The mid-day train to Appleloosa slid to a halt in the town’s station, a loud whistle sounding as its breaks were applied and it slowly slid to a stop.
Braeburn flinched, not at the sound but at what it meant for him, and looked down towards Sunburst with slight unease.
Sunburst looked up, sharing the look, but giving a gentle smile soon after. One that he hoped would put Braeburn at ease. “Looks like that’s my train.” He said, though made no intention to move from his spot next to Braeburn. Instead, he leaned up to give his neck a gentle nuzzle. “I, uh, should probably get going.”
“Probably should.” Braeburn agreed, leaning down to nuzzle Sunburst right back. “You say safe now, y’hear? Anything happens to you, and I’m gonna give AJ one heck of an earful for lettin’ it happen.”
“Brae, I’ll be fine~” Sunburst giggled as he jokingly pushed Braeburn away. “I’m just a Vice Headma-, er, Headstallion. The worst that’s going to happen to me is a papercut or two.”
“Well still.” Braeburn said softly with a sigh. “I’m just…”
“Not ready to see me go?” Sunburst finished as Braeburn trailed off. “Brae, I’ll be back as soon as I can, I promise. Unless, do you not believe me?”
“I believe you! I do…” Braeburn said, frowning deeply. “It’s just, the stove only needs to burn you a few times before they all start to scare you.”
“Then, uh, let me see if I can assuage your fears a little.” Sunburst said. He took a quick step away from Braeburn, then pressed a hoof against the clasp of his cloak. “This cloak was given to me by my friend right after I got my cutie mark, and right before I left to join the Canterlot Unicorn Academy. She said every real wizard needed to have a cloak of their own, and it definitely gave me comfort when it was proven I wasn’t exactly what the wizard I wanted to be.”
Braeburn blinked, then smiled confusedly at Sunburst. “That’s sweet and all, but I’m not sure how it-”
“I want you to have it.” Sunburst said, quickly undoing the clasp. “Not to keep, of course. Starlight would probably kill me if that happened. Just, you know, to borrow until I come back. As insurance.” He lit his horn, using his magic to move the cloak from him to rest on Braeburn instead, closing the clasp around his neck.
Looking at the sight of the farmer stallion wearing a wizardly cloak too small for him, Sunburst couldn’t help but laugh. “And it even looks great on you!” He reached towards the cloak with a hoof, fixing the fabric around Braeburn. “It, uh, also came with a hat, but I’m not really one for headware. Ponies say hats make me look dorky.”
Taking a moment to get used to the feeling of a thick, yet surprisingly cooled, cloak atop his usual vest, Braeburn looked at Sunburst with a bemused grin. “Well if y’all are gonna insist on it.” He reached up and removed the hat from his head, placing it atop Sunburst’s head in one fluid motion. “It ain’t much, not a gift from a childhood friend or nothin’, but hold onto my hat for me ‘til you get back. Was the first thing I got here in Appleloosa, so make sure to take good care of it.”
“It’s so great to finally have a Real Appleloosan Hat.” Sunburst said with a snicker. “Now you don’t even have to take me hat shopping.”
“I swear, y’all are lucky you’re cute.” Braeburn said with a deep, deep sigh.
Sunburst moved to banter back, but was quickly interrupted with the cry of “All aboard!” from the train conductor.
The mood between the two stallions darkened considerably as Sunburst lit his horn and used his magic to heft his many bags of luggage. “I guess this is it.” He said softly, giving Braeburn one last lingering look before turning to face the train.
“Guess so.” Braeburn said as he watched Sunburst turn and walk off. Just as he’d done with so many stallions before.
But Sunburst’s walking stopped moments later, the stallion setting his bags down upon the ground and turning to face Braeburn yet again. He quickly rushed towards Braeburn and, upon reaching him, leaned up to give him a gentle peck on the cheek.
Coming down from the gentle kiss, Sunburst looked at Braeburn with a gentle smile and blush. “That’s, uh, just a thank you for being such a gracious host. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, Brae.”
“Aw, aren’t you a sweetheart.” Braeburn beamed widely, leaning down and planting a kiss against the white splotch on Sunburst’s muzzle. “If I knew how much you’d appreciate stayin’ in the guest room, I’da let you stay in my room instead.”
There was a beat of silence before both Braeburn and Sunburst’s faces flushed red, though Sunburst broke out into a light chuckle while Braeburn hid his face in embarrassment.
Clapping a hoof on Braeburn’s shoulder, Sunburst looked upwards at him while still chuckling lightly. “Well, maybe we can revisit that idea next time I’m in Appleloosa.” He said with a soft, teasing grin.