“Mmm...Sandy.” Gallus mumbled in his sleep, burrowing his head into his Earth Pony companion. Gallus sighed contentedly as he felt the pony shift.
They were sleeping in their shared dorm room, in the late autumn months. The teachers had just started removing the Nightmare Night decorations, and if you looked close, you could see Cloudsdale in the distance, heading for Ponyville. The autumnal chill was one of Gallus’ favorite weather types, if only for one reason: he got more snuggle time.
Gallus’ eyes opened slowly. He was in that sleepy state where he was just barely aware of his surroundings. Gallus blinked a few times and put his talons on his companion’s chest, pushing himself up so he slid up in bed. Sandbar grunted and opened his eyes, smiling at Gallus.
“Morning Gally.” Sandbar sat up too.
“Oh, sorry, did I wake you Sandy?” Gallus asked, reaching and running his claw through the pony’s mane.
“No, I was just waking up too.” Sandbar closed his eyes again and pressed his head into Gallus’ claw. “Just a little lower Gal, I’ve got an itch back there.”
Gallus smiled at him and shifted his talons to scratch the pony behind the ears. Sandbar sighed with delight and leaned into Gallus, burying his head into the griffon’s feathers.
“Gal...do we have class today?” Sandbar mumbled, and Gallus smirked
“Sandy, you should know by now, classes are for the weak.” Gallus leaned over and nipped Sandbar’s ear gently.
“Gally…” Sandbar warned, voice muffled by the Griffon’s feathers.
“Fine. Loyalty class starts in thirty minutes.” Gallus replied, glancing over at the clock to be sure.
“What? Gal, we’ve got to go!” Sandbar tried leaping off the bed, but Gallus was bigger than him and easily grabbed the pony around the waist, pulling him back into an embrace.
“Not so fast Sandy.” Gallus crooned, pressing his beak against Sandbar’s muzzle in an almost-kiss.
“Gally, let me go.” Sandbar struggled, and Gallus sighed sadly. “What’s wrong?”
“I wanted to have a nice, quiet morning. You know, some snuggles with my Sandy, wake up late. Fake being sick so Ocellus and Smolder can get our homework and we can just cuddle together all day.” Gallus buried his head in Sandbar’s neck, trying not to cry.
“Gally…” Sandbar lifted his chin. “I know you want that but...I want to go to class. Can we save a quiet day for the weekend?”
“But during the weekend it might not be cold. I want to cuddle ‘cause it’s nice and cozy.” Gallus protested, and Sandbar kissed him softly.
“Gal, it’ll be plenty cold then. Come on sweetie.” Sandbar replied.
“‘Sweetie’?” Gallus echoed, raising an eyebrow.
“Just trying it out. Does it work?”
“Not really. Stick to Gally.” Gallus replied, and Sandbar nuzzled him.
The two headed out of their dorm room, towards the Loyalty classroom. When they got there, Yona and Silverstream were waiting outside with Smolder and Ocellus.
“Hey guys.” Smolder greeted them.
“Hey.” Gallus replied, blowing the feathers on his head to the side.
The door opened to reveal Professor Dash, who wasn’t looking at them. She was glaring back at something in the room, not noticing the six students.
“I’m telling you, no one’s gonna care. I know it’s not inside your comfort zone but you’re gonna have to step outside it someti-” Professor Dash broke off when she saw them.
“Um, hi Professor. I know we’re early, we were just hanging out before class started.” Ocellus said nervously.
“It’s fine Ocellus. I was just about to let you guys in.” Professor Dash turned and led them into the classroom, where two mares stood.
One was easily recognizable, Spitfire Flare, who had substituted for Professor Dash once before. The other was less familiar. She had an ice blue coat, white mane, and almond-shaped, fuschia eyes. Her cutie mark was a blue horseshoe with a yellow blaze underneath.
“These are two of my fellow Wonderbolts. You know Spitfire, the captain. This is Fleetfoot, the third-in-command. They’re going to help me with class today.” Professor Dash explained, trotting over to the mares.
“What’s she paying you?” Gallus asked, and Spitfire glared at him.
“Nothing. We’re her friends and when Dash mentioned she could use some help, we agreed to join her for the day.” Spitfire replied
“Sorry.” Gallus said, raising his wings in submission. “I didn’t mean it in a rude way, just asking.”
“Yeah, I was wondering that too. Dragons and Griffons just aren’t used to seeing creatures doing stuff to be nice.” Smolder added
“That isn’t even the worst thing they’ve asked Spit, trust me.” Professor Dash told her.
The rest of the class trickled in after them, talking and chattering with each other.
“Alright class, today my friends and I will be demonstrating the importance of remaining loyal to your friends no matter what hardships you may face together.” Professor Dash began
“Hardships?” Silverstream asked
“Yes, for example…” Professor Dash went over to Spitfire and the mare opened her wings. “If Spitfire was practicing and got injured, what would be the correct course of action to take?”
“Run for help?” Ocellus asked
“Take her to the Hospital Wing?” a Unicorn asked
“Leave her there?” Smolder asked, and Professor Dash gave her a look. “What?”
“No. Just no Smolder.”
Smolder gave an “at least I tried” shrug, and crossed her arms.
“Help her to the Hospital Wing and stay with her?” Sandbar suggested
“Yes!” Professor Dash said with an exasperated sigh. “Thank you Sandbar.”
“I thought this wasn’t the very first class.” Spitfire said, raising an eyebrow.
“It’s not.” Professor Dash responded
“Then you need to work on your teaching strategy Dash.”
“Spit, you may be the Captain on the ‘bolts, but I’m the teacher here.” Professor Dash retorted before continuing the lesson.
They continued with a few team sports. Spitfire and Fleetfoot took opposite sides, helping the students, while Professor Dash refereed. After class, the two Wonderbolts were talking with Professor Dash. Gallus and Sandbar hung back with the others so they could talk.
“I really don’t want to go to Professor Rarity’s class.” Gallus muttered
“What's the use in complaining? You can't do anything about it.” Smolder replied
“Watch and learn Smolder.” Gallus cleared his throat and turned to Professor Dash. “Um, Professor Dash?”
“Yes Gallus?” Professor Dash asked, and he began coughing.
“I-I think I’m coming down with something. Can I be excused from classes?”
Fleetfoot, who hadn’t spoken the whole class period, now leaned over and whispered something to Professor Dash. She nodded, and turned back to Gallus.
“Yeah, nice try Gallus-actually, that was a terrible try. Go to class.” Professor Dash replied
“Worth a shot.” Smolder told him, clapping him on the back before leaving.
“Yeah yeah.” Gallus grumbled, following her.
“Gallus, you knew it wasn’t gonna work.” Sandbar said as they walked out into the hall.
Gallus responded with a smirk, grabbing Sandbar and pulling him up to his chest. Gallus backed against the wall, rearing onto his back paws, holding Sandbar. He put his beak by the colt’s ear.
“True. But it got them out of the way.” Gallus whispered
“G-Gallus!” Sandbar exclaimed, drawing the adults’ attention. “We’re gonna be late!”
“Aw, who cares? Professor Rarity’s classes are always dull. Why would I waste my time with that when I could be doing more important stuff?” Gallus asked.
Rainbow, Spitfire, and Fleetfoot looked out of the classroom. They saw Gallus, pressed back against the wall, standing on his hind legs. He was holding Sandbar in his front claws, lifting the smaller creature up. Sandbar was struggling in his grip.
“I know you don’t care about class, but I do.”
“Yeah, and being five minutes late won’t kill you. Who are you, Ocellus?”
“Gallus, put me down.” Sandbar said, wriggling to try and get away.
“Not until you do what I want.”
“We’re in public!”
“We’re in a deserted hallway! Why do you think I faked the coughing? So the others would leave without us. I knew it wasn’t gonna work. Just do it and I’ll let you go.” Gallus replied
Sandbar sighed, then reached. He slipped his hooves around Gallus’ neck and kissed him. Gallus pulled the colt closer, letting his claws drop lower, so they rested around the pony’s back. They kissed a minute longer, then broke apart. Sandbar, blushing furiously, looked to the side.
“Put me down now Gally.” he mumbled.
Gallus smirked and set the pony down. Sandbar picked up his bags, turned, and saw them. He dropped his saddlebags again, making Gallus look over.
“Oh.” Gallus backed up. “We were just heading to class…”
“We saw everything Gallus. And trust me, when you hang around AJ long enough you find it pretty easy to tell when someone’s lying.” Rainbow told him.
“W-we didn’t mean to do anything wrong.” Gallus said, grabbing Sandbar’s bags.
“What did you do wrong?” Spitfire asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Nevermind. Come on Sandbar.” Gallus grabbed the pony’s foreleg and dragged him off.
“Dash…” Spitfire turned to her friend, raising a brow.
“It’s not illegal or anything. But remember Spit, Gallus grew up in Griffonstone. He has no idea how accepting ponies are and clearly Sandbar’s too shy to fill him in.” Rainbow explained
“Fine. I guess we’ll have to do it ourselves.” Spitfire replied
“Yeah, come on Thpitty.” Fleetfoot nuzzled Spitfire, then set off after the griffon and pony.
"Guys! They have class, c'mon at least wait until their break!" Rainbow raced after them.
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After Generosity class, they had some free time. Smolder, Ocellus, Gallus, and Sandbar made an excuse to Yona and Silverstream that they wanted to have a study session to help Smolder and Gallus. The two didn’t question it and went to the library. Spitfire and Fleetfoot followed the four students in secret, until the group went into one of their dorm rooms.
“We alone?” Gallus asked once Ocellus had closed the door.
“Duh.” Smolder replied, sitting down on her bed.
“He means, is anyone listening?” Sandbar asked for Gallus, who took a seat on Ocellus’ bed.
“Nope. Now come here Celly.” Smolder held out her arms, and Ocellus flew into them. Smolder pulled her close and kissed her cheek.
“Smoldie!” Ocellus giggled, snuggling into the dragoness’ arms.
“Sandy~” Gallus called in a sing-song voice. Sandbar climbed onto the bed beside him.
Sandbar sighed as he let himself be held in the griffon's warm embrace. He pressed his lips to Gallus’ beak in a longing, passionate kiss. The two homosexual couples sat on the beds, cuddling up to each other, a reward after a long day of work.
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Spitfire and Fleetfoot were waiting for the group to come out, and Fleetfoot placed a tentative hoof on Spitfire’s chest.
“You know, I didn’t get much cuddle time with you latht night...” Fleetfoot began
“Now is not the time for that Fleet. We can talk about it later.” Spitfire replied, looking at the door to avoid showing Fleetfoot how much she was blushing.
“Who thaid anything about talking?” Fleetfoot asked, voice silky sweet and low. Spitfire turned and looked into her gorgeous eyes.
“Buck it.” Spitfire muttered at last. “C’mere baby.” Spitfire pulled Fleetfoot into her and kissed her passionately. They stayed that way, Spitfire letting Fleetfoot push her against the wall.
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“We should go find Yona and Silver before they come looking for us.” Ocellus sighed, from where she was curled in Smolder’s arms.
The two couples reluctantly separated and opened the door. There, they saw Spitfire and Fleetfoot, leaning against the wall, kissing. Fleetfoot was pressing Spitfire to the wall, hooves against the other mare’s chest.
“Um...” Gallus cleared his throat and they broke apart.
“Oh, kids, we were just looking for you.” Spitfire said, turning red.
“You-you’re gay? Or-lesbian?” Ocellus asked. Spitfire cleared her throat and looked away, clearly embarrassed.
“I’m lethbian. Thpitfire’th Bi.” Fleetfoot said, slipping her hooves around the taller mare’s neck.
“You have a-” Smolder was about to say.
“You say one word about it and I’ll knock you into next week.” Spitfire snarled, leaping to Fleetfoot’s defense. Fleetfoot sighed a little and kissed her cheek gently.
“You know I like how you defend me Thpitty, but thometimeth it’th really not neceththary.”
“Anyway, you were looking for us?” Gallus asked
“Yes. We were just going to tell you that you don’t have to hide your relationship.” Spitfire said, clearing her throat.
“You just were, technically.” Ocellus objected
“That’s different. If word got out that the Captain of the Wonderbolts was dating her third-in-command, rumors would be flying around faster than Rainbow Dash.” Spitfire replied "Besides, we don't always know who we can trust, being famous. But in general, it's no big deal."
“But...I was always made fun of in Griffonstone for it.” Gallus said
“Does this look like Griffonstone to you? Ponies are very accepting.” Spitfire said
“Mm-hmm. I remember when we came out to the other ‘boltth. They were really happy for uth. They’re our friendth, of courthe, and thupport uth.” Fleetfoot added.
“Really?” Gallus asked
“Yeah. And it’s okay to be scared of what others may think, but you should tell them anyway.” Spitfire said
“It’s so different here.” Gallus sighed
“Well, glad we were able to help.” Spitfire shrugged, wrapping her wing over Fleetfoot’s back.
“Don’t you need to go back and help Professor Dash?” Ocellus asked
“Crash can handle a class on her own, clearly she’s done it before."
"So, I think the first course of action would...maybe be telling those closest to us?" Ocellus suggested
"Probably a good idea. It seems like you're hiding from the other two in your friend group as well, not really a good idea." Spitfire said "For now though, do you have any more questions?” Spitfire asked
“Yeah. Starting with why you said ‘Crash’ instead of ‘Dash’ a minute ago.” Smolder said, and Spitfire grinned mischievously.
“Oh, you’re gonna love this…”