//------------------------------//
// Episode 23: Closer 
// Story: EoH Evolution: Season 3 
// by Bahamut0 
//------------------------------//

Burst Stream was peacefully sleeping. It had been a couple hours since he'd permanently taken care of Shining Dawn's threat, and it went without saying a fight on that level tends to leave a guy pretty tired.

Unlocking a Nightmare Form takes a lot out of you. Burst thought as he slumbered. Nuzzling against whatever warm, soft object was in front of him. But I don't think I'll need to rest much longer. I'm starting to feel pretty recharged from my duel to the death with Shining Dawn. Still, whatever's next to me is so warm and soft I don't know if I want to wake up. Maybe I'll open my eyes. Just to get a look.

Burst's eyes opened, and he blushed when he saw Nightmare Moon holding him close and resting his head near her bosom. I remember seeing her rush towards me before I passed out. She must've been carrying me all the way home after I won my fight. Burst Stream's heart then began beating nervously when he heard Nightmare Moon stirring from her slumber.

Nightmare Moon opened one of her eyes, and smiled at Burst Stream. "I'm glad to see I made a good pillow for you. Did you enjoy that little nap? I know I did." Any hints of flirting were completely absent in her voice. Nightmare Moon lifted one of her wings from Burst's body, and stretched as she let out a yawn. "Dealing with an entire army of golems is pretty tiring. Even for a goddess."

"Yeah." Burst said with a small smile as he removed his coat and saw that there was still a tear where Shining Dawn had impaled him through the chest. "I guess I could say the same for nearly dying and unlocking my equivalent of Super Saiyan." He then scratched his head nervously. "Um, thanks for carrying me home and getting me to bed."

Nightmare Moon smiled as she crawled over to Burst and wrapped her arms around him. "Any time Burst." She said as she held him close. "Now come on! The others are waiting for us! What's the fun of defeating a villain if we can't celebrate our victory!" 

Burst Stream couldn't help but smile at the excited smile on Nightmare Moon's face as she took him by the hand to the party Pinkie Pie was throwing to celebrate Shining Dawn's defeat. He smiled as he saw all of his friends who were currently couples spending time together. However, any time he might have spent being sad about the break up passed a few days ago. That didn't mean he no longer missed her. He really wanted to get back together with her. But after gaining his nightmare form? It seemed the odds of that would be slim. Or at least, the odds of it happening so soon.

"You looked quite dashing in your nightmare form." Nightmare Moon said as she stood next to Burst Stream. Burst hadn't even noticed her approaching while he was considering the odds of Celestia taking him back. "Especially those wings of light you had on your back."

Burst smiled. "Well, I left Celestia speechless when I transformed. Now I know why you held everyone's attention when you made your big return at the Summer Sun Celebration."

"You flatter me." Nightmare Moon said with a giggle. "Personally, I prefer your default form. Yet even when you drew out your dark side," She then wrapped one of her wings around him. "Your light still shined just as bright as before."

Burst downed his drink in an effort to calm himself down. Fortunately, the party soon came to a close. "I knew it was a good idea to throw a party after defeating a major villain. Work hard, play even harder."

"Indeed. And I'd say we all partied hard." Nightmare Moon said with a giggle. "Well, I'm off to my bed."

Burst Stream blushed. "Actually Moon, would you mind spending another night in my room?" He made no point to hide his reasoning. "You've become a lot warmer as a person, and. . . it feels nice. I can feel it whenever you're holding me. Especially when I was going through my break up. So, please"

Nightmare Moon's heart fluttered in her chest! Words couldn't describe the happiness she'd felt! It was on levels she had never thought imaginable! Maybe. . . I won't be alone in the end. It looks like I'll be able to hold onto my precious light. "I would love to." Nightmare Moon said with a warm smile as she headed into her room to change. I don't know if he feels the same way I do about him, but I've been hiding it for long enough. He isn't hurting anymore, so I don't have to worry about him choosing me just because he's in a moment of weakness.

Tomorrow. Nightmare Moon thought to herself as she and Burst slipped under the covers of his bed. She then rested his head atop her heart. Tomorrow, I tell you just how much you really mean to me Burst Stream. Tomorrow. . .  Moon looked down at Burst's sleeping form, and smiled affectionately. I say how much I love you.