Icarus yawned as he woke up in a soft warm bed. Looking over he saw that Sombra was still asleep in the bed across from him. They were lucky really, they got a decent room for free. Thanks to Sombra throwing out a commonly known stallion that liked to bully ponies out of their money. The tavern and inn owner were the same person lucky enough. So on top of free meals for the duration of our stay, we get a free room. Icarus and Sombra had been in this village called Aura Point for about a week now. Their routine was get up, wash up, go explore, poke fun at the grumpy Unicorn and enjoy not being in a cave.
Icarus did feel bad about all of the free lodging and food, so he offered to help out the tavern at night. It was a nice change of pace, it felt fair and it was pretty relaxing. Though Icarus would be lying if he said he didn’t have an ulterior motive. There was this beautiful pale yellow earth pony mare, with cyan eyes. Her mane a breathtaking black and gold that Icarus loved seeing. She motivated him enough to continue working there during his stay.
“Hey dad, I’m heading out for a bit, I'll be back” Icarus said. He wanted to check out a coffee shop and buy a book or 2.
“Mmph,” Sombra grunted. Icarus chuckled at this and gently opened and closed the door. He walked down the stairs and out of the inn. Now out on the street Icarus walked towards his destination. Trying to think of what he wanted to read, as well as drink. He could figure that out later. Entering the shop, a small ding was heard from above him.
“Just a second, I’ll be right with you!” A familiar voice called. Icarus' cheeks heated up and he began to panic. Anything but her right now I just woke up, Do I look ok? He thought to himself standing at the counter. Low and behold the pale yellow mare came to the counter wearing an apron.
“h-Hi” Icarus stammered. For Celestia’s sake why couldn’t he just say hello like a normal stallion.
“Hey! I know you, you’re the stallion from Pint’s tavern. What are you doing here?” She asked. He looked at her nametag Dawn Petal. A fitting name for her beauty Icarus thought.
“U-Uh yea that's me, I’m just looking for some books, and a Mocha maybe” Said Icarus. Looking at the bookshelf to his left, Dawn moved to the register.
“That’ll be 5 bits,” Dawn said. Icarus thought 5 bits wouldn’t be enough for the books, so he figured it was just for the coffee. Rummaging in his bag he forked over 5 bits.
“Thank you Dawn,” Said Icarus.
“Name for the order?” Dawn asked him.
“Icarus, and thanks again,” He said. She just smiled at him and started on his order. While she worked Icarus turned to look at the bookshelf, he saw non-fiction, fiction, and historical retellings?
“Please anything, Sombra isn’t a talker and I want something” Icarus mumbled. Finally settling on, A Tale of Two Hearts, and Daring Do and the Mysterious Temple. Sitting and waiting for his order Icarus took a look at the contents of the books. After about 5 minutes his drink was ready.
“Order for Icarus” Dawn called. Icarus walked over to the counter with his books and set them down.
“How much for the books too?” he asked. She examined the titles on them and looked behind the counter for something.
“Ah that’ll be 7 bits for both!” Dawn said. Nodding Icarus dug into his bag again and set his bits in her hoof. Briefly brushing against her hoof he blushed.
“U-Uh t-thanks” Icarus said. Dawn smiled and went to help the next customer. Icarus went and sat in a window by the door. Setting his coffee down he pulled A Tale of Two Hearts out and began to read.
After about 2 hours Icarus was a third of the way through his first book. He loved it, the cheesy romance made him giddy. The action made him anxious and he loved it so much he had to re-read it to take it all in. He was so engrossed in his book, the last quarter of his coffee had gone cold but he didn’t care. The only reason he stopped reading was that there was a purple Unicorn sitting across from him now.
“Can I help you miss?” Icarus asked. He looked around and saw that there were plenty of empty tables around him. Actually it wasn’t a Unicorn but an Alicorn? Icarus thought she was familiar but he couldn’t put his hoof on it.
“Well yes you can, I am looking for a Stallion-” She began. Icarus put his book down and held up his hoof.
“I’m flattered but not interested” Said Icarus. This made the purple pony visibly confused for a moment. Then a lightbulb went off and he saw the look of realization.
“No No, not like that” She said, “Let me start over. I am Twilight Sparkle, and my friends and I are looking for some pony.” Twilight said.
“And you think I can help? I don’t live here:” Icarus admitted.
“Well, we heard you arrived here with a black coated Unicorn, with a broken horn. There were letters sent to Princess Celestia with concerns.” Twilight said.
“Well, I haven’t come here with anypony besides my dad. Is the pony you’re looking for a father of 1?” Icarus asked. Thinking for a moment the purple Alicorn put a hoof to her chin and thought. She tilted her head and closed her eyes in concentration.
“Hmm I guess not, but if you hear anything about King Sombra please come find us. He’s a threat to Equestrian peace.” Twilight said firmly. Icarus gulped, she was looking for Sombra. Twilight picking up on his unease put a hoof on his own on the table.
“No need to worry, the elements of harmony are here to protect you and this village!” She said cheerfully. Nodding slowly Icarus pulled away and put his book in his bag, and threw away the rest of his coffee.
‘I- Uh appreciate the heads up. I’ll let ya know” Icarus said. Twilight waved at him as he scurried off back towards the inn. He was not going to sell out Sombra, not after finally getting some pony that understood him. Some pony that wholeheartedly protected him like a father would. Icarus, getting back to the inn, jogged up the stairs and into their room. They would need to get out of Aura Point before any pony else could come looking for Sombra.
“Colt, what is with all of the noise?” Sombra grumbled. He was still in bed despite it being well past noon. Icarus stopped packing his bag for a moment and turned to Sombra.
“Uh yea, A purple Alicorn is looking for you, I'm not a fan of it, can we go?” Icarus spat out. Sombra’s ears perked up at this and he looked at Icarus. Sombra’s expression was conflicted but Icarus could see a hint of anger on his face. But as soon as Icarus saw the feeling on Sombra’s face it was gone.
“Hmm troubling indeed, we shall leave tonight” Sombra said. Since being in Aura Point the two had found a train station. With the bits they had saved, and the tips Icarus had gotten working for Full Pint at his tavern. The 2 could leave when they wanted too, however Icarus wasn’t too happy about it.
“Ugh, yea I guess so, I’ll tell Full Pint we’re leaving” Icarus said. Sombra looked at Icarus, he could see that something was troubling the colt. Yet, did he have the right to ask him what was wrong? Before Sombra could question himself further Icarus asked him a question.
“Hey uh, So- err Dad. Um…How would you go about asking out a mare? You said you were married before, right?” Icarus inquired. Sombra could hardly believe that Icarus was asking Him for advice. And with mares no less; this made Sombra smile at Icarus. Icarus blushed and looked away from Sombra.
“No, I don’t like that smile there, forget I said anything” Icarus said. He turned to continue to pack but Sombra used his magic to pick up the colt and set him next to him on the bed.
“Do not be like that my son, but to answer your question I was married but I didn’t ask her out. Quite the opposite really” Sombra said laughing.
“She asked you? really?” Icarus said, confused. Icarus had seen it a few times at school in Cloudsdale. But he didn’t think that tall dark and, respectfully, handsome stallion would have had a mare ask him.
“Mhm” Sombra nodded, “Amber quite the enthusiastic and persistent mare if I am being honest. At first I found her annoying but she grew on me and well” Sombra smiled. It was one of the few times Icarus had seen Sombra give such a soft and loving smile. Had it not been for Icarus asking for help he might have poked fun at him.
“So any advice I guess if she isn’t pestering me?” Icarus asked. Sombra simply shook his head and placed his hoof on Icarus' shoulder.
“All you can do is go ask. Better to know than to never try young one.” Sombra said. Icarus was conflicted, yet hopeful that he could do it. Nodding at Sombra he got up from the bed, Icarus made his way to the door.
“Alright, you pack our stuff and I’ll be back...again!” Icarus said. Leaving the room Sombra just smiled as Icarus left. Sombra was stunned but content that Icarus had listened to him. He was used to giving orders rather than advice. Even his advice in the past was more akin to orders as well. He was starting to like it, not that he'd tell Icarus anyway. Sombra would do what was necessary to have Icarus not turn out like him.
Icarus set out to the café on the corner yet again. He was on a mission because if he didn’t do it right then and there he would flake. He would rather not deal with the what if’s if he could help it. Icarus saw Dawn leaving the Café and before he called out he stopped. He saw her with another stallion somepony he had the misfortune of knowing.
“Ok, he could be asking her to-” Icarus' train of thought derailed. He saw them kiss and laugh and walk off together. On seeing this he just stopped where he was and watched them walk off. Devastated was an overstatement but Icarus felt hurt seeing such a wonderful mare walk off with another. He felt like he was lacking in some way as he turned around to walk back to the inn. Seeing Full Pint, Icarus walked up to him. His expression grim, concerning the owner.
“Lad, what’s got ya so down in the dumps eh?” Pint asked him. Icarus didn’t want to talk about it so he just cut to the chase.
“Pint, Dad and I are out tonight. We appreciate the hospitality but we need to go” said Icarus. He hadn’t looked Pint in the eyes since walking in.
“Lad, I don’t know what’s going on but good luck wherever ya go. If you need a job you can always come to ol’ Pints Tavern” The old stallion said.
Icarus looked at him and forced a smile, “Thanks…”Icarus said walking back up to the room. Seeing Sombra sitting at the desk in the room writing a note. Icarus flopped onto his bed and groaned into the pillow. Sombra continued to write without looking over at him.
“So, not what you were expecting?” Sombra asked. He put down his pen in his magic and turned to Icarus.
“Not at all, she already had a colt friend waiting for her. To make things worse it was the stallion you threw out of the tavern, UGH” Icarus whined.
Sombra huffed and grimaced at Icarus, “Surely some pony I call my Son is not this weak willed” He said. Icarus looked at him angrily and scoffed.
“Ok Mr. Tall, dark and handsome, sorry some of us don't have mares throwing themselves at us” Icarus scowled. Sombra rolled his eyes at Icarus and turned back to the desk.
“Your hurt shows that you cared, but she was never yours. So why do you suffer when you get your answer? Grieving and whining do not go hand in hand.” Sombra said. Icarus opened his mouth and then closed it. Sombra was right, Dawn was never his and he got his answer. So why was he getting angry at Sombra, some pony who was nothing but kind to him.
“Ah, um. I-I’m sorry, you’re right. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.” Icarus apologized. Sombra got up and grabbed their bags in his magic.
“Hmm, I forgive you this time. Do not forget again” Sombra said. His sarcasm wasn’t lost on Icarus and he laughed.
“Alright dad, let's go before purple shows up” Icarus said. This made Sombra laugh along with him.
“PURPLE” Sombra snorted, attempting to cease his laughter. “Yes, let's head out now” he finished. The two set off to the train station across town. Walking out of the Inn, and into the street the two walked side by side. Sombra carried their bags in his magic, deciding to give Icarus a break from carrying everything. The two got to their platform with relative ease, and got to their designated spot. They were still about 10 minutes too early, so they sat on a bench together.
“Hey, can you give me the book in the left bag please” Icarus asked. Sombra obliged and levitated the book over to him. They passed the time in their comfortable silence together as they waited for the train to pull in. Hearing the train whistle in the distance, the 2 watched the train pull into the station. As the train stopped and ponies got off Sombra and Icarus patiently waited.
“Ready to go?” Icarus asked Sombra. Sombra walked ahead of him and displayed his ticket to the ticket master.
“Hurry up, or I’ll leave you” Sombra said. Laughing, Icarus jogged up behind him and showed his ticket as well. The 2 boarded the train and found their seats. Sombra levitated their belongings to the area above their heads and sat across from Icarus.
“HEYY STOP THE TRAIN” A mare's voice called. The train was departing and Icarus figured it was just a stray passenger. Looking out of the window Icarus froze as he saw Twilight running on the platform. Followed by 4 other mares and that he pieced together were the elements of harmony.
“He’s on that train girls, we gotta stop him from leaving the villa-”Twilight's stopped and her jaw fell. She saw Icarus in the train car across from Sombra. Her expression changed from desperate to angry. Icarus waved his one wing at her as the train pulled out of the station.
“Well, there goes leaving the city quietly,” Icarus said exasperatedly. Sombra smirked at him and closed his eyes.
“Congratulations, you irritated Princess of Friendship. Welcome to the club my dear Son” Sombra said sarcastically. Icarus rolled his eyes, and opened his book.
“Yea because defending the only pony who cares about me should be a crime” Icarus shot back. Sombra grumbled at this and grew red in the face. He still wasn’t used to the feelings he had about Icarus. The sense of pride he felt when Icarus called him dad, or told him he cared about him. Made him feel whole again, a feeling he hadn’t felt in ages. Sombra liked this feeling, he just hoped he wouldn’t have to go to war to keep it.
Levitating the note he'd written earlier out of his bag. Sombra opened the window and dropped it onto the platform. This made Icarus look at him and lifted an eyebrow.
"What's that?" Icarus asked Sombra. Who only shrugged his shoulders and laid down on his seat.
"Hmm," Sombra thought. "An explanation of the situation if you will" he said yawning. He hadn't done much today but dealing with a teen was exhausting.