The Nights Where it All Began
Sight opened his eyes at the sound of the door opening. Slowly he lifted himself into a sitting position. He looked up and found his wife already by his side.
"Oh, you're back already? It's so early."
"It's nine."
"Exactly." The sickly Pegasus shifted onto his side. "So, how'd it go? Did Medley have fun?"
"Why don't you tell me?" Songbird levitated something out of her bag and dropped it on the coffee table next to the couch. A pair of brown square frame glasses clattered against the wood. The Unicorn's grey eyes narrowed as Sight paled.
"Pony-feathers."
"Indeed."
"Songbird, I-"
"You're an idiot!" the mare shouted. "A stupid, feather-brained dimwitted reckless foolish fool! Do you know how serious the Feather Flu is? The last thing you should be doing is running around in the middle of the night playing pyrotechnics! Do you want to lose your wings?"
"Song, you're over-" The Pegasus pulled his hoof over his mouth as he coughed violently. "You're overreacting. Besides, I wasn't flying."
"You should be resting, not playing around! Urgh!" Songbird groaned. "I can't believe you! I knew we should have stayed home!"
"Why are you so angry? Medley had a great time. You had a great time, didn't you? What's the probl-"
Songbird waited for Sight to recover from another attack of coughs. "You see? You're getting worse."
"Humph." Sight folded his forelegs over his chest. "I told you, I'm fine."
"You are not. You're not fine."
"Yes I am!" This time Sight's hoarse voice was raised. "I was not going to let this ruin tonight for Medley or anypony!"
"What about me?" Songbird yelled back. "Didn't you know how worried i was? I should have stayed..."
"No way! There was no way I was going to force you to spend tonight of all nights with me. You love this holiday more than anything!"
"I love you more!"
Sparks shot between the two ponies as they glared at each other. At last, Sight let his gaze fall. "I...I'm sorry, Songs," he said quietly. "I just didn't want to ruin tonight."
"Sight..." Songbird knelt down. "I wouldn't have minded spending tonight with you. Do you know why this holiday's so special to me?"
"Because...you love candy?"
"Idiot." The Unicorn swatted the stallion with a couch cushion.
Medley bounced into the living room. "Daddy, Daddy!" she cheered.
"Hey sweetie." Sight smiled. "So how was your first Nightmare Night?"
"It was awesome! There was so much candy and there were fireworks and so many cool costumes and...and..."
"Hey, slow down kiddo," Sight laughed. "Looks like you had a nice time."
"Yeah! Mommy and I got so much candy. We even got plenty for you."
Medley tossed a bag onto the table. She watched as her father reached forward and opened it.
"Mommy says these are you favorite," she said happily, oblivious to Sight's increasingly green face.
"D-did she now?" Sight stared at his wife who quickly turned her head.
"Medley, honey, it's past your bedtime."
"Aw, Mom."
"No buts," Songbird said firmly. "Go upstairs and get ready for bed. It's too late for a bath. I'll see you in a few minutes, okay."
"Okay," Medley conceded. "Good night Dad."
"Night." Sight waited for the filly to leave before turning to his wife. "Really? Candy corn? Really?"
Songbird didn't answer immediately. She levitated a few pieces. "Do you remember how we first met?"
Sight blinked, unsure where the conversation was going. "We were kids. We met at school."
"Do you remember the Nightmare Night of third grade?"
"Third grade...third grade...well, third grade was the year I finally learned how to fly so I spent that year pranking the younger foals."
"You dropped water balloons filled on tomato juice on a group of ponies dressed as royalty."
"Oh yeah. I remember making one of the princesses cry. Not my proudest moment."
"Yeah, it took me ages to get rid of those stains. It was my mother's dress."
"...wait, you mean-"
Songbird shoved a portion of candy corn into her husband's mouth. "Do you remember what happened the year after that?" she asked as Sight gagged.
"T-the year after? Uh..."
"You froze the basins of water for apple bobbing. I broke my nose."
"Really? Geez, I-"
More candy corn was thrown into the Pegasus's mouth.
"The year after I ended up eating fudge filled with hot sauce. I hate spicy things."
"You can really hold a grudge, can't you?"
Songbird only smiled as she force-fed the Pegasus more candy corn. "The night two years later was different. Do you remember?"
"I try not to."
"You were completely drenched in slime, head to hoof. You were out-pranked, and you never figured out who got you."
"I think I have a few ideas right now." Sight sighed and threw a pieces of candy into his own mouth and grimaced. "These things are horrible."
"Poor baby.".
"Alright, what year's next?"
Songbird hummed. "I was a knight in silver armor one year. You were a princess because you lost a bet. We met each other at the Nightmare Night festival, in the town proper. There was grey mare on the stage wearing purple glasses with a blue dyed mane. She was playing the cello. Do you remember, Sight? Do you remember that night?"
"...our first dance."
"Our first kiss."
Songbird leaned forward. Sight's lips met and locked with hers.
"Happy Nightmare Night, Songs."
"Happy Nightmare Night, love."