//------------------------------// // Heritage // Story: Colt Cuddler: Friends To Lovers // by Starweardo //------------------------------// Shiny woke up the next morning, vaguely recalling the events of last night in his morning haze. He rolled to the side facing the wall, when he noticed Night lying there, fast asleep, snuggled up against him. He let out a “D’aaaw.” As he found himself unable to move without waking his bed partner up. As he lied there for ten minutes, listening to the faint snoring of Night Light, he decided to just wake him up and make him breakfast. He kissed him gently on the forehead and sure enough, Night stirred, groaning. “Good morning, beautiful.” Shiny said softly, running a hoof through his lover’s mane. That’s a really nice mane. But why is it so sticky to the le- ooooh… “Hey, uh, I don’t remember all too well, did we… you know… last night?” “Good morning to you too, babe. Why yes, we did. It was rather awkward, mind you, but I enjoyed, personally.” So they made whoopee last night. Okay, that clears things up a bit. “I’m gonna go make you breakfast. You should go shower in the meantime.” Night Light’s head tilted a bit, giving a confused look. “Eh? Whaddya mean?” Shiny just got up, saying “Just take a look in the mirror.” As he walked towards the kitchen to check the mirror. The blue pony sat up, completely unbeknownst of what Shiny might be talking about, making a thinking face as he sauntered to the bathroom to take a look for himself. He took a good look in the mirror and gave a chuckle followed by "Oh, of course." There was the trails of last night all over his mane, crusted up, hard to rid. Shiny gave a chuckle and joined Night Light in the bathroom. "Say," he started, "why DID you leave your hometown anyway?" Shiny asked, completely sincere in his investment he's trying to put into Night's life. Night looked at him with concerned eyes, signalling he's not comfortable talking about the matter in the slightest. He gave a sigh and shook his head. "I don't want to take about it" he answered. "Listen, I need to take a shower." he added, gesturing Shiny that he wants to be left alone. "Of course, Nighty." Shiny responded. Whatever happened must have destroyed him... I better wait until the time is proper. This could be a touchy subject to start asking questions about. As he walked around Night's house, Shiny pondered what he'd make for breakfast. Something hearty, maybe, to get them lightened up, like hay bacon. Not too bad an idea, Shiny. Although I'm not hungry and I didn't see any hay bacon in the fridge. I'll think o' something. Shiny sat down at the couch and stared blankly at the wall, listening to Night Light sing in the shower for a good five to ten minutes before noticing the showering had stopped. "Hey, I thought you were making breakfast.", said a confused Night Light, his coat damp from the steam and water. Shiny made room for him on the couch and simply said "Eh..." before moving back to the question. "Night Light... I need you to be honest in this relationship. What happened in Bronsdale?" The earth pony took his seat and sighed a heavy sigh. "Well... I'll have to tell you the whole story then... You see, the town of Bronsdale is, like the rest of Darokin, very beautiful, very keen on tradition and VERY old fashioned, kinda ironic, really, seein' as how their technology is more advanced than Equestrian tech. Anywhoof, the thing was, I was unfamilliar about colt cuddlin' and filly foolin', seeing as how I was raised to never think it possible. But... there was this colt in my village. A musical guy... I had my first crush on 'im. I thought it was weird, I thought maybe I had a disease... all the while I got more and more worried... I just... didn't know..." Night Light's Story "Mummy!" a young Night Light cried as he galloped into his parent's abode. His mother looked at him with a slightly surprised expression, as she was in the midst of cooking by herself. "What is it, Nighty, dear?" she asked in a gentle mother's tone. Night Light's mother, Serenade, was the eye catcher of the village. Every stallion wanted her, but it is the town mayor, Engarde, who got her in the end. Being born into the mayor's family put Night Light and his younger sister under high expectations, especially Night Light, as Engarde trained him to become the next honourable mayor of Bronsdale. "I've been goin' around town when I suddenly get this weird feelin' in my stomach, like... I been spinnin' around one round too much. I think I might be ill." he responded, obviously confused about the feelings he's been feeling. "Go lay down then, sweetie, your dad will be back from work soon. When did this feelin' start?" she asked in the most caring and gentle way she could. "I was lookin' at another pony my age... and suddenly my stomach twisted... do I hate that pony? Am I allergic to it?" he asked, he was getting worried. He had never been confronted with love before, as that was not in his priorities as mayor-to-be. "Night Light," his mother gasped with glee, "you're in love! Who is she? Is it that daughter of the webber? Ooooh you must tell me at once!" Night Light was taken aback by this. He never questioned his mother's word, ever. But in love? That doesn't seem right. The foal he was looking at was a colt. Male. But the way he could play the piano... it was so mesmerizing, he couldn't stop looking. And his mane, his luxurious mane. His mother sure did a nice job grooming him. He was so casual... But no. Nighty couldn't fall in love with a colt. It wasn't physically possibly, to his knowledge. That leaves one conclusion. He must be female. He'd have to ask about that. "Actually, mum, I think it's the colt two streets from here. High Note. Which begs the question, mum, am I a filly? Colts can't love colts." His mother's expression. He will never forget that facial expression. The unpresidented mixture of disappointment, shock, disgust and non-belief. She was so confused. So lost. So enraged. "Exactly. Colts can not love colts. It's not the way Celestia wanted it. You are just ill. Go to bed, Nighty." she said with a much, much sterner voice than before, giving him a firm, half-meant kiss on the forehead afterwards. Night Light obeyed, of course, nodding and going up to his room, wondering what that could be about as he crawled under the covers of his bed. Later that night, he could hear his father and mother talking about this, yelling and crying about having failed in raising their son. Night couldn't contain it. He bawled into his pillow, feeling sorry for having disappointed his parents this way. He closed his eyes forcefully. They burnt so bad. The tears were clawing at his eyes, screaming at his mind that he should stay awake and keep listening. But he didn't want to. This was too much for him. Eventually, he did calm down after plugging his ears, unable to hear anything. He fell asleep, eyes bloodshot, nose running. "And the next morning..." Night Light said heavily, "my own father told me I was banished from the town and that I should leave the country while I was at it. So I did. I ran far, far away, not knowin' what I might hit. Then I came across Equestria. Oh, sweet, sweet Equestria. Such an amazing country filled with much more gentle souls, ponies of all races, great culture and best of all, equality for all." Shiny sobbed. He's heard sad stories before, most of which were in books or films. But this... this was real. This actually happened to somepony. He gave Night Light a hug of understanding. "I am so sorry..." the white earth pony said, "I didn't know..." Night stroked his lover's mane, saying "It's okay." and mumbling other mood-lightening attempts to him, trying his darndest to calm him down. Damn you, Night Light... just... damn you...