.
Sky suddenly panics, realizing he hadn't planned out anything. What was he going to do now? What was he going to say?-

Scootaloo: *once the last child trots out of the room, Scootaloo turns and beams at the remaining two ponies* Alright you two, I’m just gonnaaaa step out and let you two catch up- kay~? ‘KAY, PEACE! *zips out of the room and happily shuts the door behind her*

Skychaser: *nervously sweats, thinking about how weirdly eager Scoot was to leave the two of them to talk. When Mo turns away from the door, Sky forces himself to focus.*

‘It’s okay...it’s just Momo. Be chill.’

Skychaser: *smiles and casually leans forward, resting his arms against the desk while feigning confidence* Well, well! Monochrome Dashielle-!
*immediately stops in his tracks, seeing the rather disturbed face the other pegasus makes*

Monochrome: ...please never utter that again. *walks over to their bag, beginning to repack it* Just stick with ‘Monochrome’.

Skychaser: *winces, dropping the facade* Ah, sorry...
‘Two minutes into this conversation and you’re already fucking it up, Sky. Nice.’
*attempts to change the subject* Wow, it’s...been a while, huh? You look…
‘'Good’- no, ‘fine’- wait, ‘beautiful’- SHIT-’
...pretty swell! *laughs awkwardly* I almost can’t believe you used to be tinier than me. So much for being older, huh?

Monochrome: *momentarily glances up from their bag before their eyes flick back to their task* Yeah. Guess ten years does a lot to you.

-A feeling of nervousness settles into Sky, realizing that Monochrome...doesn’t seem very interested in him. They seem detached. Maybe even standoffish-

Skychaser: (...?) Is...everything okay?

Monochrome: *pauses in what they’re doing. A few heartbeats pass without them moving or saying anything*

Skychaser: (??) *starts to feel a bit concerned* Mo-?

Monochrome: You’re really going to act like nothing happened?

-Sky is confused and anxious as Monochrome meets his gaze. Instead of the calm they had been displaying up to this point, a mix of annoyance and...hurt, breaks the surface of the other pegasus' face-

Monochrome: *furrows their eyebrows* Like you didn’t disappear without warning…? Are we supposed to just carry on and ignore that?

Skychaser: *guilt and unease hits him. The thought hadn’t even occurred to him. He realizes how insensitive he must have seemed, not even acknowledging something that was apparently so crucial to Monochrome*
‘I just didn’t...think they’d miss me much.’
...I’m really sorry, I just...

-Sky tenses and averts his gaze in discomfort. He recalls the day he had turned on Lightning Dust and had quit training under her, a memory that causes his stress to skyrocket-

Sky: ...i-it’s hard to talk about. But I promise I had my reasons...

-Skychaser searches the floor, unable to look at Monochrome again. He only lifts his head when he hears a heavy exhale. Monochrome too is staring at the floor, appearing worn but pacified-

Monochrome: I’m...sure you did. Sorry.

Skychaser: *sits up straight, desperate to sincerely express his regret* I honestly didn’t mean to leave you without saying anything. It just...happened.

Monochrome: I believe you… *goes silent for another moment* ...do you still race?

Skychaser: *lets out a short, light laugh* Heck no. And I'm guessing you don't either. *when Mo looks up again, Sky smiles kindly* I knew art suited you.

Monochrome: ...yeah. It does.

-Sky feels a heavy wave of relief as the other pegasus picks up their bag and walks over to his table. Yet that relief is overwritten by a shock of feelings the moment Monochrome sits down and slides off their glasses, giving Sky a perfect view of their perfect face-

Skychaser: ‘Oooooh my God.’
*gulps* You uh...have nice glasses! When did you start wearing those?

Monochrome: *calmly blinks* Oh...no, these are fake.
*folds them up and puts them away* I figured that if I was going to be teaching kids today, I might as well look the part. *readjusts their tie* Calling me ‘professor’ was Aunt Scoot’s idea, though.

Skychaser: ‘That’ssocute. OhmyGodthat’sadorable.’

Monochrome: *relaxes against the desk, leaning their cheek on a hoof while giving Sky their full attention* I see you pierced your ears. You look good with plugs.

Skychaser: *his face heats up significantly. He can feel himself short-circuiting* Y-you do too- I mean, that you look good! Yeah!
*resists kicking himself before realizing there is one other thing he needs answers to. He raises an eyebrow and gently jokes* So like...are you going to explain the muscles, or…?

Monochrome: Ah. They make me feel good. But I mainly wanted to make sure I could pick up my tortoise without any problems. He’s pretty big.

Skychaser: Oh! I kind of remember you mentioning a pet turtle!

Monochrome: *reaches back into their bag. They pull out a wallet, and then tug out a small picture from within, sliding it across the table* His name’s Tank. Bravest tortoise you’ll ever meet.

Skychaser: *he stares. Although he sees the turtle and mentally acknowledges how cute it is, what really strikes Sky is Monochrome’s smile in the picture. It’s small, yet it seem so radiant and genuine*
‘What a smile…’
Wow.

Monochrome: Handsome, I know.

Skychaser: Yeah…(!) *quickly snaps out of it* Ah YEAH, he is! He seems like a cool guy-!

-Mo’s mouth cracks a smile, a gentle look coming into their eyes. Sky feels his heart flip-

Monochrome: *takes their picture back* The coolest, yeah.

Skychaser: ‘...no. Sky, no, be jealous of a turtle and you’ll never live it down.’

Monochrome: *glances up at the wall clock, and appears displeased* Mm...I don’t mean to cut this short, but I have to get going. I have a shift really soon.

Skychaser: Oh! Where do you work?

Monochrome: ...Wildmart.

Skychaser: ….I’m so sorry.

Monochrome: *sighs, sliding their saddlebag on* It’s just until my art career picks up. I’ll survive. *nods at Skychaser* Take care, okay?

-While surprised by the short farewell and its strange sense of finality, Sky watches Monochrome make their way to the door. But there was so much more he wanted to ask, and so much more he wanted to talk about-

Skychaser: Hey! Monochrome, wait-

Monochrome: (?) *turns, their hoof on the doorknob*

Skychaser: *rubs his arm nervously under Monochrome’s expectant gaze* ...I’m really happy to see you again. And I know it’s been forever. But...I’d really like to see you more. *lifts his head and flashes Mo a shy yet warm smile* Maybe we can...start all of this over, you know?

Monochrome: *eyes widen a bit, as if genuinely stunned* ....really?

Skychaser: (?) *doesn’t quite get why Monochrome seems so puzzled over this* Yeah! Maybe we can talk again sometime. What do you say?

Monochrome: *hesitates, looking off to the side in thought* ...I’ll be volunteering for the rest of the week. *fully turns to look at Sky* If you really mean that, then just...drop by here. Same time.

Skychaser: (!!) *nods enthusiastically* Sounds good! *playfully salutes* I’ll see you tomorrow then!

Monochrome: Yeah...I’ll see you.

-Skychaser watches as Monochrome walks out and closes the door behind them. Though he’s excited, he lets out a relieved yet disbelieving short laugh, leaning back in his chair while smoothing back his hair with a hoof-

Skychaser: ...well that happened.
_______________________________________________________________________

F i n a l l y.

Monochrome and Skychaser ended up seeing each other again after ten years. Monochrome was originally distant so they could avoid the stressful situation - because surely they'd never seen Sky again after this and who knows who he is now and if he'd even want to know them again - but Sky's question got them to finally (for once in their dang life) talk about their feelings.

Mo was also still pretty convinced that they're not interesting, hence the surprise that Sky ACTUALLY wanted to see them more.

Meanwhile, Scoots just wants her nephie (again, nephew+niece, for those unfamiliar with the term) to stop being all by themself and mmMMMAKE SOME FRIENDS, GOSH DANG IT.

And then there's Sky, who got hit with that gay shock™.
((Joke taken from here , cause I haven't watched Voltron yet, but everything in this post is Sky and Mo))

After this? Sky and Monochrome tried to rebuild their old friendship. Mo found themself having trouble opening up, but appreciated Sky's company and time.

And then Sky finally got the fricken guts to ask Mo out, and the dorks ended up dating for less than a year.

Yeah, the two ended up breaking things off mutually, due to clashing...issues. But they chose to remain close, supportive friends afterwards.

Next art dump: Monochrome and Skychaser dating shenanigans. uwu Stay tuned~

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