I sat on the cushioned chair of the café that I had been to with Soarin’ yesterday. Before going our separate ways–I to school, and Soarin’ to talk with his family–we had agreed on meeting here again at about half past three o’clock.
Soarin’ had been suspended from school for getting into a fight with several other Pegasi, and when his parents asked why, he didn’t see any harm in telling them the truth... Upon hearing he was a coltcuddler, they kicked him out for an indefinite period of time.
The whole situation, to be honest, frightened me. I didn’t want to believe that my parents would react in the same manner of cold blooded homophobia if they were to find out, but Soarin’s story didn’t have its history written by the winner.
There was no reason why my parents couldn’t have the same level of traditionalism and totalitarianism that Soarin’s did. Regardless, I seriously hoped they’d listen to the logic of the golden rule. I wasn’t heterophobic, so they shouldn’t be homophobic. ...right?
I was in love with Soarin’, and it only took me the better part of half a day to realize that. I wasn’t dogmatically naïve or willfully blind to it, but rather, I enjoyed it. However, tomorrow was Saturday and my parents would return home, so Soarin’ needed to find a different place to stay. I wasn’t ready to tell them yet, and even if they would accept my sexual orientation, they probably wouldn’t be willing to let Soarin’ reside there overnight.
All of that aside, I had other things to worry about. This coming week was exam week, and they were worth a lot of marks that I wanted to keep. Now was a really bad time to be devoting my focus to another pony and achieving less than my healthy amount of sleep.
My attention was swiftly stolen by the sight of a cyan pegasus landing with elegant aerodynamic skill and precision at the door to the café. Just based on that display alone, he was, as I had analyzed, an incredible flyer.
I rose to my hooves as Soarin’ trotted in the front entrance of the building, panting a little and looking around calmly with an indescribable facial expression.
Our eyes met, and I smiled for the first time since leaving him this morning.
I took my seat again as he trotted over and sat parallel to me.
“Hey Casanova,” I smirked, chuckling. “How’s it going?”
Soarin’ returned the smile as best he could. “Well, my parents wouldn’t let me back in for any reason besides retrieving my belongings…”
I winced, looking downward a little. I could tell he was hurting inside just by his tone in that line.
The pegasus continued. “On the other hoof, my grandmare understands the situation and has offered to let me stay with her. I think she needs the company as much as I need her right now though.” He added, grimacing. “Her husband passed away recently, and she’s been very lonely.”
I grimaced myself, and thought about that critically, nodding.
“I’m glad you’ve found home then.” I comforted, trying to smile again. “And I’m sorry for the loss. It’s really kind of you to offer her your companionship when she needs it most.”
Soarin’ perked up and gave me a light punch on the shoulder.
“Hey, thanks. How was school?”
My smile gave way to an expression of solemn worry.
“A few of my friends found out that… I like colts, so… they’ve decided that they don’t exactly want to be considered my friends anymore.”
Soarin winced himself.
“That doesn’t… make you want to end our relationship, does it?”
I quickly looked back up at him, both taken aback and completely stunned, wondering why he would suggest something that selflessly cruel.
Tears began to form in the corner of my eyes; I stood up without a second though.
“Of course not!” I shouted ignominiously, ignoring the attention of the café’s other onlookers.
A wave of sheer nostalgia hit me; this was the first place that I had kissed Soarin’… This was, in essence, the place that I had fallen in love with him. I needed to be considerate of that.
“I’d never let something as spiteful as prejudice affect us, Soarin’. How could you suggest something like that? Don’t you realize that… I care about you?”
I looked down and closed my eyes, letting some of my mane drape in front of them; I felt like I had just taken a critical emotional hit, and it would probably leave a scar.
It only took the stallion a few seconds to think of how to reply. His strong forehooves wrapped around me compassionately, and he brought one up to touch my mane. He was… hugging me tightly.
“You’re right, Scatter. I’m sorry.” He said gently, apologizing. “I wouldn’t want something like that to come between us either.”
I slowly returned the hug, sighing with genuine relief.
“Thank you for enduring the hatred,” he said supportively. “But, as much as I don't want to admit it, that probably won’t be the end of the discrimination against you as a consequence of loving me.”
I smiled to myself, feeling much calmer in his hooves.
“Likewise."