Light Hiding the Dark

    Miles let a small smile grace his features as he watched all the other buns running around with sparklers, lighting up the area in a multitude of different colors. It wasn’t often he got to relax from his job of chasing down criminals and finding missing items. The Mochi Moon was one of those rare occasions where he could actually participate in celebrations and such. It was a nice change of pace for him, honestly, and one he was planning on enjoying to the fullest. “MILES~!” His eyes light up upon hearing the voice call out to him and he allows his gaze to turn in the direction the voice was coming from, delighted to see a friend of his, Kit, running up to him on her hooves with an extra sparkler in hand-hoof, though unlit compared to hers which was giving off pretty white sparks. 

    “Kit, my mystery loving friend~ How are you this evening?” She grinned at him as she finally reached him. 

    “I’m doing well! Been hanging out here with Yukio and Xander, watching them be slightly awkward, affectionate buns to each other. But! I saw you standing over here by your lonesome without a sparkler and figured I’d grab one for you to light up! Gotta partake in some of the festivities, even if you don’t wanna interact with others!” As she finishes saying her piece, she holds out the unlit sparkler to the detective, her bright grin still present on her face. Miles lets out a light-hearted chuckle at his friend’s enthusiasm but takes the sparkler none-the-less.

    “I do appreciate it. I had thought about going to get one myself, but didn’t want to distract anyone from their fun.” 

    “Hey, don’t go worrying about that stuff! Everyone is here to have fun and wants everyone present to also have fun! Just cause you’re a bit of an anti-social bun, doesn’t mean you can’t go and join in on everything! Besides, you could do with some more friends outside of me.” 

    “I’m hurt, Kit! Watson is just as much of my friend as you are!” Kit will playfully roll her eyes at black furred bun’s comment. 

    “I mean more than just your imp, Miles. Other buns! Be surprised what a couple of proper connections will do for you! Hell, could even get lucky and find yourself a partner or two.” Said bun just smiled at her while he took out a lighter to light up his sparkler. 

    “A nice thought, but still something I’m working out in my own head if that’s something I want.” The white n’ brown furred bun will lightly shrug her tiny shoulders at that. 

    “Eh, fair enough. Still think you should go make some more friends though.” 

    “I promise I will try in future, but tonight, I just want a peaceful night with all the small lights.” Kit will nod her head, giving her friend a smile and making her way back to her two littermates, leaving Miles to his thoughts once again. “...A partner, huh…?” Miles knew one bun who he wanted to be his partner, but… Well, it’s complicated to say the least. He turned his lighter on and gently brought the end of the sparkler to it. After a few attempts, it finally lit up in an array of different shades of yellow. “Huh… Very pretty~” A color that reminded him of them. He put away his lighter and quietly watched the sparkler in front of him for a minute or so, though eventually another sparkler appeared out of the corner of his vision, sparking up darker colors that reminded him of his own fur. “Forgive, while I normally wouldn’t mind the company, I’d rather be alone for the moment.”

    “Awwww… Even if it was little ol’ me, Miles~” Said bun tensed up, recognizing the voice immediately and the bubbling of mixed emotions. “Is something wrong, my sweet detective~?” 

    “...Jaden, why are you here?” The yellowish furred bun smiled innocently enough at the question. 

    “I’m here to enjoy the festivities, Miles! Is there something wrong about that~?” He gulped for a moment, trying to keep his composure. 

    “Jaden, you’re a criminal, being near me, and in public no-less, is not---” 

    “The wisest idea? Oh, yes I know. But our relationship is so much more than just a detective and criminal~ Besides, I’ve missed you and figured now might be the safest time to do so~” The dark furred bun let out a heavy sigh and finally turned his gaze to look at the seemingly innocent mail carrier standing next to him. 

    “...If you missed me, then you know what our set-up to meet up outside of work hours is, this---” 

    “I was impatient and wanted to see you sooner. Besides, you’re not on the clock, what’s the iss---” The two sparklers held by the buns soon moved to be right next to one another, blocking both of their faces, allowing Miles to lean in and kiss Jaden’s face, silencing them immediately. After a moment, the detective pulled away, looking at the yellowish furred bun’s face that seemed to be slightly flushed. 

    “...Meet at the usual place. I’ll be there within an hour. That soon enough for you?” They slowly nodded their head, a bit caught off guard by how uncharacteristically straightforward he was being for once. “Good. Now get going, before an on duty detective shows up to deal with you. And we don’t want that right?” They’ll quietly shake their head, stare at him for a moment, before quickly bolting off with their sparkler still in hoof. Once they were out of sight, Miles let out another heavy sigh and returned his gaze to his own sparkler. “Well, so much for a fully peaceful night. But… I suppose it’ll still be relaxing in its own way. Just another night of a hero of light hiding a criminal of the dark… Man, out of all the buns to fall for, it had to be them. Whatever… I’ll enjoy these little lights for a bit longer before having to leave them for the night.”