Chapter Text
“Buster, we can’t, someone might see!” Eddie laughed as the koala grabbed his hoof, pulling away. Buster chuckled, reaching back to grab Eddie again. “Eddie, trust me! The theatre’s empty! Besides, I told you already, they wouldn’t care if they knew!”
He pulled Eddie towards him, moving to some jaunty, playful music playing from somewhere else in the theatre.
As they began spinning together, hands entwined, they could look at nothing but each other.
Their giddy laughter echoed through the empty theatre as they began drifting towards the empty stage, the plush seats doing nothing to dull the sound.
Spinning, and spinning, and spinning, Eddie closed his eyes, while Buster threw his head back, gazing up at the ceiling, laughing in pure joy.
Their hands began to slip in each other's grip, and they took the opportunity to fall back, gently landing on the broken-in floor of the stage they had spun onto.
Eddie breathed hard, running his hooves through his wool, and wiping tears from his face.
Buster crawled over to Eddie’s side, laying on his side next to him, and draping his arm over the sheep’s stomach.
Eddie turned his head, so he and Buster were face-to-face, inches away from each other.
Buster stared into his lover’s eyes, studying the slight flecks of gold in his coffee-brown eyes, reaching up to grasp Eddie’s hoof, his other paw reaching up to caress the sheep’s face.
It was a perfect moment.
But something felt…off.
His eyes drifted above Eddie’s carefully trimmed wool, trailing up the spires of the theatre, reaching the Royalty Box, and meeting…”Oh.” Buster jolted backwards, his eyes connecting with those of none other than Nana Noodleman.
“Mm..What is it, Buster?” Eddie had an expression of confusion on his face, but also one of regretfulness to part with Buster.
The koala pulls his arm back from Eddie’s cheek, propping himself up on his elbow. “Eddie, just know, the only thing that matters is what we think of each other, not what anyone else thinks, ok?”
“What? What are you talking about?” He turned his head, only to immediately groan.
“Buster! You said it was empty!” he whispered at the koala, pushing himself to his feet.
Gazing up at the stern-faced elder sheep, Moon stumbled to his feet, still not breaking eye contact.
Nana stood stoic, but she lifted an arm and beckoned for them to join her in the box.
“C’mon,” He grasped the younger sheep’s hand, guiding him through the house of the theatre, leading towards the staircase that spiraled to the boxes.
Eddie trailed behind him, feeling a sense of unease waft over him.
As they entered the top of the box, they reached a scene of Nana Noodleman, sitting on one side of a table, with two chairs waiting on the other side.
She motioned for them to sit.
They did, their hands never separating.
And they sat.
In silence.
Her gaze was stern, but not angry.
And it was as Buster began fidgeting in discomfort, was when she crossed her hands on the table between them.
And a smile crossed her face.
“I am so happy for the two of you.”
They were taken aback.
“And I want you to know…I am proud of you, as well.”
“I-what?” Eddie exclaimed, his jaw slack.
Buster spat out a string of jumbled, stuttered syllables.
She pulled her hooves back, and reached into the handbag beside her.
“I want to show you something.”
And she pulled out an old, worn photograph.
In it was Nana herself, but also someone else.
Another woman.
They were looking at each other.
And at the bottom of the photo, was writing.
“To my dearest, -M”
“Her name was Margaret. She was the best person I’ve ever known, and I truly believe that, I will ever know.”
Buster and Eddie stayed silent, entranced.
“We were together for ten or so years, but we split up, because she wanted to pursue her career in law, and I wanted to continue in the theatre. She was my closest friend, and my most magnificent person.
“After we separated, she ended up moving across the country, and back then, it was especially hard to keep up long distance. Phone calls weren’t cheap, and while my parents had the funds, they did not support us.
“I don’t want to be like them.
“I want to support you two in any way I can. I love you both, and I want you to know that.”
She stood, sliding her chair back underneath the table, and swept out of the box.
Eddie looked at Buster.
Buster looked at Eddie.
And they kissed, embracing each other.
Nana smiled as she descended the staircase, her harsh features softening as she thought back to her days, performing with Maggie.
Perhaps she would try to find her.
Perhaps.