//------------------------------//
// Path 2: Epilogue 
// Story: Studying (with) You 
// by PonyPlays2014 
//------------------------------//

The morning sun, which shines into the room through the window, is not what wakes the pony from his deep slumber, neither is it the lack of pressure on his chest. Gallus must have loosened his grip and ultimately released him sometime during the night, most likely so he can turn around because the two males are now laying back-to-back. Instead, a sound managed to get through to him and cause him to return from dreamland. With sleep still stuck in his eyes, Sandbar slowly leaves the bed, trying his best not to awake the snoozing griffon next to him, and heads for the door to stop the ongoing knocking from continuing.
"I'm coming, I'm coming", he mumbles for no apparent reason because it is pretty obvious that his voice will not reach the creature on the other side of the wooden door.
Without thinking much, Sandbar opens the door a bit and takes a look through the gap he created, meeting the olive-colored eyes of a yak.
"Sandbar? What pony doing here? Why not in your room? And where is griffon?", Yona asks him as she eyes him, obviously surprised to see him.
The pony, who is still mentally limited due to just waking up, just stares at his friend and mumbles something under his breath.
"Sandbar?", the female yak tries to get her friend to answer and, eventually, his brain finally kicks in and reacts to the problem in hoof.
Right! I slept in Gallus room last night!, the memories of the night before return, I couldn't think of an excuse yet... Come on! Think, think!
"Oh hey Yona", the earth-stallion tries to buy himself some time, "What a surprise to see! What are you doing here? Can I help you with something? And, now that I think of it, how was the Dance last night?"
The sudden avalanche of questions overwhelms Yona and, after a few seconds of processing, she turns the tables once more.
"Yona could ask pony same questions. Except... for last one maybe because pony and griffon were not there. Also, Yona asked first!"
I mean... I bought myself a few seconds but I still have no idea what to say. I got no other chance but to stall her even more.
"Oh of course, sorry. I was just so surprised to see you. What were the questions again?"
"Wha... You... I...", Yona stammers as frustration begins to slowly build up and, before it can grow any more she vents the little bit she has by talking a bit louder than usually.
"Pony asked questions! And before that Yona asked where griffon is and what pony is doing here!"
"Riiiiiiiight, now I remember... You see, it's actually really simple. Gallus is here sleeping and I was... erm..."
"Sandbar? Are you here to check on me again?"
The voice of the griffon suddenly rings out from behind Sandbar, catching both Yona and himself by surprise.
Huh? What is he talking about? I never checked on h... Oh! I get it! That's a good idea.
"G-Gallus! I was about to but you were asleep and then Yona came and all this happened. How are you doing? Feeling better?
"Griffon sick?", the yak asks loudly, showing that their little fib is working.
"I wasn't feeling so good yesterday. I don't know how it really happened but when we got here my head began to hurt like crazy and my stomach too. Sandbar stayed here and kept an eye on me. Thanks again for that."
"No problem. That's what friends are for! Are you feeling better?"
The two begin to play off each other as if they were putting on a play, hoping to convince their one spectator.
"Yep, no pain whatsoever. You were right, a good night's rest can do wonders!"
"Great to hear!"
"Yona also happy to hear that! Yona came here to tell griffon about great idea! We will all eat lunch together to talk about out plans for holidays! See you at two in cafeteria, okay? Yona will go and tell Ocellus she found pony and told him."
"Sounds good", Sandbar accepts the invitation and so does the griffon, who, in the meantime, got out of bed and also heads for the door to see his friend.
Together the two males watch as their friend heads down the stairs. Gallus closes the door and, the moment it is completely sealed, both of them let out a loud sigh.
"That... was way too much stress for me", the pony complains and his friend agrees.
"And so risky... Didn't you say that you would think of an excuse? What happened to that?"
"I did not expect to see them that early!", the earth-pony explains his struggle, "I thought we would casually walk into one of them later but not that they would catch me in your room first thing in the morning! I tried to think of something but... I was too panicky."
"Lucky for us I heard most of it and had time to think of something", Gallus prides himself in his achievement but his boyfriend's next words cause it to disappear almost immediately.
"Yeah, thanks... I should probably get going though before someone else comes in and wonders what I'm doing here", Sandbar begins to explain as he opens the door of the room, "I also got a few things to do and I don't want to procrastinate it any longer than I need to."
"Oh... sure", the griffon mumbles and the disappointment in his voice can not be ignored, even if one really wanted to.
No! I can't just leave him like that, Sandbar thinks to himself when he hears those words.
"Hey", the stallion tries to cheer the feather-covered male up as he closes the door once again, "You could come over after our meeting with the others if you want. Hanging out a bit and stuff."
"Y-Yeah! Totally! I'll be there."
"Great", the pony whispers after coming closer.
To seal the deal, he gives his boyfriend a peck on the cheek but, much to his surprise, Gallus answers with a kiss on the lips. Heat begins to spread from his blushed cheeks until his entire body is burning like a flame. The beat of his heart increases in speed and strength, making it feel like it could jump out of his chest any second. The kiss only lasts seconds but, just like before, it feels like time stands still until their lips part.
"Great", Gallus repeats the pony's words who chuckles after hearing it.
"See you later."
But before he can open the door once more, Gallus surprises him with another sentence.
"I... love you."
Upon hearing this, Sandbar immediately turns around and gives his mate a hug followed by another kiss.
"I love you too", he whispers back with a gentle smile on his face.
Those are the last words spoken before Sandbar leaves the room but both of them know that this is a whole new chapter in their lives. A chapter both of them are looking forward to writing together.