//------------------------------// // Can you Stay? // Story: The Bright Side of the Moon // by Vchart920 //------------------------------// “What’s his name, Spoiled?! Can’t you at least give me the damn decency to know that?” “Why does it matter so much to you?! Huh? Can’t you let this go and move on? It was only one night!” “I doubt it was only ‘one night.’ You’ve been acting strange for a while now. I let it go then, but I’m putting my hoof down! You betrayed my trust and broke our vows!” The argument in the background kept her awake. He had just found out that night when she came home. Diamond was almost about to sleep when she heard it. Her whole body started shaking when she heard the news shouted from the living room. She was old enough to know what was going on and what her mother had done. It broke her heart. She had never heard her father so upset and angry before. He always had a patient and calm attitude even when he was being stern towards Diamond and her mother. Upon hearing his new shift in tone, it worried her. “How am I even going to explain this to Diamond Tiara?” Her ears strained to hear it, but there was something different in his voice, something new. “Tell her what? She doesn’t have to know!” “She’s our daughter. She has every right to know!” “She’s a kid! She’ll forget about this, and you should, too!” There was a heavy silence after that. It was unsettling, a monster creeping up from the darkened corners of the house. It built up until she heard it, but she had to strain her ears. “Get. Out.” His words were harsh and demanding, but had every right to be. The quiver in his voice was barely noticeable. Spoiled tried to retaliate, but he fired back harder. “Get out of my home! You don’t belong here anymore!” His voice choked and almost stuttered over the words. Her mother was never one for face-to-face conflict which explained her next threat. “Hmph! Fine. I’ll be back with my lawyers in the morning to retrieve my daughter.” The door opened and slammed shut behind her. The air was quite for mere moments that felt far too long. The tension was thick that even Diamond’s tears had stopped in anticipation for what was next. The noise that came next made her jump with a start; not because it scared her, but with how foreign it was. Rich took a sharp inhale and his exhale quivered, accompanied by the sounds of a broken heart. Diamond finally made the connection. His slow and heavy hoofsteps made their way to her parents’ room, now his room. Diamond wiped her eyes and lifted her head to wait for his shadow to pass under her door. When it did, he stopped in front of her door, hesitating, before making his way to his bed. His labored and choking breaths followed him. As much as Diamond Tiara felt that she should stay away, she pushed herself out of bed. She made her way to him, worried but needing his comfort as well. Her father lay in bed, head in his hooves. His shoulders heaved, but he forced his cries silent. Her voice was hard to find, seeing her heartbroken father tearing down. “Daddy?” Rich jumped with a start. “Diamond Tiara?” He quickly tried to wipe his eyes. “I thought you were asleep.” She rubbed her front leg and he sighed, knowing it wasn’t worth hiding it from her. “Come here, sweetie.” Diamond Tiara sniffled again and hopped up onto the bed and into his arms. “Why did she do that, dad?” His voice choked when he tried to answer. “I…. I don’t know, sweetie. I wish you hadn’t heard that.” He stroked her hair gently. “Try to get some sleep, Diamond. Don’t you worry about this. I’ll take care of it in the morning.” She nodded, sniffling. The presence and comfort of her father helps her fall asleep rather quick. Though she doesn’t know, he’s glad that she’s there to bring him some comfort as well. ------------ “Diamond Tiara, you are coming with me! I have the papers stating I have full custody of you.” “But, but, mom, I want to stay with dad!” She stamped her hoof on the ground. “This isn’t fair. Don’t I get a say in this?” Her mother sneered down at her, holding her nose high as always. “Don’t be ridiculous, Diamond Tiara. You’re just a kid, you don’t know what’s good for you.” Her dad cleared his throat in anger. “Spoiled, you’ve done a lot of awful things, especially as of late, but this is going too far!” She pushed the papers in his nose. “The papers overrule your words, Filthy. Just because you can’t face the facts doesn’t mean you have to keep fighting. Face it, you lost.” She gave a sly smile, knowing she was taking everything from him. In that moment, Diamond realized she was only a prize to be won. Did her mother even care about her at that point? Her legs moved on their own. She turned and ran out the door and didn’t intend to stop. She heard her father call after her, but she was too fast for him even if he tried to catch up. Diamond ran as far as she could without her lungs or legs giving out. She panted for breath, but soon came to rest within some brush. She didn’t want to be found right now, especially by her mother. She hunkered down and curled into herself, hot tears stinging her eyes once more. Many emotions flooded through her, too many for her to handle. It was a hard subject to swallow, knowing what her mother did. “It is never easy, knowing you were betrayed by someone you love.” Diamond Tiara looked up and observed all around her. A blue figure appeared from the brush. The soft voice spoke again, “Especially when it comes from a parent.” The figure revealed herself more to be the princess of the night. “Princess… Luna?” Diamond inquired. It was hard to believe Luna would come to her and of all places. “Why are you here?” “It’s very common for others to dream about current problems in their lives.” “Dream? This is a dream? But it feels so real.” “Many usually are, especially those that turn into nightmares.” The princess sweetly laid down next to the girl. Her horn glowed a brilliant white that surrounded them both. When it dissipated, they were out of the brush and into a blueish realm. “Is there anything that you would like to talk about? I feel it is easier to talk about something than to let it sit in my mind and fester.” “Why would my mom do something like that? I thought she cared about my dad.” When Diamond looked up to her, she knew the little filly would be expecting an answer. She opened up her wing to her, which she accepted, snuggling up into her. “Most times when one person in a relationship falls out of love or stops caring, they do the right thing and leave. And the times that they don't, they end up betraying the other person. They think they can get away with it.” The tears started to fill her eyes once more. “Did that mean she doesn't care about us anymore?” “Diamond Tiara, I do not think I should be the one to answer that.” “Please, Princess. My dad won't want me to know if she did or didn't. I need to know. I don't want to question this for so long. Please.” Luna looked into her blurry eyes. They begged for an answer, one Luna had felt many times in her past. Her wing pulled the filly closer. “Your mother hasn't cared for some time. Your father's wealth is what she wanted.” Diamond's hooves squeezed her own and she buried her face into her. Luna gave her a sorrowful look. Her cries only grew louder, not wanting to accept these words but knowing she needed to. The noise died down after some time. “I don't want to be taken away from my dad. I want to stay with him.” “There is no need to worry. You won't be separated from him. He doesn't see you as a prize, you are his world and he will fight to keep you by his side.” She sniffled and dried her eyes. “Thank you, Princess. I didn't want to be alone.” “I do what I can to take care of my subjects. I care about you.” She gave a small nod. “Princess Luna, can you stay for a while?” The princess expected the question, yet it hit her harder than expected. Her lips pulled into a sweet smile. “Of course.”